Wish You Were Dead

Chapter Two

Alyara

Five years before the humans return/Seven years before the incident
Nine and ten years old

Jake and Neteyam had yet to arrive. Alyara glances all around the training area and sighs in relief at not being late. She had woken up much later than her usual time, but it seems the others have the same problem.

"Look who's here early." Jake steps into the training ground with Neteyam following.

The training ground isn't necessarily a training ground, but an open space where many Omatikayan activities are held. Within this space are makeshift targets for the young trainees, huge pelts and hides suspended on stick structures, and a river just to the east, among some other things.

Alyara greets Jake accordingly, sweeping her hand down from her forehead. "I See you, Olo'eyktan." He repeats the gesture, and so does Neteyam.

Neteyam takes his place beside Alyara while Jake stands in front of them. Since Jake is the Olo'eyktan, while Alyara and Neteyam are training to be chiefs, they are personally watched by him. And as the two are set for a future marriage, it was suggested by Mo'at that they train together. She said this in hopes of breeding better bonds between the two, and Alyara can only assume it was precautionary of how the last arrangement ended.

Jake starts the lesson by explaining what it means to be a hunter in the clan and the importance of your personal weapon. Just as he is readying his own bow, someone runs into the training ground, "Jake!" Ka'ani, one of his closest advisers, calls to him.

Jake sighs briefly and excuses himself to speak with Ka'ani. Alyara and Neteyam sit in silence. When Jake returns his expression is grim, "Somethings come up, I can't train you much today. Just see if you can find me different kinds of plants in the forest." He thinks for a moment, "Something edible, something poisonous, and something useful, OK?"

Alyara and Neteyam nod. Jake slips away to handle the urgent situation, leaving just Neteyam and Alyara alone. "I guess we'd better go." She says. The two trail into the woods—Alyara in the lead. They walk for a few minutes without a word spoken before Alyara breaks the silence, "Lets look up in the trees, I don't want to find some common plant."

"OK." Neteyam responds. Alyara glances at the trees around before finding a good one to climb on. Without a second thought she scales up it. Neteyam follows after her.

She looks down at Neteyam with disdain, "How is it that you're so slow? You should really work on your climbing speed."

"If I didn't have such a huge animal throwing dirt in my eye, I might be able to climb a little faster."

Alyara rolls her eyes, "I was still faster than you when I was younger than that. You're lucky to be climbing with me." She reaches a branch and pulls herself to stand on top of it.

Neteyam reaches the branch a few seconds later, "If only I cared, Alyara."

She doesn't respond. They jump between only a few trees before Alyara spots a poisonous vine growing on a tree. It has large leaves and secretes a clear slime. She points at it and turns to look at Neteyam, "That one."

"Poisonous?" He questions. She nods. He hops over to it and unsheathes his knife from its compartment on his chest, cutting off a segment of the vine. Alyara stands behind him, waiting to stash it in the small pouch on her hip. "Will it kill someone if I put it on my knife?"

"Huh?" She hums.

"If I wipe this stuff on my knife would it kill someone?" He repeats.

"I don't know. I'm sure the knife would do the trick if you have anyone in mind." She scoffs.