The end of the afternoon was approaching. The setting sun stained the white sails of some windmills red with its last blood-colored rays. The black braúna sticks that were attached to the sails creaked, revealing their advanced age.
The priest and the sorcerer were next to each other in the main square accompanied by the main authorities. The group was surrounded by the rest of Gehucht. The priest said between his teeth to the sorcerer:
– Tuatu? Violet moon? Empty sky? Frog!
– Demon? Sky? Hell? Frog! – replied the sorcerer.
– Hmm... – The priest grumbled.
The sun was setting. Finally the last rays were gone. A soft smell of burning grass invaded the square. Only the sound of canaries singing could be heard coming from far away. Most residents of houses with mills had canaries imprisoned in large cages. The night has come. The sky was clear. There was nothing. No stars, no clouds, no full moon that should be there. Terrible roars were heard from the forgotten forest. Among the crowd someone shouted:
– Tuatu is coming back! Tuatu is coming back! The voice faded as the person ran into Gehucht.
People panicked. They ran to the bridges until they reached their houses where they locked themselves in. The next day, normally clear but strangely without the sun in the sky, there was a lot of commotion. Gehucht was torn. Many believed in indigenous beliefs; the others led by the priest said that everything was a work of darkness and the panther-man should be destroyed only then would the forces of hell leave the world.
The fourth night was about to arrive. Tuatu was supposed to appear in the night sky with his brother. Expectations were high. They met again in the square. The priest with a cross in his hand and a prayer group intended to exorcise the demon from heaven if he appeared.
The sunless day was coming to an end. The night spread its veil. On the horizon the shining eye of Tuatu appeared. The night advanced and Tuatu was already in its full exuberant gold. Another eye began to appear on the horizon. Arnout approached the leaders of the commission, the armed host and the trackers. They made a circle. Arnout said quietly and between his teeth:
– We need to find the werepanther and protect him. Redouble your efforts. – Everyone agreed.
The priest performed his exorcism on the two moons throughout the night. But the night didn't seem to end. Exhausted, he fainted.
There were a few hours left before the violet moons appeared over the golden glow. The roars coming from the beast forest did not stop. The leaders met in the party room in the main house behind closed doors.
– I bring news, said the head of the militia, Cornelis, the leader of the commission, presented us with strong evidence about a fisherman. Mahara is his name.
– Mahara? Amber's father? It can not be.
– There is no doubt. When Cornelis showed us the signs, we reinforced our surveillance of the fisherman. Two of the men saw Mahara transform into a panther. There is no mistake. We found our werepanther.
– Or werepanthers.
– Hmm!... Possibly. But which of them is Tuatu's executioner?
– The youngest, of course, the responsibility is passed on to the next generation. Let's go to the hut ourselves to offer him our protection. We will help you with your task.
– I have already removed our soldiers from the Gehucht perimeter. He has complete freedom to come and go as he pleases.
– Sir – Cornelis said – your son Andries was seen heading towards the hut half an hour ago.
– Hmm!... That doesn't worry me. Amber loves him; she will never choose him as an offering. Let's go to the hut.
Behind a door Marinus heard the conversation. Behind another the priest.
There were just a few hours left for Tuatu to demonstrate. The priest hurried to get ahead of Arnout's group; He gathered his followers and, armed, headed towards the hut.
Andries entered the small room where an old trunk was holding old memories. Memories of your childhood. The penetrating smell of fish also brought back memories of his childhood.
– Sit down – said Mahara – I'll make you some tea and donuts. Amber sat next to her hugging him affectionately.
– I'll leave you here. I need to go out to do some work, but I'll be back to take you and when I get back, I'll go with you wherever you want. We will run away together. Now I can go with you... But for now, I must leave and leave you. I just need to finish a task.
Andries was surprised, but very happy. It was everything he wanted. He had accepted the herbal tea and bit into the bagel. He was still chewing it when Amber finished speaking.
– Will it come out now that the violet moons will rise? – He said, swallowing the rest of the donut he had just chewed. – Isn't it better to wait here until this is all over? – She took a sip of herbal tea.
– Maybe I can help make this all go away. – She said kissing his forehead. She got up, grabbed a backpack and put it on her back.
– What do you have there?
– A gift. Need to go...
A voice was heard shouting from outside.
– Come out son of darkness. His time has come! – it was the voice of the priest.
– I don't believe it, that crazy priest thinks the panther-man is in that hut. – Andries said, wiping his mouth with his hand and getting up. – He lives defending an absurd religious belief and is still said to be in the graces of King Felipe II of Portugal. My father didn't hang him like he did many Portuguese soldiers in other times because of his fanatical followers in Gehucht.
– Yes, he believes that the panther-man is in here and he doesn't seem to be willing to talk, he came with heavy weapons. – Said Mahara looking through the window.
– What do we do? – Andries asked.
– We have to get out of here, the hut is surrounded, they won't give us any chance. – Amber said, opening a dusty trapdoor in the floor.
– This tunnel will take us outside, but we will come out right on its heels. We're going to need a lot of luck.
– Why don't we get some weapons too? We will open the way with bullets if necessary. Andries said.
Father and son looked at each other.
– We would be breaking an old agreement if we did so.
– So... You... Are werepanthers!