Some bluebirds with their red plumage and black tails sang nearby, but Andries at that moment was not enchanted, he hugged his lover tightly, feeling in his hands the softness and warmth of the fisherman's muscular body, as well as the gentle touch of the white fabric that covered his skin.
– Get me out of here. Get me out of here. I just want to live next to her. Maybe Teunie can come with us, think about it – she said in tears.
– He's out of his mind. Control yourself. Do not be selfish. Even if we didn't call him, Teunie would come after us anyway. You know that. And my dad? He would die if we took away her affection. I can't. For all reasons. I can't take you away from here. Not now... There will be the right time to get what we want with more serenity. We should wait.
Amber left the main house with an inconsolable Andries behind. Marinus followed. He arrived at his father's hut who was waiting for him in the company of Teunie.
– That damn armed host. It surrounds the entire perimeter of Gehucht. I can't go out to the rivers and bring my fish. The patriarch rebuilt the local militia. – Amber's father said as he lifted the lid of a kettle on the wood stove. The steam from the herbal tea came out in abundance. The tea was ready. He took it off the heat and served it in clay mugs.
– Andries is panicking. He wants us to flee to the forgotten forest. He's afraid of his father, the legends and... Marinus!... He... – He paused for a few moments; There was some noise outside the hut. He sniffed the air and felt nothing. Perhaps the wind was blowing in one direction, removing the odors from that side of the hut where the noise had come from. He thought it was some animal and continued – He desperately wants us to run away from here to somewhere better. And it seems that for him anywhere is better than here.
– Why don't you take him to the Indian village? Their marriage ritual is accepted here in Gehucht as a marriage contract. This way he calms down once and for all and then maybe he can live in peace. The village is close. It wouldn't take long. It wouldn't attract anyone's attention. Furthermore, the village will give him all the protection he needs and more in the coming days, or nights... he knows that. They can consummate the union there and then return. But maybe before that you could try to convince Andries' father of your love.
Teunie listened silently and absorbed in his thoughts, drinking a cup of hot tea in the corner of the small room.
– I also think that with time we could convince the patriarch, but Andries is anxious and..., tormented. The village's idea, however, even if it agreed, would now be impractical. With the armed host it is impossible for us to leave Gehucht. They are using well-trained dogs. Not an insect goes unnoticed.
Marinus, who heard everything, left his hiding place and returned to the landlords' neighborhood. He crossed the small wooden bridges that joined the houses, passing several mills and finally arriving at the main house. Andries was in the room. Marinus had a keen sense of smell, upon entering the door he took a deep breath of the air in the room, distinguishing all the delicious odors of that environment that reminded him of his childhood. But above all, he delighted in the smell of his beloved. He approached gently.
– Andries, you know how much I love you. If you accepted my affections... I could make you very happy.
– I love you as a friend, but my heart doesn't belong to you Marinus. – At that moment Andries felt fragile. Marinus always inspired insecurity and fear in him, but he never knew exactly why. When he was alone with Marinus, a childish naivety took over him.
– I know that well. You love Amber. What if she could have both?
Andries looked at him strangely.
– Tell me: why do you so ardently desire a sudden departure from Gehucht, leaving everyone who loves him hurt behind?
– How did you know that?
– Answer me, why do you want it like that?
– My father is driving me crazy. And Now... This ancient legend... It always scared me! And it looks like it's coming true. I want to get out of here. Hang out with Amber. Stay by her side forever, away from here, away from all this. In a place where you can be happy. I can't take all this pressure. Amber is my safe haven.
– Escape to the forgotten forest?!
– How did you know?
– I want to protect you Andries. – She took him by the arms and forced him close to her. – I will protect you and I will be by his side, whatever his destiny. I will always be with you. Because that's how Tuatu wants it. – He kissed her forehead and left the main house. The wind blew over the main house and continued steadily in the direction Marinus had taken. Andries's scent followed him for a long way.
Andries felt relieved at his departure.
The trackers and militia leaders met with Arnout.
– And then? – The patriarch wanted to know.
Arent took the voice.
– The investigation committee is useless. The components may be beyond suspicion, but they are inexperienced and do not know how to do the job. They won't get anywhere and today is the last day. This night will be the night when the stars, clouds and full moon will disappear from the night sky. – he sighed deeply – We will then know if the Indian legends are true or if the creature is a son of darkness as the priest claims.
– The priest insists on taking the case to his superior D. Diego de Meneses in the town of São Paulo.
– This fanatical Jesuit seems like he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. Portugal here is our enemy. We don't even talk about the Indians. D. Diego wants them as slaves for his sugar industry or to work in the vineyards and silver and gold mines. Our luck is that the village of São Paulo belonging to the captaincy of São Vicente is isolated from the rest of the colony due to difficult access. This is convenient for us, as it keeps the Portuguese away from here. If the priest manages to escape Gehutch he will not be able to gain any support beyond the limits of the Village. Instead, he will be killed by one of ours or by the Indians.
– The perimeter of Gehucht is well protected. – Said the militia leader – Not a fly leaves or enters without our knowledge. We are well armed. The priest will never leave Gehucht and if the creature appears he will not escape us.
– Excellent! – Said Arnout, who secretly wishes the creature didn't appear. His family was more convinced of indigenous beliefs. If the story were true... Maybe the old woman and the wizard were right, maybe they should protect the panther-man, whoever he was and whoever he took. But he put those thoughts aside. He had an appointment with Gehucht. – Call the sorcerer and the priest; I want them both here when the night comes.