I followed Tsu'tey out to his father's old clan, the Syu'tsani clan. They were far, far south, it took us until morning to reach them. They were surrounded by thick forest, floating mountains and normal mountains, the only way we could reach them was by air.
They didn't live in a tree like our clan. That was my first observation. Second, everyone wore their hair up, whether it was braided or not. The queue hung freely though. All of their clothes were beaded or made of a rough looking fabric. They all had some sort of tattoo or marking that stated their status. Many where river patterns and thin lines crawling up there arms and chests.
And when we landed, we were greeted with respect but suspicion. These where tense times.
"What brings an Olo'eyktan to our clan?" One of the nobles asked. It seems that the spiritual leader was the clan leader but left all of the decisions to the council of elders and nobles.
"Toruk Makto calls." I stepped in. We were seated by their cooking fire, the young ones chased each other around with toy bows and sea plants that washed up on the sandy shores.
"The skypeople have destroyed my clan's hometree and they will not stop with us." Tsu'tey stated.
"So, you want our help?" The young spiritual leader asked.
"Yes Tsahik, I know your clan has known peace, but it is for all of the people's futures. For our children, and their children, we must drive them back to the stars." Tsu'tey said. He glanced at me and we both turned our eyes to the Tsahik.
"I will need time to think on this, I will speak with the elders. Please enjoy your stay." She dismissed herself and disappeared into an old and large hurt made of skins and large shells.
Tsu'tey and I stood up and walked out to the beaches, many people where fishing and playing. They have known unprecedented peace. I won't blame them if they refuse to help.
"So..."
"So?" Tsu'tey looked back at me.
"How are you feeling?" We had settled into the white sands as the sun set over us.
"About what? Being Olo'eyktan, the battle to come, the-the death of half of my people, loosing my betrothed to an alien, the death of my former friend, or just in general?" He huffed.
"Tsu'tey... we've been through a lot, and too much is on your shoulders... I meant this clan. The place your father grew up in. What do you think?" I placed a hand on his.
He sighed and stood up.
"These people, they're happy and I feel horrible for asking for their help. They're so peaceful and they haven't had any loss. I don't want anyone else to feel as I do now." He wiped the sand from his hands and legs.
"This is the most open you have ever been with me. I'm glad you're sharing the worries and pain you feel." He glanced down at me with more pain in his eyes. He leant me a hand to help me up. It was because the Tsahik had come out to meet us.
She looked at us both, her gaze was unsure but there was a resolve in the way she walked.
"I- the elders, they have agreed to send half of our warriors. It's not much, but we don't know what we are facing." She looked nervous.
"That is more than we could ask for, thank you." Tsu'tey said.
"They will set off tonight with you, Eywa be with you." She bid us farewell and hurried off to say goodbye to her clan members as they called their Ikrans.
———————
We guided them to the tree of souls. It seemed over flowed with Na'vi and their animals of war. Jake looked weighed with the reality of what he's started, but he wasn't regretful.
Tsu'tey however, was full of negative emotions. He let Jake handle the speeches and the organization, he did translating and he guided our clan. But he felt like it wasn't enough.
Every time I saw his eyes, I felt immense dread and sorrow. We were about to lead many people into the jaws of death.
———————
"Fricking daisy cutters!" Trudy reacted to Max saying something about the valkyries being turned into bombers. It's all so overwhelming, I just want this to be over with.
"They get to the tree of souls, it's over. That's their direct line to Eywa- their ancestors. It'll kill them."
"I guess we better stop them." Jake replied simply.
"That's not going to be enough Jake. We need some sort of plan." I seethed.
"Then let's go make a plan." He started up his link.
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The dances had begun, painting, drinking, preparing for war. The pa'li were painted, the Ikran's were painted, it was already so out of control. Jake was teaching the warriors about the helicopters, where to aim. Pilot, or the rotary system.
They had begun investigating the Sampson for precise places to aim.
But I was with Tsu'tey. Praying before the battle. Uploading our memories into a place we'll be remembered. I felt sick to my stomach.
"Tsu'tey... if I don't make it out alive, please keep my grandparent's ashes with you. Or bury them under the tree of souls. They were good people, worthy of being remembered."
"Do not speak like that, you are skilled and agile. I know you will live." He shook his head. I turned to face him, and I grabbed his arm. His head swiveled and his gaze met mine.
"I don't know that I'll live. But if I don't, can you do that for me?" He stayed silent, "please?" He furrowed his brows and he pressed his forehead to mine.
"Pänutìng kem si ohe."(I promise) he whispered.
"Koha, if I do not survive this battle, I want you to have my knife, my bow, and you will take part of my responsibilities as a leader next to Toruk Makto." He pulled away. I looked him in the eyes before I blinked with a nod.
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As we readied for battle, I painted myself with the marking of my tribe and the markings of my clan. I had made minimal armor from shedded tree bark and leather strips.
But one more thing, there was one last thing to do before we left for battle.
"Tsu'tey!" I caught him before we began our flight. He met my eyes with a determination I had never seen in him before.
"Tsu'tey, I have one thing to tell you before we go to battle." My heart beat heavily in my chest, and I couldn't get myself to breathe, my heart was in my throat.
"Can this wait?" He asked.
"No, it can't. Please listen." I waited for his approval. He blinked heavily and took my hands with a gentle smile.
"What is so important?"
Fuck, he's so charming. Shit.
"I love you!" I said that too loud, "I mean I-" my mouth was covered by his within seconds. I felt the warmth from him, radiating from his skin. His hands on the sides of my face now. He hesitantly pulled away from me. I was awestruck and processing.
"I love you. Now, we must go." He patted my shoulder to get me going to Txo'nari.
YOU ARE READING
Tsawke|Tsu'tey/Oc
أدب الهواةKohane was born into a world of decay and blight, but she found in even the smallest things, light and joy. When she left for Pandora, she wasn't leaving behind much. All of her family had succumbed to a terrible tragedy and she was one of the few...
