Chapter 2
Tom was back down at the docks when he saw the Captain waiting by the gangplank.
"How'd it go, Cadet?" he wondered.
"I still don't believe it," murmured Tom, "The Fire Lord gave his blessing." The Captain merely shrugged; after the events of his thirty year career, he had long ago lost the ability to be surprised.
"A message arrived by dragon hawk," he said holding out a scroll tied with black ribbon.
Tom unfurled the scroll and read the message. He had no idea who knew he was here, maybe the War Minister was checking up on him?
Dear Tom-Tom,
I hope you do not find it strange that I'm writing to you. You were always kind to the other Cadets, and I admired you for that. I have a favor to ask: my friend Lien wants to meet you. She says she can help you find something that you seek. I know you've heard terrible things about me, but if anyone would hear me out, it's you. I'm in the Garden of Three Friends, so I'm not going anywhere.
Ju-Long
Tom couldn't believe his eyes; Ju-Long was a Cadet two years his senior whom he had always looked up to. The Captain seemed to pick up on his grim expression.
"What heading should we set?" he asked.
"The Garden of Three Friends," explained Tom, "I want to visit Ju-Long."
"You do know that he freaked out on a training mission and attacked his own squad," explained the Captain, "It took five firebenders to subdue him." Tom nodded sadly.
"I know what the Garden is for."
"The nut farm," muttered the Captain as he wandered off to the bridge, "It's your funeral, kid."
The ship sailed out of the harbor and headed to the northwest. After a few days sailing a small island appeared in view. A large white house with gray slate roof crowned the top of the island, while formal gardens led down to a boathouse by the water's edge. Behind the house stretched out a small forest of pine trees. It had an air of peaceful tranquility, indeed the Garden had once been the manor of a retired aristocrat. By the docks, two men in tan robes with black trim were waiting. The crew lowered the gangplank and Tom walked down the ramp.
"I'm Cadet Tom-Tom," he said with a bow, "I got a letter from a patient here."
"We're the orderlies," said the shorter man, "Doctor Ming is waiting for you."
"Follow us please," said the other man.
He followed them up the path in between the formal rows of flowers and bamboo artfully arranged with a small brook flowing under a wooden footbridge. Several stone lanterns flanked the pathway. Tom noticed a young woman sitting in the shade of a plum tree with a white parasol and flowing blue robes. He couldn't see her face, but her long hair was the color of pale straw and her hands were ghostly white. Inside a set of large wooden gates they reached a courtyard in the center of the house. All the rooms on all three floors looked inward toward this skywell, which had inset ponds for fish. They went into an office directly across the entrance and saw a kindly looking old man sitting at a desk, writing. He was wearing the same robes and a square black hat. His thin face was framed by a long white beard.
"Doctor Ming, here is the Cadet," said the first orderly.
"Ah yes, you've caused quite a stir with your visit," said the Doctor as he rose and took a walnut cane that was leaning against a chair.
"I apologize for the inconvenience," said Tom with a bow.
"Not to worry," reassured the Doctor, "It's just Ju-Long has never asked for visitors before."
"We been worrying about him back at the Academy, but it would be hard for him to reach out to us after what happened."
"It's encouraging to see him make so much progress," confirmed Ming, "Shall we?"
Tom followed them to a room two doors to the left of the office. Like all the other patient doors, it was barred from the outside, but had additional chains and locks.
"He actually asked for this," said the second orderly as he undid the cylindrical lock, "Says he sleeps better that way."
"Ju-Long, may we come in?" asked Ming after tapping the door with his cane. The door slid open and a tall man with shoulder length dark brown hair stood in the doorway. He was muscular with almost black eyes that looked nervous. Underneath his white robe his arms and chest were bandaged.
"Tom-Tom!" he exclaimed, "You came!"
"Yeah, no problem," said Tom feeling ill at ease, "Thanks for writing me."
"Doctor, can we go pay Lien a visit?" wondered Ju-Long.
"Go ahead my boy," said the Doctor, "You should go outside more often."
Ju-Long nodded and gestured for Tom to follow. The two orderlies followed them out to the garden a respectful distance behind.
"You need to know that Lien is from the Northern Water Tribe," said Ju-Long, "She's deathly afraid of fire, so don't firebend in front of her."
"Got it."
They stopped in front of the woman under the plum tree. She lowered her parasol and smiled to Ju-Long but her pale blue eyes showed fear when she saw Tom in his naval armor.
"Hello Ju-Long," she said in a soft voice.
"Hi Lien," he said gently, "This is Tom-Tom."
"Nice to meet you," said Tom with a fist into his palm. She stood up and examined his face closely. Her pale features made her seem unnatural, like a spirit.
"You have a kind face," she said after a long pause.
"Thanks," said Tom.
"You must seek the Kirin," she added, "Go to the palace of your youth."
"What does that mean?" he wondered.
"I'm not sure," she admitted, "Sometimes I see visions."
"Is, um, that all?"
"Yes," she said simply.
"Okay, well, thanks," he said uncertainly.
She bowed and sat down again, placing her hand in the brook. Water curled up her wrist and twisted into a spherical shape. Sadly Tom reflected that waterbenders had once been targeted by the Fire Nation; no wonder she was afraid of him.
"Let's go," suggested Ju-Long.
They walked back toward the main gate in silence.
"The gardens are beautiful," admitted Tom.
"Do you know why it's called 'Three Friends'?" said Ju-Long gesturing to the plants, "Pine, plum and bamboo grow green together even in winter."
"Wow, that's cool!"
"I guess it is," he agreed, "I hope Lien was able to help you."
"I can use all the help I can get," said Tom with a nervous laugh.
"That what the Princess told me you'd say," added Ju-Long with a smirk. Tom stopped cold in his tracks.
"The Princess…?"
"She's royalty after all," he said, "Didn't you know she was here?"
"Princess…Azula," whispered Tom, looking downcast. With a sinking feeling he realized the real reason he was here. "She asked you to write me, didn't she?"
"I…yes, she said you would understand." For all his imposing size Ju-Long suddenly looked frightened and weak.
"I do understand, but only just now," said Tom shaking his head, "Don't worry, you've actually done me a favor."
Back in the office Doctor Ming looked up in surprise.
"You want to visit with Princess Azula?"
"Yes, my older sister is her sister-in-law," he explained, "And I would like her blessing for my mission."
The Doctor looked dubious, but couldn't think of an objection; she hadn't accepted any visitors for years.
They climbed the narrow staircase to the third story, where one whole section had been set up as a suite. A pair of orderlies unbolted the main doors as Doctor Ming and Tom approached.
"She said to expect a guest," said one of the orderlies.
The other pulled the sliding door open.
The room beyond was ornately decorated with wall scrolls and elaborately carved wooden furniture with inlaid pearl. A woman with the same black hair and golden eyes like the rest of the royal family was lying on a couch with a headrest at one end. She was dressed in a long red gown with orange sleeves. Her bangs almost concealed her apparent boredom.
"Took you long enough," she sighed.
"I'm sorry for the delay," he said with a bow, "Princess Azula you may not remember m-."
"Mai's bratty kid brother Tom-Tom," she replied, "We almost traded you for King Bumi. I'm not sure who got the worse end of that deal."
"Thanks for your help back then," he said, "It's an honor to finally-."
"Save the flattery for Zuzu," she replied picking a cherry out of a bowl and inspecting it, "You have something to ask me, right?"
"Did Lien really have that vision, or was that just an excuse to get me to come here?"
"Does it matter? Would you believe me even if she did?"
"I would if you told me directly," he stated, "No matter what, you're family too."
Did he really believe the tripe he was saying? It was enough to make her sick.
"Fine, she really had that vision," she stated in mild exasperation, "You're lucky that she has me."
"What happened to her?"
"Oh the usual, Fire Nation attacked her village, burned it down, now she's a basket case. After the old hag died I was her only real friend here."
"I see. Do you know what the vision means?"
"Are you stupid or something? Obviously the palace of your youth is Omashu."
"Of course, my father was the Governor during the occupation! What about the Kirin?"
"Ask King Bumi. If the old coot is still alive, that is."
"At least I have somewhere to start," said Tom, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," she said sharply, "Zuzu was right about me."
"All the same, I'd like your blessing. Anything that helps me find Princess Ursa is greatly appreciated."
That got her full attention. Slowly she sat up and rose from the couch, her hands trembling slightly.
"You want my blessing for finding my mother? The mother who couldn't stand the sight of me?" She began laughing behind her hand, at first contemptuously, but it quickly veered into hysteria. Tom took two steps back to the door.
"I'm sorry," he said holding up his hands defensively.
By now Azula had regained her composure. Nothing was worse than showing weakness in front of this brat. Of course it was obvious he was just doing this to curry favor with the Fire Lord.
"Silly boy," she sneered, "Go ahead if it amuses you."
"R-really?" he wondered.
"Now you're boring me," she said lying back down, "Go away."
He bowed and beat a hasty retreat.
Doctor Ming was waiting outside.
"Well, what did she say?"
"It's hard to tell, but I think she wants me to go," he admitted, "I'm joining the Southern Air Fleet."
"May the spirits bless your journey then," said the Doctor patting his shoulder. They made their way down the staircase and found Ju-Long and Lien waiting in the courtyard.
"I'm going to Omashu," said Tom, "Thanks to both of you."
They exchanged a worried glance.
"Was everything okay with the Princess?" wondered Lien.
"Well, it's a touchy subject, but I have her blessing. I'm glad to have your help."
"It was nothing really," said Ju-Long glancing up at the balcony on the third story.
Tom stared at them, beaming.
"Hey, we make a good team, just like the Three Friends."
"The Three Friends," echoed Lien.
"Be careful on your journey," added Ju-Long.
"I will," said Tom as he went back to the office. They watched quietly as the door shut behind him. An orderly came down a nearby staircase.
"The Princess wants to see you," he said.
Lien looked petrified, but Ju-Long put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Together they climbed the stairs like the condemned going to the gallows.
