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Dawn of a New Encounter - Intilkan

Pakania crouches against the thick ferns near Magdalena, Saila Dummagan. The wise woman lifts her fuzzy chin, smacking her lips as she smells in the air. Her mask hangs from her neck. Humidity and thick fruitful odours fill the nose of the younger suli beside. Curious long hands touch the shiny green leaves, feeling its bumps. The Magdalenanians are able to tell the time of day by many various factors, one of them includes the moistness on the leaves. The wetter they are, the earlier the sun has risen from its slumber. The leaves are dry. Up in the sky, the bright mellow sun shines without a cloud in the sky. It's a bit after the highest sun, with shadows slanting to indicate the sun is now on a journey to descend back to sleep.

The two suli are out so learn about the higher altitude of their lands. Pakania listens, even if Magdalena is of few words. She doesn't say much either, careful not to break the silence. Tula'na Perlaya, Pakania's favourite adornment, decorates her neck neatly. Her wini (type of bracelet) holds designs that have rhombus and other shapes and, though tempted to touch it absentmindedly, Magdalena would slap her lightly if she gets distracted again.

Finally, her leader speaks up, asking Pakania if there anything out of the ordinary.

Pakania says, "Suli, sadde."

They move on, their thick moccasins gripping on the dry ground beneath. The higher altitudes show tall mangroves and less vegetation than near sea level. Terarequí, their village and the one closest to where they find themselves, can be reached within one fourth of the highest sun's placement, though the sun has moved a lot since Magdalena and Pakania left Terarequí. They took their time, stopping to examine the many resources of the lands. This feels like second nature by now, though Magdalena insists on going to the mountains to show her the scenery.

Magdalena, Saila Dummagan herself is quite a sight. She wears many, many strings, all with shells, pearls and other precious items that looks prestige. Her arms are covered in tattoos and thick woven bracelets, both on the ankles as well. Bright and colourful mola decorates the long wrap skirt that thinly moves with the wind, loose enough to go hunting in but long enough it skims her woolen knees. Strips of bark held by a wooden band sits on Magdalena's dark head, typical of the leader of the tribe to wear. Her squinted murky brown eyes look to Pakania and she cracks a small grin.

Pakania looks back to her superior, striking hazel eyes that shine like pearls that any could get lost into. Though the young suli has no lover of her own, when time comes for her to take role of saila of the tribe, she'll need to think about giving birth to a heir or will need to resort to finding a suitable one, much like Magdalena with her.
Loincloth paired with a half skirt falls on her youthful hips, which are poised to leap at any given instant. Pakania feels a gust of wind blowing her long hair with some smaller strands braided neatly against her face. She, too, is decorated with mola, and her mask hides flush lips. Coconut fiber rope holds up her belt and the spear holder on her back, sharpened skillfully by her village's local weapon creator. Her belt holds many sharp items and has small pockets to carry ropes, different fruits and collection items.

Maybe it's the wind playing with the ferns but something tricks Pakania's eyes. Dark eyebrows frown as she spots movement many running strides away, perhaps two hundred strides away. Pakania unsheathes her spear at the ready and she feels Magdalena, Saila Dummagan, watching her crouch down low. Using the hunting technique, Pakania stretches her long legs and advances very slowly, making sure to use tree trunks and tall specks of vegetation to cover her. Magdalena, meanwhile, gently climbs up a tree to inspect from higher ground. She masterfully camouflages, so much so even Pakania wouldn't have noticed had she not been previously aware of her presence up there. Her old age doesn't stop her, though her speed is very much lacking.

Both watch as they spot what is making the movement. Four humans, much like themselves yet different, who wear different clothes and have sheathed spears. They come from the other side of the mountain. The Intilkans.
Little is known about them aside from their efforts to expand their territories and incorporating smaller tribes...or straight up slaughtering those who resist. Legends say they wield the power of the sun, melting sand to transparent and shiny solid tears.
The two largest tribes of Kutria haven't really formally met though contact by the people and theirs have been made previously over recounts of skirmishes at sea while hunting. As for why the Tribe of Magdalena hasn't been invaded remains unknown.

Pakania's fixed hazel eyes remain on the forefront individual {Sinchi Tocayriku}. She assesses him quickly. There is always a chance they've trespassed out of getting lost, which has been known to happen, according to those who's villages are near the ends of their lands, and not just with the Intilkans. Her hair falls gently on her face as her body becomes one with the soil. She ceases from moving to inspect them. They aren't too far now, perhaps two dozen leaps and Pakania could easily close the distance. She waits, curious to what they're up to. Should she find out they've come to steal their resources, they'd be given a stern talking to...or speared.
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