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It's very beautiful here... Korra thought, sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching the sunset. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her legs and closed her eyes, folding her hands in her lap as she started to meditate. However, she didn't even have the chance to get started when she heard the shout.
'Bandits. Bandits!'
Korra's eyes snapped open and she scrambled to the edge of the cliff, looking down. Below her, she could see a trading caravan crossing the rocky expanses, being pursued by riders on Ostrich Horses. The riders wore masks and rough, torn clothing, some of them carrying crude weapons in their hands.
They're in trouble...
Grabbing her staff, Korra leapt off the cliff, her glider unfolding as she fell and she caught the wind, sweeping down towards the caravan. As she approached, the riders split into two groups, circling round the caravan as the traders prepared to defend themselves. She could see the women and children sheltering behind the wagons as the men got ready to fight, rocks rising up from the ground to fly towards the riders. A few hit home, knocking the riders from the saddle as a heavy set man with a neat beard leapt up onto the caravan, raising a column of stone that tripped another rider.
He's got guts...
Sweeping down, Korra folded her glider back into her staff and dropped, her staff whirling as she fell and she caught one of the bandits across the neck. He gave a strangled cry and fell from the saddle as Korra landed lightly, bringing her staff around in a horizontal strike that struck another bandit across the jaw. Even before he hit the ground, she sprang into a tornado kick, releasing two blasts of fire that took out two more bandits.
'Look out!'
Hearing the shout, Korra swung round to see one of the bandits aiming a crossbow at her, his finger tightening on the trigger. Before she could even start to dodge, a rock hurtled through the air to strike the man on the side of the head and the bolt went wide. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the bearded man lowering his arm, kicking out to catch another rider in the chest and throw him from the saddle.
'Thanks!' Korra yelled, ducking under a savage club blow and grabbing the rider's arm, slamming him to the ground with a hip throw. The remaining bandits, seeing that the fight was going against them, turned and rode away as fast as they could, a cheer going up from the traders.
'Shut it!' The bearded man roared. 'They'll be back and we need to reach Ba Sing Sae before they are. Get to it!'
While the traders scrambled to get the wagons ready to move, he turned to Korra and held out his hand.
'Thanks for the help.'
'You're welcome.' Korra said, shaking his hand. 'I'm...'
'...The Avatar. I know. I'd love to hear what you're doing here, but time is short. My name is Taan and we're heading to Ba Sing Sae. You'd be welcome to join us.'
'Thank you.' Korra said and Taan clapped her on the back, nearly knocking her over.
'Excellent. We can use another pair of hands. Now, if you'll excuse me...'
Giving her a warm grin, he stormed towards the wagons and began shouting at the traders to get a move on, Korra suppressing a smile.
What an...interesting man...
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms very well.