The Snake in the Ice

Promises

A/N: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A few days later the ZucI village was overflowing with people from all over the jungle. It was time to plan the attack on the Outhradii. The Sureen and Loutai were both there.

The best warriors from each tribe, the shamans, and the chieftains would be in the war tent tonight. All planning out what the events of the doomsday to come would be.

I smiled brightly as the boats that carried the Sureen pulled up. The canoes rocked as they were tied to the docks and the oncomers were greeted like family.

I reached out for the hugging embrace of Minimi. She rubbed my back soothingly and her small monkey tugged at my shawl. Beside me, Y/S/N lifted her large head up and flicked her mighty tongue up at the monkey shaman.

All around us ZucI people and Sureen people embraced in joy, much like the first time Aliskaad had come. Though times right now were dark, we were able to see the light.

Speaking of Aliskaad... I voiced my concern to Minimi. Asking her how Motuk was faring. She lowered her head in regret and shook it side to side. Her long dark hair waving around her.

She informed me that Motuk had not made the journey home and had passed only a day after my rescue. I lowered my head too.

Grief filled my heart at the loss, but I could not help but be happy for him. He was with Aliskaad again, the person he was always meant to be with.

I could not imagine what I would do without Y/S/N. She was the other half of my soul and I was the other half of hers. We could not live without the other. The same was for everyone who was bonded with spirit companions. I lowered my hand down so that I could stroke her snow-white scales.

Every day I missed how she used to be small enough to fit in the scarf part of my shawl. That was right though, She may be too big to carry, but she was never too big to be loved on.

Only about an hour after the arrival of the Sureen, the Loutai arrived. Estaad's Jaguar children pulled in on their boats. I was surprised when the yellow-haired shaman Owlowi approached me first and embraced me in an almost bone-crushing hug.

Her large sabertoothed cat prowled up next to her, leaning his head forward and sniffing my serpent. They were both mighty impressive in size. Y/S/N tasted his snout with her tongue and they greeted each other like old friends.

Even Minimi's monkey leaped down on him with a shriek and started digging through his spiky neck fur. Grabbing the bugs that hid within and munching on them happily.

Y'avasshaak stayed on Bobazo's shoulders, looking around at all the newcomers with disinterest. The next person to approach us was the Loutai chieftain. He was an old and wrinkled man with long wiery gray hair that fell down his back and ended in a point.

The cat that padded along next to him was just as old. Looking as if her hips might give out underneath her at any moment. Her fur was ragged and you could see cataracts that were starting to form in her eyes. But she kept her head held high and her blinded eyes focused.

The chieftain was decked with war trophies everywhere. From scars to animal skulls and even human skulls. Various white feathers were dressed over him and he had a long war staff.

He simply nodded to us as he wobbled by. We all nodded back and he joined Misaha and the Sureen Chieftess at the other end of the dock. The sureen chieftess was probably the tallest woman I had ever seen. She had a deep frown but a sparkle to her eyes that showed the will of someone who was still rather young, though she herself was starting to grey a little.