I noticed the other day that I had skipped a chapter and miss numbered the others so i updated some chapters and rotated the others but now everything is in order so please enjoy, follow and leave a review!
Chapter 11: the white lotus
"Where should we go now uncle?" I asked while analyzing my trusty old map. We made a bigger fire where we all gathered close to dry ourselves. "I know some old friends in the Misty palms Oasis that will gladly help us out" he said pointing at the oasis in my map. "Are you sure? That place is full of thugs and bounty hunters" I said and he padded my good shoulder. "It will be alright" he said and I smiled at him. "Now rest, we leave tomorrow morning" he said and laid down. I watched Zuko's lay down with his back facing me and I frowned, since we came back from the storm he hasn't said a single word. I cuddled close to Ken and fell asleep.
We where on our way to the oasis when halfway there uncle began to grunt and move around uncomfortably. It's been a long ride and both his back and my shoulder where starting to hurt. "Maybe we should make camp" Zuko suggested turning towards uncle. "No please, don't stop just for me" he said and immediately started to moan in pain. I took the reigns and stopped Ken, it was starting to irritate us both. We all dropped off Ken and uncle made his way to a rock and sat down with a sigh. I rubbed my shoulder in comfort.
Suddenly the ground behind to rumble and Ken's head perked up in attention. Both Zuko and I took a fighting stance. "What now?" Uncle said tired. Out of the trees and bushes came five mercenaries that I recognized immediately. They circled us and I couldn't control my heavy and agitated breathing. "Coroner Mon Keh" uncle said placing a hand on our shoulders. "What a pleasant surprise" uncle said but I agree to disagree. "If you're so surprised we're here then the dragon of the west has lost some few steps" the leader, coroner Mon Keh, said and clashed his metal cuffs together creating sparks, all the others readied their weapons.
"You know this guys?" Zuko asked still in fighting positions. "Sure. Coroner Mon Keh and the rough-rhinos are legendary. Each one is a different kind of weapon specialist" uncle said and I looked around for an escape, they had us pinned. "They are also a very capable singing group" uncle finished. "We're not here to give a concert. We're here to apprehend fugitives" the coroner said threatening. "Would you like some tea first? I'd love some" uncle stalled looking around. "How about you Kah Shi? I make you as a jasmine man, am I right?" Uncle kept distracting them but our only way out is to fight them off.
"Enough stalling! Round them up!" The leader said and immediately the guy with the chain aimed at uncle and he swiftly kicked it out of his way, making it wrap around another rough-rhinos leg. Rolling out of the way of two flaming arrows he slapped the animals hinds to make it run and take down the chain wielding dude with him. Uncle waved at him as he was dragged off. Zuko broke an arrow before it could hit him and shoot a concentrated ball of fire that broke through the bow and string of the guy with face paint.
Then the leader stepped forth, firing waves of flames at uncle and he redirected them out of his way. I took the chance to climb up behind the rough-rhino, kick away the coroners hand when he was about to shoot at me and finally kick him off the beast. Uncle grabbed Ken and pulled Zuko up and right when they passed by me I jumped up on him. The masked dude on the rough-rhino chased us and threw a single bomb that exploded in front of us but Ken passed through the smoke unfazed, and we kept running.
"It's nice to see old friends" uncle said looking back. "Too bad you don't have any old friend who don't want to attack you" Zuko said and I wondered the same. Uncle looked at us with confused thoughts. "Mmmmm... Old friends that don't want to attack me?" He thought to himself while we kept going towards the desert.
After a little more riding we decided to stop for a rest. My breathing was still agitated and the pain in my shoulder had increased. "Are you ok Ulani?" Uncle asked with a concerned look. "Those guys, the rough-rhinos. Where the ones that raided the Earth Kingdom village a few years ago" I said and they looked at me curiously. "They were the ones that the little kid wanted to confront. The leader was the one that burned me" I said rubbing my scared arm. Uncle placed a comforting hand on my back and smiled. "We should keep going. We're very close" I said and Zuko nodded helping me up Ken.
We arrived at the oasis before the sun set and as I expected the place was full of sketchy looking people with weapons. We hid our faces with the good old straw hat. "No one here is going to help us. This people just look like filthy wonderers" Zuko said and I elbowed him in the side. "Quiet down you idiot, if they heard you we'll get ourselves in another fight" I said and he stared at me. "So do we. Ahhh, this is interesting" uncle said pointing towards an old man in a pai sho table. "I think I've found our friend" he continued while standing up. "You brought us here to gamble over pai sho" Zuko said exasperated an I sighed. "I don't think this is a gamble" uncle said and made his way to the table with us behind. "You're gambling with our lives if you don't shut up Zuko" I whispered. "You shut up" he returned and we stared at each other. Things have been very tense between us.
"May I have this game" uncle asked politely. "The guest has the first move" the old man said signaling uncle to sit and begin. Uncle took a tile and placed it in the center of the table. A move I recognized as one of his favorites. "I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways" the man said while saluting. "Those who do can always find a friend" uncle said returning the salute. "Then let's us play" the old man said and started placing tiles on the table. One by one, they placed the tiles down. They where not playing, they where doing something else. Zuko pulled a chair and sat down, observing as a bigger lotus flower was created out of the well placed tiles. I took a good look and memorized the pattern.
"Welcome brother. The white lotus opens wide to those who knows her secrets" the man said. "What on earth are you old gas bags talking about?" Zuko said rudely and I smacked the back of his head. "Didn't someone teach you about respect you hot head" I said and by the look on his glaring eyes he did not liked what I said. "I always tried to tell you that pai sho is more than just a game" uncle said proudly as he rolled a tile in his fingers.
"It's over!" We heard a guy say loudly as he walked towards us. "You two fugitives are coming with me" he said walking angrily towards us. Good to know I was not part of the bounty. But the old man stepped in front of them. "I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with giant bounties on your heads" he said acting angry. "I thought he would help" Zuko whispered suspicious. "He is, just watch" uncle said reassuring him. "You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" The old man asked and at the mention of gold all eyes where on us. Angry and greedy looking eyes. They stood up from their sits and circled the two men's. And when he stepped closer two other men's stepped up front starting a fight while we ran out the door.
The old man guided us away from the bar and into a garden shop. "It is an honor to welcome such a high ranking member of the order of the white lotus. Being a grand master you must know so many secrets" the old man praised while walking towards a back door. The white lotus order, I recalled hearing about it before, but never knew what it meant. "Now that you've played pai sho are you going to do some flower arrangements or is someone in this club gonna offer some real help?" Zuko said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes at his rudeness. "You must forgive my nephew. He is not a initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts" uncle said annoyed with Zuko's rude attitude. "He doesn't appreciate many things" I said more to myself.
The old man knocked at the door three times an a slot on the door opened to reveal the face of a younger man. "Who knocks at the guarded gates?" He asked. "One who've eaten his fruits and tasted his mysteries" uncle answered in some form of coding and the door answered but closed when Zuko tried to pass. Uncle spoke through the slot in the door. "I'm afraid is members only. You two wait out here" he said closing the slot. Zuko crossed his arms and leaned against a wooden box. I walked around watching and smelling the different kinds of flowers, recognizing some of them.
I stood in front of Zuko with my arms crossed and he glared at me, I sighed. "Look Zuko, I'm sorry if I have insulted you. I know it's hard to be a refugee and going form place to place." I said and he looked at me, serious but not glaring. "This people are trying to help and it would be good if you where nicer to them, to uncle who have helped us a lot" I continued and he looked away. "And I don't like the awkward silences and heavy glares, so let's just get along, yeah?" I asked with a smile and he nodded while I sighed in relief.
He leaned closer to a plant and sniffed it, I watched him with curiosity but then noticed that plant. "Oh good!" I said examining the plant closer. "What?" Zuko asked watching me. "This is aloe chamomile. It's leafs are used to treat burns and skin rashes and the flowers are muscles relaxer" I said careful breaking part of the leafs and taking the flowers and placing them in my bag. "I never had the chance to say it but thank you for treating my wounds" I said as I rubbed my shoulder. "You would have done the same" he said looking away and I giggled. "Yup" I said and sat besides him.
The sun has raised when the door opened once again. I didn't noticed I was half asleep in Zuko's shoulder and jumped when Zuko stood up in a fighting stance. "What going on? It's the club meeting over?" Zuko asked dropping the stance. "Everything it's been taken care of. We're heading to Ba Sin Se" uncle said and both Zuko and I looked at him surprised. "Ba Sin Se? Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?" Zuko asked. "The city it's filled of refugees. No one will notice three more" the old man answered. "We can hide in plain sight in there and it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city" uncle said tired and we all watched the door open and a young man enter.
"I have the passports for our guest but, there's two men out in the streets looking for them" he said pointing out the door. We looked through the slot in the door and saw the same two men as yesterday, asking people around if they have seen Zuko and Iroh.
"They'll definitely see us if we go out through the door" Zuko said. "And there's no other exit" uncle continued. I kept looking out as the two men kept asking when one of the people they asked pointed our way. "Well you better come up with a plan quickly cuz they are heading this way" I said after I closed the slot. I saw two large flower pot on a dolly. "The pots! Get in!" I hurried them and uncle got inside of one with the help of the other two guys. "There's only two" Zuko said and I pushed him inside. "We can both fit in just get in!" I said and once he was inside I climbed in and plant where used as lids to conceal us. Zuko was sitting with his knees bent and his legs open and I was in between his legs in the same position, facing him. It was completely dark and gently they started to drag us out.
"This was your idea?" Zuko said sarcastically. "I didn't see you having one. And keep it down that plants don't talk" I said and I felt him cross his arms. When we felt it was a good distance away from the town, Zuko took off the lid letting the bright sun shine and momentarily blind us. He wiggled his way up and peeked out, I sat with my knees tight against my chest. He closed the lid back again and it once again went all black. "Where a good distance away from the town, they will let us know when is safe to get out" he informed and I nodded knowing he couldn't see me. My legs were starting to go numb.