Ch 6
"General, we captured someone!" a soldier shouted, walking into Aang's tent, seeing him and Ty Lee tangled up in the covers.
"What happened?" Aang asked.
"We captured someone. He says he's from a legionnaire sent from Rome." The soldier said.
"Get him here. I'll interrogate him." Aang said.
The frightened soldier was brought in front of Aang, hands tied behind his back.
"Where did you come from?" Aang asked.
"I was part of the 10th legionnaire. Avatar, you're making a big mistake. Trying to take on Rome herself." The soldier said.
"How much do they know?" Aang asked, pulling out his Shamshir sword.
"Rome knows enough. They know that any attack on the city, on the state itself, is doomed. You've no idea what's coming. Entire armies, baring the eagle will crush you. You will never come any closer to the capital. For the Republic." The soldier said.
"You're right. For the Republic." Aang said, as he raised his sword and quickly brought it down, killing the prisoner.
Ty Lee gasped in horror, seeing her lover kill a defenseless man.
"Aang, why did you…" Ty Lee stammered.
"No choice, Ty Lee. We must move fast and far, and that means no time and room for prisoners. And I promise you this. This is just the beginning." Aang said.
"Your orders?" Piandao asked, not batting an eye at seeing a headless body, now spilling blood in Aang's tent.
"We move right now. He didn't say what army would come, but expect everything to happen. We need to hug the forests and mountains." Aang said.
Mountains of Macedonia
Bilimo mountains
Aang looked at the 40-odd group of soldiers he picked. A sizable Roman army was trailing them, only to walk into a trap set by them. Aang motioned for everyone to get ready, and they readied their bows, arrows, and throwing spears.
"Aim small, miss small." Aang muttered, as he put the arrow trajectory on the lead soldier. Exhaling, he released his arrow and heard a scream as the soldier was killed. The remaining soldiers released their arrows, and 40 more enemies fell dead.
"Fall back, now." Aang said.
The group headed deeper into the mountains, leaving their prey weary and frightened. Retreating to another mountain range, they waited for the Roman army to approach the secondary position.
"Swords." Aang said, pulling out his Shamshir sword.
"You think that'll be good in close quarters?" a fellow soldier asked.
"We're about to find out." Aang said, as their prey came into view, their eyes scanning anything for a threat.
"3, 2, 1." Aang muttered, and leaped over the parapet.
"LEEROY JENKINS!" Aang yelled, running towards the enemy.
Aang knocked a spear away and slashed his sword, killing his enemy. An arrow flew near his head and brought down another enemy. The fight was brutal and short. The sounds of metal clashing against metal and screams were ever present in the ears of those present.
Another volley of arrows went into the larger Roman army, cutting down their numbers.
"Retreat!" was heard, and the attackers fled down the path they came.
"Gather weapons, food, and armor." Aang said, as he grabbed the fallen eagle and put it on his shoulders.
Rebel Camp
Bilimo mountains
"How'd it go?" Piandao asked.
"We ambushed a legionnaire near the pass of the mountains. Tomorrow, we leave Macedonia and head northwest." Aang said.
Rome
Senate Building
"Say what?!" Sozin shouted.
"It's true. The Avatar has escaped into the Bilimo mountains in the north of Macedonia. The quickest way to Rome is west." A senator said.
"I sent Piandao to kill him." Sozin said.
"It appears Piandao was killed in return, or most likely defected." The senator said.
Sozin then grinned a sadistic grin.
"No matter. I'm sending the prisoner to kill Aang." Sozin said.
"Oh god. You can't believe we can control him."
"If not, chances are he'll be killed in the fighting. I want two armies sent after the avatar. He will reach the city as a corpse, or as a prisoner." Sozin said.
Within the dark cells of the city, a group of soldiers entered the prison and approached one cell, swords at the ready.
"Prisoner, come forward!" The lead soldier shouted.
Out of the darkness, a large and imposing man came out of the cell. He was far taller than any of the soldiers, and had a tattoo in the center of his forehead, as if he had a third eye.
"Your sentence is finished. The state requires one final act of service. You are to assassinate the Avatar."
Aang's rebel camp
"Aang, we need to talk." Piandao said.
"Sure thing. What's on your mind?" Aang asked.
"You know the senate will be going after us. Now that you killed some Roman soldiers, and are advancing on the capital, they won't stand for this." Piandao said.
"No shit. I already know. That's why I planned a guerrilla fight all the way to the capital." Aang said.
"Then you should know, that prisoner 627 will probably be sent after you." Piandao said.
"Why would they send him?" Aang asked.
"You know he was one of the best assassins for the Republic. But he started to take jobs from other clients, not just the republic. You know the rest, that he was captured and sent into prison. Well, now they might release him. You're the Avatar, one of the few generals who can pose a threat to Rome herself. And now they're going to stop you no matter what." Piandao said.
"Even if it destabilizes the Republic?" Aang asked.
"I'm afraid so." Piandao said.