V: Part three, Bow and Spear

"Taronyu! Taronyu!" cried a Na'vi running through the foliage, leaping over fallen logs and beneath hanging vines, his cape made of a Titanothere's crown flowing behind him. The stern Na'vi who wore Txan Palulukan's claws around his neck turned, as did Txur who wore the skull of Txan Nantang on his right shoulder.

"Tukru!" the son of the Olo'eytkan hissed, "You are Nekxtskxe, we do not flee through the lands screaming like children!" The thinner and angular Na'vi bowed his head in respect before standing in shame.

"But-But Taronyu, we have spotted something most amazing!" Taronyu did not change his expression however and Txur himself was unmoved by his excitement. Behind him, silently, the Na'vi wearing a girdle of Banshee wings with a Slinger head amulet around his neck bowed in greeting.

"Ah, Tsko, perhaps you can answer while this fool holds his tongue." Taronyu sneered.

The Na'vi named Tsko nodded, not even looking at Tukru who flushed. "It was Txewk who saw him, Taronyu, the Na'vi who has claimed the Txan Ikran. He flies with the child and the mother follows, they hunt in synchronization. We are certain he has bonded with the female chick." Taronyu looked displeased at these words, even as he hid his surprise; it was a rare thing to hunt a Txan Ikran and even rarer to bond with one. That honor was meant to be his once he had slain the mother. Once long ago, all his people flew upon the mighty backs of Txan Ikran, but the war greatly taxed the Txan Ikran's number and the few remaining animals were reluctant to breed for some reason, because of this the Txan Ikran was very rare and most had to settle for riding the lesser Ikran. His father had a Txan Ikran but even it was very old, it was his destiny to ride the young one; he sneered as if he could see the vile thief below his heel this very moment, "But that is not the most I have to tell…"

Taronyu lifted his head and even Txur became interested, Tukru squirmed, but remained silent. "…we have seen it, there is another chick." Taronyu's face lit up in the closest thing to smile any of them had ever seen, a slight lift of he corners of his mouth.

"A very rare thing indeed." Txur intoned, "With that you could raise a mighty and trained hunter who would grow strong by your side and remain with you for life in utter devotion." Taronyu looked most pleased with this idea, so much so he turned his hard gaze to the direction they had come.

"Txewk watches still, does he?" he said over them.

"Yes Taronyu, we came back only to inform you and await your orders to return." Tsko said formally.

"The plan has not changed; we shall hunt the mother…" he strode forward, lifting his cruel bow and arrows as he passed them, "….and we shall capture my Txan Ikran." Txur nodded to Tsko and Tukru, all three set off behind him holding their own varied and cruel weapons befitting their names.

…

Peyral and Neytiri stood near the shore of the lake; they held three pronged fishing spears, standing silent and watchful over the waters. They had a moderate catch today already, their lean bodies still as statues, with the dappled sunlight flowing across their blue skin a reflection from the water. Peyral was slightly further out from Neytiri so she was most visible, while Neytiri hid more or less within the shadow of a leaning tree. The shore around the lake was deep mud with brush nearly spilling out into the water, all was relatively silent in the afternoon hours. Without warning a blue body fell dead center into the lake, Peyral and Neytiri both jumped. The next moment Quar had wrapped himself around Peyral's head, Lawtaw was diving straight through the surface, and Txanhuf lowered herself down to its usual rock ledge that over looked the entire lake. Like an ancient gargoyle protecting the whole area. Neytiri laughed as Peyral had dropped her spear in surprise and was trying now to gently remove the cheerful little peeping chick.

"I think she drops him from so high on purpose." Neytiri observed, Yawne's head then broken the surface of the lake in a gasp of air. Lawtaw's head snaked out of the water next to him like a sea serpent and spit water with a flush at him, he ducked away and returned the splash with a triumphant cry.

"MUTINY!" Meanwhile, Quar had finally been freed from around Peyral's face and was trying his best to sit atop her head with much wiggling.

"If I should have children I hope they are half as energetic, they would be the swiftest, most tireless hunters of the entire clan!" Peyral remarked, as she struggled with the little Cave Banshee's weight. Neytiri laughed again.

"I do not see how Yawne carries him so easily, he is very heavy."

"He switches shoulders." Peyral said, finally getting her hands around Quar's belly, "Go join your sister!" she gently flung the little Txan Ikran out over the water, who unleashed a squeak and then veered to naturally wrap himself around Yawne's face.

"AMBUSH-GOLGOGATH!" They heard over the waters. Neytiri sighed, hefting her spear in a relaxed position.

"I do not think we shall catch more today, not with all of that noise." Peyral laughed, watching the three now bathing, Txanhuf however kept her neck craned instead of joining them as she usually did, she watched around them, jaws slightly open, huge eye always searching.

…

Jake was silent as a ghost; his foot steps a whisper of friction but nothing more, even his breath stayed within his chest. Before him, just behind a few tangles of vines and the low overhand of trees, the remnants of a well hidden campfire lay buried. This would not have seemed problematic to Jake at first, in fact he had discounted it as soon as he saw it, but what had bothered him most came next… a smell. Jake's nostrils had flared at the strange and entirely new scent, though it was faint and distant, some providence had allowed him the briefest taste. Jake knew by now one didn't take new things lightly, especially when they were near a camping spot someone had gone to a lot of trouble to hide. Jake wasn't used to feeling a surge of paranoia like this, but something in his brain spoke to him of insurmountable danger he hadn't felt in years… it was almost like… like being stalked by human intelligence; that was it, the feeling, like he was back in the bush of Venezuela being pursed by enemy units.

Jake flatted himself against the branch of the tree he was on. "An arrow in the wind can spell your end" went the children's song, meant to teach that the most dangerous predators on Pandora were the Na'vi; a single arrow, unseen, unheard, like the wind, could easily kill an adult Na'vi. Jake had never fought other Na'vi before, it was always humans, their gunfire, and bumbling stalking through the forests he'd faced. But a Na'vi? They could remain completely undetected, unleash an arrow from any location above or below without a sound, or at least, no sound he'd hear until the arrow was buried in his heart. Jake had the ironic perspective change of the Na'vi prey, even though he was just as capable a hunter and therefore just as likely to be feared by other Na'vi, it still didn't quell the suddenly fear he felt. He was unuse to this kind of feeling, having been so long in the soft embrace of peace, but Jake was a soldier, and more, a warrior through and through. Jake's resolve returned and he trampled down the affects of the fear at least, taking in slow deep but silent breaths Jake surveyed his surroundings.

There was sign, unnoticed and uncovered by those who went before him. Jake counted three maybe four distinct paths, but for all he knew they could have been moving in single file to hide their numbers. Jake smirked, that was familiar somehow. The mirth quickly drained from him when he noticed the trail moving toward homtree. In a fit of fear, now for Neytiri, Jake found himself carelessly and immediately beginning to follow the tracks. He knew perfectly well Neytiri could defend herself very easily, but, all the same he would rather have to defend himself instead of her. With quick but deliberate steps Jake moved along the tree limbs, dancing across open gaps few Na'vi would attempt. In his rush however, he did not think to watch above him, not when the tracks were below and his path before him. Jake didn't feel the noose around his neck until it tightened and jerked him to a throttling stop.

The next thing Jake knew he was airborne and being hurled at the ground by his throat. The forest floor rushed up at him, he heard the snapping of trees, and then the impact threw blackness in his face. A dull eternity of silent ringing finally woke Jake, his head ached with a dead pulse, blood clouded his vision… but still he could see the body before him. A massive chest, and for a moment Jake had hoped it was Yawne, but then he saw the strange ornament there… a slinger head. Jake lifted his leaden eyes only enough to make out a face with bladed eyes staring into him… he fingered the long knife on his thigh and the great bow around his shoulder, then all went mercifully black once more. The taller Na'vi glared as the Omaticaya with fiver fingers fell limp. Without hesitation he turned, lifting his head to the sky and unleashed an ear shattering scream of pain and anguish. He held the notes a long while, cupping his hands over his mouth as the sound echoed through the jungle.

…

Neytiri and Peyral perked their ears, each turning as the strange new noise erupted from their backs and off in the distance. "Someone is badly hurt?" Peyral stepped forward.

"I do not know that voice." Neytiri furrowed her brow, "They may need help." They paused only to turn to see if Yawne had heard as they did, he was already making his way to the shore, much to the disappointment of Lawtaw and Quar. Peyral and Neytiri nodded to each other, taking up their bows along with their fishing spears and setting off in the direction of the scream. Yawne would have to join them when he reached the level shore, even Txan Ikran could not take off from a water landing with a Rider on its back. Txanhuf's head lifted in the direction of the scream, her baleful eye glaring in silent attention… and… recognition.

…

Satisfied, Tsko checked the Na'vi's wounds to staunch any severe bleeding, but left the rest. Swiftly he drew his knife and cut the rope away. He had flanked his hunting party by several yards in case they were followed, realizing anyone familiar with this terrain would remain in the trees, he so set himself up in the process of covering their tracks from the higher ground. It was with some surprise and shock he spotted the pursuer as he appeared from nowhere beneath him, and by the merest chance he had made ready a rope to ensnare their prey. He acted quickly and in his haste handled to roughly the slighter Na'vi of the Omaticaya, sending him to cold sleep before he could retrieve his name. Without his name, Tsko could not bring himself to slay –especially defenseless- the dangling Na'vi, so instead he would serve an ulterior purpose. One they had already agreed upon but had not expected to come across so easily or soon. A pity, it would have worked had he been dead too… The Na'vi by the water would not waste time in coming to aid the terrible cry of one in need. Giving them all the time they required to enact the second part of their plan.

…

Peyral and Neytiri ran for a long while, the distance was far, but the urgency of the cry and their own climbing dread drove them on. With unfathomable grace they sped through the tangle and snares of the jungle, where one misstep could mean a long fall, or worse. They arrived hotly upon the area they believed the cry to come from, with only mild caution incase whatever had caused the Na'vi to cry out was still around. They slowed only to a jog, ducking with weapons readied for any danger. They had not seen, nor scented any of the larger predators, so they did not see a reason to hide their approach. What they came upon halted them both in their steps. Jake, sprawled upon the ground, with blood caked upon a deep gash around the side of his neck. Without word Neytiri advanced to his side, Peyral instantly lifted her bow, searching around her. Neytiri raised her voice only enough to whisper.

"He lives, but this is the burn of a rope, no animal did this." she hissed.

"And that was not his voice." Peyral added with a curt nod and eyes scanning the surrounding foliage harshly. An arrow, silent as the wind, sank itself with a thud into the wood of Peyral's bow within her very hands. Peyral startled in such shock she stood stark still; that shot was impossible, Peyral had been moving from side to side, searching, her arms swaying with her eyes.

"You know my skill, so do not test my patience." A cold voice called from their right. Neytri and Peyral lifted their bows all the same, pinpointing the direction.

"Show yourself!" Neytiri all but growled. Smooth as two leaves brushing together, and just as silent, a form dropped from a nearby tree. He was massive, strong in shoulder and chest, nearly as wide as Yawne. His hair was braided in a spiral down his back, all braids as long as his queue and bound around it for extra protection. He wore a grim girdle of Ikran wings, dried and laced as well as a shrunken slinger head around his neck. He carried a great bow, thicker and longer then both Neytiri and Peyral's bows, though Neytiri carried the bow of her father.

"I am Tsko." He said, his impressive weapon held as if a part of him. "I have spared and freed your kin, though he set off my hunting trap by mistake." Neytiri narrowed her eyes, but did not for a moment lower her weapon nor did Peyral.

"Was it you who screamed?" Neytiri said in quiet fury. If Tsko was surprised he did not show it, instead he curtly shook his head.

"It was not me, the scream is what led me here to free you friend, I assumed it was him." The taller Na'vi glared then, "Now I have answered your questions and given you my name, aside from saving your friend, I believe you now owe me at least the courtesy of lowering your weapons." Peyral almost dipped her arrowhead, her stance relaxing only slightly, but Neytiri did not budge an inch.

"You lie, Nekxtskxe, and you trespass upon our lands, I would be right to end you now!" Peyral gasped, bringing her bow back into line with wide eyes. Tsko's frown deepened and his eyes became like blades.

"So… one at least remembers the songs…" he hissed.

"My family gathered the clans to drive you out, Burning Rock monster, and we shall not hesitate to do so again! Now speak, why are you here, what have you done to Jake?" They barely heard the falling body above them which landed with a short impact directly between them. Neytiri and Peyral both were turning as the thin and almost emancipated Na'vi twirled a massive spear around his head, catching Peyral in the side with the haft but not before she loosed her arrow at Tsko. Tsko lifted his wider bow upward, catching the arrowhead in the wood with a cold grimace. Neytiri had wisely held onto her arrows until her shot was sure, but now there were two targets and she dared not leave Jake.

"I am Tukru!" the slim Na'vi wearing a cape made from Angtsìk's crown cried. "and I am your death!" he turned his attention to Peyral who rolled from his blow to try and raise her next arrow at him. He thrust his great spear, twice the length of most Na'vi spears with red woven flags tied around the base of the blade and studded groves carved into the shaft, at her head. Peyral ducked backward in time but his true aim was revealed when the long bone blade neatly severed her bowstring. Peyral cursed, bringing her string-less bow down to catch the blade between it and her body, wrapping her legs with her feet firmly planted along the spear length, she wretched her body to rip it from his hands. However Tukru was apparently stronger then his slim frame suggested, with a hollow shout he stepped forward with his back facing her and lifted her bodily into the air! Peyral had to release the spear as she landed on her feet, only to have the butt of the spear catch her in the stomach.

Neytiri had also rolled, lifting her arrow at the exact moment she crouched over Jake, but Tsko had also raised his bow. They stood in stark silence, arrow to arrow, waiting to see who would release first even as Tukru and Peyral battled not a few feet from them. Each held their breath, like two snipers with fingers poised over triggers; Neytiri's bow and skills were the best among the Omaticaya, but she recognized the same skill or greater in the hands of the man who faced her in calm certainty. His eyes stared into her, reading her, and she knew very well he could loose an arrow to kill Jake before Neytiri could strike him down… if she could hit him; from this distance he had the advantage, knowing she would not risk dodging, had move more to protect and that he rested his bow in the path of her arrow. So they stayed frozen, contemplating, in a deadly waiting game to see who would fire first. Neytiri was both lucky and unlucky however, because she was unaware that Tsko would not slay her without her name, nor Jake, though he knew his name, because he was defenseless. They did not even flinch a muscle even when Tukru slapped the bow from Peyral's hands into the foliage and the two carried their battle off into the jungle.

…

Peyral's heart hammered; she fled for two reasons, one she needed to create distance and ready the only weapon she had left, two, she could not best the skill of the boisterous Tukru. She was calm even in her reasoning fear, as the hunter knew, she could not escape nor over power her prey, so she would need another weapon. Tukru gave chase directly behind her, his spear held half-long and ready to strike out like a snake. Peyral tried to loose him in the twisting turning path, but his ability with the spear made up for his lacking knowledge of terrain. With another loud shout her slammed the butt of his spear into the ground and vaulted directly over Peyral's head, turning as he did so to spring the spear around. Peyral slid to a stop as he slammed before her and the spear bit at her arm. With a flare of pain Peyral felt the scratch atop her shoulder, and cart wheeled sideways to bring her fishing spear around. Tukru allowed her to regain her footing, stance at the ready, spear held aloft like a javelin. He smirked.

"Your name, weak-spear fishing-child." He glared at her weapon in contempt.

"I am Peyral, the Hunter, and my spear is far greater than you own."

Her answer surprised him and he nodded at her appreciatively; then arrogantly, pulled the blade away from his target, standing almost relaxingly against his great spear. "So you think your tiny prongs of sticks can best my great lance?" he smirked. Peyral returned the grin with ears back and tail lashing.

"Your blindness sharpens my weapon a hundred fold." Now Tukru was flat out annoyed, his face quickly changed into a scowl as she spread his half cape wide and gracefully twirled his spear over head to lay across his shoulders.

"If I am so blind, Peyral the Hunter, then you should be able to land a blow with that stick of yours." He growled, his tail straight and to the side. "I will give you three strikes, for your three points, land any and I shall spare you… miss all three… and I pierce your heart before you feel the regret of your failure."