“It is well,” said another. “We desire to question you, sir, and trust you will answer us truly. Why are you here?”
“We came,” said Paul, using the expressive Maya language, which seemed to be spoken in the valley, “merely from curiosity. We are experienced travelers, from a country afar off, and we wished to see your valley, to meet your people and to make you our friends.”
The third Tribune spoke. “How came you to know that the Vale of Tcha exists?” he asked.
Allerton hesitated, not knowing how to answer. He tried to choose his words with great care, for words meant lives at this crisis.
There was no impatience displayed by the Tribune, yet our leader’s very hesitation was against us. It was a fair question, from their standpoint, but the most difficult one Paul could have been called upon to answer. He must at all hazards protect his friend and “brother”.
But Chaka showed his mettle then. He advanced a pace and standing beside Allerton he said in a clear voice that could be heard by all:
“It was I who told him of the hidden Vale of Tcha.”
The three graybeards examined the speaker carefully.
“You are an Itzaex,” said one.
“I am Chaka Atkayma, the child of the gods and the hereditary ruler of my people,” was the proud assertion. Chaka was superb when he assumed this mood.