The Breath of Water | Neteyam

28 • The Plan Pt. II

Ronal was making her way back to her pod when she had heard of how Liyanin had managed to complete a toxin removal ritual for the neck. She knew that her daughter had never even done a regular toxin ritual, so she was quite shocked to say the least, but nevertheless she was proud—extremely proud of Liyanin's capabilities. Ronal never really knew how much of the preparations Liyanin was taking in and internalizing, so she always had worries if she actually knew the way of the herbs and other plants, but this incident just proved that she, in fact, was.

"Liyanin has been doing many a great thing these days," Tonowari mentioned as he fanned a small cooking fire in their pod. "...I think we should start talking about Liya's first body marking."

Ronal hummed in agreeance. "I think so as well; she is 18 and she will be performing...she truly has been outstanding." she said, smiling softly at the end of her sentence. She was now on the third ioi asrew, almost done with her daughter's clothing options.

"Yes, she has already completed her Paytìsop, so we will just have to wait until the Tulkun return, since she had said that she wanted to get her first marking at the same time as Fa'lu."

Ronal nodded, the thought of seeing her spirit sister again making her feel anticipation rising.

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Aonung and Tsireya had decided that Liyanin having to use her powers to carry the txampay'weya all the way back to their designated area was too dangerous, so they went around, looking for something she could put them in to help carry to back from whence they came.

"This is taking too long. They are probably getting anxious." Aonung complained. "Let's just go back."

"No, there has to be something that she can use. It is too risky to just let her carry them with her powers the whole way back!" Tsireya insisted.

"I understand that Tsireya, but this is taking far too much time. You are modifying the plan we already had in place."

Tsireya sighed, knowing that what her brother was saying was true, but a part of her also knew that Liyanin winging it and hoping that no one sees her was a slight shot in the dark. They didn't have a radar that could detect if anyone was nearby in the vicinity. There was no guarantee.

"Let's go back." Aonung said, pulling his sister by the arm, but she stood her ground, seemingly in deep thought. "Tsireya, seriously? Come on!"

"...Aonung, remember those 'e'insey (drinking gourd) that we use for Taronsäwem?" she asked, an idea growing in her head. Aonung did not know what she was getting at at first, but then after a minute he finally understood what she was insinuating.

"...Ah, I see what you mean," he said, a smirk forming its way on his face. "...that...could work. They are big enough. But we would have to carry multiple."

"It should be fine, the txampay'weya would not be able to chew through those. Come, let us go get them!"

"What's another minute or two?" Kiri attempts to quell her brother's impatience.

"No, it's been thirty! This was not part of the plan!" Lo'ak shouts back.

"It is not like they just left us." said Liyanin, just staring at the txampay'weya, making sure they don't go anywhere else, and they haven't.

"Brother, you are being too hasty." Kiri said, sighing.

"Patience is a virtue, Lo'ak. I am sure they will be here any minute." the oldest chirped, her eyes still on the toxic creatures.

"You guys, I just want to hurry and finish this. Who knows how long the people will stay away from here? Also your parents," Lo'ak pointed to Liyanin, who now turned her head towards him upon hearing herself being mentioned. "...who knows how long before they catch wind of this? You might get berated since you are tsakarem." he rambled.

"....we will wait." she responded intimidatingly. Her monotone and serious voice made Lo'ak's ears fold downwards out of fear of upsetting her, so he stopped pacing and talking. Kiri snickered quietly to herself, glad that he finally had shut up.

After what seemed like 10 minutes of waiting, the waiting-team had heard the voices of the two siblings who were in charge of getting all the nearby villagers away.

Lo'ak threw his hands up once he saw them, getting up and heading over. But upon seeing the 'e'insey hanging around them and being carried by their hands, he grew confused.

"Why do you guys have...those?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows in bewilderment.

"Tsireya had a good idea to put the txampay'weya in these 'e'insey, instead of risking someone seeing Liyanin carry them with her powers." Aonung explained, setting one of them down.

"So that is what took you so long....." Liyanin said, but then when she got closer to the gourds, she was able to truly discern what they were. "...are those the 'e'insey that are used for Taronsäwem?!"

"...Haha," Tsireya laughed sheepishly. "...I know, the game is coming up...we just have to be careful and they can still be usable." Tsireya explained.

"Wait, what is Taronsäwem?" Lo'ak asked.

"Now is not the time, Lo'ak. Later." Liyanin stated.

She then told the others besides Kiri to nicely line up the five 'e'insey in a straight line so she could easily stream the creatures inside. She looked to Kiri, her eyes asking if she was ready for what would happen. Kiri's gaze let her know that she in fact was ready.

"Remember, Liya, this was my choice," Kiri reminded her. "...and if I do get stung, I know you'll be able to help." she laughed. "...or your mom."

Liyanin laughed softly, then turned her head towards the lined up 'e'insey. Kiri then begun to walk towards the edge of the netted path, peering over it to get a look at what she would be jumping into. Lo'ak was undoubtedly afraid, not ready at all for what could or would happen next, he just wanted to know his sister would be safe. Tsireya seemed to notice his fear, so she grabbed his hand to reassure him.

Kiri then sat on the path, her feet hanging over closely to the infested waters. She breathed heavily, for this was the first time she was unsure if she would be able to form a connection with these creatures. But she has befriended far worse terrible creatures, like the fearsome palulukan (thanator), so why was she so afraid of these? She did not understand nor know why.

But before she slipped in, she took one, final breath.

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