Under Eywa's Eye ~ Meeting of the Clans {OPEN}

[Jai'byrd]

Every bone in the Omaticayan Tsahik's body ached. Kilvan'mawey sighed and wondered when she had gotten so old as she tried to stretch a bit in the saddle of the pa'li she was riding - which prompted one of her attendants to look over to see if she was well.

"Wish to call a stop and rest Tsahik?" the female asked to which the Elder Na'vi shook her head no.

"We are almost there, I do not wish to be the last one to the meeting I called among the Clans," after all, she may be considered eccentric in her old age, but she didn't want to be seen as rude to the leaders of the other Clans. Such would be the highest folly.

Despite the pain, she sent a message along the tsaheylu to the pa'li she rode to pick up the pace some as she felt its six legs surge forward, leading her group of Na'vi toward their hallowed destination, The Tree of Souls. Years ago, she would have rode her ikran, but sadly the great creature went back to Eywa a few seasons ago due to extreme old age, thus she was stuck walking either by foot or taking pa'li to this important meeting she had called. Several other members of her Clan had come with her, some on their pa'li with her, but most had taken their ikrans and were probably already at the meeting site awaiting the rest of them.

The blind Tsahik had not called this meeting for a casual chat between the Clans, in fact she had called it to try and head off some possible problems at the pass thanks to the newest threat to the Children of Eywa - the return of the Sky People. After having spoken to one of their uniltìrantokx by the name of Nia, she had realized that this new batch of Sky People were very different from the ones that had originally come to try and ravage their world before. In her mind the Clans needed to have a united front against these new Sky People - to let them know they were nothing to be trifled with, but also maybe to open a dialogue with them...

However that was just what she hoped for, but she figured that that may not be the outcome of this meeting... yet she could hope for reason over blind reactions, and pray to Eywa for a sign...

Kilvan'mawey sighed as she sent a silent prayer that the other Clans would come and that they were in a mind to actually get something done because there was no way she could pull a Toruk out of her bag to make them all see reason... She smiled wryly at that thought... if only she could.

[fuzzydude]

The ikran shifted about in the trees, occasionally sending a small shower of leaves down to the Na'vi below. Some had flown away once they were no longer needed, but many stayed, curious about what the sudden gathering was about. Atxkxell could relate. He was wondering the same thing.

All he knew is that some of the Omaticaya had been called here, to the Tree of Souls, for a meeting between the clans. While not unheard of, such things were very rare and it'd been a very long time since the last time they'd all met like this. Truth be told, Atxkxell wasn't even sure how he felt about the many Na'vi from other clans that would be here, but they had been summoned by the Tsahik and would be their guests, and that was the end of it.

Still, clan leaders were not summoned casually. Whatever the Tsahik had in mind, it was important and involved all of them. There had been no recent clan conflicts, or much interaction of note at all. But, there was one clear thing that did affect them all: the Sky People.

However, Atxkxell hadn't seen or heard of any change in their behavior of late that would indicate them becoming more of a threat than they already were. Perhaps the Tsahik had finally seen that they were slowly growing stronger and it was only a matter of time before history would repeat itself. Or, perhaps, there had been a sign from Eywa. But what about? Was there an unseen threat that was to come from the Sky People? Or something else entirely?

Bah, he'd gone over these very thoughts a dozen times now, like a nantang tracking itself. It was the waiting. Hopefully, the Tsahik and the clan leaders would arrive soon.

A few of the Omaticayan Na'vi had decided to commune with the ancestors through the sacred tree while they waited. Atxkxell wished he could join them. But instead, all he could do was wait while his mind went through yet another circle of the same old thoughts.

[HorusRe/Bila'reu]

((ooc: If it's desired that Zera'que accompany Sempul'tsyal, then I can easily edit this post and include her as riding behind Sempul'tsyal. That is assuming she can't/won't ride her own Ikran... if she has one that is. If she doesn't we can just have Sempul'tsyal bring her along on his Ikran. Yeah, I'm not sure an Ikran can fly two... but hell, its for the sake of the story, so I can push the reality to the side for the moment. heh heh Let me known and I'll make the edit.))

The sky above the venerated Tree of Souls slowly filled with shadows, darting and small, mere dots in the sky against the impressive backdrop of the planet their moon orbited. Moments later the dots descended in chaotic loops, the cries of more than two dozen Ikran starting to fill the dulcet air around the spiritually charged location. In pairs, in trios, and in quartets the Ikran Makto glided down to land about the location. Their Ikran slightly leaner than those flown by the Omticaya, the decorations on those majestic flying mounts indicative of the Txampay’awkx, as were the colors that the dismounting thirty-three warriors came decorated in.

They wore more armoring than many clans. A full ten of the warriors that dismounted bore scaled-carapace shoulder armor blackened to a deep jet coloration. Many of the others wore leather curiass and other hard-leather protections. They came colored in crimson, yellow, and white... the traditional colors of the Txampay’awkx, but only on their exposed flesh. Their clothing remained plain, uncolored (for the most part), and basic. This was also a trait indicative of the Eastern Ikran Clan.

It was hard to detect just whom the leader of the clan was at first. He wore nothing that dramatically set him apart from the other warriors, as they were all dressed in decorations and war-paints. They all descended together, for the most part, and when they landed they whooped and made battle cries in a loose unison. Only after they had dismounted their Ikran, and began to gather as a clan, did the central figure seem to emerge.

He was older than the rest, his hair going pale with his age, but there were a few others that were gathered there that shared this trait. What really distinguished him was that all other Txampay’awkx fell into step behind him as he approached, all others waited for him to arrive before they walked toward those that were already present from the other clans.

He carried two spear in his left hand. His bow slung across his back and three arrows hitched into a hand carved bow-quiver against that unlimbered composite recurve. A bone blade, decorated with a sea-leaf, was strapped diagonally across his leather armored chest, and another pair of longer knives peaked out from where they were strapped across the small of his back.

He stepped forward, made a silent gesture of welcome toward the gathering of Omaticaya, and then issued a whooting battle-cry as he raised his spears over his head. The Txampay’awkx responded by echoing this sound; for they were never one to go anywhere and not have others aware that warriors, ones ready to fight at the drop of a bone needle, had arrived on the scene.

Then the Olo'eyktan drove both of his spears into the ground and left them behind him as he walked forward once more. A leaving of his weapons, for this was not a time of battle, but a time of peaceful talk. He would not disrespect the nature of the meeting, though he would also not arrive as a docile, subservient patsy.

The Txampay’awkx had announced they were warriors, ones that the wise would take seriously, and that was enough. Those that made the mistake of temping the ire of any heavily scarred Txampay’awkx warrior now did so at his or her own loss of blood.

Sempul'tsyal decided that such would probably not come to pass. His clan was well known for being quick to violence, early to the blade, and long in the thick of a fight. Reputation alone should see to it that others assumed from the first moment that his were a serious and violent lot. It would plant the seeds for any future debate regarding the return of the Sky People, and would help to explain his particular opinion of such events.

It was for him to know that he had not come to immediately argue any non-violent solutions to their problem. He had come to listen, with as much of an open mind as he could given his past, as he respected the other Olo'eyktan and the other clans. All were blessed by Eywa, and any that lead a clan had attained the position through the will of Eywa. Only a fool dismissed the power and opinion of their contemporaries, and Sempul'tsyal was anything but foolish.

He would listen, he would mull the information over, and he would say his peace when he was asked to speak. If they thought of him, from the start, as being prone to confrontation then that would better his position if he saw enough reasoning in any prospective actions that didn't involve open warfare against the Sky People. If he had to stand against a foolish desire to waltz into the arms of the returned Demon Walkers he also had made certain this would not come as any surprise.

He was no fool. He wanted surprise to come in any endorsement he gave to more peaceful ideas. That would give power to the position. That the fearless and blood-thirsty Txampay’awkx were in agreement with such a plan. If he had to take the negative it was better for all that such a pragmatic posture didn't seem to spring out of clear and peaceful waters.

Thus he approached, spread his hands and bowed his head, and made the traditional peaceful offering. He had come as a warrior, but he now approached as a thoughtful leader of warriors. One part hunter, one part soldier, and one part student of the will of Eywa.

[Momo]

A clan meeting between all clans, now that was something for the story books. Kalin'ong had remembered the tales of Jake Sully uniting all the clans on Pandora once before for the epic battle against the Sky People, so naturally her thoughts returned to such a story at hearing the news of just such a gathering. In some tiny crevice of her mind, this gathering frightened her for who knew what the future held for her people when discussion of the Sky People came about. But when the Tsahik called to her people, of course she came as fast as she could.

Flying through the sky was exhilarating despite the serious discussion that was soon to follow once she was to land at the Tree of Souls. Until then, she took her time enjoying the wind whipping past her face, sending her braided locks out in a flair just behind her head. It was enough to put a smile on her face and a laugh in her throat when her ikran, Taw'ompin chose that moment to flip through the sky with her on her back. "Ftue, Taw'ompin." Patting the side of her ikran's neck, the two took a dive towards the ground of the Tree of Souls.

It was easy enough for her ikran to land on an outcropping of rock that encircled the Tree of Souls while Kalin'ong disembarked, making her way down from the rocks onto solid ground. Looking around the area, it amazed her to see just how many Na'vi had gathered around the small enclosure. It was like a school of fish packed tightly into a ball. "This is very serious," she commented to herself, squeezing through the crowd to find someone of a familiar face.

---

Like others of his clan, Pxan'ok went along with his Olo'eyktan to the Tree of Souls for this clan meeting. He didn't think he was particularly needed, but Sempul'tsyal could never have too many warriors now could he? Besides, if there was ever a chance for action, now was that chance. His eyes scanned the land below him as he rode his ikran, Tumpin Trr'ong. It was amazing if not beautiful to see the scenery change before him from that of his beloved home, to the great plains of Pandora, to finally the jungle. His attention couldn't linger too long, however, as the Tree of Souls came into view.

This meeting, whatever it was about, seemed to be rather important being that Sempul'tsyal had brought ten of his best warriors from back home. Pxan'ok was just proud enough to be one of those ten. Easing his ikran into a landing, he proceeded to shout his battle cry along with his brethren once dismounted. The cries actually filled him with joy if not excitement for it was similar to what would be shouted when going into battle.

Before scanning the crowd of tightly packed Na'vi bodies, Pxan'ok watched his leader step forward to send his spears into the earth below him, echoing his cry soon after. It put a little smile on his face, but it was quickly wiped away as he chose to focus on the task at hand. Had he trusted anyone else in his clan besides the olo'eyktan, he might have engaged in conversation, but for the time being he followed his leader, keeping his comments to himself.

Ftue = Easy

[Jai'byrd]

Finally! The aged Tsahik mentally crowed as her pa'li crested a familiar ridge. While she could not see her surroundings like normal Na'vi thanks to her eyesight getting robbed from her long, long ago, her inner vision told her exactly where she was as she could literally feel Eywa's presence growing stronger around her. Then, something sprang into 'view' as her group came upon the sacred site, the Tree of Souls was oddly visible to her, it stood out against the darkness that was her dead eyes, white-hot, glowing, pulsing, they very heart that was their Great Mother...

It never ceased to take her breath away even though throughout her long like she had been here many times. So absorbed at looking at the Tree she barely noticed there were others around, let alone someone of her own group trying to ask if she needed help in dismounting the pa'li. She turned and nodded as one of her warriors assisted her down and handed her her large staff for her to lean on. Maybe a few years ago she still had enough ego to show off by dismounting herself, showing that she may be old, but was still strong, but now... she was just too old. What did she care what others thought of her now? Bah.

The buzz and hum of voices surrounded Kilvan'mawey as her ears went to work, the ancient things with the stretched and swinging lobes twitched about as she listened to the vocal cadences. There on one side of the clearing there was the distinct accent of those that live on the sea that told her the Txampay'awkx had come. She wasn't all that surprised though considering how seriously Sempul'tsyal took everything... if he was still Olo'eyktan... She listened harder and picked up his rough-edge voice. Ah he still was it seemed...

Then her ears alerted her to another group, the Tultxayo had sent a delegation after all? Or was it just a group that had been struck by the Clan's famous wanderlust and had just happened by? Either was likely as she didn't know the new Olo'eyktan or Tsahik from that Clan by voice yet.

She signaled to whomever was standing next to her as they blew a couple of horn blasts, not loud enough to startle unless you weren't playing attention, just loud enough to get everyone's attention. The voices all feel silent as even though she couldn't see it, she could feel all eyes turning to her.

"I thank you all for responding to Omaticaya summons. I have consulted with Eywa many times and all answers pointed me to hold such a gathering. As I am sure you are all aware the Sky People are back and there is a decision to be made as to what to do with them. As far as the Omaticaya have seen they have kept to themselves aside from sending out small parties to explore. They have not even gone near their old holes in the ground they seemed so interested in last time - or so the Songs tell us from then. Thus, why have they come? Has any other Clan had more contact with them than we? Please, pass the talking stick and let us discuss this as I feel we need to be pro-active and have a united front than the last time they came..."

[HorusRe/Bila'reu]

Sempul'tsyal stepped forward when the offer was made, reaching out and taking the talking stick gingerly from the almost skeletal fingers of the aged Omaticaya Tsahik. He moved toward her with sturdy steps but his touch was as gentle as a calm season sea breeze. He stood tall and imposing, but he bowed his head slightly as he accepted the symbol of recognition to speak, a sign of the great respect he gave her station. Within his people power was carried by the Tsahik, it was she that chose her mate, and the mate would be the leader of the hunt and in war. For the Txampay’awkx there was no social position more important, nor more venerated, than the Spiritual Guide of a clan.

He stepped back and passed his stern, steely gaze over the other leaders gathered there. Some he had heard of, none he actually knew personally, and others were there that he could not even guess a clan or tribe for. There were many of his race spread across the body of Eywa, not all gathered in groups large enough to be considered clans. Some numbered only a few families, less than ten in some cases, and lived a highly nomadic lifestyle. His clan had hosted these small tribes on occasion, though he saw none of the faces he had personally hosted, so he was familiar with the kind, and he saw the logic in sending an invitation to these almost-clans. If they were to make these new sky-people understand that the Na'vi would never again accept a repeat of the past it would be required to get as many of the same mind as possible. Those nomads could possibly drum up a force that no localized clan could even dream of.

"The Txampay’awkx humbly and gladly accept the invitation of the Omiticaya. We of the Txampay’awkx have had contact with the new sky people twice in the last twenty seasons. Two came to our lands, bearing their weapons, and slinking through our forests like a sick nantang, carrying their disease of a lacking spirit."

He paused and again passed his eyes across those that looked at him with a mix of concern and awe.

"We shared no words with them. The Txampay’awkx do not speak with those that once came to rape Eywa and slaughter her children. Both were put to the spear. We know nothing more of them."

He held the talking stick and awaited any questions from his peers. He knew few would question his actions, at least with the data he offered. Those that knew of his clan would know they lost greatly when they flew with the Toruk Makto, and that they were quick to combat and reserved in their dealings with any human.