Chp.7 Shazzam
A week had passed since we decided that Sokka, Katara & Aang would go to the North Pole while Lynx, the Dalton & I crashed at Elk Ridge. They'd been gone for five days & I was already totally bored with being in the infirmary. It's not like I could read anything because everything they have is written in characters. I couldn't use my mp3 player because I was trying to save the batteries. So there I was, counting the cracks in the ceiling in German, "elf, zwölf, dreizehn, vierzehn, funfzehn, sechszehn…"
"Are you that bored?" Lynx's voice came from the doorway.
"What do you think? I've counted in English way too many times already, at least German was something new," I growled. "How're the crazy elk?"
"Alright, the Dalton's great with them. Haru's father said we can pick ones for ourselves because we've been so helpful. It's not hard really, we're just doing stuff that hasn't been invented in this world yet. They don't even use bits!" Lynx said, his voice clearly saying that he didn't think much of the trainers.
"Oh, can you guys break one for me too?" I asked hopefully.
"Did you really think we wouldn't?" Lynx teased me. "I've found one I think you'll like, I have to catch him first. He's still running loose in the big pasture. The Dalton's trying to catch the one he wants right now."
"Man, I'd give anything to be out there with you guys," I grumbled.
"Well, you'll only be stuck in here another few days. I talked to the doc, he said you can come out of here then, you just can't leave Elk Ridge," Lynx told me.
"Sweet!" I yelped, this room was so boring!
"In a few weeks you should be ready to ride, the Dalton & I'll have your elk ready by then," Lynx promised.
"You better! But at least I'll have met him by then. I might not be able to ride him at that point but I can groom & bond, right?" I asked.
"I don't see why not," Lynx replied. "I guess I better get back out there, the Dalton might need my help. Sorry to leave alone, Seabiscuit," Lynx apologized as he walked out the door.
Five days later, nothing worth telling about happened until then, I was leaning on the rail of the riding ring, watching the Dalton break his elk. She was a gorgeous snow-white dashya elk, about 15 & a half hands high.
"What are you gonna call her?" I asked.
"The Dalton hasn't made up his mind yet, either Alaska or Cyan. What do you guys think?" The Dalton called, she wasn't trying to throw him all that hard. She seemed to be okay with being ridden, which was really good for the Dalton, training her would be easier. Lynx & I glanced at each other.
"Where did you get those names?"
"Don't know, they popped into my head when the Dalton saw her," the Dalton said.
"Uh huh, so Lynx where's your elk?" I asked him.
"In the corral where Kaliska was kept, I'll go get him," Lynx said, racing off. A few moments later he was back, leading a balky deep brown ziazaj elk with socks on its front legs. "Whatcha think Biscuit, the Dalton?"
"He's gorgeous!" I exclaimed.
"What's his name?" the Dalton asked.
"Ryder," Lynx yelled, running his hand along the elk's nose.
"Wow, you two come up with weird names," I teased them.
"What are you going to name yours?" The Dalton retorted playfully.
"I don't know, I haven't seen it yet," I replied grumpily, I wanted to see my new mount.
"Hang on a sec," Lynx said, turning Ryder around. He was back a moment later, leading an espresso black dashya elk next to Ryder.
"Whoa! Is that mine?" I gaped.
"You betcha," Lynx said with a grin. He led him in a circle. The gorgeous supple creature had a white star in the middle of his forehead. He was about the same size as the Dalton's but way more beautiful.
"Oh Lynx, you couldn't have found me a better elk," I was in love with the incredible creature already.
"I know, what are you going to name him?" He asked me.
"Hmm," I said, looking over my new pet. "Shazzam, this is a great elk!"
"You're gonna call him Shazzam?" Lynx asked laughingly.
"I wasn't going to but that's a great idea!" I cried, stroking his velvety nose, "I hereby dub you Shazzam!"
"& she says we're the crazy ones!" the Dalton yelled.
"You are crazy!" I called teasingly.
"I'd agree to that," Lynx piped up.
"It goes double for you Lynx!" I yelled with a huge grin.
"Aw, stuff it!" Lynx growled.
Suddenly I heard a hissing noise above me & Haru's voice rang through the air.
"LOOK OUT!"
Fireballs were raining down from the sky!
"Get under cover, leave the elk!"
"Get down!"
Warnings, cursing, screams & crying were coming from every direction along with the explosions of the fireballs! My hand tensed on Shazzam's halter, with all these dang injuries I wouldn't be able to make it fast enough!
"Sorry buddy, I know we just met but I'm gonna need your help to get out here!" The intelligent creature got it, he went down on his knees so I could get on even though he hadn't been taught to carry a rider yet. In a moment I was on the sleek back of the midnight black elk. Shazzam turned towards the nearest building, where Lynx, the Dalton & Haru stood waiting for me in the doorway of the big barn. He loped smoothly, he seemed to know I wouldn't be able to stay on if he moved too much.
"Biscuit! Look out!" Lynx screamed. I glanced up while hanging on to Shazzam as he ran for dear life. There was a fireball headed directly for me! I threw my hands up to shield my face but before it could hit me, a huge Earth shield appeared! Haru must have blocked it! Shazzam ducked around the rock & brought me to my waiting, worried friends! Haru raised his arms to help me down & I let myself fall into his arms, I'd totally forgiven him for insulting the Dalton.
"You alright, Biscuit?" The Dalton asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, two things though: Lynx, you really found me the perfect elk & Haru, thanks for blocking that," I said breathlessly.
"Seabiscuit, I didn't block that, you did," Haru said as he carried me into the barn. Shazzam followed us, trotting over to Alaska & Ryder where they were gulping water. Haru sat me down in a big hay pile.
"How many times do I have to say it? I'm not an Earthbender," I said grumpily. Why couldn't these people let it drop?
"Biscuit, you did block that, the Dalton saw it plain as day. Haru wasn't moving when that shield appeared," the Dalton told me.
"Ok, fine, I'm an Earthbender!" I said, finally giving in. What difference did it make anyway?
"Once your injuries are healed more I'll start teaching you," Haru offered. I nodded.
"Can you tell us more about Earthbending? Katara, Sokka & Aang weren't all too clear about all the Bending stuffs," Lynx asked him as he sat down in the hay beside me. Haru started to tell us everything there was to know about Earthbending.
By the time he finished explaining it to us, the fireballs had stopped & it was nearly dark out.
"So can ya'll bend metal?" Lynx asked. "Seems to me the Fire Nation ships & stuff wouldn't stand a chance if ya'll could control it."
"Nope, we can't," Haru answered shortly.
"Isn't metal Earth though?" Lynx asked.
"It is but the Fire Nation smelts their metal so we can't bend it," Haru replied grumpily.
"Is there a way to armor & stuff without smelting it?" I asked, I was getting an idea.
"Yeah," Haru said, "Why?"
"Where's the blacksmith?" I asked, ignoring his question.
"Fourth building from the destrier pen," Haru replied. "Why?"
"Thanks!" I cut him off & bolted out the door as fast as I could with the injuries. I raced past the destrier pen, one, two, three, four! I knocked on the door frame since the door was open.
"Come on in!"
I semi-limped in, bending over the fire was a guy who couldn't be that much older than me.
"Are you the blacksmith?" I asked.
"No, I'm his assistant, can I help you?" he asked, walking up to me.
"Uh, probably, I need a favor. You know how the Fire Nation smelts their metal so Earthbenders can't bend it?" I said.
"Yeah," he replied, a confused look on his face.
"Is there a way to make swords that Earthbenders would be able to control?" I asked.
"I could probably do it, how many do you want?" He offered.
"Two, double bladed with a handle in the middle," I replied hopefully.
"Normally I wouldn't be too sure, but in this case I think I can do it," he said nicely. A flicker of worry crossed my mind.
"How much?"
"You let me ride that elk of yours once & I'll do it for free," he replied smoothly.
"Why?" I asked suspiciously.
"I've been watching the herd, he's the son of the best elk around here & no one is allowed to ride that one but Tyro. I figured his son is the next best thing," he answered me.
"He's not really broken yet, give me about a week & then you can," I said firmly.
"Okay, one other thing, what's your name?" he asked me.
"Seabiscuit, & you are?" I asked.
"Tasyk, I'll have them for you when I come to ride your elk," Tasyk replied.
"Alright, later days," I said, leaving the building & heading in the direction of the barn. There was some strange orange light coming from the main building which was just past the barn. I did a double take & shrieked.
"FIRE!"
