𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 • 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲

three brothers rock¹⁰

chapter ten
[ three brothers rock ]

     Nakili rode her Ilu to three brother rock in search of Lo'ak. he had been missing since morning and all knew only one last place the boy could possibly be.

everyone dismounted the Ilu to swim to a bundle of green plants under the water. pulling aside the leaves, Lo'ak and Payakan came into sight. Nakili squinted her eyes and when she watched Lo'ak enter the Tulkun's mouth intentionally, her eyes widened. her hand gently covered her mouth and she felt Neteyam rest his hand on her lower back as he watched his brother over her shoulder.

once Payakan closed his mouth, Neteyam attempted to swim towards the Tulkun. the only thing stopping his was Nakili's hand which was pressed against his chest. she shook her head.

'calm. watch.' Tsireya signed.

Neteyam tugged on Nakili's bicep. Nakili turned to him. 'what is going on?' he signed to the gray eyed girl.

'he bonded with payakan.' she signed back.

-

Nakili and Ao'nung tried to talk Tsireya out of telling Ronal how Lo'ak bonded with Payakan, however Tsireya insisted that Ronal would not be angered. Nakili could only groan and roll her eyes. she knew that there was a safe chance that Lo'ak would be in trouble, and she didn't want that for him.

so when Ronal was quickly angered, Nakili could only spit an 'i told you so' to her sister.

"you allowed this? you allowed this boy to bond with the outcast? the killer?" Ronal looked between her three children with a look of disappointment on her face. Tonowari then stepped forward.

"Nakili, Tsireya. you disappoint me, daughters." Tonowari said as if Ao'nung wasn't a part of everything also. Ao'nung and Nakili looked down in sync, Nakili holding her hands behind her back. "and you, the son of great warrior, who have been taught better." Tonowari pointed towards Lo'ak, his eyes flickering between him and his parents.

"Payakan saved my life, sir." Lo'ak held his hands at his side as he talked insecurely.

Tsireya tried to catch his word. "no, Lo'ak." but it was too late.

"sit, sit." him and Lo'ak both sat. he looked back up at whom it was that was still standing. "down." he exclaimed and as if woken up, the other children sat.

Tonowari put his hand to his lips allowing a large puff to exit his lips. Tonowari was furious and there was no denying that. "hear my words, boy. in the days of the first songs, Tulkun fought amongst themselves for territory, and revenge. but they came to believe that killing, no matter how justified, only brings more killing. so... all killing was forbidden. this is the Tulkun way. Payakan, he is a killer, so he is an outcast." Tonowari explained.

"i'm sorry sir, but you're wrong." Lo'ak looked up from his hands. Nakili's rolled her eyes and allowed her face into her hands.

"Lo'ak, you speak to Olo'eyktan." Neytiri hissed from behind her son resulting to Nakili peaking through her fingers at the woman.

"i know-" Lo'ak started but was cut off.

"That's enough." Jake had heard all he needed to from his son.

"i know what i know." Lo'ak knew he was setting himself up, but he was going to defend his own word.

"that is enough." Jake sneered as he sat down beside his son. he looked at Tonowari.  "i'll deal with him. thank you." he grabbed onto Lo'ak's arm and pulled him awayZ

Tonowari sighed. "dismissed." she shewed them away. they didn't move, nervous to know if he meant it or not. "go. now." everyone stood up and scurried off, taking that as assurance.