Hey! Thank you all for reviewing! As I said, the last chapter was getting too long, so I had to break it up. Ummm…. yeah…. So enjoy the chapter and review! The limit is 5 reviews again!
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar. :(
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the Wind Master
Ch. 10 Part 2
the Order of the Lotus Tile
Onward they flew, away from the Airtemple, away from the Tigress. It took a week to reach the Fire Nation capital. The ride was unusually silent. For that entire time they flew they didn't once land except for at night when Appa needed to rest. No one spoke, no one bended, no one smiled. The minds of the three travelers were all occupied on other things and in silence the continued.
Finally, the capital city was in sight.
"There it is!" Konari exclaimed happily, breaking the silence for the first time in what seemed like ages. Soon they were landed outside the city, planning on how they would come in contact with this mysterious Order.
"So what's the plan, Yang?" Katara asked.
"Teo gave me this scroll. It says where to find the Order," Yang said holding up a rolled up scroll. Tucking the scroll back into his pocket, Yang stood up and retrieved something from Appa's saddle.
"Put these on. It will hide your identity," Yang said, handing Katara and Konari two dark shapes made of cloth which turned out to be long, body length cloaks.
"Let's go!" Katara said jumping up once she got the cloak on.
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"Where exactly are we going?" Katara whispered to Yang. They were in the city now. So far no one found it suspicious that these three figures were walking around in cloaks. Actually, there were other cloaked bodies roaming the streets.
"Be on the look out for a tea shop. The Jasmine Dragon, Teo said," Yang whispered back.
"I see it!" Konari whispered loudly pointing over to a busy little joint. "Come on!" she urged.
They entered the teashop inconspicuously. Everyone seemed too busy anyway to notice their entrance.
"Now what?" Katara asked. Yang looked around and smiled.
"This way," he said. Walking over to a wall far away in the corner of the shop, he stopped. The wall was plain, like the rest of the walls in the teashop. The only difference was a single white lotus carved into the surface.
"No offense, Yang, but this is just a wall," Katara said.
"Or is it?" Yang said with a mischievous grin. Raising his hand he pressed the very center of the lotus. A grumbling noise could be heard from the other side of the wall. Katara looked around to see if anyone else had noticed the noise, but all of the people inside the shop seemed oblivious to the sound. Suddenly, the wall moved! All that was revealed was a small closet space and a simple wooden door. The door also bore the lotus carving.
"Quickly! Step inside!" Yang ushered. Just as Konari and Katara made it inside the wall closed up, leaving only a minuscule amount of space.
"Any time now, Yang!" Katara said. Yang knocked at the door. A slot appeared and two eyes looked out.
"Who knocks at the guarded gate?" the man asked.
"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries," Yang replied automatically. The slot disappeared and the door opened to a long, torch-lit stairway. The man then turned and gestured for them to follow. Konari whimpered softly and hugged herself to her mother's leg. Down they went. The air was damp and smelled of mold. Every few yards was a torch although it would only cast a dim light. After what seemed like forever, they made it to the bottom of the stairs. A long hallway stood before them. On each side of the hallway were doors leading to who-knows where. From behind a few of them, Konari swore she heard the calls of bizarre and wild creatures. She was careful not to stray too far from her mother and investigate the sounds. At the end of the hallway a large door loomed before them. The trio could faintly hear bustling noises and talking on the other side. An enormous white lotus made of opal, jade, silver, and other precious minerals adorned the door. Katara and Konari gasped. The man stepped aside, allowing the trio to enter.
"Ladies, I welcome you to the Order of the Lotus Tile," Yang said grandly, opening the door wide for them.
The girls' eyes practically popped out of their heads. The room was much more like a city than a single room. An ornate fountain stood in the center of many bustling people. Stalls were set up in various locations selling the oddest of items like baby badger moles and three headed toads. Above them, strange trees grew upside down and even farther up where small windows letting in small amounts of sunlight. In the canopy there were bridges and pulley systems which people hurried along to their destinations, oblivious to the danger of being up so high. Konari was amused by the notion of a roadway in the sky.
"It's a whole world down here…." Katara breathed. Yang chuckled and continued on. People from all over the world appeared to congregate in the area. Trading and talking, it certainly was a sight. Houses were mounted on walls with ladders leading up to their doorways. Pipes were strewn here and there providing heat and water to the people. Vendors lined the streets selling goods and performing services. A man played a flute-like instrument while a little monkey danced. Bands played on verandas at different points in the city. Everything and everyone was so colorful, so alive even in the depths of the capital city. "This is amazing! I've never seen anything like it! It's like a whole secret world!" Katara exclaimed.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Yang said proudly.
"You've been here before?" Konari asked.
"Yes…. in a… different life," Yang replied with a distant look in his eyes. But Katara was so mesmerized by the place to even notice. After coming back to her senses Katara spoke up.
"So where exactly are we going?" she asked.
"Right over there," Yang said pointing. What Katara saw made her gasp once more. A large, ornate palace stood on looking the city. Gold statues and rubies encrusted the surface. Elegant carvings and statues only enhanced the look. "This is the home of Lord Iroh. He is the commanding officer right now of the Order of the Lotus Tile. He's expecting us." Katara only nodded as Yang pulled them along.
At the large open doors, the guards stood aside for them. Once inside, Yang pulled away his hood and the others followed suit. A jolly looking man stood talking with some elegant looking people before he turned and saw them.
"Lady Katara! What and excellent surprise!" he exclaimed walking over to them.
"Iroh! It's great to see you too!" Katara said embracing the man. Iroh turned and looked at Yang.
"Ah, good to see you my boy. We have some explaining to do don't we? Why don't we adjourn to the dining hall to discuss over some roasted duck and tea?" Iroh said with a twinkle in his eye. Yang smiled and followed with Katara and Konari close at his heels.
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"So, Lady Katara, what do you think of the city?" Iroh asked pushing away from his plate.
"Oh, Uncle Iroh, it's amazing! I had no idea! It's truly a wonder. I only wish I had been able to see it sooner!" Katara said. Iroh smiled and nodded.
"And you, my boy. What do you think? Not at all what you expected, huh?" Iroh said.
"It looks great, Uncle Iroh. Words can't describe…." Yang replied proudly.
"What about you, young lady? I don't think we have been properly introduced," Iroh said to Konari.
"Iroh, this is my daughter Konari. Konari, this is Iroh, Fire Lord Zuko's Uncle," Katara introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Iroh sir," Konari said flashing a grin that belonged to another. Iroh's smile widened at this.
"Charming! Simply charming!" he exclaimed happily. Konari smiled and was about to say something but was interrupted by an enormous yawn.
"Of course! Where are my manners? You three must be exhausted. My servants will show you to your quarters. We will talk more tomorrow. For now you must rest. A man needs his rest," Iroh said gesturing to some servants. "Your bison and lemur will be taken care of in the stables and your things are already in your rooms. I hope you find everything comfortable," Iroh said.
Standing, Yang lifted a half-asleep Konari in his arms and took hold of Katara's hand before bowing his head respectfully and following the servants.
"Good night, Uncle Iroh. Dinner was delicious," Katara said kindly.
"A good night to you too, my dear. Sleep well. You are safe here," Iroh replied before they turned to walk off to their separate quarters.
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"So…tired…" Yang said collapsing on Katara's bed. He had just come from putting Konari down and he came to Katara's room to wish her good night.
"Well then go to bed, you dummy!" Katara said playfully.
"I came to say goodnight first," Yang said resting his head in his hands. For a few moments he just watched Katara brushing her hair at the vanity.
"It's wonderful here," Katara said looking around the room. "I've never seen anything like it. If only we could stay..." she trailed off.
"We could you know. Just say the word. The whole city is protected with blessing that the Fire Sages cast. The Tigress can't reach us here. Or at least, she won't be able to stay for long if she tries to enter," Yang said. Katara sighed and continued to brush her hair. Sighing himself, Yang stood up and walked over to her. "Goodnight," he said softly, pecking her on the cheek.
Katara blushed for a moment before mumbling goodnight herself.
Before he left the room, Yang turned at the door and smiled saying, "Sleep well. You're safe now." And with that, he left Katara to her thoughts.
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AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I'M SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY! I like LOST the chapter! It was all in my head! Then I started to read the Twilight series (which by the way has to be the BEST series of books ever written for teenage girls) and I got so sidetracked! This chapter was all in my head than POOF! It was gone! Now I feel really bad. First for leaving you guys hanging and then for practically losing my Kataang religion. Don't worry I'll get it back, the next book in the Twilight series doesn't come out until next year. I will recover my Kataang-and-Avatard-ness soon. I just didn't want to leave you guys hanging so I came up with this sad excuse for a chapter! I most likely will come back and edit it though so don't worry. I deserve FLAMES! Waaah! sniffle Please review and forgive me!
EDIT: I came back and edited it a bit. More details and such. I think there shall be another 3rd part to this that I will do. A conversation between Yang and Iroh. I believe I shall do that now. Please at least one review acknowledging that I edited!