Tribal Tattoos & Darker Tides

What cannot be taught

"We will start with a bow. Every warrior makes their own." I trotted through the jungle, she followed after at a constant pace, quite impressive that she could keep up with me. "I will show you where you get the sacred wood and from there you are on your own until tomorrow, when I expect the bow ready." I stopped at the edge of the jungle where the mountain cut into the island, a large cave resided there, we stood before it, the darkness engulfed it's insides deposited the time of day.
"What then?"
"I will tell you then. Be careful of cave bears." I reached down grabbing my knife and handing it to her, I held the blade end tight as she grasped the hilt. She stared me directly in the eyes, she definitely wouldn't survive this without a weapon and this one might not even suffice. Good I guess, if she dies it's her fault not mine, then I will have an excuse to not teach her.
"What if I come across one?"
"You have two choices then, you can kill it and be brave, or you can run and be a coward, most likely dying in the process." Her eyes narrowed and I could then see the fear on her face, I chuckled. "If you are alive then I will see you at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning with a new hand crafted bow and three arrows. I want my knife back to. Understand?" She nodded her head.
"Yes... I guess I WILL see you tomorrow then." Was this girl serious? So defiant, so strong, these were the signs of a warrior I had not seen before. My father had brought me to this cave when I was just a boy and had told me those same words in a much kinder manner. I survived the night in the cave, where the scarred near lived and I nearly killed it to. Earning me a large scar on my lower abdominal muscle.
"If you survive." I countered back before turning away, those last words the same I had heard from my father many years ago. I was just as strong then, even stronger now, she will not make it... And if she does, then she gains my blessing to be a warrior.
"Hey!" I turned to her after her shout. "How will I see?" I grinned.
"All will be revealed in time." She turned taking a deep breath and leaving for the cave by herself, I myself still impressed that she had even walked into that cave. I then turned and ventured back through the jungle to the temple, I had to admit I was a little worried that she wouldn't make it, that my father would banish me for my insolence despite the fact that he had done the same to me when I was just a boy.
He would blame it on mercy, when he barely showed me mercy then. I had mercy, only when I needed to I showed mercy that was. Power was something that actually worked on your opponents, you must punish them before you show any mercy. Had I not shown mercy when my father told me to stop, I didn't have to stop. I may listen to my father, but if I didn't that would be merciless.
I approached the temple doors, they opened to reveal my younger sister standing happily behind them waiting for my arrival. I smiled when she ran into my arms for a hug.
"Brother, where did you bring her?" She asked excitedly, my father never allowed her to leave the temple. He said that it was to dangerous for her to be out in the jungle.
"The sacred cave where she will travel through to get to the trees."
"Have you taught her how to make a how yet?"
"No." I beamed back, Citra hitting me in the arm weakly.
"Oh brother, you never seise to amuse me with your antics." She snorted, I wrapped an arm around her neck.
"And father?"
"He had things to do on the South Island."
"Hoyt again?" My eyebrows furrowed with worry, Hoyt was reckless, unpredictable, he despised the native people and that made me despise him with a hatred I had for no other.
"Hoyt's mercenaries are advancing towards the edge of the north island. If they get here."
"I know, when did he leave?"
"Three hours ago." We entered through the temple doors that closed behind us, Citra galloping ahead of me to the large in the center of the temple. She could sense the demeaning expression on my face, she knew I felt left out.
"Why do you worry yourself brother?" I leaned against a broken stone column and stared down at the dirt ground. She came up beside me resting her head on my shoulder.
"I wish he had told me." I whispered, she shook her head.
"Father leaves you out of everything... He knows you are growing stronger then him, you know?" I glared over at her, what was she talking about? Father was the strongest man on the island.
"I don't understand!"
"Well... It's just. I think he worries you are becoming a better leader then him, you know?" Maybe Citra was right, I have become a stronger more influential individual than father could ever be. He is only growing weak by age and with age comes wisdom, he may not be as strong as he was, but he is smarter and more respected than I am.
"I know Citra, but remember, father has always been more than meets the eye."
"Of course brother, you are always right." She slowly moved her hand to intertwine with mine and she stood gently pulling me with her. "Come... I wish to show you something." I nodded my head as she guided me through the temple, through hallways and small gardens before finally stopping at a pedestal with a tribal knife on it. The knife caught my eye, my father had told me of it before, that he would give it to me when my time had come to become leader. I rued that day that would have to pass, father would not be there that day, he would need to be dead for that day to come.
"This knife symbolizes all greatness and in it, I see our ancestors, many have died by the sharp blade of this knife. Ferocious warriors have fallen on their knees to it." She grabbed the knife and waved it before me. "Father has never touched this knife, only the truest of warriors have."
"Father is a true warrior. He is fearless, he is wise, responsible, respected. Citra, why are you questioning him by this? You shouldn't even be holding that knife." She glared me in the eyes before approaching and grabbing my hand, she placed the hilt in my hand forcing my fingers around the green type of metal.
"I have seen a side of father, you have not. The walls foresee the stories of greatness, in which a warrior is revived from his resting place, he will become the next leader. He will kill father."
"And you think this man is me?" I snapped at her, I loved my sister, I would do anything for her, I would die for her, but this... I didn't know what to say, everything was going so well until now, why now? "Sister, I may be strong, but strength doesn't come from the blood of others. Those words my father had told me. When father goes to fight Hoyt and his men, he doesn't do it for a test of strength, he doesn't challenge Hoyt because he wants to be stronger, or he wants to be feared. He challenges Hoyt because of our people, our father would die for these weaklings, he would die for them... What about you? I wouldn't die for them... Not yet." I released the hilt of the blade, she caught it before it hit the ground, I turned and walked away, she watched as I disappeared down the vine covered hall. Something was going on with Citra, something was wrong, and it worried me more than anything.