How Inca Yupanqui set out from Cuzco, leaving Lloque Yupanqui as Governor, and of what happened.

AS now, by order of Inca Yupanqui, more than 40,000 men had been assembled round the stone of war, the army was passed in review, captains were appointed, and there were feasts and drinking bouts. All being ready, the Inca set out from Cuzco in a litter enriched with gold and precious stones, which was surrounded by his guards with halberds, axes, and other arms. Next to him marched the lords, and this king displayed more valour and authority than any of his ancestors. He left in Cuzco, according to what they relate, his brother Lloque Yupanqui as governor. The Coya and the other women travelled in hammocks, and it is said that they carried a great quantity of jewels and of stores. In front, men were sent forward to clear the road, so that neither grass nor stone, large or small, might remain on it.

Arrived at the river Apurimac, they crossed it by the bridge that had been made, and advanced as far as the buildings of Cura-huasi. Many men and women, and some lords and principal men, came forth from the neighbouring places, and when they saw the army they were amazed and cried out, “Great Lord, Child of the Sun”, “Monarch of all things”, and many other grand names. At this place, they say that a captain of the Chancas, named Tupac Uasco, was given a Palla of Cuzco as his wife, and he highly prized her.

Advancing by the Apurimac and Cocha-cassa, the Inca found that the inhabitants of those parts were in strong pucaras, and that they did not live together in villages. So he ordered that they should live in an orderly way, abandoning evil customs, and abstaining from killing each other. They rejoiced at these orders, and willingly obeyed his commandment. But those of Curampa derided it. This being told to Inca Yupanqui, he defeated them in battle, killing many, and taking others prisoners. As the land was fertile, he ordered one of his officers to remain and organise the district, and to build lodgings and a temple of the Sun.

These arrangements having been made with great care, the King set out from thence, and marched to the province of Andahuaylas, where there was a solemn reception. He remained several days to decide whether he would go to conquer the inhabitants of Guamanga or Xauxa, or the Soras and Lucanas. Having considered the matter in council with his officers, he decided upon going to the Soras.[191] Setting out, he marched over an uninhabited region which leads to the Soras, who were apprised of his approach, and assembled to defend their country.

The Inca Yupanqui had sent captains with parties in many other directions, to induce men to join his service by kind treatment; and he sent messengers to the Soras, admonishing them not to take up arms against him, and promising to make much of them, and to do them no injury. But they did not wish for peace with servitude; but rather to fight for their liberty. So when the two armies came together, there was a battle, concerning which those who can preserve the memory of it, say that it was fiercely contested, and that many fell on both sides. But the victory remained with those of Cuzco. The fugitives who escaped death or capture, fled to their town with much lamentation, where they collected as much of their property as they could, and, taking their women, they abandoned the place, and fled to a strong rock, near the river of Vilcas, where there are many caves and a supply of water. In this fastness many men assembled with their women, with as much provisions as they could get together, for fear of the Inca. Not only the Soras took refuge on the rock, but many from the district of Guamanga, and from the banks of the Vilcas, also fled there, terrified at the news that the Inca wished to be sole lord over the people.

The battle being won, the conquerors enjoyed the spoils; but the Inca ordered that no harm should be done to the captives. They were all released. A captain was ordered to march towards Condesuyo by way of Pumatampu; and when the Inca entered the country of the Soras, and heard that the people had gone to the rocky fastness, he was much incensed, and determined to go and besiege the place. So he commanded his captains to march against it, with the army.