Neytiri started Jake's first riding lesson peacefully. She brought one of the calmest mares in the herd for him to ride. Jake listened to her instructions, dragged himself onto the mare's back, connected his braid, and stated a direction, "All right, forward." The mare shot forward and tossed Jake into the mud. She tried not to groan.
To his dismay, Tsu'tey and, who Jake suspected, his friends rode up speaking their language and laughing. He began to pick himself up when his fingers slipped into separated groves in the ground. Jake turned to see as he wiped the mud aside. He could hear Tsu'tey talking and probably insult him to Neytiri, but he needed to interrupt. "Neytiri, did you know about this carving?"
The Na'vi turned to Jake, half-covered with mud, wiping more mud away from the stone.
"What carving?" she asked.
Jake ignored the muck as he clawed it out of four, parallel, straight lines that were longer than his hand. "This wasn't an accident." He removed the surrounding mud and the lines were set on one side of a large circle.
"He fell off a horse. He's covered in mud. And he playing in it like a child," Tsu'tey stated with a little disgust.
Jake glanced up at Tsu'tey. "I would you like to repeat that in English or should I be tempted to throw this at you?" His free hand was full of mud. He was finding more carved symbols outside the circle.
Tsu'tey frowned, "You're acting like a child."
Jake shrugged and tossed the mud aside, "I have been called worst. Now, the sun rose over there." Pointing in front of him. "So I need to look at this from here." He moved around the carving so that the rising sun was to his left, which put the lines at the base of the circle. He blinked and whispered, "It can't be… can it?" He quickly wiped at the mud to reveal symbols beneath the circle.
"Jake, what is it? This symbol is…"
"Is what?" Jake asked when Neytiri wouldn't continue. "I know what this looks like to my clan, but what is it to yours?"
"Earth, it is a sign to Earth."
Jake nodded, "Same with mine and more these other carvings." He pointed to the odd shapes that surrounded the Earth symbol with another circle outside them. "Guarding, health, awareness, could they be the same? If you don't mind my jumping to conclusions, I would say this is a circle of protection. At least, the Earth's element."
"What do you mean at least?" Tsu'tey demanded.
Jake finally started wiping the mud off him before answering. "A circle like this is rarely alone. The other four circles shouldn't be too far."
"Four? But Earth is here. There are only four… elements as you said."
"True, but there is also the spirit element in the center of the four elements. It is the reason for life, that which binds all things together. Each element is an equal distance from the spirit," Jake explained. "And since Earth is the foundation, the circle for the spirit and then fire should be straight that way…" He indicated straight behind him and went quiet as he looked above the trees.
"What is it?" Neytiri asked coming beside him. She looked to where his gaze was. "Home Tree?"
"…The light is very bright there. This carving could be old enough. Brilliant, your ancestors were just brilliant. They put a tree in the center of a spirit circle, surrounded by a circle of elements and let the light grow with the tree. No wonder that terrible woman isn't direct."
"The dark one. She can't come any closer than this circle," Neytiri guessed.
"So we are safe from her," Tsu'tey stated.
"No, she can cross into this greater circle, but everyone born within would instinctively know she doesn't belong among you. Good guesses though," Jake explained.
The other warriors were confused. One asked, "How does a dreamwalker know all this?"
"He is blessed with Eywa's light," Neytiri explained.
The warriors stared at Jake. This was the first they had heard of it. "Are you certain this is not another trick of the sky people?"
"A great water horse called him little brother. It is no trick," she assured them. "They have sworn him to help us."
Jake took a deep breath and said, "So much work to do."
Tsu'tey nearly snorted, "Did you think it would be easy?"
"Existing is easy, living is earned. I just need help, a lot of help."
"What kind of help?" one warrior asked. Tsu'tey glared at his friends.
"Well, finding the other circles. They will help so much in teaching those new to magick… excuse me light. I still need to explain the ways the white… clans' warriors face dark ones to your clan's warriors. Then there's finding the dark ones before they do more harm, safely. I can't, I still need to learn your warrior's lessons."
"White… clans?"
"White lodges are more precise. There are no dark lodges, thank Mother. All who have magick, don't abuse it, and willing to work together to protect… everyone from the dark." He paused a moment and then groaned, "The pact, I forgot I still have to pass water's challenge before I can teach anyone about the light."
"Calm down," Neytiri snapped, "What do you need to face this challenge?"
"A deep pool that is private. Where those who have been newly granted the light's power cannot watch. Which includes you."
"What? Why?"
"It's the spirit's rule. Only one who has no light to use or has passed the initial challenge can accompany me. I'm sorry."
"What do you mean initial?" Tsu'tey asked.
"Depending on one's potential is how many trails one must pass in order to reach their full ability. The light is not easy. In my clan, I had three or four depending on who you talk to."
Tsu'tey grumbled, "Why did he survive last night?"
Jake heard and grinned, "I don't know, but if you want to hear a truly crazy story about survival sometime ask me why for my 13th birthday my grandmother shoved me off a cliff." The Na'vi stared at him. "I swear, it happened. And I only spoke to her once after that and only because a water spirit ordered me to."
"Is all your family crazy?" Tsu'tey asked.
"Possible, but what's your definition of crazy?"
Tsu'tey growled. Neytiri jumped in and said, "Enough, find the other circles for our clan. You know the pattern from the song." Tsu'tey spared Jake one last piercing look before he and his friends rode away. "Did you have to make it worst?"
"I think, my breathing annoys him," Jake pointed out, "Not much else I can do about that."
She pointed to the forgotten mare and said, "Get back on the mare."
Back at base, Jake took his time with his log. Once the horse-riding lesson was over Neytiri had taken him up into home tree and taught him about the Ikrans and the final test of a warrior. Watching her ride her Ikran around home tree had been thrilling even though she hadn't seen the wind birds flying in her slipstream. He laughed with her when he pointed them out once she landed. He mentioned the odd carving in the clearing and the other at the center of home tree but not that he knew what it was. If one of the other avatar drivers heard and got curious, perhaps it might help protect the clan's home. He skipped over the lessons he taught after sundown. Without the pact, he had to continue explaining the theories of magick to the light-touched.
Jake wheeled toward the mess hall intent on a meal. He kept his eyes open, in more ways than one. 'Dark ones,' he thought, 'got to be one in this place.'
"Captain Sully," a soldier called to him.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Colonel Quaritch has ordered you to meet him in the control center immediately."
"Of course, right away," Jake said turning his wheelchair. It time for the overdue debriefing, but he intended to edit a little.
The soldiers present laughed at several cracks that Jake made at the Na'vi's expense. The control center felt cold on more than the physical level. Jake remained professional and relayed the information asked for but no more. Dr. Patel watched and then followed Jake as he wheeled out.
Down a hallway another soldier stopped Jake. They talked in soft voices but laughed loudly. Dr. Patel wasn't sure what to make of the conversation and it wasn't just because he couldn't hear. They talked for a long time. When Jake finally left for the mess hall, the doctor made his way back to Grace.
Upon returning to the link room, Jake was stopped by Grace. "All right soldier, before you return you need to let the Na'vi know you won't be waking up for most of tomorrow."
"Why?"
"A change of scenery. We're getting out of here."
"Where?" Norm asked.
"The Hallelujah Mountains," Grace said with a smile. Norm looked like a kid on Christmas morning.
"The what?" Jake asked.
Norm acted so superior, "The famous floating mountains of Pandora, heard of them."
"No." Jake said flatly and wheeled towards a pod. "I am trying to get you guys another invite, but if you don't want it…"
"Jake, come on."
Jake pulled himself into a pod and said, "Later."
Jake woke up and saw Valeana quietly sitting on the branch above him waiting for him to wake. He glanced over to Neytiri who was still asleep. Valeana motioned him to come up quickly. Fear was plain in her eyes. He joined her as fast as he could, speaking softly, "What's wrong?"
"They're back, not as close but…" she whispered urgently.
Jake looked at Neytiri and then turned to Valeana, "Show me." He followed her down. Many of the Na'vi watched them knowing he was Neytiri's charge and not this young woman's. She brought him to the edge of the river and pointing across it. Where the tree line began again they sat, just as ugly and cruel-looking as before.
Viton rushed up and grabbed his arm, "I can't call them." Releana joined them trying to calm her brother.
Jake sighed, "You need to learn the right way to summon spirits. And I need the pact sooner than I thought. Viton, find Tsu'tey and ask him to come. Mo'at too, if you can find her."
"What are you going to do?" Valeana asked as her brother ran off.
"Something I wanted to avoid. Can you get Neytiri?"
"I am right here," she snapped coming up behind him.
"Sorry," he said, "Tell everyone to stay out of the water till I come out." Jake explained walking forward.
"What?"
Jake frowned and said, "It won't last long, but it should last long enough for me to earn the pact and summon proper help." The Na'vi stared at him as he kept walking into the water. When he was waist-deep, he raised his arms above him whispering a chant hoping the language barrier wouldn't be a problem. He brought his arms before him lining his forearms up from the tips of his pinky fingers to the elbows. Tsu'tey and his friends were on the other side of the river and were the only ones to see the symbols light up on the backs of Jake's hands and arms. The symbols flowed from one arm to the other and would not be whole if his arms were not touching or lined up differently. Jake ended the chant and knelt quickly submerging himself at the height of his spell. The light of his magick spread throughout the water and was picked up by the nearby spirits in the area. A circle of light forged itself around home tree, riding on the roots of any plant where the river did not go. The light was only present to everyone for a second before fading. Even the children could barely see it once it was whole.
Jake slowly stood, his arms were still in the same position but before his palms left the water's surface he slid them to his sides letting them rest right on top of the water. He took a deep breath and closed the spell whispering, "We of the light will not yield to the dark."
Tsu'tey and his friends stared shocked by what they had seen. His friends tried to get closer, but Tsu'tey stopped them. "Do not interrupt, the songs are clear about that."
"He is blessed then and swore to help us, not the sky people."
Tsu'tey growled, "Neytiri never said that. We must cautious still." To his surprise, he saw Viton waving at him to join them. Behind the boy was the shaman as the two joined Neytiri and the girls.
Jake walked out of the water as Tsu'tey rode across the bridge to join them. "That worked better than I hoped," he said a bit winded.
"What have you done?" Mo'at asked.
"A circle of protection granting strength to any minor spirits that will listen to the will of an unproven Master of Water."
"Unproven? This is unproven," Releana demanded pointing at the light in the river.
Jake chuckled, "To them, yes. And that I intend to change soon." He pulled out Sebastian's mirror. "Thank you for coming," he said addressing Mo'at. "There is something I need tell you."
"Oh?" Mo'at asked.
"I didn't realize it before. It's just so rare… If you would come with me," he said indicating he wished to return to home tree's roots.
"What is so rare?"
"You," he said startling everyone. "Being light-touched as you are is so rare. I, personally, do not know of anyone who is like you."
"Is she a witch like me?" Neytiri asked.
"No, I have never heard of anyone like your mother being anything other than a sensitive."
"Of which element's light," Mo'at asked.
Jake stopped before the spiraled roots. "Not a physical element, but the Spirit element. Everyone has a spirit, but to be connected to The Spirit, its realm, its light. You are probably the only one in all this world, from the moment you were born till the day you die. That's how very rare and special you are." Mo'at blinked at him. "You sense I am right. Just as you know this is your circle." He indicated in the center of the circling roots. The carving that was hidden there yesterday and was cleaned recently sat plainly for anyone to see.
"My circle, what can I do?"
"More than you realize. You are far more dangerous to the dark ones than the children and myself combined…" Jake said almost in awe of her light. With all he had learn he knew so little about the Spirit, the hardest circle because of its rarity by all the rumors. "It would explain the dark spirits she sent. She fears you, I think."
"Again what I can do?" she demanded.
"Sorry, but I don't have a clue," he admitted and then handed her the mirror, "but Sebastian might. Be careful with this."
"What do you mean?"
"When you enter the circle, follow your instincts for they are connected to the light and won't lead you wrong. Anyone touched with the light can use this circle, but you are strongest here and with… Eywa."
Neytiri asked, "Are you going somewhere?"
Jake nodded, "The pact, it can't wait any longer. It's bad enough I am going to lose most of tomorrow."
"Why?" Valeana asked worried.
"Grace is taking Norm and I to a place in the Hallelujah Mountains. The trip is going to take…"
"Much of the day, I know," Neytiri interrupted.
Jake shrugged, "I didn't… While I'm working on the pact, you all can use this circle to connect with Sebastian. He can walk you through the rest of the basics of magick. I suggest you do so. The dark ones are not going to stop. They will have to be stopped."
"You are not going alone," Tsu'tey snapped.
"So you found a pool I can use. If you could lead the way," Jake said turning to him. Tsu'tey stared at him and Neytiri refrained from laughing at how Jake had caught him. "We need to talk anyway." Jake turned back to the children, "One more thing, until I get back you three are not to leave home tree without at least five warriors at all times."
"What!" Releana snapped. "I'm no baby."
"Five and I mean it. Two with you and three out of sight. We know there are dark riders out there. Promise me… I'll talk to your parents if I have to." He looked to Neytiri and motioned to her mother. Neytiri nodded understand he wanted her protected as well.
The children reluctantly agreed and Jake followed Tsu'tey and his friends out of home tree. Mo'at entered the very center of home tree, walking around the circle, and then she felt something. She didn't know what but she stepped into the circle and bonelessly sat down, cross-legged with the mirror in her lap. There was just enough room for the other four to sit around the circle. Neytiri saw the spirit circle had smaller circles of each of the other elements at the four points. She placed her hand over the one for air and heard Sebastian greeting her mother.
As Jake followed the warriors, he stayed very alert to the light.
"What do you wish to say to me?" Tsu'tey asked.
"You don't need the light," he said and Tsu'tey stopped before continuing. "People think magick makes things easier. No way, I often wish I didn't have it. For many years, I thought I didn't and was so happy knowing I was enough without magick to complicate things."
"Complicate?" one of the others asked.
Jake nodded, "In the white clans, warriors saw magick as a crutch, those with it couldn't survive without it. It's all magick or not to them. The warriors only really respected the sensitives, like you." Tsu'tey spun staring at him. "You learned the warrior's ways very fast, didn't you? You almost didn't need to be taught to hunt. And you just seem to know things. Right?"
"He doesn't know anything about me. Skxawng," he snapped turning away.
Jake sighed, "It's all you ever needed. It's what I would have given all my power to be instead of a Master. People who wish for more than they have been given often turn to darker paths to steal what they do not need." Tsu'tey spun pointed his dagger at Jake's throat. "People often wear masks Tsu'tey, I know how to see passed them. Eywa knew you needed nothing else, you needed just a touch of the light and no more. I had to be soak in it."
Tsu'tey slowly withdrew his dagger and hissed, "Why say all this?"
"Because one of the greatest talents a sensitive has is to sense danger. You have always known when or where something bad would happen and you have used it to protect your people, correct?"
One of his friends spoke up, "That hunt, you told them not to go toward the cliffs. You lead us away an we had an excellent hunt while they…"
"Stop, I remember," Tsu'tey stared at him and then Jake.
Jake shrugged not knowing what was said, "I can try to help you expand on the abilities you have been given."
"This pact first," Tsu'tey said walking away. "Tell me Jake Sully, why if you were born with light of water and air, didn't you have the light for years as you say."
Jake chuckled, "There's a story, which ties back to the one about my grandmother… For years after I was born I could not attract a single spirit, not even work with the light at all. Everyone in my family was gifted at mage level or master. My immediate family would have been fine with me being a sensitive and those who were in my clan gave me every trail possible but I failed them all. The age of thirteen marks the end of the changes to those of magick: either to balance in their light with none to use or imbalance and can use it. I was imbalance to water and air but could not use either. My grandmother tried to force the light within me and with the spirits into action. She would not have a failure in her family. So off a cliff into open air over open water seemed ideal for her plan. I hated heights for the longest time after that." Jake pretended he was looking down over a distance and shuddered with a grin. The Na'vi laughed, even Tsu'tey for a second. "I dealt with it, joined the warriors as soon as I could. I worked with a rescue team when I wasn't needed as a warrior. Then one day, years later, I was trying to save a young mother. We would have drowned. I was desperate enough to ask for help from the water by a spell I barely remembered practicing as a child. An undine came and guided me but we were too deep and couldn't breathe, then another more powerful water spirit came with orcas that carried us back to the surface and shore."
"What is an orca?"
"They are a major predator in our oceans. Twice as long as a man is tall, very powerful and very smart. They are also called killer whales. I assumed we were dead when I saw them, trapped in deep water like that. But no, they took our arms in their mouths and then beached themselves to save us by that spirit's order. I owed water, and she had her orders for me."
"Yes?" Tsu'tey prompted stopping at the edge of a pool that was fed by a wide stream nearby.
"To become a Master of Water and learn everything I could about every type of magic there was. She said I needed to become a warrior first or else I would not be ready for the task she had chosen for me. And to tell my grandmother not to stick her nose into the interests of spirits."
"What task? Who?"
"The spirit didn't say," Jake finished. "Is this it?"
"Yes, take a look."
Jake looked into the pool, which was lined by roots. In the center was a large stone covered with carvings, and the smaller roots had grown and woven into the pattern of the circle of protection. "You found water's circle. Great choice. All right then." He walked about edge feeling the element's light. "Make yourselves comfortable."
"How long will this take?"
"The pact itself, not too long. The summoning… that depends on how the spirits are feeling." Jake knelt at the edge placing his hands into the water. He called the light, the water, and the ancient circle to wake up. The surface rippled a moment and then froze solid, about a foot deep.
The Na'vi jumped to the edge carefully touching the ice. "What is this?"
One of them gasped, "The fish still swim." He pointing below the ice at the small, minnow like fish that ignored ice above them.
Jake stood and carefully examined the circle he had frozen into the ice. He checked and the circle of ice matched the roots and the stone. "Thank you master for all those drills," he murmured. Jake stood in the center of the circle and took a few calming breaths. He cleared his mind with one last parting thought, 'this is probably going to look rather silly to them.' He made the gestures and spoke the words for the invocation. The light flowed into him and around him, filling him with so much positive energy he felt a little drunk. After his last words, he remained still. There was a moment of doubt he was familiar with, did he fail, would they answer?
Then the ice around his circle turned to water and mist dancing around him, tugging at his clothes and hair. The symbols on his arms, hands, and this time around his neck glowed a deep green. In front of him the water rose in a small column to his waist and froze. At last, the dancing water tugged his braid over his shoulder and landed on top of the column of ice. There stood not water but an undine holding his braid. In the daylight, her scales gleamed.
:It's about time, little brother, she said, happily. Her eyes widened and drew Jake in. :What will you have of me? Power, knowledge, greatness… desire…
Jake shook his head breaking the undine's hold. "Please, I would prefer to make a pact with you and your sisters."
The undine laughed, :Well done, too cautious to be caught. You need to learn the language of our mortals. She dropped his braid and promised, :You will be a good ally and Master. We will swear this pact for you will not abuse it. The undine was still and clearly pleased as the pact was sworn. Once complete, the undine jumped backward diving gracefully into pool.
Jake sighed with relief, he had the pact he needed to teach and protect. Jake turned to Tsu'tey and smiled. The warriors quietly lifted their bows in recognition. "Now…" The circle of ice swayed violently under his feet and the Na'vi froze as Jake fought for his balance turning. The column of ice was occupied again, but by a creature he had never seen before. It was reptilian but not like the sea serpents he was familiar with. This was a creature of light but it seemed angry. "What's wrong? Can I help?" he said immediately.
:Help? That lady sent you to the Mother. It snarled at him. :Prove you are worthy to be a Master of our Water.
Jake gulped, "Very well." He felt the light beneath his feet move in a familiar pattern. He jumped away from the circle and screamed, "You can't be se…" The water surged up around Jake and froze him solid.
:Very. The spirit snapped. :Now we will see. The spirit swam into the ice.
Tsu'tey and the other warriors stared at Jake's frozen and motionless body in the middle of what had looked like a waterspout before freezing in that shape. His face still in a shocked expression, but the symbols on his skin glowed, as did his eyes.
"What do we do?" his friend asked.
Tsu'tey walked around the pool looking for a sign that Jake was alive. He knew Neytiri and the other light-touched would be beyond furious with him if Jake died on his watch. Then a couple of undine pulled themselves up the frozen waterspout. They looked at Jake intently for a moment and began talking to each other in a series of clicks and whistles. Tsu'tey watched them and glanced at his friends, making sure they could see the undines. He remembered Jake telling Mo'at to trust her instincts as a sensitive and decided to trust his own. "Excuse me," he said and the undines turned and stared at him. "Is he alive?"
:Yes, he is taking the trail of Mastery, I think. One undine said and swan into the ice.
:We were to wait for this. The other undine snapped. :Bullying the first water brother in a star cycle just isn't right.
"Then we wait for Jake to return," Tsu'tey told the other warriors. He directed them to take positions out of sight in the trees and forest floor.
Inside a place of light, of blues, greens and white lights, Jake's spirit relived his entire life at a sprinter's pace. All his accomplishments and failures played out as he went through them. It happened so fast he couldn't catch his mental breath or his thoughts. The second his memories brought him to Pandora everything stopped and changed. Horrible visions passed his mind and the moment he choose to act, the vision changed forcing new choices and action. Each vision was harder to take and forced a harder choice, deciding on whose life to save was the worse for him till at last he willingly gave as his own.
Then he was in a place that was filled with white light and the spirit creature from before floated in front of him. The creature bowed his head, :Forgive me Water Master, I was wrong.
"Accepted, you had to find out even though I didn't like how," Jake said trying to be reasonable. He so wanted to ring that thing's neck.
An undine floated beside the creature and punched it. Jake chuckled and then asked, "What are you?"
:Serpentaine.
"All right Serpentaine, since you have been through my head you know what I believe I need. Are there creatures like the Selkie among the water?"
"Yes, come," the Serpentaine said, grabbed his spirit and pulled him out of the place of light where Jake saw his frozen body for a moment. Jake had no choice but to let himself to be dragged along. They were going north and the land gave way to open water, and then ice flows. Then on a wide ice shelf were hundreds if not thousands of creatures about. They were much like seals, but with six flippers, two tentacles, and longer faces like seal lions. The serpentaine headed for the center of the shelf. There sat one of the largest of these Pandora seals Jake could see. This seal turned to them as did the surrounding seals. The serpentaine shoved Jake forward and left him.
The large seal nodded its head regally and said, :A mortal brother, how strange you look.
Jake bowed respectively, "Forgive my sudden appearance, great one. I am in need of your help."
The seal's eyes narrowed, :Explain all that has led to this choice. Jake explained the best he could and made his request on behalf of the Omaticaya. :It has been a long time since the light of the south has called for our aid. Of those who go will be repaid properly, correct?
Jake smiled, "If the payment is what I believe it is, I think it will be handled."
The seal balanced on his hind flippers and called, :My children and siblings this southern brother has asked for our help against dark wielders. Will anyone accept his request? Will you represent your clan?
A female sat up and said, :I accept this request.
:Daughter, the lead seal said surprised.
:I want to see this place of green, father. I am tired of this cold for now.
He nodded, :Very well. Mortal return to yourself and wait for my people. They will not be long. Who else will be going?
"Thank you, great one," Jake said with a parting bow. He saw his thread of life that connected his spirit to his body and followed it back. To his surprise the thread split at the edge of the jungle in two directions. He looked at each and chose the thinner thread figuring that the thicker one was for his human body. Finally to his relief, he saw his avatar still in ice and guarded by undines. Tsu'tey and his friends were nowhere to be seen. Jake checked about a moment more and saw the touched of blue light that marked Tsu'tey as an air sensitive. He settled into his avatar and almost instantly the ice turned to water. He felled onto his circle of ice exhausted but satisfied with the results.
Then to his right he heard a hiss. There was snake made of mud coiled and posed to strike at him. It glowed with a sickly yellow light to his sight. Jake stared at the creature knowing he did not have the strength to move fast enough. An undine jumped onto his chest and hissed at the mud snake pointing her spear at it. Jake thought, 'Not good. Serpentaine, please, I could use your help.' From the water before the mud snake was a ripple and the serpentaine leaped from the water, grabbing hold of the mud snake right beneath the 'skull' with its teeth and wrapping its limbs about the mud snake.
Tsu'tey appeared on the other side the pool near the stream. He threw a rope with a weighted end. It caught Jake's wrist and Tsu'tey pulled him to shore. "What is that thing?"
"Magick construct made to kill a specific target, me," Jake explained and then quoted, "Be aware, all warriors, given the chance dark will always cheat." Tsu'tey stared at him. "What?"
"Can you understand me?" he asked.
Jake blinked, "Well yes, but…" He stopped realizing he was speaking the native language like it was his first. He looked at the undine, "Who should I be thanking for this gift?" The undine grinned and jumped back into the water.
"What does that mean?" Tsu'tey asked.
Jake shrugged, "Use it well and that will be thanks enough. They are actually pretty easy to understand, once you get use to them." With an oozing mush the magick holding the mud snake together collapsed. "Ugh, that was just gross." The Serpentaine looked annoyed at the mess. "I am so sorry about this, but thank you." It snorted and dove into the pool. Jake took the moment to sit down and catch his breath. Tsu'tey gave the warriors a hand signal. "What does that mean?"
"We are well, stay at your place," he said.
"I will remember and help is coming. We just need to wait for them."
Tsu'tey studied Jake before asking, "Can you still speak English?"
Jake turned to him and stared plainly showing that thought hadn't crossed his mind. Jake concentrated and said, "My name is Jake Sully and I am was a Captain in the marine corp." He breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm going to have to be really careful around Grace and the others. I'm not supposed to know your language… yet. And this construct has changed my mind about a couple things."
"What things?"
"How do you think Neytiri would feel about taking her Ikran to the Hallelujah Mountains tomorrow?"
"Why?" Tsu'tey asked growing concerned.
"Remember I spoke of reasons I am here that I wouldn't talk about my first night among you. Have a seat, I think we should discuss them."