Bab 33: Chapter 33: Sky's children
Neytiri's POV
We won against the People of Heaven, thanks to Eywa, but not without paying a heavy tribute. From what was left of the forces populating the Tree of Souls before the battle, I could see great emptiness and tears everywhere, despite the relief.
And we were not spared by that. Tsu'tey had been mortally wounded and had demanded that Jake take his place, before returning to Eywa. It made sense. Nevertheless, will Jake be up to the task?
While I was wondering about the uncertain future of my clan, a concern immediately came to me. I did not see Lutsey return and my anxiety mounted.
Jake: Neytiri, are you okay? You seem worried.
Me: Yes. I'm afraid for my sister. I haven't seen her since we came back.
Jake: She helped me reach the bird threatening the Tree of Souls. The last time I saw her she was being chased by a metal bird.
Thank you Jake! That made me feel much better! Suddenly, I saw a young na'vie getting closer to us and I recognized Ni'nat, one of our singers.
Ni'nat: My Neytiri, your mother asked me that you join her in her personal quarters.
Why would she want to see me? Maybe to discuss again the role that was intended for me, with Jake.
Me: Thank you Ni'nat. Did you see my sister come back?
She gave me a smile, which immediately calmed my anxiety.
Ni'nat: Yes, my Neytiri. Nevertheless, she fainted and your mother saw fit to take care of her first.
Me: Thank you, once again.
With these words, she bowed her head, before joining her group. I immediately turned to my love and Toruk makto, a slightly sorry look. Indeed, I was going to leave him with some tribal chiefs, and he was just a chief. He gave me another one of his innocent and honest smiles, which made my heart capsize.
Jake: I understand, my yawnetu. And then I managed to handle them once. I can do well a second time.
Me: Tsu'tey was there to help you.
He shrugged his shoulders at that line.
Jake: I'll improvise. Don't worry about that. Go back to your family. It will ease your fears.
Me: Thank you, my love.
With those words, I gave her a tender kiss and love, before going to my mother's personal quarters.
I found her laying various foods in front of Lutsey, who was asleep. Her energy showed that she was calmed and was connected to another, like a member of the People of Heaven. But...I felt something inside her. It was small, barely perceptible.
Mother: Don't worry, my daughter. Your sister is just resting, after she has fed a little.
I would walk by her side before I knelt down. I reached out my hand to my little sister's face, caressing her tenderly.
Me, smiling: She kept her innocent look when she sleeps.
It also made my mother smile, who looked at our last one with tenderness.
Me: Do you know what's wrong with her, Mother?
Mother: Yes, my daughter. I knew it as soon as I saw the first symptoms.
I looked at her, confused.
Me: What do you mean?
She remained silent, still looking at Lutsey with tenderness and...Seeming happy. On the one hand, her two daughters came back alive. So it was understandable that she was.
Mother: We have lost many members of the People today. And I could see that Tsu'tey has joined our Mother.
I lowered my eyes at this evocation, a sadness invading my heart at this memory. I had always seen Tsu'tey as a great friend, despite our written futures together. At least until Jake came along.
Me: Yes, he bequeathed the title to Jake before he died.
Mother: It was the most sensible decision. It seems you can't escape your destiny, my daughter.
Me: I don't care, Mother! As long as I am with Jake, I am ready to take your place when the time comes.
Mother smiling: I see the flame of determination in you, my daughter. The same one you had to defend your union with Jake. It brings back memories from when I was your age.
At this word, a slight grunt was heard from Lutsey. My sleeping younger sister put a hand to her belly as a protective sign, which surprised me.
Mother murmured: It's quite surprising at this point.
Me: What are you talking about, Mother?! You say you know what little sister is suffering from, so please tell me!
With these words, she turned to me and sat down as a tailor. An atokirina arrived and descended to land on her hands which she held out.
Mother: My daughter, as you know, we follow a cycle where life and death must live in symbiosis. When one living being gives back its energy, another one borrows it from somewhere on Mother's land.
Me: Yes, Mother. However, I don't see where you are going with this.
With these words, the atokirina flew away and went towards my sister, which attracted my curiosity.
Mother: Sometimes life and death intersect in a way that is closer than we think.
I opened my eyes and began to understand. The mood swings, the vomiting and the fact that Lutsey didn't want to treat himself?
Me: Mother...You mean....
At this word, the atokirina landed on my sister's belly, as if to confirm my deduction.
Mother: Yes, Neytiri. Your sister is carrying a child inside her. A child who is the union of earth and heaven.
I looked at my little sister asleep, breathless. I was happy to become an aunt, but I never imagined that it would come so quickly! And I was a little angry, too, that she was able to hide this from me!
Mother: Don't be angry that she hid this from you. She knew how you would have reacted before the battle, if you had known. And...You know your sister's recklessness and sense of duty.
That reply immediately soothed my spirit. My mother could read my mind before I could even speak and knew how to find the right words. I hoped to be as wise as she was, towards my children.
Me: I wonder if Joltsyn told her.
Mother: I don't think so, my daughter.
I looked at her, surprised at her answer. How could Lutsey have known that she had a litter, without the observation of her twin sister Tsahik?
Me: What do you mean, Mother?
Mother put a hand towards my sister's belly and caressed the hand that was in the way, with maternal gentleness, while whispering Lutsey's favorite melody. The result was a little smile from Lutsey in her sleep. Then, she turned to me to answer, in her still calm voice, but translating a happiness. Her energy also seemed radiant.
Mother: Lutsey told me about her Uniltaron the day after it was born.
I was a little jealous that she was able to tell Mother and not us. But I didn't cut her off as she crossed her hand and stroked the navel where she must have felt the baby.
Mother: She told me about meeting a young girl from her tribe. Nevertheless, the latter had a peculiarity, compared to a member of the People.
Me: Who is?
Mother: The girl had the same number of fingers as your partner.
Me: A uniltiranyu?
She gave me a no to the head.
Mother: This girl is much more than that.
Me: I don't see, mother.
Mother: You will soon understand. This young huntress recognized him and called him "mother".
I thought my heart skipped a beat at this revelation and I was gasping, shocked. From the beginning, Lutsey knew that she would have a daughter with a member of the People of Heaven and hadn't told us anything? Why didn't she tell us?
Mother: You're probably wondering why she didn't tell you.
Me: Indeed. We are sisters, after all!
Mother: That shouldn't stop you from having your secrets, my daughter. I will only be able to give you guesses. The best thing is to ask her.
Me, crossing my arms: I won't fail to do so.
In my mind, several feelings were mixed. Relief, joy, but also frustration. Suddenly, I felt the same hand that was in Lutsey's belly resting on mine. I looked at it, with surprise, before turning to my mother. She gave me a big smile as tears rolled down her cheeks.
I was worried: Mother? Are you all right?
Mother: Yes, my daughter. I have never been happier. I just wish your father had been here, to know that he will be a grandfather.
Me, sad: Me too, Mother.
I closed my eyes and shed tears, still thinking about the terrible scene of his death. But Mother's comforting embrace brought back my joy.
Me: I am sorry to show sadness when I should have been happy. A new member will join our family! My sister is going to be a mother!! I still can't believe it! And I am curious, too.
Mother, coming back to my sister's bedside: You're not the only one. I would like to know the uniltiranyu who knew how to conquer her heart.
Then I remembered my mother's strange touch on my belly, as if there was a child inside, and I had to ask her, before looking for my sister's partner.
Me: Mother, I would like to know something, before looking for the mysterious partner.
She turned to me with an amused smile on her face. As if she was anticipating what I was going to say.
Me: Why did you put your hand on my belly?
She laughed, before returning to her radiant smile.
Mother: My daughter, do you know why I told you that you had to give up being Tsahik, if you had chosen Jake?
Me: How could I not remember that, Mother?!
Mother: Well, if I had told you that, it's not only because you made tsahaylu with him. By uniting with him, you have tied our heritage to his.
Me: Of course, Mother, since we made tsahaylu !
I was a little frustrated, because I had the impression that she was taking me for a walk, without really answering ! By Eywa, I was hoping that I wouldn't be like that when I'm Tsahik !
Mother: There is the tsahaylu but, there is also something else to prove the love of two members.
Me: What is that, Mother?
I was really annoyed right then and I couldn't think sensibly. I wanted her to stop circling around and give me a clear answer!
Mother smiles: When I saw you coming towards us, holding Jake, it wasn't just your connection that I felt. I felt the same symptoms you noticed on your sister.
I was gasping in amazement, starting to see where she was going with this.
Me: Mother Are you insinuating...
Mother: Yes, Neytiri. You are carrying the child of Toruk Makto within you.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone