We get som Ronalden insight, some Spiders thoughts and a small update on Tom. Pleas do enjoy!

Chapter 22

Ronal kept a careful eye on their dinner guests as they sat around the fire. On impulse she had also invited Teyal, the Omatikaya general and one of her charges. The other man, Eyatan, was absent, due to him leading some of the clansmen and women to the Ta'unui with supplies. Except for him all of their refugees and guests were present, giving her ample time to judge each one of them.

First was of course Tobruk Makto. Ronal didn't like him much, but she respected him for his deeds and for her husbands friendship with the man. He had proven quite some social grace during his first weeks of living in the reef. Several people had spoken of him to her, telling her of his family loving nature and his skill as both a swimmer and hunter. It was true that he had shown unexpected skill in the water and great determination in acquiring any other skill he would need to be useful and Ronal could respect that. His promise to adapt to their ways held true.

During the two months of their stay she had also noticed how easily he could control and command without seeming oppressive. She had heard only little of the forest clans after their fight with the Skypeople, but what she had heard sounded a little too impressive to be true. Their merchant ships reported of an alliance of over twenty clans, most of which had come to aid in the war when Toruk Makto called them. Their alliance was described as a trade of knowledge, skill and support. From all the tales she had expected the leader of the Omatikaya and Toruk Makto to be different than the man she had met.

Jake Sully was just one man. A man that was formerly not Na'vi. He held an air of power but also of sorrow that confused her more than she liked. It was also non of her business as long as her clan was kept safe. She didn't doubt he would be an asset to that plan even if it was mostly his fault that her clan was in danger at all.

Neytiri was another matter altogether. She was a fierce woman, a loving and protective mother as well as a grieving child. It took Ronal some time to accept what price the woman had payed to come to the reef or even before that. Ronal was by far not a compassionate woman for people outside her clan, but after two month and a stern talk with her son she could see she had been a little harsh on the woman and her children.

Neytiri had formed few friendships with other people, but she definitely pulled her weight through her sheer hunting and crafting prowess. She brought them game from the small forests from their or the neighbouring islands that the clan had only little chance to enjoy, but with her here they could. The woman was also trained as a warrior and was a good teacher when it came to the clan. She and her oldest son Neteyam showed good process in training the Metkayina warriors in a fighting stile that was uncommon to the reef, but effective against the Skypeople.

Neteyam was a polite and hardworking kid. He followed every order he was given and kept his siblings mostly in check. The boy was like a bee, always busy to learn, to protect, to please. His parents relied on him and he took pride from this. He looked much more like a leader than even her Ao'nung, less childish and reckless than her own son, but Ronal cherished this difference. Her son had grown as a child, while Neteyam had grown to be a warrior. It spoke of many hardships her own child had been spared of.

Kiri was a curious child, the way that Nature just seemed to gravitate towards her. She had shown a similar tendency to make new friendships, just like her father during their first weeks in the reef. It had shocked Ronal to hear that she was adopted, because she showed so many similarities to her father. Both were stubborn, slightly anxious and clearly favoured by Eywa herself. The way she rolled her eyes could only be a trait gained due to her Skypeople heritage. Now that she knew Grace, Ronal could point the similarities to her instead of Jake.

Otherwise she seemed odd in a way that only teens could be. Ronal did pity her parents a little. The girl took great care of her younger sister at times and showed a very appreciative attitude towards her new home and it's beauty. In her own endless fascination with her home, Ronal was willing to appreciate that fact about the girl.

The younger son, Lo'ak, just spelled trouble. He had gotten into a fight with Ao'nung and his friends, somehow survived outside reef alone for most part of a day and showed a certain interest for her daughter, Tsireya. He was rash and headstrong and so much like his own father (Tonowari told her that Jake said it himself) without the added weigh of grief and responsibility. If this held true then he would mature quite nicely in the future… Her daughter could have chosen worse, though his distinctive features that spoke of his heritage bothered her. What else but trouble was this extra finger on the boy's, his sisters and his fathers hand? She was actually curious to find out.

The youngest Sully was to young to be judged harshly. The child was sweet and easily made friends with the other children her age. She was already fierce like her mother but unendingly curious with her wide golden eyes. Ronal had nothing bad to say about the child and she would refrain from doing so anyway. All children born on this planet were a gift from Eywa, for they were filled with the great mother's energy and will.

This belief of hers held true even for the newest child of Jake, Spider. He was small, like a child but seemingly older than even Neteyam. From what she heard and saw he acted and dressed like an Na'vi. During his few hours here he had looked around the village, greeted some of them but was mostly careful in his choice of conversation parters. Apparently Jake had only just won the argument with Neytiri and received permission to adopt the boy, before that his position amongst the forest people was more like an accepted guest, but not part of a family. She was sure she would have been furious with the Sally's had Spider been a true Na'vi. She still thought that this step was taken far too late for a child's life needed the protection of guardians, yet she could understand Neytiri's reluctance to some degree.

She would keep an eye out for the boy, if it was for his safety or her own she was unsure of yet.

The next person she fixed her gaze upon was Grace Augustine, who was speaking to Spider in hushed tones. The whole resurrection part of her story and the way the woman spoke of Eywa like she was a good friend instead of their deity bothered Ronal. The woman had aided her daughter with her chores for some time and also helped out in the planning of defences around the reef. She was odd in the way her daughter was sometimes, going on about incredible zi-ence and energy readings. Grace was respectful when addressing any members of the clan and she worked tirelessly. It was also amusing how she treated Jake like a Skxwang or a petulant child from time to time. Then there was her device she carried around at all times. To her deepest regret, Ronal had to admit she found the fo-to function appealing and allowed her to take pictures of the clan and even their family.

The last somewhat family member of the Sully's was Tanu'ley. That woman was unsociable, daring and rude in Ronald's eyes, but admittedly exceptionally skilled. She had yet to actually apply herself in the clan except for keeping that troublemaker Lo'ak occupied, but she seemed to have no scruples at all to make trouble herself. Tsireya had told her of her incredible singing voice, that her daughter had witnessed when she had spend the day with Lo'ak and Tuk after Grace and Tanu'ley arrived. Apparently those were healing songs she learned from a clan far away, even outside the forest alliance. Ronal was all to curious to see this skill put to use.

Lastly there was Teyal, a formidable warrior and huntress of her clan. A little too argumentative and infuriatingly correct about her opinions. If she hadn't spoken to Ronal the way she had she'd gladly steal her away from the Omatikaya for her skilled defence of her recognised superior. She acted decisively, with a certain amount of competence and ever since their conversation on the first day she had not heard a single useless word from her.

All in all the forest people were much more but at the same time less trouble than she had anticipated. They brought their conflict with them but they certainly had endured enough to earn them some of her compassion. She wouldn't fight for them but she would fight alongside them for Eywa and her creation.

A small commotion pulled her out of her thoughts and made her watch how the human child (what Jake said the Skypeople called themselves) laughed out loud as he got pulled into a side hug from Lo'ak. Grace who sat on his other side smiled as well while Tanu'ley crawled over to the two boys. They stopped laughing but continued to smile at the woman, who now pulled them both forward, kissing Lo'ak's forehead and Spider's hair. The boys looked a little shocked but started to splurge out in flustered laughter after Tanu'ley mumbled something to them. Grace raised both eyebrows and Ronal knew by now that is was a human expression of surprise.

Tanu'ley split from the group and soon sat in front of Ronal and her husband, giving them a formal greeting.

"The matter of Spider's second guardian has been resolved. He is now my ward as much as he is Jakes for as long as he wishes or until he reaches adulthood. I would request a sleeping mat for him until I have woven one for him myself so he may rest for the following days." She stated in a respectful tone. At least that got out of the way, Ronal thought and looked to Tonowari, who seemed pleased.

"We will provide a mat for him and anything he needs until he has some which were crafted for his sake." He easily agreed, like she knew he would. Her husband always had a big heart for those in need and it was one of the qualities about him she loved dearly. Where she acted fearful and cautious, even harsh or unkind, he was warm, open minded and curious. Tsireya took after him in this instance just like Ao'nung was more similar to herself. It was partly that similarity between herself and her son that she allowed him so much freedom- even if his rash behaviour sometimes got him into trouble.

Tanu'ley returned to her seating to speak to Grace pointing first at some fruits in front of them and then to Spider. Maybe they were arguing what the child would be able to eat? It would be good if the human didn't get sick, because Ronal was unsure if she could heal him. Of course she would try her best, he was a child of Na'vi in mind and heart if not by blood.

She glanced over to her own son who looked like he was in a conversation with Jake and Neteyam about something. He had matured ever since the former human had taken to his teaching and certainly not in a bad way. She asked him from time to time what he had been learning and each time he rambled on for what felt like hours. Ronal was happy to see her son grow like this, even if it was under another's tutelage.

Her son was smart, he would come to his own conclusion and decisions and he did confess to arguing with Jake a lot. The teacher seemed to appreciate this and encouraged to discuss several topics with him so he might form his own opinions. That appeared to have started the regular discussions she had seen him have with the oldest Sully child, well the oldest Na'vi child. As the firstborn son Neteyam surely received most of his fathers teaching and would be therefore well versed in discussing any matters.

Her daughter looked pleased as well where she sat with Kiri and Neytiri. It looked like Neytiri was retelling a story of some sort that left her daughter absolutely amazed. Kiri would pitch in from time to time, adding another interesting fact or even a joke that would result in Tsireya's laugh or smile.

"Is it as bad as you thought it would be?" Tonowari asked, clearly knowing what had been on her mind.

"Worse, my love… but also not as bad. I would not yet miss them if they were gone." She replied, scowling a little at his knowing smile.

"Such praise out of your mouth, they are special indeed." He chuckled a little while she continued to scowl, not declining his words. Instead she changed her seating a little to lean into his warm side and comforting embrace.

Let the humans come, she could show them what power they were chosen to wield in Eywa's name. Ronal was not afraid to fight anymore, but determined. Even death was in their great mothers plan and death was only terrible for those left behind not the ones dying themselves. Their life and energy were borrowed from her, so it would be well spent in her defence. After all, resting in Eywa's eternal presence was nothing to be feared.

After dinner the family gathered in their pod. Spider was curious to look around and noticed how it was already tightly packed with sleeping mats. He recognised his siblings sleeping places from all their decoration and of course Jake and Neytiri's place. There was a single extra mat that was mostly bare except for a thin blanket and an electrical loading station for a pad. That must be Grace's place. He continued to look but found no further mat before he turned to Tanu'ley. Maybe she was sleeping somewhere else?

Along with everyone else he squatted around the small fire that Jake had lit as it was already dark outside. He noticed how the man had a conversation with Neytiri and as usual it was almost like watching telepaths communicate. Little expressions and hand gestures were all that they needed to fully understand what the other meant. Spider had always been curious if it was due to their mating bond.

At last Jake looked up to his brand new titled Godmother, who apparently understood his meeting and let out a dramatic sigh.

"Oh no I forgot to pick out a shell for a project I've been working on." She said before she made a show of looking around the circle. Her eyes stopped on little Tuk who perked up at the sudden attention.

"Tuk, would you help me choose an ornament from the weaving house? I think your eyes will be the best to help me what I'm looking for." She continued and unsurprisingly Tuk jumped up in excitement.

"Of course I can help! I'll find the prettiest shell for you. Can I go Mom?" The last part she said to Neytiri who gave her a soft smile.

"Of course you can." She agreed and the girl left the pod with Tanu'ley. The lighthearted atmosphere left along with them.

"Spider, I have something to ask you." Jake started but he already knew what it would be. Without making his father say it out loud he begun his tale of what had happened to him in the past few months.

"After they took me we flew several extra rounds. I only heard how they had lost something or someone in the woods but we were called back to base due to the darkness. They pretty much dropped me off with a bunch of scientists and I knew none of them. They interrogated me for some time with some fancy machine that is supposed to read minds but after two days of trying they just shut me away. That man-" here Spider didn't even try to hold back his intense loathing. "-he tried to talk to me and offered to make my captivity more bearable if I complied. They took me into the forest in hopes I would lead them to high camp, but I only lead them around in circles and into Sturmbeest territory or other places you usually forbade us to go." Spider stopped for a little seeing the pained expression on Jakes face. Clearly he had worried his father but he was glad now that he didn't specify what that machine was. But it seemed his relief came to soon because Grace had concentrated look on her face.

"You say they interrogated you for two days?" Her voice was eerily calm as she asked that question. He tentatively nodded, but as soon as she threw Jake a horrified look he knew she would tell them.

"I think I know the machine you speak of. They tried to use it on Tom and me, because they hoped for valuable information. They had our memories recorded but without a neural system to integrate them into they could not evaluate them properly." Grace explained and Spider felt a little dread. He had spent years of his life pretending to be bodily well because he never wanted to become an extra burden. He feared no one would care if he was sick and that loneliness was worse than all the pain he had endured up till now.

"Grace what do you mean by that?" Jake insisted to know.

"You remember being pulled out of the link?" She asked the man who nodded soon after, face darkening as if he already guess where she was going with this.

"If Spider resisted as he said, then he must have felt like he was pulled out of a link over a dozen times per minute…" Grace replied and Jake gasped a little. The following glare he received was difficult to sort. Was Jake thinking he lied or angry with him for to overplay the torture he'd been through?

"Does that mean you gave them the location to high camp and lied to us?" Neytiri hissed at him, fury in her eyes, but Jakes hand on her shoulder held her back.

"If that were the case then they would have blown it up entirely the minute they found out. No, Spider was right, he didn't give them anything on high camp." Jake placated her, while Grace jumped in to explain.

"What this means Neytiri is that Spider was horrifically tortured for two days for our sake." Neytiri stilled and looked back to Jake, who just closed his eyes with a sigh. From his siblings looks he cursed himself to have mentioned it at all. Kiri and Lo'ak huddled around him protectively a tail wrap around his ankle that you'll only belong to Neteyam. Of course they were shocked by the news but it wasn't even the worst he had to say.

"Could we please go on? I don't wan't Tuk to hear any of this." He requested and surprisingly everyone sat back down to listen.

"Sadly none of the marines died during our trips but Quaritch was getting more and more fed up with me. They left me in Hell's Gate more often and one day I hear screams from outside. It was bad enough to only hear what happened but in short the captured both Norm and Maya." He took a deep breath but from the stoic reaction he got he assumed Grace had already told them about that.

"Jake… they, they killed him. They killed Norm in front of Maya-" he shuddered from the dark memory and the sudden anger and sorrow that filled the room were unbearable.

Grace started cussing out loud balling her fists tightly. Neytiri let out angry wails of sorrow as she held on to Jake who looked stoic and hard. He only heard Kirk's soft sobs against his head and he had to push at Lo'ak so he wouldn't crush him in his embrace. Lastly there was Neteyam who presented two rows of teeth in an unusually terrifying snarl. Spider himself was still so unendingly furious at Quaritch and his soldiers that he hated ever hoping that the man could become something like his family.

Several minutes passed before Jake gave him a hard look to continue.

"The next morning Tom arrived in Hell's gate. He was lead to Norm's room and then insisted they bring me along for whatever tour they planned on taking him. Norm must have given them a hint to your location but even if, he didn't know your exact location. At first I honestly thought Tom was you, Jake, he looked just like you. It was honestly scary how similar you two are, almost identical." Jake looked down with an unamused chuckle.

"That's the definition, son. We are identical twins, same looks but different people." Jake cleared up, because Spider had never heard him speak of Tom before this moment.

"Tom said the same. He explained it to me when they took us and Maya to a helicopter. We flew a couple of hours in which Tom explained much of the situation to me. When a storm was about to start they ordered a fishing ship to take us in. We were imprisoned in a small room but mostly left alone. Maya was barely awake, the entire time and Tom was not given a mask. He crashed several times but managed to stay awake for long hours even with the oxygen in the air." Spider continued. By now he only hoped to get it all over with, not caring what effects it would have on the others.

"Then we reached the village. It was horrible. They practically ran it to the ground after they asked them about you Jake. Tom was forced to translate to the Ta'unui. Somehow they only burned down the huts and killed one of their animals, but no one else died." He sighed. They still had lost so much. All these homes with their history and work, gone in one bout of destruction.

"We were bound to the deck so we could still see the village burn, with two men guarding us. I turned messy real quick. Tom knocked out the guards with those narcotic mushrooms Mo'at always warned us about, then he gave me a knife to free myself and told me to loot the guards for all their batteries and stuff. He ran off and got me another mask and tank, because Quaritch had a tracker installed in mine. He returned soon after, then threw me off the ship with the vague instruction of swimming back to the village. I swam for some time until Amer'yl, Tsahik of the Ta'unui found me and took me back. The next thing I remember is Tanu'ley waking me up and bringing me here." He was so relieved when he finished, stubbornly looking down at his hands that held on to Kiri's. He couldn't believe that all this had happened in only a couple days while he felt it had been ages since he left the forest. Spider worry for Maya resurfaced when he remembered he still and sad looking form. Tom, who was defying the pain of his wounds with so much sorrow and kindness in his eyes. What if he never saw them again?

"Thank you Spider, for telling us. I'm so sorry you had to go through this." Grace mumbled, and he nodded. Spider dared to look up to Jake, whose expression was hard as stone. Norm had been his closest friend for years and hearing the news of his brutal death for his sake must have hurt.

Suddenly the beaded chord at his hip felt heavy. He would have to add some more for everything that happened. Getting captured, Norm's death, Meeting Tom, getting adopted by Jake and Tanu'ley. Maybe he could ask Kiri or Neteyam for help. Both of them were pretty good at carving beads while Lo'ak and Tuk didn't really have the patience for it.

Spider barely noticed the quiet discussions that had started around him, neither did he listen to the angry exclaims from his siblings or Neytiri's hissed demands. Only the sound of Turk's increasingly louder laughter as she neared the pod with Tanu'ley. The pod quieted down relatively fast so the could greet the two members of the group that had been gone. Tuk went straight to Neytiri and showed her two clear blue shells she had picked out.

"See, Mommy, Tanu'ley said she's making a bracelet for uncle Tom so I picked out these. He'll have something just like us." She said while pointing at the small blue stone on one of her braids. It reminded Spider and he suddenly but carefully freed himself from the cluster of his now siblings to access his pouch. It was buried beneath all the batteries for his mask, but he was able to pull it out soon after. He held it out for his siblings to look at when he felt another, bigger hand on his shoulder. Tanu'ley's eyes were sad as she saw the piece of braid Spider held in his hand and he was again reminded what special bond his Godmother had to the one that braid belonged to.

"What do you have there Spider?" He heard Jake asking, his tone unusually quiet, but firm. Instead of just holding it up for Jake to see, Spider stood up and went over to his fathers side, placing it in his hand. He noticed how the mans brows scrunched up in confusion, but soon switched to stoic recognition. The braid securely held on to a small blue crystal, like the one on Jakes necklace and towards the end there was a longish red bead. Jake looked up and Spider followed his gaze. Tanu'ley was looking at them, while two braids to each of her sides framed her face. Longish read beads adorning only three of the four.

"Where did he get this?" Jake asked her, taking the cut off braid into his hand.

"Our Tsahik gifted him the stone the night he claimed his Ikran. It was a gift for the celebration." The woman replied in a calm voice. "She knows of it's significance to your family and deemed it only proper for him to have his own." She expanded.

Jake pressed his eyes shut for several seconds, as well as taking a deep breath before returning the strand of hair to his son. "I'm glad she has done what I was unable to do." He said, looking tires and sad.

"Indeed, Tom was treated very well amongst the Omatikaya. They will be happy to see him back, safe." Tanu'ley stated, her face hardened with some unknown resolve. "Let me now take our charge to my tent. I can see he is tired and I already requested for all he would need." She requested, giving Jake a stern look when he was about to protest.

"Your place is more than full, let Spider have some room with me. I'm not far, yet it will be comfortable for the child." She interrupted the former Olo'eyktan.

"It's fine Jake, I'd love to have some space. The ship was very cramped." Spider silently confessed, eyes turned to the ground when he was reminded of that small room he had spent so much time in. Or rather he remembered the occupants who were now missing. Luckily Jake gave in easily enough and they were allowed to leave, after promising to come Bach whenever they needed help.

His Godmother led him outside of the pod and along some woven paths to a smaller pod, that looked nearly empty, except for the few belongings the woman hat put inside. Two mats were spread out on the floor, right next to each other. Spider gave the Na'vi woman a stunned look, though he found his composure back soon in favour of some much needed sleep. Just minutes before he had been fine, and now he practically dropped from stores um stress.

He barely registered anything soon after, except for the warmth of another, gently heating his back. Maybe it was the novelty of not falling asleep, separated from the group for once. Spider had parents now, and apparently this meant he was part of a family now.

It felt good to have family.

There were several humans hurrying across the ship. The one at the front wore an angry expression and his breath came in heavy huffs and growls. They came to a sturdy iron door that was still to thin to conceal the piercing screams of pain that had sounded for over an hour by now. The man stormed over to the door and pushed it open with as much force as he was able. Metal smashed onto metal with a loud boom when he stepped in, distracting all three occupants of the room. All three were Avatars but only two were able to stand several feet higher than the human. The last kneeled in the corner and only his chained and bloody wrists were holding him up.

The former pristine white walls around him were painted red with splatters of his blood. His back was a bloodied mess that had only pieces of blue skin left and so were his neck and upper arms. A plastic shield was bound around his neck to protect his head and queue, but the plastic as well was now torn and bloodied.

His wounds were not bleeding heavily like one would expect them to, but there were stripes of discoloured flesh along his back where the bloody red contrasted to a pinkish white and burned black.

The orange glowing metal stick in the other Avatars hand let them assume that they had cauterised the mans injuries by burning the top layer of the skin, so he wouldn't bleed to death.

The shock of the scene before them caused the enraged human to pause before fury overcame him again.

"What the absolute hell is going on here? You damn lunatic are wasting my chances for well earned money by ripping this man to shreds! I thought he was your hostage, not someone to take your anger issues out on!" He roared at the two men, gesturing wildly, while another human man, with glasses and a lab coat stepped forward to take a look at the bloodied man in the corner.

"He needs medical attention immediately!" He called out, eyes wide in horror of the scene he was witnessing. Three more came forward to help him lay the man face down onto an oversized stretcher.

"And who do you think you are to defy me?" The taller Avatar, by the name of Miles Quaritch asked, his voice was utterly calm.

"This is my ship, and fuck your mission, because my work pays a million times more to our government than yours does. Believe me if I tell you that they will have your ass for not only falling your mission, but also reducing our quota." The human threatened.

"And how would this man be important to your fishing quota?" The colonel inquired along with a wisp of surprise. This time not the angry fishermen answered, but the Doctor with glasses.

"Your hostage Thomas Sully was one of the most promising students in reconstructive biology in his year. He was one of the first to successfully clone usable human organs twenty years back. His notes on the process were lost after his death and barely another could replicate his work to his extend. He was a genius of a century!" The man nearly spat into the colonels face.

"With his help we might find a way to recreate the Amrita we are harvesting from the Tulkun and make us all rich beyond imagination." The smaller human continued, anger still shown by the deep wrinkles in his face.

"And I don't care what you say, I won't let you kill of my shortcut to fucking incredible riches!" He finished. The tortured man who was now in a stabilised position upon the stretcher was barely awake when they carried him out of the room into the med bay. The doctor hurried after them to oversee the process, leaving his boss behind with the two soldier Avatars.

"Let me make one thing clear-" the colonel started. "I don't give a fuck of what you tell the others, but me and my team will finish our mission. Now you're lucky that we do need Sully alive to get to his brother, but next time you interrupt my work- " at this point he gave him a dark smile, "I will not hesitate to kill you or anybody on this ship, you hear me?"

Considering the impressive height difference, plus their respective occupations the threat was fully effective. The human by the name of Mick Scoresby, tried to keep his face straight but momentarily failed, causing Quaritch to grin.

"Good then."

Despite his rather obvious intimidation the smaller one was not yet done. "In insist though that you keep him in a state where he can work." He demanded and the colonel was calm enough to just smile.

"Fine by me, we won't hurt his hands or throat so he can talk and work. Actually we won't even break any more bones because I don't feel like carrying him around, just some minor punishments for killing off my second hostage." Apparently the former humans definition of minor punishment also included castigation until the walls were dripping with blood. That made the rest of the humans leave, because none of them were keen to possibly earn the colonels ire.

"You better stand by your word. I'll need him at some point, and it better be in a state where I can use him." The fishing boat's captain demanded before leaving the room as well.

Sorry for the delay in updates!! Most of the story is done writing, though I barely find time to edit it before uploading.