Chapter Four

Grace scrambled through the underbrush keeping her form close to the ground. She hadn't heard any commotion and hoped by the time they realised she had escaped she would be far from them. She knew who and what they were. Her Uncle had been one and so had her mother before her transformation. They were uniltìrantokx "dreamwalkers". Though she had had faith in Mo'at's vision she had never thought that more dreamwalkers would come. She had expected a fleet of small, weak humans that they could easily fend off. Yet the dreamwalkers wore the clothes of the Tawtute and carried weapons far greater than her bow and arrow.

Grace gave a pitiful sigh. She felt vulnerable without her dagger and bow but the dreamwalkers had taken them away from her. In that they were clever. She might be incapacitated but that didn't make her any less dangerous. The Tawtute were not to be trusted. Mo'at had said that they would bring death to the lands and she would not betray her people by becoming a cohort with the dreamwalkers.

Soon the thicket of bushes ended and Grace was faced with numerous trees. Taking hold of a low branch Grace pulled herself up from the ground, hissing as all her weight was put on her injured leg. The Tawtute had tended her but that did not make them honourable. She wished she had stayed longer to hear their conversation but when the doctor had left her, she had taken her opportunity to flee. A rustle behind her caught her attention.

A uniltìrantokx crept from the bushes, his eyes piercing hers. Grace took a step back, her eyes darting rapidly looking for escape. There was none.

"Please, we do not mean harm." The man said slowly as if talking to a child.

Grace growled. He wore the skin of a handsome Na'vi. His jaw was strong and square. He was not as tall as To'itan but he was muscular. Vrrtep! He was a devil parading himself to be Na'vi, but he was not one of The People. They planned to violate Eywa and murder her home. He was lying, he meant much harm to her and her people.

Jake watched the woman's eyes carefully. There was a shine of keen intelligence and Jake wondered if she could understand him. He also noticed the feral snarl on her lips which he found strangely erotic. Jake smiled as her stance became lax. She shifted to her other foot whimpering as the leg collapsed under her. Rushing towards her, Jake lifted her up his fingers pressing against her pulse. Her closed eyes snapped open with a calculative gleam and he felt something cool and cold press against his throat. Gulping Jake backed up as she pressed the dagger more forcefully against him.

"Ok, ok." He whispered raising his palms in the air taking several steps away from her. He gave her nod, acknowledging her skill. She was quick and clever, playing on her injuries to lower his guard, using their closeness to steal his dagger.

"Look I know you are capable of looking after yourself but right now you need us. Those wounds will only get worse if you keep running off." He said calmly. She cocked her head as if contemplating his words her grip on the hilt still strong as she held it defensively.

"You need to get home. We need to get to…to a human settlement." He explained. Rubbing his head, wishing he had taken the crash course on Na'vi when he had had the chance. "Leila tells me you are Omatikaya?" He asked settling into a crouch, his hands resting on his thighs so that she could see them clearly. The Na'vi tracked him with her eyes, also crouching. Leila hadn't had time to dress the woman and her breasts were still visible. Though distracting, Jake schooled himself to concentrate on looking her in the eye. He couldn't lose that contact or else they were screwed.

"The beads, she said they come from a tree native to your home. Your home is near the place we're looking for. Norman Spellman works there have you heard of him?" Jake asked hoping that she had understood him. He and Norman Spellman had attended the same university and were both members of the chess team. Jake blushed at that. If anyone knew about his secret passion he would have been done for. It was Spellman who had been able to get him access to Pandora. If Spellman was still here he would know how to deal with the Stevenson situation.

"Spellman." The Na'vi said, her posture relaxing for the first time. Jake gave a silent prayer as curiosity won out over hostility.

"Yes Norman and I go way back," he said "He's tall and gangly. Always writing things down and touching everything." Jake laughed. The corner of her lips twitched as though she were fighting a smile.

"You understand me?" He asked eager to know he wasn't wasting his time. The Na'vi's eyes lowered and she shrugged her shoulders before standing up. Limping towards him, she threw the dagger at his feet.

"Grace." She said pointing to herself.

"Jake." He said cautiously standing as not to intimidate her.

"I will take you to Norman, but if you betray me I will cut your heart out." Jake didn't know what she said, but he didn't need to know Na'vi that she was threatening him. He only hoped that he wasn't getting himself and his team into a whole heap of trouble.

...

Grace sat in the clearing where the uniltìrantokx had chosen to make camp. They reminded her very much of her own hunting party. The men spoke with an ease gained over years of friendship. On first glance, the dreamwalkers looked much like the Na'vi but on closer inspection, their eyes were smaller and they had five fingers and toes. Grace looked at her own four toed feet. She was a lot like them, her eyes were large but not as large as the Na'vi and she had five fingers.

They instantly gave away her hybrid heritage but the dreamwalkers hadn't noticed this and for that she was grateful. If they knew that she had dreamwalker blood then they would know she understood English. She could not let them know that, not yet. She didn't completely trust them yet. Perhaps when they got to Hell's Gate Norman would testify that he knew them. Looking up into the dark sky, Grace tried to calculate their position. She was certain that by wadding the river they would be closer to Iknimaya. Her plan was to take them to the Tawtute compound and stay clear of Kelutral.

"I picked these for you." The scientist that was part of the team said joining Grace. Grace smiled thankfully, accepting the offering of fruit. She did not mind speaking Na'vi with the woman. Grace understood her. Leila was interested in understanding Eywa and because of that Grace spoke.

"Thank you." She said biting into the sweet fruit. She noticed the woman watching her intensely and smiled nervously.

"I hope the clothing is satisfactory. The men are not used to casual nudity." Leila explained. Grace touched the rough material covering her torso. It was a grey and wrinkled but kept her warm against the night's breeze. Very rarely did she expose herself but her nakedness had been far from her thoughts. Yet Leila was correct, she had caught many heated glances from the one named Harry, a lanky dreamwalker with strange colouring in his hair. It made her uncomfortable and she was certain that if he so much as touched her she would geld him.

"How did you get here, I am sure we are far from the Omatikaya." Leila said.

"My party and I were separated. We are not too far from this place you wish to visit." Grace said knowing that Leila wanted a more detailed explanation but refusing to give one.

They did not need to know about the Toruk attack. Grace knew to bypass them and would figure a different path when the time came. Until then the dreamwalkers would know what she wanted them to know. Eventually Leila departed and Grace was grateful for the reprieve. Her body ached and fatigue swamped her body. Before she fell as sleep she felt something smooth and cold thrust into her hand. Looking up she saw Jake smiling over her body before leaving to lie on a pallet made from leaves. Grace clutched her dagger close to her chest and felt safe in her slumber.

...

Jake opened his eye groggily as the psionic link chamber was opened. Two scientists yawned, pulling him out of the unit. Harry and Sam had been left behind to keep watch as they slept. Leila walked sluggishly past him, harassing a scientist for a cup of coffee. Jake brushed away at the hands attempting to put him in his chair.

"I've got this." He growled, his muscles straining, as he was forced to carry all his body weight on his forearms. He grabbed the steel handle of the wheelchair and after a few strenuous moments he sat into the worn leather.

"Vitals are steady, are the Avatars in a safe place?" One the scientist said using his fingers to slide over the holographic screen. Jake didn't bother to listen to the scientific jargon. Before he caught a nap he needed to report to Stevenson. Jake grabbed an exo-pack and headed out of the mobile.

The shuttle was glowing with light like an artificial beacon. His eyes took some time adjusting to the surreal lighting after being exposed to the natural glow of Pandora. The ramp had stayed lowered and though it was steep it was much easier to manoeuvre than on the uneven ground. The air chamber hissed as it converted the lethal Pandoran air into breathable oxygen. As soon as the doors swung open Jake yanked of the exo-pack. The strap itched and irritated him.

"Sully." A soldier said saluting him. Jake returned the gesture and followed him as he was led through several quarters. Stevenson was found at the helm of the shuttle. Suzy was playing with a few of the settings and Jake greeted her. Her eyes lit up at the appearance of a familiar face before leaving Jake and Stevenson to talk.

"Have you made progress?" Stevenson asked turning away from the large screen windows. Jake smiled at the man's abruptness. Stevenson wasn't one for pedantic chatting and Jake found that refreshing.

"Yes. We've found a landmark, a large waterfall leading to a lake. We're planning on crossing it as soon as everyone has caught some shuteye." Jake said.

"Good. Depending how you look at it the RDA had the bulk of all the weaponry and hangers reinforced. It seems human lives were expendable. Everything we need for a full-scale attack has been salvaged. Marshall assures me that all the Avatars can be driven." Stevenson said. Jake marvelled at how calmly Stevenson was taking this. Jake was furious to know that weapons of mass destruction were more important than the precious cargo of the people onboard. He still didn't like the idea of murdering the indigenous but he liked his life.

"You plan on attacking now?" Jake asked, fearful of Stevenson's answer.

"No. We need to make contact with Hell's Gate. Whether or not they are still in operation we have a mission. But I would prefer to make contact first." Stevenson said turning from him in dismissal. Jake clenched the rubber wheels in anger but didn't say anything. He was still only a corporal. Stevenson was giving them time to make it to Hell's Gate and for that he was thankful.

Wheeling out of the control room Jake made his way to the bunkers. The cryo units had been made into makeshift beds and Jake settled into one. His eyes rested on the many empty units and he felt a strong urge to cry. He hadn't felt this way since the day he had lost the use of his legs. The feeling of everything being out of his control was not one he handled well.

"Jake." Leila called walking towards him. Jake sighed heavily as more time was wasted. He needed to be in and out as quickly as possible and so did Leila. Jake arched an eyebrow as she sat in his chair but didn't say anything. It was quite amusing seeing her move the wheels with her hands back and forth.

"Did you tell Stevenson about the native?" She asked, her eyes filled with worry.

"No." Jake said settling back into the jelly like substance of the cryo unit.

"Good." Leila finally said.
"Good?" Jake asked his voice laced with sleep. When Leila didn't reply he opened his eyes and found her gone. Rolling his eyes at the doctor's strange behaviour he closed his eyes and slept.

...

"Where is she?" Ngay'swizav demanded pacing the dais. The weeping of his people raked his skin like an angry ikran and Ngay'swizav felt useless as his mate stood by his side. Though she remained stoic it was only a facade, a mask to give their people strength. Inside he knew that she was howling.

Ngay'swizav squeezed her hand as sign of comfort. Anna's eyes barely flickered though her lips briefly tilted upwards. It had been the third day without any news of the hunters when To'itan and a few others had arrived. The party had been small, fewer than he remembered seeing flying out. Then there had been the blood and Ngay'swizav had known something was drastically wrong.

"Last shadow, many of them." To'itan had said before passing out.

His parents had rushed to claim their son, as had others. Even now he could hear Beyral's screams as she was told Aneet had not made it. A week had passed since then and still no sign of Grace. His mother continued to reassure him that she was alive but Ngay'swizav was beginning to lose faith. Ngay'swizav had sent out search parties. His riders had returned with dead and mortally wounded Na'vi but no Grace.

"We are sorry olo'eyktan. We have searched everywhere." A hunter told him sadly. Ngay'swizav felt Anna's grip tighten, her nails biting into his hand.

"Anna?"

"She is still out there. A mother knows." Anna whispered.

Ngay'swizav nodded. Tsahaylu was a strong intimate bond that could be felt even without their queues being attached. If Anna said Grace was still alive then he believed her. Dismissing the hunter Ngay'swizav led Anna to their secret spot in the glen and carried her into the pool of water. He smiled as Anna wrapped her arms around his neck and began to sob. For the others there was always a smile on her face, it was only when she was with him did she show her true emotions. Ngay'swizav rubbed his face in her hair revelling in her scent. Her ears tickled his chin as they twitched at the sound of his breathing.

"She will return to us Ngay'swizav, I know it." She wept holding him tighter.

...

Grace laughed as Sam fought with a thick dangling vine, the large man cursed as it twisted around his arm. Grace, feeling sorry for him, rushed to his side and extracted the sap lined limb.

"Skxawng." She muttered.

"What did she say?" Sam demanded turning to a giggling Leila.

"Moron." Leila explained. Grace fed her fingers into her mouth, licking away at the mess left by the vine. Sam turned to reprimand her but when he saw her actions he stopped. Grace looked away nervously as all the men stared at her motions.

"She can call me whatever she wants." Sam murmured. Grace blushed not realising her actions had been provocative.

"These men are not mated?" Grace asked Leila as they continued their journey. The woman laughed swatting at the flies accumulating around her head.

"Even if they are, you are beautiful. After so long without sex…" Leila's words trailed off into silence as the men turned to look back at her with hostile glares.

Grace laughed. Though they spoke different languages it appeared that Leila's tone made the content of their conversation obvious. Grace's health had improved over the days that followed. She could almost move at her normal pace. Thoughts of leaving the team had crossed her mind. When they slept there were only two people left to keep watch and she could easily slip into the night. It was only because Jake had said he was friends with Norman did she continue to travel with them. They had more or less accepted her into their group and Grace felt reluctantly humbled. Apart from the occasional salacious look from Harry she felt more at ease with them than she had with her Na'vi hunting party.

"I swear if we have to eat fruit again I'm going to become one." Jake grumbled, his ear twitching as a fly landed on it. Grace rolled her eyes and motioned to her bow and quiver of arrows on his back. Though they had formed an acquaintance, she could see the reluctance in Jake's eyes. He was did not trust her as she didn't wholly trust him.

"Should I give them to her?" He asked Leila. Grace grinned and placed her fingers on Leila's lips to stop her from answering.

"Moe taron." She said indicating him with her hand and then herself. Jake raised an eyebrow obviously mistaking her actions as something else.

"Does she want to take me to bed?" He asked with a hopeful hitch to his voice. Grace bit her lip seductively and walked towards him. She placed both hands on his chest and lent against him. It was a dangerous game she played, Jake was handsome and the feel of his beating heart beneath her palms was intoxicating.

"Taron." She whispered in his ear. She felt a feral growl in grow in his chest and quickly backed away. His eyes darkened with lust.

"She wants to go hunting with you. It is a great honour to be invited to a hunt." Leila explained. Both women shared a conspiratorial grin as Jake cursed.

"Sully thought he was getting some native tail." Sam laughed. Grace winked at Sam instantly silencing him.

"Leila is she being a tease on purpose?" Harry asked his eyes blatantly undressing her with his eyes. Grace snarled and reached for her dagger.

"I do not like his eyes." She said to Leila. Leila nodded coming between Grace and Harry.

"Remember we need her to take us to Hell's gate. Don't pursue, just watch." Leila said. Grace nodded in agreement. The woman was wise to warn the men, they needed to understand that she was not be trifled with.

"Okay guys, we'll be back." Jake said following Grace out of the grove.

He had been more than surprised when she had touched him. Up close she was even more radiant. The dots on her face branched out like a spattering of freckles that Jake found endearing as well as sexy. Her hips swung with the grace of a woman confident in her body. Her tail reached out amongst the flora as though it were an extra hand. He felt the urge to hold on to it but he had seen her skill with a dagger and he would hate to be on the wrong end of it. For now he would keep his hands to himself no matter how hard it was becoming to control himself.

Na'vi translation

Iknimaya- Hallelujah Mountains

Vrrtep-Demon

Skxawng- Moron

uniltìrantokx –dreamwalkers

Moe taron- we hunt

Kelutral-Hometree

Tsahaylu- Neural bond

Tawtute- Sky people

Hoped you enjoyed the latest chapter, I'm currently looking for a beta, someone who will put as much input as well as editing into this story. As always please review, a new chapter will be up by then end of the week xxx