Chapter 6

Evening has fallen and the Shaman brings the family to her living quarters. The houses that they lived in were made out of all kinds of woods. If you live by a forest you were all set because it had all the wood that you needed and the material too. They used cedar to build their houses and used vines to make it all stay together. The sizes of the houses were rectangular, and they had rounded corners. They would make them sort of like a log cabin, but they put the wood vertical instead of horizontal. They had to make a hole in the roof to put a pipe through so the smoke could go through when they were cooking. They had a fire pit inside and out to cook their food. For their beds they slept in hammocks that were strung throughout in the houses. They had dirt floors. In their houses they would store their food under ground sort of like a basement.

"Not many people live here in the Incan cities. Most live in the nearby villages and travel into town for festivals or business. At its peak, our society had more than six million people. As the tribe expanded and conquered other tribes, like the Paracas, the we began to consolidate their empire by integrating not only the ruling classes of each conquered tribe but also developing a universal language, calling it Quechua (pronounced KECH-WUN).

The Riker family comes to what appeared to be the door to the hut. Will and Deanna look in the architecture with pure fascination.

"It isn't much I'm sure that you are used to more elaborate decorations but its home to me and our people."

The city was mainly used for the government. All the records for nearby villages were reported by their leaders and recorded in the city by the quipucamayoc. About the only people who lived in the city were the metalworkers, carpenters, weavers and other crafters who made artwork for the temples. These people lived in the artisans' quarters. Outside of the cities were the government storehouses and soldiers' barracks.

"In every major Inca city, the Sapa Inca had a palace for use when he visited the city. On those grounds were the convents for the Sun Virgins and houses for servants. The buildings on the grounds were single storied edifices, built of stone with a thatched grass roof. Their only entrance was to the courtyard that they were on."

"I'm curious how did your society survive on this planet. The Inca Empire was quite short-lived. It lasted just shy of 100 years, from ca.1438 AD, when the Inca ruler Pachacuti and his army began conquering lands surrounding the Inca heartland of Cuzco, until the coming of the Spaniards in 1532. "

"You know our history quite well Captain."

"It is one of the lessons I had to learn when I was a child in school. I also did a little research before I came down to refresh my memory."

"I see our ancestors left you to believe that. Our people wanted it that way and we intended to stay that way until our children began to die. We knew that we couldn't remain here without a little help from the outside world."

Deanna yawns as Catori finishes her tale. Lily and Emmy were already asleep on their parents lap.

"I did not realize how late it was getting you had better take your daughter's home we will speak again tomorrow.

"I'm sorry it's been a very long day. Thank you for the clothes."

Please come here I won't harm you or the child."

"Deanna I don't think that…"

"Will she has been wonderful to all of us if she wants to communicate with the baby then she can."

"Captain I will not harm your child I never had any children of my own therefore I never was able to communicate with it. All children are precious to us they are our future. I expect you will have a new child in the Spring, in the month of April.

Riker nods the Shaman moves over next to Deanna and places her hand across Deanna's stomach. She closes her eyes and begins to chant something that neither Deanna nor Will could understand. After a short while Catori removes her hand and opens her eyes.

"Your child is very strong. The words I chanted was a blessing. This child you are carrying will be very special when it matures. This child is very special to you is it not?"

"All our children are precious to us."

"You are deeply saddened by a loss of another child."

"Yes it was a very difficult time. I don't think I will really ever get over the pain of loosing a child."

"Take it from someone who has seen much death over the years. You will never get over it but you will heal with time. You should get back to your ship your daughter's have had quite a day."

"Yes we should, thank you again for the clothing and we look forward to seeing you all again."

"As am I please tell your daughter's good night for me."

"We will good-bye we had a lovely time."

Catori smiles as Will and Deanna take their daughter's in their arms and head back to their home.

TBC…Chapter 7