Isa looked to be around forty years old, she should have been about five years younger than Mahara. Although she had hair that was still black, but poorly treated, her clothes were somewhat grubby and her body was worn from work, Isa was admirably slender. She had a simple appearance. She was a little taller than her newly arrived brother. Isa had a perfect waist and a youthful face despite her age. SE Compared to Mahara there was a certain similarity between the two.
– Leave the house now. Leave us alone. – Isa said to her children.
The boys wanted to argue against it, but their mother's firm gaze stopped them.
They lowered their heads and left. Isa came around the table again. Finally she sat down.
– Aiden passed away two years ago, leaving no descendants. Egmond embarked as a single man for Portugal many years ago. He wanted adventure. I haven't heard from him since. I don't know if he has descendants. Mahara, I will not allow you to take one of my children to Gehucht. Where is your Amber? Why isn't he the man with the poncho?
– He gave up on inhabiting the human world. He went underground in the forest. It's a long story.
– Then start counting. We have all day.
– First I want to know. What happened to Arenda, didn't I smell her? – Arenda was an old friend of Isa. They were childhood friends in Gehucht.
Arenda accompanied Isa when she decided to come and live in Vila de São Paulo.
– He is working in the Vila council, but at the moment he is in the Bahia council, he was in the service of the town of São Paulo and will probably be away for many months. I miss you.
Mahara narrated the events since the arrival of the moons.
– So, you came to look for the new executor. I knew that when I smelled it last night. If I were still in Gehucht that would be an honor for me, but here... I know you'll want to take Henrique if he's the heir to the poncho. I won't allow it.
– Maybe he's not the heir. If the poncho doesn't accept it, it's because there is a younger heir. I will have to go to Portugal after our brothers.
– Or maybe, you can simplify by having a new child. – Isa said, lowering her head. – Sorry, I'm being selfish. Enter the room! – He screamed. – Don't think that the opposite wind won't let me know that you're behind the door.
The two boys entered and sat down.
– Why don't you wait a few years, Mahara? Give time for our brothers to have their descendants and then go after them.
– You're being selfish again.
– I have that right. I'm a mother.
– Does your husband know about your non-human natures?
– Alípio doesn't know anything. You have no idea how difficult it was to hide the transmutation of my husband's two children. When they became teenagers then... – he took a deep breath. – It was very difficult... But now they are adults and wise.
– I would like to be the poncho master. Our mother tells ancient Indian legends about our origins. I want my family to be heirs to the poncho. It will be an honour. – Said Afonso.
– Shut up. – Said the mother.
– You can't Afonso. He is not the youngest descendant. What do you think of this Henrique? Mahara asked.
– I don't have my brother's ambitions. I don't want to go to Gehucht nor be honored with the Tuatu poncho. My life is here in the village. I love a boy and this is where I want to stay and be happy with him.
– I'm sorry, but we have no choice. If there is no executioner, human lives will be lost, Mahara insisted.
– Six hundred years from now! What do we care about this? It's so far away. And we're not even human. Why do you care about them? - Henry said.
– Six hundred years ago someone could have said that too. And what would become of humans now. What would become of his beloved human and his father now? Do you think Tuatu would only embrace the humans of Gehucht? Listen. His mother said she has sense. Responsibility is passed from generation to generation. You can't escape it.
– Andries can.
– But first he fulfilled his mission. And very well. She sacrificed her beloved as an offering to Tuatu to save humans. It's her right not to want to wear the poncho anymore. It was too heavy a burden for her that she no longer needs to carry. Either way, all you have to do is put the poncho in a chest and pass it on to the next descendant. No need to come to Gehucht. Tuatu will find the executioner wherever he is in the world. If you do not wish to come to the Dutch village I will not try to persuade you to do so. But you have to accept his responsibilities. I'm not asking much of you, if you think about it.
Everyone was silent. After some time. Henry spoke.
– If it's as you say... I accept the inheritance.
Isa put her face in her hands and started crying. Afonso approached her and comforted her.
– Calm down mom. He didn't see what his uncle said. He can stay here with us.
– You don't understand, son. There are many secrets that that underground city hides. I was there once when I was young and... Well, I left the Ivory City by another means than the niches... You know, when you leave there without going through the niches... We remember a lot.
– You never told me about that, sister. And what is this about the city of ivory?
– That's what her name is, but it doesn't matter. – Isa composed herself as if she were banishing ghosts from her mind. – Those… high caste "sorcery"… I don't want my children involved in that in any way. Furthermore, I will not allow a son of mine to return to Gehucht. The high caste of violet panthers underground will not accept the executioner being so far from their domains.
– They will have to accept it. – Mahara intervened. – The choice is not theirs, even if they do not agree, they will not have the power to change this decision, which only belongs to Henrique. Calm down sister. She will not lose her son.
Isa hugged her brother gratefully.
– Tell me brother. If Amber ever leaves the underground, who will the poncho be loyal to?
– To anyone who already has it. Once the heir has taken over, the poncho only leaves him if he leaves the world of humans or when the heir reaches old age. If the previous heir who lost the right returns, nothing will change. He stays with the heir he's with.
- And then? Can we see the poncho? All this arguing and maybe I won't be the heir after all.
– There's only one way to find out. Teunie! – Mahara signaled for Teunie to take the backpack off her back.
The bag was opened and the folded poncho was removed.
– What should I do?
– Touch it, Henrique.
Henrique bent down, approaching the floor where Teunie had left the bag open. He reached out and touched the mystical fabric.