An endless mountain range of highlands stretched as far as the eye could see, its altitude in some points could reach close to 1,700 meters. At the eastern end of this mountain range, far from the highest mountains in the range, was Gehucht surrounded by forest and countryside vegetation that predominated in the region and coexisted side by side.
Game was abundant and hunters alternated between pampas deer, maned wolf, paca, capybara, squirrel, ocelot and other animals from the rich fauna of that mountainous region. Around Gehucht dense forests, waterfalls, mineral springs and winding rivers shared the space.
The Dutch village was besieged by a hostile but at the same time paradisiacal land so rich in its fauna and flora. Gehucht thus located was isolated in the middle of the forest and on the heights of the mountains. Only a few adventurous mercenaries knew its location.
The Vilar was made up of Dutch buildings that featured sumptuous and impressive windmills. Every brick laid down, every wall erected, every mill built was a work done with devotion.
The wooden bridges that joined the residences were one of the families' pride. Each one, in ancient times, built their own bridge and now they competed with each other by displaying and boasting the bridge that their ancestors built and that they maintained with hard maintenance work.
Even greater than their pride in their bridges was what they felt for their mills. Sumptuous and imposing buildings were the heart of the city, without them the entire economy would collapse. They were the pillar of this society in addition to being deeply rooted in the hearts and pride of each family.
Leaving the home of their ancestors was the most difficult decision the citizens of Vilar had to make.
– Then we have no other choice. How do you intend to do it? – Mahara asked.
– The people will leave in three days. One group will stay in the city. When the Portuguese are ten kilometers from here we will set everything on fire. – Arnout said regretfully, his red beard seemed to have shrunk.
– Without wanting to be cold, why don't we do it soon? – Asked Mahara.
– We hope they don't find Gehucht. – Said Arnout, emitting a glow from his greenish eyes.
– Hmm...
Mahara preferred not to comment. He knew how much those men loved that place. He also felt it in his heart. He knew they were harboring a vain hope. But there was no harm in that after all.
– We better hurry. We smell the Portuguese. It's just over two months away. It's good to consider: a city and an Indian tribe in the middle of the forest move slowly and leave a trail that even a blind person would follow. The confrontation will happen whether here or somewhere on the continent. – Said Mahara
– We've already thought about it and we have a plan. – Started Arnout. – There is a gorge to the northwest about two and a half months away, you should pass through the middle of it. It is a purposeful path. The Portuguese will follow the trail left and will necessarily pass through the middle of this gorge. That's where we come in. The officers, Indian warriors and panthermen will be left behind. We will position ourselves on the sides of the canyon. We'll set a trap. They will be in the middle of the gorge and we will be on top of them and around them. We can shoot as we please and protect ourselves, but they will be exposed. This gorge is free of vegetation except for one tree. They will be vulnerable. Here's our chance. They will be in greater numbers and we have few weapons, but when our ammunition runs out, the Indians' arrows will do the job. They will have nowhere to run.
– Um... You know it will be a suicide mission. – Said Marrara. – The best we will achieve there is to eliminate them, but we will also be eliminated. A tie.
– Not a draw my friend. If we eliminate them, Vilar and the village will be saved. – Arnout concluded.
– It's a good cause to die. I'm just sorry I involved Teunie in this. Maybe I should go back with him to Vila de São Paulo... – Mahara pondered.
– I will ask Amber, two of our trackers and two Indian warriors to go ahead of the people, opening a path for them.
– I agree. – Said Mahara.
Three days later the city and the indigenous tribe were leaving the region. It was a crowd of men, women and children. The men carried supplies on their backs. The forests were dense. They had no way of carrying a pack animal.
Time passed. The men who remained in the Vilar maintained constant surveillance.
– They arrived. They've been here for three days. The panthermen who returned with the information brought us that they stopped and sent three groups towards the forgotten forest. – Said Mahara.
– Why would they do that? And how did you find out about the forest? – Quinn asked one of the men, he was related to Arnout.
– It seems that the three soldiers who survived were very well informed, but I have no idea what their intention was. – Said Mahara.
The panthers stirred.
– Fire! We smell smoke. It's coming from the direction of the forgotten forest. – Said one of the hybrids.
– Are they setting fire to the forest?!! But in exchange for what? – Quinn asked.
– Perhaps they fear that we could take refuge there. They must know that it is inaccessible to them and suspect that we can survive in that forest. It's the only explanation I see. – Mahara concluded.
– Can that mystical forest be destroyed by fire? – The patriarch asked Mahara.
– Yes, but the underground world will not be affected by this. – Said one of the hybrids.
– Well, if we stayed here to confirm if they would be able to find us, it seems like we already have the answers. It's time for us to go. – Mahara concluded.
The patriarch gave the order; everything should be burned.
They set fire. They killed livestock and livestock. They left. From afar they saw the windmills turn into gigantic bonfires. As they advanced into the forest, with regret, the men looked back and saw their imposing mills falling apart and succumbing to the action of the fire. The cracks produced by the elegant buildings that were being consumed by flames could be heard from afar. Each crack was a stab in the heart of each man.
Arnout's group advanced. Within a week they arrived close to the gorge. They would have to position themselves there to set a trap for the Portuguese. In the gorge, they would encounter Dutch and Indians who would have stayed behind to fight while the group of families moved forward.
– From here to the gorge it's three hours. – Arnout began – Let's wait here until the Portuguese approach. We can rest and eat while we wait. This will leave us in a better mood. If we stay positioned in the canyon now, we will be exhausted.
They waited. When the Portuguese were four hours away from the group, they left.
– The time has come, let's go. – Said Arnout, stretching.
They arrived at the entrance to the gorge. But they got a big surprise. The Vilar and the village were camped there. They saw at that moment that they were lost. His eyes showed despair, hopelessness and fear of the future. There was nothing more that could be done. They looked for Amber and when she saw them she went towards them.
– Dad, when we got here half the people got sick. It's a fever to bring down. Five have already died.
– Did you say half?
– Yes.
– Then we have no option. Arnout, prepare the surrender flag. It's that or die.
They raised the flag of surrender.
The Portuguese approached and positioned themselves in the upper parts of the gorge. The retreatants fell into their own trap. Four hours passed. A volley of shots were heard. They didn't understand until they looked at the flag. It was shattered.
– They don't want us to surrender. What do they want? – asked someone from the crowd.
– It is not clear? They will kill the Dutch and imprison the Indians. – Replied one of the militia officers.
– Damn you! That's not how you fight a war. There are moral norms that must be obeyed. – Said another officer.
– I think it's too late to teach them that. – Commented Arnout, stroking his red beard nervously.
Amber concentrated. She came into mental contact with Henrique.
– Henrique, we were cornered. The village and the village. The Portuguese will fall on us. We are sick and cannot fight. A single tree here shades us, can you see it through my eyes? – Amber was melancholic. – It is the last beautiful thing we will see. Tell Andries he has my deepest love.
Amber disconnected the connection, did not wait for a response.
A few hours earlier in the underground city Henrique talks to Andries.
– I've been trying to do mental contact for two weeks now, but nothing has worked. Why do they leave me without news?
– They must be very committed to the mission and think about nothing else. They must have forgotten to give him the news. Be patient. This is a good sign. It means at least nothing bad has happened so far. – Andries said.
– Hmm...