His head raised up high, he was staring at the star-studded sky with empty eye sockets. The moon was full, and its pale light bathed the clearing. Shadows of dead trees drew long keen lines. He was there, standing on a rock, in the middle of nowhere, arms crossed, imploring some evil and dark divinities. Three lycals were resting at his feet.
Two humanoids searched slowly and carefully the clearing with precise gestures. Sight of their putrid bodies was hideous. Fragments of skin was hanging, unveiling there and there bits of bloodied flesh.
Lying to the ground, the young man watched them. He did not dare a single movement, not even a blink of eyes. Fear paralysed him. Among the Convoy, he did hear about this rumour, about beings capable of imposing their will to creatures degenerated with noxious stenches of the old world. Until that very moment, it was nothing but a scary story for children, haunting their sleep. Now that he could see it with his own eyes, it became a waking nightmare.
The being on the rock turned around. His blind stare weighted where the conveyor was hiding. At once and as a single man, the other creatures raised their heads. They stoop up straight, and went forward right at the intruder.
The young man knew he had to flee. But fear overwhelmed him, his body refused to obey. It took him a superhuman effort to stand up.
A cracking sound behind him. He turned around, and saw a silhouette standing out in the moonlight. It moved forward, revealing an expressionless face. Cold and determined. He was trapped.
* * * *
Sigujana stopped his walk. His muscles stiffened and his fingers tightened around his long stick. He closed his eyes, took a deep calm breath. Felindra Tiger-Head and Abama Great-Belly, who was walking with him in this dead forest stared at him with curiosity. They knew the old sorcerer to be linked to the essence of nature, and that he felt a perturbation at that very moment.
A few seconds passed before Sigujana opened his eyes again. The two other Bamakas closed in, eager to hear his wise words.
- Let us turn back with haste, my fellow companions. Two vengeful Loas stand very close.
A terrible cry of fear and pain rang far off.
_______
Meet these strange Beings at Salute 2012 !

English