I'm dubbing the 'Ash People' as the 'Me'txep', meaning 'the fires'. I feel the name testifies to both their numbers but also the fires of distraction, as their clan's theme might focus on broken spiritual connections. (And hopefully redemption; even under the ash, embers of hope and devotion can stay alive.)
Oe perlltxe hu namwa tsamsiyu. - I speak with the great warrior.
Law ni fo - Make clear for us.
Zìsìto'aw - One year now.
nga plltxe ke nìfyeyntu ki nì'eveng - You speak not as an adult, but as a child.
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The waves drove scraps of Na'vi armor and RDA metal to the rocks, in from where fallen bodies floated under clouds of smoke. Salt stung in Jake's wounds, while Tonowari's left side harbored a heavy gash... yet neither of them faltered, staring up the rigid landscape. Behind them was the restless sea and what lingered of the Metkayina warriors; his boys with Lo'ak's tulkun, Neytiri at his side from the moment she'd landed.
Ahead however, gradually inclining was a new frontier. Rocks disappeared under harsh red sand in both directions. Few tuffs of grass and spindly trees the mere signs of life across this barren, grainy carpet. Mountains laid in the distance, sheltered by winds shifting low-laying dunes. The same winds whistled between hovering boulders, perhaps the only relief from the hot sun beyond eclipse.
Also signifies a mainstay of unobtainium. Jake's mind randomly replayed. Neytiri cleared her throat, hands unmoving from her bowl. "Tonowari?"
The cheiftain motioned with two fingers, stepping ahead to lead them up the cliffside.
"Stay with Payakan." Jake ordered back to Lo'ak and Spider, a firm pat to Turok Makto's side. His mount would stay, guard... and fly in if necessary.
"Sir." the boys replied, stoic yet curious.
He was too.
Their latest battle over, Jake turned from the horizon to face the other front. In front of the desert, like a sentry, five grayish-blue Na'vi- veins a slow dark pattern just beneath the bioluminescent tones- gazed upon them from the sandy rocks. Weapons lingering at their sides, kurus looped up near the ears. Their breath heaved with the rest, drawing their adrenaline back in from the sudden and fierce attack placed on the Sky patrol. Two gunships and a Seadragon, laid to waste... with their help. The fight had bypassed the swallows around the Metkayina village, far out from Three Brothers. The Metkayina had followed the battle, metal against spear, onto the waters that smashed against the red sands of the Pandora deserts. Much farther then Jake sensed was wanted, with the unsettled face of Tonowari.
Surely Neytiri noted the same. Husband and wife locked eyes for a second of warning as Tonowari led them in extending their arms from their foreheads. "Ngaru lu fpom srak, Varang."
The absence of a proper greeting told Jake all he needed. Living so close to the Me'txep, he had wondered at their standing with the Metkayina. Any information to the rainforests were the Olangi or Tayrangi's secondhand accounts... but they all relayed the same story. The Me'txep or 'fire' clan were no longer counted among Ewya's children.
"We sway the battle in your favor and that is all you offer?" the brawny Me'txep male puffed up, leaning menacingly forward. "Show our olo'eykte respect!"
"Henga si!" the female agreed; short, but just as fierce as the others.
As one, the Me'txep bared their teeth. Jake considered them all, catching the narrowed, suspicious glare of this tall warrior- tall, even among Na'vi. A well-polished breastplate covered his massive chest; the rest of his clothing was just as ornamented. Jake wondered what had been done to warrant them. In his experience, the shiniest trophies covered the dirtiest deeds.
"Mawey, Axtain." the slender, poised Varang stepped forward, dismissing him from the conversation. The other 3 warriors held back but remained tense; ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Passionate loyalty that was a great weapon and threat... depending on one's position among the people. Jake swallowed, watching them. Wonder where we fit.
"Tonowari." Varang held a proud gray chin as she closed the gap between them. Only to give him a nonchalant pass, eyes on Jake. "Turok Matko."
Her eyes climbed over Jake, sharp as the twin daggers latched to her shoulder strap. "All these years... finally a face to match the songs."
Clearly she liked being the leader in conversation. Jake stiffened when she touched one of his eyebrows. This was their land however, so he held his tongue. Varang stepped back, a glance to Neytiri. "Oe perlltxe hu namwa tsamsiyu."
Her soldiers chuckled at this. Jake glanced at Tonowari, feeling Neytiri seething from behind. Bending away from caution, Jake let loose a short, splitting whistle. The draft of Turok's wings hit his back but Jake kept stoic. The great leonopteryx rose, hovered over the group and landed- dwarfing all in its shadow and breath. His throat gurgled a threat, shrinking the Me'txep back.
All except Varang, waiting patiently for Turok to settle. She merely smirked then. "Mighty as your mount; yet still pushed back by the Sky People."
"Eywa's children give me strength." Jake replied, a hand stroking beneath Turok's beard.
"A wise stance." Varang looked to Neytiri for agreement; again bypassing Tonowari. This olo'eykte's freedom of movement was tarnished by her lack of respect. "Giya, our tsahìk felt to hold our council by the sea today. Clearly, for good reason."
With this she turned; it was clear they were to follow. Neytiri gave an encouraging nod and Jake followed Tonowari into the growing scent of ash and soot. Their party pulled several yards from the jagged shoreline to meet an older Na'vi hunched by a fire. Even in a tightly woven poncho, heavy beads cascading over both shoulders, he seemed unbothered by its added heat to the already scalding desert.
"Giya." Varang and the Me'txep gave the sign of seeing. "Law ni fo."
Red-rimmed eyes glanced up from the flames and an odd smelling paste the tsahìk pestled in a small bowl. "The converging of paths is clear enough, Varang."
Axtain's posture seemed displeased at this. Jake felt more interest in the youngest of the warriors, who'd kneeled first beside Giya. Fighting as well as the rest, but he'd seen her kills; swift and mostly painless. To which her face bore no pride. She can't be much older than Kiri.
"How long since the Sky People returned?" Varang took the bowl from Giya.
"Zìsìto'aw." Tonowari spoke before Neytiri could. He'd risen up to his full height, keeping his expression soft as possible. "The fight came to our waters only a few weeks ago."
Varang nodded as though to a child. Fingers dipped in the paste, she rubbed a line down her throat. "They intend to stay?"
"They intend to take." Neytiri's words bit out, cocking all ears toward her. Turning Varang serious for once. A look passed between her and Giya before she handed the bowl to Axtain. "We should join the fight then."
Neytiri's head tilted with immediate interest. Tonowari only snarled. "And drag the rest of the clans down to your level?"
"To preserve our home." Varang stately back solemnly.
"Sky People have no reason to come here." Tonowari insisted, voice growing thick in disgust. "No one does."
His spear jutted toward the mountain hulking in the distance. Jake used the opportunity to get his first good look at it. A picture to another song, one older then his. Of a mountain range once green; a teeming, towering oasis above scorching sands. It testified to Eywa's great provision in any circumstance, as all clans traded with the skilled Me'txep. Until-
"The people ride into battle under the banner of Eywa," Tonowari spoke harshly, pegging each of the ashen-skinned Na'vi in his distain. "Who has rejected you."
The heat of his voice creased the young girl's face, but she only applied the same paste, in the same single strip down her throat. For what purpose?
"What say you, Turok Makto?" Varang gestured to him, letting her four fingers linger out... almost like a taunt to his five. Jake sighed at the spotlight of that name again. In the scope of battle, it made sense. Anywhere else, it was only pandering. He wasn't looking for that, same as the pity his wheelchair would always bring him. Both burdened unwanted attention- and expectations. He looked at Neytiri- his center, his hope; even in this dark spiral they struggled to climb out of. "Sky People are here to stay; the only way that'd be acceptable is for them to accept Eywa."
"If they come, we will not lay our weapons down." Axtain rushed in, flipping a half-sword from his belt. A side was still dark with blood.
"Oh I believe it." Jake narrowed his eyes at him. "But out there-" he pointed back to the waves crashing their carnage against the rocks. "Wasn't fighting. It was slaughter."
Axtain breathed a chuckle. "Sky People carry stomachs too weak for war?"
"The true warrior never seeks death." Tonowari put in. To which Axtain took offense, sword stretching to Tonowari's thick neck. "Nga plltxe ke nìfyeyntu ki nì'eveng!"
"All believe our home is to be protected." Giya was on his feet now, voice as crusty as coals. "Therefore, all must take part."
"No clan would allow it." Tonowari warned, unflinching from Axtain's blade. Giya raised a brow. "Do they have a choice?"
As fighters, they all heard him. Jake and Norm had discussed the numbers, should more airships arrive... less than five years, perhaps more than one fleet. They needed to establish this world for both species, get Sky People- ugh, his people- to learn Pandora's ways. Otherwise, any and all futures for their children were doomed.
"We will consider this." Tonowari spoke to Varang, who had lowered Axtain's sword. She ran a hand along the molten blade, then raised her eyes to show the light reflecting in her adder irises. "Consider only this. "Our ancestors broke the balance. Not us."
Tonowari gave the final nod, signaling their exit. Jake wasn't completely satisfied with his read of the Me'txep; except that they all presented on a precipice and were all too eager to jump. Varang followed the first few steps. "My people will defend as necessary. You might spot our first patrols at dawn."
"That is good." Neytiri's voice spoke up, causing Jake to stiffen at the mirror of eagerness to it. Nor did Tonowari follow her encouragement. "You do what you must- for your people."
Betraying custom again, he turned back, excusing them from their host. Jake felt their eyes, but focused on the return of Lo'ak, Spider, and the clan awaiting them. Coming up on the rocks, he reached for Neytiri's hand. Only to glance back when he felt air. She stayed frozen, looking back to where Varang and the others still watched.
"Neytiri?" Jake wandered back. He reached for her hand, only to have instinct hold off. She brought her eyes to him, but he didn't feel her gaze. But Jake knew that set look in her eye. So, even as she continued down to her ikran without a word, he knew what she was planning.
To return; no matter what anyone said.