Daylight, it was something people who lived like Badgermoles all their lives never got to experience. Ursa had been above ground in buildings of course, but usually with all the windows shuttered.
Her thoughts centered as they reached the giant steel red gates. Where they had emerged a grove of trees circumvented around so no one had seen them. Shading her eyes, Ursa looked up to the shadowy top.
"State your business,solicitors."
"We request a word with the Fire Lord on family affair."The man she hardly could call her father spoke in a strong yet level voice.
"Very well, step forward for an evaluation."
Ursa took a deep breath and followed her parents as the doors parted open with a screech, there was barely enough room for them to squeeze in through but the three entered together.
"Arms out,"A militarily fashioned man stepped up, he was about thirty and appeared important enough ; An understatement.
"Eyes forward!"Another man nearly bit their heads off. This young man she saw couldn't have been much older then she was and was crudely sharp.
He and the other one began to feel around her parent's clothing in search of weapons. It was something Ursa had been warned to watch out for and had to prepare herself for. Because this was her duty, she had to get use to it sometime.
Beside a Fire Nation insignia,Ursa caught the name of the man in front of her father: Zhao .When he moved before her she closed her eyes.
Zhao's hands went to her underarms and she imagined to herself that it was only Ren picking her up when she was a little girl. Ursa had never been afraid of those gentle hands, for she trusted them.
These hands she knew she would never trust.
"Open your eyes, girl."she blinked a few times when he glowered at her as if provoked and turned to the man."Where did you come from?"
"From the Fire Nation colonies, sir."Homen replied.
Some complex yarn weaving later and Ursa's family was allowed to mount the beige,wide stairs of the castle. She was in trance like walk at the moment, taking in the high pillars with abated breath.
"Keep walking,"Her mother ordered in a whisper; they were still being accompanied by two dangerously dressed guards.A group of people were standing inside the foray of the immense palace.
"Slow down."Ursa's father said softly as he leaned down a bit.
She pursed her lips and didn't utter a response as per usual.A man with long crimson garments and a silver streaked beard spoke to the people around him in words Ursa didn't begin to understand.
Someone touched her shoulder and she had to stifle a yelp of surprise.
"Your Majesty."One of the guards greeted and the hand on her shoulder nearly forced her into a submissive pose on her knees.
Looking over she saw everyone bowing. It had been necessary.
"To what do I owe this interruption?"His voice was oddly calm.
"My Lord,this Colonial family claims heritage to your blood and therefore wishes to return a family heirloom of the utmost value."
She felt the man's eyes move over her head."Your name?"
" My wife is Elsa and my daughter is Ursa."
"Those names mean nothing to me, what do you have of mine?"
Ursa peered under her arm and watched as her father reached into his rob for a wrapped item. There was no hesitation and no second guessing as the Fire Lord took it from his hand immediately.
Greed entered his sighed inwardly and looked down.
"My father's..."His words held bittersweet retrospection.
"Please,Fire Lord Azulon. We are poor and humble servants to you with only one request to be granted for this weary voyage."
He didn't speak right away."How are you related to my family?"
"If I may speak."Elsa spoke haltingly.
"Proceed."
"I was told to be a third cousin of yours, descended from Osai."
"Hmm,"he pondered a moment."Yes,I recall him briefly.I do owe you a thank you in the least for this return. What would you like?"
"A home for only one,"Homen said immediately."For our daughter,Ursa."
x.x.x
She sat wrapped in beautifully woven red silk,her hair held high and golden slippers fitted into her medium-sized feet atop a small pedestal-esque seat as servants finished putting on her make-up.
The whole sensation reminded her of coating mud on her face.
"Fire Lord Azulon wishes to speak to you now."
Misha,the overweight make-up artist,threw the guard a look.
"Hold your Ostrichorses, this young lady can't possibly meet the royal family if she's not even presentable."she turned to Ursa."My ,aren't you a gorgeous thing?Why not show off those pearls."
Ursa placed a hand to the hollow of her neck."Pearls,ma'am?"
Misha chuckled."I meant your teeth, but only at the appropriate time."
The fact that people other then Renzick teased surprised her.
She moved over and the guard moved forward to help her down the steps, servents rushed to gather the slightly trailing dress and hand it to Ursa as she was escorted out into the gigantic hallway.
Oil portraits wrapped in bulging golden frame lined the walls and the flames that lit the way were enclosed in shades between the framed family memorabilia, Ursa thought she felt their stiff gazes.
She concentrated on anything then;aside from keeping her many skirts writhed in her hands and off the ground. The walls expanded out as heat began travelling it's way up into her heavy dress.
"The exact request of your parents before their departure was for you to wed my son in exchange for my heirloom...meet my eyes!"
Ursa snapped up to the distant man in his throne and her breath caught.
"Is it true you will be submit to learning proper, royal etiquette?"
"Yes sir."she bowed her head."I will obey you."
There was a moment of uncertainty in the air.
"As promised, you will be wed to my youngest son."
Ursa jerked her head up and gazed into the golden eyes of a man who was so handsomely developted. The only thing that kept her rooted to the floor were two realizations. She had intended to marry the prince.
Who the Order had sworn was not engaged.
Who the Order of the White Lotus swore was the prince, the second and somehow most important was his emotionless face.
"My Lord,"she suddenly took the reigns."I thought I was going to be marrying your first son."The man read her like an open book.
"Iroh is married,"Her secret was only partially discovered."To the public of the Fire Nation the age of their prince is never known."
"You mean..."
"I do and therefore I will keep my eye on you. Whatever you heard in the Colonies is fraudulent but inside these walls are nothing but truth. No one speaks of what goes on behind them, including you."
To be continued...
