| By King Bumis Heir | Genre | Rating | Reviews | Updates |
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Overview[]
Palartok finally reaches Bei Fu, now his mission is not get identified by an citizens because he believed there would be wanted posters of him somewhere. In reality, being over a century old has given him a low profile. He finally meets with the Avatar face to face but what he didn't expect is what happened next.
Aloi is saddened about how her relationship has gone with Prince Unaraq, while she loves him dearly she also fears their fate. Aloi travels toward the Yaoping mountain in Yunan province to meet the fabled Heartseeker, will the spirit aid her in her problem or will it give her something she fears to hear?
Chapter 12: The Deserter[]
Book 3: Earth
Chapter 12: The Deserter
The clouds circled over the city of Bei Fu, the colors were no longer clean and white, they were muddy with hues of gray. Maybe today there'd be light showers of rain, the dampness that surrounded the area collected dew on surfaces. The grass was ever greener than before the sun barely able to makes its way through the thick clouds. The lone snow leopard caribou parted the tall lush grass fields as it ran through them. The rider on it's back wide awake they headed toward the Tribesmen-controlled city. Something that he'd never thought he'd seen himself done was return to those he deserted. Palartok had the fearlessness to enter through the gates of those who wanted to kill him for his betrayal to his country. He said nothing until he reached the checkpoint. He took in a deep breath and hoped they let him pass through without any issues.
"Papers please," requested one of the soldiers he glanced back at the massive wooden doors closed behind him. He was locked in here now there was no going back, he reached into his pocket and handed the soldier his papers.
The soldier took one look and then handed him his identification papers and waved his to move forward. Palartok was in disbelief the guard bothered not to look that the papers indicated he was a Qiangda Kingdom citizen. The snow leopard caribou padded through the stone bricked streets of the Kingsmen city. Huts were built in place where rubble once laid, banners hung about on bigger buildings, children in light Tribesmen clothing ran through the streets as they chuckled and squealed.
He never thought he'd live to see the day when the Tribesmen resided in Kingsmen lands, well as colonials rather than natural citizens. Although there was a small tribe of Tribesmen who moved from the North centuries ago to the Oma Kingdom Palartok wasn't aware where they were located. The stables were nearby the signposts that stood in strategically placed locations had signs carved into arrows with Tribesmen carved into them that pointed the traveler or local into the direction of services.
Kingsmen weren't allowed into the city yet because the royal family ran around here, especially not Qiangdians. Most of them were loyal to their crown any act of defiance or hesitation to kill enemy leaders would have their necks rested on a stone block. Or hung while their family and neighbors watched as their life seeped out of the cracks. The signs directed him to the northeast near the harbor that's where the huge stables were held at.
A stablehand scurried to meet the rider of the common Tribesmen mount she stood tall he slipped off his saddle before he landed on his feet. She gazed into the handsome face of a middle-aged Tribesman she complimented the stranger, "It's not often you see a handsome face around these parts, you must be new."
"You're as old as my son, panik. I'm only looking for service to my mount and information," commented Palartok. He struck a nerve with the girl because he instantly rejected her and she remained silent.
"How much is the pen for the night, girl?" he inquired, the poor girl cleared her throat and ignored the sudden rejection that was thrown at her.
She remembered she worked here and dreamed of the quinquagenarian when she saw him ride in. She needed to be professional from this point on, Palartok raised an eyebrow while the girl stood there spaced out. The stablehand panicked and then replied, "Oh, uh- the pen for the night is twenty silver."
"Of which tribe do you hail from?" she questioned him.
"I'm from southern Hankou province I wasn't born in the poles, my parents are from the South Pole. I don't know much of their past but I hope Kingsmen money will suffice," answered Palartok he lied a bit to her because it'd be better if she didn't know who he was. He tossed a gold coin in her direction she clasped her hands together as she caught the coin. Her eyes gazed upon the beauty of a Kingsmen gold coin.
"Your Tribesmen is so good for someone who's lived their whole life here in the Qiangda Kingdom," she mentioned.
"Yes well I have a question or two to ask," he said.
"Where can I find a hospitality service?" Palartok wondered.
"At the end of this street make a left there's Yanook's Lodge over there, on the harborside, there's the Harborside Inn, and in the wealthy part of this city you can find shelter in Kuluk's Resort," she explained to Palartok.
"Thank you, I heard the Avatar is also visiting the city where can he be found?" inquired Palartok he was curious about the location of the Avatar.
The girl took the reins of the snow leopard caribou Palartok came in, she replied, "Oh he stays in the Chieftain's mansion he comes out sometimes during the day. I've sort of developed a crush over him these past few weeks. Just yesterday he became an honorary member of the Tribe."
He bowed to the young girl with respect because she gave him necessary information without getting uncomfortable for whatever reason. She didn't sense who he was everyone here didn't even recognize him. It's been too long he thought at this point he was just another colonial those who knew him would've been long dead.
Meanwhile, a man flew swiftly through the skies above the Yu province on a giant bird it carried green and blue patterned plumes. The flying mounts were called the Qingniao, these are often used to send distress or urgent messages from governors or monarchs of the Qiangda Kingdom. It was rare to find an on-foot courier that carried reports or letters from the military. The fear of interception or death of the courier was an important reason to improvise the need of getting messages delivered.
The soldier on the back of the Qingniao peered over from his mount and gasped at the horrific sight, the once-great city of Yumen was in ruins. He steered the giant bird closer to the city, the harbor, and part of the poor residential area was claimed by the city. Parts of the wealthy area of the city also floated in large chunks within the ocean. The tips of the edges of some ships could be seen from where he flew around.
One side of the city was covered in hardened black rock with ripples he wasn't sure what it was other than black earth. The soldier didn't even want to get near to the ground he saw all he needed to see the ground was cracked in various locations, siege weapons dismantled in a group, builds crumbled on themselves. It was apparent to him that something horrible here a cataclysm of natural disasters hit Yumen all at once. An impossible event occurred his heart yearned for the lives that were lost although he had hoped many got away.
In the distance, he saw a sea of green that halted in just miles from the road toward Yumen. Maybe they were tired but they were friendly units he identified the banners they carried from the sky. He pulled the reins of the beast and it let it our a squawk which gave away it's location. The men stared up at the skies and noticed the bird several pointed at it.
"Is that an urgent message?!" one of the men shouted.
"It's a Qingniao of course it is, genius!" another answered his question.
The large bird landed to rest its weary body, many of the earthbenders felt a small quake that they took stances and calmed down the tectonic plate. Those who were trained either felt tired or panicked during the rumble, the soldier on the back was glad to see the men.
"Did you come from Yumen, friend?" the leader of the men asked, the soldier shook his head, "No, I came from Ba Sing Se on strict orders from Earth King Qiang Zhen. I was sent to investigate what happened to Yumen. We haven't gotten reports from General Tsuyo-sa or Governor Shangye."
"What do you mean you came to investigate? Surely Governor Wenhua hasn't reported anything important to the Crown as of late for other reasons," replied the brigadier general.
"She hasn't reported anything because she's dead," revealed the soldier.
"What do you mean she's dead?" bugged the brigadier general, "You don't know?" questioned the soldier as he insinuated that Yumen was gone. "Nooo?" he drawled out his answer.
"I just witnessed the ruins of Yumen, the capital is gone. Wiped off the face of the earth, there's black earth in one area, the ground crumbled as if a giant earthquake hit it, everything is destroyed, there is debris in the sea, the water engulfed a part of the city, ships are gone. Not a soul in sight," claimed the soldier.
The men were shocked there was no way what was being told was true but the brigadier general who gazed into the man's eyes knew he didn't lie. The brigadier general dropped to his knees and cried, some men were now worried and confused. What was going on? Men rode further toward the road that led to the city. Once they reached a dead-end cliff in the distance was another part of the road, it was obvious a chasm was in between them now.
One that wasn't there last week they were terrified some even hyperventilated their families were gone forever. At least the ones that lived in the capital they returned to the brigade and told their leader, "What the soldier speaks is the truth we've seen it with our eyes, Yumen is gone."
The majority were confused and dumbfounded how could the capital just be gone? The brigadier general questioned them, "Why have you returned so quickly?"
"There is no way around to the city it's like whatever destroyed it, severed the entry points toward the capital. Everyone, man, woman, child, and pets gone," the witness said.
"What do we do now?" asked one of the witnesses.
"Ku," uttered the brigadier general.
"What?" one of the men asked confused.
"The town of Ku, it's near Yunan's provincial borders, let's rest there and rebuild. The magistrate is my father-in-law he needs to know about this," responded the brigadier general.
"Where did you all return from?" the soldier on the bird questioned them.
"Fort Zhezhong, we were sent by Tsuyo-sa a week and a half ago, we reached it a few days ago and found it in ruins. It's those damn Tribesmen," reported the brigadier general.
"I don't think the Tribesmen destroyed the city but I'll take this news and yours to King Qiang Zhen. I'll notify him that you and your men will be stationed in Ku," promised the soldier. He snapped the reins of the Qingniao and ascended into the air.
Omashu-Taku border
The weather here in the Oma Kingdom was much warmer than in the northern Qiangda Kingdom. The sun shined brightly across the borders of the Omashu and Taku provinces. Several camps were placed sporadically upon the open plains of the borders near the checkpoint stations of both provinces. The Oma Kingdom had rebuilt their checkpoint stations three years ago after the ceasefire expired.
There had been about a total of six hundred camps sprawled all along the border between the two provinces. Here is where Commander Senlin waited with a field army and a division for the remainder of the other two divisions that needed to arrive. East Jurong was more than happy to send a corps of fifty thousand men to Commander Senlin. The soldiers were amassed every one of them would be a part of history, finally the end of the civil war.
An iguana parrot swooped in Senlin exited his tent and noticed the exotic avian creature it spiraled around the camps. Before it continued to the left it returned several minutes later by chance he reached out for the bird to perch on his arm. The iguana parrot squawked again then it rested its wings when it perched on his arm. He noticed that the harness on the creatures back had skull insignia painted on the pouch. He opened the scroll which had no seal only a black ribbon that secured the scroll.
"Senlin,
It's me Kimaru, I've been traveling with the Fifth Nation for over three weeks now, we were headed toward Chu province. But the Oma Kingdom navy told us to anchor in Lu'an in Han province, Qin River was going to become an active warzone and they needed non-militant ships docked. I expect to see you soon hopefully you'll meet us in Shouchun in the coming weeks.
Lord Feng has promised us the entire Fifth Nation fleet under our command he hopes to meet you soon. Maybe then you two can further coordinate the siege to come."
Senlin went into his tent with the iguana parrot still perched on his left arm, he prepared parchment and some ink. Now he wished to send a response back to Kimaru who's in Lu'an at the moment. He left his tent once again and swung his arm up which gave the bird the signal to fly off to its owner.
He padded over another group of tents which is where the colonels and brigadier generals stationed themselves at. A large table was bent out of the earth where three men surrounded it, Senlin arrived with the scroll in hand. The men studied the map while another lifted small dark green markers with his bending. One of the men who leaned his palms against the surface of the table moved his head up and gazed at the man who approached them.
"Good morning Commander Senlin, anything new?" questioned the brigadier general.
"Yes I've just received word from my good ally Kimaru, we have the Fifth Nation fleet as our naval forces," smiled Senlin.
"With all due respect, commander. We do have a navy, I'm not sure a ragtag group of pirates can take down warships," commented the colonel.
"You'd be surprised long before you were born there was a battle between Qiangdian and Oma naval forces. The third party that came in to destroy them was a fleet of fifty ships of pirates, I remember hearing about the Fifth Nation being victorious," claimed Senlin.
"We're talking about pirates and trained soldiers," maintained the colonel.
"You don't think pirates can take down soldiers, colonel?" Senlin questioned him.
"How about I have you duel one in Lu'an to the death?" blurted out Senlin.
"Gladly, what's the re-" he smirked his cockiness protruded from his being until he was interrupted and backhanded by his superior.
"I will not allow cockiness in my field army, colonel. You know better than to be arrogant with Commander Senlin," the brigadier general scolded his inferior. He shook his head as the punished man rubbed his cheek.
"That's more like it, where are the East Jurongan troops now?" Senlin wondered.
"I did get word from them last night, they're about two days away from where we're at, commander. Soon they'll join us here," notified the brigadier general.
"What's the status of Taku?" Senlin asked.
"They're dealing mostly with coastal attacks from the Qiangdians, we've won most of the skirmishes. I also have gotten word of invasion of Qiangdian marines in Jintai. I think they're trying to take control of the province to be at Omashu's back door. Admiral Lu sent two fleets to cleanse the province of its intruders though," mentioned the brigadier general.
"I'll send word to the Triumvirate to deploy men in Yang, in-land resistance should assist the navy," said Senlin.
Meanwhile, Jushi folded his clothing after the servants hand-washed his clothing for him even when he didn't ask. He didn't like the thought of others doing work for him since he grew up doing most of it on his own. He heard on a knock on his door he said, "Come on."
He glimpsed back to see Aloi entered his quarters, "Oh hey," he greeted her.
"Just wanted to see if you were busy," she said.
"I'm a bit busy, yes. Why?" he wondered.
"I've been getting a lot of stress from my relationship with Unaraq lately, I was just wondering maybe we can visit this nearby peak. It's supposed to be a spiritual location thought maybe you'd like to join me," she responded she gave a slight frown and then offered the earthbender to join her on a retreat.
Jushi sighed, "That sounds...nice. I'm in," he smiled he pivoted around and she shared a smile with her friend.
He put down the rest of his things and he went along with Aloi to Shen. Rong Yan had already given her permission to use the dragon. They headed toward the pens but then Jushi took a step back and asked her, "Wait we're using Shen?"
"Of course it's a mountain how else would we get up there?" she laughed.
"He said it was okay," she mentioned that Rong Yan permitted them to use the dragon. She blasted herself onto Shen's neck while Jushi climbed into his saddle before they flew off she took a gander at Jushi, "The map's under that bag, that's where Rong Yan left it after his Yumen trip. I'll need your map reading skills so we don't get lost."
Aloi tugged the reins on Shen then signaled the dragon begin to lift off, Shen whipped his tail and bounced off the end of it and flew off into the sky. The air now flowed by their hair as they continued to ascend in the air further.
Rong Yan read a book about the history of the Oma Kingdom in the library when Unaraq leaned on one of the supports as he ate an apple. The sound of the bite distracted him from his book that he peeped at his friend.
"What?" Rong Yan wondered.
"My dad wants to teach you more about politics he said something about you wanting to learn more," mentioned Unaraq. Rong Yan shut the book with one hand and then tossed it over his shoulder, he grabbed Unaraq's hand, "Let's go."
Unaraq let out a yelp because it was unexpected Rong Yan felt it was important for him and Unaraq to learn more about world politics. Since he was the Avatar and someday Unaraq would be the chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe. They both arrived in the living quarters that were rearranged into another board room where nobles that came over with the colonies could speak on colony matters.
Unaraq sat down on the table as he read through one of the Qiangdian Kingsmen books intrigued about what was written in it. He peeked up to see both his son and the Avatar he quoted something from that book, "According to this long-dead scientist, the Tribesmen are closely related to the hog monkeys and arctic apes of their region."
"What?" they both said they were confused that the chieftain would say something like that.
"The Kingsmen waste their time on hogwash with no real evidence to back their claims. To think a Tribesman is closely related to a primate is not only offensive but also a very uneducated guess," commented the chieftain.
"Good morning, boys I hope you've had wonderful meals for breakfast," smiled Unirak.
"Now who can tell me the five systems of politics?" Unirak asked them.
"Hereditary Chiefdom, Hereditary Federal Monarchy, Hereditary Constitutional Monarchy, Autocratic Absolute Monarchy, and..." answered Rong Yan as he tapped his fingers as he mouthed off each form of government.
"...aren't the Air Nomads ruled by a theocracy?" Unaraq guessed.
"Incorrect, son," said Unirak.
"No they're ruled by a council of equals, the Council of Elders, the Air Nomads don't have rulers only advisers. They're a unitary directorial ecclesiocracy," Rong Yan corrected him.
The Avatar smirked as he gazed upon the prince, "You're a prince I'd expect you to know that."
"You'd be surprised I mostly know southern politics and political relations with the North," remarked Unaraq.
"Oh! Wait! The Fifth Nation they're a pirocracy!" mentioned Unaraq.
"That's not a real form of government though, let alone a word," disagreed Rong Yan.
"The Avatar's right, son. The Fifth Nation is ruled by a pirate lord, the pirate lord and his lackeys follow a code of conduct. A pirate's code so to speak, they're not an official nation either so they don't count," explained Unirak. He aimed to get Unaraq to understand the Fifth Nation isn't an official government.
Shen, Jushi, and Aloi flew over some mountains the peak of the Yaoping mountain had a flat meadow surrounded by trees. One where it was serene and beautiful not a soul in sight other than the living residents of the trees. In the middle sat large rock with smooth edges, the big stone was the shape of a pyramid but it was also rugged. It was possibly as tall as Jushi but shorter than Aloi.
The tall rock had an interesting carving on it, the carving was of a heart with a ring attached to the bottom with a line across the ring. This is where the Heartseeker is said to live Shen landed beside the rock. Jushi pointed the rock out and then said, "So we came to see a rock?" he wondered.
"Not just any rock, this is the Heartseeker's rock. I know we might not get a connection with the spirit who owns it but he might be able to mend my relationship that's falling apart," responded Aloi then she acknowledged that her relationship is slowly falling apart.
"Honestly it's probably not the predestined love if it's falling apart. I've noticed that he's usually the cause of your stress," Jushi mentioned.
"You're right but I have to try, I'm deeply in love with him. I need to see if the Heartseeker can at least help me out," frowned Aloi she knew they most likely weren't destined for each other.
Aloi plopped down in front of the Heartseeker's giant stone Jushi stood there with his arms crossed. Aloi patted the grass next to her she signaled her friend to sit beside her, maybe if he meditated too something will happen. Jushi lowered his head and sighed and then sat next to Aloi and meditated as well. They cleared their minds and sat in concentration with only the thought of the Heartseeker itself.
A red-skinned frail, gaunt, old man poofed into existed he rested cross-legged on top of the huge rock. His white beard was long and ended near his groin area, his crown was bald but he had long white hair that extended down to his mid-back. The two unique features about this spirit were his red-skin and his four arms.
Yue Lao, the Heartseeker.
"Ah, hoy, hoy!" greeted the spiritual being.
Aloi and Jushi both gasped and screamed they expected nothing to happen since most people don't know of the stone or knew of the existence of the village below. The spirit gave a hearty chuckle, "Wow usually visitors beg me to rekindle their love right away!"
"What can I do for you, young love birds?" wondered the Heartseeker, he crossed his arms and smiled he was always ready to help those who needed it.
"Oh," Jushi faced Aloi and then eyed the spirit and corrected him, "We're not..uh..we're not together. She's here about something else."
"Oh, oh of course I shouldn't have assumed this, what do you need help with? Is it about sleeping with someone, need me to convince you that you're not a woman of easy virtue, are you seeking fertilization because I get that a lot and let me tell you, I'm the wrong god to come to for that," chattered the Heartseeker, he rose his palms up when he mentioned the part of being the wrong deity.
"No, no I came for something else," Aloi shook her head.
"Yue Lao at your service! What do you seek assistance with, nomad?" he raised his finger as he exclaimed an introduction of his name before he asked her a question.
"Wait did you say Yue Lao?" inquired Jushi, the spirit nodded his head, "Yes, you've heard of me?!" he exclaimed.
"Yes I have, you don't happen to be the same Yue Lao who was worshipped by the Haijun Kingdom a thousand years ago?" guessed Jushi.
"Yue Lao Sr., was my father," joked Yue Lao he wasn't able to contain his laughter that he gave a boisterous guffaw. He wiped a tear from his eye, "Ahh I crack myself up sometimes."
"Your people gave up on me and have forgotten about me. Not sure why I suppose giving the planet a name and making it a god was much better than a god of love. Anyways I'm derailing this conversation for your friend," addressed Yue to Jushi.
He faced Aloi once more and she then spoke, "I met this Tribesman three-and-a-half years ago, we fell in love and at first his quirky rude comments were funny but now I'm finding myself to be bothered by them. Just the other day he was kidnapped and imprisoned I felt like my whole world crashed but when my friend saved him I forgave him. Just yesterday he made another comment about my friend here. I took it for insolence as I've been doing in the past year. I don't want to feel like this or is there a way to fix this?" she asked the spirit of love.
"The easiest way is to dump him!" answered the spirit, she lowered her head in sadness, "But seriously, if you want to stick with him it's easier said than done. You're going to need coriander seeds, white wine, and the peg leg of a Fifth Nation pirate."
"Wait why a peg leg?" Jushi questioned the obnoxious spirit, Yue Lao remained silent before he shrieked in laughter. Jushi was now dissatisfied with the spirit because it seemed as if he took nothing seriously.
"Aww someone's angry!" insinuated Yue Lao, "No one's angry you're just being a jerk are you going to help her or not?" demanded Jushi.
"Hey, hey, no need to point a rockicle at me...just playful banter is all," smirked Yue Lao.
"Where can I find these things?" Aloi wondered.
"Well a thousand years ago you actually had to look for them but you can go to the village and just buy it. But I'm led to believe you want to change your significant other to be more like you," replied the Heartseeker.
Aloi nodded, "I'll take the potion."
"You can take the potion but hear me out, I understand you believe life would be easier this way if he picked up a few of your better traits. But here's a reality check, his quirks are what's keeping your relationship interesting. I know you'll get angry but that's a part of life, the sooner you learn to let go of control the better you'll feel, and the more you'll get along. Quirks are what make us different but it's also the reason why you fell in love with him," explained Yue Lao.
"Arguably, every behavior has positive and negative aspects, when you perceive a weakness, think about how this is a strength in another area that you were most likely attracted to initially," added the Heartseeker.
"You can live with him for who he is now, and who he'll be eventually or you can give him the potion which will change him forever. Up to you, I just give free consultations," smiled Yue Lao.
"Who will I end up with?" Jushi wondered.
"I'm the god of love, kid, not the god of the future. I don't know maybe you'll die alone, maybe you'll teach your son everything you know because he eventually becomes the spiritual advisor of the next Avatar who knows," divulged Yue Lao.
Jushi opened his mouth and gasped, "You said I'll have a son?"
"What? No, that's just me chattering about useless nonsense," Yue Lao was confused for a second then he lied about the prediction he gave Jushi.
Palartok strolled through the streets as he wandered deeper and deeper into the colonized city, the greatest fear he once held about being recognized was no more. No one here knew his face and it washed over a sense of relief over him. He pressed on, the royal guards that he identified to be from the Southern Water Tribe marched in formation. They shouted to the citizens to make way for the prince and the Avatar.
Rong Yan and Unaraq were escorted to a nearby restaurant on palanquins, each palanquin was shaped like a cube. Except the Avatar's litter was smaller, they were both painted with a light blue color and had Tribesmen carvings on each one. Twelve royal guards carried the palanquins on their shoulders as they marched through. The twenty on the left and right formed a line as the palanquins handlers headed toward the restaurant.
It was Rong Yan's first time in a palanquin most of the time he spent in a similar form of transportation was in a carriage ordered by the country's leader. While he didn't feel like a royal he did, however, feel like a beloved member of the tribe. His hard work got him onto a palanquin, from the crowd Palartok saw the silhouettes of the men that were being taken to the eatery.
The first larger palanquin was a short silhouette he wasn't sure who sat inside but he guessed it had been someone from the royal family because the palanquin behind the first one was much smaller.
The second one carried a taller individual inside he believed the person was wearing a hat as well because the shape of the top portion seemed unnatural to him. He padded through the crowd as he shimmied and bumped into strangers on his path toward the restaurant the people were going toward.
The litters were halted by the entrance of the fine establishment from a distance Palartok saw the first individual exit the platform was a short Tribesmen likely to be either the crowned prince or the chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe. He knew as much as Senlin about the south's current rulers, which was limited.
The second person to leave the palanquin was as he guessed much taller than the first this young man was the Avatar that he remembered from when he invaded the Southern Air Temple with Senlin and the small force of Northern rebels. He seemed to be much taller and older it had been years since Palartok last saw the boy.
At this point, he was more of a young man, he saw the man had grown facial hair and seemed to be more fit than when he last encountered him.
Palartok knew this was his moment although the men would be heavily guarded by royal guards he needed to try. Palartok finally reached the restaurant after ten minutes of squeezing in between loyal citizens and fanatics. The royal guards were too busy with the crowd that they paid no attention to the man who snuck inside.
Not long after the crowd slowly dispersed, on his way inside he scanned the entire setting and found that he, a few guards, Rong Yan, and the crowned prince were the only ones in the entire dining area. There were workers but they stayed inside the kitchen as per orders enforced them to remain there.
The food for the Avatar and the crowned prince came out of the kitchens two men stepped forward these guards were also paid to taste test the food. Both of them took a small bite of the meals and chewed on it. They were hired to eat meals made for the royal family just in case someone attempted to poison them.
Unaraq was handed his meal suaasat, traditional Tribesmen soup with the meat of snow leopard caribou, whale shark, seabirds, and tiger seal. The meat was imported from the South Pole but he licked his lips anyway.
A kettle was brought to them it was already hot, teacups were brought out as well the tea maker supervised by taste testers on how he made the tea. He poured the liquid into the cups. The Avatar was given his chosen meal which was steamed salmon just the way he liked it with diced ash bananas.
Rong Yan's mouth watered as he felt the steam caressed his cheek. Palartok stepped forward one of the royal guards had studied all the people inside the restaurant beforehand in the morning and he didn't remember the man who stepped forward. He moved quickly as he frowned he grabbed Palartok's left arm and slammed his head onto a table about ten feet from the Avatar and prince's table.
"Prince Unaraq this man was not here this morning when I came to study the faces of the employees," shouted the royal guard.
"Who are you and what do you want?" he questioned the stranger.
"Pl-please...I came to bring information to the Avatar it's important!" cried out Palartok he hoped that Rong Yan would be willing to listen to the information he traveled all this way to share.
Rong Yan pushed his chair back at stood up, "I want to hear what the man has to say," said Rong Yan.
The royal guard glanced at Unaraq who gave a wave of his hand, "Go ahead tell the Avatar what you must tell him. One wrong move and you'll be on the floor dead, understood?" the royal guard promised to kill Palartok if he made a sudden move toward Unaraq or Rong Yan.
Palartok gazed into the Avatar's eyes he remained silent for a moment he thought maybe the Avatar would have recognized him. But it has been four years since Rong Yan has seen Palartok plus Rong Yan traveled a lot so he met new faces every day.
Palartok began, "I've traveled a long road to find my way here. There were rumors you'd end up here in Bei Fu, and I had to strive to find you to relay this information."
"Senlin has gone mad, at first we shared a mission...a goal together but over time I've grown to learn that his imprisonment has caused his insanity. He's a mass murderer and could care less about anyone, we're all just pawns in his war," continued Palartok, the name Senlin still hadn't registered in Rong Yan's head.
"I came to you because I know you'll need my help, by this time he must've succeeded in his mission in the city of O-" Palartok was interrupted when Rong Yan realized who the man was and shouted, "You! You're the admiral from the Southern Air Temple! You're the reason Jampo is dead! You're the reason all those nomads lost their lives in the raid!"
"Yes, I'm sorry! I had goals to accomplish and Senlin getting involved with them turned our goal into getting rid of you. But that was a blind decision because you're the one who's going to slay him," Palartok reasoned.
"I want nothing to do with you!" declined the Avatar.
"Northern rebellion what are you talking about?" Unaraq inquired to Rong Yan.
"He deserted the Northern Water Tribe during Ku Tei's life, he's wanted by the North!" Rong Yan answered Unaraq's question as he pointed at the wanted deserter.
"How is that possible? Wouldn't he be near a century old?" Unaraq guessed the stranger's age he was confused and in disbelief of what Rong Yan told him.
"Please Avatar! You must listen!" argued Palartok the royal guards grabbed the man's arms and tried to haul him away.
"Arrest him! Take him to the prisons and notify Lord Cupun, Admiral Palartok has been captured!" Unaraq barked orders to the men.
"He's going to attack Ba Sing Se head on!" yelled Palartok as he was dragged out of the restaurant.
"Wait stop them from dragging him away he mentioned the Qiangdian Kingdom capital," said Rong Yan.
"Tell the guards to bring him back," ordered Unaraq, Palartok is returned to the Avatar and the prince, "Say it again," repeated Rong Yan.
"He's going to attack Ba Sing Se if my peer Kimaru succeeded in his mission. He has the Fifth Nation watching his back. His goal is to kill the Qiangda Dynasty and take over," claimed Palartok.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Rong Yan asked him.
"Send a missive to the Oma King, if he still lives he can tell you whether it's true or not," said Palartok.
Unaraq nodded and signaled the guards away. They dragged Palartok out of the restaurant again Rong Yan sat down, "I know you're in a war against the Qiangda Kingdom but it's my duty as the Avatar to prevent Senlin from overthrowing the Qiangda Dynasty," he commented.
"Yeah, yeah just eat your food we'll visit him in interrogation at least before Cupun executes him," said Unaraq, then he took a spoonful of stew.
Shen landed near the outskirts of a small secluded village with directions from Yue Lao, the Heartseeker. She slid off Shen's neck while Jushi jumped into a small pit of sand he made for himself. He used his earthbending to get rid of any grain of sand that stayed on his body soon after he wiped the sand on him off.
They wandered into the roadless village the shacks here were made out of Yaoping pine trees. The set up of the village was on multiple tiers of land. There were a total of four, with the village elder who resided on the top tier closer toward the mountain path that led to the Heartseeker's rock.
The first tier held the shacks that were built by the poorest citizens out of the wood and scraps, while the second tier had the market which wasn't as big as the ground tier but was substantially large than the third and fourth tier of the village. The third tier had houses made out of professionally built houses made of strong brick and wood.
The village elder lived in a bigger home than the rest of the village however, some bigger homes or buildings contained many services in the market tier of Yaoping.
Jushi and Aloi padded through the empty and quiet first tier of the village both scanned their surroundings as they headed toward the slope that led them into the second tier. The second tier was had it's roads decorated with clean-cut red bricks shops and stands surrounded by the village's square.
In the center was a statue of the Heartseeker Yue Lao himself, the frail, old, red-skinned man with four arms and a long white beard sat in nomad position with a massive tooth smile. Here in Yaoping village, they revered the now lesser god.
Jushi split from Aloi as he went to a stand and inquired about the shop with potions, "Hey I'd like to know where I can obtain a love potion? My friend and I made a pilgrimage up to see the immortal Yue Lao."
The merchant scratched his matted beard he used the same hand and pointed behind Jushi, "Behind you in that shop," replied the man then he gave a toothy smile to the earthbender who looked at the merchant's hand in disgust.
He gulped and rotated in a half-circle and went toward the shop he called out, "Aloi!"
The Air Nomadic girl ran over to him he mentioned, "I was directed to this shop, this is where the potions are sold."
Aloi opened the door into the store it was small and quiet the shelves were decorated with a small glass, leather, and tin bottles or vials filled with mysterious colored liquids within. Each had a label there was a shelf behind the old man with a light green smoothie-like substance inside of each flask.
Jushi joined Aloi a few seconds after at the counter, the old man smiled at both Aloi and Jushi, "Aww another young couple who wants to stay together forever!"
"We're not dating, sir," said Jushi.
"Oh I apologize she just looks so radiant next to you, well what can I do ya for, little lady?" he apologized then asked the nomadic woman.
"I made a pilgrimage to the Heartseeker's rock with my friend here and Yue Lao directed us to your shop. He said you sell potions," explained Aloi.
The old man gasped in shock then he bugged her about it, "You met Yue Lao?"
"Does not everyone meet Yue Lao?" Jushi questioned the old man, he faced Jushi and shook his head and responded, "No it is said only those who will bring a historical figure into existence will meet Yue Lao. For they carry a potential change to our world whether for better or for worse."
"I've heard from those fortunate enough to speak with him that he's a very chattery being, is this true?" wondered the old man.
"Obnoxious like you wouldn't believe, but what are you saying? That whoever speaks to him will bring a prominent figure into being? Is there any evidence of that?" Jushi questioned further he didn't believe the old man's rumors. He needed the proper evidence for it.
"Who truly knows, young man, it could just be rumored to bring more visitors to the Heartseeker. He was once a god upon this kingdom, now just a mere powerful immortal," said the old man.
"How much for the vial?" asked Aloi.
"One gold piece," smiled the old man.
"I hope you choose to make the right decision, little lady. This will change your significant other for the better or the worse forever," the old man creepily reminded her what Yue Lao told her when they spoke to him at the rock. She held the vial close after she exchanged it for the gold piece and slightly nodded and exited. Jushi waved farewell to the old man and they left his shop.
Aloi gently held the vial as they left the store and headed out of the village to return to Bei Fu. At the same time, Palartok was thrown into a cell beneath the mansion where the cells had iron bars. Something they discovered a week after they took control of the city within the Yu province.
An hour later, Lord Cupun entered the dungeons below the mansion he was in a light-layered dark blue tunic, a thick brown leather belt and think dark blue trousers with leather boots on his feet. A machete was sheathed on his waist side, his hair loose and damp he only waited for it to dry. Cupun said, "We finally met at last."
He paced left and right in front of Palartok's cell, "You know for the longest I didn't think I'd ever meet you. Because I thought you were dead or so age made us believe. All this time and somehow you're still breathing. Have you made a deal Atshen? Anguta should've taken you a long time ago, you're a living relic."
"For the great amount of time, you were the one key target that my uncle spent his entire life hunting down. After your desertion he knew you held too much knowledge, then he passed away suddenly. It was up to my father to fulfill my uncle's goal, but he too eventually came to pass because just like a ghost you disappeared. But now, here you are in front me," stated Cupun.
"I was told by the Avatar that you've freely walked in by your terms if you know that once you return you'll be arrested and possibly punished with death. Why return? What do you want from us besides your predetermined fate?" mentioned Cupun.
"I came back because it is of great interest to the Avatar to know of Senlin's plans," commented Palartok.
"You're all in danger as well, the mission was set by Senlin for the rebellion. 'Lay siege to Bei Fu, we know their chieftains live amongst the colony'," warned Palartok then he recalled what Senlin said once to Inuksuk and quoted him.
"What are you talking about?" Cupun asked him he held his composure and gave an emotionless tone.
"The Northern Rebellion has infiltrated the colony for over three years now. Senlin knows that you and Chieftain Unirak have resided in Bei Fu since it's initially a takeover. He's aware of the war you're fighting with the Qiangda Kingdom, he knows how many men you have stationed here, you don't have to believe me but let this be a warning to you. Look over your shoulder at all times," Palartok disclosed unknown information to Lord Cupun.
"How do I know you're not lying?" he questioned the prisoner after he doubted him.
"Because we know of the camps that once surrounded Bei Fu, you sent two groups to eliminate them. One of your lesser chiefs was killed in the small skirmish, there has been sensitive information about you that I've withheld from reporting to Senlin," said Palartok.
"What information?" wondered Cupun.
"The kind that can you get assassinated, where you're located in the city, what you look like, who lives with you, the locations of your safe areas, I can go on. But I cannot permit Senlin to continue his revolt, his first mission is to overthrow the boy king of Ba Sing Se. Next is the North," revealed Palartok.
"I can assure you he won't have a chance," commented Cupun.
"That's what the royal guards in Ba Sing Se thought but the Grand Secretariat found Ta Po dead in his bed chambers the next morning," disagreed Palartok as he shook his head.
Lord Cupun faced a prison guard, "Bring me the Avatar, the prisoner wishes to speak with him."
Twenty minutes later, a door was shut Lord Cupun sat in a chair in front of Palartok as he interviewed him further about what he knew. Rong Yan finally present in the dungeons below the mansion, when he saw Palartok chained and on his knees with his hair messy he lowered his head and sighed, "What do you want from me?"
"I already told you, I came all this way to tell you what you need to know," Palartok repeated himself.
"Senlin is going to attack Ba Sing Se head-on, you need to go to Ba Sing Se and warn the Earth King. Because if you don't believe me and do nothing, it will be on you if the Qiangda Dynasty falls," Palartok reminded the Avatar about Senlin's plans. Then he told him that if the dynasty fell, it would've fallen in the hands of Rong Yan and he'd have to live with the blood of the king and any possible heirs.
"Why? He assassinated the previous Earth King for punishing him and throwing him in prison for life. Why does he have an issue with the current one?" bugged Rong Yan he bombarded the prisoner with a few questions.
"As you said he's righting his wrongs, but your past life and the previous Earth King only knew so much. It's not just revenge, Senlin is half-Oma, he planned to duel Gao Zu in a gen da. A traditional duel between earthbenders, the loser must grant the winner their wish by traditional law. If he won, which I know he most likely has, right now he's leading a massive army through the Shouhu-gui's Pass and marching toward the great walls," explained Palartok.
Rong Yan gasped and dropped his jaw, "You don't mean he's trying to end the civil war with the Oma Kingdom as the victor?" guessed the Avatar.
"Precisely, if the Qiangda Dynasty ends through means of violence, inevitably, the Earth Kingdom unites. However, just because it unites doesn't mean a rebellion on a grand scale won't happen again within the coming years. I've seen, and heard enough within the past sixty years I've hidden in the Qiangda Kingdom. If you want this war to end you must take necessary steps, Avatar. You must make both kingdoms agree to another ceasefire. Then kill General Senlin, these steps will cement the path for the rest of your days or even that of your successor to finally bring this war to an end," described Palartok.
"You said there were infiltrators in our city, where are they now? Can you recognize them by their faces?" Cupun bugged Palartok.
"I don't know, possibly not all of them were under Commander Inuksuk some were under Kimaru," answered Palartok.
"You should know, you were a part of this entire operation!" hissed Cupun.
"I'm sorry but I don't know, but if you allow me to assist you I can find those I might know," apologized Palartok he offered a solution to Cupun's issue.
"No, we don't need your help," Cupun arrogantly declined Palartok's offer, which could result in his assassination.
"Avatar, convince the chieftain to allow me to help you. I have more experience than whoever runs the navy now. I can help the northern navy I know rebellion tactics," reasoned Palartok.
He turned to face Cupun, "You remind me of your late uncle, you were both arrogant. Denying my assistance will be your downfall. I'm willing to help if it's the least I can do before I'm severely punished in whatever way you see fit."
"How dare you say that about the late Chieftain Bato," hissed Cupun.
"Because I've met him I'm only speaking the truth, do you want to end up in a cairn? Or you do want to be surrounded by your loved ones on your deathbed decades from now?" argued Palartok.
"You're in no position to be making accusations and insults," Cupun countered.
"You're correct but you're also in no place to be denying the assistance of someone who can prevent your assassination. I'll let you think it over," Palartok retorted back at Lord Cupun. They were both right about each other.
"Fine, tomorrow you will be taken out of your cell and you will work with royal guards to find my assassins," approved Cupun.
"Not just yours, also the ones after Chieftain Unirak and possibly the Avatar and the crowned prince since they're here too," added Palartok.
"Avatar, do you know what led Senlin to all of this?" Palartok faced the Avatar and then wondered if he knew the information.
"I only know what Ku Tei has shown me," said Rong Yan.
"It's much deep than that but we'd have to start at the very beginning of Senlin's life," finished Palartok.
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