Chapter 29: Chapter 29
THE GREAT HAWK
In a coven elsewhere, there were only twenty-two members present at the meeting of the members of Olana's cult. This was because the sacred bride and groom had eloped with their partners! And they were the most important and powerful chieftains of the group.
For some reason, both of them had been an annoyingly incompatible couple from a social point of view. Nonetheless, their bloodline remained the purest to ensure the rebirth of the male form of the ancient priestess.
All was not well. For multiple generations, the witnesses and custodians of the ancient hut joined them whenever they had this kind of meeting. Sergio and his apprentices were even present during the last one. But neither he nor any of his followers graced the night's occasion. And this greatly baffled the coven.
The coach had travelled to the bank of the river guided by a curse. It branched into two parts and met again. So, an island was in the middle of its feared waters. There stood the mysterious hut.
As soon as the coach stepped his foot on the smooth sand, he fell face down. After that, he sacrificed a tortoise, offered a keg of palm oil and burned many scented spices. Sergio recited different incantations and panegyrics until he felt cleansed enough to cross to the land situated in the middle of the river.
He wasn't oblivious to the fact that he was taking a great risk. It could be very dangerous to meddle recklessly in the affairs of gods and spirits. But his mind was made up. When his eyes beheld the hut from a distance, he fell face down again and performed another ritual. This happened several times until he was just steps away.
When he finally completed the necessary rites and incantations, the thatch covering the door of the ancient hut was lifted. A light brighter than lightning flashes began to shine. The shape of a man could also be seen. Never had Sergio seen someone so handsome and impressive. Therefore, he knew that the hawk had taken on human form!
"On whose autority have I become a man, priest?" He recognized the coach instantly.
Sergio marveled at his greatness and the lust for vengeance on his countenance. Once more, he fell face down and recited panegyrics and incantations in reverence. "On your authority, my god."
"But that can't be, I have been trapped by the decree of Ashlavugi, the chief of divinities, in order to please his priestess, Olana. She also defeated the lineage you serve."
"You have spoken well, my deity! However, a lot has changed with the passage of time. There was so much unfairness meted to you. But now, power wants to change hands. And here is an opportunity to avenge what was done to you."
"Speak more clearly, priest." The hawk sauntered out of the hut.
"With the powers you possess as a human being, who can stand against you and your authority?" Sergio asked. Then he began to explain.
"There is so much chaos in the realm of the spirit. It has been so since Olana and Faya seduced the deities with their carnal charms and offerings until they were accepted and promised reincarnation. The gods are split against themselves.
Ashlavugi can't take a human form for fear of being weakened by their frailties. He won't risk being killed, destroyed or trapped. Therefore, he struggles in his realm.
Since that has been the case for ages, we must do away with the very few cults remaining that still strengthen him. Else, if Olana is reborn, a new era shall commence.
If that happens, then there will be a great rise in worshippers and his power will know no bounds. But we can stop that. You can, my god!"
"And what is your gain in this?" The reincarnated hawk looked at the coach fiercely. "You know I have felt all mortal emotions, so do not lie to me."
"Vengeance!" Sergio replied quickly. "I have been nothing but loyal to Olana to make sure of her rebirth. But, that ungrateful priestess, each time she appears, she makes an open ridicule of me whether or not I'm with my apprentices.
I have decided in my heart to also make an open show of her. I trust you can offer me just as much power as she promised my lineage, if not even more." But Sergio was not telling the complete truth.
After the hawk must have done all the hard work of destroying the cults, he would find an opportunity to end its life. The deity would finally return to the spirit realm. Then, the coach would find himself another god to barter his sustenance in exchange for service.
"Where are your apprentices?" the hawk asked.
"I left them across the river. They anticipate your accepting them. We are your faithful servants," Sergio replied.
In no time, the apprentices of the ancient hut joined Sergio. They were busy swearing allegiance to their new master when some attackers from Olana's coven met them.
"Why have you come here slaves of Ashlavugi's priestess?" the hawk asked.
Shocked to see that he had been freed from bondage, one of them replied, "We are here to make sure that the consummation is complete."
"But I do not want that to happen. And that makes all of you my enemies, just like Olana has always been!"
"You do not stand a chance against Ashlavugi. Or has this deceiver lured you into believing that he can help you?" the leader of the witches answered mockingly.
Her statement angered the hawk. With a thunderous blow, he killed all of them. They were definitely no match for him!