Now one called aloud the pledges of the fight which were as Kari had spoken them.  He listened and added: 

“Be it known, also, that this battle is to the death of one or both of us, since if we live I take back my oaths and I will burn yonder witch as a sacrifice to the Sun whom she has betrayed, and destroy her people and her city according to the ancient law of Vengeance on the House of those who have deceived the Sun.”

I heard but made no answer, who did not wish to waste my breath in bandying words with a great man, whose brain had been turned by bigotry and woman-hatred.

A moment later the signal was given and we were at it.  Kari leapt at me like the tree-lion of his own forests, but I avoided and parried.  Thrice he leapt and thrice I did this; yes, even when I saw an opening and might have cut him down.  Almost I struck, then could not.  The Chancas watched me, wondering what game I played who was not wont to fight in this fashion, and I also wondered, who still knew not what to do.  Something I must do, or presently I should be slain, since soon my guard would fail and Deleroy’s sword get home at last.

I think that Kari grew perplexed at this patient defence of mine, and never a blow struck back.  At least he withdraw a little, then came for me with a rush, holding his sword high above his head with the purpose of striking me above that guard, or so I supposed.  Then, of a sudden, I knew what to do.  Wheeling Wave-Flame with all my strength in both hands, I smote, not at Kari but at the ivory handle of his sword.  The keen and ancient steel that might well have been some of that which, as legend told, was forged by the dwarfs in Norseland, fell upon the ivory between his hand-grip and the cross-piece and shore through it as I had hoped that it would do, so that the blade of Kari’s sword, severed just above the hilt, fell to the ground and the hilt itself was jarred from his hand.

His nobles saw and groaned while the Chancas shouted with joy, for now Kari was defenceless and save for the death itself, this fight to the death was ended.

Kari folded his arms upon his breast and bent his head.

“It is the decree of my god,” he said, “and I did ill to trust to the sword of a villain whom you slew.  Strike, Conqueror, and make an end.”

I rested myself upon Wave-Flame and answered: 

“If I strike not, O Inca, will you take back your words and let peace reign between your people and the Chancas?”

“Nay,” he answered.  “What I have said, I have said.  If yonder false woman is given up to suffer the fate of those who have betrayed the Sun, then there shall be peace between the peoples, but not otherwise, since while I live I will wage war upon her and you, and upon the Chancas who shelter both of you.”

Now rage took hold of me, who remembered that while this woman-hater lived blood must flow in streams, but that if he died there would be peace and Quilla would be safe.  So I lifted my sword a little, and as I did so Quilla rose from her stone and stumbled forward, crying: