Rise of the Wolf Clan

Chapter 4 - Enemies of the North - Part 1

The morning sky was crystal clear. Clean and crisp, with the freshness that only the dawn of a beautiful day can bring. The sunrise was gorgeous, painting the eastern sky a dark pink that got lighter as the sun made its way above the mountains. The western sky was still a dark blue, but that color began to fade to a lighter shade of blue as the sun rose higher.

Under the Utral Atokirina, Ninat lay asleep. Dozens of brightly colored flowers lay scattered on the ground, surrounding her slender body. The sunlight began to be filtered through the treetops. A single golden ray touched her cheek. She opened her eyes to see fluorescent yellow flowers on the ground in front of her. She lifted her head and looked around. Flowers of every color surrounded her. The fluorescent blues, purples, reds, greens, and purples covered the forest floor. It was if the tail-end of a rainbow was forming at this very spot. She continued to look around, her smile getting larger as she realized where the flowers came from.

Suddenly she heard a rustle to her left. She looked and saw Txon'taron walking towards her, carrying an arm load of the same colorful flowers. He looked at her and smiled.

"I did not think you were awake yet," he said as he scattered the flowers he was carrying down next to her.

He then carefully stepped over them, knelt down next to her and kissed her soft lips. They looked at each other, smiling. Her eyes twinkled in the morning light.

"I woke up and found myself in a dream," she said. "Surrounded by pure beauty and the one I love."

He smiled and kissed her again.

"Do you think the clan has noticed we are missing yet?" he asked, still smiling.

Ninat chuckled. "Oh I am sure word is spreading quickly even as we speak," she said.

Txon'taron shook his head. "Txen Txe'lan and Fnu_aw are going to have a field day with this."

"Did you not tell them what we were doing?" she asked.

Txon'taron shook his head. "No," he replied. "They just knew I was going to spend time with you last night, not that we would mate under the Tree of Voices."

He looked at the ground for a moment before continuing. "I was not even sure we would end up doing what we did. I had not planned on it."

He then looked back at her and smiled.

"But I am glad it happened," he said. "It felt right. It was the right time."

Ninat touched his cheek with her fingertips, and said, "It was the right time, for both of us. I felt Eywa's grace. Our good Mother has blessed this union. We will have many happy years together."

"Yes, we will," he replied. His voice then trailed off as he looked at the ground again. "For many years now, I have had nightmares when I slept. I saw the faces of my friends that I lost in the war five years ago. I saw their bodies fall from the sky like rain. It seemed like every night I would have this same dream."

He looked at her again. "Until I found you. Since that time I have dreamt of nothing but your beauty. Since that time I have felt peace that I have not had since I was young. Since that time… I have not felt alone."

Ninat moved his face toward hers. She leaned close to him and kissed him. It was long and full of emotion. She then looked into his eyes.

"You will never be alone again, my love," she whispered. "I am with you now, we are mated for life."

...

Hometree was buzzing with excitement. It was still early in the morning and the sun shone brightly in the sapphire blue sky. The darkness in the far distance had not grown any larger, and most of the Omaticaya had decided it was nothing more than a storm cloud. They decided to ignore it… at least most of them. The scout leader Tireatupe made his way through the crowd of people and up into Hometree, to get a better view of it, whatever it was.

As Ninat had predicted, several members of the clan had noticed that she and Txon'taron had not returned to Hometree the night before, and word was spreading rapidly. Their absence could only mean one thing.

Having been the first ones to notice their friends absence, Txen Txe'lan and Fnu_aw were just outside the Atrium talking about him.

"That sly little bugger!" Txen Txe'lan exclaimed, "I knew he had it in him!"

Fnu_aw nodded his head. "I did not think it would happen this soon though," he stated."That is all the more reason to be impressed with him," Txen Txe'lan replied.

Fnu_aw rolled his eyes. Sa'guna, who was standing nearby, overheard their conversation and walked up to them.

"You mean to tell me the two of you had no idea what they were up to last night?" she asked.

"Are you kidding me?" Txen Txe'lan replied. "If I had known he was going to do that, I would have been right there shouting words of encouragement."

Fnu_aw burst into laughter. Sa'guna swatted Txen Txe'lan on the arm.

"You would have done no such thing," she said. "The only thing you need to do is be happy for him. He deserves this. They both do."

Inside the Atrium, Neytiri was talking to several female Na'vi when Jake walked down the ramp that led from the higher levels of Hometree to the ground level. He walked up to his mate and put his arm around her, kissing her.

"What's all this excitement about?" he asked.

Neytiri looked at him. "You have not heard?" she asked.

"Heard what?" he replied.

"Txon'taron and Ninat went for a ride on his Ikran last night and have not come back." she said, smiling.

"They haven't come ba…?" he began to say, and then suddenly realized what Neytiri was trying to tell him. "Are you serious?" he asked.

"Yes!" she replied. "Isn't that wonderful?"

Jake shook his head. "I'll be damned," he said. "Good for them. We must make preparations for their mating ceremony."

"Preparations are already being made, "Neytiri said, pointing to the other side of the Atrium. Gatherers were busying themselves putting up white flower streamers all along the giant tree columns.

"Good," Jake said, and then looked back at Neytiri. "Let's go welcome them when they finally come back."

Neytiri smiled and held his hand as they walked outside of the Atrium into the warm morning sunlight.

A large crowd of Omaticaya were gathered outside of Hometree when suddenly an excited cry went up into the air. Txon'taron's Ikran was spotted flying toward them. It circled once overhead before landing on the ground-level Eyre. Txon'taron helped Ninat down and then jumped down himself. Anxious faces looked at them as they turned and faced the crowd. Txon'taron took Ninat by the hand. They smiled brightly at each other and then at the people gathered in front of them.

Txon'taron finally said, "We have become one."

A cheer erupted from the crowd as clan members gathered around and showered them with congratulations. Txen Txe'lan and Fnu_aw quickly made their way towards their friend. Sa'guna was hot on their heels. Just before they reached him, Sa'guna grabbed Txen Txe'lan by the arm and whipped him around.

She put a long finger up to his face and said, "Remember, be nice."

"I will, I will," he replied as he turned back around and walked up to Txon'taron and Ninat. They looked at him for a moment before he put his hand over his heart and said in a diplomatic tone, "My dearest friends, I am very happy for both of you. Eywa truly smiles on you this day."

He then leaned in closer to Txon'taron and whispered, "Now tell me everything, and I want details."

Sa'guna, who over-heard him, said, "Alright, that's it!"

She grabbed Txen Txe'lan by one of his ears and pulled him away.

Fnu_aw and Txon'taron watched as Txen Txe'lan unsuccessfully tried to state his case to an angry Sa'guna. They both shook their heads and smiled.

Fnu_aw turned to face Txon'taron, and as he did, he put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I am happy for you my brother," he said. "We both are. May the blessed Mother smile on you and Ninat this day and always."

Txon'taron smiled and embraced him. "Thank you, brother."Ninat walked up and said, "No words could ever mean so much. Thank you." She then kissed Fnu_aw on the cheek. His blue face turned a slight pink before he nodded and turned away.

The congratulations continued as Jake and Neytiri both wished the newly mated pair luck in their new life together. The tracker leader, Ra'ttan made his way up to Jake.

"Have you seen Tireatupe?" he asked.

"I saw him making his way up into Hometree just before Txon'taron and Ninat returned," Jake replied. "I wondered why he wasn't here to congratulate them."

Ra'ttan looked up at Hometree and said, "He must be getting a better look at that thing in the distance. Whatever it is, it has him spooked."

Jake followed Ra'ttan's gaze up into Hometree. He sighed and said, "Alright, let's go see what's on his mind."

They made their way into the Atrium and up the spiraling ramp of braches that led to the second tier. There was no sign of Tireatupe. Another clan member told them he was on the top tier, one level under Jake and Neytiri's flat. They made their way further up Hometree.

They finally reached the top tier. It was a small flat area of branches that had been covered with dried mud to act as flooring. There were branches that shot up vertically on three sides that acted as walls. There were small gaps between each branch so that the people could have a 360 degree view of their territory. On the far side there was a break in the vertical branches as the branches that formed the floor shot out a short distance to create a platform that faced north.

Here they found Tireatupe. He stood as still as a statue with his arms folded across his chest. His keen eyes stared out over the vastness of the forest and into the horizon. Jake and Ra'ttan made their way over to the scout leader and stood next to him, one on each side. Tireatupe did not move or say anything to them. He continued to scan the horizon.

Jake looked at him for a long moment. Tireatupe was a living legend among the Omaticaya. He had nearly forty years in him, and most of them had been spent exploring the western hemisphere of Pandora, visiting other clans and acting as an ambassador of good will. His knowledge of the world they lived in was remarkable. He had visited areas of Pandora that the other clan members had only dreamt about. He was the only Omaticaya to ever cross the Eastern Sea and into the eastern hemisphere. The stories he brought back with him of the things he had seen and new clans of Na'vi he had encountered were fascinating. His intelligent speech and respectful ways made him very popular with the other Na'vi tribes.

Despite his reputation for diplomacy, he was also a talented fighter, having fought the humans five years ago. The knife strapped to his waistband had tasted the blood of more than one RDA soldier. He was also one of the only Na'vi to ever visit the Lunarian Swamp and return alive. He seldom spoke of the horrors he saw there.

Jake finally broke the silence. "What are you thinking about Tireatupe?"

Tireatupe answered without taking his eyes off the horizon.

"That is no storm cloud," he said. "It does not move like one."

"What is it then?" Jake asked.

Tireatupe shook his head. "I do not know. But I would like to find out." He turned and looked at Jake. "I would like to visit the Nekxtukruya. Their home is located much closer to that thing. Perhaps they will have an answer to this riddle."

Jake looked at Tireatupe. "The Black Spear Clan?" he said, "Are you sure? Relations with them have been strained for the last few years now."

"Strained, yes, but not severed," he replied. "I have known their Olo'eyktan, Tsteu'tingay for many years now. He will accept an audience with me. And if he does not, then I will by-pass his territory and continue north and find out what the darkness is myself."

Jake nodded, "Alright. I think finding out what that thing is once and for all will put everyone's mind at ease. But wait until I get Sotokan. I'll have him and some of his warriors accompany you."

Tireatupe shook his head. "No. An armed escort flying into the Nekxtukruya's territory could make a potentially tense situation worse. I will travel alone."

"No, you won't," said Ra'ttan, cutting in. "I will go with you. The Black Spear Clan will hardly feel threatened by a tracker. And besides, if that thing out there is dangerous, I will know it before you do."

Tireatupe smiled at Ra'ttan. The two had been friends for a long time and had journeyed together on several occasions. He nodded his acceptance.

"Alright," he said. "We shall fly together once more, and find the answer that we all seek."

" It's settled then," Jake said. "Where are your Ikrans, on the top-level Eyre or the bottom-level Eyre?"

"The top-level," they both replied.

"Good," Jake said. "I don't want to make a spectacle out of this." He looked at Ra'ttan. "Especially because your brother will go chasing after you if he finds out."

Ra'ttan chuckled. "Tell Swoktang I will return soon."

Jake nodded, "I will. Now get going."

He escorted the two leaders up to the top-level Eyre, a gigantic branch that several Na'vi could easily walk shoulder to shoulder across. Below them, several hundred feet down, was the forest floor. The other clan members looked like ants as the busied them selves with their daily duties. Above them was a ceiling of criss-crossing branches. Tireatupe and Ra'ttan both made loud, chirping noises. There was a rustle and then a loud noise as two Ikrans came bursting through the leaves and landed in front of them. They quickly bonded with them and climbed onto their backs. Jake waved good-bye to them.

"Journey safely, and return as soon as you can," he said.

Tireatupe and Ra'ttan both held up their hands in a salute to their Olo'eyktan. In a sudden rush of flapping wings they flew into the air and headed due north. Jake stood and watched them until they disappeared from view. He started to turn away but stopped. He looked back at the horizon for a moment. An uneasy feeling crept over his body… something didn't feel right. He uttered a silent prayer to Eywa to keep his friends safe before he made his way back down the winding branches of Hometree.

The morning drew on as clan members went about their daily routines. Sotokan was making his way toward Hometree after a morning training session when he happened by Kirina, who was carrying a basket. They looked at each other and smiled.

"I see you, Sotokan," she said cheerfully.

"I see you, Kirina," he replied. "What do you have in the basket?"

"Oh, just little trinkets for a project I am working on," she answered.

"I see," he said. "Well, I wanted to thank you for the knife that Sa'guna gave me. She said you helped her stain it."

"You are welcome," Kirina said, and then looked at Sotokan's leg. "Are you wearing it… oh wait, there it is. Wow, it really does blend in well."

"It does indeed," he replied. "You did a fine job on it."

Kirina blushed a little as she looked at the tall warrior leader. "Well, again, you are welcome."

Sotokan nodded and walked away. Kirina was beautiful, but his heart belonged to someone else.

The young healer, Nienna, was sitting nearby on a patch of grass under the shade of a tree. She was injecting the neurotoxin she had just secreted from a plant into a set of arrowheads when she looked up and saw Sotokan walking towards Hometree. She looked at him for long moment, her face suddenly lit by a ray of sunlight that had found its way through the leaves.

She was incredibly beautiful. Both of her parents had been healers. Her father had died many years ago, and in the process she became very close to her mother. Her mother was an extremely talented healer, and Nienna wanted to be just like her. But when her mother was killed in the war with the humans, Nienna was left alone. She loved her mother dearly and vowed to carry on her legacy and to become the best healer the clan had ever known.

It was a promise that soon turned into an obsession. She spent most of her free time studying the healing arts. This had made her become the best healer in the clan, second only to the healer leader, Nessa. However, her dedication came with a price, and because she focused all of her free time on her studies, she found herself isolated from the other members of the clan much of the time.

But despite this, many male Na'vi had tried to court her. All of these courtships failed and soon stopped altogether when a rumor arose that Sotokan was in love with her. It was a rumor that he denied, although in his heart he did love her and had since they were children. But because she had never shown even the slightest hint of affection towards him, he never acted on his feelings, for fear of rejection. Nienna, however, was also in love with Sotokan. But her top priority was to be the best healer in the clan, and she saw being mated to someone as a potential distraction. Because of this, she kept her feelings for him a secret.

She watched Sotokan as he walked into the Atrium and disappeared behind the gigantic columns. She looked at the ground for a moment, then closed her eyes and sighed. It was getting harder for her to hide how she felt about him.

In the meantime, Kirina had made her way over to Sa'guna who was busy making a new weapon prototype. Sa'guna looked up to see the young dancer approaching and carrying her basket.

"Good morning, Sa'guna!" she said cheerfully.

Sa'guna smiled at her, "Hello Kirina. What can I do for you?"

"Do you mind if I sit with you for awhile?" she asked. "I have a project I want to work on."

Sa'guna motioned to a stool on the side of her workbench. "Please sit."

Sa'guna cleared a space as Kirina sat down and started to spread out the things that she had brought with her; strips of plant fiber, fragile transparent insect wings, beads and a few claws. She had an excited look on her face. When she was not rehearsing her dances, this was what she loved to do the most… create beautiful objects out of nothing.

They chatted for awhile as Sa'guna continued smoothing out a spear-head and Kirina started weaving the strips of fiber into a solid object. Sa'guna finally looked at what she was doing.

"What are you making?" she asked.

"Oh, just a new pair of flight shades for Txen Txe'lan," Kirina replied. "His got ruined a couple of days ago when he and some other hunters decided that they wanted to provoke a Thanator. The shades got ripped right off his head when he flew into a low branch trying to get away. Luckily for him, his Ikran has more sense than he does."

"That is very true," Sa'guna said as they both laughed.

Kirina continued, "So now he has asked me to make him a new pair. He promised to catch me a Pelarnus if I do. I can't wait to get my hands on those feathers. They will go perfectly with the costumes I am designing for my new dance."

Sa'guna chuckled, "Ha, I bet he did."

Kirina looked at her inquisitively and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Sa'guna explained, "It means that I do not think that is the only reason he will catch a Pelarnus for you."

Sa'guna noticed Kirina's uncomprehending look and said, "Oh come now, you must know the effect you have on them?"

Kirina still looked confused. "What effect I have on who?" she asked.

Sa'guna stopped what she was doing. She put the spear down and looked right at Kirina.

"You mean you really have not noticed?" she asked. "I can name at least five men in our clan that have strong feelings for you."

Kirina stared at her, shaking her head slightly.

Sa'guna continued, "It is true. Many of our men have strong feelings for you, Nawmtirea most of all. He follows your every move with those big yellow eyes of his."

Kirina picked up one of the claws on the table in front of her and started to fiddle with it.

"No, no, that cannot be," she said. "I mean… he is my friend. We are friends Sa'guna."

"He is," Sa'guna replied. "But that does not mean that he would not like it to be more than that. Just think about it, he always saves you a seat next to him at dinner."

"That does not mean anything," Kirina retorted. "Friends do that."

Sa'guna rolled her eyes and said, "He always snatches the fattest teylu away because he knows how much you love them."

"Yes, but…"

"And every one of his plays has you as the main character," Sa'guna said, cutting her off.

Kirina stared at her long fingers as they turned the claw she was holding around and around. She then looked up at Sa'guna and asked, "You really think so?"

"I do not think so, I know so." she replied.

Their conversation was interrupted suddenly by a male's voice.

"Good morning Kirina, Sa'guna," he said. He then looked at what Kirina was making.

"And what beautiful things are you making today?"

Kirina looked up and stared at Nawmtirea's smiling face for a moment. She then looked back at her things she had on the table and said, "Um, good morning Nawmtirea. I'm sorry, but um, I have to go rehearse my new dance." She gathered her things and hurried away.

"What was that about, I wonder," he said as he watched her disappear into the Atrium.

"Nothing," Sa'guna said. "She just needs some time to herself."

Nawmtirea turned as if to walk after Kirina when Sa'guna grabbed his arm.

"No," she said. "You stay here. I'm sure I can persuade you to a drink."

...

Ra'ttan and Tireatupe flew low over the forest as they barely skimmed the treetops. They were nearing the northern border of the Omaticaya's territory and flying this low would help avoid any unwanted attention. Up ahead, they could see the end of the tree line as the forest gave way to mile after mile of open grassland. The end of the forest marked the end of their territory.

Between that point and the Black Spear Clan's southern borders, there was mile upon mile of open grassland which was considered neutral territory. According to the agreement that the Omaticaya and the Nekxtukruya had, any member of either clan could journey upon this area without being molested by the other. Tireatupe had made this journey several times since becoming a scout many years ago, and he knew that the Nekxtukruya's scouts regularly patrolled this region, as did the Omaticaya's. During their patrols, the scouts from both sides used to meet up and converse on regular occasions, sharing the latest news from their respective clans. These meetings had abruptly ended after the war with the humans. Since that time, the Nekxtukruyan scouts had avoided all contact with the Omaticaya scouts, quickly flying their Ikrans away if they were ever spotted.

Tireatupe had been sent on an ambassador trip shortly after the war, but was received very poorly by the Black Spear Clan's warrior leader, Nan'tspang, who had done everything short of threaten Tireatupe. He did meet with their Olo'eyktan, Tsteu'tingay, whom he had considered to be a friend, but the great clan leader made it clear that no Omaticaya was welcome in their territory, and had him bring that message back to Jake. That was over four years ago now and there was no telling how Tireatupe and Ra'ttan would be received.

They finally cleared the edge of the forest and were flying over the tall, emerald green grasses of the flatlands blowing in the wind beneath them. They were bound to run into Nekxtukruyan scouts sooner or later. The Omaticaya scouts were not patrolling that area today… the two leaders were on their own.

Tireatupe spoke his thoughts aloud, "We should fly higher now. No sense in making it seem like we are sneaking toward their borders. This is as much a diplomatic mission as it is anything else."

Ra'ttan nodded his agreement. They flew their Ikrans high into the air so that they were both in plain sight. Anyone anywhere near them would know they were there.

"It will not be long before we reach their borders." Tireatupe continued, "The wind is blowing towards the north. They will know of our presence long before we know of theirs. Keep your eyes open. Anything can happen at this point."

"No problem," Ra'ttan replied.

Far away to the north, a lone figure was patrolling on his Ikran, just within sight of Darkwood. He suddenly tensed up and looked to the south. He held his hand high above him and sniffed the wind. He then hurriedly swung his Ikran around and sped back towards the dark forest.

Written by 931J

Stand by for part 2

Preview of part 2...

Jake was considering his request when suddenly two scouts appeared on the horizon riding hard towards them. They landed their Ikrans and one said in an exited voice," A band of Nekxtukruyan hunters and warriors has entered our territory and are making their way here to hometree! We tried to intercept them but they pointed their bows at us ordering us out of the way! And they have Tireatupe and Ra'ttan with them as prisoners!"

" What?" Swoktang said with surprise and anger.

Jake's eyebrows came down hard and a look of anger came over his face. He looked over at Sotokan who nodded his understanding. He turned to his warriors and shouted a command…

" To arms! To arms!"