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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 2, 2006 9:53:20 GMT -5
Hey everybody. This is my first post, so I'm a tick nervous. Awhile ago I started working on some OCs. I was talking with Isaia and in doing so, got inspired to start writing their backstory.
I sent her the first chapter last night, and she liked it. She suggested I submit it here to get some more feedback. So I hope you guys enjoy it, I apologize that it's so long.
Roses of the Valley
Chapter One: A Faulty Foundation
For as long as there has been war there have been those who stand to oppose it. As is expected, not all those who fall within this category utilize the same means to achieve the goal of peace.
There are those that would choose violence, striking to prevent further bloodshed. Yet this is foolish; for violence is able to begot one thing and one thing alone: Itself.
Some would choose neutrality. Yet it must be remembered that those who fight, those who suffer the wounds of battle and the loss of their fellow man, will always frown upon those who chose not to, even if the choice is the most sensible.
There are those who choose to preach of pacifism, to try to enforce their morals upon those around them. Yet preaching to those who have no desire to hear it is nothing more than bullying a man’s ear.
To this day, no one can ascertain the proper method of ending wars, of quenching a nation’s thirst for conquest. Yet during the height of Fire Lord Azulon’s rule, a select group of nobles believed that they had discovered that very thing.
The nobles of the Fire Nation could be divided quite simply into two categories; those who thought that stepping foot on the same street as a pauper was beneath them, and those that understood that the paupers were just as human, with just as many flaws and potential for good.
The former outweighed the latter immeasurably.
If the other Fire Nation nobles had any criticisms of Wen Lan, it was exactly that. Despite the respect she had garnered through her grace and understanding, she would often arrive late to meetings and appointments due to her constant chattering with those that were thought to hardly deserve her time or attention.
Yet to Wen Lan, there was no greater method to guiding her decisions than asking the very people whom had made her family’s fortune possible. She well understood that man alone has no power without the aid of others, that it is the responsibility of the powerful to act on behalf of the meek.
It was for this reason that she had no problem walking through the streets at night, the hood of her cloak pulled over her head to prevent anyone from recognizing her. She arrived at the clinic without delay, the streets empty and lit by the half moon hanging high above. She brought her hand to the door, knocking five times with her ring.
From five hundred paces you could tell the ring was of great beauty. It had been passed from daughter to daughter for generations, a new small yet intricate design added to the band each time. The gem was cut in the shape of the Fire Nation emblem, a ruby so pure that a jeweler would give his entire inventory merely to hold it.
A kind female voice answered the knocking, the door still closed between them. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed right now. If you need medicine, please come back in the morning.”
“The medicine I need is for a friend,” Wen Lan answered in a hushed yet gentle tone. This dialogue had been memorized and well rehearsed.
“Is the friend sick?”
“They’ve been very sick, for years upon years.”
“Who is your friend?”
“The Fire Nation.”
A moment later the door slid open, a smiling girl on the opposite side. Excitedly, she jumped into Wen Lan’s arms. She cared little for the business of the stuffy old men in the other room; she had been waiting the entire night for this particular guest.
“Big sister Wen!”
Her mouth could be seen just under the fold of the hood, her earnest smile having been formed the second she heard the girl’s voice. She placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders, laughing. “Hello Li Mei, how is your father?”
She looked up with shining eyes “He’s doing better now; mother says he’ll be able to go back to work by the next full moon!”
“That’s wonderful! Please congratulate him for me, and tell him to contact me if there’s anything else I can do for your family.”
“No no,” Li Mei waved her hand from side to side in polite refusal. “You’ve already done so much, big sister! Someday you have to let us help you instead!”
“Well then, if I ever get sick I’ll get medicine from this very clinic.”
“Good!” Li Mei smiled broadly.
“Now,” she leaned in a bit, lifting her hand to the side of her mouth as she whispered. “How many of those stuffy old men have arrived?”
Li Mei frowned, then whispered back “All of them, and Lord Hu has already insisted on drinking.”
She sighed, standing back up and walking into the clinic as Li Mei slid the door shut behind her. She removed her cloak, handing it to the girl.
Wen Lan was beautiful by all definitions of the word. Yet when the other nobles looked at her, their admiration of her features were usually followed with disappointment. She was beautiful, yes. But the combat training that she insisted on having and a lack of sleep she had acquired from working long into the night had robbed her of the image of a graceful Fire Nation female who avoided work. Such was highly attractive to the nobles.
Yet to the people, whom the nobles had little hesitation forgetting about, Wen Lan’s beauty was hard to contest.
Her burgundy and brown robes draped her body, her sleeves stretching inches beyond the tips of her fingers. Her black hair was tied back in a knot, forming a somewhat unkempt ponytail. Resting below her neck was the mantle of a Fire Nation noble, something she wore with the utmost pride.
Li Mei slid open the door to the room, five nobles sitting in polite anticipation of Wen Lan’s arrival.
“Lady Wen Lan has arrived,” Li Mei bowed her head, then closed the door behind her “big sister.”
She stepped to the one spot in the circle of nobles that appeared vacant, assuming that it had been left open for her. As she came down to her knees, she nodded her head with a kind but apologetic smile. “My apologies for being late, I had business to tend to at my family’s estate.”
“Completely unacceptable,” Hu muttered. He was old and stubborn, the sort who assumes that they’re always correct. If you were to catch Hu in a contradiction or error, he would insist that the conversation wasn’t worth his time anymore.
“Ah, Lord Hu, please do not start a needless argument.” Shaiming requested. He was something of a pacifist, always smiling and insisting that there was no need for conflict. Yet the truth of the matter was that Shaiming was a coward. This cowardice was trumped only by his desire for power.
“Hmm,” Bo noted. This was expected of Bo, it was all he ever said. Words were a waste of time in his eyes.
“Maybe Lord Hu would be more at ease if Lady Wen Lan were to explain why she values her estate more than her relations with other nobles,” Heng suggested. If a snake were to manifest itself as a person, it would have done so as Heng. Even his eyes suggested constant coldness and glee, his constant smile crooked.
“That is enough. Heng, do not cause trouble. Wen Lan, apologize to Hu for delaying our meeting. Hu, accept the apology.” Chao sat at the head of the room, an old man with experience, tact and wisdom. Out of the group, he was the only one that Wen Lan truly and honestly admired. He was aged; old enough that he had met and often had conversations with Avatar Roku.
“Lord Hu, I apologize.” Wen Lan bowed.
“Hmph,” Hu grunted.
“Hu,” Chao narrowed his eyes.
“Accepted.” Hu knew better than to contest Chao.
“Good. Now that we have all arrived, we can begin the discussion.” Chao lifted a cup of tea, blowing on it gently.
“What is it we are discussing?” Shaiming asked, this being his first time meeting with the group. He had been invited after one of Chao’s servants overheard him voice dismay with the current state of the world.
There was silence for a moment as the group looked towards Chao, feeling it was his right to explain, since he was the one who had started the meetings.
“The end of the war,” he answered.
“This is ridiculous!” Hu slammed his hand down on the floor.
“It is the only plan that has been suggested that doesn’t have obvious flaws though,” Wen Lan explained.
“Yes, but if Fire Lord Azulon were to find ou-“ Shaiming started.
“He will not find out if no one in this room tells him,” Chao interrupted, folding his arms.
Hu growled. “What you are suggesting is cowardice.”
Suddenly, the plan didn’t sound so bad to Shaiming.
“Hmm,” Bo threw in his opinion.
“Cowardice would be sitting in luxury all day while more families lose their loved ones,” Wen Lan glanced towards Hu.
“No, this plan is cowardice! Meeting with our very enemies!”
“It would be cunning if we were to meet with the Earth Kingdom generals to discuss a way to infiltrate and destroy the Fire Nation,” Heng grinned.
Everyone looked towards Heng, not sure where that statement had come from.
“…It was just a suggestion?” Heng shrugged, still grinning.
“Which part is it that makes you regard it as cowardice?” Chao looked towards Hu.
“The whole thing!” He snapped.
“Lord Chao, could you review it again? And this time, Lord Hu, please remark why each part is an act of cowardice.” Wen Lan suggested.
“Fine,” Hu growled.
“Hmm.” Bo made a good point.
Wanting to get to it directly, Chao omitted the introduction of his plan and began with the first phase of it. “First, we each leave the Fire Nation on business.”
“There, that is cowardice! If we feel we are doing the right thing, then why hide it from the Fire Lord?”
“Do you really feel that Fire Lord Azulon would be content with us leaving in order to make peace with the Earth Kingdom?” Chao narrowed his eyes again.
Hu was silent, searching around in his head for a proper response. He was well aware of the truth of the statement.
“The choice is either not informing the Fire Lord and surviving, or telling him of our plans and being exiled, if we are lucky.”
“I find not telling the Fire Lord to be most agreeable,” Shaiming smiled.
“So do I, survival beats death.” Heng’s statement was more philosophy than compliance.
“Fine, I withdraw my complaint of cowardice on that account.”
“Very well then. Following this, each of us will journey to a particular Earth Kingdom. There, we will be meeting with nobles to discuss neutrality from the war in those particular areas.”
“That is what I don’t understand,” Shaiming remarked. “What can we possibly offer them that would coerce them to agree to that?”
“We have each been blessed with economic prosperity. We can use that to support the Earth Kingdom towns and villages that agree to comply. This way, they will be able to maintain their wealth both individually and as a whole.”
“That makes the assumption that these villages will hold wealth in a higher regard than conflict or principle!” Hu practically spat the words.
“No,” Wen Lan looked over towards him. “It makes an assumption that the people will resign to their ultimate desire; peace.”
“You really believe that peace is what a person desires most?” Heng grinned a little.
“Yes,” she responded calmly, completely sincere in this philosophy.
“But is it not the case that the fire nation would continue to invade and conquer despite some of the nations becoming neutral?” Shaiming asked out of fear of fighting.
“We may be able to prevent such if we successfully gain the support of a few Earth Kingdom villages. If they agree to neutrality and we are able to present this fact to Fire Lord Azulon, it is possible that one of two things will happen,” Chao began. “First, he may decide that our method has advantages, and choose to seek further neutrality from the Earth Kingdom villages until their armies fold and return home. Second, he utilizes their neutrality and offers them benefit and status if they pledge loyalty to the Fire Nation.”
“Or the third possibility, that he becomes enraged at our cowardice and has us executed!” Hu snapped again.
“Do you honestly feel the Fire Lord would destroy you if you were to approach him with news that the great city of Omashu will not attack his armies?” Chao managed to maintain his calm despite Hu’s constant outbursts.
“Hmph,” he grunted.”
“Hmm,” Bo responded.
“So we bleed the Earth Kingdom dry of some of their resources and manpower, then the Fire Nation armies can finish the campaign. I like it,” Heng smirked.
“No. What we’re hoping for is that the Earth Kingdom armies will return home, not that they die,” Wen Lan corrected.
“But what if they choose to fight?” Shaiming voiced his concern yet again.
“What is there to fight for?” Heng shrugged. “The Fire Nation’s territory grows more every day. The Water Tribes have fled to opposite sides of the world, and the Avatar is dead.”
Chao glared, opening his mouth to correct and berate Heng for such a notion. Before he could speak, he was interrupted.
“No.”
Everyone looked at Bo in surprise.
“The Avatar. He is not dead. He is waiting.” The old man looked up, then towards Chao. “Correct, yes?”
Still surprised, Chao nodded. “Yes. I feel it too.”
Wen Lan smiled at the old men, gaining admiration for another in the room in that brief moment.
“Regardless, it is only a matter of time before the Fire Nation manages to end this war. We may as well end it as the lords and rulers of newly annexed Earth Kingdom villages.” Heng began grinning again, this time at the thought of having an entire city of subjects.
“I feel you are missing the point of this,” Chao looked towards Heng with slight suspicion.
“So, this plan…We all agree to it?” Shaiming was curious as to everyone’s current state of mind.
“Yes,” Chao nodded solemnly.
“Yes,” Wen Lan smiled.
“Sure,” Heng was busy with the notion of using Earth Kingdom women as a footstool.
“Hmm,” Bo confirmed.
“…Fine,” Hu grunted.
“Then when will we enact it?” Shaiming looked back towards Chao.
“I have already arranged for Wen Lan to be dispatched to the village of Bai-Jing. There are many Earth Kingdom nobles there, and I feel she can persuade all of them with her kindness and sincerity.” With a smile, Chao looked towards Wen Lan.
Hu, much to no one’s surprise, became enraged again. “You already made arrangements for this?! Is this true?!” He commanded Wen Lan to answer.
“It is true that Lord Chao has arranged transport for me to be sent to Bai-Jing, and that I will speak with the Earth Kingdom nobles there in effort to convince them that neutrality may be best.”
“What isn’t true, then?” Heng could see Wen Lan was avoiding saying something.
There was silence, before she brought her hands to the ground, bowing in the direction of Chao. “Lord Chao, I mean you no disrespect in this, but there is something I must disagree with in your statement.”
“Hmm?” Bo was surprised.
“You say that you’ve arranged for me to be dispatched, yet this implies that I am going only by your own volition. Yet I must disagree, because it is my own choice and desire for peace that guides me.”
There was silence as Chao smiled. “Sit up, child.”
Following this instruction, Wen Lan came back up to her knees.
He looked upon her, studying her features. She was born to a close friend of his, and had his passion in her eyes. Her appearance was as beautiful as her mother’s, yet her heart held the fire of a hundred flames. He smiled again, wishing to himself that she had been born long ago, so that Roku would have been given the opportunity to meet her. “You are right, Wen Lan. Thank you for your correction.”
“Hmph,” Hu grunted. “Glad to see you are capable of being humble.”
“Glad to see you have learned how to hold your alcohol better,” she muttered.
Bo smirked, Chao snapped in surprise. “Wen Lan!”
“My apologies, Lord Hu,” her apologetic bow was hard to believe, what with her triumphant smile.
Lord Hu was not pleased.
Listening in from outside the room, Li Mei smiled. As she walked down the hallway, she hoped quietly to herself for the safety of Wen Lan, and for the success of the plan these nobles were intending to enact.
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 2, 2006 9:54:11 GMT -5
“I wish you safe passage,” Chao smiled as he turned towards Wen Lan.
She finished reviewing something with the lead of her escorting party, then turned towards Chao with a smile, bowing gracefully. “I thank you for your consideration, Lord Chao.”
“I have no doubts that you will be successful in your discussions with the nobles of the Earth Kingdom. But as you do, I ask that you take these travels as a chance to relax and to catch up on your rest.”
Her smile had changed from one of endearment to one of touched warmth. She took the old man’s head in her hands, lifting his head down to her mouth so as to kiss his forehead. She bowed again. “Thank you for always watching over me.”
He bowed in return. “Thank you for always making your parent’s legacy stronger.”
She was a noble, but in her heart, still a girl. Having completed all pleasantries and polite methods of parting, she wrapped her arms around Chao, burying her face in his chest.
Laughing, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Go, child. You have much work to do!”
She bowed again, turning and making her way towards the awaiting escort party, made up of personal guards from her family’s estate.
“Ah, just a moment,” Chao remembered as he reached into his sleeve. “I almost forgot this,” He handed her a scroll.
Wen Lan examined it, not sure as to it’s meaning. She inserted it into her sleeve to read later.
“Li Mei presented it to me, asking me to give it to you. She would have herself, but she is busy helping her mother with at clinic.”
She smiled, bowed again, and hurried towards the party. As she stepped to the front of it, her lead guard turned towards her curiously.
“Glad t’be away from the nobles?” Gang was of average height, slightly stocky in his appearance. He had been employed by Wen Lan’s family for years, as evidence by his hair and thick beard, both of which had streaks of gray. He had served Wen Lan a babysitter when she was young, and a bodyguard when she became head of the family’s estate.
“I suppose so. At least now I won’t have to speak so carefully and properly.” Wen Lan had no trouble being polite, yet didn’t enjoy it for prolonged periods of time. “I will miss Lord Chao and Lord Bo, though.”
Gang smiled as they continued walking.
By the time the Fire Nation capitol had disappeared from their sight, Lord Chao had already been abducted.
The sack was removed from his head, his vision blurred. As he collected himself he recognized the vast room, the wall of fire before him hinting greatly.
Lord Azulon sat at its center, glaring angrily. “You have betrayed the Fire Nation,” he began.
Chao was well aware of the situation he had found himself in. The method in which he had been delivered to the Fire Lord was evidence enough that he wouldn’t survive the encounter. “No. I have only tried to ease the wounds of this war.”
The flames around the Fire Lord began to grow. “You have undermined my absolute rule by making suggestion to our enemies that we as a nation are not united in our goal.”
“I have done nothing Roku would frown upon.”
“Roku is dead.”
“No,” Chao looked up, glaring. “The Avatar, he is waiting. And when he returns, he will restore balance to the elements.”
The flames grew higher.
“I have held my tongue long enough, Azulon. For too long, I have kept secret a fact that I am well aware of. When the Avatar returns? When he restores balance?”
The flames continued to grow.
“He will start by destroying you.” The old man grinned, shedding the last scrap of hope.
“Enough!” Azulon barked, the flames bursting around him as he stood. “Our enemies will now suspect we are cowards. They will lash out stronger than before, and I will strike them down with equal ferocity.”
Chao’s eyes went wide, unable to shake the feeling of truth behind these words.
“Your goal was peace, to end conflict. Yet the rage your betrayal has caused me, it will inspire a wrath unparalleled!”
He looked towards the floor, muttering quietly, “You will be destroyed.”
Having had enough, Azulon whipped his body back, stepping forward as a great wave of fire erupted from his hand, engulfing the upstart noble.
The flames danced along the floor, as Chao’s silhouette stepped out from them, his clothes burned, his body unscathed. He looked up towards the Fire Lord, aging though younger than he. He stepped back, lifting his arms. “Did you really suspect that I would gain no strength from my friendship with Roku?”
Azulon stood glaring. Smirking slightly.
Chao’s eyebrows furrowed, curious as to why the Fire Lord had suddenly smirked. He turned as he realized it, a moment too late as sharp steel tore through his back.
A sudden coldness. A sudden distance.
Then darkness.
Azulon stood calmly, looking towards the body. “You will be rewarded for bringing his treachery to my attention. His wealth now becomes yours to do with what you please.”
The figure stepped closer to the light, over the bleeding noble. “What of the others, my lord?”
“They are being dealt with. Their assets will be liquidated, and shall henceforth be property of the Fire Nation.”
“But what of Wen Lan?”
Azulon sat slowly, regaining his composure. “She shall be exiled. Should she return here, her death will be immediate. A messenger will be dispatched to deliver this.”
“Just exiled, my lord?”
Azulon narrowed his eyes. “Do you feel it wise to question me?”
“No, my lord. I was just surprised.”
“My armies are occupied enough. I will not delay them with hunting one foolish girl.”
“Very well, my lord.”
“You are dismissed,” the Fire Lord suggested coldly.
“Yes, my lord,” Shaiming bowed, stepping back over the body as he left the great hall. Shaiming was a coward, but this was nothing compared to his lust for power.
“Ha ha, what a shame!” Heng grinned as he spun around, kicking a roof tile towards an oncoming Fire Nation soldier. He continued to spin, lashing his sword out into the chest of the one approaching from the opposite side. He dropped the body to the side of the building before continuing along the roof.
It didn’t take much effort on his part to understand what had happened, yet there was a sincere disappointment. He had been planning on giving up the others to the Fire Lord when the time was right, yet it seemed someone had beaten him to it.
He had little time to reflect on it as a burst of flame tore in front of him. He fell to his stomach, rolling along the roof before dropping to the ground and continuing to run. The soldiers blocking his path did little to stop him as he sword continued it’s flight, tearing through each one. He rushed to the gate of the estate, slowing as he came to it. He opened the gates, slamming them shut behind him before locking them. He turned to continue fleeing, stopping as he was greeted by a squad of battle ready soldiers.
His sword dropping, he lifted his hands up, shrugging a little as he grinned. “Alright, you got me. I surrender.”
Silence.
He laughed. “What, aren’t you going to take me to the Fire Lord?”
“No,” the leader answered.
Puzzled, he thought about this a moment. As he realized the situation, his eyes widened, each of the soldiers launching streams of flame at him. He fell to his knees, screaming and clawing around before finally falling, his charred body succumbing to the cold.
Hu’s fate was much less glamorous.
“Hmm. So Azulon has found out our plans.”
“Yes. The Fire Lord requests that you come with us,” the soldier explained as he kneeled before the noble.
He closed his eyes, setting down his pipe. “Yes, I suppose that would be best.” He stood, making his way to the door.
Hu, fierce in attitude and skilled in Fire Bending, felt a sudden sharp pain in his back. Within an instant, the world grew distant, then faded to nothingness.
“Think this’ll be a problem?”
“Nah,” the second soldier answered. “The guy’s old and never speaks. We’ll just bring him in, then deal with him.”
“Good.” As the first soldier said this, another soldier was thrown through the entrance to the grounds. The two soldiers turned, readying themselves quickly into a combat stance. Before they could complete the maneuver, two spirals of flame poured into their chests, knocking them back onto the ground.
Bo stepped slowly, glaring as his body smoked with an intensity hardly ever seen in him. He stepped past the two bodies and came to a halt, looking around. Three guards had been dispatched, and he’d already dealt with each. He knelt down by the guards, tearing pieces of their armor off and dressing himself in them. Disguised, he made his way quietly into the night.
At the insistence of her guards, Wen Lan had been riding atop an ostrich horse for the past hour. She reached into her sleeve, opening the slip of paper and reading from it as a small leather bracelet fell from it into her other hand.
“Dear big sister Wen; I’m sorry that I couldn’t come out and say goodbye to you myself. I hope Lord Chao remembered to give this to you, he’s so forgetful sometimes...Ha ha, don’t tell him I said that! Anyway, I know you have a lot of fancy jewelry that you can choose from, so I feel awkward making this for you. It’s a bracelet, so that you don’t forget me and my family while you’re out stopping the war. I really hope that you, Lord Heng, Lord Shaiming, Lord Hu, Lord Bo and Lord Chao have lots of success! The bracelet is leather, but I made little charms for it. There’s one for the Earth Kingdom, that’s where you’re going, right? Then there’s one for the Water Tribes, and I made one for the Air Nomads, even though mom says they’re all gone…And the last one is the Fire Nation symbol, because that’s your home. So don’t ever forget me, okay? You have to come back so we can play again. From, Li Mei.”
Wen Lan smiled softly, studying the bracelet and putting the letter into her sleeve. She placed it on, holding the reins of the ostrich horse as she continued along, with confidence and hope.
Dedicated to Isaia, for her kindness and support.
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babbs
Cabbage Merchant
Posts: 4,101
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Post by babbs on Jun 2, 2006 17:44:04 GMT -5
Hey giroro, it's babbs from devART. xD Good job on your first OC fic! I really like it, especially Wen Lan. This was very nicely written, and be sure to alert us if you're going to write more. ^w^
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 2, 2006 23:56:07 GMT -5
I actually wrote the second chapter to this shortly after posting the first here on the forum. And I'd really like to say, thank you Babbs. I was really hoping that the first feedback I got outside of Isaia's would be positive and encouraging.
You gave me exactly that, and I'm very grateful for it. I hope everyone's enjoying the story, any feedback is appreciated. And now, chapter two!
Chapter Two: Hunters and Hearts
“Sir, we’ve found something,” Seung brushed aside the cloth separating the tent from the rest of the Earth Kingdom encampment.
The Earth Kingdom general looked up from a map of the nearby river, irritated slightly by the guard’s disregard for etiquette. “What is it?”
With no other words, Seung presented a scroll to the general, a ribbon tied around it tightly with the mark of the fire nation. He then bowed, taking a step back.
Dak-Ho was notorious among the other generals of the Earth Kingdom army. Not for cunning, not for skill, but for his unreliable strength. He was the sort who could cut an opponent down with great might, yet he often disobeyed the orders and commands of those above him, regarding them more as suggestions.
As he continued reading, his smile grew. He placed the scroll down carefully, looking towards the guard. “Where did you find this?”
“During a routine patrol, our squad intercepted a Fire Nation messenger carrying a few rations and this scroll.”
“And where is the messenger now?”
“Detained, sir. He’s being kept at the edge of camp, pending your command.”
“Kill him,” the speed in which the order was given was a clear indication of Dak-Ho’s lack of compassion.
“…Sir?” The question was automatic, Seung unsure as to why a messenger would deserve death.
“He’s an ally of the Fire Nation, kill him,” he looked up, his eyes narrowing.
“…Yes sir.” He bowed again, turning to exit.
“One last thing,” his eyes fell to the scroll again.
“Sir?” He turned again, awaiting his command. “Wake the other soldiers; position everyone for an ambush along the river. When their boats pass, we strike.”
Seung couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. “But sir, I thought our commands were to escort the Fire Nation representatives.”
Dak-Ho stood slowly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a sadistic smirk. He stepped towards his equipment, drawing out his large hammer. Resting it on his shoulder, he turned back towards the guard. “Are you questioning me?”
“…No sir,” it was hard for him to lie.
“Our orders were to escort an aristocrat of the Fire Nation.” He paused, the smirk remaining as he chuckled slightly. In a swift motion he lifted the hammer, slamming it down upon the table. It split down the middle, the scroll shred beneath the pressure of the hit.
Seung remained still, not particularly caring for his commander’s theatrics.
“But if she’s just an exile, then we can do whatever we want.” He tossed his hammer aside, sitting back down.
If there was one thing that Seung detested, it was Dak-Ho’s insistence that his will was the will of his soldiers. He bowed again, leaving the tent. He stormed towards the entrance to the camp, two soldiers calling out to him. Between them was a bound Fire Nation messenger.
“Hey, Seung! What did Dak-Ho say we should do with him?”
He approached them, looking down at the messenger. His eyes came back to the soldier, spitting the words slightly as he answered. “He said to kill him.”
“What? Why?” The second guard looked down at the messenger, whose fear was only enhanced by the response. “He didn’t come here looking to make trouble.”
“Stand him up.” Seung’s voice had gained a sudden coldness.
The two guards grasped the messenger by the shoulders, lifting him.
Drawing out his knife, Seung approached him slowly, stopping a few inches from the messenger as he cowered.
“Are you a soldier of the Fire Nation?”
“Y…Yes…” He shuddered.
“What’s your name?”
“N…Ning, sir…”
“…Hmm.” Seung thrust his shoulder into Ning’s chest, a sudden pressure upon the messenger’s stomach as he let out a yelp. His breathing heavy, he felt a hand go over his mouth. Motionless, Seung simply stared forward. “Ning is dead. Your name is Shui, you’re an exile of the Earth Kingdom. You will go seek refuge in the Fire Nation.”
There was silence as Shui processed the words.
Still close enough to Ning to make it look as though he’d delivered the final blow, he whispered to the earth soldier, “Take his knife.”
Obeying without hesitation, the guard drew out the Fire Nation blade, tossing it down so as to let it stab into the ground.
Seung moved himself back slightly, withdrawing the butt end of the knife from Shui’s gut. He turned it, sliding it into the now empty sheath before whispering again. “This is your proof of being an Earth Kingdom citizen, don’t lose it.” He stepped back, folding his arms.
The second soldier lifted Shui over his shoulder, looking towards Seung. “What if they ask where your knife went?”
“The tip broke off when I stabbed a Fire Nation messenger,” he shrugged. He picked up the messenger’s knife before waving his hand out towards the forest and barking an order “Go dump it in the river!”
The two soldiers bowed quickly, understanding the order to release Shui near the river. They then hurried into the thick of the woods, Shui keeping his eyes closed but mouthing two words silently. “Thank you.” Seung nodded as he turned, walking towards the camp.
“I think it would be a good idea,” Gang nodded as he walked alongside the ostrich horse. “It would make traveling more enjoyable in the long run.”
“Excellent! Now, Gang, I have an offer for you,” Wen Lan smiled from atop the ostrich horse.
“Eh?”
“I’ll buy you and everyone else in the party one if you agree to let me walk the next leg of the journey.”
“But, my lady! What if you trip, or dust gets in your eyes?!” If ever there was an example of being overprotective, it was Gang.
“Gang, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be fine, and riding the entire way makes me feel awkward.”
“Then who’s going to ride, my lady? Someone has to, or the bird will get lazy!” As he said this, the ostrich horse snapped it’s beak at him.
“Xiu can, she’s very good with ostrich horses,” she explained as she rubbed the ostrich horse’s neck, calming it.
Xiu, a servant of Wen Lan, waved her hand from the other side of the ostrich horse.
“Fine, fine!” Gang sighed. “So we’ll be stopping at that town, then?” He nodded his head towards an Earth Kingdom village in the distance.
“Yes, they’ll carry what we’re after and we can restock on food,” she noted.
Wen Lan had anticipated animosity from the Earth Kingdom as they passed through, but felt their presence would be mostly ignored. She found this to be a fallacy, as the village’s citizens stared hatefully at the party. Men and women closed their windows, children sneered from alleys.
Gang glanced around, searching more for threats to Wen Lan than people’s reactions. It was after he had passed a particular alley that a child threw a rock towards Wen Lan’s head.
Leaning back slightly, she caught the rock in her right hand, handing it calmly to Xiu. Maintaining a graceful demeanor she continued on, not even acknowledging it. Her eyes lit up as she found what they had been searching for. “Gang, there!” She dismounted.
He walked behind her, keeping an eye out for trouble as they approached the hat vendor.
“Hello,” she bowed softly. “My party and I have traveled far and still have quite a journey ahead of us. May we see your selection?”
The old man stood with his arms folded, his eyes narrow. “I don’t sell hats.”
Wen Lan understood what the vendor was hinting at, Gang not catching on so fast. He looked at the various hats stocked throughout the booth. “What are you talking about? You have hats everywhere.”
“Not for Fire Nation, I don’t.”
Gang glared, slamming his hand down on the counter. “Do you have any idea who this is?” He nodded his head towards Wen Lan.
“Gang, that’s quite enough,” she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Sir, we’ve been invited by Chin-Hwa of Bai-Jing.” She presented a letter from the noble, folding her hands in front of her politely before bowing. “We would very much appreciate if you would sell us some of your wares.”
“I won’t touch Fire Nation money.”
“You!” Gang growled.
She lifted her hand in front of Gang, halting him. She bowed again, taking back the letter. “I thank you for your time, sir.” She turned, walking back towards the party. Smiling reassuringly, she moved on to the next order of business. “Shall we try to get some food?”
Xiu could tell in an instant what had happened, Gang’s face still red with anger.
They made their way to a small restaurant, the villagers scowling as they watched in silence. Standing at the entrance was a frail old woman, her granddaughter standing beside her with her hands folded in front of her.
Wen Lan approached carefully, stopping a few feet before them. Bowing, she voiced her business politely. “Hello Madame. I was wondering if my party could trouble you for some food and a drink?”
The old woman trotted forward, bowing in response “I’m sorry, young lady…You were polite to that stubborn old fool, even though he was so awful…But, if I serve you…”
Wen Lan looked to her left, villagers staring with hatred. “…I understand,” she smiled softly.
“I’m sorry,” the old woman pleaded.
With reassuring smile, Wen Lan bowed again. “Thank you for your consideration, I wish you great fortune.” Turning back towards the party, she nodded towards Gang. “It’s best that we leave.”
Glaring around, he nodded. There were too many threats to Wen Lan, here.
As they approached the border of the village, a voice called out behind them. “Wait!”
Wen Lan turned, watching as the granddaughter ran up holding a hat in her hands. Panting, she held it up to Wen Lan. “My grandmother wants you to have this; it was hers when she was younger.”
Bowing deeply, Wen Lan took it gently. “Please thank her for me, her kindness is much appreciated.”
“Just don’t lose it,” the daughter warned, still catching her breath. She turned, walking back towards the village.
“Nice of ‘er,” Gang folded his arms.
Turning, Wen Lan offered the hat to Xiu. “Xiu, your skin is more delicate than mine. Please wear this.”
Xiu brought her hands up in front of her, blushing at her lady’s kindness. “No no, that’s yours now!”
“I can’t wear it if I’m worrying about the sun stinging you, can I?” she smiled.
“I…I guess not…” Xiu took the hat, bowing so deeply that others were surprised she managed to bring herself back up.
“Good,” Wen Lan smiled cheerfully, walking towards the front of the party. “Let’s continue on, then.”
Though smiling, Wen Lan felt a sudden fear, a worry that the other villages would all exhibit as much, perhaps even less compassion.
Huan stepped into the guest room, her body exhausted from the work the clinic required, her heart taxed by her daughter’s deep sadness. She looked towards their guest, a man who had gained a sudden infamy within the capitol.
“The patrols have died down, I think they’re searching farther outside the city now,” she reassured.
“Hmm.”
An awkward pause. Huan had little idea how to converse with Lord Bo.
“…Li Mei. Ever since she found out, she’s been in her room. She refuses to speak.”
“Hmm.”
“I…I was wondering…”
“Hmm?” He looked back over his shoulder towards the woman.
“Perhaps…You could go speak with her?”
“…Hmm.” Bo stood up, dressed in simple robes. He walked past Huan without another word, as she bowed in gratitude.
She then wondered how successful a conversation would be between two people that don’t talk.
Bo slid the door to Li Mei’s room open, closing it behind him as he approached her.
She lay in the corner, her face wet with tears, both fresh and faded.
“…Hmm,” he started as he sat down near her.
“…Did you know her well?”
“…Hmmm.” When Bo extended the “hmm,” it usually indicated either “no” or “Well…” Those who knew Bo for long periods of time could easily tell the difference.
“…When I was little, our fathers were good friends. Big sister Wen would come over and play with me. She always made me smile, even when father became sick.”
“Hmm,” he nodded. He did not know Wen Lan as well as Li Mei did, but from what he did know, this was hardly surprising.
“Then when her father got sick, I felt so bad. I wanted to cheer her up, like she always cheered me up. When father got sick, she gave us money so that he could get better.”
“Hmm.”
“But when her father got sick, I couldn’t do anything,” she closed her eyes tight, the words paining her. “I tried,” she squealed. “Mother and I, we tried to make so many medicines!” As she continued, her tears became stronger, her face growing hotter. “But no matter what we tried, he just got sicker, and then he died! He died and I went to see her, and I could tell she was sad but she kept smiling! She smiled at me, and it hurt, because I knew she was faking!”
“…” He had no sounds for this.
“And she still helped my family and she was still my wonderful big sister Wen, and she still kept smiling and worked hard, and she never hurt anyone! She never did anything wrong!” Weakly, she pounded her fist on the floor. She sat up, turning towards Bo as she sobbed “Why, Lord Bo?! Why does she keep getting punished for being nice?!”
He took her into his arms, holding her close as she sobbed into his chest, chanting her question. As she calmed, she leaned back, looking up at him.
“How will I know? How will I know she’s okay?”
“…” Bo lifted his finger, placing it on Li Mei’s chest as she stared at it curiously. He traced her heart, smiling softly.
She looked back up at him, her eyes filling with tears again as she clutched him.
An hour later, she had drifted back to sleep. He placed her down carefully, walking out of the room. He slid the door shut quietly, looking up quickly at the sound of a voice.
“What will you do now?” Bai asked. Li Mei’s father, husband to Huan, Bai was not the most famous, but a well known and respected doctor.
“…” Bo turned his back to Bai, walking down the hall towards the guest room, where the Fire Nation armor he had stolen was. He spoke one word as he did.
“Justice.”
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 2, 2006 23:57:44 GMT -5
“It’s so peaceful,” Wen Lan smiled, standing near the edge of the riverboat. It was larger than the military riverboats, intended for ferrying passengers instead of troops.
“Yes, I’m glad that Lord Chao didn’t forget to arrange this for us.”
“Xiu!” Wen Lan laughed.
The girl brought her hands up to her mouth, blushing. “I’m sorry my lady, I didn’t mean to say that out loud!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Lord Chao is very forgetful, that’s hardly a secret. She turned towards the top of the boat, calling out to Gang. “How goes your lookout?”
Gang called back down, a look of suspicion in his expression. “My lady, I see no one on the banks of the river, but I can tell someone was camping out along it recently!”
“That’s odd. Continue your lookout then,” she called back to him. Keeping Gang on lookout duty allowed him to focus his paranoia on one task, instead of the entire party at once. Wen Lan took advantage of this often.
“…My Lady?” Xiu’s eyes strained a little as she looked along the bank of the river, hearing something in the distance.
Before she could warn Wen Lan, a boulder slammed into the side of the boat, knocking her down. As she looked up, she could see Wen Lan already taking a combat stance.
“Ha ha, that was weak! Fire from both sides!” Dak-Ho barked.
Seung threw his arm forward from the opposite side of the river, the three Earthbenders beside him stomping a foot upon the ground as a chunk of stone rose up before them. Thrusting their palms out, the boulder launched towards the boat.
Wen Lan dove down, grasping Xiu and running towards the back of the boat, placing her down. Turning quickly, she called up to Gang as he regained his composure.
“Gang! Send the other guards to one shore, you take the other! Disable their distance advantage!”
“Yes ma’am!” Gang growled furiously, outraged that someone would dare put his lady in danger. He jumped off of the boat’s top, barking orders to the guards as they came out of the hold. With little hesitation, he dove off the side of the boat, making his way towards the shore.
Dak-Ho grinned at the sight of the guards storming the shore. Waving his hand, he motioned some of his assault troops to step forward, calling out to Seung to follow suit.
The assault troops positioned themselves in front of the Earthbenders. The Earthbenders responded by slamming their feet into the ground, a boulder rising up beneath the assault troops. With careful and steady motion, they launched the boulders towards the ship, the assault troops now having quick, though unstable, passage.
Wen Lan pushed Xiu towards the hold. “Make sure the other servants are alright!” Turning towards the troops, she took a stance. Her face held a look of serene calm, her heart burning with anxious anticipation.
Dak-Ho glanced casually to the side, then gave it his full attention. The noble’s guards had somehow managed to overwhelm his troops. Scowling, he grasped the shoulder of one of the Earthbenders.
“I need a hostage. Get me onto that boat.”
The bender nodded, repeating the same motion he had before.
Leaping slightly, Gang rolled his hands in a circular motion, thrusting his fist out as he landed. A stream of fire tore through the advancing wave of troops, the Earthbenders turning their attention towards him. Stepping back and lifting his hands, he breathed deeply, grinning with the satisfaction of battle.
Seung stepped directly between them all, lifting his palm towards his soldiers. He turned towards them, giving careful and simple instruction. “The soldiers on the opposite shore are being overtaken by the noble’s guards. Get yourself over there and aid them. I want no casualties from either side.”
The benders nodded, rushing towards the river.
“You must think mighty highly of yourself, going up against me alone,” Gang grinned.
Seung smirked, taking a stance. “I’d say the exact same for you.”
“My name is Gang, bodyguard of lady Wen Lan.” He stepped forward, readying himself. “Firebender.”
“I am Seung, second in command to Dak-Ho of the Earth Kingdom army.” He opened his fists, his fingers tense. “Earthbender.”
There was a brief pause before the two began their duel.
“Give up, woman! We have you surrounded!” One of the soldiers called out, wanting to avoid having to hurt a girl.
“I don’t know how to give up,” she smiled kindly. Wen Lan’s smile alone could sometimes completely disarm an opponent.
“Your choice,” one of the soldiers yelled as he rushed, thrusting his pike at her.
In one quick motion, Wen Lan sidestepped the pike, turning her body around and grasping the soldier by the chin. She lifted him with little trouble, crouching as she slammed his head down into the deck of the ship.
As two soldiers approached her from both sides she leapt, kicking her feet out in either direction, shattering one’s nose while dislodging the teeth of the other. She landed as another lashed his pike out. Ducking under, she quickly rolled forward, standing just behind the soldier as she lifted a foot, kicking him behind each kneecap. As he fell to his knees she stepped forward, grabbing the back of his head and slamming him face first into the deck.
Another soldier rushed her, this time approaching from her front. She dropped onto her back, swinging her legs up and closing them in a scissor-kick, the pike snapping. As he slowed, she spun up onto her feet, swinging her leg out to trip him. Crouching, she realized the presence of another soldier behind her.
“Get away from her!” Xiu screeched as she slammed a plank into the soldier’s head. Dazed, he lashed the pike out at her as he fell, cutting her across the arm.
Wen Lan grasped Xiu as she winched in pain, scolding her. “Xiu, I told you to stay below deck!”
“But what if you were hurt?” she pleaded.
“You’re the one who got hurt!” Wen Lan groaned.
“Touching scene,” Dak-Ho greeted, standing at the opposite end of the boat. The back section of the deck had been destroyed by the boulder he arrived on.
Wen Lan glared as Xiu clutched her arm.
He looked around, examining his troops. “Oh my. One little lady managed to decimate my best assault unit? I’m shocked!”
She stood up, stepping in front of Xiu protectively.
“You look like you want to fight. That isn’t very noble of you,” he teased, resting his hammer over his shoulder.
Stepping forward, she took her combat stance.
“You did manage to put yourself in a bad position, though.”
Silence.
“You got rid of my troops. And that means you’ve taken away the one thing that would hold me back.”
Silence again.
“Witnesses,” he grinned sadistically as he slammed his hammer down, dislodging the boulder. Spinning around, he tore a section of it away, launching it towards Wen Lan as she made her approach.
Able to dodge the first, the second tore into the deck before her, forcing her back a step. More sections of rock rained down towards her, her dodging and mindfulness of Xiu behind her keeping her pinned. It was a matter of minutes before she was forced to leap in front of a rock that had been aimed for Xiu’s head.
“Ha ha! You can’t even Firebend, can you!?” he cackled, lifting the last and largest section of boulder. “And you thought you could stand up to me?”
She glared, not giving him the satisfaction of a response.
“This will be pleasant, for me. First, I’ll start by killing your guards. Then? Your servants. When I’m done doing that, all in front of you, mind you, I’ll tame you. Make you my personal slave.” He lifted the boulder, taking a wide stance. “Won’t that be fun? A Fire Nation noble becomes an Earth Kingdom slave!”
“My lady…” Xiu worried softly.
He cackled as he launched the boulder towards them.
Wen Lan started to push Xiu out of harm’s way, stopping as she became aware of something large dropping down in front of her. She closed her eyes, bit of rock crumbling around the object in an explosion of earth. She opened her eyes, quickly studying what had fallen in front of her.
He was a large man, by all observations. His body was tall, not one spot failing to exhibit an intimidating degree of muscle. His feet and legs were tied tight in bandages, his cloth Earth Kingdom pants tattered and ending at his knees, adorned with metal lined belt. A torn cloth hung down the front, his upper body dressed in nothing but faded scars. His back exhibited a large scar in the shape of an “x,” the first thing Wen Lan noticed. On each arm was a metallic shield in the shape of the Earth Kingdom emblem. His face was unknown, for it was concealed by a Hannya mask.
He stood silently, bits of rock and dust coating his front and falling from his shields.
Wen Lan noticed Dak-Ho’s face, surprised by it. The look of fear didn’t surprise her, she had every intention of causing him the very same within a few moments. It was the cause and degree. It was merely the sight of this man that had caused Dak-Ho’s face to morph into a visage of absolute terror. As he stepped back, Dak-Ho managed one word.
“…Demon…”
Dedicated to Isaia, for submitting an amazing image of some of the characters from the story to me.
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 4, 2006 21:00:40 GMT -5
Hey again, everyone. I imagine that by now, my constant updating of new chapters to this story is probably aggrivating and taking up space on the forum.
But even if that's the case, I really would appreciate some feedback. Even if it's just "It's too long, dude."
Anyway, chapter three! I hope those of you that do read through it enjoy.
Chapter Three: Departures
When acting naturally, Seung was by no means an intimidating man. His face was clean shaven, save a tuft of hair at the base of his chin. (This wasn’t intentional; it was simply because when Seung shaved, the reflective surfaces he would use to check his progress were usually curved, making it difficult for him to see the aforementioned facial hair. If you were to tell him about it, he would immediately feel around his jaw with a puzzled look until he found it.)
Seung was well respected, both by his superiors and by the troops below him. Far more so than the arrogant and insubordinate Dak-Ho, whose promotion to the rank of general was due strictly to a decisive victory years prior.
Upon asking Dak-Ho to recount the tale, he would regale his troops with the story of his twenty hour siege of the fire nation camp, his hammer never faltering nor going still for a moment. Through his brilliant maneuvers and understanding of the enemy, he was able to overcome vast odds and destroy those before him with masterful Earthbending.
Seung was more reluctant to discuss it. Yet to those whom heard him tell the story, it was far less inspiring. In the dead of night, Dak-Ho led an assault unit with twice as many soldiers as the Fire Nation encampment housed. As they slept, he had each and every soldier slaughtered, the skulls of their generals becoming aspects of his armor. Dak-Ho himself did nothing, remaining on the outskirts of the camp, calling out orders to his subordinates.
Dak-Ho was a weakling, both as an Earthbender and as a soldier. He had done well in hiding this fact for years, yet now, in the face of the Demon of War, his true face was revealed to Wen Lan. He trembled, nearly dropping his hammer.
The Demon stood silently before him, his grinning mask instilling a deep and sudden cold in the general’s chest.
“Demon,” Seung’s eyes widened as he landed, staring towards riverboat. He dove forward, an arch of flame tearing past him as Gang thrust his leg up. He stepped back quickly, Gang continuing the offense without pause. As he drew closer, Seung lifted his leg, slamming it into the ground. “Give me a minute,” he muttered.
Gang stopped as a wall of rock shot up before him, meeting with another just behind it. He turned quickly as two more rose up, locking him within a pyramid of stone.
“Sir!” Seung turned and called out, having given himself the breathing room he needed. Leaping slightly, two pillars rose up beneath his legs, his palm lifting to rip a chunk of earth from the ground below. Thrusting his other palm forward, the rock flew towards the riverboat.
The breath in combat was short lived, a howl of anger rising up within the walls of the newly formed pyramid. Charred earth exploded around Gang as he stared skyward, screaming with clenched fists. Glaring, he lowered his eyes to his opponent, who had already lowered himself from his stone stilts.
“You could’ve done that from the beginning, couldn’t you?” He snarled.
“…Yes,” Seung admit.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. Maybe because you would have broken out of it with a burst of fire?” the soldier folded his arms.
“Heh,” Gang grinned, understanding the situation. “You’re stronger than me.”
Silence. Seung was not one to compare strength, much less do anything that felt like bragging.
“Alright, you’re stronger. So what is it you’re hoping to do, here?”
“Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
“I was hoping to disable you, to the point where you’d command your subordinates to cooperate. From there, I’d secure you all as prisoners. Since you’re not with the Fire Nation army, I’m hoping I can somehow convince my commander to let you live, then have you escorted to Bai-Jing unharmed.”
Gang grinned again, setting himself into a combat stance as his fists began smoldering. “That’s no good for me.”
Seung stared calmly, disappointed.
“If I’m a prisoner, I can’t serve my lady. And if I can’t serve my lady, there’s no point to bein’ alive.”
Disappointed yet understanding, Seung breathed deep, stepping back into a stance. To some degree, he envied Gang. He wondered quietly as to what it would be like to defend a superior out of admiration instead of requirement.
The two stared at one another, the sound of yelling from the opposite bank not losing its furor. Beneath the rage of battle, the river washed quietly against the bank beside them.
“W…Why are you doing this?” Dak-Ho yelled, gripping his hammer tightly.
The Demon remained silent.
Wen Lan remained near Xiu, analyzing and trying to understand the situation.
“You’re of the Earth Kingdom, you fool! You should be fighting with us, killing this Fire Nation scum!”
The Demon stepped forward slowly. It was obvious from this that Dak-Ho had said something wrong, perhaps stupid. Perhaps both.
“S…Stop! Stop right there! Spare me, help me rid our Kingdom of the Fire Nation and I promise you anything you want! Gold! Wealth, power! I’m a general, I can use whatever resources I have to make any dream of yours a reality!”
Another step, a faster pounding within the general’s chest.
“I’ll kill you! Right where you stand, I’ll strike you down! You think the Earth Kingdom fears some renegade?!”
Wrong again.
In desperation he threw his hammer forward, screaming both loudly and obnoxiously.
His hand shooting up, the demon grasped the hammer as it rushed towards him, tossing it off the side of the riverboat in the same motion as he continued forward.
Wen Lan reassured Xiu by placing a hand on her shoulder, standing up and staring at the scene in sheer wonder.
A broad smile of relief crept across Dak-Ho’s face as he saw the boulder flying towards him, courtesy of Seung. He began laughing, lifting his hands toward it, pulling it beside him and leaving it in midair as he turned towards that which he feared.
The Demon came to a stop, standing still.
“Ha ha, you thought you had me, didn’t you? Just because there was nothing here for me to bend? How unfortunate for you…Now, I’ll offer you this one last time! You can either join me, or I can crush you here and now!”
Cold silence.
Dak-Ho sneered, his hand tensing. “So be it,” he grumbled, motioning his body fiercely towards the Demon as the chunk of earth took flight.
“No!” Wen Lan called out.
From Dak-Ho’s perspective, it was an absolute success. He could see the boulder slam into the Demon’s chest, forcing him backwards. He could hear the monster’s feet slide along the deck of the boat; see him pushed back towards his original target. The image of rejoice on the part of the local Earth Kingdom generals passed through his mind instantly, villages paying homage to “Dak-Ho the Demon Slayer.”
Wen Lan’s eyes went wide, Xiu sitting behind her, terrified.
The fantasies faded within the same instant they had formed, as Dak-Ho’s mouth opened in shock.
The Demon had been forced back to where he had originally landed upon the riverboat, the veins in his arms bulging as his hands shivered, gripping the sides of the boulder. A low grumble could be heard from beneath the mask as the muscles along his arms suddenly tensed. A moment later, his arms sank through the rock as though it were water, dust escaping around it as it fell to pieces in front of him. A low grunt could be heard as he breathed deep, his head turning back towards Wen Lan and Xiu.
“Leave.”
“How?!” Dak-Ho screamed.
“I have women on board,” Wen Lan protested.
The Demon paused, peering back towards the doorway to the hold. The eyes of the mask fell upon Wen Lan once again. “Get them off.”
Her mouth still open, she felt no other option besides nodding in agreement. Turning quickly, she brought Xiu to her feet, her hands falling upon the trembling girl’s shoulders as she gave careful instruction.
“Xiu, listen carefully. I want you to go prepare the raft; the other girls will be with you in a moment.”
“But my lady, what about you?!” The girl shivered.
“I’ll be by as soon as I can,” she smiled reassuringly. “Y…Yes…” Xiu could feel a sudden sorrow, hoping that Wen Lan wouldn’t be so brash as to get involved with the two monsters in front of them. She hurried to the side of the boat, preparing the raft.
“Fire Nation lover girl,” Dak-Ho sneered towards the fleeing Xiu, his body shaking as he tried to Earthbend the rubble around the Demon. The efforts were in vein, too shaken to properly manipulate it.
The Demon began stepping forward again, this time leaving no pause for effect.
“Why are you doing this!? You wear the clothes of an Earth Kingdom warrior, why are you fighting alongside the Fire Nation!?”
More silence as Wen Lan hurried the girls out of the hold, guiding them towards the raft.
“Go! Get to the bank and wait for me! If I’m not back by sundown, seek out the nearest village!”
Panicked, the servants rushed to the raft, lowering it quickly. As it hit the water they screeched, paddling quickly towards the riverbank.
“They’re getting away!” Dak-Ho screeched. “You’re letting them get away, you traitor!” In another, more feeble act of desperation, he launched his fist towards the Demon, falling to his knees as he felt a tremendous pressure upon the hand.
His hand wrapped around the general’s fist, the Demon continued closing it, squeezing harder. The motionless eyes continued their piercing gaze, Dak-Ho whimpering.
“I’m no traitor,” he answered in a low, harsh tone.
Crying out again, the general looked up in rage. “You strike down Earth Kingdom soldiers, you aid our enemies, you’re the very definition of a traitor!”
Squeezing again, the Demon began twisting Dak-Ho’s arm. “I strike down those who threaten peace.”
Standing a distance behind him, Wen Lan’s eyes went wide at the words.
“We’ll have peace if we defeat the Fire Nation!” he could barely speak the words anymore, his voice high-pitched from the intense pain.
“War creates war,” he squeezed harder. “Violence inspires violence,” he began stepping forward, dragging the squirming general beside him. “No matter the nation, they wake destruction in the name of peace.” With these words, he threw Dak-Ho along the ground, letting him slam into the back of the ship. “And yet if they find that peace, their thirst will not be quenched.”
He clutched his broken hand, sobbing loudly.
“I will protect those that are threatened by that destruction,” the Demon warned. “Whether they are a warrior of the Earth or a soldier of Fire, I will destroy those who threaten the peace of the innocent.”
Wen Lan screamed out, her face tense with anger, “No! What you’re doing is no better than the actions of those you fight!”
From her perspective, all Wen Lan could see was the muscular frame of the stranger’s body. His head rose, his body turning slowly as the soulless mask looked towards her.
“If you bring harm, doesn’t it defeat your purpose?! Peace should be attained through compromise, not through pain!”
“There are those that refuse compromise,” the answer was automatic, as if it had been prepared, expected.
“Then they must be reasoned with, not struck down!”
He turned his body again, this time facing her entirely, a wide gap between them. “Your argument is flawed,” he answered coldly.
“No, I believe your outlook is flawed!” She stepped forward, yelling out the words with confident passion.
“You make your argument based on the assumption that all men have the capacity to be reasoned with. That they’ll choose peace over combat.”
“That’s my philosophy, yes!”
“I won’t contest that that is how the majority of people will function. Yet there is a select few who are deaf to reason, who will live and breathe battle.”
“Is that really the case, or justification of a vendetta?” she narrowed her eyes.
The mask stared back, coldly. The answer was calm, though spoken as low as all the others had been. “It is the role of the strong to protect those that will reason.”
“That’s not an answer to my que,” she started.
“I am not the sort of person who breathes battle.”
“What are you, then?” she asked almost hopefully, the question on the tip of her tongue since his arrival at the scene.
“I am the one who will protect those who reason, protect peace.”
“Through violence?!”
“I do not fight to kill. I fight to disarm, to disable,” he lifted his arms, the Earth Kingdom crest shields giving a soft glare in the sunlight.
“You crushed that man’s hand!”
“He’s killed civilians.”
An explosion of silence, the sound of Dak-Ho sobbing softly at the pain the only audible noise.
“What…?”
“This man is wicked, taking pleasure in death. The skulls on his armor are mostly those of fallen Fire Nation generals, yet there are some that are of civilians, men and women who never rose a fist against him.”
She stared in shock towards Dak-Ho, his sudden smirk at the mention of his crimes sickening her. She brought her hands to her mouth, completely disgusted.
The Demon turned his back to her, facing Dak-Ho again. “I will never harm those that can be reasoned with. I live to protect them.”
Staring, her eyes came back to the stranger’s back.
“I am the answer to the destructive minority.”
“…What is your name…?”
Silence. The Demon turned quickly, slamming both arms into the ship, shattering the deck.
Wen Lan fell back onto the deck, looking up as the boat began splitting in two. She came back to her feet, hurrying to the fractured edge. As she arrived, the Demon had already completely separated the two halves of the boat.
The Demon stared silently as her half continued upstream. He turned quietly towards Dak-Ho, who stared up in rage, breathing heavy as sweat poured down his face.
“Those civilians” he panted, “they all deserved it. They were Fire Nation, they had it coming.”
The large hand grasped the general by the throat, lifting him with ease. “I am the Demon of War,” he started. “Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom; I am the result of all wicked men.”
The general began squealing in fear, his useable hand clinging to the giant’s arm.
By the time Wen Lan’s half of the ship had drifted to the bank, she could no longer see the other half. Jumping down quickly, she hurried downstream, stopping as she discovered the remaining bit of the riverboat’s rear end as it sank.
The stranger was nowhere to be found, the general gone as well. She stood there quietly, pondering the debate she had just found herself engaged in. There was a gain in perspective, certainly. Yet more so, there was an increase in her curiosity about the man. As question after question rose in her mind, a familiar voice called out to her.
“My lady!” Xiu called out as she rushed towards Wen Lan, the servants close behind.
“Xiu, you’re alright!” She smiled, hurrying towards her. The two embraced, Wen Lan placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “Is everyone alright?”
“We all are, my lady! But…” Her face had grown from a cheering smile to an expression of dismay.
Wen Lan looked up, over the shoulders of the other girls. “…Where’s Gang?”
An awkward silence was shared among the girls, Wen Lan smiling softly, her eyes hinting at a sudden tightness in her chest.
“I see,” she nodded a bit. Folding her hands in front of her she looked over her servants with a smile. “Ah, I know! I bet he finished dealing with those Earth Kingdom soldiers early and decided to beat us to Bai-Jing!”
They looked up inquisitively, confused by the statement.
“Gang’s much too strong to be beaten by a bunch of Earth Kingdom soldiers, I bet he’s already there, drinking and waiting for us.”
“Yeah, no way Gang’d be defeated here!” one of the girls brought her fists up, boasting.
“He can’t die, he knows it would make lady Wen Lan sad!” another realized.
“Gang could fight a hundred soldiers before even getting a scratch!” yet another theorized.
Within seconds, the group was gossiping cheerily, guessing as to what Gang and the other guards were already up to. The group began making their way along the bank, in the direction of Bai-Jing.
“Ah, lady Wen Lan! I’m so sorry; your hat got damaged…” Xiu looked ashamed as she held up the hat, a section of it chipped and torn.
“That’s fine, we can mend it when we get to Bai-Jing,” she offered a reassuring smile, nodding towards Xiu.
“Hey Xiu, how drunk do you think Gang will be when we get to Bai-Jing?” one of the girls called out from the back of the group.
“He always drinks when he thinks he’s won a big fight, but those soldiers weren’t so tough!” Xiu turned, walking backwards as she lifted a fist.
As the girls laughed and carried on, Wen Lan continued forward ahead of them, her mind soaked in questions, her heart heavy with sorrow at the understanding of what fate befell her most loyal guard and oldest friend.
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 4, 2006 21:02:15 GMT -5
Li Mei rubbed her eyes, sliding open the panel separating her room from the hallway. Her mother hurried by, carrying several small sacks with her.
“Mother…? What’s going on?”
Huan turned as she hurried along, her pace unwavering. “Li Mei! Go get as much as you can carry from the clinic and load it into the cart!”
“What? Why? What’s going on?”
“Hurry Mei, we don’t have much time!” Bai had finally fully recovered from the sickness that had plagued him for so long. Yet now, his face was flushed with worry, his body sweating with exhaustion as he hurried from room to room.
With quiet obedience, Li Mei hurried into the clinic, grabbing that which she could carry and hurrying out to the cart her mother used almost daily to deliver medicines. It was now bustling with tools and ingredients, with no particular organization. She loaded up as much as she could, hurrying behind the clinic to where the ostrich horses were kept. She led out two of the three, hitching them up to the cart’s front before tying the third to the side.
“That’s all of the tools,” Bai threw a large cloth over the top of the wagon, looking back towards Huan. “What else is left?”
“Nothing, that’s it!” Huan hurried out, brushing some hair out from the front of her face before climbing up onto the wagon. “Li Mei, ride alongside!”
Li Mei groaned a little, untying the knot she had just tied to the side of the wagon. She hoisted herself up onto the ostrich horse, becoming increasingly frustrated with her lack of understanding of the situation. “Father, what’s going on?”
He kept to the front of the wagon, taking out a scroll and handing it to Li Mei. “Read that, it explains everything.”
She stared at it curiously for a moment, before opening it and reading aloud.
“Bai; I have known you long, and have become far too aware of how stubborn you are. I have been robbed of my wealth and rank, yet these are meaningless to me. My rage is instead caused by the theft of something far more sacred, the…” her voice trailed off, as she looked up at her father.
He stared forward, nodding softly in silent command to keep reading.
“…Something fare more sacred. The smile of your daughter. I am old, and I have seen much hatred, much conflict.” Tears lined her eyes as she continued. “Yet nothing has stung me more than her sorrow. She has been robbed of her happiness, and her older sister, Wen Lan. If I were to tell you to seek her out, you would refuse and instead choose to remain here to help me. I do not seek revenge, but I must act on behalf of justice. I see no other end for this besides…Besides my own destruction…” her grip over the scroll tightened. “You would never permit this, and it is because of your stubbornness that I must inconvenience you…?” This confused her. “In one day, I will make it known that you and your family housed a fugitive of the Fire Nation. I have made arrangements for you in an Earth Kingdom village just outside the Fire Nation’s borders. There is an abandoned clinic there that I have arranged to purchase. In the room farthest east, you will find Earth Kingdom disguises for your family…”
Bai grunted, then waved his hand for Li Mei to continue.
“…If you hate me for this, Bai, I accept that. It is a small price to pay for the safety of you and your family. I ask one last thing of you. When the Avatar…Wait, mother, isn’t the Avatar dead?”
“Keep reading, Li Mei.”
“When the Avatar returns, please apologize to him on my behalf. Chao and I, we hoped that we could restore balance. I have seen only pain, as the result of these actions. Take care Bai, may the Avatar watch over you. Sincerely, Bo.”
“Idiot,” Bai grunted.
“Father…?” Li Mei looked up. All she could see of him was the back of his head.
“He tells me I’m the stubborn one, when he’s the one that chooses to go die and refuses my help?”
She simply stared, noticing as he shuddered slightly.
“He was right, though. I wouldn’t have left. I would have stood right beside him.”
“…Fath,” she stopped as Huan’s hand touched her shoulder, shaking her head from side to side softly to indicate that it was not the time for words.
“Then he thinks he can get off easy. That I’ll just hate him,” the old man continued shuddering, harder now. The sound of him choking back tears could be heard as he lurched forward slightly. “Idiot…”
They continued on in silence for awhile, Bai looking back up and breathing deep. “Well then, let’s go find Wen Lan.”
Huan and Li Mei’s eyes went wide, surprised by the comment. Before they could ask, Bai had turned around, smiling.
“I still have to thank her for helping us out while I was sick. Besides, when she learns about being exiled, she’s going to need some of our best medicine.”
“What medicine do we have for that?” Huan’s eyebrow quirked in inquiry.
Bai slowed his pace, walking alongside Li Mei. He brought his finger to her chest, the same spot that Bo had touched upon earlier, smiling gently.
Li Mei looked at the finger, then towards her father. She dropped off of the ostrich horse, wrapping her arms around him as she buried her face into his chest.
Holding her close he kissed her forehead, helping her back onto the ostrich horse. Walking alongside the cart, he had no idea of the soldier standing behind them in the distance.
Grateful that everything had worked out as he intended, the old soldier gave a simple sound of satisfaction.
“Hmm.”
With that he turned, walking along the streets of the capitol as the sun set in the distance.
“Sir, we found him,” the guard stepped into the tent quickly with the news.
“Where?” Seung looked up from the map of the river, having marked out the sections that had been patrolled already.
“In the river, sir.”
“What about the Demon?”
“Nowhere to be found, sir. It’s as if he vanished completely.”
“That’s always the case, I don’t consider it surprising. Where is General Dak-Ho now?”
“Still by the river, sir.”
“Has he given any orders?”
“No, sir…When we found him, he was dead. His right hand had been crushed, and it appears his right arm was broken.”
Seung stood silently, taken aback by the news. “…Alert all the soldiers. We’ll bury him tomorrow at sunset.”
“Yes sir. One last thing though, sir…Is it true that because of this, you would be taking the role of squad commander?”
“I think so, unless someone’s dispatched here to replace Dak-Ho, yes.” He looked up at the soldier. “Why do you ask?”
“The men, they had something they wanted to say to you.”
Seung raised an eyebrow, folding the map as he made his way outside. After a single step, he found himself completely surrounded by the soldiers of the unit.
“What’s going on?” he looked around curiously, his hands open at his sides and ready to move, hoping the situation wouldn’t call for it.
“Listen up!” The soldier called out to the others loudly. “You all know by now that we found Dak-Ho deceased! Because of that, Seung is at least temporarily in command! A bunch of us have been discussing for awhile what we’d do if that ever happened!”
Seung studied the faces of the soldiers, a devilish grin in their faces. A sudden wave of nervousness fell over him.
“So let’s show him what we’ve got in store for him!” the soldier turned quickly, pointing towards Seung. “Go!”
Before Seung could lift his hands, four of the Earthbenders had dropped down, surrounding him as they slammed their legs into the ground. A large pillar of earth rose up under him, launching him into the air. As he fell, a wave of assault troops caught him, holding him up above everyone and cheering.
The Earthbenders and soldier whom had led him out of the tent watched and laughed, clapping their hands as the troops chanted his name repeatedly.
Whether on the side of good or evil, a tyrant is a tyrant. And the rise of a hero shall always be celebrated.
Seung laughed as they continued tossing him up and down, the soldiers more jovial than he had seen them in months, some more so than he had seen them exhibit in years. As they did, a group of prisoners watched from a distance, within the walls of the cell. Studying the commotion, the oldest and most experienced of them smirked in understanding.
“Get ready, men.” Gang smiled. “Looks like we’re going to BaiJing after all.”
Dedicated to Babbs, for being the first to comment and be the first person besides Isaia to not make me feel like a dork for postin' this.
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Vlisela
Sokka
I'm the guy with two french fries up his nose!
Posts: 130
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Post by Vlisela on Jun 5, 2006 14:21:15 GMT -5
Wow! This is really great. This is like, professional-quality writing. I'm going to have to work harder on my own writing to emulate this. You have really good style and diction. And I don't think it's too long, because everything is important to the plot...although, i guess I can't really say that until I read all of it. Anyway, good job
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 5, 2006 23:10:30 GMT -5
Vlisela, thanks so much for giving me feedback. I'm glad you're liking the story and your comments help me out, thanks so much for 'em.
Now, before I say anything else, there's somethin' I want to point out. I did not, I repeat, not come up with the tea analogy in this chapter. It was originally the work of Animekitties, from Deviantart. (animekitties.deviantart.com/) Amazing artist, please check out her stuff. She deserves full credit for coming up with such a brilliant analogy.
That said, this chapter took forever to write. The entire day was one long string of distractions.
Ah, I'm blabbin; enjoy!Chapter Four: Roses and Tea The village of Bai-Jing was large in both size and population, nestled comfortably within the Kun valley. Nearby rivers allowed for constant trade and commerce, leading many Earth Kingdom nobles to make their home within it. The tall mountains surrounding the valley hindered foot travel considerably, leading many to rely chiefly on water transport. Many plans had been formed to enter the valley by means of the river, yet these often met with dismissal. The Fire Nation felt that the conquering of a few aristocrats and scattered troops of the Earth Kingdom were hardly worth the expenses in both resources and manpower that would be required to enter the valley. To make the attempt by means of the mountains was even less justifiable. Anticipating this, the Earth Kingdom left only a few squads to guard over the Kun valley, moving the majority of the valley’s soldiers to where they felt they would be far more useful. With the appearance of “the Demon,” the commanders of the Earth Kingdom army felt their presence even less necessary, perhaps even undesired. Such notions were kept silent, no one wanting to give the idea that they condoned or even permitted the actions of a vigilante. Wanted posters of him were common, found throughout the valley and any villages nearby. This was the first thing Wen Lan noticed as they reached a small outpost at the entrance to the valley. She stared at the poster, lost in thought. The sound of Xiu calling out snapped her back to attention. “My lady?” the girl drew closer, having tried and failed to catch Wen Lan’s attention multiple times. “Hmm? Ah, my apologies Xiu, I was distracted.” “That’s him!” Xiu gasped slightly as she looked over the poster. “Wow, they drew him all wrong,” she studied it further. “Why’d they put a Fire Nation mark on his mask? Wasn’t it an Earth Kingdom one?” “Perhaps to make the locals more wary of him?” “I guess,” she shrugged. “My lady, we can see Bai-Jing from just ahead!” “Ah, already? We must have been closer than I thought,” she smiled kindly. As she stepped forward several of the girls surrounded her, following close behind and working with her hair to make her appear at her best for when she met with the Earth Kingdom representative. Through their efforts, they were able to hide her exhaust, the result of a full night’s travel. Wen Lan studied the valley as they crossed over towards the village. What stood out to her most were the roses, something unique about them that she could not quite explain. The roses looked unhealthy, as if they were wilting and malnourished. Yet from the grass and plants surrounding, it was easy to ascertain that there was nothing wrong with the soil, nor anything surrounding. As they passed under the village gates, her curiosity calmed, an anxiousness growing within her. “Where do we go from here?” Xiu looked about, impressed by the liveliness of the village streets. Wen Lan took note of this, but was far more surprised by the lack of reaction to their arrival. After their stay in the last village, she had anticipated immediate animosity. Yet now, she found her and her party to be almost entirely ignored. She looked up over the crowd of people occupying the village’s main street, noticing a mansion in the distance. “I believe that’s Chin-Hwa’s home,” she nodded towards Xiu. “We should hurry, I suspect he’ll be curious as to our late arrival.” She hoped that it would be merely curiosity, and not disdain. It was not long before the party found themselves standing before the mansion, two figures standing near its entrance. The first was a tall man, his beard a shade of white, brightened with age and care. His hair was long, trailing down just past his shoulders. His face seemed stoic, his features aged and deep. A young soldier stood next to him, bowing as Wen Lan grew closer. “I won’t keep you,” the soldier rose from his bow, “but I do apologize for bringing you such bad tidings.” “Good news, bad news, both will continue to be bred and shared. To be in tune with the earth is to accept this, and to take both in stride with calm head. Once again, congratulations on your promotion,” Chin-Hwa answered. “I thank you for your wisdom,” he bowed again, turning and leaving with quick pace. He passed Wen Lan nervously, staring forward and hoping she would not recognize him. Having never seen the man before, Wen Lan merely bowed her head politely in passing, stopping as she drew closer to the old noble. Once far enough away, Seung sighed a breath of relief. He was unsure as to whether anyone from her party had seen him the day before, but had been carrying a fear that one would recognize him and create a situation within Chin-Hwa’s home. He continued towards the village entrance, his soldiers meeting and following him from there. “Lord Chin-Hwa, I am Wen Lan of the Fire Nation. I hope that we have found you in good spirits this morning,” she bowed, her hands folded politely in front of her as the girls followed suit. “You are late,” he said it almost curiously. “There were…Complications in our travels,” Wen Lan closed her eyes, recalling that such complications led to the death of Gang and her guards. “To have kept me waiting is the equivalent of an insult, lady Wen Lan,” he began. “What if I were to tell you I expect some form of compensation for the troubles endured?” She wanted to narrow her eyes, but had control enough to merely bow again, deeper this time. “I can offer you only my sincerest apologies. Anything request of me you issue that I am capable of granting, I will carry out.” “Hmm, very interesting,” his face remained stoic as his old hand lifted towards his chin, stroking his beard. “My request is this, then. Your servant there. You, with the brown hair. Speak your mind.” “Eh?” Where Wen Lan had succeeded in hiding her emotions, Xiu failed miserably. She had spent the last few lines of conversation glaring at the old man with hatred. “Su…Surely my opinion doesn’t matter…?” “If you cannot carry out this simple request, you are wasting my time.” Chin-Hwa began turning away, stopping as Wen Lan whispered. “It’s alright, Xiu. Please answer his question.” “Honestly and sincerely,” he added. “You want my honest opinion? You’re horrible!” Xiu had a nasty habit of not holding back. “Earth Kingdom soldiers tried to kill us all yesterday, and we were separated from the guards! We spent the entire night wandering through the forest trying to find our way here, and when we finally do get here, all you can do is act like a stuffy old man who thinks he’s better than others just because he has more money!” Wen Lan treated her servants as equals, understanding that for all intents and purposes, they were the same. Though a graceful and kindhearted notion, it would occasionally lead to a servant being out of line when encountering another noble or person of higher social standing. If there was ever a clear example of this, it was Xiu’s scolding of Chin-Hwa. Wen Lan winced slightly, understanding that she’d gone too far. She looked towards Chin-Hwa, awaiting his reaction. He stepped forward, stopping just in front of Wen Lan as his eyes remained on Xiu. “What is your name?” “Xiu, servant to lady Wen Lan!” she had no fear. “And you’re loyal to the Fire Nation?” “No, I’m loyal to Wen Lan!” “And she allows you to speak so freely?” Wen Lan simply stared forward, giving no reaction. “Always! And when we are out of line, she asks us to apologize and corrects us, but she never treats us like we’re wrong for it! And I don’t have to apologize to an arrogant old man like you!” Wen Lan winced again, not able to see the servants behind her. There was a mix of nervousness and agreement with Xiu’s words. “I see,” he nodded slowly, turning. In silence he walked away, stopping halfway between Wen Lan and the entrance to the mansion. Turning slowly, he looked towards her with cold eyes. “Is it the case that you treat these women as if they are equal to you?” Without hesitation, she gave her answer. “No.” The old man simply stared, his face giving a slight hint of agitation. “I am not of the belief that these women are equal to me. I am of the belief that all are equal, whether they are man or woman, Fire or Earth,” she looked towards him with silent confidence, her spirit unnerved. He turned, continuing towards the entrance. Two guards stepped forward, sliding open the panels as he faced towards them yet again, his hands folded behind his back. The cold eyes had grown into a warm smile. “I am glad to hear that, Wen Lan of the Fire Nation. Please come in, we have much to discuss.” Turning again, he made his way into the mansion, the girls staring. After a short pause, Chin-Hwa leaned out the door curiously, calling after them. “Well? Are you coming?” The servants began smacking Xiu’s back, some in congratulation while others did it to scold her for making them so nervous. Wen Lan smiled softly, a sudden levity relieving them of the tension. Upon entering the mansion, she found Chin-Hwa waiting next to the panel, motioning his hand towards the opposite side of the room. “Please excuse my company; I offered to show them to their rooms but they wouldn’t hear of it. They insisted on waiting here for you. She turned her head in the direction of his hand, freezing as she caught sight of whom he was motioning towards. Before she could whisper the words, Xiu had already screamed the words. “Gang, you’re okay!” unable to control herself, she ran towards the old guard, hugging him tightly as the other guards laughed, sitting around him. “Ha ha,” he boasted, “what took you so long?! We had to fight Earthbenders and we still beat you all here!” “Eww, you stink! Are you drunk?! Stop drinking, old man! You can’t guard lady Wen Lan if you’re drunk, can you!?” she continued berating him as the other girls made their way to the guards, treating any slight injuries they had while ensuring they were alright. “An Earth Kingdom soldier approached me shortly before you arrived,” Chin-Hwa explained as he stepped up beside Wen Lan. “His name was Seung, a powerful Earthbender with good nature. He and the other soldiers detained your guards yesterday.” “…I thought they had been killed,” Wen Lan admitted quietly, her eyes tearing slightly in deep gratitude that her assumption had been false. “Seung chose to bring them here, understanding it was their original destination. I doubt that would be the case if they were with the Fire Nation army.” “Hmm?” Something in the explanation had caught Wen Lan’s interest. “How did he know that this was their destination?” “…That is something that we must discuss,” he nodded his head towards Gang, smiling. “First, you should speak with him. He’s spent the entire time here worried about your safety.” Wen Lan nodded, stepping towards Gang as he collected himself to his feet with a slight stagger. He smiled broadly, half in satisfaction that he had survived, half in gratitude that his lady had arrived without the slightest harm. There were no words, simply Wen Lan embracing the old guard quietly, doing poorly in hiding her tears. He embraced her, chuckling as she scolded him for worrying her so much, for giving her the sadness of mourning. He nodded, promising it would never happen again. Taking her shoulders, he promised again, smiling drunkenly. She laughed softly before walking toward Chin-Hwa, leaving the others to discuss what had happened the day before as they celebrated the safe return of both sides. “Thank you for taking care of them,” she bowed again to the old noble. “It was my pleasure,” he nodded his head. “Gang, he tells interesting stories.” “Yes, he has seen many battles and has heard many tales.” “Hmm? Ah, no. I was referring to stories about you when you were young. Is it true you were deathly afraid of giant lizards?” She blushed slightly, a slight frown in her face at Gang embarrassing her. “Their eyes are very bright at night; it startled me when I was a child.” He laughed as they continued through the hallway, smiling. “I am looking forward to our discussions, lord Chin-Hwa. I am confident that we will be able to achieve great success with the plan lord Chao has developed.” There was silence, before Chin-Hwa came to a halt, looking towards the girl. He sighed, staring out towards the mansion’s garden. “There is much we must discuss, Wen Lan. But first, you must sit.”
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 5, 2006 23:12:23 GMT -5
“This is amazing,” the soldier whispered.
“How long has he been at this?” another asked.
“Wait, I didn’t even know you could do that!” a third laughed.
“Who is this guy?”
The soldiers stood in a circle, watching as the masked soldier tore through one opponent after another effortlessly. With calm motion, another fell before him.
“Me next,” a challenger grunted.
The nameless warrior had defeated countless opponents, not moving from the spot for days. He lifted his hand, initiating combat.
As he moved the first Pai Sho piece, he asked quietly. “Where are you stationed?”
“Eh? I’m a patrolman, why?” he moved a piece in response, assuming that the reigning champion’s aim was to distract him.
“He’s asked everyone who’s sat down to play him that question,” a soldier observed.
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we can find out when he loses.”
“If he loses, you mean.”
“Good point,” he sighed. He had already been defeated three times by the stranger.
In time, the challenger had fallen. Another sat down to play, the soldier having lost count of how many he had defeated.
“Good luck,” the soldier grinned, eager to test his mettle.
“Where are you stationed?”
“Ha ha, all business, are you?”
Silence.
“Well, if you must know, I’m a guard over at the Shaiming estate.”
“I thought Shaiming was dead,” the nameless soldier moved one of the pieces.
There was complete silence throughout the circle, this having been far more than they had expected to hear from the man.
“What? No, Shaiming’s very much alive. If anything, he’s just become even more powerful. He managed to acquire the Chao property after he and some other nobles were revealed as traitors.”
“Right, I heard about that. Wasn’t that Wen Lan woman involved?” another soldier asked from the circle.
“Yeah, she’s been exiled. It was posted a few days ago throughout the capitol.”
“Lord Heng was involved, right? I never liked him, he was too creepy.” By now the entire crowd had begun chattering.
The silent stranger moved yet another piece, before placing his hand down on the board.
“Hmm? You alright?” the soldier looked up towards his opponent.
“I forfeit,” he muttered as he stood, walking away. As he drew close the group parted, leaving him an open path. He proceeded down the nearest alley, disappearing into the darkness.
Curious, the group stared, eventually settling back into casual conversation. A few games later, the challenger had managed to lose. After exchanging words with some friends, he made his way towards the Shaiming estate.
The walk was uneventful, the night quiet. As he continued along, he could see something crumpled lying near an alley. He approached it, kneeling as he unfolded it.
Before he could finish reading through it, he felt something slam into the back of his neck, his senses failing as he fell into darkness.
The silent soldier stood over him, kneeling as he stripped the guard of his armor. Equipping it, he bound the guard tightly, leaving him hidden within the alley.
Wen Lan’s exile had become public knowledge, the death of the nobles attributed to treachery against the Fire Nation. Knowing this, it had become a simple matter of discovering which noble had revealed them. To do this, all that was needed was to understand which one was still alive.
In discovering this, the soldier had even managed to acquire armor that would allow him to slip easily into the property.
Bo continued on, glaring as he made his way towards the snake’s home.
“…I see,” she stared towards the floor.
“I understand it’s a lot to take in,” he explained. “If there’s anything I can do to make things easier for you, please feel free to ask it of me.”
“No,” Wen Lan looked up towards him. The news of lord Chao and the other’s deaths still left her with great shock, the news of her exile having finally sunk in. “This was a likely scenario; I was aware of the risks when I chose this path.”
“I am surprised, however.”
“Hmm?” she looked up with calm eyes, holding back a cascade of sorrow.
“If I was a guest of the Fire Nation, and they were to tell me that which I have told you, my immediate suspicion would be that they were lying in effort to gain my favor.”
“If such were the case, my guards would not have been returned safely to me. They pose a potential threat in such a scenario; their survival is evidence of sincerity.”
“That is a good point,” he nodded. “What will you do now?”
“First and foremost,” she contemplated as she answered, “I will have to alert my party.”
“Ah, yes. But what will you do afterward?”
“I will do that which must be done; I will send them back to the Fire Nation. I am the exile; they should not suffer alongside me for my decisions.”
“And you?”
“I will work, just as any man or woman would, should they need to provide for themselves.” She smiled gently, having no qualms with such a path.
“…Hmm. I disapprove,” he folded his arms as he sat across from her, the steam from his tea fading.
“Lord Chin-Hwa?”
“Wen Lan, what do you think of tea?” The change in subject was sudden, as he glanced down towards his cup.
“This tea, lord Chin-Hwa? It is delicious, I’m grateful for your hospitality.”
“No no, I mean tea in general.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow…”
“Tea,” he lifted his cup with a hand, motioning towards it with the other, “is a balance. It starts with the collection of leaves at the base of the cup. We follow this by filling it with water, then boiling it using fire. And once this has all been completed,” he lifted his hand above the cup as she continued on for him.
“Steam,” she observed with a whisper. “The four elements.”
“Yes. It is the union of these four elements that creates something beautiful that lifts our spirits and calms us,” he smiled as he sipped from the cup, setting it back down. “I have spent many years traveling, and have come to a certain belief; that as people, we require the same sort of union to achieve true harmony.”
“Peace,” she smiled softly.
“Yes. It is for that reason that I welcomed the idea of having a Fire Nation noble within my home.”
“I am grateful to you for that, lord Chin-Hwa.”
“And I’m grateful for your gratitude, and you are perhaps grateful to me for that. But instead of politely remarking one another’s gratitude to each other I will move on,” he smiled.
She laughed, understanding and appreciating the joke. “Yes, please do.”
“The people of this valley, Wen Lan…They are peaceful, genuinely good natured. In all my travels, I have never found peace of mind like I have in this valley.”
“There is a great beauty to it,” she complimented.
“Yes. Yet I am wise enough to know I cannot assume that our two nations will somehow grow tired of this war. It has come to the point where neither side will be satisfied until their enemy lay in ruins. This valley, though…It has seen little activity from either military. As I result, I feel it has achieved the good nature and calm I’ve described.”
“I wish it could only be this way throughout the nations.”
“Hmm. I feel it is possible.”
“Yes?”
“I am old enough to understand I will not be able to change the world. Yet my heart still has passion enough to try. My hope is that no matter what occurs elsewhere, through my legacy I will be able to preserve the peace of this valley, perhaps allow it to spread to the villages surrounding until it has become commonplace.”
“It sound similar to what we had intended with our plan,” she noted.
“Yes, but my plan has a certain degree of greed in it. Where you and the others hoped to change the world, I aim only to protect a single valley.”
“Lord Chin-Hwa,” she started, “I’m afraid I don’t follow, and I must ask…How does this involve me…?”
“Simple, my child.” He smiled. “If true harmony is attained through the cooperation of the four energies, then that is what I shall do.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Wen Lan,” he straightened his posture, his stoic look returning. “I ask that you remain in Bai-Jing, as my successor.”
She stared in complete surprise, failing to completely understand what he had suggested so suddenly.
“Your passion for peace led you here. Despite being attacked by Earth Kingdom troops, you still humbled yourself upon approaching me. From your servant, I learned that you value others as equals, something rare in modern nobles. You have grace and poise, as well as training in etiquette. I feel there is little I would have to teach you.”
“Lord Chin-Hwa, you’re offering me far too much,” she was still shocked by all that she had learned within the past hour. “You have only met me today.”
“No, Wen Lan. It is true that you arrived today, but you have proved your dedication since you first stepped foot out of the Fire Nation capitol. I am well aware of what I am offering, and have no qualms doing so.” He stood slowly, bowing towards her. “I am afraid I have some business to tend to. I ask that you rest here with your party for a few days, and take time to give my offer serious consideration.”
She placed her hands on the floor, bowing as she kneeled before him. “I am grateful for all you have done and offered, lord Chin-Hwa.”
He nodded again, stepping out into the hallway. She turned back to her tea, finishing it before making her way out of the room. She approached the garden quietly, softly falling to her knees before looking out over the flowers.
Wen Lan had sat there for hours, now admiring the flowers and contemplating that which she had been offered. She had also spent the time mourning the death of lord Chao and the others, wishing that such had not been the result. Each time she was reminded of Chao’s kindness, then the immediate realization that he would not approve of her sorrow, that he would insist on her honoring his memory through actions, through protecting and inspiring peace. It had been their goal, and no death nor exile from her homeland could rob her of her passion.
She pondered this, then her encounter with the masked stranger the day before. Her thoughts drifted to Chin-Hwa’s offer, what would become of her if she accepted as well as the alternative. Either way, she was ready to accept the consequences of the decision. The choice was now guided by which option would permit her to properly protect and spread peace.
A familiar voice captured her attention.
“My lady?”
She looked to her right, Gang and the other members of the party standing near her. “Ah, my apologies, my mind was elsewhere.”
“My lady, Xiu told us everything that you and Chin-Hwa talked about,” he stood firm, his face expressionless.
“And how would Xiu know what we spoke about?” Wen Lan raised an eyebrow, looking towards the girl.
She smiled innocently, shrugging. “Thin walls?”
“Because she’s a little sneak, my lady,” Gang folded his arms.
Xiu smacked his arm, frowning at him. “You’re the one who told me to do it!”
“Lies!” Gang lied.
“You are all aware of what happened within the Fire Nation, then?” Wen Lan looked back towards the garden.
“Yes. We mourn the loss of the other nobles, my lady. Yet I can’t lie to you; I’m more relieved that you were not there at the time,” Gang explained.
“My lady, we all talked about what Chin-Hwa had said…About you staying, as his heir.”
“I feel that is my choice. I have no intention of forcing you all to follow me.”
“That’s just it, my lady. We talked about it,” Xiu started, “we want to follow you, no matter where you go.”
Wen Lan looked towards them, her eyes lighting up as she gazed upon every guard and servant bowing towards her.
“You’ve always taken care of us my lady, we want to stay and take care of you,” Xiu noted as she faced the ground, her back arched in a bow.
“I’ve guarded you since you were born, I don’t care which nation you live in, I’ll follow and protect you!” Gang wouldn’t hear otherwise.
“I’m loyal to Wen Lan, I’ll follow her wherever she goes!” another servant called.
“If I’m serving Wen Lan, I know I’m doing the right thing,” a guard noted.
The others threw our their vows of loyalty, not noticing until moments later that Wen Lan had kneeled before them, her hands on the floor and face to the ground as she bowed.
“My lady, what are you doing?” Gang called out.
“To you, my servants and guards, who have always stood by me and ensured my safety and growth; I thank you. I owe you my life and more.” She stood slowly, approaching them. Placing a hand on Gang’s shoulder, the other on Xiu’s, she smiled her warming smile towards them. “I am forever grateful, and I will always protect you, as you have me.”
She turned, hurrying along as they followed close behind. As she turned the corner, she witnessed Chin-Hwa approaching from the opposite end. Walking towards him, she came to a stop, bowing down before him. The others followed suit.
“Lord Chin-Hwa, I have considered that which you have said to me. I have chosen to accept your kind offer. I will live for this valley.”
He smiled softly, nodding his head. “You may rise, dear child. You have no idea the joy your answer gives me.”
She rose up slowly, smiling as she folded her hands in front of her. “I am glad, my lord.”
“And all these men and women have chosen to follow you?”
“Each and every one!” Gang boasted, folding his arms.
“Good, then I even more confident in my choice.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“It is both my honor and pleasure. Now, I suggest that you and the other girls retire for the night, I understand you’ve all been traveling far too long.”
“Thank you lord Chin-Hwa,” Xiu bowed. “I apologize for before.”
“Never apologize for honesty, Xiu. Now then Gang, shall we?”
“Hmm?” Wen Lan watched as Gang nodded and approached Chin-Hwa, the other guards following around them. “Why do you need Gang, my lord?”
“Need him? Ah, you misunderstand. Gang simply promised to tell me more stories about your youth,” he smiled as he nodded his head again. “Goodnight, girls,” he turned and began walking alongside Gang, who simply laughed. He loved telling people about Wen Lan’s youth, since he was proud of her and what she had grown into.
Wen Lan stared with slightly narrowed eyes, blushing in embarrassment as the group walked away. Xiu stepped up beside her, smiling nervously.
“Maybe it won’t be so bad?”
“Oh well,” she sighed. Turning, she smiled as the other girls followed her towards the guest rooms. “We should rest; we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“What will we be doing, my lady?”
“Well, first we must acquaint ourselves with the grounds of the mansion, then with the village itself. Then…” she started, smirking slightly.
“Then what?” Xiu looked towards her curiously.
“Then, I’ll search for the Demon.”
“What? Why?!” Xiu was startled, intimidated by the mere thought of the man. “My lady, that’s far too dangerous!” Puzzled, she stared as Wen Lan smiled at her reassuringly.
“To thank him.”
Dedicated to Animekitties, who came up with the tea analogy.
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babbs
Cabbage Merchant
Posts: 4,101
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Post by babbs on Jun 5, 2006 23:46:50 GMT -5
First off, about the tea analogy. I wish I was intelligent enough to create such a wonderful comparison, but alas, 'tis not me. xD In any ase, giroro, once again I am amazed at your updates (sorry the review took so long). I could see every scene--it's very detailed, and you use words very well. And I think I'm already becoming a (Lord) Chin-Hwa fangirl, the silly old man. Much love for this. And what? Taking up space in the forum? NONSENSE. Every good fanfic can take up as much space on here as needed.
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Vlisela
Sokka
I'm the guy with two french fries up his nose!
Posts: 130
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Post by Vlisela on Jun 6, 2006 15:40:22 GMT -5
yeah, don't worry about it. there should be more fics on the forum like this
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Post by Anonymous on Jun 6, 2006 15:59:47 GMT -5
nice!
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 7, 2006 13:53:09 GMT -5
Hey again, everyone! There isn't all that much for me to say about this chapter.
I do want to take this chance to thank everyone who's been reading so far, especially those of you that've left comments. (Lilwaterbender, Vlisela, Babbs) You guys keep me going!
Ha ha, anyway; enjoy!
Chapter Five: To Fight a Demon
The ground between them exploded in a mixture of dust and fire, the guard landing flat on his back. Groaning, he lifted himself to the sitting position.
“Is that all you’ve got?!” Gang yelled. “Is this the best you can each do?! It’s a mystery how lord Chin-Hwa has managed to survive this long with such incompetent protection!”
The guard growled, pushing himself towards the old soldier again.
“Is he always this tough?” one of Chin-Hwa’s guards whispered.
“Yeah, you get used to it. Comes in handy though, toughens you up,” one of Wen Lan’s guards answered quietly as Gang’s opponent fell to the ground before them.
Where one would expect great animosity between Wen Lan’s party and the servants of Chin-Hwa, there was little, perhaps even none. Her guards and servants had pledged their loyalty to Wen Lan, their pride in the Fire Nation was limited at best. (Even more so after learning of her exile.) Chin-Hwa had made the situation perfectly clear to his staff, promising swift reprimand to anyone who showed hostility towards her and her party.
As Gang continued “training” the troops, Wen Lan stood beside Chin-Hwa, observing the scene.
“He’s certainly relentless,” he old noble chuckled.
“Yes, it’s one of his best qualities,” she smiled.
“To see him execute such skill, it is no wonder you were all able to arrive here safely,” he complimented. A quiet curiosity grew within him; if Gang was able to Firebend so skillfully, just how far had Seung come in his training?
“…Lord Chin-Hwa, there is something I must confess.”
“Oh?” he asked as he continued walking along the hall, glancing towards her.
“It is true that the actions of Gang and the guards allowed us to continue on, but on the riverboat…An Earthbender with a hammer and armor of skulls attacked us with a small squad of troops.”
“Dak-Ho,” the old noble frowned. He had had the misfortune of meeting the man on several occasions.
“This man…I was able to turn away his troops, but he had overwhelmed me. It was due to the actions of another man that I stand before you now.”
“Oh?” he continued along, inquiring curiously as they passed the garden.
“Yes…A man in a Hannya mask, covered in scars.”
Chin-Hwa stopped suddenly, almost tripping over his own feet. He faced towards the girl, staring at her with stoic eyes. His face and body had tensed.
“…The Demon of War.”
“Yes, that is what the Earthbender called him…Lord Chin-Hwa, who is this man?”
He looked towards the garden, sighing. “A wanted criminal; a vigilante whose name has caused great unrest within the ranks of the Earth Kingdom armies. And yet…”
“…And yet…?”
“…Our greatest ally, I suspect.” The corner of his mouth lifted as he smiled gently.
“How so?”
“…You and I, we hope to achieve peace through words, through compromise. Yet we are surrounded by those who know only conflict. The Demon, he uses his strength to quell that conflict, to protect the valley.”
“I see,” she further contemplated the stranger, recalling their debate.
“Why do you ask, Wen Lan?” he looked towards her, expressionless.
She smiled softly. “I intend to seek him out and thank him for allowing us to arrive here safely.”
He stared at her, his eyes going wide. The answer indicated that the girl was either incredibly brave or despairingly stupid, their conversations indicating the latter to be false. She interrupted his baffled gaze with a simple question.
“Do you know where I would be able to find this man?”
He blinked, his eyes closing as he faced towards the garden in thought. “Hmm.” He opened his eyes as his arms folded, as if he was recalling a distant memory. “There is a woman in the village by the name of Min. I’ve heard rumors that she has actually visited the Demon on multiple occasions.”
“I thank you for the information,” she bowed gracefully. “I will go see her immediately.” Turning, she began taking her leave, stopping as he called out to her.
“Wen Lan.”
“Yes, my lord?” she turned towards him, hoping he would not voice disapproval of her intentions.
“…Please promise me you will be careful. The Demon, he’s not known to take kindly to those that seek him out.”
“I thank you for your consideration,” she bowed again, proceeding towards the mansion’s entrance. Her clothes had been washed during the night, the scent of the forest now a memory. That morning she had consulted Chin-Hwa as to whether she should don the clothes of the Earth Kingdom instead of her usual robes, finding him to wholeheartedly disapprove of the idea.
He was of the opinion that no effort should be made to hide the willingness of a Fire Nation noble to compromise and work together with the Earth Kingdom, that it was something to be admired, rather than ashamed of. Agreeing, Wen Lan wore her robes and mantle proudly.
Her presence in the marketplace seemed unimportant, the merchants and citizens focusing more on their business than her allegiance. Realizing she had no description of the woman, she approached a large man standing behind a cart of vegetables.
“Excuse me?” she caught his attention politely, not wanting to interrupt him from his business.
“Ah, what a beautiful customer! Fire Nation robes, you aren’t here to cause me trouble, are you?” he laughed as he asked, winking at her.
She smiled, bowing politely. “Certainly not, I was merely wondering if you could help me find someone, a woman named Min.”
“That old pain? Everyone knows her; she brews the best tea in the valley! Such a pretty smile, what’s your favorite fruit?”
Finding it rude to not answer, she laughed warmly at his kindness. “Plums, sir.”
“Sir, sir, so formal! No, that won’t do for me, too stuffy! Now, here’s a plum! You remember it and come by any time you want a taste of the most delicious fruits and vegetables the Earth Kingdom has to offer!” he boasted with pride as he offered her the plum.
She lifted her hand in polite protest, bowing again at his kindness. “I simply couldn’t accept something without paying for it.”
“You already paid for it! You think I have such a beautiful girl walk up to me every day? Take it, take it!” he smiled.
Accepting it, she fished through her sleeve and drew out a few copper pieces, offering them. “Only on the condition that you sell me a few more, so that I don’t feel as if I’ve taken advantage of your kindness.”
“It’s a deal,” he winked again as he handed her a few more plums. Taking the coins, he motioned his hand out towards a small shop at the opposite end of the market. “Old pain Min, that’s her tea house! Just head on in, it’s always busy there.”
“My thanks,” she smiled as she bowed one last time, making her way towards the shop as the vendor went back to his loud advertising, holding up a radish.
Wen Lan stepped into the shop, brushing aside a short curtain suspended from the top of the door. She stood in wonder, studying the interior.
It was built to serve only a few, yet it was bustling with life. A counter separated the kitchen from the serving area, littered with tables low to the ground. Despite the activity occupying the space, the far corner of the room was completely untouched, devoid of attention.
“Ah, you must be that Fire Nation noble that’s visiting Chin-Hwa!” A voice called out from the kitchen. A middle aged woman stepped out from the kitchen, brushing some sweat from her brow as she approached Wen Lan. She bowed a few feet in front of her, smiling broadly. “You must have heard about us! It’s no surprise; we serve the best tea you’ll ever taste!”
Wen Lan bowed, something she had become well versed in as a noble and stranger to Bai-Jing. “I apologize, but I did not come for tea. I was directed here by lord Chin-Hwa.”
“Old man Chin? His servants came by this morning to pick up his daily order. Was there something wrong with it?”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Wen Lan worried that her search for the Demon was causing trouble for Chin-Hwa. “I am looking for a woman named Min; he told me I could find her here.”
“My mother? Are you sure you want to talk to her?” the woman raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, very much so.”
“…Alright, your choice. Follow me, please.” She walked towards the kitchen, Wen Lan following close behind.
It was a small kitchen, littered with various herbs and leaves, kettles suspended a few inches from the floor above hot coals. A young girl moved in and out quickly, serving the customers as an old woman half her size remained among the kettles, carefully monitoring each one.
“Mother, someone’s here to see you,” the woman alerted Min of Wen Lan’s presence as she made her way to the kettles, taking charge of them while her mother dried her hands.
“Hmm?” Min looked towards the young noble, smiling kindly. “Ah, such a beautiful girl! You must be the noble staying at old man Chin’s!”
Wen Lan nodded, smiling softly at the small woman.
“Now then, what brings you to my tea house?” Her hair was white, her skin wrinkled with age. Her eyes were narrow from years of squinting.
“There’s someone I’m searching for. Lord Chin-Hwa said you could perhaps guide me to him?”
“Of course, of course! I know everyone in this valley! Now, you just tell me who it is, I’ll get you to ‘em by sundown!” she boasted.
“It seems you all know him as ‘the Demon’.”
It was fortunate that Wen Lan had answered Min’s question in the privacy of the kitchen. Had she done it in the serving area of the tea house, the room would have fallen silent. The patrons would stare suspiciously, wondering what a Fire Nation noble would want with their hero.
It was also fortunate for Wen Lan that Min was an accurate judge of character with good nature. Had it been anyone else, they would have regarded Wen Lan with immediate suspicion.
It was unfortunate however, that the only woman in the valley who could possibly direct Wen Lan to the Demon had gained the nickname “old pain Min” from years of matchmaking and intruding on the love lives of all the single males and females of Bai-Jing.
“Eh? You’re looking for him? Why?”
“To thank him,” she smiled. “My party and I were attacked the other day, and it was thanks to him that we were able to arrive safely in Bai-Jing. I have been hoping to thank him ever since.”
“A beautiful girl like you is looking to thank that stubborn fool?”
“…Yes?” Wen Lan could not think of a way to answer the question without adhering to the insult.
“A beautiful girl like you met him and you want to travel to him to show your gratitude, despite whatever obstacle stands between you?!” She was becoming more excited with each question.
“Y…Yes?” she was becoming nervous as the small woman drew closer and closer.
“Perfect, simply perfect! Yes, yes! This will work out quite well!” Min clasped her hands together excitedly as she imagined the possibilities.
“You’ll take me to him, then?” Wen Lan smiled excitedly.
“Of course, of course! But not yet dear, first we have to prepare you!” she moved quickly to the back of the kitchen, grasping a spare apron before hurrying back towards Wen Lan.
“Prepare me?”
“Of course!” Min beamed. “If you’re going to fight the Demon, we need to give you the finest weapons!”
Li Mei set down the mortar and pestle, exhausted from the day’s trials. They had spent the day unpacking and setting up the clinic, their new Earth Kingdom clothes already damp with sweat.
“Good, good! You’ve gotten much better at this,” her father smiled as he examined the pestle. “You can rest now, if you’d like. All that’s left is sweeping the entrance and making a sign.”
“Thank you father,” she smiled. She stood quietly, making her way towards her new room. The activities of the day had given her a brief escape from worrying about Wen Lan and Lord Bo. Yet now, as she slid open the door to her room, she could not help but wonder as to whether or not they were safe. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a stranger’s voice.
“Wait, aren’t you Bai of the Fire Nation?”
“…You must have me confused with someone else,” he answered quietly. All Li Mei could make out was voices.
“No, I’m sure of it! You’re Bai! What are you doing here?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“What? Oh, it’s the outfit, isn’t it? Sorry, I forgot. I’m actually a Fire Nation soldier, it’s how I was able to recognize you.”
Li Mei slid the panel to her room shut, turning towards the noise and listening intently.
“Fire Nation? What are you doing here? And why are you dressed like an Earth Kingdom soldier?”
“It was the only way I could pass safely through the nation,” the voice explained. “I cut my leg up a little while back and needed some ointment for it, so I sought out a clinic. I had no idea you’d be out here too.”
She crept towards the voices, pressing her back to the wall as she neared the corner, listening.
“Hmm…They’re not too deep, so it doesn’t need to be stitched,” Bai analyzed the leg, stepping towards a jar on the opposite side of the room. “This is going to harden over your leg and sting incredibly when you take it off, but if it stays on; your leg should be back to normal within a couple days.”
“And I’ll be able to move around on it?”
“Yes, that’ll be fine,” he spread the glaze out over the cuts, closing the lid to the jar once finished. Setting it back in its place, he wiped his hands clean. “So, what’s a lone soldier doing out in the Earth Kingdom?”
“I was sent as a messenger, but got apprehended at an Earth Kingdom camp near the Kun valley.”
“Eh? Who would they be sending a message to out there?”
“Lady Wen Lan,” the soldier answered nonchalantly.
It was at this point that Li Mei made her entrance, practically falling into the room as she yelled “What?!”
Shui blinked, staring at the strange girl.
Bai looked over his shoulder, then back towards Shui sternly. “Were you apprehended before or after you delivered the message?”
“Before,” he sighed at his own failure.
“Father, that means big sister Wen has no idea about her exile!”
“Let me handle this, Li Mei.”
“But what if she tries to return to the Fire Nation?! They’ll kill her! We have to find her and warn her!”
“Li Mei!” Bai yelled, turning his head towards her. “We can’t do anything until we’ve properly thought this out!”
“We don’t have time for that! If she got turned away from Bai-Jing, she’d try to go right back to the capitol! She’ll die!”
“Li Mei! You will go wait in your room until I’ve had time to think about this!”
“There’s nothing to think about! Big sister Wen’s in danger, someone has to save her!”
“Young lady,” her father growled.
She stopped, tears filling her eyes at the thought of Wen Lan’s demise. She recognized her father’s tone, pushing him any further was far from wise.
“You will go to your room. Tomorrow, we will discuss this.”
Shui simply sat there, feeling responsible for the argument.
Li Mei clenched her fists, biting her lip before storming off towards her room.
“…Bai?” he tried to catch his attention.
“…If you failed to deliver your message, Wen Lan will be unaware of her exile,” he thought out loud. “If she were to arrive in Bai-Jing, she would most likely remain there until she felt her goals had been fulfilled.”
“…I suppose?” Shui had little idea what was going on.
“That would give us a certain measure of time before she made her return to the Fire Nation. The alternative is that discussions failed, and she has already decided to return to her home. If that’s the case, then there’s a chance Wen Lan is already traveling. It would be difficult to find her.”
“…Right?” Shui followed, piecing things together gradually.
“The clinic needs my wife and I’s attention, otherwise it will fail and we’ll be forced back to the Fire Nation. But we do not have the money right now to travel, much less hire a tracker or messenger.”
“And if I return to the Kun valley, I’ll be executed by the Earth Kingdom soldiers that originally captured me.”
“…All we can do is hope for a sudden opportunity,” Bai muttered.
Hearing these words, Li Mei sobbed. Burying her face in her hands, her heart was wrought with a great despair. Her mind fought valiantly against images of her beloved “big sister” lying dead and burned, yet these overcame her, strengthening the tears.
She fell to her side, her heart heavy with sorrows.
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Post by Funk Oni on Jun 7, 2006 13:54:38 GMT -5
Wen Lan had trained hard in the arts of combat, undergoing grueling training and testing the limits of her physical body often. Yet Min’s training regime was grueling, taxing Wen Lan in ways she could not imagine.
From sunrise to sunset they trained for five days, before Min administered the final test.
Staring anxiously, Wen Lan could not prevent the bead of sweat from rolling down the side of her face.
The old woman moved her hand, closing her eyes as she evaluated. Moments later she opened her eyes, her face unaltered.
“You,” she whispered. “Pass.”
A breathe of relief escaped the young noble’s lungs, relieved that she had finally mastered that which she had been failing for five days straight.
Wen Lan was now well armed in the art of making tea.
“You will take me to him, then?” she asked with excitement.
“Yes,” the old woman grinned. “So long as you have your secret weapon ready.”
“I do,” she held up a porcelain kettle, its mysterious contents swirling around within.
“Excellent! Grab the kettle you just poured from and follow me!”
Wen Lan obeyed, standing up as she grasped both kettles. Gracefully, she walked beside the old woman.
They had trained behind the tea house, not wanting to disturb the business. They had soon left the village, walking towards a mountain pass to the east of Bai-Jing.
“Madame Min?”
“Just call me Min, dear!” the old woman laughed at the girl’s manners, having to remind her constantly to forget them around her.
“There’s something I’ve been curious about,” she looked out towards the roses decorating the valley, still curious about them.
“Hmm? What is it?”
“The roses of this valley…Is there something wrong with them? They look so unhealthy, yet the soil around them is fertile.”
“Hmm…” the old woman looked out towards a patch of them, thinking for a moment. “No, dear. They’re perfect; it’s just that our eyes need adjusting.”
“How do you mean?”
“Those roses,” she paused as she thought of how to best explain it. “Dear, how long does a rose last, if you take good care of it?”
“I’m not sure…A few weeks, if you take excellent care of them?”
“Right. The roses you’re used to, they’re beautiful, but they don’t last that long before they’ve lost that beauty and need to be replaced! Those roses though,” she pointed towards a patch as they passed by, “those roses look like that when they’re at their best.”
“How long will these roses last?” Wen Lan examined the patch in passing, looking back towards Min.
“They’ll stay at their prime for four months,” she beamed.
She was amazed, her eyes going wide as she looked back towards the patch. Astounded, she caught up to Min again.
“See dear, there are some things that are pleasing to the eye, but those things hardly ever last. Then, there are things that won’t please the eye, but they’ll stand by you forever.”
“I see,” she smiled. “Thank you for your wisdom, Madame Min.”
“Oh, with the ‘Madame’ again! Fine fine, if you have to call me something, call me “aunt Min,” how’s that?”
Wen Lan laughed, liking the notion. “Yes, I think that would fit well for you, aunt Min.”
“Good! Let’s keep movin’, then!”
“Aunt Min, may I ask you another question?” Wen Lan was growing more nervous as they entered the mountain pass, Min seemingly unshaken by it. Her mind began searching for the proper greeting to the stranger, what she should do or how to act.
“Hmm? What’s that, dear?”
“How is it that you know where he lives?”
“Ah, I’m surprised you didn’t ask sooner!” the old woman grinned. “I’ve lived here a long time. I was here before the war, before the valley got swept up in worry.”
“Worry?”
“When the war broke out, some of the people in the valley, they started getting paranoid. Worrying that sooner or later, the war would find us, force us to be involved. Things only got worse when that oaf Dak-Ho arrived. Started telling people the Fire Nation’d invade their homes at night; kill their loved ones in front of ‘em.”
Wen Lan had assumed that Dak-Ho’s death would cease her disdain towards the man. The more she learned of him however, the more she was glad to never have to encounter him again.
“Old man Chin, he tried telling people that we could choose peace, stay out of it entirely. People started listening, calming down a bit. Dak-Ho got rowdier, more belligerent. Then…” she trailed off.
“Then?”
“Then, the Demon appeared. Any time a battle broke out near the valley, he’d show up and put a stop to it, send both sides home with their tail between their legs!” she laughed. “The Earth Kingdom generals, they weren’t happy to hear about that, so they started putting up wanted posters.”
“Yes, I saw a few as I entered Bai-Jing.”
“Bah, bunch of fools! The people found out about the Demon, what it was he was doing. Stopping battles, easing their fear that war would drown the valley. He’s their hero, but everyone’s afraid of him. He’s never much for words and has no problem busting someone in two, so they avoid him.”
“I see,” she smiled softly.
“But me, I’m old! I’ve raised a girl with a strong heart, and she’s raising her daughter to be the same! I’ve lived my life, so I’ve got no fear! So I found the Demon after he broke up a battle, and you know what I did?”
Wen Lan admired the small woman becoming so fired up in mere recollection of the tale. She nodded curiously.
“I gave him tea! I thought he wasn’t gonna drink it, but he did, turned around so I would see his face, tipped his mask, drank it right there! Then, you know what he did?”
“What did he do?”
“He bowed! He bowed right to me, even said ‘thank you!’ That’s when I knew, I knew right there he had a good heart! So I followed him back to the mountains, found out where he lived! Now every week, I bring the stubborn fool some tea! And he always drinks it, right in front of me! Turns around, tips the mask, drinks, sets the cup down. Except for one week, though.”
“Hmm?” Wen Lan had become curious about this last part.
“One week, one week I couldn’t make it. I was out delivering some tea to a noble a few villages over, gone for days! So the Demon…He came to the tea house! He walked right in!”
“That must have worried the customers,” Wen Lan’s eyes lit up a bit, trying to imagine the scene.
“You bet it did, entire place went silent! Sun tried telling him I wasn’t there, that I was out making a delivery! So you know what he did?”
“Did he go back to the mountain?”
“Not by a long shot! He sat right in the tea house, right in the corner! Waited for me!”
Wen Lan needed no validation for the story, recalling the barren corner of the tea house that the other patrons had seemed to avoid. She understood that this was the stranger’s spot, which no one would dare sit in it for fear of him coming in.
“Ah, here we are!” Min whispered excitedly.
The story had caused time to pass rapidly, Wen Lan only now noticing that they were far up the mountain. The path had leveled out into a rocky shelf, the mountain growing taller at least a hundred paces from the edge. Carved out from the face of it was a cave.
“You go on in, good luck! I want you to come back and tell me how it goes!” Min started hurrying away.
“You’re not going to introduce us?” Wen Lan whispered nervously. She had assumed Min would enable her to properly enter into conversation with the stranger.
“You’re a beautiful girl, you don’t need introduction!” the old woman laughed as she continued down the path.
Wen Lan looked nervously towards the cave, approaching it slowly. The sun had given the inside a soft illumination. As she stood at the entrance she could see the interior, a bed of hay in the corner, small trinkets and scrolls scattered throughout. To the side were candles, not yet lit. The Demon sat directly ahead of her, facing the far wall.
He was as large as she had remembered him, his scarred muscular back motionless.
She took another step forward, stopping as he glanced back towards her through the cold, intimidating eyes of the Hannya mask.
Silent and motionless, the two simply stared at one another.
Hurrying out to a nearby stable, Li Mei secured the cloak around her. She brought out the ostrich horse, rubbing his neck to calm him as he squawked.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…I know you just traveled far, but big sister Wen needs our help.” Quietly, she saddled the creature, hoisting herself up. Glancing around, she poked her feet into the ostrich horse’s sides, commanding it forward.
As she made her way into the night, the front door of the clinic slid open. Bai leaned out, watching as his daughter hurried away.
“I knew it,” he grunted. “She’s too much like her mother.”
The second figure hurried back to the stable, drawing out another ostrich horse. Jumping onto it, he commanded it to stop just as they reached Bai.
“Trail her, make sure she’s alright.”
“Yes sir,” he nodded.
“Hey.”
“Yes sir?”
Bai looked up sternly, his worry for his daughter filling his eyes. “Whether she finds Wen Lan or not, you bring my daughter back to me safely, got it?”
“Absolutely.”
“By the time you get back, I’ll have enough money to pay you.”
“Right.”
“Good luck,” Bai patted the ostrich horse, stepping back into the clinic. As he slid the door shut, he wondered if he had made the right choice.
He anticipated that Li Mei would try to go after Wen Lan, though his hope had been that he was wrong. To stop her though, that wouldn’t calm her heart, and therefore would do nothing to prevent her from trying again. He sighed, walking down the hall towards his bedroom.
The ostrich horse raced along, its rider making sure to stay far enough behind that Li Mei would have no idea she was being followed.
Shui was no great soldier, but his failure in Bai-Jing had hardened his resolve. He would not fail in an assignment again; he had made this vow to Bai.
Dedicated to Isaia, for her constant inspiration.
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