Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 120

Just outside the den, the Paltu brothers have overheard a bit of their mother's conversation. They were walking by, discussing what to do on their stay, but Yune stopped them to continue listening.

After the women begin discussing something else of no interest to him, he ushers his brothers onward.

Sorfé- Why did you stop to eavesdrop?

Yune- Because it was important. Plans have changed.

Na'haji- Why? Just because I won't be training Aonung does not mean I cannot get close to him.

Yune- That is exactly what it means, brother. Aonung was only within reach because he recognized your skills, and wanted your guidance. Now that he has Toruk Makto for that, you are nothing important.

The youngest sighs, being partially glad that Aonung is now suddenly so out of reach for them. He knew, from the beginning, what they were both planning, which is the reason he warned him before.

Many in their home village view Aonung as an opportunity for escape, including his own brothers, but he would never think to use someone like that, which is why his brothers ignore his input.

Yune- His sister is now your only chance.

Na'haji- Let's say this works out, and she falls for me. We will all still have to go home, because she is not the heir.

Yune- But if she was, you would get a choice. To either leave her for the people of Paltu, or abandon them and stay by her side.

Na'haji- I know this, but she is not the clan's future leader, Yune. Are you missing my point?

Yune- No, but you are missing mine.

Sorfé gasps, suddenly realizing what his brother is planning. He grabs his arm, making him stop, and Na'haji does the same.

Sorfé- You cannot.

Yune- We can, and we must.

Na'haji- Must what?

Yune- Make Aonung's sister the heir.

Na'haji- But that would mean-

Sorfé- Sabotaging him. Yune, you cannot do this to him.

Yune grabs his younger brother's wrist with a tight grip, pulling his hand from him.

Yune- Do you not want our brother to live the best life he can safely?

Sorfé- I don't want to hurt someone else to do it.

Yune- Some things cannot be avoided.

Sorfé snatches his arm out of Yune's hold, and frowns at him with disappointment.

Sorfé- This is wrong.

Yune glares into his younger brother's pale blue eyes, the eyes that are identical to their father's.

Yune- The clan will still have a fine leader, and our brother will be safe. There is nothing wrong with this.

Sorfé- You have such gifted eyes, but there are still things that even you do not see. I will not support this.

Yune- Your support is not needed, you only need to stay silent.

Sorfé- As always.

The youngest turns and walks off from them, going back to their den to just be away from them. Yune and Na'haji continue their stroll, but the oldest's light turmoil doesn't go unnoticed. Yune turns to gaze at his brother's orb for a moment before facing forward.

Yune- My opinion is in conflict with yours. You think I should tell him.

Na'haji- He would not be so opposed to it if he knew why you were doing this.

Yune- I cannot tell him what Uncle did, or plans to do, it would hurt him.

Na'haji- Like leaving him in the dark is any better. If you just-

Yune- Even if I did tell him, he still would not like this. His orb is much like father's, filled with an overwhelming sense of justice, which makes him see this as wrong.

Na'haji- He is n-

Yune- Forget what he thinks of it, we're doing this.

Na'haji- But how?

Yune- You will train Aonung's sister to the best of your ability, and make sure to praise her to encourage her ego.

Na'haji- She did not look like someone who would grow a big head.

Yune- She isn't, her orb is humble, but everyone is capable of change. Make her better than her brother.

Na'haji- It is not as simple as you make it sound.

Yune- I know, but I will help.

Na'haji- How?

Yune- I will figure out how to deal with Aonung, after some observations.