Queen Natika

Natika crouched next to a large fallen log, concealed overhead by a large, low lying leaf. In her mouth she held a dozen cruel barbs, and in her hands she restrained a fluorescent yellow toad. Gripping her toes into the jungle soils beneath her, the Queen steadied herself and began to dip each of the barbs into the back of the toad, placing them afterwards into a restraint on her left thigh. Glancing behind her, she noted her band of female warriors doing the same, each with the advantage of being able to use their small frame to conceal their position. Once finished, Natika popped up from behind the log, quickly scanning the surrounding jungle. After repeating this a few times, she signaled in Athesian sign language to her fellow hunters, and flung her light body silently over the log. The small band of Athesians followed, each stealthily and skillfully following their leader's footsteps. The leader of the hunt was always responsible for identifying hazards and patches of the ground that will make the least noise when traversed. The rest of the hunting party would follow, mimicking the steps and movements of their leader, while watching the flanks and rear for targets. This hunt was no different. Three dozen small bare feet made their way swiftly over the moist jungle floor, eyes keenly aware of their surroundings.
Natika felt a rush of excitement run through her body as she jogged lightly through the foliage, the warm air brushing over her exposed skin. Glimpsing a spot of black against the blend of greens ahead, the Queen dug her heels into the soil, halting her progress, and quietly let out a whistle akin to that of a bird. With her signal, the hunting party froze as she did, poised behind her awaiting further orders. Natika could see that the black colours were moving, indicative to her that these were indeed the uniforms of the Morzardrey soldiers that had entered her lands. She silently flung her arms out wide, then slowly brought her hands together at arms length. Noting the instruction, the other females carefully fanned out into a semi circle with their queen at the centre, each pulling a blowpipe from their belts. Natika did the same, and loaded one of the poisoned darts into the end. Slowly, they edged towards the platoon of warriors, walking now with their heels lifted as to not touch the ground. Within no time at all, the hunting party had positioned the intruders into the centre of the semi circle, remaining hidden and silent in the hot jungle air. With another, harsher whistle, the Queen and her female hunters unleashed a barrage of darts into the Morzardrey warriors, immediately instilling panic and confusion. Shouts came as men died and the platoon attempted to form up, all the while being assailed by spikes of death from unseen opponents.
Natika looked to the band on her thigh. Realising she had used up all of her darts she yelled a high pitched Athesian war cry, her tongue flipping up and down in her mouth. Her fellow hunters did the same, raising their spears and leaping into the Morzardrey soldiers. The few stunned humans that remained were taken by surprise. The fight was swift and bloody. No Athesian was killed, although a few sustained injuries from their larger human opponents. When only one soldier remained alive, punctured in many places and helpless on the floor, Natika gave the signal to hold. Her female Athesians took note of her command and formed up around her. Slowly, the Queen walked over to the dying soldier, hopping onto his chest. The warrior gazed back up at her, distress in his eyes.

"Your incursions are growing tiresome," she declared to the soldier in her own tongue, her green eyes narrowed and cruel, "Maybe you will serve as a lesson to these Morzardrey." The broken man tried to communicate, but was quickly silenced as Natika placed her foot on his neck, pushing all her weight down on his throat. Her vision remained fixated and angry as the man slowly suffocated, passing out of the world into the realm of death.

"My Queen" came a voice from behind her, as a hand gently came to rest on her shoulder, "He is dead." Natika glanced over to the hunter behind her, then slowly lifted her foot off the dead man's neck, hopping down from his torso.

"Well then," she began, her eyes losing their harshness, "Looks like we have enough meat to last us for at least a few nights! How convenient that the frog's poison doesn't hurt us!" The Athesian women chuckled together, grouping up to tie the fallen soldiers together for the long haul back to their settlement.

************************************

Natika became the ruler of the well established Athesian matriarchy at young age. Born during a time of strife, and having only reached puberty when she became Queen, Natika was faced with some difficult challenges. The human world had changed and advanced, and now they were beginning to raid the Athesians as much as they themselves had once hunted the humans. Times became dominated with the defence of Athesian jungles from the encroaching threats. Despite her youth, Natika was a strong and fierce warrior, who quickly grew into maturity and managed to hold the Athesian borders well against invaders, and even expand them in some regions.