Roshi took a deep breath and steadied her blade. She squinted her eyes in concentration and turned to face her opponent, a tall, amber-eyed man standing opposite her. They circled each other like cats, focusing on the other's movements, hair pulled back, beads of sweat blossoming on their foreheads. The man struck the first blow. He moved his hands in a swift, fluid motion, sending jets of fire shooting straight toward her chest. She tumbled quickly to the ground, then popped back up and slashed at his arms.
Without the use of arms, a bender is useless. Roshi always took advantage of that during a fight.
He sidestepped her attack and hurled ball after ball of fire after her. Roshi evaded every one and lunged at her opponent. Just as she predicted, he ducked out of the way. She quickly leaped over him and clipped his temple with the tip of her boot. He collapsed on the ground unconscious.
Roshi sheathed her dagger and left the stage, panting. Applause erupted all around her, from both students in training and their masters. It was a rare sight for them, watching a powerful bender defeated by a non-bender, especially since she was a woman.
A band of excited-looking students approached her, all around the ages of thirteen and fourteen. Their teacher followed them.
"Please thank our guest lady roshi for giving us a demonstration today!"
The children all bowed politely and said in unison, "Thank you, Lady Roshi."
She brushed a strand of long, black hair out of her eyes. "It was an honor," she replied. "Now, do any of you have any questions for me?"
A tough-looking boy raised his hand.
"yes?"
"Where's the best place to attack a bender?"
"Definitely the arms. Without arms, a bender is rendered useless. Also, there are certain pressure points that can help you. When I hit my opponent's temple, I was using a pressure point that knocked him unconscious. If I had struck any harder, he could have been killed." The children absorbed her every word, eager, wide-eyed. "There's even a pressure point that can take away their bending for a short period of time. This can give you a huge advantage, since it's rare for benders to have any real strength in combat."
They nodded. A young girl with sharp green eyes raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Is it hard living in a family of fire-benders with no powers of your own?"
Roshi sighed, and bitterly answered, "Yes. Harder that you can imagine. Every day, I'm constantly having to prove that I'm just as talented as everyone else in my family. It's a constant struggle, but if I work hard enough, I can maintain my honor, and keep up my reputation.
"Anyone else?" Instantly, a dozen hands shot up. This was going to be a long day.
As soon as every question was answered, and after she recieved her gift from the school (a thick wad of letters from the students), Roshi quickly walked over to the large sundial in the center of the courtyard. It was almost 3 in the afternoon. She cursed silently, pulled her hood down over her eyes, and hurried from the building.
Roshi swiftly moved through the bustling crowds of the city's center, making her way toward the palace at its heart. Vendors pulled carts and called out the price of their goods, while acrobats juggled with fire and musicians played on yogi horns.
Roshi felt a tug on the hem of her robe and turned around. A young boy, dirty and thin, looked up at her. "Could ya spare any change, Miss?" He said quietly.
She rummaged through her bag and handed him a silver piece. His eyes widened at the sight of it. "This is worth at least three loaves," she told him. "Don't pay attention to anyone who offers you less."
He nodded. "Thank you, Miss!" He hurried off into the crowd.
Roshi sighed. There was so much poverty in the Fire Nation, even among young children. It hurt to think about the five-course meal awaiting her at the palace.
As soon as she approached the palace doors, a servant came running up to her, out of breath. "Is there anything you need, Princess Roshi?"
"No, but I would like to speak with Admiral Sung Li."
"I'll let him know." He raced off again, back up the stairs.
The two guards at the front bowed, then pulled open the heavy doors and allowed her to pass through. She climbed up the several flights of steps and took a right, heading for the military quarters.
"Any news?" she inquired.
Sung Li looked up from his maps and shook his head. "Not of any importance, princess," he replied. "A few fights, a robbery or two."
"No news of any avatar?"
"Not yet, I'm afraid."
"It doesn't make any sense!" She scowled in frustration. "Avatar Aang passed away fifteen years ago. There's bound to be at least a few sightings by now!"
Sung Li frowned. "Wherever he or she is, they must be extremely well-hidden."
"The Avatar's reincarnated into a different tribe every year, isn't he?"
Sung Li nodded.
"Well, that means the next Avatar is from a water tribe."
"Yes. But which one?"
"I'm not sure. There are more people in the Northern Water Tribe, so the chances are better there."
"But the Southern Water Tribe is much more isolated. It's hard for news to travel in or out, which could explain why no one's heard from the Avatar yet."
Roshi ran her fingers through her hair, thinking hard. "I think fifteen years is enough time for a search party to be sent out, don't you?"
"You'd have to get permission from Fire Lord Zuko first."
"I guess I'll give him a visit, then."
"Good luck, Princess Roshi."
Roshi nodded, and left the room.