XXIV: Hall of the Mountain King (XIII)
The first thing Jake noticed about the Nekxtskxe was not the ever present smell of ash, or the amplified sound of burning flames, it was not even the rows upon rows of shelves with hunting trophies aligned like miniature shrines- no, what Jake noticed first was the prevailing feeling of being stalked. Hungry eyes starred at them, watching their every move, analyzing their every weakness; this was not a clan of gatherers, craftsmen, farmers, fishermen, and singers… this was a clan of pure hunters. Everyone, even the children, had a hunter's gait, a hunter's stance, and carried at least one weapon upon them at all times. In fact the children didn't run and play around them, nor greet them with innocent smiling faces, they stood still, clutching wooden toys of larger weapons- except they weren't just toys, they were training versions of the weapons they would come to use. It was insane.
Jake felt a hard clap on his shoulder blade letting him know he had lingered to long and starred. He again moved into the hard pace set by his guard, all at once feeling awestruck and thankfully the Nekxtskxe had not been the first tribe they made contact with. The room was darkness, and darkness alone if not for the dots of torches lining each crevice; actual torches, with real fire atop each but they were not used as a light source. As far as Jake could tell each torch sat in the front of another cave or tunnel entrance, but not within it, so it only illuminated the entrance. What was more, despite the sheer number of torches, there were actually very few people that Jake could see. There were armed warriors posted in-between, and they watched with growing interest as the small party lead Jake and the others deeper into the den, but Jake didn't see any people doing daily activities what so ever; no washing, mending, or cooking, anything… it was eerie; a society couldn't live on hunting alone could they?
With a sudden dip that nearly took Jake's ankle they were all descending. Stone steps, actual steps, lead deeper into the cave, leveled out and then into a smaller chamber. The closeness of the air and the amplified echo was all that alerted Jake to these changes. They continued seemingly taking twists and turns, until suddenly they were engulfed in perfect darkness. Only Jake and Neytiri's body lights shone, illuminating them like the only two people in the universe. The Nekxtskxe must have used the ash to dim their own lights, it was only after Jake's eyes adjusted to the light of his own body that he could barely make out the guards still encircling him, led by the Na'vi in front as if they could see in perfect darkness. But that was impossible, Na'vi night vision was excellent, but their body lights developed because of Pandora's periodic perfect darkness, their eyes didn't adapt like that- but then Jake realized they were not leading by sight. They knew this path.
They moved without breaking stride, and then Jake realized they probably knew every inch of the network of caves they called their home and if any were to attack them there, their body lights would show them as a beacon, so the Nekxtskxe learned to move and live without them. It was frightening, their intelligence, their culture was always geared toward war. Conflict. Battle. How could Jake make these people understand they needed to fear the Sky People's weapons? At long last they came to a very close section and pin points of light show ahead. They moved directly toward them and Jake found himself looking at two rows of torches. A hall of fire, a gauntlet, and at the very end… a huge throne. That was all Jake could make of it, it was a raise platform of rock, with a pile of bones, like a… no, it was, it was a complete Palulukan Skelton curled subserviently. Only it was three times as large as the one which had chased Jake.
No one sat in the middle of the beastly chair, but Jake and the others were led directly to the fires and then dropped at the middle. The guards fanned out away from them, onto the other side of the torches. They joined a wall of Na'vi warriors, a royal guard it seemed. Jake, Neytiri and Paul were out numbered four to one. But the guards made no move after dropping them at the beginning of the fire gauntlet, they simply took a position against the wall and stood silent, as if the three weren't even there. Jake looked around as best he could, seeing only the fire light, and the shadows dancing across the Nekxtskxe along the wall. It was like being surrounded by a firing squad. Any moment he expected them to lift their bows and murder them in a crossfire, but they only stood silently. The ominous sound of licking flames, the smell of ash and smoke, these things filled the silence like a coffin.
Jake looked to Neytiri who stood ready to fight, she looked at him matter-of-factly, as if he was to decide what they should do next. Paul looked like a rabbit stuffed in a fox hole. Jake remained quiet, but again turned his eyes to the giant throne, something about it was off to him, but he didn't know what- or if he was suppose to spea- then he saw them. Eyes. Like a chameleon, two golden orbs stood out from the hill of bones. Someone was sitting on the throne. All at once the eyes noticed Jake see them, and slowly, like a great curtain the pile of bones seemed to move. No, it was not a pile, it was a robe. A Robe fashioned out of thousands of bones. They did not clatter or jangle, they scrapped like a claw drawn across Jake's skull. Rising slowly, regally, a woman of proud standing and figure lifted her herself from the bone seat and drew herself up, the cloak of bones around her like some kind of spider-web. She was strong, well muscled, perhaps more than even Yawne. Jake would hate to arm wrestle her. She lost none of the Na'vi grace despite her muscle however, and her chin was pointed as she looked down upon them.
Jake's eyes couldn't help but wander, her body was sculpted in the firelight, a smaller robe of the softest Hexapede hides showed every curve. She was proud of her physicality and her bearing was that of a statue; for a split second Jake wondered if the Nekxtskxe were a patriarchy, ruled by a queen alone, or was she the Tshaik? She wore gloves over her hands, giving her the claws of a Viperwolf. Slowly she lifted her hand, with perfect control, like a Geshia from Japan. She drew her clawed fingers across all before her, and then stopped her claws upon Paul, hovering them over his head. She stood there, silently in this way, then flicked her fingers forward. Beckoning. Paul was ensorcelled just like Jake was, but he still managed to look at Jake for confirmation. Jake Snapped out of it, knowing they were depending upon him, and grimly set his jaw. Jake stepped forward, holding out his hands. "Great Queen of the Nekxtskxe-" Yet before he could finish even his flattering introduction, ten spears shifted over and between the fires to his neck.
"You will not speak unless spoken too!" the first guard hissed. Jake dared not breath for the tips nearly sinking into his neck, but the bone queen drew her hand across, and the spears fell away. She took, a single step down, dragging the bones across her throne. She did this deliberately, slowly, and with perfect poise. She came to just above eye level to Jake, and stopped. She left her arm outstretched the entire time, and finally drew it forward to nearly touch Jake's arm. Jake got that he was to move out of her way… slowly Jake stepped aside feeling foolish and beginning to feel angry. All this pomp and circumstance crap was grating on his nerves, they had a time limit. Still, the bone queen continued her step and slowly went past Jake and once more, with a flick of her outstretched hand, beckoned Paul forward. Without any real choice, Paul stepped forward, fearful of the guards around him as he did. The bone queen slowly drew out her hand and he stopped out of its reach, she lifted her claws just above his forehead, and in a flash dipped a single finger. Paul didn't even realize he'd been stabbed as the small trickle of blood ran down his nose.
Slowly the bone queen drew her hand to her face and paused with her bloody claw before her lips. Jake had a rush of terror, it was possible his blood could have… adverse, affects on her and if she started convulsing… Jake stepped forward opening his mouth in warning when the sharp blade dug into the back of his neck and a hand tightened on his braid. All at once Neytiri was moving forward, three guards, fell upon her- taking her elbows and then her braid as well. Jake and she were forced to their knees. Shouts of pain and anger echoing in the cave, yet the bone queen stood stock still- as did the still mesmerized Paul- as if nothing had happened. Once Jake and Neytiri were down, wrestled to stillness on pain of bond cutting… the queen licked her claw. Jake's breath froze in his lungs, and Neytiri looked to him and back with wide eyes. They expected the worst. Paul still stood, staring at her like a drunk. The bone queen didn't move. She too seemed frozen as her eyes locked onto Paul's. The troches flickered, time crawled on razor blades…
"He sleeps." She said suddenly, drawing out her hand to rest on Paul's lower back, though Jake didn't think she meant him. She spoke methodically, rhythmically, almost musically. She stepped back toward her throne, pushing Paul with her clawed hand forward and then down to rest at her feet as she sat back down with a spiral of her robe. "Who are you, and why have you brought… this?"
Jake felt the blade slowly draw away from his braid, but not the tight grip. Jake grunted, but forced out the words. "I am Jake Sully, Avatar, Omaticaya, and Toruk Makto. Great Queen, I have come to tell you a fight is brewing out side of your mountains, a fight for your very home and the future of your people, though you don't know it." The Queen listened impassively as she sat, slowly drawing her hand across Paul's hair… petting him. If she was impressed, she hid it well.
"You honor us, Toruk Makto, though you ride your strange bird, your stone that is not stone flying beast. Is that what we should fear?" she said neutrally.
Jake struggled slightly, "No, Queen, my gunship is a child's toy compared to the, sky people monster beyond the clouds, a thing which can rain down fire stronger than the fire of your mountain."
The Queen lifted her eyes, "A sky monster? Beyond the clouds…"
Jake nodded, "Farther than any spear can be throne, farther than any stone can burn, it is untouchable while we remain always in its grasp. You know how easily our gunship evaded your sky defenses, flying high, this is even higher and can drop fire upon you even in the deepest cave."
The bone queen ceased petting Paul, who not sat like he was waiting to be beheaded. "That far?" It was clear she didn't believe him.
Jake gritted his teeth, but didn't loose his temper, "I and my mate, the future Tshaik Neytiri, give you our word as Omaticaya, and Toruk Makto."
The Queen lifted her eyes, "We are not Omaticaya, your 'word' means nothing here and it is only because you are Toruk Makto we let you speak at all."
Jake felt his teeth grind, and Neytiri was outright fuming, her ears laid flat. She did not bare her teeth however, but Jake knew her duty alone kept her from trying to break free and have a go at her. Jake felt like doing a bit of breaking himself. Jake dipped his head, turning to Neytiri and speaking in English. "What the hell do I do? She won't listen."
Neytiri barely kept from growling, "Ask the high queen upon her corpse if she will take the word of Eywa, or does she not speak here either?"
Jake's eyes flew back to the queen, fearing she knew English- but the Queen only watched with interest now. Jake sighed shortly, "Great Queen, speak to Eywa, she knows the danger of which I speak and has seen what we have seen; if you won't listen to us, listen to her."
The bone queen stiffened, "You would invoke Eywa here?"
Jake didn't realize his own ears were laying flat, "Your people are in danger, all of them; you won't believe me, so believe her-" then he added in English, "-or to hell with you!"
The bone queen at least understood the animosity of his words, and his challenge; her hand gripped the top of Paul's head, and she stood rigidly. For a blood dripping moment, she said nothing, then: "He wakes."
At once, the guards withdrew their weapons and hands, kneeling. The Queen turned her head to the side- Jake and Neytiri stood then, working their sore shoulders, and turned their heads. They heard it first, the soft flap of bare feet on stone. Then, a form appeared in the flickering light. A massive form. Bigger than Yawne, broader than Yawne by far, a frame so massive he might have been able to break Toruk's neck with hs bare hands. Jake had never imagined a Na'vi could be so large or muscular. His physicality was the first thing Jake had noticed, the second was his perfect nudity. The obviously male Na'vi was completely nude, completely. No ornaments adorned his skin, no clothing, and also… no scars. Jake was startled most by this, his bearing, his stride- he was obviously the King of the Nekxtskxe, yet he bore not a single blemish, scar, or imperfection. His skin was flawless, his hair braided in a myriad of ways, with three braids running around his neck.
He was physical perfection in Na'vi form. Jake had no doubt he could rip an AMP in half with ease. Then it hit Jake, as this perfect specimen of Na'vi stood before them in the torch light, completely nude… he did not need trophies. Like the wild beasts themselves, like Toruk, like Palulukan, he went unadorned and unclothed. He did not show off his prowess by wearing the flesh of those greater than him, he was equal to them. Jake was suddenly glad he at least didn't wear the parts of other Na'vi… the giant among giants looked them all over like a general in a war council. His perfect jaw set in contemplation as he looked down upon them. Meekly the bone queen stepped down from his throne, sitting on the steps, opposite from Paul. Without a word the King of the Nekxtskxe moved past Neytiri and Jake, dwarfing them, unafraid- even ignoring them. He moved up the steps with the deliberation of a body builder, each muscle showing the impact, and he turned and sat nonchalantly.
"What is this?" His voice boomed in the small chamber, deeper than any Na'vi Jake had ever heard. The man spoke like he had barrels for lungs and gun powder in his voice-box.
The bone queen lifted her chin, proud even at his feet. "Toruk Makto, and Tshaik of the Omaticaya come to us with warning of a sky people demon beyond the clouds which threatens us."
"Threatens us?" he boomed, something like James Earl Jones and Christopher Lee. "What does not threaten us? Even here in the heart of Eywa, surrounded by her strong arms, we are always threatened. Your sky demon is nothing the people have not faced before."
Jake, despite the gravity of the situation or perhaps because of it, stepped forward firmly. "I promise you, King, you have never faced anything like this."
The King turned, and shrugged his brow, "Toruk Makto comes to us, warning us of a beast we can not fight, do we tremble in fear then mighty rider? Did you come to see the Nekxtskxe shake like timid leaves?" Jake tried to open his mouth, "There are no leaves here, Toruk Makto." His voice was so powerful the concussion and echo stung Jake's ears and made him flinch as he'd been struck.
Jake had had enough, "What do you know, hiding here in your hole?" The force of Jake's voice vibrated off the walls, contesting that of the King's. "Have you ever tried to kill a volcano while it's erupting? Have you tried to wrestle molten rock? Ask Eywa of what I speak, let her show you the sky lights which strike without warning and leave smoldering ruin. The sky people have weapons beyond your comprehension, mountain king, you are not safe here and you can not fight this!" Neytiri looked proud of Jake, drawing herself up at his side like the Queen she was to be. Jake stood firm, unafraid, and tired of stepping on eggshells with ashholes, he didn't have time for this. None of them did.
The King looked down upon them darkly, but didn't speak. He didn't react, nor did the bone queen. Yet, slowly, he drew his hand to his chin and sat back. "Toruk, Makto…" he said pointedly, ponderously. "…Toruk… Makto…" Jake didn't remove his eyes, glaring at the king with steel in his heart. "…you killed my son."
Fan, meet feces.
Jake felt his anger slip away in the sudden memory, yes, Taronyu was the son of the Olo'eytkan of the Nekxtskxe. The prince of the Nekxtskxe. Jake had not forgotten the ordeal, his name, or what had happened but… what did Txur tell them? Neytiri had slain Tsko the bow, but Jake didn't kill Taronyu the hunter, Txur ended him- so he could become the Olo'eytkan. Had Txur told them Jake, Toruk Makto, killed Taronyu? Now here he stood before his father, the Olo'eytkan of the Nekxtskxe, who though Jake had slain his son? "Great King, Txur, he, I did not kill your son." Jake tired, but the king didn't hear, or wouldn't.
"Txur, has paid for his failure." The King remarked coolly, "Txewk and Tukru have spoke of what they have seen, if they are to be believed in their shame, your people spared them after besting them. One would come to think then, the Omaticaya are mighty fighters indeed." The King bent forward darkly, brown set low. His fingers dug into his bone chair with a slight crack. "By your honor, leave my lands, and tell your people never to return." he boomed, then leaned back, "Those were your words, were they not?"
Jake swallowed, "Yes, I-"
The king lifted his hand, again interrupting. "Yet here you are, now, in our lands. Telling us of something we can not fight… yet you believe you can, or, you believe you can with something we have. Why else would you be here?" The king remarked casually, Jake was amazed at his insight. "Yes, you have come then, for some of our sacred stones. That is why you have come. You come baring a story of terror, hoping the Nekxtskxe will cower at your words, and the vision from Eywa- gladly handing over our most precious gifts to aid you." Jake was speechless, the Olo'eytkan had seen their plan presumably without even hearing what they had to say. "But we will not cower," The king growled. "No, puny little forest dwellers, you will not gain our treasure so easily. You have killed my son, shamed my people, dared- dared, to enter our lands after your people drove mine out and then you yourself, Toruk Makto, demanded they never return on their honor. And you think now, Trouk Makto, in my own home, to demand something from me? I think, not." Jake knew what was coming, saw it from miles away.
"Then we'll fight for it."