:: the prince and the warrior ::
by thisflyingmachine
[part one: the prince and the warrior.]
"Do you know what they're celebrating?" the warrior asked. Beneath the bridge, small paper boats bearing candles drifted along the canal.
"Moon Festival," the young prince replied. "They're celebrating some princess."
"Not just some princess," the warrior said. "The single most important princess in the history of the Northern Water Tribe—in the history of the world, even!"
The prince raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
The warrior sighed. He was taller than the prince, and older by several years, but he tolerated the younger boy—for his status, if nothing else. Besides, the warrior's father specifically instructed him to be kind to the young prince during his visit. "Surely someone told you the story," the warrior said. "Your grandfather, maybe?"
The prince shakes his head mutely.
"All right then. I guess I have to tell you, then." Sighing, the warrior began his story.