Audiolibro "Leyendas de mi tierra" "La Esmeralda Sagrada" de Antonio Diaz Villamil

Leyendas de mi tierra: La Esmeralda Sagrada - Parte 1

Introduction to the Sacred Emerald

• A young girl, around 15 years old, is chosen by Inca Huáscar to join the monastery of selected virgins in Cusco. This marks her departure from the world to serve as a priestess in a revered temple.

Life on the Island

• The girl, proud and joyful about her selection, is escorted to an island in Lake Titicaca where she lives with other maidens under strict supervision. They perform daily rituals dedicated to the Sun God.

• Each morning before sunrise, they ascend the island's peak to light a fragrant rosemary fire as part of their religious duties, followed by sacrifices accompanied by songs and music.

Daily Activities of the Maidens

• After their morning rituals, they retreat to a stone convent at noon for weaving delicate garments made from vicuña and alpaca wool. Their evenings are spent either resting or enjoying leisure activities by the lake's shore.

• The maidens often gather on elevated areas to admire Lake Titicaca or play along its sandy beaches while sharing stories about their illustrious monarchs' conquests.

Arrival of Messengers

• One day after completing their usual morning sacrifice, they spot several reed boats approaching from the north side of the lake bearing messengers from Cusco, which brings them great joy as it signifies news from their sovereign.

• The maidens rush down a steep stone staircase leading to the dock upon hearing about the arrival of these envoys who bring greetings and provisions from Inca Huáscar. The first messenger is identified as Puma Yo, known for his navigational skills.

News of War and Captivity

• As more envoys arrive, including Paulo Tupac—Huáscar’s trusted steward—their initial excitement fades upon seeing his somber expression; this foreshadows troubling news ahead. Several maidens inquire about what has happened but receive no answers initially.

• Upon meeting with Abadesa Mama Cuna, Paulo Tupac reveals that Inca Huáscar has been defeated and captured by his brother Atahualpa during a civil war for control over the empire; he managed to escape captivity just long enough to deliver this message.

The Sacred Emerald's Significance

• Paulo Tupac presents Mama Cuna with "the sacred emerald," an heirloom coveted by Atahualpa due to its immense value and symbolic power for kingship; Huáscar prefers death over allowing it to fall into enemy hands. He entrusts Mama Cuna with its safekeeping until his return or demise.

• After solemnly handing over this precious gem adorned with mysterious symbols, Mama Cuna vows loyalty and commitment towards protecting it at all costs as per her divine mission before sending him back safely on his way homeward amidst rising tensions in Peru due to civil strife between Huáscar and Atahualpa's factions.

Tension Following News of War

• Despite receiving troubling news regarding Huáscar’s fate, life on the island returns momentarily peaceful; however, anxiety lingers among residents anticipating potential repercussions stemming from ongoing conflicts within Peru’s political landscape following these events involving both brothers vying for supremacy over their ancestral lands.

The Sacred Emerald and the Inti Raymi Festival

The Abadesa's Vigilance Over the Emerald

• The abadesa, tasked with guarding a precious emerald, becomes less fearful over time but remains constantly vigilant about its safety. She understands its sacredness and significance to those who approach it.

Preparations for the Inti Raymi Festival

• As the Inti Raymi festival approaches, which is a grand celebration honoring the sun across Peru, preparations begin on the island. Messengers from Atahualpa arrive to inform the vestals of his intention to visit during this significant event.

• Various commissions arrive at the island carrying supplies for Atahualpa’s accommodation and rich offerings for sacrifices, indicating that he aims to surpass previous monarchs in celebrating this extraordinary festival.

Arrival of Atahualpa

• A large fleet of boats arrives on the horizon as Inca Túpac Huallpa and his entourage reach the island just days before festivities commence. This influx causes concern among the vestals regarding the safety of Huascar's emerald due to political tensions surrounding their loyalties.

• The vestals are determined to keep the secret of the emerald safe amidst rising tensions as thousands gather on the island for preparations, transforming it into a bustling hub filled with activity and grandeur.

Description of Island Grandeur

• The Island of Sun is depicted as magnificently adorned during its peak, featuring impressive stone structures including a grand staircase leading up to a palace designated for Inca visits and accommodations for high-ranking officials.

• A beautiful fountain sits halfway up this staircase, surrounded by lush trees providing shade; two paths diverge from here—one leading to royal quarters and another towards where vestals reside at their monastery atop the hill.

Entering the Sanctuary

• Atahualpa arrives at a golden sanctuary covered in solid gold plates and adorned with precious stones; only he can enter through doors opened by abadesa after confirming his religious preparations and acts of charity performed prior to entering.

• Upon entering, Atahualpa takes his place on an ornate throne while maidens perform a religious hymn that transitions into a solemn dance accompanied by traditional instruments like quenas and drums. This marks an important ceremonial moment within Inca culture.

Tension During Ceremony

• During this ceremony, abadesa feels sudden terror upon recognizing Apu Mayo—the pilot who once delivered Huascar's emerald—standing beside Atahualpa; her instinct leads her to clutch her hidden jewel tightly in fear of betrayal being revealed.

• Apu Mayo whispers something into Atahualpa’s ear which raises alarm in abadesa as she suspects treachery against Huascar; she fears that Mayo has conspired with Atahualpa regarding her secretive possession of such an invaluable treasure.

The Quest for the Sacred Emerald

The Urgency of Secrecy

• The beauty sought out a trusted vestal to discreetly request help, signaling her preferred companion to approach amidst the dancers.

• The elder warned the young vestal to safeguard the emerald, as it had been discovered by a traitor's keen gaze. The vestal assured her that no one would take it without killing her first.

Tensions Rise in the Temple

• After the ceremony, Atahualpa ordered his entourage to leave while he prayed alone, leaving only Puma Yo behind in the temple. This moment marked a shift towards impending conflict.

• Atahualpa demanded from the venerable priestess the sacred emerald sent by his brother Huáscar, but she denied having it, escalating tensions further.

Accusations and Betrayals

• A traitor named Puma Yo testified against the priestess, claiming she had not received or safeguarded the emerald as promised. His accusations intensified suspicion and hostility within the temple.

• Atahualpa declared himself its rightful owner and dismissed Huáscar as an inept prisoner lacking true leadership qualities. This assertion highlighted his ambition and desire for power over familial ties.

Desperate Measures

• As tension escalated during interrogation, a young vestal named Jacuzzi discreetly slipped away from danger towards safety across fields and hills, fearing for her life if discovered by Atahualpa’s men.

• She found a secluded spot where she buried the emerald's wrapping deep in the earth, ensuring no trace remained of her actions—a sign of cleverness amid chaos.

The Consequences of Defiance

• Upon returning to find chaos in the temple due to torture inflicted on her fellow priestess by Atahualpa seeking information about the emerald's location, she was horrified at what transpired in her absence.

• Despite enduring severe torment, an elderly priestess maintained silence about where she hid the emerald until her last breath—showing remarkable courage under pressure from Atahualpa’s cruelty.

Sacrifices Made for Loyalty

• In a final act of defiance against torture methods employed by Atahualpa’s forces, another young vestal sacrificed herself by blinding herself with a golden pin so that she could not reveal any secrets regarding their hidden treasure when interrogated later on.

• Ultimately unable to locate Huáscar's missing emerald despite extensive searches led by Atahualpa’s men fueled his rage further; he ordered executions against all who were present during these events as punishment for their perceived failures or betrayals.

Return to Cusco and the Prophecy

The Return of Winnie Pooh

• The only one spared from death was Winnie Pooh, who was sent to accompany the Inca back to the capital, where she would be imprisoned while sorcerers attempted to restore her sight.

• After weeks of travel northward, the Inca and his entourage reached the capital, where all sorcerers and diviners were summoned for a series of rituals aimed at restoring Winnie Pooh's vision.

Restoration of Sight

• Although her sight was restored, it was not in a conventional sense; instead, she gained supernatural eyes that could see into the future rather than the material world.

• Upon learning that Winnie Pooh could see again, the Inca ordered her presence so he could extract a significant secret from her. Her gaze appeared distant and otherworldly.

The Prophecy Revealed

• When asked about the lost emerald, Winnie Pooh revealed that it had manifested in her eyes solely for foreseeing and warning about future events.

• She foretold a grim destiny for Atahualpa: he would soon die as strange and greedy people would come to seize his treasures and power, ultimately leading to his demise.

Impending Doom

• Following this prophecy regarding Pizarro's expedition to Peru, Atahualpa became anxious and tormented by guilt. To prevent his brother from inheriting the throne after him, he ordered his execution while imprisoned.