A calm but powerful wind was blowing over the village. White chicken feathers were swept by the wind and then rose in small whirlpools that broke apart, releasing them strongly in different directions.
Dry palm leaves lined the walls of the tabas and remained firm despite the powerful wind. The burning sun gave the impression that it was hot inside those peculiar Indian habitats, but the two open doors maintained a constant flow of air, making the interior pleasant.
A smell of dry clay emanated from the floor. Mahara rested naked in his hammock, only his ankle was decorated with aguaí seeds, some dyed black, others red. He had built his table next to the sorcerer's. Asleep, lulled by the soft sound of the wind passing by, he dreamed of his well-being that would be awaiting him in the night to come.
The year was 1611. Mahara had remained in the village for a year since Tuatu's visit to the world. His love for Teunie held him there. They were hidden in the woods near the Dutch immigrant village, Gehucht.
The patriarch of the Dutch and his men covered them. But the former poncho holder knew it was time to go. He would have to go to the village of São Paulo to find the next heir. The youngest descendant of the first executor would have to be found.
His son Amber, who was the last executor, chose to abandon the world of men, which is why the mystical poncho separated itself from him and now awaits the meeting with the youngest descendant that was among humans. A new executor would have to be found. He should be the youngest descendant of the first executor, that is, the last descendant to be born.
Mahara had two sisters and two brothers who long ago chose to leave Gehucht and live in the village of São Paulo. Her goal was to find them and her nephews. She hadn't heard from her family since they left Vilar when they were still young.
The fact that the poncho had not attached itself to Mahara again after it left Amber meant that at least one of her family members had given her at least one nephew. That or the youngest of them would inherit the poncho and the responsibilities of the executor. He went to meet Teunie for the last time to say goodbye, or at least that's what he made it seem like. He wanted to see his beloved's reaction.
– Do you really think you're going to leave without me?
– I prefer you to stay here and wait for me. – Provoked.
– And being away from you all this time? No. I'll go with you. I've already lost Amber and Andries. I will stay with you wherever you go. Besides... Maybe we can build a life together in the village of São Paulo. Nobody knows you there, we won't have any problems. Here it is impossible for you to live with me. If the Jesuit's followers know that the panther-man, or "son of Lucifer" as they like to say, is still alive, they will want his skin.
– I was waiting to hear that from you. We can pay a visit to the village of São Paulo, if we don't like it, we can think about other places. It is also my wish that we find a place where we can live together without me having to hide. Since you've decided to come with me, you better prepare yourself. The road to the village of São Paulo is arduous. The São Paulo village may be isolated from the rest of the colony, but Gehucht is isolated from the rest of the world. The forests are dense and there are many dangerous geographical features. If I were alone I would do it in two weeks, but in your company and walking on two legs it will be more than two months of journey.
– The path may be arduous, but we will have fun. Will see.
– Now go. Get ready. – Said Mahara, slapping him on the buttocks. – We will leave in five days.
Mahara transformed herself into a violet panther and left her lover's company and disappeared into the forest.
Five days later they met on a trail. It was raining heavily. They carried backpacks with all the material they would need on the trip. Food would be obtained along the way. With Mahara's keen sense of smell, finding game would be easy. Mahara looked up at the sky.
– It looks like we're going to have rain for weeks. – Said Mahara.
– We haven't faced a prolonged period of rain in many years.
– Gehucht can survive without us. How did he manage to convince his father?
– I wasn't able to. He left Gehucht to his cries of protest. He told me that it would be crazy to go out towards the village, "alone" and without supplies, even for a tracker.
– Did you bring the gold coins I asked for? We will need resources in the village.
– I brought it and something else. Maybe we don't need the gold coins. Arnout gave us Portuguese coins, taken from the soldiers he had shot down in the bloody confrontation that took place a long time ago. They were of no use to them, he told me. He gladly gave it to me when I explained our mission. He asked me to convince the new executor to bring his family to Gehucht.
– Of course we will try.
They walked along trails for two days and then it was just dense forest. The rain was punishing. They were clearing the way with machetes. The pantherman's sense of smell led them quickly to the hunting ground. They crossed streams, rivers, waterfalls, dense forests, mountains, valleys and cliffs. After five weeks the rain finally stopped and a clear sky opened up.
Teunie marveled at the landscape left by the torrent of rain. Wherever they went they always saw floods. The rivers were a vivid mud-colored hue. That gold in contrast with the green of the vegetation was of unique beauty and gave the rivers more power and fear. Its waters were deeper, its currents more treacherous, but that only made it even more magnificent. That beautiful and imposing landscape associated with the warm presence of her beloved made Teunie feel happy.