Pandora: The Final Solution

I gratefully acknowledge one of the foremost creative geniuses of our times, James Cameron, for conceiving the lush moon Pandora and the "noble savages," the Na'vi, that inhabit it. This story uses the characters and setting he created for his movie, Avatar. I have not received any money for my work based on Avatar. If I could get paid by the hour for these stories, I would retire and spend all my time dancing and writing in comfort.

Chapter 24: Mo'at – In the Well of Souls

Mo'at is awakened by the sounds of many ikran squawking nearby. She thinks, "Where am I?" She opens her eyes and focuses on the top of the tent, with its impossibly tight weave and perfectly straight and even stitching. "Such perfection. Better than anything our weavers make. And for something not used until now. Fine weavings should be on display every day." Lifting her head, she looks out the screened opening and sees the crowd of ikran and Na'vi around the sacred tree that is glowing brightly against the pre-dawn sky and the dark rock wall of the Well of Souls beyond. "Oh, yes, Toktor Kari called this the avatar tent. I'm in a cloth container with the short but hard to pronounce name, laying on a cushion on top of another of their machines. These aliens have a machine for everything, it seems. I did sleep well, this way is surprisingly comfortable for an old woman."

Her movements have let the crisp mountain air into her sleeping bag. She drops her head back down, and notices the coolness against her skin. "If only Eytukan was here to keep me warm." The tears begin to flow. She raises her head again, looking at the avatars sleeping on their human-height gurneys. There are dormant avatars on the side that was empty when she fell asleep, and fewer on the sleeping side. The male avatar she covered is missing. "The avatars here all appear unconscious, without their spirits. Thank Eywa all are beyond care, so my crying will not be heard. I wish Eytukan was snuggling against my back, my tail between his legs and wound together with his tail, his arm draped over my side, his hand lightly grasping my breast. It was a simple pleasure that made me feel so loved. I miss him so much." She sobs silently to herself, letting the tears run over her face. In time, she thinks "I could cry all day, but I better stop." She works a hand up to her face and wipes the tears away.

"Don't want to be seen crying again. Was so embarrassed to cry when Hometree was destroyed, but I couldn't help it. I felt Eytukan's pain while he was dying from that awful injury, and it overwhelmed me. Good thing I was with those in Hometree affected by the coughing and crying weapon, everyone thought my tears were caused by that. I know it really was my weakness. A tsahík must always be strong for the clan, even with the death of a mate. And I must be strong for the remaining tawtute. Their survival depends on their relationship with the Na'vi, and I will be in the middle of that, like it or not." She stretches out to face up again. "Dawn is very near and those in this place of healing will be changing shifts soon, just as the sentries that protect my clan do. I better get going."

She turns back to the screened opening to look at the sacred tree. "Haven't seen so many Na'vi under this tree since the healing ceremony, and certainly not this early. Some are bonding with the tree, but most are just standing around. Ikran have been hanging on the walls all along, now there are many sitting on the ground. This is most unusual." The group of ikran that woke her take off with their riders and fly away over the stone arches. "Too many for a normal hunting party, and flying in a loose formation much wider and lower than usual. Something is not right."

Mo'at unzips the sleeping bag and rolls out onto her feet. She quickly washes up and dons her clothing. "I feel much better today, this was my best night of sleep since..." The flash of pain makes her thoughts freeze briefly. "...since we were forced away from Hometree." She wills that memory away. "All night long I dreamed of first bonding ceremonies with babies and All-Mother classes with toddlers. There are no clan members needing these now. Wonder why I dreamed so much about these? Is Eywa trying to tell me something? I must meditate on my dreams. And all these hurting spirits, so many Na'vi and human, and mine too. I must tell Eywa about this, and pray She shows me the way to heal them. This is huge job, and I need to start with me, and then Neytiri and Jake."

She wrings out her washcloth, and hangs it and her towel over the grip on one end of the gurney she used. "These cleaning cloths are so perfect. Ours are made by the weaver apprentices, and are never so well made. I wonder if they have a machine that weaves. Maybe some day I'll find out, but not today. Have so much to do. Jake has called a war council meeting at midday, before the clans disband and return home. I know that is his main concern now, but there is so much more he must be doing. Most important is the clan meeting at mid-morning. We need to find a new home as soon as possible. Jake has to lead that. With all the losses in the clan, every work group has been affected. Jake and Neytiri will have to reorganize the warriors and the hunters. I'll take all other groups. We must get organized and think about starting over in a new home, after we find it."

She takes the clear plastic tumbler with her name written on it, holding her tooth paste and toothbrush, as a reminder of yet another discussion she must have with Jake. She quietly steps out of the tent and quickly heads to the place of the fwampop beyond the gate. While there, she sees a group of ikran riders from one of the neighboring forest clans call down their flying partners, jump onto them, and take off over the stone arches. "Where are they going? So many are leaving in a rush. I better ask what's going on. I should go back and thank the human healers for their hospitality, but that must wait. If there is trouble somewhere that requires this hasty departure of warriors, I'm needed above."

She walks toward a circle of young warriors nearest to her. They are listening closely to the one whose back is turned towards her, but look her way when they notice her approaching. The closest warrior turns around and a surprised look replaces the serious look on his face. He is clearly older than the rest, and most likely is their leader. He steps backwards, lining up with the rest so all are now facing Mo'at, and smiles. She stops and gives them the standard greeting, "I See you, ma warriors."

The oldest warrior replies, "I See you, ma Tsahík for Toruk Makto. What can we do for you this morning?"

"I spent the night in the healing place provided by the tawtute, and find much commotion around the sacred tree this morning. What is happening?"

He replies, using her question as a chance to reiterate the orders he was giving his charges. "Toruk Makto says a large flying machine is expected at the tawtute village later today. He is asking for all able-bodied warriors to go there and make ready for its arrival. No one is to fly alone, and may separate only if attacked. We are to fly there quickly and quietly, spread out at tree-top level, looking for anything unusual on the way. We are to avoid engaging any tawtute we find, and report anything out of the ordinary as soon as we can to the leaders at the meeting point. That is behind the highest point of the cliff overlooking the huge hole of bare ground and rocks outside their village."

"Thank you. Your instructions are very sensible. I must return to my clan and help with preparations. May Eywa be with each of you, and protect you at all times."

"Thank you for your blessing, Tsahík, and may Eywa be with you always. We must fly now." He turns back to his group of warriors and nods. They all whistle or otherwise call their ikran, who land among them. They jump into their flying saddles, and once all are ready, the leader yells the signal "Makto ko!" and they take flight together.

Mo'at watches them disappear over the stone arches. She walks towards the sacred tree, climbs up to the tsahík terrace, and makes tsaheylu with a frond. She closes her eyes and thinks, "Good morning, Eytukan, my much missed mate."

Moments later, Eytukan replies "Good morning, my lovely mate. I, too, miss you, but I am always here in Eywa waiting for you."

"I know. I was missing you so much when I awoke this morning, it made me cry."

"It must be hard for you, first Silwanin, then me and all Omatikaya killed since our Hometree was attacked. Cry when you must, but be strong for our clan. They need your strength now, more than ever."

"I know, my love, but I wish I was with you in Eywa."

"I wish you were here with me, too. I miss you so much. But we are being selfish now, you are where you are needed most by Eywa."

"I know. There is a great disturbance here. Toruk Makto is sending all warriors out to meet a tawtute flying machine. I fear more bloodshed."

"This is the first I have heard of it. If anyone can stop the tawtute warriors, it is Toruk Makto. He has proven himself a great warrior, even besting Tsu'tey and the biggest flying machines, though I still think of him as that pathetic creature Neytiri brought home not long ago. You must go to the clan and help prepare for whatever might come."

"Yes, that is my plan, after talking to you and informing Eywa of my latest conversations with the tawtute."

"What did they say that bothers you?"

"They all have broken spirits. They have all suffered severe troubles that caused them to leave home and travel here. That could be why they behave so badly, they have so little to live and care for. Only Normspellman has given up his home life voluntarily, because of his strong desire to learn about us. Everyone else seems to be running away from tragic experiences. Even Jakesully."

"Very much like you wanting to join me in Eywa now."

"Eytukan!" Mo'at pauses briefly to let her anger subside. His brusque ways can be so infuriating sometimes, but ..."You're right. How can I heal so many broken hearts when I cannot heal mine?"

"I am a warrior, not a tsahík, so I don't know. Ask Eywa for help, She always does the right thing for us. I do know it will take time. We have many old friends, they will be happy to help you. They, too, have lost many family members and friends, so you can grieve together. You and Neytiri can help each other, and then together you two can help our clan. The tawtute may have to wait for help until after the clan settles into a new Hometree."

"Thank you, my love. You always say what I need to hear." With that, she feels better.

"I want to talk to you all day, my love, but you best be going."

"I need to talk to Eywa first. I will talk to you later today, if I'm able. Good bye, Eytukan, my love."

"Have a good day, Mo'at, my love."

With that, Mo'at feels his presence ebb away, much like a lifting fog. She clears her mind and thinks, "Eywa, please hear me. I have found that most tawtute have broken spirits. They have too much pain in their hearts, and came here to escape the sad experiences of their homes and their dying world. Look into my memories and See what I have seen and heard. Please help me deal with the tawtute, to understand them and ease their pain, and help me mend their hearts, the hearts of my clan, and my broken heart." She closes her eyes, squeezing out a few tears, and listens to her breathing, trying to keep her mind free of all thoughts. Once again, bits of her dreams come to mind unbidden, glimpses of her first bonding ceremonies and All-Mother classes. "You keep reminding me of these ceremonies and classes. There is no one needing them now. What are You telling me?" She empties her mind of these thoughts. Soon her feelings of lonesomeness and smallness are replaced with feelings of belonging and expansiveness. The calm of Eywa settles over her, and her mood improves almost to the point of elation. With this help from Eywa, she is ready to face another uncertain and potentially sorrowful day. She opens her eyes and whispers "Thank you, Eywa," at which point the bond ceases, her queue dropping away from the dimming frond.

As Mo'at climbs the path up and out of the Well of Souls, her mind races, mulling over what the flying leader called her, "Tsahík for Toruk Makto," the first she has heard these words. "I am Tsahík of the Omatikaya Clan. I am tsahík to everyone in the clan, not just Jakesully. Why would he say such a thing to me?" Then a shocking thought occurs to her. "Has the Omatikaya been so reduced that others don't see us as a proper clan? I know some Omatikaya are thinking about joining other clans, but has it become that bad? Everyone here thinks we are finished?" This thought is very worrying.

She passes many Na'vi on the trail into the well. Most are young warriors hurrying down to bond with the sacred tree before flying to battle, and none take the time to greet her properly. Most silently nod, a few say hello or good morning without stopping. Some look not at her, but at the clear plastic drinking glass she is carrying, with the arcane symbols that represent her name, and the items within. They would cause much conversation, being so unusual to those not accustomed to the tawtute, if these warriors were not in such a hurry to do their duty and leave at the orders from Toruk Makto.

Then she thinks about the title "Toruk Makto." "I was born shortly before the last Toruk Makto died, and I can't remember him as a living person. Even Eytukan, who was a year older than me and a direct descendant of him, was never able to remember the last Toruk Makto. He was glad he didn't remember his old and feeble ancestor and not the strong and imposing warrior of songs. I remember my mate saying he spoke with his illustrious ancestor in the Tree of Voices at times when he had a troubling issue. As is customary when talking to those in Eywa, he never asks personal questions. That way, in his mind, the last Toruk Makto remained the heroic champion chosen by Eywa in a time of great sorrow, not a sickly old man. Now the latest Toruk Makto is mated to my daughter. Where would we be if Eytukan and I did what Tsu'tey and his warrior friends wanted, letting them kill Jakesully when Neytiri first brought him home? By keeping him alive, teaching him to live as we do, Eywa has given us another Toruk Makto. But knowing Jakesully makes his choice by Eywa seem even more unlikely. I have spent a lifetime interpreting the will of Eywa, but Her choice of him to become Toruk Makto is the most surprising event in a long series of unfortunate events with the aliens. If I ever get the time, I must meditate on what has happened and see if I can get any understanding of what Eywa is doing."

She sees yet another swarm of ikran and their riders fly overhead. "More ikran riders leaving. Looks like Eastern Shore clans. Didn't see any leaders, maybe I missed them. Hope the leaders can attend Jake's meeting. It means so much to him."

She thinks again about the last Toruk Makto. "Eywa chose him during a time of great flooding, just after a great storm that caused wide spread damage. Many trees and branches were blown down as the water rose. Hometree itself was partly flooded, but the trails to the hunting grounds remained open, and the Omatikaya were only inconvenienced. However, some neighboring clans were severely affected, suffering many deaths and cut off from all food. Many hunters were separated from their families, unable to return with what little food they could find. Some Na'vi died, and a few bodies were never found, their deaths confirmed when they answered in the sacred trees. The Omatikaya were spared that sorrow. How did that song go? I'll have to ask the singers, they'll remember the details I can't remember now. Something about how Toruk Makto first organized the search for missing Omatikaya hunters, and then sent out ikran riders to all neighboring clans. Some were flooded out of their homes, some were flooded in their home trees and could not leave except by ikran, and others were like the Omatikaya, affected in various degrees but not in dire need. Toruk Makto organized all clans to search for the missing, to bring the separated together again, to find and distribute food, and to establish temporary homes. A couple of clans had most of their lands under water, and their members were moved to the homes of other clans. One clan never reformed once the water drained away, its scattered members deciding to stay with those that took them in. Its clan leader and tsahík were lost looking for others, and no leadership emerged from the survivors to pull the clan together again. The other relocated clans went home when they could, but were much reduced. I must talk to the singers about that song to remember what happened, and make sure we keep as many surviving Omatikaya as possible. I wonder how many new members the Omatikaya gained back then? I will have to ask the elders, maybe they can remember. Eywa could be giving back to the other clans now what She has given the Omatikaya in the past. Unless She tells me otherwise, I will fight to keep my clan whole, even in its reduced state. With today's troubles with the tawtute, Jakesully will probably have to miss the clan meeting. I will have to lead it, and find a way to encourage my clan to bring the Omatikaya back to their former prominence."

Mo'at is now walking the trail on the plain beside the well, and encounters several of her clan members carrying food down to the injured in the well. "I See you. I don't want to slow you down, but have you seen my daughter or her mate?"

"I See you, Tsahík. We just passed them. They are just outside the common area with a group of leaders from the Plains."

"Thank you. May Eywa be with all of you."

"And with you, Tsahík."