Skxawng • Neteyam

14

•••

The clan gathered at the spirit tree the following day to watch as the clan's leader was passed onto another suitable warrior. Tarsem was a good choice despite his young age. Yeriyah could hardly watch as Mo'at removed Jake's chest piece and placed it onto Tarsem.

Yeriyah gazed from within the crowd as Tarsem yelled and brought the knife down on Jake's chest. Yeriyah's ears dropped in sadness as Tarsem pulled away, and a line of blood pooled on Jake's chest. She spotted Neteyam standing off to the side with his family. When she found him, he'd already been looking at her.

He'd told her he'd speak to his parents this morning about her coming. She hasn't had the chance to talk to him since the ceremony. However, he gave her a subtle nod, and she returned it, and a bit of joy reached both their eyes, despite the situation.

The Sully family joined together and walked down the middle of the clan as they left for good for their safety. Yeriyah's heart broke as Neytiri walked with tears streaming down her face. Yeriyah would miss it, too. She would miss many things about the forest. The creatures, the flowers, the sounds, smells. The forest was her home but not anymore.

Riyah snuck out the back of the crowd as the Sully's made their way to their ikrans. Zaeyli was waiting off the side with all of Yeriyah's valuables packed onto her. She'd made Zaeyli's flight much easier with the lack of things she had. She met up with the Sully's ikran's, waiting to depart.

She didn't say a word as they all emerged from the forest. Yeriyah was looking down, feeling a wave of sadness herself. A solid, warm hand on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up and found Jake standing there. Even if he tried to hide it, Jake was devastated, and Yeriyah saw that. "Are you sure you want to come?" He asks.

She looks back at the forest but nods. As much as she'd miss the forest, she had another reason to come. She felt Neteyam's stare on her back as she replied. "Yeah, I am."

"Okay." Jake nods and, to her surprise, pulls her in for a hug. "I was surprised he didn't ask sooner." He whispered.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She says, with a hint of humour despite the situation. She manages to crack a smile from him.

"I'm sure you don't." He mumbles before attending to his ikran. Yeriyah's eyes swung over to Neteyam, who waited patiently on his like she did. They hadn't had much time to talk about what they did yesterday. However, the way Neteyam was looking at her, she sure knew he was thinking about it. She blushed and looked away, focusing on the situation at hand.

Once everyone was comfortable and Tuk was snug tightly against her mother, they were off. Where they were going, Yeriyah wasn't entirely sure. As sad as she was to leave her home, the adventure ahead of her exhilarated her. At least she had Zaeyli; then, she would always have something from the forest.

•••

The flight was long and brutal but beautiful. As the forest turned to water, Yeriyah's eyes widened at the new sights. She could see through the clear water and the large animals swimming beneath. Zaeyli screeched at the view, and Yeriyah brought a comforting hand down her neck.

She was taking her ikran out of her home, too, out of everything she's ever known. At least Zaeyli would have a few other ikran to be with. They would most likely pod together and stick to the trees. If there were any...