VI: Part four, Club and Knife
Tukru of the Nekxtskxe faced the much smaller and slighter Omaticaya Na'vi before him with her fishing spear. She had spent the last few moments starring at him; probably paralyzed with fear. She was pretty for a comely forest dweller, with a heart shaped face and a scattered few scars here and there… it was a shame she would soon be dead. He'd given her three strikes, and thus far she hadn't attempted any of them, even after she had the audacity to boast of having a much greater spear than his own. His lance was the finest ever crafted by Nekxtskxe hands, carved from the heart wood of the few trees strong and bold enough to try and grow through solid rock. His blade was made of the sharpest bone, carved from his first kill, the Angtsìk whose crown he wore from then on as a banner to his greatness. Yet here stood this frail forest dweller, claiming her tiny fishing spear which was no more then three sticks lashed together, was more than a match for him? He who had single handedly pieces the skull of the mighty Angtsik? Tukru could not help but smile, though he knew it was rude to laugh at your prey.
She was older than him, perhaps by a few years, but well muscled; she may have made a suitable mate if her hips and chest were not so slight. Suddenly the fishing spear came for his head, so she decided to attack? But she aimed high, Tukru merely had to lean his head to the side to avoid the blow, he didn't even budge his stance. She realized her mistake and pulled the spear downward with a hard jerk, Tukru merely stepped aside and let the lowly weapon pass him untouched… she had even foolishly gotten vines caught upon it's meager points. Tukru did his best to hide his smile, as she then vaulted towards him with her body, taking advantage of his promise not to attack her until she missed three times and forcing him to step backward or be pushed. He allowed her to try and set up a better strike, though her impudence was beginning to grate on his nerves.
"Push push little forest runner, but you have but one strike left." he snarled to hide his mirthful disdain. She kept trying to land a kick at his legs, forcing him to step back, holding her attack with the spear until she was more certain of a landing blow. Tukru allowed her all these kicks, because they missed, and because he would not lower himself to the degrading spectacle she was presenting. If he had been as base as she, he would have counted the physical attacks as strike attempts and slain her already. But since she was such a poor attacker he allowed her this dance between them, using the opportunity to slap her on the back a few times much to her furious expressions. Were all forest Na'vi this weak and petty? Tukru could not help but let a hissing laugh pass his teeth every now and again as she continued the pathetic kicks at his legs; was she trying to break his stance? He moved back each time, or to the side, infuriating and frustrating her until her yellows eyes simply bulged.
With a final scream of impotence she flung her fishing spear dead at him. Tukru laughed as he bent over backwards, easily beneath the projectile and watched as it meekly landed in the trunk of a dark blue tree with red flowers behind him. Like a sapling, Tukru slowly bent back up and retook his stance, cape spread wide, spear across his shoulders. "Well little Omaticaya, where is this spear of yours that is greater than my own? Did you loose it in the bushes?" he smirked. Peyral the hunter, however, turned and ran from him. He gaped at her unashamed cowardice, and sneering he slowly lifted his spear like a thunderbolt… he would catch her in the back and pin her to the trees she so loved.
"No blind one, I still have my greater spear…!" she leaped suddenly behind a fallen log, turning to look at him. Tukru knit his brow, it was paltry cover, hardly dense enough to stop his blade.
"And what would that spear be?" he laughed this time, openly, unable to control himself from her foolish antics and mocking tone.
"Cunning!" she cried. Tukru paused in confusion, spear raised high, only then calming the blood pumping through his ears from the excitement of the dance and kill. An unfamiliar sound came to him, a high pitched buzz… in horror Tukru turned to see the red flowers on the dark blue tree were not flowers at all… but disguised Hell wasps, disturbed by Peyral's tiny spear. A swarm gathered, so thick it was as a cloud made of blood. His massive spear was useless against so tiny a foe, Tukru barely had time to spin his massive spear in a hopeless defense against the enraged insects the size of sparrows, even then it clumsily caught on the vines pulled down by Peyral earlier. Tukru had no time to regret his failure as a thousand tinier spears pierced his skin and filled him with cruel venom.
…
Neither Tsko or Neytiri flinched as the pained scream ripped through the jungle. Nor did Tsko acknowledge that the scream was male, which could only mean Peyral had defeated the much larger and stronger Na'vi with her much smaller weapon. Tsko's own bow was a dire horse bow, which fired lower on the bottom for easier switching to side to side, yet it was large enough to be a club in its own right. "You have lost a comrade." Neytiri said softly. Tsko narrowed his eyes, but still did not move his bow nor hands.
"Tukru was an arrogant fool, so proud of his swift lance… he had no appreciation for the elegant silence of the bow… or the more precise spear in the arrow." Tsko said neutrally. Neytiri was surprised at his dislike for his own people but she still did not remove her eyes from him, knowing that any second he could simply let go and she would be killed. Yet he too must have known if he released, she would as well, ending him. Or did he really believe his thicker bow shaft would protect him? Why then did he not fire immediately? Neytiri still had not realized he would not kill her without her name, such was the code of the Burning Rock tribe that knowing the name of those you slew would bolster the songs sang about you as they were added to the list.
They continued to stare at one another, seconds away from death each, paused like statues with drawn strings straining against their arms. Neytiri had no doubt this mountain Na'vi would have the greater endurance, she could already feel her own shoulder begin to ache but she could not afford to move or try and dodge, not with Jake unconscious beneath her. Their lives hung on a breath, they starred down the barrel of the weapons pointed at them. It was a silent battle of wills and flawless timing where any moment either could release swift doo- Jake barely lifted his head. "Neytiri?"
Tump! Thump!
Neytiri's cry of pain roused him fully, she fell back to the ground as the shaft passed straight through her shoulder. Jake whipped his head around for the source to see a massive Na'vi with a bow as thick as Jake's arm. He stood above them, glaring down with a neutral expression… and then fell to his knees. Only then did Jake notice the arrow sticking out of his chest. He looked down at it in disgusted contemplation, then lifted his eyes to the one who killed him. Slowly he reached behind him into a small spiral pouch, withdrawing a corked vial of wood. This he held out to Jake, starring at him with demanding eyes. Neytiri clutched the bleeding hole in her shoulder, grimacing with effort to look back into his eyes. Wordlessly he continued to offer the vial, as a small tickle of red trailed his chest. "My Jake, take it." Neytiri managed. Jake looked to her, then back, uncertain but finally took the vial. With his task complete, Tsko's eyes became glossy, and he pitched backwards as silent as an arrow flies.
"Neytiri what happened?" Jake bent down to her.
"He shot first," Neytiri groaned through the pain, "I released while twisting my bow downward…" she rolled her eyes in agony. Jake blinked incomprehensibly..
"You clipped the end of his arrow to direct it into your shoulder?" he said in amazement. She groaned in pain again, "But what's this?" he held up the vial.
"Antidote," Neytiri panted, "Each tribe has it's own, poison; give it to me." Jake complied. As she drank he looked at the fallen Na'vi, a single arrow from his chest like some honored grave marker. He had given the one who slew him the antidote, though he could have just as easily let the neurotoxin do it's work and his revenge.
"Who are they?" he said in disbelief.
"Nekxtskxe, Burning Rock Clan," Neytiri's color began to return. "Go, find Peyral, she was fighting one…" Neytiri lay back, her skin shuddering.
"I can't just leave you here." Jake argued.
"My Jake, she may be hurt far worse than I." she said. Jake again marveled at her selflessness, and nodded firmly. "I'll be back with her." Jake then stood despite the ache in his neck and the dizziness it created, he looked around frantically for the trail and spotted the signs. He quickly broke into a run in the direction of the other battle, leaving Neytiri to writhe even as she recovered. Jake pushed passed vines and through ferns, his heart beating strongly though the constant tightness in his neck troubled his breathing. Suddenly he came to a skidding halt; Peyral was scooping wet dirt onto a blue body.
"Peyral! Are you alright?" he nearly shouted. Peyral looked at him grimly.
"I am fine Jake, is Neytiri well?" she asked, continuing to scoop.
"She was poisoned but has the antidote, she's back there with the other Burning Rock guy, what happened here?"
"I saved this child from a terrible death and now bury him to let the poison wear off and keep him safe from predators." She said angrily, "I feel these two can not be alone, and they must be here for a reason, I fear for Yawne, but must attend to this! foolish! child!"
Jake searched his mind, "Yeah, I think there are four of them… which means the other two must be around here somewhere." Jake then licked his lips. "Listen, you go check on Yawne, I'll finish burying this guy and take Neytiri back to Hometree." But Peyral shook her head.
"I can not run Jake, my mind clouds even now." Jake noticed the small punctures on her back, she must have been stung trying to save him.
Jake frowned, "Will you be alright?" he said kneeling down and helping to dig with his hands.
"I will be fine Jake, I just can not run. You must go to Yawne, I will look to Neytiri. Now go." She said shortly, motioning the direction with her head. Jake's frown deepened, but if Yawne was in trouble Jake would never forgive himself for not being there for a third person he cared for.
"Alright." With one finally large scoop, Jake set off towards the direction Neytiri and Peyral had come. Peyral continued to scoop dirt over the incapacitated body of the boastful Na'vi, now covered in dripping puncture wounds. She had stuffed the sap and leaves down his throat to stave off the worst of the venom, but he wouldn't wake for hours yet. She had consumed much herself and if her head would only clear, she could set off after Neytiri, yet her vision swam… her heart pounded… and her arms became numb. Why had she dove to the rescue of the flailing Na'vi? She owed him nothing, but all the same she had began throwing the loose dirt to disburse the swarm and paid the price. Peyral tried to scoop a single handful more, but her arms would no longer lift and she fell to the side beside the burial mound with her lips moving weakly.
"Yawne..."
…
Jake moved faster than he ever had through the trees; he had already seen two of his loved ones injured, he didn't want to see it happen again, not if he could just get there fast enough to stop it. He wasn't going to loose anyone if he could do something about it. His feet became a blur as his legs pounded, a steady rhythm, leaps through dead space; Jake growled in strain for more distance, more speed- he barely rolled beneath the massive spiked object the width of his chest. He heard the heavy swish of air as the spikes scraped his back. This was twice now he had been ambushed in his rush of concern for loved ones, he was beginning to be annoyed. Jake took his feet again and spun drawing his chest knife. Before him stood a Na'vi with a Yerik fan mask over his face; he stood as tall and strong as the other two Jake had seen, but he had delicate wrists and the largest club Jake had ever seen slung over his right shoulder. The head of the club was easily as large as a small child and covered in wicked spines, like some kind of seed pod from hell. The haft of the club was one continuous stalk wrapped in heavy leather bands, the whole of it was a sickly yellow color.
"Oh, you're not him. My apologies, I'm glad you dodged." He said nonchalantly, hoisting the club with ease. "I'd hate to have killed you, before." Jake lashed his tail, there was no way he could withstand a blow from such a huge object, but this guy was carrying it like a toy.
"Who are you?" Jake shouted, his knife held forward.
"I am Txewk, the best tracker in all the Nekxtskxe!" he said proudly, "And who are you?"
Jake considered a moment, "Who did you think I was?" he asked instead. Txewk looked slightly annoyed at the dodged question, but complied.
"Yawne, the silver haired one; I ambushed him as he emerged from the lake and my fellows, gave chase to the Txan Ikran, but he dodged and slipped away into the long grass. I've been stalking him ever since." He said irritably. Jake couldn't help but smile with his fangs.
"Best tracker eh?" he enjoyed the thought of this Na'vi with his brute club trying to find Yawne, the most stealthy Na'vi Jake had ever met. Yawne had tricks Jake hadn't seen his entire military career and for some reason Yawne could always sneak up on any of the Na'vi no matter how skilled they were, despite his bulk. He was also fast, someone so big shouldn't have been able to move so fast, but he dodged that huge club just as Jake had. Txewk frowned deeply at his tone and hefted the club handle higher.
"What is your name chattering one?" Jake cocked his head to the side with the same trench smile.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Txewk looked even more irritated and flared his nostrils, but then he checked himself and his hands simply gripped the haft of his club. "Very well… tell me your name and I shall tell you what has happened to your beloved Txan Ikran." Jake's grin died.
"What do you mean what's happened?"
Now Txewk smiled, "Wouldn't you like to know?" Jake laid his ears back, shifting his stance slightly. If Yawne wasn't fighting this guy, that meant he was trying to help his Ikran. So if there were only four of them, Yawne could handle whoever was left, which meant Jake had this pretty boy to himself.
"No, not really." He smiled again, killing Txewk's. "But I'd like to know why you're here, obviously you came after Yawne's Cave Ikran, hate to break to you though, he's already bonded with them."
Txewk looked further annoyed, "He's already bonded with the young one? No matter, she would have been a fine trophy, but the littlest one will be the greatest trophy of all."
Jake steadied his legs, "Nope, I said them, and I meant all of them." Txewk looked confused for a moment, but only a moment.
"That fool bound with three Txan Irkans?" he said with clear surprise in his voice.
"Fool? You mean the guy who eluded the best tracker in all the Burning Rock Clan?" Jake smiled wider. Txewk glared darkly and lifted his club aloft; stomping forward he turned on his heel, swinging the gigantic spiked pod around him. Jake leapt backwards as the he felt the wind from its passing, but Txewk kept moving, this time stomping his other foot forward to bring the club overhead in an arch. Jake again dodged by diving to the side in a roll. Jake felt the dull impact of the club through his bones and risked lunging forward with his dagger. Txewk saw this motion and jumped forward over his club in a flip, then pivoting around bringing the club up behind him and nearly catching Jake's knife hand. Jake barely spun away in time.
"Ha ha ha! Foolish forest dweller with your tiny blade, I am Txewk! He who has combined speed and strength into one perfect form. None can withstand the crushing power of my club, and none can touch my blinding speed!" he laughed. Jake licked his lips as Txewk lifted his massive club one handed straight above him in an impressive show of strength.
Jake hated to admit it, but he was fast; the way he used the counter weight of the club to balance on or throw himself around was unpredictable; it was like trying to fight an opponent who could surround you by himself. Jake would never see the blow coming despite how ponderous the club was, but he couldn't escape, he knew that immediately. Txewk said his fellows were trying to make Yawne's Ikran into a trophy, which meant he was trying to stall Jake or prevent him from helping. They were far enough away from Hometree that a shout for help wouldn't be heard, so unless Peyral abandoned Neytiri, Jake was on his own. Jake had fought opponents larger and stronger than himself before, including Quaritch in his AMP, but the Na'vi were agile and dexterous. Without a weapon of equal ability Jake would have to rely on his mind to fill in the gap, but Na'vi hand to hand was new to him, let alone one wielding a huge mace!
"I am the greatest combination of fighting prowess and power, you can not hope to defeat me no named little knife wielder, just try to run back up your tree before my great club crushes you!" Jake flipped his knife from handle to blade and tossed it forward in one smooth motion; the move was so unexpected, so new to the Na'vi, he didn't even dodge as it bit into his belly with a sound "thnk!"