The crowds thickened around Chi 'I must get to my daughter's house and take her away under the cover of darkness' was her resolve. Working her way through the city with its festively dressed inhabitants, she pushed through the crowds gathering for the ceremony of the Intipunku. The Summer Solstice, the day when the sun rose over the Sungate and hit the temple and the alter and illuminated them with its rays. This occurred annually and was the subject of a huge festival.

Chi's daughter was a beautiful teenager; she had lived in the city since shortly after she was born. Both Chi and her daughter were brought to the city as captives where they were separated. Chia was selected to serve a handmaiden at the temple. Luxuriously clothed and cosseted her life had been one of pleasure and beauty. The vivid textiles of the Inca people highlighted her olive skin and blue black hair to perfection. She had reached puberty and was a virgin. Chia's physical attributes were becoming visible as she grew into a young woman. Her obvious sensuality had attracted attention and her developing pubescent beauty was flawless.

Chi's one thought was to rescue her daughter from the fate which would be ahead of her if the rumours which she had heard about her were true. Her daughter would become a living sacrifice at the forthcoming summer solstice. When the sun's rays dawned at the Sungate, the temple and the alter could be directly in the path of the sun. When the rays hit the alter, Chia would die in agony, her heart torn out as a living sacrifice to the Sun God.

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Walking up the stony path which led to the secret city, the mountain surrounded plateau spread before Margaret. The landscape was extraordinarily familiar. Tomorrow was the Summer Solstice. She thought of the 'third shadow'. Where did that notion come from? What was the 'third shadow'?

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The crowds thickened around Chi, and her agitation heightened. 'I must go to my daughter's house, and get her away under the cover of darkness'. Working her way through the mountain city, she walked through the gathering frenzied crowds for the ceremony of Intipunku...

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Margaret's heart turned over, the time had come. The 'third shadow' had hovered above the alter known as the hitching post of the sun. The bright rays glinting on the 'tumi' the curved ceremonial knife held in the upraised hand of the Priest in his frenzy of blood and slaughter. The crowds roared, Margaret rushed forward, screaming.

On awakening, Margaret found herself in a hospital bed. 'Where am I?' she muttered. 'We found you at the bottom of the slope at the alter of the sun, unconscious' was the reply.

Beryl Richards

The Third Shadow - Part One