As the posts on the royal roads were so numerous, nothing happened in any part of the empire that was unknown, and when it was understood that Atahualpa had escaped by such good luck, and was in Quito assembling his troops, it was known that a war was certain. Hence there were divisions into parties; great disturbances; and thoughts directed to evil ends. Huascar had no one who would not obey him, and did not desire that he should come out of the affair with honour and power. Atahualpa had, on his side, the captains and men of the army, and many native lords and mitimaes of the Quito provinces. They relate that, being in Quito, he made haste to prepare his army to march, swearing, in their manner, that he would inflict great punishment on the Canaris for the affront he had received from them. He knew that Atoc was approaching with his army, which exceeded, according to what they say, forty huarancas or thousands of men, and he made haste to come forth and meet him.

Atoc advanced because Atahualpa had not been able to assemble the men in the provinces. He addressed his men, exhorting them to do honour to the Inca Huascar, and to exert themselves to chastise the shameless conduct of Atahualpa. To justify his cause, Atoc sent certain Indians as messengers to Atahualpa, urging him to rest satisfied with what he had already done, and not to plunge the empire into civil war; but to submit to the Inca, as the wisest course for him.