Avana is the biggest Saletsian island and home to various ethnic groups. Unlike most of Saletsia, Avana is is not as modern and not as urbanized. The Hadevi have chosen to stick to their traditions. Though in some Hadevi cities and towns progress cannot be ignored.
The Hadevi were not only the biggest ethnic group on Avana but also the group responsible for the island's security. The large, old-fashioned Hadevi legion is considered to be a good place for Saletsians to start a military career. Some say: Once you were in the Hadevi legion, you are prepared for anything that may happen in Saletsia. The Hadevi are also known to be a very loyal people: loyal to the motherland.
On a rainy day in a Hadevi legion camp in the Western part of Adana a legionnaire comes in the office:
"General, a patrol unit of 6 mounted men has not come back yet."
"Since when?"
"They have been gone for 5 days now."
"There was a storm..their horses must have had some problems."
"Still 5 days are too much, general."
The general thought a bit.
"You're right. Where have they gone to?"
"I sent them to the Vaduha areas."
The general stopped doing his paperwork and got even more ineterested. He looked up: "Vaduha, you say?"
"Yes sir...Vaduha."
After saying so, the young lieutenant noticed the nervosness of the old general which became apparent: "Are you okay, sir?"
"Of course...of course..."
"And?" the soldier asked.
"And what?" The general seemed to be absent and lost in deep thoughts.
"What ám I to do?"
"Well, you will have to send someone to look for them."
"Yes sir, of course."
"Make sure you send a larger unit."
"What for, sir?"
"It may be better..."
Puzzled by the general's comment, the lieutenant saluted and went out of the office and the building and mounting his horse riding back to his smaller camp.
There he assigned a group of 20 men to look for their missing comrades. The men immediately got their sabers, revolvers and bolt-action rifles and mounted their horses heading for the Vaduha areas of the West...deep in Avana's jungles.
"Hey Arturo, how coming you're coming with us? You're just a kid."
"No, I'm not! I'm already 19 and have been in the legion for 7 years now! The legion is my home!"
"Ah little Arturo...," said Pedro.
"Pedro, leave him alone," demanded Shavon. He was 35 years old being the oldest in the group and the highest ranking legionnaire.
Pedro laughed and went silent.
Then Arturo turned to the others: "You have any idea where the other guys may be?"
Shavon did not answer...
"Vaduha is all you need to know, little boy." answered another legionnaire.
"How come I've never heard of that place?"
"Because no one ever leaves the territory of the Vaduha...at least not alive."
"Oh come on! Fairy-tales."
"It is said that if you ever speak about what happened to Shagaza 18 years ago.."
"Shut up!" Shavon interrupted the speaking legionnaire. But then Arturo got interested after hearing the name Shagaza:
"Shagaza? That's where I'm supposed to be from...well I was to little when I was given to the legion to remember."
The legionnaire's face turned sad: "Given to the legion, you say?"
Shagaza turned his horse and approached the legionnaire: "If you don't shut up immediately, I will cut your head off!"
After that the legionnaire was silent. Arturo though still was thinking about what the man said.
After half a day's ride the group finally reached the jungle. There was a path leading into dense vegetation at whose start stands a wood carving depicting what seemed to be a winged creature with a monster's head and skulls to its feet.
Arturo felt uneasy at the sight of the statue: "What is that?"
Pedro answered: "That is Havesh, the god of the Vaduha. They have their own religion...an evil religion if you ask me."
Arturo looked closer at the statue and noticed something red: "Look guys! Is that blood?"
Pedro got off his horse to check it. "It's already dry...but seems to be blood. Maybe the Vaduha killed a pig and sacrificed it to Havesh...who knows."
"Nasty."
The group went on and entered the Vaduha territory.
