SANCTUARY

7- THE END OF A DREAM

The Patesi contemplated the defenses of the Sanctuary; his men had done their best, given the circumstances.

Sadly he saw that his dream had been transformed into a fortress prepared for war. A pit surrounded the enclosure, and inside numerous stakes raised their threatening points.

A group of men and women made the final touches to the covering of branches, leaves and sand, which would disguise the existence of the moat. An attentive observer might notice the ruse, but in the heat of battle, it would be almost impossible to discover the dangerous obstacle.

About ten meters from the moat rose an improvised wall of stones and logs, the first line of defense, with a maximum height of one and a half metres. If the attackers succeeded in knocking it down, the defenders could take refuge in the second line, a series of barricades supported on the walls of the Sanctuary's constructions.

The main enclosure, with its high columns and surrounded by a labyrinth of walls that made access difficult, was normally used for handicrafts and decorative objects of a religious nature, but now the Patesi had transformed it into a weapons depot. A battalion of women and old people made arrows of obsidian, flint, and even with the new copper tips; in that short period they had made an enormous quantity that, according to Gen's opinion, would be enough to contain the enemies.

Old Kutum had been given complete freedom to make his concoctions, and he promised the Patesi to increase the deadly effectiveness of the arrows.

A select group of teenagers and women would supply the warriors with projectiles, allowing them to form a curtain of arrows during the attacks.

Kutum had discovered a black substance, very sticky, which was abundant in the territory. This kind of oil was easily inflamed and did not evaporate under the sun. He ordered to fill several containers and the substance was deposited in a place where he calculated that the enemies would attack.

Inside, the Patesi knew that there was no magic or miracles, his knowledge was destined to peaceful purposes, improving people's living conditions. He was not prepared for war; he did not know weapons and artifacts destined to kill.

He always assumed that his knowledge would prevent frequent conflicts between clans; ironically the improvements had caused the envy of an ambitious leader.

Like a cloud of locusts, that wild horde despised his work and now descended from the north, sweeping everything in its path. In the preceding days the flow of fugitives taking refuge in the Sanctuary increased, and their accounts mentioned looting, destruction, and massacres.

Many of these groups did not stop, and left to the east of the Great Salt Lake.

The young Gen had arranged several canoes on the lake, assuming that if the worst happened, the fugitives could escape by sailing south along the river linking the two lakes.

The Patesi was sitting in his favorite place, on the hill in the shade of the palm trees, observing the Sanctuary, when something interrupted his thoughts.

A strange thunder was heard in the distance.

Olbian approached with a fast pace.

-Patesi, we have heard something...- With a gesture he interrupted the words of his trusted man and took a few steps forward - It looks like a stampede of elephants or buffaloes.

Gen ascended the hill, wielding his bow.

-Patesi, the enemy is coming.

The young warrior's words were confirmed a few minutes later. Thousands of silhouettes appeared on the crest of the hills neighboring the Sanctuary, which were not really very high; it was just a soft hill that stood out in the arid plain. The sound provoked by the blows on the leather and wood shields became louder.