Trudy had woke late. She knew this moment she woke and her body was at a comfortably warm temperature, not the crisp coolness of an early morning.
She had been escorting Norm and helping him along with Max in their testing for months. But yesterday Peyral had requested to see her this morning and she had been ecstatic thinking she would finally be able to be reassigned.
Sure she appreciated the time with Norm and the Patels, the whole routine, but she was aching to see some real action or at least be able to get back in the skies with Samson. Working on the Scorpion only served to ignite this need.
But of course, she allowed herself to oversleep and Grace hadn't bothered to wake her if her twin had even shown up that night to her hammock.
"You're late," Peyral snapped as soon as Trudy stumbled into the alcove where a few others were gathered. She regained her breath quickly.
"Apologies, Peyral," she said quickly as she stood up straight and attentive. Peyral only grunted a response.
"My mate is out on the hunt so I will tell you all why you are here," Peyral glanced around at everyone. The group was split: some of the newer warrior group that had crossed over the same time as Trudy and Tsu'tey, others were veterans and the rest were currently training with Ky'ran in preparation for their rites. "The Eastern Sea clan have contacted us in need of supplies. They have had a series of terrible storms that have destroyed many of their homes and plant life. Their people are very tired and require our help. They have offered an exchange. Our labor in exchange for some skilled lessons in handling of the Ikran."
Trudy's eyes popped open at that. The very notion that she could be instructed by the Ikran People filled her with an incomprehensible excitement.
"This is not only time to help our brethren, but it is also a learning experience. For some of you, this may be your first Ikran group run. For that reason Ati son of Ateyo will lead. Tsu'tey, my son," all understood that unspoken threat, "will be his second." All eyes glanced quickly at the younger male in surprise. Even he looked mildly taken aback at the news but Trudy was probably the only one that picked up on it. Ever since the tragedy with Ati's brother- Attreids-and Amhul, they had shied away from letting the younger ones lead warrior groups. But Peyral seemed to have faith in this young duo despite the more experienced joining the group. "The rest of you will be paired off with one of Ky'ran's pupils."
Trudy sighed. She would be stuck babysitting a rookie when all she wanted to do was take Samson out for a much needed trip. Just the two of them.
"Trudy," she came back to attention when Peyral finally called her name. "You will watch after young Rawal." She heard a grumble from somewhere but when Peyral cut her eyes in his direction he stopped. Trudy held back a chuckle at his expense. As if she liked the arrangement anymore than he did. Of course she couldn't help but gloat a little after Peyral had dismissed them.
"Looks like things have changed, eh Rawal?" she nudged him after he'd walked towards her with his head down.
"This doesn't mean you're the boss of me, Trudy," he grumbled knowing the opposite was true. "I can still beat you in a fight."
"Right," she said patronizingly. "Don't worry, I'll try to keep Samson from eating you." He gave her a falsely amused look before he made his way to Tsu'tey. She glanced over at the latter. He didn't seem very thrilled about being a leader of this group but she would question him later. He was keeping a brave face for everyone right now, no need for her to make it harder on him.
"There has to be a perfectly viable explanation for this. Slower signal transduction, strange energy pulses-"
"Grace?" She turned to see Norm climbing up to her level. "I haven't seen you in some time. How are things?" She plastered on a smile for his sake.
"Just pondering the universe," she said happily which caused him to laugh despite the truth behind her words. "How are you fairing? And Ninat?" She followed him with her eyes as he moved to kneel next to her near the ground. She enjoyed his company, finding that in some ways she could relate to him better than she could her own father. It was a terrible thought but it was one she had nonetheless.
"She's fine. We're fine." He cleared his throat. "What are you doing here?" he asked motioning towards the equipment he himself had given to her some time ago.
"Oh, I-" she faltered. "Have you noticed anything strange in the bioactivity of the forests?" She steeled her eyes into his wanting to catch any hint of lie in his eyes or belittling obliviousness that many of the adults had around her. Confusion flashed across his face before it disappeared.
"Can't say that I've been paying much attention," that was truthful she noted. "I've been focused on other things." He shifted uncomfortably and Grace noticed how he dropped his gaze. He was either lying or hiding something, she knew immediately. "Have you noticed something?" He asked looking at her again. Grace hesitated for only a moment still lingering on the fact that Norm wasn't telling her something.
"Yes, I've noticed it for a while now actually. I thought of it as nothing but a fluke before but now…" she trailed wondering why explaining this to him was upsetting her. "Never mind, I'm sure it's nothing." She stood intending to leave when Norm stood with her and gently grabbed her arm.
"If you think this is serious you should tell me," he implored and she normally would have jumped at the chance to share knowledge with him as they had done in the past but she immediately became defensive.
"Why?" she snapped and Norm released her shocked at the outburst. "Why do I always have to tell everyone everything I find out but no one bothers to tell me anything? My parents, Trudy, Tsu'tey, now you!" A hiss slipped out after that. She knew she was being disrespectful but the anger had been bottled up so long that she couldn't stop it from pouring out now and on an unsuspecting Norm of all beings.
It was hard for her to explain to them. The things she had seen on her dream hunt, the things she had seen when she was at the Heart of Eywa, they felt personal and intimate.
Some felt so intimate that she could swear there was a tugging in her own heart to keep the visions between herself and the Great Mother.
And yet they continually tried to force it out of her and her duty to her clan was so overwhelming at times, she felt she had to do as they asked even when she felt she was betraying Eywa herself by doing so. It was so confusing for one so young.
When she looked up at his hurt expression she lost all steam. "Forgive me, I just…" she looked down at the ground shoulders sagging in shame. It wasn't until he placed a hand on her shoulder that she looked at him again.
"No, you're right. You're right. I uh…let me talk to your father first and…yeah." He began to move away from her awkwardly and she knew he was being genuine in his statement.
"Norm," she called before he could get too far. "The speed of signal transduction has decreased by almost 8% over the past 10 months." His body went rigid for a moment before he nodded and continued on his way.
"I heard Uncle Norm and dad talking about you going on a trip." Trudy paused in the bolt tightening under the Scorpion when Brian spoke up. She had him wiping down the parts she had already reinstalled near the tail.
"Yeah," she called back, her speech uninhibited by an exo-pack since the human clones were capable of filtering the Pandoran atmosphere. "Our lead Hunter-"
"Peyral," he cut in knowingly.
"Yes, Peyral has formed an Ikran group to head out towards the Eastern Sea."
"Can I come?" She pushed out from under the plane to see Brian now standing near her. He was wringing the cleaning cloth in his hands nervously as he looked at the ground.
"The Ikran people need us to help them rebuild," she explained. "Their lands have been destroyed. It's not going to be very safe for you," she placated knowing the pain of being told she couldn't do something for being young and inexperienced. "But I promise once we get this baby up and running," she slapped the side of the plane. "It'll just be you and me in the skies." He smiled slightly probably imagining the prospect. It wouldn't be like flying an Ikran, but it would be flying something and it would be with Trudy which is all he really wanted.
"So this is Samson?" Rawal asked maintaining a safe distance from the jaw snapping ikran. Samson was a rather large ikran in his own right. Trudy had warned him that the beast had a fiery disposition. But if he hadn't known the girl, just by her small stature he would have been frightened on the grounds that she couldn't control such a creature.
"Quiet down Samson," Trudy said reaching up to pat the side of the ikran's head. "He's not food." Rawal knew better than to look the beast in the eyes but it didn't lessen his apprehension. He could just imagine the thing lunging to attack him while his head was down. Samson hissed loudly almost as if in answer to the boy's thoughts. "I don't know what you see in her," Rawal heard Trudy remark. He glanced with a frown. Trudy was already mounted on Samson. Rawal worried, wondering if she had figured out his secret. "She's probably nothing but trouble Sammie." His expression turned to confusion when he realized she was talking to the ikran.
"Sammie?"
"Nickname," was all she gave in explanation. "Lately when I bond with him I keep seeing a glimpse of some female ikran. Think he likes her. Or wants to mate or what ever these creatures do." Samson seemed to squawk in agreement. "So you getting on or what?" Trudy extended a hand down to him. He glanced over his shoulder one last time before grasping her hand and heaving himself onto Samson's back behind Trudy. "Hold tight," was her only warning before they took off.
Trudy yelled in exhilaration at the takeoff. It was obvious that she wasn't the only one feeling restless.
The boy latched onto her with a death grip obviously had different thoughts.
"Trudy if I die-"
"Stop fretting Rawal," Trudy urged as she took a particularly sharp descent into the trees just to annoy him. "I'm certain Grace sent up prayers to Eywa for you." She didn't see Rawal grimace at her sarcasm as he fought the urge to bury his head into her back and hide.
Rawal really disliked flying.
"Stay together. It will take a days trip to fly to the Eastern Sea. I will lead the way," Ati explained to the group. The Ikrans were all waiting nearby on the trees. Rawal had calmed down some once they arrived at the meeting spot. "Tsu'tey will bring up the rear." Trudy cocked her head. Usually the Second would follow right behind the Leader. She assumed these were changes they discussed. "We will depart soon, we do not want to get caught in the darkness." Ati released them with a head nod. Rawal leaned into Trudy.
"What's so bad about the darkness? I thought Ikran had excellent eye sight at night."
"They do," Trudy explained. "But Toruk has even better."
"Don't fall behind, Trudy." She turned around as Tsu'tey spoke from behind them. "I don't want to have to trail the group to keep an eye on you two."
"Samson's a faster flyer."
"And he's wilder," Tsu'tey retorted taking up for his own Ikran. "Unpredictable. Not unlike someone I know." Rawal snickered but quieted with a look from Trudy. "Does Grace know you're going with us?" He posed to his friend as if just now realizing his presence.
"Does she know you're helping to lead this mission?" Rawal asked sharply but surprising himself in the process. Tsu'tey didn't answer, He glared before pushing between them to join the others.
"Okay what was that all about?" Trudy asked to a fuming Rawal.
"Nothing," he finally answered her. "Nothing at all." Trudy didn't believe him for a second.
"Did you know that Ati is going to be a father?" Trudy grumbled. It wasn't too long after they started on the trip for her to figure out that Rawal was very talkative. He had talked her ear off the entire time. Although some of the information she did appreciate as she hadn't been keen on keeping up. Usually Grace was the one to keep her informed. "He and Kalya want to name the child after his brother if it is a boy." Trudy frowned.
"It is not traditional to name a child after someone who is still alive." She couldn't help but think of her own twisted situation.
"Yes but he is no longer with the clan." That shocked Trudy and it caused Samson to jerk in his smooth flying.
"Attreids is no longer in the clan?"
"Grace was right about you," Rawal stated but deigned to elaborate. "Yes Attreids left some months ago. With Amhul's parents rejoining Eywa, he was no longer bound here. And with no mate, everyone assumed he would leave. Everyone thinks he went to join Tipani or one of their neighbors."
"I wonder how Ati feels about that."
"Not sure. But he is trying to not be his brother. He does not want to find dishonor within the clan nor does he want to fall out of favor with Eywa."
"And yet he wants to name his son after that same man."
"Attreids is still his blood brother," Rawal reasoned. "He loves him no matter what anyone says."
"Or maybe in his mind he wants to pretend his brother is dead." The realization made something sink within Trudy's stomach. "Maybe Attreids has been dead to him ever since Amhul died."
"Or since your father passed judgment on him."
"Less talking!" Tsu'tey ordered and they jumped causing Samson to squawk in alarm at his close proximity. "You're falling behind." Trudy scoffed before urging Samson to go faster and catch up to the others. The others weren't very far ahead but it was enough distance to annoy Tsu'tey.
Not that it took very much to do that these days, she thought.
"Oh graces of Eywa you have arrived," Trudy had just landed with the others and watched as Ati dismounted to greet the woman approaching them. "We feared that you would not make it before nightfall."
"Yes we wanted to avoid an encounter with Toruk." Ati glanced upwards as he spoke. "The skies are much darker here."
"It is because of the Sea. It does not glow as the forests do." The woman had gotten close enough for them to see her highly decorated face. "Forgive me. I am Tsahik to my clan."
"Ati, of the Omaticaya." He turned and motioned for someone to come forth. "Tsu'tey, successor to olo'eyktan." The woman bowed to them both. "We were told you were wrought with terrible storms."
"Yes, from the sea. The winds and rains poured for days. We prayed to Eywa to stop the torment but the storms only got worse. The coast is unlivable and we have all but fled into the forests. We do not live in kelutrel as you do. The hunt has not been good as the storms frightened many of the animals and disturbed them. The young hunters must work twice as hard to find food and try to clear out our living area. They are worn."
"And that is why we have come," Ati stated confidently. "To help our brothers and sisters in need." The Tsahik nodded in appreciation before scanning over the group curiously. Her eyes stopped on Trudy.
"And you young one, are you the future Tsahik to the Omaticaya?" She took quick steps towards Trudy.
"Uh no, that would be my sister." She glanced around at her clansmen slightly embarrassed and confused as to why the woman would assume such a thing.
"Strange," the older woman noted. "I sense that you have a strong spiritual bond with the Great Mother. I would have thought you were marked young."
"Well I…" Trudy trailed when she caught Tsu'tey's eye over the Tsahik's shoulder. He was shaking his head in the negative obviously warning her against admitting anything else about herself. "I spend so much time with my sister it must have rubbed off on me." It was a shallow lie. The Tsahik obviously saw through the lie but she didn't argue. She turned away and Trudy visibly relaxed, glad to be out of her scrutinizing gaze.
"We have some areas in the caverns cleared for your brothers and sisters." Ati and Tsu'tey nodded in acceptance. "I will show them to you now as you will need rest for the coming day."
The caverns were more like tunnels. The crux of their land overlooked the sea on a cliffside. The caverns were dug into the face of the cliff. Though it was dark out, Trudy couldn't help but wonder how amazing it must look to literally wake up facing the sea every morning. Whilst many of the caverns looked like natural opening on the cliff face-probably the homes to creatures from long ago- the others were on the topside of the cliff. Obviously dug in by the people themselves.
"They are good for a quick escape," one of their escorts said as he tugged on a vine opening an entrance into the caverns. It was like they lived underground until one looked up at the cliff from the shore. "Many large creatures like to hunt the top of the cliffs at night. We create these types of entrances to protect our people and the Cliffside entrances are too small or too high for most dangerous predators. You will see those in the morning. The shores are dangerous at night." The group listened as he fastened the vine to hold the entrance open. "Quickly, quickly!" he said with a wave of his hands when the group did not immediately enter.
Trudy knew it was strange. The opening was dark and even though the male had just assured them that their people were down there, they hesitated with that fear of not knowing.
Ati finally went first with Tsu'tey standing close to their escort. Surprisingly when Trudy entered-Rawal on her heels- the tunnels were very dimly lit by the sediments lining the walls. She could see that they had entered the backend of a tunnel.
Staring down seemingly endless tunnel startled her. She knew the Cliffside opening was at the end of the tunnel but with it being so dark and no light coming from that end it felt like the tunnel went on forever.
"I wonder if people accidentally walk off the edge," Rawal whispered and Trudy elbowed him though she wondered the same thing. Rawal's grunt of pain drew Tsu'tey's curious gaze but he said nothing as he stood behind them.
Their escort dropped into the tunnel, closing the entrance behind him. It got only slightly dimmer before the luminescence in the stone walls began to glow brighter.
"Follow me," he said making his way to the front of their group. "I will show you where to sleep."
"The Ikran are not just creatures of the air," the Eastern Sea leader explained as he flew above his group of Omaticaya students. "Iyo-nahw!" he screeched and the Ikran nose dived straight for the tide. The students all leaned over the cliff's edge to watch as ikran and rider submerged into the sea with the tiniest of splashes. Trudy felt herself holding her own breath as she waited for him to resurface. Eventually he did farther out than where he entered. The ikran was quick to ascend the skies again after a large flap of its wings.
The group stared slack jawed and in awe of the feat. They hadn't known the ikran were capable of such a physicality and Trudy subconsciously started patting Samson in wonder and praise.
"As you see it is beneficial to not limit your ikran's prowess to the skies. Though difficult, we have learned to both hunt on land and fish while riding. And it gives us an edge when trying to escape predators like Toruk."
"I thought Toruk and ikran were similar," asked Rawal. "Wouldn't Toruk simply follow?" The leader grinned and shook his head.
"Toruk is too large to go under water once they are fully grown. They can but they would lose much ground trying to dry their wings. Ikran have small wingspan and are quick, they dry wings -whew!" he made a strong wing flap motion with his arms. "And they are dry and back in the air." There were nods all around. "Now, my strong swimmers will practice first."
"This isn't coincidence and you know it," Norm stated drawing all eyes to him. "I mapped out the direction of these storms. They are very concentrated, they start small and move appearing as if they will die out. Then as soon as they hit highly populated areas they are tremendous…" he placed a hand over each of the affected areas on the hard copy of the map. "The clans are taking the brunt of the damage."
"Speak directly Norman," Mo'at urged wanting him to speak his mind and not just the facts.
"It's a warning," Neytiri answered instead. "Eywa is trying to tell us something, strongly tell us something. The clans have obviously not been listening if this is the punishment."
"Why would Eywa turn on the very people that fought to protect her-their home?"
"Like I said, she does not take sides. The balance has been disrupted somehow, or it will be soon and we must be the cause of it."
"But I thought Eywa was fixing the balance that was upset years ago," Jake exasperated. "How can the balance be messed up again?"
"Silence," Mo'at ordered just as Peyral had opened her mouth to add something. "We are standing here arguing when we should be seeking counsel and trying to figure what it is the Great Mother wishes us to know. What it is that the other clan have missed." She locked eyes with each person in the room. She stopped on Peyral who would not meet her gaze, instead focusing on the map beneath Norm's hands. "You are thinking something, Huntress."
Peyral did not look up immediately.
"Is it just me or does it look like there's a central point between all of these storms, if you include the one we had some time ago?" The group looked down as one but it was Norm who made the connection first.
"Tipani." Neytiri had no reaction to Norm's statement except to look at Peyral. Their frequent discussions about the happenings in their clan and the loose connections to Tipani flooded her at once. Doubt crept farther and deeper into her mind. It worried her. She did not want to become as suspicious and skeptical of them as her friend was but she could not help but wonder.
"We thank you for all of your help today," one of the Eastern Sea warriors said to the small group consisting of Trudy, Rawal, Tsu'tey, and Ati. They were the last to leave the shore for the night and head back toward shelter for rest.
Trudy was invigorated for the day's work after having the diving lesson. Being such a natural quick learner she had Samson diving and swimming easily.
"What is the plan for tomorrow, Ati?" Rawal asked also pleased with the way the day had gone. Ati chuckled at Rawal's barely hidden enthusiasm. Their na'vi brethren had taken the disaster in stride and were very cordial to them as they helped one another to clear out debris and reorganize the shore life.
"More of the same. We will be here for at least a few days. We will stay for as long as the Ikran People need us and then we will return home."
"Were you able to meet with their Olo'eyktan?" Tsu'tey asked from behind Trudy.
"Only briefly," Ati said as he bent down to grab a stone and toss it. "Tsahik said that he is unwell which is why we communicate with her mostly." Tsu'tey only grunted in response as if the answer displeased him but only Trudy could noticed the difference in his many grunts. When the conversation lulled Rawal spoke again.
"Tipani is not far from here," he hedged. Trudy found herself nudging Rawal somewhat roughly at his lack of tact. Ati frowned briefly.
"About a two days trip by dire horse. The same distance as the plains people but in another direction." Ati himself had not been to all the clans but he had learned quickly the distance and relative locations of the other clans. He would need to know where all potential allies were in case of danger or emergency.
Tsu'tey only frowned. Now that he was walking next to her, Trudy could see the glare aimed at his oblivious friend's head. It wouldn't be until they were in their cave-like shelters that Trudy finally opened her mouth.
"Alright, spill, why are you and Rawal beefin?" Both looked confused at her word choice but Trudy didn't see the need to clarify.
"Rawal and I are not…beefing as you put it. I'm not even certain what that mea-"
"Something is obviously coming between you two. You were like blood brothers and now…" she trailed off suddenly wondering why she cared at all. These were the two that annoyed her when they were younger, granted, they still did sometimes. But they were older now and she didn't understand where the wedge between them had come from.
Tsu'tey looked reluctant to answer. He glanced around though it was useless, the others were sleep already and Rawal was in another shelter entirely.
"We have not grown apart," he sighed. "I believe that he shows more interest in Grace than he should." Trudy's eyes alighted in understanding.
"You're afraid he's going to steal your girl," she surmised knowingly causing Tsu'tey to roll his eyes at her amusement. "Don't worry about it too much, it's Grace we're talking about. Rawal can push all he wants, but I know my sister, she's much too honorable to let it get out of hand." Tsu'tey grimaced but Trudy continued. "She's meant to be with you and she's going to be."
"She is going to become my mate because she believes she has to." The statement shocked Trudy. She had expected her words to make him feel better, not depress him even more.
"What? No. She cares about you. She's going to put everything into loving and doing all that other stuff mated couples do." Still no reaction. "If she's not then it's probably your fault." Trudy crossed her arms noticing his non response.
"My fault?"
"Yes, your fault. You probably do your close up thing or you shut her out and she'll feel like she's being pushed away and anyway that's the only reason she'd not pay you attention." Tsu'tey opened his mouth but he didn't say anything. Obviously something Trudy had said carried some truth. "Well?"
"I…" he paused. "I think we should get our rest, tomorrow is a busy day." Without waiting for a response he turned his back to her and lied down on the stone floor.
"Stop all that fidgeting around, Rawal!" Trudy ordered as Samson squawked yet again in discomfort from Rawal's movements.
"Apologies Trudy but this wood is very heavy and it makes my legs numb," he complained shifting his weight once again. Trudy huffed knowing that her and Samson's flying patterns were constantly being disrupted by the added weight.
The transport of the wood from one end of the clan's territory to the other had started days before the Omaticaya party had even arrived. Once they took note of the added strong ikran- Samson being one of them- they had suggested speeding up the foot process by adding the air transport. This decision was made with very little consideration to the Ikrans in question and the feasibility of flying the ikran whilst holding onto the wood weight.
"Just try and sit still, please." Rawal for his part was doing well holding onto the wood that probably nearly equaled his own body weight. But he would receive the least amount of sympathy considering Samson was carrying them all.
"I will try but-what was that?" Rawal gasped out when he heard the distant shrieking of an animal. Trudy was going to placate his fears but she'd heard it as well and it was much closer than they were led to believe. She could feel her own fear echo in Samson as his flying became even jerkier and rapid.
"Shh Samson," she soothed.
"We have to get out of here!" Rawal whispered harshly. Trudy glanced around not seeing the signs of a predator.
"Keep your head down," Trudy instructed leaning closer into Samson's body.
"Keep my head down? I have like an entire tree in my arms right now and-"
"Shut up!" she hissed when they heard the screeching again. It was much closer now than it had been seconds before. Trudy knew only one thing could have that kind of speed and sound like that.
"Toruk!" Rawal yelled startling Samson just as the brightly colored creature ascended from the trees below them. Samson squawked loudly as Trudy tried to lead him into a sharp turn. They wouldn't be able to fly much higher than they were and with the wood weighing them down, she knew this was going to be close.
"Rawal drop the wood, I'm not going to be able to out run it!" she yelled already feeling Samson's exhaustion as they tried to fly faster than the pursuing beast.
"We can't just-" he stopped when the Toruk screeched again, it was so close that Rawal could feel the heat of its breath on his back.
"Rawal!" She ordered again, willing Samson to fly faster. Rawal hesitated just as the Toruk narrowly missed snapping its jaws on Samson's tail. She couldn't wait, Trudy simply reacted.
Samson nose dived into the trees below. The movement was so sudden that Rawal had no time to brace himself as he lost his grip with the wood and with Trudy's waist.
"Ra-RAWAL!" She screamed as his body flew out of reach, the pieces of wood flying with him. She tried to reach out in vain but the sudden lack of weight allowed Samson to boost his speed as they quickly navigated through the trees in attempt to lose Toruk who was still on their tail.
She faced forward again, leading Samson in and around branches and vines. They were so low that she could land. She spotted a small cave and Samson dove into the tiny opening of a fortunately deep cave. They backed farther into the darkness as Toruk could barely fit its head inside. The frantic screeching eventually stopped as it gave up a lost meal.
Trudy felt her brain scattered. She was breathing heavily, the fear finally subsiding but she knew she needed to get out of the cave and try to locate Rawal. She could only hope he hadn't fallen straight to the ground otherwise she knew what she would find. She patted Samson who was also breathing heavily keeping his whimper like squawks to a minimum.
She moved to stick her head out of the opening of the cave to check that Toruk wasn't waiting to ambush them. She glanced all around quickly to check their immediate surroundings. From the sounds of it the Toruk had moved away from them. She could only hope Rawal hadn't found himself defenseless in its path.
"Let's go Samson," she said leading him out of the cave then mounting him quickly. When they drew close to where Trudy thought Rawal had fallen she dismounted. Samson started squawking nervously which brought Trudy back to his side. "Don't worry too much boy," she said patting him but it was obvious he noticed something she didn't. He was too nervous and she couldn't risk drawing attention to herself. She connected their queues again, trying to push an image of Tsu'tey into the creature's mind.
"Find him," she instructed. It was a long shot she knew, but she needed to do something. She may need help especially if she found Rawal and he wasn't okay. After a few more moments of silent communication between them, she severed their bond and watched as he took off, wondering if that was a stupid move on her part.
She sprinted quickly and quietly through the area, calling for Rawal. With each unanswered call her spirit faltered. The guilt and worry and sadness was beginning to be too much. It was just like with what happened with Amhul and as much as she couldn't bare the thought of being the next Attreids, she couldn't bare the pain of losing Rawal even more.
"Rawal!"
"Shh!"
"Oh Eywa," she breathed in relief. She'd heard him above her. It was a blue fern tree and very tall. He blended easily but she couldn't understand why he was shushing her. "Rawal are you hurt?"
"You're going to get me killed skxawng!" Then she heard. The sounds of animals feeding. The tree was very close to a mountainside and Trudy could only guess that whatever inhabited the mountain was close to Rawal's undetermined position. Trudy knew she had to get to him somehow without disturbing whatever was up there.
She ran to the mountain attempting to scale it. It took her a handful of minutes to get high enough to determine Rawal's position. He looked tangled in some vines of another tree and the ferns. He had a death grip on one of the larger pieces of wood. His eyes were wide and staring into the large cavern in the mountain side. She couldn't see inside because she was below it. In fact, if it wasn't for the tree, one wouldn't even know there was a cave opening.
"Rawal?" she whispered and he glanced down noticing her almost immediately.
"Trudy you need to get out of here."
"Are you hurt?" she repeated her earlier questions disregarding his warning.
"Where's Samson?" he asked his eyes darting back and forth between whatever was in the cave and her.
"I sent him for help," she said and knew that sounded silly. Rawal didn't bother to laugh. "Your right leg looks pretty twisted under that log," she noted the weird way it was facing.
"I think it's broken. I fear the bone may have shattered when another log landed on top of this one." Trudy internally shuddered imagining the pain.
"You don't seem to be in too much pain."
"I have bigger things to worry about." His mouth immediately snapped closed. Trudy instinctively stilled and pushed closer to the wall. She could hear and feel movement from inside the cave as it reverberated down the mountainside. Whatever inside of it was large. It wasn't until the movement stilled that Rawal spoke again this time with more panic in his voice. "I'm serious Trudy, you need to get out of here! Or we're both dead!"
"Rawal I can't leave you injured in this tree."
"Go on, I'll be fine."
"But you just said-"
"If I'm silent they may not find me quickly." Her brain froze at they word 'they'. She resumed her movement, ignoring Rawal entirely. He was completely vulnerable and in serious danger. If she left now there was a good chance he wouldn't be there when she got back. She couldn't risk it, he was just a kid.
When she was just underneath the opening she slowly raised her head and gasped. They had stumbled upon a Toruk nest. It was one thing being in Ikran territory, it was another entirely being in Toruk's nest. A baby could be the size of a fully grown Ikran. She could see the bright colors of their skin. There had to be at least 5 young ones and one adult. The missing adult was probably the one they had barely evaded. Which meant it would have to come back at some point.
The cave was huge and Trudy only counted it lucky they hadn't been discovered yet. The family of creatures was probably distracted by the meal they currently had but that wouldn't last. And if Rawal was bleeding they would smell that eventually.
She carefully glanced back at him and saw the wide eyed look he had. His breathing was shallow and quick and she could notice a paleness to his skin.
"Tru-" he began to warn and Trudy instantly ducked her head back down. The adult ikran turned around and when Trudy glanced up she could see the wing extending out of the cave. She held her breath praying it hadn't caught sight of Rawal whose body was only feet away from those deadly claws. A deep squawk echoed and the wing pulled back into the cave.
"Can you move?" she asked as quietly as she could. When she got no answer she looked up to see Rawal shaking his head in the negative. If he had able limbs it might be easier for him to sneak out of the tree but in his current state he would cause too much noise. She would have no choice but to get him out herself.
She extended a leg onto a nearby branch to test if it could hold her weight. When she was satisfied it would she pushed away from the mountain to latch onto the tree. Rawal kept an eye on her but he refused to speak again. It was for the best Trudy decided since she was already making more noise herself than she cared to as the leaves and ferns fluttered with her movement.
She easily climbed up to his level and took stock of the situation. Rawal's leg was definitely injured. His foot was facing an unnatural direction and she wondered how he could handle such amounts of pain or if his fear was overshadowing it. The wood piece he was holding onto was doubling as his stable hold in the tree and the thing crushing his leg. He was bleeding from his lower body.
She tried to move the wood piece but Rawal's body immediately began to slip further down the tree. He was wedged between it and the trunk. She looked around for something he could brace himself on so that she could move the wood. She reached for a nearby vine, tugging it three times to see if it was sturdy.
"Hold onto this," she whispered and he tied it around his wrist before grasping onto it with both hands. Trudy used all her weight to get the wood to budge. Rawal's mouth was open in a silent scream, obviously in pain from the wood on his leg being pushed so forcefully. "Sorry."
He could only nod that he understood. It took all he had to hold back the tears. Everything in him was screaming to let out the pain in a verbal manner but their situation was dicey at best and if he wanted no other injuries he could not cry out.
Trudy felt horrible. She knew Rawal was suffering. She knew people could pass out from intense amounts of pain and that was something she didn't need. An unconscious Rawal would be terrible for their escape.
"Okay, we're just gonna have to do this quick and easy, like removing a bandaid"
"Like wha-?"
"Hold still." Trudy took a few tense moments to send up a few prayers to Eywa that this would not get them killed.
Then she lunged, with all her body weight the wood dislodged itself and Rawal managed to only let a sharp moan out before quieting but it did no good.
The wood flew out of Trudy's reach and banged against the other branches as it fell to the ground. Her eyes had closed instinctively. When she opened them she found herself in a staring match with large adult Toruk.
"Tr-Tr-Trudy," Rawal hissed and she didn't bother to quiet him. They were caught. It stalked over to them, its eyes the dangerous slits of a predator intent on its prey. Rawal was bleeding profusely now and she found herself frozen in those deadly eyes. "Trudy!" She shuddered instinct making her want to protect her injured clansman. She situated herself in front of a dangling Rawal, hissing in defiance at the large creature.
She started reaching for near sticks and branches, whatever she could find, to throw at the creature. She was enraging it but if she was about to die, she was going to do it fighting.
Again.
Its mouth parted revealing the large fangs and saliva dripping from it's jaws. It snapped in warning undeterred by Trudy's own venomous hissing. She probably looked as rabid as a mother viper wolf protecting its young. She didn't care. Rawal wasn't saying anything but Trudy could feel his shuddering breaths. He was probably waiting to die. The mouth was right there in front of them. In panic, Trudy's arms shot out to scratch the creature but her nails did little damage. The creature's neck curled back as it readied a strike-
"Aye Aye Aye!" A whiz through the air and Trudy stopped when an arrow lodged itself in the Toruk's neck. It retreated back from them frantically searching the skies for its attacker. There was another sharp cry and the creature shot from its cave, in pursuit of its latest conquest. Trudy and Rawal released a relieved breath. Then something landed and they tensed again.
"Samson!" She cried looking to see him not too high above them in the tree.
"Down there!" she glanced around trying to pinpoint Ati's distant voice. It was moments later when he too landed with his ikran and made his way down to them. "You two alright?"
"Rawal's leg may be broken and he's bleeding," she replied instantly, moving to try and get herself off of the other male. She had probably worsened his leg but she had been more focused on trying to keep him alive than keeping him comfortable. "How did you find us?"
"Your ikran. He made it back to the cliffs and was going crazy. Tsu'tey recognized him and when he saw that you two weren't on him he knew something had happened. We followed Samson here."
"Where is Tsu'tey?" she asked looking around and expecting him to pop in soon.
"He's leading the Toruk away from the area. He has angered it with his arrow." Ati chuckled lightly. "Come on, let's get you two out of here." Ati glanced over his shoulder. "Before big Toruk comes back or we become food for the babies."
Trudy stood outside of the cave where the healers were working with Rawal. The boy would live but his physical activities would be temporarily dwindled because of his fractured leg. With the pain and rush from nearly being killed numerous times, Rawal had fallen unconscious soon after they got him out of the tree.
Tsu'tey had yet to return and it was nearing nightfall.
"He'll be fine," Ati assured her for probably the 10th time that day though which 'he', she wasn't sure of so she only nodded. She didn't feel any better. It was obvious by the way her tail was curled nearly into knots and starting to cramp.
"He's back!" she heard the call out closer near the cliff edge. Many of their group and the Ikran people ran to gather. Trudy's feet sprinted of their own accord as she followed the throng. She pushed through them spotting the ikran first and finally making it to the already dismounted rider.
"Tsu'tey!" she ran at him nearly throwing herself into him. He grunted in surprise when he found himself armful of Trudy. This wasn't the first time she found herself in this situation but it was the first time that she initiated it. Later she would attribute it to the fact that the day had left her brain in shambles but at the moment she didn't care. He was safe and alive. "I can't believe you did that, are you crazy?" she asked angrily as she checked him over.
"Trudy-"
"Are you hurt?" she asked even though she hadn't found anything visibly wrong. She was nagging she knew but she couldn't help it. Between nearly dying with Rawal and him, she was exhausted and her mental filters and inhibitions were shot as all.
"Trudy I'm fine," he said pushing her away from him slightly by her shoulders. It was then she noticed the others watching them curiously. She had obviously embarrassed them both.
"Sorry I was just-'
"You're fine," he said more as a statement than a question but she nodded. "How is he?" She knew he was speaking of Rawal.
"He's with the healers." At first it didn't seem like Tsu'tey heard what she had said. One of his hands slid from her shoulder into her hair cradling her head, a gesture of comfort she supposed that she allowed under the circumstances. Just as quickly he pulled away completely.
"I will go to see him." Tsu'tey walked past her briskly and through the crowd. Trudy followed, her mind still in a haze. Even as he walked confidently, she could see the signs of exhaustion lingering as well as the fact that his hair was wet. She had an inkling as to how he managed to evade Toruk. She couldn't believe how the day had turned out. They were all alive. When they reached Rawal's shelter Tsu'tey paused to open the entrance. He turned and placed a hand on Trudy halting her. "I wish to speak with him."
"But-"
"In private." At this Trudy relented and backed away. It didn't matter if she would have to wait to see him, they were alive and that was all that mattered.
Grace had been helping Ninat and some of the other women watch over the younger girls when the call had been made signaling the return of the group that had gone to the Eastern Sea. They had received little news on their whereabouts and the group had been gone for weeks.
Grace didn't run to meet with the group as the others did. She volunteered to hold the children back in case something unpredictable had happened. Even though her being hummed with need to know how her sister, her closest friend, and her future mate were fairing she couldn't ignore the hurt she felt as well.
She hadn't reacted well, upon hearing that Tsu'tey was helping to lead his first party. She knew he and Trudy were both going but neither had bothered to inform her of that particular detail. And then Rawal, he hadn't mentioned he was going at all. It didn't help her already foul mood. She wasn't sure if they didn't tell her things because they didn't trust her or because they didn't find her important enough in their lives to tell.
She played with the nearest child's hair absently. She didn't care if she was being immature by refusing to see their return. She was hurting.
She waited, raising her ears to hear farther out. She didn't hear any crying or mourning so she could only assume that everyone had returned and something else had delayed them. She was grateful enough for that and content to turn her attention back towards the still growing children before her. They were the epitome of innocence.
To them their home was still full of wondrous things and playtime and lessons.
To them Eywa was a wondrous mother that gave them love and affection in the form of animals to play with, and trees to climb in, and water to drink or swim in.
To them everyone who wasn't their mother or their father, was their brother or their sister and had their best interests at heart.
Grace returned to Newkelutrel with the children in tow when it was closer to nightfall and the party had been back for some time. She searched for the trio that occupied her thoughts.
Tsu'tey stood with her father, his father, and Ati, relaying information in hushed tones to each other. He tried to exude confidence as he stood amongst the older males but Grace could see the tightness in his tail. The way his left ear was constantly alert as if listening for something, waiting.
Rawal was surrounded by some of the other adolescents, those who had yet to join the adult lessons and were prone to shower their hero worship on him now that Tsu'tey was so inaccessible. He smiled at their questioning and teasing but she could see a dullness in his eyes. And the way he leaned heavily on his left foot rather than standing straight and tall as he had been prone to do since his early years.
And then there was Trudy. Her braids had loosened, with strands of her hair coming undone. She had chosen to isolate herself from the others yet staying near to Mo'at and Neytiri. She tried to catch her eye. Once the young children had scattered off to their parents, Grace walked to Trudy wiling her to make eye contact but the closer she got, the more Trudy seemed to want to avoid her gaze.
She saw how her twin tensed at her close proximity and how she kept her eyes on the ground.
"Look at me," Grace whispered nervous about what she would find.
She and Trudy had been through much in their short lives and they knew each other best even when it didn't seem like it. When Trudy had returned after the tragedy with Amhul, Grace had seen immediately the sadness, the fear, the sense of loss reflected in her sister's eyes.
It was different this time. There was still a type of loss but it wasn't the palpable loss of another, it was as if something had been forcibly drained from her twin. She could not determine what it was. Her sister's feelings used to be as easy to determine as her own but there was something or rather someone there, Chacon she knew who managed to shield the strongest of her sister's emotions from her.
No one had died on the trip to the Eastern Sea but something had happened, something had changed and something had been lost.
It would take Grace sometime to determine that it was the loss of her own sister's innocence.
A/N: Updated 5/19 /11: this is a huge chapter. See I didn't abandon the story. Thanks to those who kind of nudged me into posting a chapter either through reviews or PMs. I usually start posting more in may after the semester is over but I'm taking summer courses. I'll still be writing. I'm far enough along into the next chapter to give you a warning that there is going to be a time jump. I'm still trying to rearrange my middle/ending.