The absolutely white tone of the cave seemed to radiate tranquility. Mahara had on one of her paws a necklace of aguaí seeds, all dyed in a reddish tone, the cord that held them together was made of shiny black leather.
Mahara shook her tail, took a few steps and settled down while saying to Henrique:
– Our caves are restructured according to our needs. It's the "sorcery" of the high caste, if you want a quick explanation.
They rested.
When the time came, they headed to the weekly meeting hall. All castes were present before the council. On the council there were representatives of the middle class who could only give suggestions and opinions. The decisions were always made by the high caste who stayed in the center. On the side of the high caste there were half of the middle caste on the right and half on the left.
Mahara whispered in Henrique's ear:
– Do you see the panthers in the center? They are high caste. They say that they never die, just like those who were offered. Since the beginning they have always been the same. And all the offerings since the times of Caarô still live. The rest of the panthers live for more than six hundred years and then die.
– Does that mean I'm going to live more than six hundred years?
– No, this only works for panthers that live underground. Those who go to the world of men have the life cycle of humans. See the one in the center of the group? He is the leader of the high caste. He is the patriarch. His name is Vulror.
When the opportunity arose, Mahara came forward and explained the issue. The council met privately in an anteroom to discuss the issue. An hour passed. Vúlror advanced before those present.
– Firstly, I want to greet the executor who is among us. If it is to your liking, the high caste panthers will grant you a cave in their territory for your stay.
– If it's not to your liking – Mahara was saying in Henrique's ear, whispering. – Lower the syrup as a negative response and bow your head as a sign of humility and gratitude... – she realized that Henrique was undecided. - Do! Now!
Henry obeyed.
– It was just an invitation to show your generosity. They didn't expect you to accept. They do not want any panthers from other castes roaming their territory.
Vúlror continued:
– This council studied the case and the request made. We do not like the underground taking sides in human conflicts. That is the board's decision. – Returned to his central position among the members.
They began to discuss different subjects.
– Then that's it? – Henry questioned disappointedly. – Did they hit the hammer and end the matter?
– And the matter is over. – Mahara echoed, in a sarcastic tone.
They left the meeting and went to the cave.
– Our answer was negative, so what are we waiting for. - Said Marinus, shaking and shaking his entire body as if he was expelling something that was bothering him from his body, but only silvery glows emanated from his skin, emitting a delicate rattling sound. - Let's leave the underground.
– Not yet. – Said Mahara. – Let's wait ten hours. Let's give Panther City time to digest the information. I guarantee there will be people who want to follow us.
– And that story about mirrors, reflections, etc. – Henrique questioned, scratching behind his ear with one of his paws.
– There are always some cracked mirrors. Let's wait. – Said Marrara, settling in a corner, spreading the syrup on the floor around his body.
Ten o'clock passed. They got ready to leave. When they arrived at the large hall where the statues were, three violet and two silver panthers were waiting for them.
Henry couldn't help but admire the statues again. They were thin, long and very imposing.
– Only five? She expected more. – Amber said, disappointed, then rubbing herself against Andries as a form of comfort.
They said goodbye. The nine panthers followed the tunnels to the surface. Andries, who had remained, took a deep breath and couldn't help but let out a loud roar as he stretched the tail.
In the forest, the ominous trees guarded the mouth of the niche at their bases. One by one the panthers left. When all the panthers were present under the treetops, Mahara gave a loud roar and the group ran into the forest towards Vilar.
The forest was dense and the treetops did not allow the sky to be seen. It started to rain and this made the interior of the forest even darker and this would make the maze of trees even more enigmatic if it weren't for their sharp noses and their panther eyes that emitted a dense golden light.
The rain passed quickly and as they advanced towards Vilar the trees became more spacious allowing the sun to enter through the foliage. They arrived at a clearing and saw the windmills.
– We're close, let's look for the patriarch. – Said Mahara.
– Are we going in the form of a panther and in broad daylight? - Asked Amber.
– We don't need to hide anymore. They want our help. – Mahara replied.
– Not all. – Marinus observed.
– That's the patriarch's problem. – Said Mahara.
The panthers entered through Vilar. They went to the square. That was where the patriarch's smell came from. In the square were Arnout with the militia and the tribe's chief surrounded by several warriors.
They arrived at the square. The Indians bowed down out of respect for Tuatu's daughters. The patriarch, Arnout, signaled one of the men to bring clothes.
– Mahara. – Arnout called.
The panther transmuted.
– Here, take these pants. Distribute the rest among your family. – Said Arnout to Mahara
– I brought reinforcements, Arnout. – Said Mahara.
– And Andries?
– You know he can't leave the ivory city.
– Better this way, there he is protected.
The transmuted men had just put on their pants when the priest arrived with his armed followers. The Jesuit aimed the gun at Mahara. Before he pulled the trigger a bullet hit him. It was Arnout who shot. The priest fell dead. His followers, including Teunie's father, were about to threaten with their weapons, but the militia already had them pointed at the fanatics.
– Get us out of here. – Said Arnout. – Imprison us.
– Patriarch, we don't have the facilities for that. – Said one of the men.
– You can lock them in my house. – Derrick said – If Arnout agrees, I will be your guest for some time.
– It will be an honor, friend. – He signaled for the militia to take them. – Let's go to the meeting room at my house.
The head of the militia, the patriarch, the chief, Mahara and Amber were there.
– The weapons and ammunition we bought from the mercenaries won't help us much. – Arnout began, scratching his red beard.
– I don't understand. – Said Mahara.
– When we buy weapons, we inspect them by sample. They gave us as samples those on top of each batch. When we arrived at Vilar we checked the ones below; were unusable. We don't have enough weapons for a war. The panthers I brought are very few. We got the Indians to join us, but bows and arrows don't beat firearms, even with good strategy.
It seems like they've already thought about it. What do they intend to do?
– Escape is our only chance. If we stay here and fight, it will be carnage. Surrendering and being deported is out of anyone's plans around here. Even because we don't believe they give us that option. There are many lands on this continent that the Portuguese never even reached. Let's look for another place to settle.
– When I think about everything we have built here, I think I would rather die in a war than hand Gehucht over to the Portuguese or into oblivion. – Said Mahara.
– Many share your opinion. But the meeting has already been held and the decision has been taken by the majority.