The Painted Spirit
Part IV
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It's been a little over a week since he had attempted to break into the prison again. Perhaps now Iroh would be willing to talk to him. The only problem…How was he going to be able to manage this time?
There was no way he could count on the Painted Lady's presence. Spirits have minds of their own. How would she know to help him?
It's night, around midnight and again he dons the guise of the Blue Spirit. The number of guards has lessened, so he's able to escape his chambers quickly and with ease. He is ready for the moat this time, grabbing a plank of wood and a long broken ranch from a tree to use as a raft. Using the shadowed side of the prison, he pushes his way across, always careful with his footing to keep his balance.
When he makes it across to the other side, he finds a pleasant surprise.
She was waiting for him.
He nods in gratitude as she pulls him ashore and helps him sneak into the building. She distracts the guards by bringing up her mist and they are able to get in without being detected. Once inside however, she is lost, and he has to lead the way. General Iroh, a traitor, is locked away on a very high floor. Along the way they have to knock out a few guards. Once they reach the room with his cell, they are quiet, and she lets him go first.
Upon seeing the Blue Spirit, Iroh frowns and is about to turn away, but then doesn't when he notices he has someone with him. One look at her eyes alone and he smiles briefly. He knows who she is.
"We're here to get you out," the Blue Spirit announces and then looks for the keys.
The Painted Lady stops him and then shuts the door. Water flows out from a hidden pouch and surrounds the bars of the cell. She lets out a breath, freezing the water, and then lashes at it with a water-whip. The frozen metal shatters and the old man rolls out of the way. The loud sound sends the guards in their direction, but Iroh is wise. He breaks the back wall with firebending, and then motions for them to follow him as he leaps out.
The prince behind the mask in unsure, but the Painted Lady smiles at him and wraps an arm around his waist. She brings out another long whip of water, almost like a rope and uses the bending to guide them down to the ground below.
There is something very familiar about the way she manipulates water.
They run from the prison, away from civilization, until they reach a clearing. Once there, the prince is once again lost and confused. He freed his uncle, but now what? There is no way he could bring him back to the palace. They would just put him back in jail. He worries are cut off by the Painted Lady. She looks like she has the answer.
She takes Iroh by the hand and smiles at the prince. "Your uncle will be safe with me."
Iroh seems to smile knowingly as she says this, and she brings her mist up to cover their departure.
Her voice is familiar too.
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To be continued…