Chapter One: Truth

Kirana bent over backwards as she avoided a blow. "Nice try, Master Kasha," she said as she sent a blast kick of her own. "But I'm to old for that." And indeed she was.

Kirana was sixteen and over five feet tall. She had long dark brown hair that she normally wore in a braid, and her eyes where large, almond shaped and a deep liquid brown.

Master Kasha laughed. "Not for this." The move Master Kasha sent knocked Kirana onto the ground.

Why does he always do that? Kirana thought getting back up. "Why are you waiting for to get back up? When fighting a real enemy one does not wait, remember?" Master Kasha just pointed toward the small road leading up to Kirana's house. It was her father and a Firesage. What do they want now? She wondered, for it is well known that Kirana and her family had a certain dislike of Firesages.

"Daughter. It's so good to see you practicing again." Jackpher's voice was filled with relief as he hugged his only child. " I have brought news." The sage walked up.

"What do you want?" Kirana spat out bitterly at the sage.

"Only to bring you good news. We, the Firesages, have known for sometime that you are the next avatar. We called your father to tell him first and go over the arrangements.

You are to be moved to a room in the palace. Of course your father will join you if you would like. You are being moved there because that way you will be better protected and will have better instructors."

"I like Master Kasha the way he is. And I don't think I'm the avatar." She the last part just to see the sage's eyes flash with anger, but deep down, even as she said this, Kirana knew it to be true. She waited for the sage to speak and when he did not she said, "I would enjoy having my father living in he palace with me. I would also like my aunt and uncle to live there also, if that is not a problem." The last part was more of a threat than a request.

The Firesage nodded, "I will see to it. Please, go pack so we may leave. You do realize that by agreeing to live in the palace you are consenting to being the avatar and to our training?"

What else would there be? This thought ran through her mind before she answered, "I understand." Turning she marched into the house to pack her few belongings.

Her aunt stuck her head out of her room. "Why Kirana what is the matter?"

Kirana turned to face her aunt, "Chen, finally told me what I already knew, that I am the avatar."

Chen's face light up with a smile and Karmak appeared beside her. "That's wonderful. Will we be joining you at the palace?" Kirana nodded. "Well then Karmak we better pack." Her aunt's head disappeared along with Karmak's.

Well at least the palace won't be to boring, Kirana thought as walked outside, I wonder if I'll be able to bring Sienna.

Chapter Two: Journey to the Palace

Kirana padded the side of Siena's neck as they walked along. It was nearly dark and the sages had finally let them out of the stuffy carriage. They would be stopping soon to set up camp. Kirana's father, Jackpher, and Uncle Karmak had argued strongly about not stopping at night for fear of bandits and Dark Avatar. The call for stopping was sounded and the carriage and its escorts stopped.

Kirana groaned. She dreaded the thought of being stuck in tent with guards standing at the door and almost no privacy. I just hope none of the guards get drunk.

Ling Yen, the Firesage, pulled his horse to a stop next her. "You don't look happy avatar. But don't worry no bandits would dare attack us and there is only two more days of travel."

"That is not what worries me. Dark Avatar worries me and drunk guards." Kirana put an edge into her voice, which warned Ling Yen to shut up. Pulling Siena to the side of the carriage Kirana dismounted, as the guards where setting up tents for her, her father, and aunt and uncle. Shaking her head Kirana turned as a footman opened the carriage door. Her aunt was first, then Karmak and then Jackpher.

"It's good to be out of that box," Aunt Chen said happily, taking a big breath of air.

Dinner that night consisted of dried moon peaches and fresh meat roasting on a spit. Putting her plate down Kirana excused herself. Entering the tent that was eructed for her, Kirana fell onto the bed tired. Yet sleep did not come to her. She lay awake long after every one else had gone to bed, except the guards of course. The events of the previous day came back to her and kept her from sleeping, but soon she fell into a restless sleep.

The next day Ling Yen wouldn't let her out of the carriage. They're excuse was that they where entering the outskirts of the capital city of Furusa.

At noon the procession stopped and Ling Yen opened the door and placed a tray with their lunch on it. "Enjoy." He said before leaving.

Chen pulled the covering of the tray. "Dried moon peaches, salad and salad dressing. How sweet." Every one laughed.

Jackpher pulled several sheets of paper from his pocket. "These are maps of the palace." He laid them out on the table beside the food. Everyone leaned in to get a better look.

The maps showed every room in the palace. Kirana quickly found the room she was staying in. It was located in the section where the Fire Lord and his family lived. It was between Princess Lau Danu and her servant's room. It looked quite large, her father's, aunt's and uncle's room's where a lot smaller. Why is it that the avatars always get treated like royalty and her family like those of lesser blood? Kirana thought bitterly as she ate.

That night the guards where a little rambunctious for there was only one more day of travel, Kirana (however) was dreading noon the next day, for Ling Yen said that was when the palace would come in sight. Then a little after twilight they would reach the palace. She was not looking forward to it.

The third day came to quickly for the avatar. She was again forced to stay in the carriage the whole day. The air had become thick with tension and there was hardly any talking.

Chen looked up from the scroll she had been reading. "I have great news." She paused to make sure they were all listing and to annoy them. "I'm pregnant." Karmak's face lit up with shock then happiness, but he was too happy to speak all he could was hug Chen.

Jackpher said, "That's wonderful."

"So, that would make me a cousin, right?" Kirana asked and making a mental note to ask the Fire Lord to give her aunt and uncle a more comfortable and spacious room. This made Chen and every one else laugh. Talk about the baby made the day pass by quickly. About noon Ling Yen opened the door.

"Avatar, gentleman, lady, if you look outside you will be able to see the palace walls and roof tops." He withdrew and Kirana and her family exited the carriage.

The palace rooftop where two stories higher than the thee story wall surrounding it, and was the same red as the building. Sentries patrolled its perimeter in search of danger.

"Before we arrive you all must change into the proper garments." Ling Yen stood beside an opened trunk. They could see two firebender's outfits and part of two kimonos'.

"Why do we have to change? What's wrong with the way we look?" There was no mistaking the anger in Kiriana's voice, or in her eye's. When Ling Yen did not answer she said, "Well?"

Ling Yen drew himself to his full height (only a couple of inches taller than the avatar) and said, "The Fire Lord commands it." He then snapped his fingers and guards started to erect two tents.

Two girls around 16 came to Ling Yen's side. "They will help you dress avatar and Chen." He left.

The two girls names where Yu Ying, who was sixteen, and Ping who was fifteen. Yu Ying pulled to kimonos from the chest and headed for the tents with Ping, Kirana and Chen right behind them.

Chen went into the tent first with Yu Ying and Ping, while Kirana sat outside in her mother's Firebending outfit.

Soon Chen came out and Kirana's mouth dropped. Her aunt was in a red and dark blue kimono and her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun with two decorated chopsticks. Smiling Chen walked over to Karmac with a bounce in her step.

Kirana rose to enter the tent when a flaming arrow landed in the ground in front of her. Yelping she jumped back. That was to close. Yu Ying and Ping ran to the carriage as Ling Yen came running to the avatar.

"It is Dark Avatar. We must get you to safety, hurry the carriage."

"No. Get your fastest horses and rider's I will ride ahead on Siena to warn and get help from the Fire Lord. Do you have anything that will prove I'm the Avatar?" Kirana said this while she walked towards Siena.

Ling Yen motioned to two guards who were already on their horses and gave Kirana a scroll. "Give this to the guard and he will know you are important."

Nodding Kirana kicked Siena into a gallop with the guards close behind.

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Zu Ling turned to the young man and woman standing beside him. "Get on your horses and follow me." Mounting, he rode after the avatar.

When they were a bow shot away Zu Ling look towards Jo and said, "Take out the guards and use the special arrow on the avatar. I want her alive." He made sure Jo heard the emphasis on the word.

Nodding Jo brought up his bow and took out the guard's easily. Then reloading he took careful aim.

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Kirana watched in horror as the guards went down and asked Siena for more speed, knowing she was next. Someone's fowling me. The thought rang through her mind and Siena felt her fear and put an extra burst of speed. To late.

She screamed, as the arrow embedded it's self into her good arm. Leaning over Siena's neck Kirana tried not to jostle her left arm knowing she could cause more damage. The palace was looming not far ahead and Kirana could feel the gathering darkness in her mind.

Almost unconscious Kirana come up to the gate as the sentry raced out. Handing over the letter she could hold the darkness of no more and passed out as pain ripped through her shoulder.