| By King Bumis Heir | Genre | Rating | Reviews | Updates |
| More from King Bumis Heir | Action/Adventure/Drama/Comedy/Romance | PG-13 | None | No update page |
Overview[]
War has ravaged the Qinagda Kingdom and Oma Kingdom, three years later. The Oma and Qiangda Kingdoms continue to lose territory to each other. Earth King Qiang Zhen feels like everyone is working together to take down his kingdom. As different factions fight his forces. Rong Yan's finally ready for earthbending training but Sun Wu's death holds him back. While General Senlin and Admiral Palartok hide somewhere in the Qiangda Kingdom.
Chapter 1: Dangerous Waters[]
Book 3: Earth
Chapter 1: Dangerous Waters
The massive throne room of the Ba Sing Se palace had several people come in and out during the day. The badgermole throne sat at the back of the throne room where Qiang Zhen, now thirty-seven-years-old and with a small beard sat on his throne. Guwen stood next to him as they conversed about different things that occurred around the kingdom. A man stepped forward and kowtowed to the Earth King, he stood up and reported, "Your Highness, the Council of Five requires you to meet them in the war room this afternoon."
Qiang Zhen.
Qiang Zhen slightly nodded in approval of the report, "I'll see them in an hour but for now I will enjoy my food in peace." Yi'an placed her toddler son down, the little boy scurried from the left-wing where he and his mother went in to the throne room. But it is not like he knew any better, his father wasn't busy either. A royal guard cleared his throat and called to Qiang Zhen, "Sir."
The Earth King turned his attention to the guard who then pointed at something small in the distance from the left-wing. Yi'an opened the door to grab the small boy who ran toward the Earth King, Qiang Zhen saw his son jogged toward him. He chuckled and walked over to pick up the small boy and carried him over to the throne.
He smiled and placed the toddler on his lap, Yi'an ran out of the left-wing and lowered her head to her husband, "I apologize, Your Majesty. The prince slipped out of my hands, it will not happen again."
"Your apology is accepted, Royal Consort. It's not like I'm busy let's not forget I need time with my boy as well," Qiang Zhen smiled as he responded to his consort. A servant brought food to Qiang Zhen, with his chopsticks he grabbed a small bite of the rice first to show Qiang Zhen it's not poisoned.
"Did you put butter in it?" he questioned the servant, who licked his lips and then nodded. The Servant handed the bowl to Qiang Zhen who fed himself and his son some rice. Yi'an extended her arms for the boy who reached out to his mother and was lifted off his father's lap. She placed him down on the floor they spoke for a while until Guwen noticed something about the young prince.
"Your Majesty, pay attention to His Highness," Guwen whispered to Qiang Zhen, the Earth King set aside his bowl. The prince stared at a small rock and it suddenly levitated for a bit before it fell back down. The crown prince cackled with laughter and clapped for himself he was amused as he lifted the rock and dropped it a few times.
Qiang Zhen watched astonished at what he witnessed this was good news, his son Chung-bao, was born an earthbender like he and his great-grandfather before him. Qiang Zhen jumped out of his throne with excitement he shouted at the top of his lungs, "My Chung-bao is an earthbender! Praise Shanshen!" The child darted his head back at his father he was frightened he scurried behind his mother and began to cry.
She stooped down to lift the boy, Yi'an calmed him down, "It's okay, it's okay Daddy's just excited!"
Guwen wiped a tear from his eye and along with the royal guards, they applauded the young prince. He just unlocked his bending at the ripe age of three. Yi'an stepped back in the direction of the doors that led toward the throne room. Qiang Zhen questioned her, "Where are you going, Royal Consort?"
"I'm taking Chung-bao to his grandparents estate, this is exciting they must know," she replied to her husband.
Qiang Zhen shook his head, "No, my son stays here. Our family has had too many royals assassinated and I will not lose my son. You may go as you please, but Chung-bao stays here."
Yi'an lowered her head and sighed, "Yes, your Majesty. May I send for a carriage to bring my family here?" she inquired to the Earth King. Qiang Zhen nodded his head, "Yes you may."
A soldier entered the throne room he was a messenger for the Council of Five at the moment. He knelt before Qiang Zhen and said, "Your Majesty, it is time the Council of Five awaits you."
"Thank you for reminding me I forgot," thanked Qiang Zhen he rose from his throne and padded down the steps of the badgermole throne. Lord Guwen right behind him placed both hands in his sleeves and followed the Earth King.
The war room was brightened up by the sun's rays that lit the entirety of the terrace. A crescent-shaped table had been built in the back area of the large terrace that overlooked the Upper Ring of the city. In the middle was a large map of the world as it is known today in the sixth century. The Council of Five sat around in their seats while they waited for Qiang Zhen and Guwen to fill the middle seats. When Qiang Zhen entered the room followed by Guwen all the generals and guards knelt before the Earth King. They waited to rise just after Qiang Zhen sat on his chair, once his rear hit the seat Guwen allowed the men to rise.
"What's the news from the war front, General Qingbao?" asked Qiang Zhen, Qingbao placed the scroll on the cubby and earthbent it to Qiang Zhen. .
"News from the province of Yi," answered Qingbao.
"Province of Yi? I don't have a province of Yi," Qiang Zhen said, Qiang Zhen crumbled up the scroll after he read it. He tossed it aside Guwen picked it up while Qiang Zhen rubbed his eyes with his fingers while he contained his anger in.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, but the continued armies of the provinces of Tanghai, Huangpu, and Chu have completely decimated Leshan. Governor Hao and his family barely made it out alive, they're expanding the town of Yi and renamed it New Leshan," explained Qingbao.
"Scouts report they set up one of their lieutenants as the new governor of Chengdu," added Qingbao. "I want those vile sons of Oma OFF my land. You will make sure of it, General Qingbao?" Qiang Zhen raised his voice and then questioned the head of the council.
His tone sounded a little irritated the Qiangda Kingdom has lost some ground in the past three years to the Oma Kingdom. The unified Water Tribe armies are said to have control of a city in the Yu province eighty miles northwest of the capital Yumen.
But that wasn't all a part of his troubles, Laobing and Dimian lost track of Senlin and have returned home the failed manhunt has both of them feeling ashamed that even Dimian resigned from the Terra Team and his second-in-command Chongtu is now the leader. .
"I'll be working closely with Governor Junfa in New Leshan as we help him restore order in Chengdu province," said Qingbao, Qiang Zhen sighed he called to General Tsuyo-sa, "Tsuyo-sa what do you report?"
"The Northern rebellion soldiers avoided Jun Lao completely, we're not aware of their new plans just yet. But we have learned they built a settlement near the Meng River, they're in-between Guangshui and Suzhou City. About fifty miles west from Jun Lao and hundred and twenty miles east of Suzhou," replied Tsuyo-sa.
"We shall work accordingly with Governor Shang here in eradicating those mongrels from Hankou, what of the village they held in northern Hankou?" Qiang Zhen inquired about, "They're all gone sir, I don't even know how they snuck an entire fleet down the Zhandouji River without Dongping firing on them."
"This is worse than I thought, take a flying beast to Guangshui, your order is to work with Governor Shang while we alert Junlin Guowang in Suzhou about the northern rebels. I'll make sure her men are alert," Qiang Zhen responded.
"General Ren, what do you report?" Qiang Zhen asked Ren, "Good news from Chaopin, Your Majesty, the brigade there is pushing back the Oma soldiers. Remember yesteryear we lost Chaopin to the Oma Kingdom. As of now we've claimed victories against them and have taken back territory. Tu Zin at the moment is training militias for the battlefront," reported Ren.
"Good, I want the Wuyi army off my southern provinces. I'm hoping in the coming months we can push them back to their side. Maybe if not on a long stretch we can get that Oma loyalist bitch assassinated," commented Qiang Zhen.
General Rongyu chuckled and shook his head at Qiang Zhen, "You've settled in nicely to your position, Your Majesty! Your grandfather would be proud," he smiled.
"Thank you, General Rongyu. What do you bring from the news in Hailiu province?" he inquired to the general.
"We split our forces, the foot soldiers are defending the eastern border with Chengdu. We're helping out Yi province where we can. Also, the Sons of Hailiu province have controlled the Ziyou Tributary and have broken into Jintai. They have set up an outpost and are waiting for orders from the Admiral," reported General Rongyu.
"I will always have faith in the sons of Hailiu, they carry the sea-life in their blood," commented Qiang Zhen.
"General Sudu, what news do you bring?" Qiang Zhen asked the final general.
The war room in Ba Sing Se.
"News from Ru, our soldiers have broken the path on Shouhu-gui's Pass, this should prevent an invasion force passing through and attacking the villages near the border. We've strengthened the border checkpoint as well. We haven't noticed any activity in the northwestern provinces of the Kingdom it seems they're not interested in those right now. All attacks point toward reaching Ba Sing Se province," explained Sudu.
Meanwhile, in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, two men who looked and dressed identically ran through the streets of the Lower Ring. They had sacks of money over their shoulders and were being chased by the guards.
"HALT!" one of them shouted cuffs of earth shot in the direction of one the twins. Both men were short and heavyset. They dropped the sacks of coin and they both bent walls up to separate them from the city guard. The road had been blocked they grabbed their bags and used a pillar to shoot themselves onto the roofs. Both men cackled in laughter as they escaped while the guard charged at the wall and tackled it, the wall exploded and both men were gone. The citizens who witnessed what occurred rose their arms up and cheered for the two twins who fled the scene.
"Bah! Go home your precious Yapo triad will be exterminated like the pesky bugs they are!" chided the guard.
Both men jumped from the roof and fled into the Agragarian Zone where their goal was to reach their compound with more money for their fanzui de laoban. The arch that led into the Lower Ring was gargantuan as to allow carriages and other traffic to enter. The men stopped and instead strolled toward the farm closest to the Outer Wall.
"Sunhuai will be proud of us today, brother!" cheered the younger twin.
"Yes indeed, and the people happy for us as ever!" the other twin commented.
Nuiruk, Amraak, Southern Water Tribe
A young teenage boy with a buzzed cut trained with an average height, lanky middle-aged pirate they focused on waterbending moves. The boy had failed a few times on this one move he's stuck on, the water gimbal.
Makotok has shown proficiency when it came to snowbending as he was found skilled in things being formed. Which made Sao Feng angry because he began to believe the boy will not make a good pirate lord.
Makotok stood in a gong bu stance as he concentrated on the rings of water that spun around him. Yi Wu Shi observed the teenager's water gimbal, "Hold it! Hold it!" Yi Wu Shi rose his voice so that Makotok could listen to his teacher. Makotok began to break concentration but he held it firm again, he clenched his teeth because he knew Sao Feng will yell at him again.
Everyone but Sao Feng clapped for Makotok he finally held the gimbal for a good twenty seconds. Over time he would be able to hold it longer, but practice made perfect. Makotok went through a recent growth spurt these past few months. It had been three years since his father Iminaurak passed due to illness. Sao Feng had been a father figure to him but was mostly absent which forced Makotok to grow up alone.
The relationship between Sao and Mako had gotten a bit better but now that the boy is older Sao Feng treats him like a grown independent pirate. He's been overseeing Mako's progress in his training with Yi Wu Shi. Makotok had seen a lot of death in the past three years than the last ten years of his father's life. Saisho his father's first mate was assassinated after he tried to claim the throne.
Tons of captains were poisoned after Iminaurak's death, and others were slaughtered by those who wanted to claim regency. In the end, Sao was the most superior and his crew became his court, they even took Anmaak in the South Pole by force. The new capital of the Fifth Nation right under the noses of the Southern Water Tribe.
A pirate ran out to the training grounds and knelt before Sao Feng he carried a scroll in his hands. He bowed his head and lifted the scroll to Sao Feng, the regent lord clutched the scroll and read its contents.
"News from the Qiangda Kingdom, we have struck an allegiance with a crew from there called, the Crimson Wave. They seek to join our ranks, we need all the pirates we can muster to raid Iqaluit and claim it for the Fifth Nation," grinned Sao Feng, the men cheered as did Makotok. .
"Ready a ship to the northeastern Duryaja's coast, I'm ready to get off this frozen rock!" barked Sao Feng.
Northern Rebellion Compound, Meng River, Hankou
Palartok stood and observed the rebellion loyalists as they trained, he wore a sleeveless tank and blue pantaloons with brown leather boots. He wore light clothing as opposed to the north's cold. Here in the Qiangda Kingdom, it was warm, the men he overwatched were veteran marines. He barked different training exercises at the men while they jogged in place.
A middle-aged dark-skinned woman threw her arms over him by surprise and embraced him. She kissed him on the cheek and smiled it was a bright spring afternoon, he giggled, "Hey you're not supposed to do this right now. I'm training the men at the moment, can't this wait later?" he said.
The woman's ocean-colored eyes shined in the sun's light, she nodded and gave a slight smirk, "I don't care what they think."
"I care, Kireama. Please I can give you all the attention afterward, besides shouldn't you be training the healers?" he questioned his girlfriend.
"The healers' session has ended, admiral. The men and women are now relaxing while the cooks are preparing lunch," she replied.
"Where's Inuksuk and Kimaru?" Palartok asked.
"Inuksuk is working on battleplans with some of his men he was touting off about how you and Senlin will agree on his plans," Kireama fretted.
"Kimaru he's playing scouting missions with the bender scouts, they've gotten better at sneaking it's very impressive," she replied.
"Stop and now spar with your partner!" ordered Palartok the men panted before they stood instances.
"What's up?" Palartok inquired to Kireama.
"Just I've been bored and the first coordinated battle is giving me anxiety, what if it's the last time I see you?" Kireama responded, she then glanced at Palartok and questioned him.
"Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war, I could care less about myself or what's in front of me. What matters most is what's behind me," Palartok answered.
She shook her head, "That's not good enough for me, I've only had you again for three years. It's not enough," she declined.
"I had Tukkutok for seventeen years, that wasn't enough for me either. But if I die I can reunite with my son again," said Palartok, Kireama slightly nodded she turned away and took a few steps away. She then turned around, "Well if you're planning on dying again the least you could do for me is give me a sparring match and a night of good coitus."
Palartok smirked and lowered his head, he placed his hands on his hips and chuckled, "Fine get in the ring," he agreed. She pointed at him with a finger with each hand and gave a toothy grin as she walked backward toward the area where all the veterans sparred.
Palartok shook his head and sighed, "I love her but she's crazy." He padded toward the section where all the men trained. He stood in a gong bu stance with his arms raised at chest level, Kireama did this as well and they slowly locked arms.
Kireama tried to overpower her boyfriend but Palartok put up a harder resistance. She saw an opening and lightly kicked him in the back of the knee which bent instantly. From there she got his head locked with her arm which he used the power of his legs to push himself to his feet. Blood rushed to his head while she chuckled, "I got you now."
He grabbed her arm that held him in a headlock and tossed her over him, she hit the ground back first as some air escaped. She rubbed her back and found her fist against his palm. Palartok smiled at Kireama, she tried to uppercut him but he stopped that as well. Palartok clutched onto her hands and pushed Kireama back.
This time Kireama came with a quick jab that was met by his forearm to block her jab. This continued for a few seconds with Palartok without a thought instinctively blocked all her jabs. She was shoved away from him again she quickly took a glimpse at the wall beside them and gave a slight smile. She charged at Palartok and used the wall to propel herself toward him. Legs first she clung around his neck and swung back as she used her weight to flip him. It failed he slowly dropped her on her stomach grabbed both of her legs and pulled them back.
Kireama screamed as Palartok put her in a leg lock she attempted to escape but Palartok held his grip. She swayed side to side but couldn't break free instead she succumbed to the pain and tapped out. Palartok let her go he slightly bent his knees and extended out his hand to offer Kireama a helping hand.
"Where'd you learn how to wrestle like that?" Kireama questioned him, Palartok wiped the sweat from his forehead, "From Senlin, standard Qiangdian hand-to-hand training," he said.
At the same time, near the small docks, they established Senlin watched the new earthbending recruits train. When Senlin trained these new Qiangdian deserters he hoped they will do their best because he was going to put these men through the toughest training they've ever been in.
"Ding Kiu stance everyone! We're going to practice on our seismic sense, this will make you one step ahead of your opponents!" barked Senlin.
He only wanted the best of the best for a team of elite earthbenders that would be able to accomplish extremely dangerous missions. He didn't settle for less and any failures will be killed he already made an example out of four deserters. The other twelve men feared him to them they still believed he was a metalbender. And even one of the four he killed challenged his authority, he was killed in a lei tai match.
The others followed his orders and even chopped up his body and threw it to the carrion birds outside the compound. He looked at the twelve men and then rose his voice to instruct them further, "Slide one foot or stomp it on the ground, I want you to shut your eyes, wait, and listen. See the image in your head."
All the men did a variety of what he said some stomped and others slid their feet. He then questioned the men, "What am I doing right now?"
All the men repeated, "Running in place!" They repeated their seismic sense as he switched to something else, "What about now?"
"Tapping your left foot!" they all shouted, except he noticed but one he padded through the men a young teenage boy probably about eighteen-years-old. He grabbed the kid's left shoulder and forced him around.
"You, what are you doing?" he barked at the kid. .
"I can't do it, general," frowned the young man, "What I am going to do next, men? Continue your seismic sense," he told the men. Senlin shifted into a quick Jai Kiu stance and a small spike of earth shot out of the ground and lodged into the young man's skull which killed him instantly.
All the men mentally imaged the spike emerged from the ground and felt the young man's body collapsed on the ground. They refrained from reaction instead mindlessly they said, "You killed a failure."
Senlin held a wicked grin now he was down to eleven men there were no excuses for failures or weaklings in his ranks. He punted the young man's corpse that spilled crimson fluid from its small wound. .
"Throw his body into the pit I'm sure the sea vultures will have a great meal this afternoon," he smirked. .
"Class dismissed," added Senlin as he clopped away.
Meanwhile, in Ku Lake, a dense fog could be seen as a vessel slowly passed by. The helmsman shouted at one of the soldiers on deck, "What do you see?"
"I don't see anyth-" he was cut off a flying earth disk that hit him in his head and killed him. The helmsman shouted, "Enemy soldiers! We're under attack!" All the men ran into their positions the non-benders stood in their places while the men below the deck opened the small apertures of the hull's left side. Earthbenders stood in Jik Kiu stances as they shot disks at the hull of the Oma ship's hull.
The Oma Kingdom ship had a trebuchet on deck the non-bender smashed the mallet against the lever. And the projectile flew at it two earthbenders came in and smashed the projectile to bits and used their precision to fling the smaller rocks back at the Oma crew.
"Captain it's a trebuchet ship!" shouted another, "For the love of Shanshen puncture the hull!" he barked at his men. The men below deck of the Oma ship gasped as two disks burst into their hull and water started to rush in.
The trebuchet ship from the Qiangda Kingdom.
"We're screwed!" cried out a private.
"Calm down, kid! We have enough sand here to solidify into a patch now help me out!" shouted a more experienced soldier.
Both men pulled the sand toward the hole and around it and they solidified and sealed the hole. The ship was a little lopsided but it was enough to continue, another boulder launched this time it punctured a hole of the Qiangdian vessel. It was large enough that the men screamed as they have begun to sink.
One of the men created a raft from the earth disks while the enemy ship launched another boulder that collided with the deck and smashed into it. It crushed one of the soldiers on the Qiangdian vessel. The Qiangdian ship sunk more rapidly into the waters below only a few men escaped on the raft.
"That's one enemy ship down come on, let's head back to Taku City for some repairs," shouted the captain to the helmsman. One of the recruits saw a red serpent in the sky and pointed at it, "Captain look! Might be an enemy!"
The men readied the catapult again and launched a boulder at the serpent. Shen roared Rong Yan quickly created a sound barrier around himself and his dragon and pierced a hole of sound through the boulder and smashed it to bits.
The men clenched their ears shut as the sound echoed loudly. A few disks were flung in Rong Yan's direction until he redirected them with air although the disks missed the ship entirely. He produced a large fireball that was flung downward near the ship. The waves of water shot up and splashed on the deck as the large fireball plummeted.
"Cease fire! That's the Avatar!" screamed the captain, Rong Yan, and Shen continued southeast toward the province of Tongren. A few hours later, thick clouds had begun to dissipate that Rong Yan saw a massive city below.
Shen.
"Shen down there! That's Han Tui!" commanded Rong Yan to his dragon as he pointed below him.
The massive port city also had an enormous harbor many cargo ships, as well as naval battleships, were docked here. Shen roared near the harbor market tons of civilians peered to the skies and realized the Avatar had arrived in their city. He descended near a landing area where all flying mounts were to be stopped.
The crowds surged to the landing area where Rong Yan landed he slid off Shen. He dusted himself off and the crowd cheered for the Avatar the crowd attempted to get closer. But several guards pushed back to make way for one of the few important people in the capital. Governor Geju Diaoyu, the governor of the Tongren province.
This man was short, stout, medium tanned-skinned, in his mid-60s, with brown eyes and graying hair. He wore a dark green robe with a tigerdillo embroidered into the chest area of his robe, he wore green slippers, his hair was long and bound but he also wore a black fuchou on his head. He carried a neat and thin fu manchu stache, the guards themselves wore chainmail and carried dark green tabards with the head of a tigerdillo embroidered onto the tabards. Some of the men carried cutlasses while the earthbenders had bracers on their wrists.
His hands were nicely rested behind his back while he had two men on both sides. Rong Yan placed a balled fist under the bottom half of his palm and bowed to the governor. Governor Diaoyu returned the formal greeting to the Avatar as well.
"Avatar Rong Yan you honor us by visiting our city welcome," greeted the governor.
"Thank you, the pleasure is mine. I only seek to master earthbending with Master Sun Wu," said Rong Yan.
The governor turned in a half-circle and pointed the way to his estate and then offered, "Please join me for a cup of tea I'm sure you're eager to begin training with Master Sun Wu."
"Certainly," smiled Rong Yan, the men signaled the civilians to back up Governor Diaoyu followed behind his guards while Rong Yan followed behind them. More guards circled the Avatar from behind. While the stablemasters of the harbor's stables were stuck with Shen. Several minutes later, they arrived at the estate of the Diaoyu family.
The large white brick walls surrounded the estate, the wooden doors had the seal of the family which was a tigerdillo. Just like the design on his chest and the tabards of the guards, a bell was rung when one of the watchtowers saw the governor had returned. The gates swung open as the governor, the Avatar and the guards entered the estate's walls.
The large estate was surrounded by a giant garden and grass patches here and there with a large path that intersected in the middle. In the middle stood a stone statue of a woman in front of the woman was a plaque. The woman was the matriarch of the family and the first governor of the Tongren province. She lived during the reign of the Tong Dynasty's first two kings, Zhuanxu and Ku.
Behind the statue was the continued path to the steps of the large estate where the governor and his family lived. The guards slid the doors of the estate home open governor Diaoyu and Rong Yan passed through the doors and the guards slid the door shut again.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Avatar Rong Yan," said Geju.
"Wow, your estate is very beautiful something I noticed in your garden was the white dragon bushes. I've only seen those in books back at the Jongmu Air Temple," mentioned Rong Yan.
"Ahh yes sometimes I pick the petals from the bushes and boil myself some tea every morning. The taste is so heavenly, you're just in luck because my servant will be making some today," commented Geju. The governor led Rong Yan through the halls where two familiar faces neatly sat down on a table.
It was Unaraq and Aloi they were given a snack but when they looked up to the footsteps they heard that came their way. They met eyes with their friend, Aloi sprung out of her seat and threw her arms around Rong Yan. While Unaraq stood up approached his friend he still stuck with a clean shaved face. Aloi had cut her bangs as well, her clothing, even more, shorter than before. She wore a red top fastened in place by some thread and red shorts and a yellow skirt over them. Her boots were still the same white spider silk woven boots with red lining.
While Unaraq had new threads a light blue sleeveless vest, and dark blue pants and black boots he bought somewhere in the Oma Kingdom. His hair was held in a half-up topknot while the lower portion was loose. .
"Rong Yan! By the gods it's so good to see you!" beamed Aloi she then stared at his face for a few seconds, "There something odd about you," she mentioned.
"He grew a mustache, my love," said Unaraq, she shook her head, "That's what that was? I thought he drank milk from a moo-sow mixed with cocoa powder. No there's something else he's more...grown."
Rong tittered nervously about the comment she made about his mustache, "I thought it looked good. Now I think I want to shave it off."
"No! No, it's fine! It's just been a while and I don't remember you having that the last time we spoke," Aloi convinced Rong Yan to keep the stache.
Unaraq walked up to Rong Yan and extended his palm out to shake his friend's hand, "It's good to be around you, man. We missed you, how's my sister?" he asked Rong Yan.
"I'll tell you after this whole tea conversation with the governor," Rong Yan fretted he wanted to hold the secret a bit longer. He assumed the letter from Tanaraq would have come by now to Han Tui. Rong Yan sat to the left of Aloi and Unaraq, across from them was Governor Diaoyu. He sat relaxed while his servant gently placed teacups around the table for the governor and his guests.
The servant left and then returned a few minutes later with a teapot that emanated steam from within. She placed her hand on the left side of it while she slowly poured hot tea into the cups. Governor Geju grabbed his teacup and blew on the teacup to lower the temperature so that he was able to sip without having to burn himself.
"Allow me to lower the temperature, Governor Diaoyu," offered Rong Yan, the older gentleman nodded in approval. Rong Yan used his fingers to suction the tea over to him he placed his fingers around the teacup and cooled the drink down a bit so it was drinkable. With a light puff of air, it slid back without being spilled to its owner.
"Thank you, Avatar Rong Yan," smiled Geju after he thanked Rong Yan. Governor Geju took a sip of the tea and then placed it down on the saucer. He sighed, "I have unpleasant news to bring you Master Sun Wu passed away this morning. I apologize for the inconvenience however, I have sent a scroll to King Gao Zu about this predicament. I'm sure he can reassign you a new master soon. You're more than welcome to stay in my city until the reply arrives."
Rong Yan lowered his head and sighed as well, "I have to wait to master another element again?" he worried.
"As I said I am sorry but you won't have to wait any longer maybe about a few weeks if anything. I'm sure he can find you an adequate master," reasoned Geju. Aloi glanced at Rong Yan and frowned she then asked the governor, "Do you have a personal shrine or maybe know where the city's temple is?"
"The temple is only five blocks south of my estate why?" he looked at her confused and then questioned the Air Nomad nun.
"He can speak to Avatar Ku Tei maybe his past life knows someone else or can give him advice," answered Aloi.
Avatar Ku Tei.
"Oh, of course, you may use it at your disposal. I'd like to offer the guest house here in my estate. There is no place safer in my city than in my home. At least until Gao Zu sends his reply," offered Governor Diaoyu.
"Thank you we accept the offer," Rong Yan agreed, "We have our little room somewhere in the center of the city, actually with all due respect we're staying there," Unaraq mentioned.
"Well pack your things because you're being transferred to a bigger place," smiled the governor.
Aloi elbowed Unaraq and glanced at him to give the evil eye, "Ow, what was that for?"
"We'll gladly take your offer," bowed Aloi. "Then it's settled then. I'll see you for dinner tonight," the governor smiled.
Rong Yan, Aloi and Unaraq left the estate of the governor they headed in their separate directions. Rong Yan toward the temple while Aloi and Unaraq headed for the center of the city back to their room. The governor was being kind while Unaraq had been ungrateful now they don't have to pay for their room every night.
Rong Yan padded down five blocks and turned to his left where he saw a big temple in the distance. Several people stood outside while another made an offering to one of the shrines outside of the place of worship. He walked up the steps and opened the door to the temple a few people inside recognized him.
"Avatar! You have honored our temple with your presence!" said a priest he then continued, "What can we assist you with today? Do you need healing, a blessing or perhaps talk with the earth sage of Han Tui?"
"No, I just need a quiet place to meditate and speak to my past lives," declined Rong Yan as he shook his head. The priest nodded, "Sure, please follow me."
The priest led Rong Yan toward the earth sage's study, it was empty. The sage currently was giving a sermon to the citizens of the noble district of Han Tui. While he found this odd because he didn't want to trespass, the priest told him the sage would be notified of the Avatar's presence in his study for meditation.
A small statuette of Tiandi sat on a table in front of Rong Yan, he sat on a rug while the priest left him be. A spirit manifested from Rong Yan's body, Ku Tei's spirit appeared, and slightly bowed his head, "Rong Yan what a pleasant surprise!" Ku Tei beamed excitedly.
"Good afternoon, Avatar Ku Tei. I have grim news," Rong Yan frowned, Ku Tei noticed his successor had frowned and he was concerned, "What's going on?" he inquired.
"I came to Han Tui to train with Master Sun Wu. The governor notified me that the master you appointed for me passed away this morning after a long battle with illness," Rong Yan answered.
"That explains why I was able to sense his presence in the Spirit World," Ku Tei mentioned.
"It's like these past three years and a half my world of training has been turned upside down. First Naartok wasn't around in Iqaluit and so my waterbending training was delayed for two months. Now, this. I just feel frustrated that there are always obstacles in my path.
Sometimes I feel like I'm doing an inadequate job as the Avatar, I should've taken Senlin out three years ago," disclosed Rong Yan, he spilled the beans to Ku Tei. He felt like he was being a terrible Avatar but as his past lives told him before he cannot rush something like this.
"Stop it you're not an inadequate Avatar, you're still young and alive. The mistakes you make now, you may regret after you're long gone from this world. But now you have the chance to change that, don't be indecisive," Ku Tei said.
"Remember this, patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind," Ku Tei added. .
"Thank you that helped a bit," Rong Yan thanked his past life as his spirit dispersed into the air. He took a deep meditative breath and then Mun Jin was summoned.
"I need your advice as I told Ku Tei, a master he appointed to me before his death passed away this morning. I'm frustrated there are always obstacles that delay my training from the actual date that I'm supposed to start. I know I shouldn't rush things but Senlin continues to take innocent lives and it makes me feel inadequate because I haven't taken care of him," Rong Yan summarized his conversation with Ku Tei to Avatar Mun Jin.
Avatar Mun Jin.
"You must learn that patience is power, patience is not an absence of action. Rather it is timing it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way," Mun Jin told Rong Yan he then disappeared. Rong Yan sighed some relief he stood up from the spot and opened the door back into the hall to leave the temple.
He padded into the main hall where the priest who directed him to the earth sage's study sat in a chair whilst he read a book. His eyes glimpsed up at Rong Yan then he placed the book down. The priest smiled, "I hope you're finished in there, I don't want to keep you here any longer but could you stay a bit to talk to the sage? He's a big fan."
Rong Yan nodded, "Sure."
Meanwhile, Unaraq had thrown himself onto the bed inside the room he and Aloi currently owned while they visited Han Tui. Aloi grinned and crawled into bed with him. They stared into each other's eyes as they laid there.
"Not a fan of the guest house invitation why do we have to share a house with Rong Yan. Not that he's a bad housemate I just prefer being alone with you," Unaraq brought up.
"We can't decline the offer we already accepted it. Plus it'd be rude. Rong Yan understands these things are natural," Aloi said.
"Does he though?" Unaraq wondered.
"Like have you ever noticed how he's never shared interest in someone?" Unaraq mentioned.
"Maybe he's focused on his training that he could care less about love," Aloi commented as she shrugged. .
"That or-" he was cut off by Aloi, "Or it's none your business."
"Fine, fine," sighed Unaraq, he slid out of bed and grabbed some of his things and put them under his left arm before he grabbed a bag of Aloi's belongings and walked out the door. Aloi laid there for a second and thought about it herself. Then her eyes widened and her mouth opened agape in wonderment.
She then whispered "Yua."
Aloi minced out the door and down toward the ground floor of the inn they stayed in. Unaraq had just paid the innkeeper for the night before. She smiled and waved goodbye to them while they left the building. They headed back in the direction of the governor's estate.
A group of people exited the larger chamber of the temple they were all of different shapes and sizes and wore a variety of different clothing. The last to exit was a plump dark-skinned man gray hair and brown eyes. His robes were white, he wore a white yugeon on his head. A yugeon is a cloth hat worn by Earth sages.
When he saw the tall Fire Nation man he giggled and jumped up and down excitedly he briskly nipped over to Rong Yan with his arm extended to shake his hand. Rong Yan noticed the Earth Sage because his clothing was far less expensive than those of the nobility. Rong Yan shook his hand and he bowed to the earth sage.
"What an honor it is to meet Avatar Rong Yan himself!" beamed the Earth Sage excitedly.
"What can we help you with?" he questioned the young Avatar, Rong Yan responded, "Actually I've already been helped. Your priest over here allowed me to meditate in your room of study."
"I was going to tell you this, Sage Kao but the Avatar finished before you did," said the priest.
The old man replied, "It's fine I thought we were going to be in there longer."
"Is there anything we do however besides provide you with besides what you came here for?" Sage Kao persisted.
"Well while my past lives told me that I should be patient on mastering the elements and achieving my destiny. But it's like when I'm closer to achieving it there's always something blocking that path. I'm sure you've heard that Master Sun Wu passed this morning?" Rong Yan explained his situation and then asked for advice.
Sage Kao lowered his head and sighed, "Yes such a huge loss to our city. But such is the way of life. I'm sure you'll find a new master soon. In theory, it has been said an Avatar can sense great spiritual energies within someone who can potentially be their masters. That is how some find their masters, take Ku Tei for example."
"Ku Tei mastered waterbending from his friend Naartok, his friend Yong Ten taught him airbending, his friend Chunan taught him firebending. These men except Yong Ten were not appointed to him by the world leaders. He sensed their energies and realized their energies matched with his, that's how you'll find your master," claimed Kao.
"How do you know this?" Rong Yan wondered.
"The local library has a few copies of a book written by Sun Wu, he wrote a biography of Avatar Ku Tei. When they were a bit younger Ku Tei believed in a theory that this was the way most Avatars found their masters. You might find your master here or somewhere else, sometimes the masters appointed by world leaders don't always match with the Avatar," answered Kao.
"I'd like a blessing if that's okay with you," Rong Yan brought up, the Earth Sage nodded and the placed his palm on the Avatar's forehead. Both Rong Yan and Kao shut their eyes as the sage began the prayer.
"I invoke the power of the gods, Tiandi for wisdom, to bring deliverance from suffering and delusion. Qin for paving the way for compassion and Enlightenment, I offer this prayer to Tiandi, and Qin," whispered Sage Kao as he prayed for Rong Yan. Rong Yan and Kao opened their eyes they smiled at each other and Rong Yan bowed to his elder, "Thank you."
Earth Sage Kao bowed to Rong Yan as well then the Avatar bowed to the priest before he exited the temple. After he walked out he thought about the local tavern he saw in the bazaar area of Han Tui. During the escort he saw a large wooden building about two stories high, it was some tavern where most of the peasants and middle caste citizens went to. He followed the signs that led to the bazaar where he landed earlier today.
The bazaar itself was massive shops, restaurants, a museum, spas, merchant stands, you name it. The city of Han Tui had all of this. The two-story tavern sat on the far right side of the section of the bazaar Rong Yan wandered around in. A line waited outside while several others exited and about three patrons entered from time to time. He's been meaning to get a drink since he's arrived a mango drink sounded nice. Something to quench his thirst as he approached the tavern the line got smaller until it he found himself behind two new customers.
Once he was allowed inside the building by the bouncer, he scanned the entire inside of the building. Several rambunctious people danced around and spoke aloud as the music of the bards played so loud. Chairs slid, glass cups hit the floor and shattered, the tavernkeeper was busy with a discombobulated blob of customers near the counter. One man was so impatient he jumped over the counter to help the tavern keep.
"Come on, man! What are you doing?!" shouted the tavern keep.
"It looks like you need help!" yelled the man who jumped over the counter.
He took orders from the people and filled their mugs with drink and satisfied them. Coins were placed or slammed on the counter by happy customers whose moods turned around. The man slid all the coins into his hands and handed them over to the tavernkeeper. The blob shrunk significantly and Rong Yan finally got himself a seat at the counter. He sat in between two men the one to the right and closest to the wall carried two twin dadao swords, while the one on the left wore tattered clothing.
Rong Yan felt something strange however less from the left and more from the man on the right. He continuously held the theory that Sun Wu and Ku Tei theorized about. He felt great energies that matched his from the man on the right similar to how he felt a faint energy from Tanaraq when he first met her at a glance in Yin La.
He glimpsed at the man a few times to the point where he felt Rong Yan's eyes bore into his soul and it made him uncomfortable. Concerned about what was going on the man asked, "Is there a reason you're staring at me that way?"
Rong Yan was caught by surprise he cleared his throat, "Sorry I didn't mean to."
"That doesn't cut it, I have this feeling I want to punch you in the face for giving me those kinds of looks, kid," threatened the man.
"Kid? You only look a few years older than me, are you sure you want to fight me? I'm a master," replied Rong Yan, he took the threat as empty simply because he was the Avatar and didn't find anyone to be a feared foe unless it was Senlin. Although he's grown to get over the fear of General Senlin now, he's mastered three elements so far. He's felt much more confident with his abilities.
The man was at an average height about the same height as Unaraq, his skin was a light tan color, his dark brown hair was long, uncut and bound in a half-up topknot. He wore a green bandana, his eyes were green, he looked to be in his late twenties, he also had a dark brown fu manchu mustache and a tuft under his lower lip. He wore an olive green tunic, and slacks and his shoes were forest green slippers, he wore a harness that held two twin dadao swords on his back. It was clear he was a swordsman and probably a master at it too. It was common to find weapon masters in either kingdom. Since the civil war-ravaged the continent over a millennia.
Jushi, descendant of Avatar Bhudev.
The man rose from his seat and a scroll from his satchel the scroll had came undone a bit. Words were readable for Rong Yan. He read, 'Wanted General Senlin of the Qiangda Kingdom', while the man grabbed the handles of his dadao swords to unsheathe them. Rong Yan bent down to grab the scroll and then he opened the rest of it.
"Hey give that back!" the man exclaimed his swords were now in his hands. Rong Yan saw the painting the portrayed General Senlin, "You're hunting my enemy down."
"What would you know about the likes of General Senlin? Most people from the Fire Nation don't even know who that is," wondered the swordsman he then assumed that Rong Yan was like most Fire Nation citizens, too busy or even unaware to know what went on in the Earth Kingdom. .
"Because he's been chasing me ever since he learned my predecessor Ku Tei died of natural causes. That's why he's known as the Great Betrayer around the Earth Kingdoms," Rong Yan answered, he finally revealed to the man he was the Avatar. Everyone began to turn their heads to the would-be altercation between the Fire Nation man and the swordsman.
The tavernkeeper shouted at both men, "Don't you dare fight in my tavern I'll have the guards haul both of you away!"
"You're the Avatar? Prove it!" declined the man, he needed evidence that Rong Yan was indeed the Avatar he claimed to be. Rong Yan conjured fire in one hand and blew a puff of air at the man's face, he quickly drew his mango drink from his cup and opened his mouth where he dropped the drink in and swallowed. The man was shocked to see the Fire Nation man bend three elements he had a sudden change of heart.
He placed his swords on his back and bowed to the Avatar, he felt shameful his honor got the better of him. He knew his parents and ancestors would have cursed him or frowned upon him if he became agitated enough to fight the Avatar.
"Forgive me, Avatar. I didn't mean to act so aggressively toward you normally two reasons someone ever decides to catgator you. Either they have a malicious intent or they're leering at you for another reason," apologized the man, he offered to take the scroll from the Avatar which Rong Yan handed back to him.
"Apology accepted, if you're hunting for Senlin then you're a bounty hunter I take it?" Rong Yan took the hint and questioned the man's occupation. The man nodded, "That I am if I take this guy down with the reward Gao Zu's offering I can retire early and buy myself a home in the upper caste section of Omashu."
"What about you? You said, the Great Betrayer has been chasing you since he learned your past life was dead. Why does he want you dead?" inquired the man.
"Because I'm getting in his way of completing his goals, I've only met him once. Since then I haven't seen him but from what I've gathered in the past three years, the war between the Qiangda Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe was all his doing. The end of this ceasefire, in my opinion, is a bonus to allow him to do what he pleases and I don't know where he's at as we lost track of him three years ago. But we know he's alive somewhere and I need to drag him from his hiding hole and kill him," explained Rong Yan. .
"I can't allow you to share all the glory in eliminating the Great Betrayer if you will have me I could tag along and prove to be useful," chuckled the man.
"Well I do need an earthbending master but you have dadao swords, you look like non-bender to me," commented Rong Yan, he judged the man by his looks and also because he wielded swords instead of bending.
"Oh don't let this swordsman get-up fool you. I'm a master swordsman but I'm also a master earthbender. I'm Jushi by the way," divulged the swordsman he introduced himself as he extended his hand to Rong Yan.
"Rong Yan, let me explain the glances I gave you. My past life and his friend believed in this theory that an Avatar can sense the matching energies within someone and themselves. Usually to identify their masters. In all honesty, I felt this powerful energy within you that matches mine. I think by destiny Tiandi planned for us to cross paths," Rong Yan claimed.
"Truly? That sounds pretty interesting maybe we were supposed to meet. I'm staying at this boarding house in the southern portion of the bazaar when you're ready for training stop on by," offered Jushi. "My friends and I are leaving for the Omashu province tomorrow, we need to seek the Earth King. You're more than welcome to join us. If Sun Wu hadn't passed I could've stayed here longer," mentioned Rong Yan.
"Ahh, that's understandable well before you go come see me so that I have a chance to pack my things. You've given me a great honor by allowing me to train you," smiled Jushi he then bowed to Rong Yan and Jushi finished his drink and departed the tavern. Rong Yan sat there a few minutes more while he finished his drink as well.
After doing so he exited the tavern and walked over to the dais where he saw that the time was two hours before evening. It wasn't dark quite yet however the sun had begun to set the skies transitioned from a blue to a purple hue. The clouds from white to a pinkish color he headed back to Governor Geju Diaoyu's estate.
Where he was to meet the governor for dinner along with Unaraq and Aloi after an hour upon which he finally reached his destination. The guards rang the bell to the gate guards and allowed Rong Yan into the estate. The skies were now getting a bit darker there were city workers who lit the lanterns on the streets to provide citizens with illuminated streets.
Rong Yan was escorted to the steps of the estate itself a guard bowed to him and opened the doors where he was then greeted by the steward of the governor. The steward bowed his head to the Avatar and mentioned, "Avatar Rong Yan, Governor Diaoyu is expecting your attendance for this dinner. Your friends Aloi and Prince Unaraq are waiting at the dinner table."
"Thank you," he thanked the steward.
The steward gestured Rong Yan to follow him toward the dining area. Several minutes later they arrived to see the large dining area had a large wooden table in the middle with several pillows being occupied by several members of the governor's family and his friends.
Governor Geju sat on one end of the table while his wife sat to his left, his oldest son to his right, then his two daughters. One of them was Rong Yan and Aloi's age while the other was maybe about fifteen-years-old. On the other end, it was Unaraq on the left and Aloi on the right while the middle pillow was empty for Rong Yan. The food had just been served and Rong Yan's food had been ordered by Unaraq his favorite steamed salmon. The thing, however, is this time it was prepared the way it's made in the Fire Nation.
Governor Geju's eyes brightened with joy as he saw Rong Yan appeared, "Welcome Avatar I'm glad you can join my family for dinner. Please," he said then he paused and extended his arm out as a gesture to sit, "..have a seat. Your friend here told us your favorite food, I thought maybe you might be a little homesick so I had my cook prepare it for your Fire Nation style," concluded the governor.
Rong Yan's mouth watered as he stared at the steamed fish on the table he licked his lips and plopped down. Governor Geju extended his arms out to his sides his son and his wife grabbed his hands and extended theirs to their other two family members. The governor wanted to pray for his food, the girls extended their hands out to Unaraq and Aloi and they did the same with Rong Yan who held onto their hands. Geju took a gander to his right and then insisted that his son start the prayer, "Tyro will please start the prayer tonight?"
His son nodded, "Yes father." Everyone lowered their heads and shut their eyes repeated everything the oldest child of the governor said. His son Tyro was in his mid to late twenties or early thirties by the looks of it.
After two minutes, they finished their prayer and dug into their food, the meat of the fish melted in the Avatar's mouth. It was delicious he felt homesick because he remembered his mom would make this for him every time. Although it wasn't always a meal he got to eat because Tang village was a mainland mining village and it was nowhere near the coast.
"Anything exciting that happened during your day, Avatar Rong Yan?" Geju inquired.
"I spoke with my past lives they told me I should be patient with finding a master, I spoke with Earth Sage Kao the spiritual leader of Tongren he mentioned a theory that Sun Wu and Ku Tei had about matching energies of the Avatar and his master. If Sun Wu passed I thought about the theory and met someone who's energies blazed inside them," Rong Yan summarized his day to the governor.
"That's interesting that would explain how Ku Tei met most of his masters or how Anana met her firebending master," the oldest daughter of Geju answered.
"You know their history?" Rong Yan questioned the woman.
"I do consider myself an Avatar scholar of sorts, Fire Lord Kaien had two masters for Anana to choose but in the end, her master Huan Zhu beat one of them in battle. This person you met tell us more," added the woman.
"Well Lady Diaoyu, I met Jushi at the tavern in the bazaar. He's both a master swordsman and a master earthbender. I casually sat next to him but I didn't feel his energies until after several minutes being next to him. He thought I gave him the gaze of a catgator and he reacted aggressively at first, a scroll fell from his satchel I opened it up and realized it was a wanted poster for the Great Betrayer. That's when I also knew he was a bounty hunter and he offered to teach me earthbending if I permitted him to tag along with me in my travels," described Rong Yan.
"This Jushi you mentioned, if what the king has for you is better. I'd like to test his abilities if you'll allow me Avatar Rong Yan," implied Geju.
"Certainly, I'd like to know how great this master is," agreed Rong Yan, "Then it's settled tomorrow morning I want your new friend to duel my guard captain. He's a skillful master but he felt it to be too great of a responsibility to train you. Where does this man reside?" declared the governor.
"He's been staying at this boarding house in the southern section of the bazaar district of Han Tui," replied Rong Yan.
"Pang's boarding home is the only one, I'll have estate guards escort your friend here. We'll see. If he wins the duel I'll send a letter to King Gao Zu and let him know you'll be arriving there. He'll want to challenge your would-be master," commented Geju.
They spent another half-hour eating and holding conversation about different things like the end of the ceasefire, the war, life, and other things. After dinner was over the family, Unaraq and Aloi excused themselves while Rong Yan and Lady Ai Diaoyu sat at the dinner table while they discussed more about the Avatars.
"I'm sure your knowledge goes as far as the first Avatar themself," she said.
"As far as I'm concerned I know up to Mun Jin but I've heard mentions of Kaenakai, Bhudev, and Manirak a few times during my travels. I've even learned about Avatar Duryaja, the first Earth King of the unified Earth Kingdom. I'm assuming they're Avatars that are revered by specific people. What about you?" Rong Yan commented.
"I thought you'd be a walking encyclopedia honestly, I've done my research. I'm a fan of Avani, and Nivedita, Li Sheng, Ilah. It's empowering to know that women can be just as powerful as men. These Avatars were just as great if not better than some male Avatars," marveled Lady Ai.
"Like during Avatar Avani's like a huge step forward for women's rights happened in the Qiangda and Oma Kingdoms. She even changed the opinions of all the Avatar scholars on one of her past lives Avatar Hansuke. Historically, he was a terrible Avatar but with his help, Avani would have never become the Avatar she's known today," added Ai.
"Interesting, I've always liked Xi Tong's story, his life was conflicted from the day he was born until his death. Imagine having the responsibility that I have and the responsibility of being a world leader's only heir. His dad mercenaries to chase him down after he ran away, in the end, his dad died and there was no heir to the throne. A regent lord was placed on the throne until Xi returned, but the regent lord went corrupt over time. Xi failed to return to the throne until after two decades where he took the throne," began Rong Yan.
"He came back usurped the throne from the regent lord and took it back but then he had to abandon his Avatar duties. He couldn't do either or, he ruled several more years before he gave up the throne again and placed a trusted advisor as the regent lord. For a long time, the dynasty of Tong was going to fail because even his daughters refused to become Earth Queen. In the end, a nephew of his was declared prince until he became of age. The Tong Dynasty ended, and the Qiangda Dynasty began," concluded Rong Yan.
"That does sound rather difficult, he's lucky the world remained at peace during his life. There was even the ceasefire during his reign that lasted until dynasties changed," added Ai.
"I didn't know that how interesting," Rong Yan smiled, "Do you even know how this war all started?" she asked him.
"I don't actually," Rong Yan said, Ai stretched her body and yawned, "Well I'll tell you in the morning I'm pretty tired right now. You can walk me to my room if you'd like," offered Ai.
Rong Yan nodded he rose to his feet and helped the noblewoman to her feet. He then escorted her to her room her arms were tucked inside her sleeves while they continued to talk while he walked with her.
She giggled and then arrived at the doors of her chambers, two guards patrolled the halls of the home. She wanted to hug him but then Rong Yan extended out his hand for a shake instead. It was awkward but they both tittered nervously and she bowed her head. She slid open the doors to her room and minced inside. Rong Yan smiled and then asked a guard to escort him out to the guest home on the estate property.
Several minutes later, they arrived at the guest home which was pretty big as well, the walls outside were made of earth. While the ones inside were of a thick wood, the door was also made of wood and it had rice paper coverings on the apertures of the home. The estate guard who escorted Rong Yan saluted him and turned around and strolled back to his position. Rong Yan opened the door into the guest home to find it empty of life.
Although his friends were in their room probably asleep he rose his voice to notify them that he's now home, "Unaraq! Aloi! I'm home!" No response he shrugged it off and padded off slowly to his room. He slid the door opened when he heard a faint squeal, within the room it had been dark but Aloi's back was laid against the bed's thin mattress and several amount of pillows.
Unaraq whispered, "What?"
"He's here," she replied, they made sure not to make any sudden movements and used their inside voices.
"I'll go slowly I promise," he whispered back, she covered her mouth and made a faint squeal. They both gasped. A knock on the door of their bedroom they both froze like foxantelopes after a hunter skulked around in the background.
"Are you guys here?" Rong Yan asked from behind the door. She whispered, "Say something, but sound sleepy!"
"...Yes...please..go to bed..." Unaraq groaned, "Okay!" Rong Yan said.
Rong Yan strolled to an unoccupied room and closed the door, he dived onto the bed and a minute or two after he got comfortable he went to sleep. Unaraq frowned the entire time even more after Aloi said, "I don't want to anymore."
She rolled to her left and stared at the wall until she fell asleep as well. The morning after, arrived Rong Yan awoke and stretched out his limbs and yawned he got out of bed and walked over to the mirror in the room where he fashioned his hair into a topknot. He thought maybe Unaraq would give him a haircut if he asked.
He placed his miter back on his head and waltzed out the door of his room while he whistled. Aloi had been sitting at the table with a fruit in her hand. While Unaraq sat at the table with a nasty frown on his face from last night. He stared at Rong Yan as if he held an ancient statue's gaze upon the Avatar.
"Good morning, guys," Rong Yan greeted his friends.
"Morning, Rong Yan," smiled Aloi, Unaraq said nothing and instead gave a faint groan. She had stood up and stepped toward the stove inside the home. The stove cooked some rice that she found inside the pantry. The spark rocks were used to start the flames. Spark rocks were mined from the mines of northern Pingyao where a large part of their economy came from exports of spark rocks around the kingdom.
The rice had finally been cooked and she separated it into bowls of three, one for herself, one for Rong Yan and the last one for Unaraq. Unaraq just stared at his bowl and hadn't moved a muscle he continued to frown. Rong Yan and Aloi chatted as they ate, she remained largely unbothered by what transpired the evening before.
"What's his problem?" Rong Yan wondered as to why Unaraq held a scowl. She tittered nervously and then turned around and cleared her throat she gazed at her boyfriend who held the scowl still. She gave him that radiant smile that made him fall in love with her in the first place.
"You know if you don't want to be here you can always EAT OUTSIDE!" she exclaimed as she rose her voice. She grew annoyed about his bad table manners with Rong Yan over something they can do privately at any other time of the year.
He mumbled something under his breath as he grabbed his bowl of rice and chopsticks and left the home. She apologized to Rong Yan, "Sorry he's being weird about last night when you knocked on the door."
"Oh I'm sorry to have disturbed your sleep," Rong Yan frowned.
"Don't worry about it, I'm not upset," she smiled they continued to eat.
Meanwhile, guards arrived at Pang's Boarding Home a massive building where many people slept at for cheap. Laborers, soldiers, travelers from other provinces, all came to Pang's. This wasn't the only boarding home however there were many more in Han Tui. Most were only able to afford Pang's. Pang was an old woman she was thin, wrinkled, pale skin and green eyes.
When one of the patrons opened to leave the boarding home there had been about three estate guards in the doorway. The patron was startled that he stepped aside the old woman bowed to the men, "It's not every day that Governor Diaoyu's men walking into my boarding home, what can I do for you?" she inquired.
"We're looking for a Jushi, Governor Diaoyu invites him to his estate," one of the men answered. Pang pulled up a parchment with all of those who paid to stay in her boarding home. She then said, "Second floor, second door on the right."
The men walked up the stairs and wandered through the hall while they memorized the directions to Jushi's room. Jushi ate an apple while someone had knocked on the door when he answered the door three estate guards stood there.
"Are you Jushi?" one of them asked, he nodded with a concerned expression on his face.
"Governor Geju Diaoyu invites to his estate," the one in the front mentioned.
"What for?" Jushi questioned the men.
"He didn't say, just that we look for a Jushi at Pang's," the left guard behind his superior added. Jushi grabbed his things and sheathed his swords onto the harness he had already been wearing. He followed behind the guards. At the same time, Governor Geju and his wife Lady Chunhua sat on a platform called a ta. While Rong Yan sat on a pillow on the floor across from them they discussed with him about things like politics and war.
"Your self-appointed master will be arriving here shortly," notified Governor Diaoyu.
His wife ate sliced mangos from a small porcelain bowl. Rong Yan nodded, "I hope he shows up because I'd be disappointed if he was playing around. I do hope he succeeds against your captain."
"As do I but I hope you understand why we must test him," Diaoyu mentioned.
"Yes, you want to ensure I have a powerful earthbender teaching me so that my bending is strong," Rong Yan related.
Governor Geju and his wife nodded in agreement to what Rong Yan said, she offered her husband some fruit but he shook his head and declined. She then brought up into conversation, "How are you liking our city so far?"
"I haven't seen much of it actually if I hadn't found my master so soon I could've had more time to explore. But from what I've seen I do like it, isn't Han Tui known for its opera houses?" Rong Yan responded then he hinted about the opera performances that put Han Tui on that map.
Because surely it wasn't their navy. Han Tui's navy isn't that strong, they're a small force of twenty battleships, their foot soldiers are a bigger force, however. They're mostly known for the opera and also being huge fishing exports around to the kingdom and other parts of the world.
"If you happen to stay any longer you may join us the day after tomorrow to the opera house for the weekend," offered Lady Chunhua, she smiled and Rong Yan replied, "If we do, I'd be honored to join you."
Geju's steward ran into the living quarters of his estate and bowed before the governor, "Lord Diaoyu, the Avatar's potential master has arrived," he notified the governor before he backed away slowly out of the room.
"Well then we have an earthbender to test," said Diaoyu, he leaped off the platform and extended his arms out to pick up his wife off of the ta. Rong Yan padded down the halls and out the door beside them.
Governor and Lady Diaoyu along with Rong Yan exited the estate home while the guards arrived with the twin dadao wielded earthbender. The bounty hunter that Rong Yan met at the tavern knelt before the governor of Tongren. Once he stood up he noticed the Fire Nation man from the afternoon before and then he wondered why he truly was here for.
The captain of the guard arrived, the governor stepped toward the swordsman and then said, "I'm hoping you're wondering why you were brought here."
"As you might know by now Rong Yan over here is the Avatar, he mentioned about you having matching energy with him and that you offered to teach him earthbending if he allowed you to travel with him to collect a bounty. I can't just let anyone who claims to be a master to train the Avatar," mentioned Geju.
"I hope you understand so I invited you here to test your skills," added Geju.
"With whom am I fighting with?" sighed Jushi.
Jushi and Jueduo in the court of Governor Geju Diaoyu's estate, about to duel.
"Captain Juedou, this will be your opponent today. Prepare yourselves, men. And Jushi you will fight without your dadao swords," Governor Geju told the captain and then pointed to the swordsman. He then told the swordsman that he won't be permitted to use his dadao swords in the duel.
The guards removed the dadao swords from the swordsman while others removed chainmail and tabard and coif from Jueduo. Both men were to fight in the courtyard right here and now, Geju knew if he didn't try to test the Avatar's new master that Gao Zu would have his head.
Aloi and Unaraq exited the doors of the home along with Ai, her sister and her brother who spectated the duel just before it started. Aloi asked, "What's going on?"
"My potential master's skills will be tested by the governor's guard captain," Rong Yan answered. "Which one is your master?" Aloi wondered, Rong Yan pointed at the man in the green tunic. .
"That guy? They just removed swords from his person, are you sure he's not a non-bender?" she questioned.
"Why would a non-bender waste his time with a fake persona to duel a bender?" Rong Yan asked her, "I suppose you're right," she responded.
"This duel begins now!" he announced, Jushi stood in Spirit Dragon stance. Something that surprised Governor Geju, he's only seen this stance in books. Jushi stood with one leg bent and positioned to face the left while his right leg was extended in front of him and faced his opponent. His left arm was bent at the elbow and positioned behind him while his right arm was bent and positioned in front of his face. He stared down his opponent and gave a slight grin.
Captain Juedou stood in a Jai Kiu stance that was known as Subduing Bridge stance, something that was shared throughout the years with the Qiangda Kingdom. While each kingdom had its style nowadays both Qiangda and Oma Kingdom styles mixed amongst each other. He realized his opponent used a traditional Oma Kingdom style of earthbending.
Even after the governor announced for the duel to commence they stared down each other. As if they waited for the other to make a move. Gladly, Juedou made his move first in the stance he held his fists pointed down he moved them down and then up as he pulled a solid block out of the ground. He then moved his arms quickly to opposite sides to form cracks in the blocks from which he then launched a few with two boxing punches.
Jushi held a grin as if he knew what he was doing, the rectangular blocks that came toward him wrapped around his hands and forearms like rock armor. Juedou behind the block pillar was unable to see while Rong Yan and everyone else gasped at the amazing defensive move they saw. A large block came toward Jushi he inhaled and the block split into two and covered the rest of his arms. The captain then compressed the large block and slid it with great force toward his opponent. Except Jushi didn't dodge the pillar instead he split and pulled it toward his body.
The captain of the guard thought the duel was over until a cloud of dust emerged and out came Jushi in full earth armor from head to toe. Jushi chuckled and now the duel was less stagnant and more mobile he switched into Soi stance which was a stance that made him move like he was riding a wave. Governor Geju was puzzled at the next stance while his daughter Ai was shocked to see the earthbender in the next stance. She knew something that not everyone knew and she was now impressed by the bender.
Jushi lifted the ground and with his rock shoes slid around the earth waves and shot small rocks that protected his fingers at his opponent. A few hit the captain then he pulled a rock shield out of the ground and blocked the next projectiles. Jushi rode around him and kicked his leg armor that wrapped around Juedou's legs. He fell off balance and on the ground Jushi stopped in front of his downed opponent, the left fist form into a spike of earth he pointed it down at his downed opponent. .
"ENOUGH!" shouted Governor Geju, the armor fell off of Jushi like sand and piled down around him. He extended his arm and offered it to his defeated opponent. Juedou took his arm and Jushi helped the man to his feet.
"The way you fight hasn't been seen for centuries," commented Juedou he bowed before Jushi with respect.
"Thank you for this duel," he thanked the swordsman.
Geju, Rong Yan and Ai nipped toward Jushi and Juedou, "You've clearly shown me and everyone here you're worthy enough to train the Avatar."
"Wow I never seen an earthbender like that," claimed Rong Yan.
"The way you moved looks familiar, I've read about your style. Its the traditional Oma Kingdom style from the late 1500s to mid 1400s dad" broke in Ai.
"Where did you learn to fight like this, son?" Geju questioned Jushi.
"My family has mixed nationalities, my maternal side is Qiangda Kingdom while my paternal side comes from the Si Wong state. I'm one of the last descendants of Avatar Bhudev himself," divulged Jushi. Everyone gasped then Rong Yan added, "That would explain why your energy matches with mine. I never thought I'd meet another descendant from an Avatar, one of Unaraq's family friends is related to Avatar Arrluk."
"I would be more than honored to have a descendant of Bhudev train me," Rong Yan bowed to Jushi with respect, Jushi shook his head humbly and said, "No the honor's mine, I'd make my patriarch proud by training his future successor."
"I'll be sending Jushi's victory as a report to King Gao Zu, I expect you're heading in that direction, yes? The Earth King would love to meet both of you," said Geju. Rong Yan nodded, "That is the plan we'll be heading to Omashu before we head off to Bei Fu the city that the Water Tribes are currently controlling in Qiangda territory."
"I wish you luck, just beforehand I ordered my men to bring you your dragon and my cooks a few meals that should keep you full on your way to Omashu province," fretted Governor Diaoyu. He then handed Rong Yan the scroll with a stamp of an armadillo lion on it. .
"That's the report give it to Gao Zu when you're inside his palace," ordered Diaoyu, Rong Yan nodded. A roar of a dragon was heard from the outside of the estate then Jushi remembered, "Wait before we leave I need to gather my things."
"You just reminded us to gather our things," chuckled Aloi.
She extended her arm out and introduced herself and Unaraq, "I'm Aloi, Rong Yan's airbending master. This is my boyfriend Unaraq, he's the navigator, and weapons master of the group. He's also funny." Unaraq no longer held the scowl at Rong Yan after Aloi scolded him about the night before while Rong Yan spoke with the governor and his wife.
"Weapons master eh? I hope you're willing to spar with me in the future," smiled Jushi. .
"You're on, Jushi," agreed Unaraq both men shook hands. Jushi split from the group to gather his belongings before he returned to the estate. Everything was packed within an hour on Shen's saddle, Jushi finally returned with his sack on his back. He removed it on tossed onto Shen's saddle and propelled himself in the air via earth pillar.
Rong Yan snapped the reins of Shen and they ascended into the air and headed off toward the southeast. They would arrive in the capital of the Oma Kingdom in two days. Jushi rummaged through the sack and found salted meat. While Unaraq relaxed and took a nap, Aloi read a book while Rong Yan steered his dragon from the neck of the beast.
See more
For the collective works of the author, go here.