The Waterbender's Wager
NOTE: Apologies for the delay, it's been a busy week. This chapter is a bit risky in that it features an original character but one whom I'm very fond of. I won't go into much detail about her background and neither will she interfere too much with the plot. But I just wanted Zuko and Katara to have a brief encounter with this character and hopefully you think that she is an interesting addition to the story.
Enjoy the chapter and please let me know what you think of it!
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During the last leg of their journey to the sacred temple, Zuko and Katara stopped at a remote trading post to replenish their supplies. This was one of the few locations on the road where they could encounter fellow travelers so they were very wary. They wore dark cloaks and hoods. Zuko was particularly careful about hiding his appearance.
But they need not have feared detection in such a busy place, one frequented by all travelers on the road. Everyone who passed that trading post was engrossed in his or her own affairs and did not waste time investigating the other people around him or her. The traders were likewise very discreet, focused on doing business and not on learning the secrets of every stranger who entered the door. Transactions were conducted quietly and inconspicuously, and most customers were eager to be on their way.
Katara did all the talking while Zuko did most of the heavy lifting. They remained on their guard the whole time even though the few wanderers in the store paid them no notice. As far as everyone there was concerned, here were two ordinary travelers, probably with a long road ahead of them, like everyone else, and there was nothing to attract suspicion.
And for the most part, Zuko sensed no danger. However, he soon got the sense that he was being watched and he was immediately on his guard. He threw discreet glances at the people around him but none looked remotely interested in him. He whispered this concern to Katara and she nodded. The waterbender also checked their surroundings for anyone who might pose a threat to them but saw nothing out of the ordinary. There were all sorts of people at the trading post, mostly gruff looking earthbenders and weather-worn waterbenders and the occasional non-bending trader. Not many people ventured this far and those that did all looked too tired to pick a fight.
Nevertheless, he could not shake off this feeling of being observed by a stranger in the shadows, though he was not as on edge as he would have been had this been a potential threat. For some inexplicable reason, this hidden observer seemed almost benevolent. Zuko could not explain it but when he mentioned it to his companion again, Katara agreed with him. Their instincts had alerted them to something, but it did not feel like anything untoward.
As they finalized their transactions and made their way out of the store, they finally noticed a small, cloaked figure approaching them and they were certain that this was the stranger they had sensed from the start. And they also somehow knew that they only reason they were seeing her before them was because she chose to reveal herself to them. The two travelers stayed on their guard even as they were intrigued by this new person who, upon closer inspection, turned out to be an elderly woman, with graying hair and wise eyes.
But despite her age, she held herself with the unmistakable posture of a soldier of high rank, And upon seeing her golden eyes, Zuko immediately detected an aura of Fire Nation nobility about her. Again, though he grew immediately suspicious, he made no show of hostility. Katara was intrigued by the stranger and wondered why she had approached them.
"Well, well, Prince Zuko," greeted the stranger, "it seems you've been keeping very unusual company of late."
"Who are you?" Zuko asked gravely.
"I'm a friend of your Uncle Iroh," the lady replied, and when she saw the skeptical expression on the young man's face, she extended her hand where she held a Pai Sho tile.
Zuko's eyes widened at the sight. It was a White Lotus.
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She was Asra, formerly a top-ranking officer of the Fire Nation army and well-known for her firebending prowess. But after she expressed her disapproval for the continuation of the war, she was, as was customary, exiling to a remote military outpost, to live out the rest of her days in isolation. While she had been angry about this at first, she developed an illness that sapped much of her energy. Too tired to fight back, she had resigned herself to her fate for the past several years. But she had maintained communication with certain friends in the Fire Nation, particularly General Iroh.
"I see your father does not even make an exception for his own family when it comes to banishing people who disagree with him," she remarked to the young prince.
They were sitting in Asra's humble abode, the small but surprisingly comfortable outpost where she had spent the past few years. She had prepared some hot tea for the two travelers and had eagerly asked them about their journey. They all spoke for several hours, exchanging stories, and simply enjoying each other's company.
After Zuko had explained the significance of the white lotus to Katara, the waterbender did not have any trouble sharing her story with the older lady. Katara trusted Zuko's judgment and her own instincts told her that Asra could be trusted. At that point, anyone who had rebelled against the Fire Lord could be considered a valuable ally.
And though they only just met, Katara found that she liked the old firebender immensely. In some way, Asra reminded her of Gran-Gran, with her gentleness and wisdom. But there was also something about the older firebender's determined expression that reminded the waterbender of Zuko. It surprised her how many firebender friends she was making recently.
"There's little more I can offer you than some tea and news of your uncle," Asra said solemnly, "he has been searching for you ever since he heard of the ship wreck. He was convinced that you had survived and I am glad that his faith has been rewarded. You may rest assured I will send word to him of your fate."
"Thank you," Zuko replied, "I did not wish to cause him any grief, but I had no means of getting word to him. And we have been trying to throw off some of my sister's assassins and bounty hunters who had the same suspicion about my survival."
"It will be a tricky affair," Asra admitted, "but I have ways of reaching your uncle that will go undetected. And he will have to continue to act as if he was desperately searching for any sign of you, to prevent your sister's suspicions."
They discussed some more details about the message Zuko wanted to send to Iroh and Katara listened to them with interest. It still shocked her that Zuko's own sister was so ruthless when she could not imagine herself or Sokka so much as quarreling longer than a night. But she was relieved that there were some members of Zuko's family who cared about him and that he still had some friends in his own country.
"It seems Zuko has been particularly fortunate in meeting you," Asra told Katara with a smile, "You are a remarkable woman, Katara, and I am certain that you will succeed in your goal."
"Thank you," Katara said modestly.
More stories were exchanged and more tea was consumed. At length, the two travelers knew that it was time for them to continue their quest. Asra generously gave them more provisions to take with them and wished them well. Katara was almost tempted to invite her to join them but the lady gave her a knowing look and shook her head.
"I am honored to have met you," Asra told the waterbender, "and I think it is a noble thing you are doing, not just for your people but for Zuko as well."
"Thank you and I am glad to have met you as well," Katara replied, "And I hope we meet again someday."
Asra smiled and then faced Zuko, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"I wish you safe travels," she told them both earnestly, "Perhaps our paths will cross again in time but for now, I think I'll stay where I am. After all, it turns out this is a perfect spot for meeting the most interesting strangers."
