"It seems you have a greater eye for talent than I thought," King Graveth of the Kingdom of Rhodoks said as he was sitting on the throne in Shariz's great hall, a room tall enough that the second floor balconies overlooked it.
"I'm sorry?" Count Matheas asked, standing to the king's right.
"When you told me you hired freelancers and asked for me to lend them some troops, I expected the bandit problem dealt with. I didn't expect them to bring Emir Ayyam to us in a stretcher with a village saved!" Graveth continued as he smiled, the old man with his grey hair bald on the top of his head turning to Korra as she was standing before them.
The rout of the Sarranid troops at Jamiche had been complete, and the casualties were low considering what they had gone up against: a few of the militia dead, others wounded but saved by Korra's waterbending healing, and within Bunduk's troops there were only injuries. Taking the captives to Shariz as prisoners of war, they had arrived mid morning and Graveth immediately summoned them once they made the transfer.
"There aren't many people who can lead an outnumbered militia to victory against a lord's army with only some retinue pikes and a few crossbows," Graveth continued as he looked towards her. "I'm no fool, from the numbers in my sergeant's report had you not been there it would have been a disaster."
"I can't take all the credit," Korra retorted, "Sergeant Bunduk actually organized the troops, we mostly shook up the Sarranids. It was his men and the militia that actually broke the army and sent them running."
"You do not need to use false modesty, Lady, you've saved us an aggravating headache and shamed our foes."
"But it isn't false..." she started before stopping herself and shaking her head. He's already made up his mind, she realized. "Thank you, Your Majesty, but I wasn't doing this to help your war effort. Innocent people were being attacked, either by the bandits or by the Sarranids."
"I understand," the king said as he nodded to himself. "Is this what an 'Avatar' would do? I know it is a title you claim, but it is not one I know."
"Sort of, it's more complicated than just stopping attacks on innocents since it's also supposed to be about maintaining balance between nations, but helping people is an important part."
"I see. A good start for any independent adventurer seeking to make his, or her, name in Calradia. Of course if you really want to protect villages you need a warband at your call - you yourself believe that your abilities are not so powerful that you don't need an army."
"Backup is always useful, I can't be everywhere," Korra agreed, but in the back of her mind the comments from spirits about Raava lingered as she chose how to answer.
"No you cannot. For Calradia to really see peace, one side must become dominant. If you really want to see people safe, then you need to become more than just a wandering freelancer who has great personal power. No matter how strong you are personally, you are one person. But perhaps we can help each other."
"Your majesty?"
"I want your service, 'Avatar' Korra. If you pay homage to the Kingdom of Rhodoks and offer me an oath of fealty to protect it and fight for its honor, I will grant you continued command of Bunduk's men as your startup and noble title - a noble vassal of the Kingdom of Rhodoks with the rights it entails."
Korra stared at him, taking a step back at the abrupt forwardness of the offer as a shocked whisper ran between Matheas and another Rhodok noble, and Bolin had a loud comment cut off by Mako.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Korra looked Graveth in the eye. "Thank you your majesty, but I need to know more first."
"Of course, as a foreigner you do not know all of our customs." the king nodded to himself before continuing. "You have the potential to be a worthy leader and you have enough of a reputation as a warrior for me to take you in as a vassal. However you would not quite be a peer with the counts here, as I cannot grant you a fief."
"I thought that the whole point of being a feudal vassal in Calradia was to get land?" Korra asked as she folded her arms. "Why would I give you my loyalty if I wasn't receiving the supposed payment?"
"Fortune may have blessed you with martial prowess uncharacteristic of the fairer sex, but you are still a woman. If I gave you a fief the peers of Calradia would rightly suspect that I've been bewitched. As such I would be unable to grant you a fief… yet."
"Yet? So what would I need to do, marry one of your vassals or take a castle myself?"
"If you married a vassal of mine, then I would have no need to give you a fief for your loyalty as by Calradic law you would be bound by your husband's oaths. And if you were not seeking to settle down by doing so, you would probably share his assets. As for taking a castle yourself… yes, that would give you a claim to receive it as your rightful fief, though I cannot promise it to you as circumstances may not permit it."
Korra nodded. "And if I swore fealty to you, I would be taking a side in these wars. And that'd also mean I wouldn't be able to stop your other lords from attacking innocents?"
"I do not tolerate unprovoked attacks," Graveth cut in as he leaned forward. "But once war is declared all the possessions of our enemies is fair game. No monarch would deny his soldiers their due in war, but you are correct in that you would be expected to uphold the King's Peace as you would be carrying the weight of my kingdom."
"I understand," Korra said as she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry your majesty, but I cannot in good faith serve you as a sworn vassal. I want to help the Rhodoks, but I also want to help others in Calradia."
"I see," the king admitted as he rubbed his chin. "Very well. It is not an offer I would accept had it been given to me as it is without fief. But as king I urge you to reconsider in the future. You have great potential, and as a noble vassal raising her own troops to command you could go far. Alone you would at best raise something like a peasant levy. But as a vassal you could recruit beyond that, and build a worthy force to earn yourself a fief and grow even stronger from there."
"Thank you for your advice, your majesty," Korra answered as she bowed deeply. "Again, I'm sorry for saying no, but your offer was too generous to spite later."
The king waved his hand. "Of course. You may take your leave and settle the contract between yourself and Count Matheas now."
"Thank you," she repeated as she took a step back and Matheas spoke to Graveth briefly as they left the hall.
As the group left the throne room and waited in the antechamber outside, Asami spoke up first.
"Not bad," the ex-CEO said with a faint grin.
"What do you mean?" Bolin asked.
"Korra ran through the offer before rejecting it, so she made sure the king knew she wasn't just saying no. That way she didn't look completely ungrateful and the king didn't lose much face."
"I dunno," Korra admitted as she shrugged, "I probably still insulted him."
"Maybe, but you couldn't have said yes," Jinora cut in. "You're the Avatar, you're not supposed to bow to a single nation."
"Yeah…" she said slowly before shaking her head as Count Matheas walked out.
"I'll admit, I'm surprised," Matheas began as the door closed behind him. "But you've already made your choice. Don't worry about the king - he may not fondly remember your rejection but he understands you are individuals of action. My treasury is in Veluca, but I have enough funds in my wagon train to supply you. Fifteen hundred denars, and not one silver coin less."
Korra looked to Asami. "Any suggestions on how to handle it?"
"At this point? We really need to see about finding somewhere to deposit it. Walking around with the money we've got is dangerous, lockboxes on Naga's saddle or not."
"If you'd like I could ask the moneylenders in Veluca to open an account for you and leave it with them," the count offered. "The Guild Master is a friend of mine and he's very steadfast about ensuring deposits are kept safe."
Asami nodded. "Why don't you keep it at Veluca for now and we can make the arrangements ourselves when we have the chance to visit? I'd rather be there for this."
"Of course, I'll have my treasurer earmark your pay and give you a sealed document as proof. If you're ever looking for work in the future, I'm sure I could find something for you. And if you want to reconsider Graveth's offer, a week or two of military service is a good way to warm him up to it again."
"We'll keep it in mind," Korra said as she bowed. "I'm glad we could help, though."
"Likewise," he answered as he returned the bow. "Safe journeys throughout Calradia."
XXXXX
"So, what do we do now?" Asami asked as they stood before the castle gate, the city of Shariz ahead of them.
"I'm not sure," Korra admitted. "Maybe see if there's any jobs around here?"
You had an idea before, Asami noted as she tilted her head towards the Avatar. Mako was looking at Korra closely too, but Asami had to wonder: where did Korra's certainty go? Did executing people in cold blood do that much to her?
Before any of them could inquire further, a familiar man up towards the gate.
"Oh thank the heavens, I thought you'd leave before I could get here!" the guild master of Shariz said, running the last few meters.
"Narek?" Mako asked, turning. "What happened?"
"Those night bandits - those Triads as you called them - someone hired an airbending Vaegir to break them out and they managed to get out of the city. Some horsemen tried to find them, but they disappeared into the woods and we lost track of them. And our messengers…"
Asami felt her gut tightening. "Someone's been murdering them?"
"When the Rhodoks weren't intercepting the messengers, the same Vaegir was attacking them and killing any who had a message for you. If they didn't the messengers were allowed to go… after having their pocket change stolen."
"So the Triads are free…" Korra looked towards Mako. "You know the Triads best Mako, any idea on how to find them?"
"Have they been doing anything?" he asked. "If they've been staying quiet, there's not much we can do besides keeping our ears open. Otherwise…"
Narek nodded. "The trail is cold. We put out a bounty on them, a thousand denars, but so far no one has come forward with anything. Still, I wanted you to know since you asked me to inform you if they got loose."
"What about the Vaegir airbender?" Korra asked.
"She vanished when the siege started and at that point no messenger was willing to carry one addressed to you.."
"She's probably long gone," Bolin suggested. "I mean at this point her job's done, I know I'd be getting out of here."
"Yes… still, if you're looking for work I'd like to have a few more guards on a caravan heading to Yalen. They'll pay a hundred fifty for the service."
"Sure," Korra said, "we could do that."
Asami frowned, narrowing her eyes towards Korra. What's going on with you? the ex-CEO wondered as the brothers glanced at each other before shrugging.
"Excellent," Narek said. "They'll be leaving in the morning at the main gate. Just look for the wagons. Anything else?"
Korra glanced around. "Anyone?"
No one answered, and after exchanging farewells Narek went back to whatever he did day to day. They made their way to the tavern, and got themselves a room for the night.
After they got a room, changed out of their armor, and settled down at the smaller tables in the tavern, a familiar Rhodok sergeant walked into the bar. He had also taken his armor off, wearing a green tunic similar to what some of the militia had worn.
"Bunduk?" Korra asked as they saw him passing the innkeeper.
"Aye," he said as he smiled faintly and approached them. "mind if I sit?"
"Go ahead," Asami said as she gestured at the pillows across from the table. "We were going to heat up some tea, if you want any."
"It'll be a minute," Mako warned as he was firebending the kettle the innkeeper had lent them.
"Thanks, but I've never had a taste for that leaf juice. Always been more of an ale drinker."
"Suit yourself," Bolin said as he was drinking from a waterskin. "So, what're you going to be doing?"
"Retinue duty. Probably going east to keep hitting the Sarranids while they're reeling. Graveth isn't going to stop the war until the Sarranids actually stop him now."
"Wasn't it about a castle?" Korra asked. "I'm pretty sure you guys already took it…"
"Yes, it was about reasserting Weyyah Castle and the land it goes with as a Rhodok territory." The sergeant snorted. "I'm not supposed to say this, but that claim is very recent. There aren't many Rhodoks there…"
Asami nodded as she read between the lines: it was an excuse for conquest. "Graveth offered your men to Korra…"
"I heard. Not sure how I feel about you saying no. On one hand it's nice to avoid being handed around like property. On the other… well you had no reason to be so generous with us, but you were. If I didn't already have steady work I'd jump ship."
"You would?" Korra asked, leaning forward as Jinora frowned deeply. "Huh. So what do you think Bunduk? Do you think I should do the same as other adventurers?"
"Build an army?" The Rhodok asked as Mako finished heating up the tea and was pouring it into teacups for them, passing them around.
"Yeah. We seem to be getting into situations where just us isn't enough."
"What're you saying Korra?" Jinora cut in suddenly.
"What am I saying?" Korra sighed. "Graveth hit on what's been bothering me the last few days. We had to execute those brigands because we couldn't transport them, too few of us even if we had the rope."
"Concerned about the common bandit?" Bunduk asked, tilting his head. "That's a first."
Asami shrugged as she lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip before lowering it. Just a bit too hot, she decided before speaking up. "So what you're saying is you want to build an army?"
"Maybe," the Avatar answered as she was swirling her tea with waterbending, "I know that I want to keep going after the bandits and getting what the lords are ignoring to fight the wars. But I'm not sure if we can do it as we always have, or if we need some troops to back us up. There's enough large bandit groups to actually need backup and we'll need someone to keep the bandits hemmed into their lairs, but I'm not sure if that's the way to go forward."
"Commanding soldiers is not something the Avatar should be doing," Jinora cut in.
"Why not?" Mako asked. "Is there some rule because that'll be the first I've heard of it."
"There isn't one," Asami agreed. "Still, there's a difference between working with some men and actually commanding them."
"I know, and that wasn't something I was taught to do..."
"Oh come on Korra you'd be brilliant!" Bolin protested as he was letting Pabu drink out of his tea cup, "Besides having some other guys around might be fun. No offense," he added as he looked at Jinora.
"None taken. What about you Asami, what do you think?"
Asami glanced at Korra, then back to Jinora. "If you want to do it Korra, I'll help. I'm just not sure about where we need to start."
"If you're heading somewhere you might want to ask a guild master or village elder," Bunduk supplied. "They can usually find some unsworn layabouts or lads who need the honest work before they become bored enough to cause trouble."
"Thanks," Korra said as she smiled faintly. "And good luck wherever you end up."
"Thank you. And if you do end up building a warband, keep a space open for a Sharpshooter. If I ever find myself in need of work I'll be happy to look you up."
After saying their farewells and Bunduk went back to his men, Asami decided that this was as good a time as any to ask.
"So, were you seriously tempted to take Graveth's offer? Especially if you've been wondering about this."
Korra paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I was. I knew I couldn't because I'm the Avatar, but if I wasn't… even with the jabs and being denied part of the package it'd be hard to say no to that."
"Fair enough. So, you sure you want to do this?"
"Mostly," Korra admitted, finally drinking some of her tea before continuing. "Part of why I took that job to Yalen. The last two months we've been building up some good will and Yalen's the furthest west we have some. So if we start there we could see if we can find any recruits, then head around Calradia and see if people are willing."
"What about here in Shariz?" Bolin asked.
"You've seen the houses," Jinora cut in. "They just got out of a senseless siege. They probably don't have anyone who can head out."
"So how're we going to pay for it?" Mako asked. "I know that Triad goons aren't cheap - even Scoochy makes people pay through the nose for info."
"Didn't Bunduk say something about layabouts?" Bolin asked. "Maybe find those guys who really need the work?"
"Good old army basics," Asami nodded as she leaned forward. "My dad told me that there's only three kinds of people that join an army: patriots, the bloodthirsty, and the desperate."
"So that's possible recruits," Korra agreed. "What about actually getting them gear?"
"Outfitting them like Bunduk's men is too expensive," Asami explained as she put a hand on her chin. "We'll have to stick with spears and shields like that Sarranid gear we got at Jamiche. If we keep what's good and sell the stuff that's trash, we should be able to outfit quite a few people. But we've got other concerns past that: even if we get some volunteers we'll probably have to pay them to keep them from going off in search of more work, and we also need to feed them, train them, give them proper treatment for injuries, funerary arrangements…"
"You're getting ahead of yourselves," Jinora cut in as Furry-Foot floated out from their room. "I don't think building an army is actually going to fix Calradia's problems."
"Maybe not," Korra admitted as the spirit landed next to Jinora, "but the more I think about it the more I'm starting to think that to do more than a few little things, to actually fix some of Calradia's problems, we need backup. And I don't think we're going to be able to find enough people who'll do it for the goodness of their hearts. If you guys don't want any part of it we can split the money we have and I'll try it myself, but…"
"Thanks, but you don't have the money sense to handle this alone," Asami cut in as the Avatar trailed off. "Besides, I don't think I can set up a new Future Industries here, not yet anyways."
"Why's that?" Bolin asked as he tilted his head - in part because Furry-Foot had floated over and Pabu had ran onto his shoulder to be on equal height with the spirit.
"I'm going to guess it's got something to do with not being a man," Korra offered.
"Mostly, the guild master at Curaw made it pretty clear that the only women in business there are either doing it on behalf of their fathers, husbands, or brothers… or inherited it from them when something unfortunate happened. And Curaw's probably the one place where I could really get the metal I need at a low enough cost. Even if I could translate the manual and read Calradian writing, I'd still need to really establish myself to use it for more than just making some stronger tools. That could take years."
Korra nodded. "Alright. But if we're going to build an army, we should get the money we have sorted out first. Right now it's been ours collectively, but if we're going to do something this big we should sort out who actually owns what."
"We've got until tomorrow and a caravan trip to do it," Mako said as he finished his tea. "Though if we're going to stick together I don't need much personally."
XXXXX
Three days of travel and an unsuccessful day of recruiting later, Korra found herself wandering into Yalen's tavern feeling down. She and Asami had spent the trip to Yalen hashing out a rough contract to offer and simplified legalese that Korra hoped wouldn't scare people away. It was pretty simple - the common ten denar signing bonus, and wages to be accorded based on skills brought with an initial wage agreed on before signing was done.
With the clear terms to offer, the guild master at Yalen was happy to let them recruit anyone who volunteered and Count Gutlans had a policy of letting freelancers recruit if they saw fit - fewer layabouts eating valuable food and such. With a written copy of the contract to read out to those who were interested, Korra had gone to talk to those the guild master directed her to speak with.
Unfortunately despite the offer and showing she had the money to pay them, nobody in Yalen or the surrounding hamlets were interested. If they were okay with only a verbal agreement (such as being flat out illiterate themselves), it was the fact that Korra was not recruiting an army to eventually become part of Calradia's wars. They simply did not think that Korra would be able to get them something worth the share of loot that war provides as bandits rarely had the best bits to keep or sell. And despite needing the work, they knew that other adventurers with more offers would come, and they'd be willing to get involved in the wars.
Which left Korra walking alone into the tavern they were staying at, dejected as she made her way to the bar and sat down on a stool.
"No luck today?" the tavern keeper asked.
"Not really," Korra admitted as she leaned against the bar. "You have any water? I used up my waterskin on the road."
"Aye, I'll get you some."
"Thanks," Korra said as she turned and shook her head. What did she need to offer people to get them to sign up? Maybe I should've talked to my dad, Iroh, or even Bumi about army life, she decided when a blond haired woman sat herself down next to her.
"Good day to you!" the young woman said.
"Uh, hello," Korra answered as the tavern keeper put a wooden tankard in front of her, filled with water. The fair skinned woman was young, blond hair tied up around her brow and the rest hanging loose. One look at her arms immediately reminded Korra of her initial assumptions about Asami. "So er, what brings a nice young lady like you down here?"
"A good question, and I'll be happy to answer! My father's a well known merchant here in Yalen, in fact you caught the looters who had raided a farmstead he owns outside the city. I saw you then as you were returning our stolen goods."
"Sorry, I helped a lot of people that day so my memory's a bit fuzzy. What's your name?"
"Ymira."
"Korra," she offered as she extended a hand, and the Rhodok girl shook it happily with a weak grip. "So you just here to say hi?"
"No, I ran away from home. I've been an obedient daughter all seventeen years of my life, but then my dad wanted to marry me to a business partner of his who's well over thirty years old! Such a horrid proposition, I'll marry who I want to marry!"
"No argument here," Korra retorted. "So what're you planning on doing? Calradia isn't exactly a safe place for someone who can't defend themselves. I mean, that's why I've been trying to recruit people for a warband. To go fight the bandits threatening everyone."
"Yes my sister mentioned it. Well I can take care of myself, so I'm happy to join you if you'd like another hand."
"What skills do you have?" Korra asked, hoping that Ymira would surprise her the way Asami had.
"I'll be a most valuable addition to your ranks! I'm well versed in the classics of literature and can declaim several epic poems of Calradia. I also play the lute and am a skilled manager of household servants."
Korra blinked, desperately fighting her instinct to put a hand on her forehead and groan, grabbing the tankard and taking a drink to put something in her mouth. Don't say it don't say it don't...
"Korra?"
She glanced up and saw Asami walking in and Korra exhaled. Thank you, she thought as the tension left her body as she lowered the water.
"Hey Asami," she said. "I think we might have a… well, someone."
"So, am I in?" Ymira asked.
"Sure, you've got a … good start…" That was a dirty lie, she immediately thought as she grit her teeth. "We'll… we'll teach you the rest."
"Excellent!" Ymira smiled as she tapped a knife on her belt. "I've already armed myself with a knife, so I should be good to go."
"You aren't a bender, are you?" Asami asked as she folded her arms.
"Nope!"
"Have you had any combat training?"
The inn fell silent and Korra put a hand on her forehead. I'm desperate, she decided as she finally shook her head. "Well, we're probably going to have to train our recruits anyways, right Asami?"
"True," the ex-CEO admitted, "but even if we can't afford to be picky…"
"I know," Korra answered as she sighed. "But she's the only one we've gotten so far."
"Alright, run through the contract?"
"Yeah," Korra said as she reached into her pocket and unfolded it, then cleared her throat. "Right. Ymira, you are being hired for military service in campaigns soon to be undertaken. You will take for yourself ten denars when you agree to serve, obligating you to a period of thirty days and to further wages based on your skills. You will be provided two meals each day, a share of the loot within Calradian customs, and will be provided needed equipment for your duties or repairs for equipment you bring, if possible. Issued equipment is not yours to keep, and will be returned if or when you decide to leave after your month-long obligation has expired."
As she finished Korra swallowed; it was the first time she had read it formally and it sounded weird - it didn't sound like her. It felt like it was someone else using her voice.
The Rhodok nodded. "So, what would my skills earn?"
Korra glanced to Asami, then back at the Rhodok. "Well… we need to train you from scratch, so you'd be getting the wage for an untrained recruit - five denars now, then the next five when training is done. After that you'll get ten denars a week."
"I see… how long does training take?"
"It's until you're actually useful in a fight to warrant the weekly pay," Asami cut in. The pay scheme for untrained recruits had been her idea. "You're still being fed every day and until you're ready to fight you're not giving us much. If anything we're giving you a lot since we need to train you."
"I see," the young woman said as she nodded. "Very well, I accept! Where do I get my gear?"
"Soon," Asami said. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Korra. I found some some spears and small crossbows for a low price - twenty for the crossbows and seventy for the spears."
Korra nodded. "Thanks Asami. Did you get them yet?"
"No, figured I'd ask you first."
"The Sarranid spears and javelins we have won't be enough, so if you think it's a good deal go ahead."
"Alright, I'll get them and a mule to carry the extra gear."
"We're probably going to end up walking at some point anyways," Korra said as she glanced at Ymira. "I doubt everyone will have a horse. But we'll start making our way east in the morning and stop at Veluca before heading to Kedelke."
XXXX
"Ah, Lady Korra, Asami. To what do I owe your company?"
Asami bowed her head as Korra did the same, glancing up at Count Matheas as they entered the throne room in Veluca's keep.
"Recruitment," Korra explained. "I've been looking to put together a company to better deal with bandits in the future since other areas of Calradia have a similar problem."
"I see," Matheas said as he nodded and Asami found herself wondering if he was going to let them or not. "Well, you've certainly proven your quality. You have my permission to recruit anyone in my fiefdoms - here in Veluca or Ergellon Castle - so long as they are not already sworn to service by retinue or levy. However convincing them will be up to you."
"Thank you, Count."
"Now, is there anything…" before he could finish the door opened. Asami turned and saw one of the guards walking in, his glaive bouncing along the floor like a walking stick as he entered.
"Apologies for the intrusion, Count, but there's some foreigner woman here to see your guest."
"Foreigner?"
"She said that she was here to see some 'Avatar'..."
Someone else displaced by Harmonic Convergence, Asami realized immediately as Korra nodded.
"Alright, tell her we'll be out shortly." Korra turned to Matheas. "Sorry to be abrupt, Count, but we should probably take care of this."
"Of course, go ahead."
The two bowed and left, and as they walked out they saw the woman waiting. She just a bit younger than them, and she was wearing what looked to Asami like a green dress with white pants and boots, and a metal necklace. The pattern seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it. Definitely Earth Kingdom though, Asami concluded as she noticed the olive green eyes and black hair the woman had.
Shifting side to side, the woman looked up as the guard left them alone. "Hi, I'm Opal Beifong… wow I can't believe I'm meeting the Avatar! I've read about what you've done… just amazing."
She sounds a lot younger than she looks, Asami thought as she glanced at Korra, who was taken aback by the sudden praise.
"Er, thanks," the Avatar said before clearing her throat. "So - Beifong? Lin never mentioned you."
"My aunt never visited her family at Zaofu, I don't know why."
That explains why my dad never tried to expand there, Asami decided before speaking up. "Sounds like family life was strained, but this might be something for another time. You wanted to talk to us?"
"Right. So, I was working as a clerk in Jelkala for a while since when I arrived I had a book that helped me learn Calradian writing. Then a few weeks ago this happened," Opal took a deep breath and began to move her arms.
Asami frowned when suddenly a gentle wind pushed towards her. "That's not…"
"Wait you're an airbender?!" Korra interrupted, jaw hanging loosely. "How?"
"Harmonic Convergence I think," Opal explained as she shrugged. "But I knew that I needed to find out. So I started trying to follow the rumors, and a few others joined me on the way hoping to learn how to use their bending."
"And since we kept moving you couldn't quite catch up with us?"
"Yes. I don't want to be a bother, but… could you train us?"
Korra paused a moment before nodding. "Yes, I can. And I think the benders with you can help me too."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm building a fighting force to deal with the bandits in Calradia," Korra started, gaining strength as she continued. "I haven't had much luck in the Rhodok villages, but I think it's because I didn't offer anything that stands out. But if I'm training you and your friends, why couldn't I train others? Calradia hasn't seen an army with trained benders for two hundred years. With time, I could offer something stronger than Calradia had ever seen."
"That… might actually work." Asami said as she put a hand on her chin. After all why are Calradia's lords trying to recruit us?
"That is, if you're willing to join us, Opal?" Korra asked, offering a hand.
The new airbender smiled and shook. "Yes, of course I'd be willing to help."
XXXXX
Their welcome as they approached the village early in the afternoon was just as warm as Korra expected. Villagers waved towards them or bowed, and the spirits at the center of the village turned and gathered to watch. The new Calradian recruits reached for their weapons when they saw the spirits, but Jinora warned them off. They were still uneasy as they stopped at an unused field outside the village, waiting as Korra rode towards the center of the village on Naga, villagers heading towards the center as news spread.
Waiting for them was a familiar face - Boal walked out of his house, a proper walking stick in hand as he bowed. "Welcome back, Korra. It's an honor to have you here."
"Good to see you too, Elder," Korra answered as she dismounted and returned the bow. "Everything working out?"
"Some bandits tried to raid us, but just like Baheshtur predicted our warriors and the spirits together scared them off. There actually wasn't much of a fight - the bandit leader tried to cut down one of the spirits. It didn't do anything and after that the raiders fled."
"Good. I don't suppose they're anywhere nearby?"
"No, they fled and the Noyan took care of them a few days later. However Xiang showed up again…"
"He didn't cause any trouble, did he?"
"No, he looked around, asked a few spirits some questions, then left. I think he was trying to make sure we were living up to our end of the bargain."
"Well, I've got something I need to ask of you," Korra said, glancing at the crowd that was starting to gather. "I'm recruiting - there's other places in Calradia that're going to need help with bandits."
"You've helped us greatly, but I'll tell you the same thing I tell other adventurers: you can't recruit our defenders, and if you want the layabouts or those without work you need to prove to them that you're worth joining." Boal shook his head. "Personally I'm fine with you recruiting and the Noyans get their picks early, but I will not force young men to go to serve you even if you are paying a commission. But if you can convince them that you're worth joining, you can recruit any who volunteer."
Korra bowed. "Thank you, Elder Boal." She turned towards the villagers who had gathered, looking at her and talking amongst each other. She walked into the middle of the village center, looking around at the numerous humans and spirits watching her.
"The Khergits aren't natives to Calradia, but it's become their home. And it's become a home for me too, even if I haven't settled down," she started. "But it's a home that's mired in constant fighting, and in that fighting the law of the land looks abroad. It looks to defending its borders rather than the threats within. It's not just in the Khanate or any one of the other Kingdoms, but across the borders. People who just want to raise their families and live life can't do so without fearing a raid while they go to market!"
"I want to change that, but I can't do it alone - there's simply too many brigands. I can fight them for the rest of my life and there'll still be more that crawl out of the woodwork. I need help, and I'm willing to pay for that help. I can't promise that the effort will be glorious work, I can't promise that they'll be singing songs about what we do or the loot from military victories in Calradia's numerous wars - I have no interested in fighting for a specific nation, whether it's the Khanate or any of Calradia's other kingdoms."
"What I can offer, however, is something that no other other adventurer has." She sparked a flame from her right hand and held it up. "The Calradic Empire had benders as a large part of their army - not just as those who happen to have the ability, but those who had training in its usage. They made the mistake of hoarding it and stunting its full potential, and when the Nords burned down Zendar they lost an art that propelled many innovations where I came from."
"How would you like to be some of the first trained benders in two hundred years? I'm offering training to anyone who's willing to join, willing to learn!" She extinguished the flame and lowered her hand as she looked across the crowd.
"And if you're not a bender I'm still happy to take you on and give you the training you need. But whether you're a bender or not, I'm offering ten denars to anyone who joins and is willing to work with me for at least a month, and you'll be paid according to your skills."
"If anyone's interested, you can come over to the camp that's being set up outside the village - we'll be here for a few hours before we move on to Narra. It's your choice, but you could do something for Calradia that hasn't been done in two hundred years."
The various Khergit villagers talked amongst herself, but she could already hear a few voicing interest. Smiling, she climbed back onto Naga and rode back to the camp that was being set up. The recruits they had so far were unloading their kit or resting against what rocks they could find while Bolin was going through some basic drills with the earthbenders who had joined them.
"Any interest?" Asami asked as Korra arrived, the nascent warband's quartermaster opening a pack with parchment and ink.
"There's interest," Korra said as she made a table with earthbending for them to use, "but I can't say how much there is. The written contracts ready for them to look over?"
"They are, Ymira and Opal helped me write them up."
"And Opal's a surprisingly good teacher," Mako added as he walked over with the chest containing half of their funds. "Particularly with Bolin, I never thought he'd be paying attention to any sort of class."
Korra smirked at the firebender. "Maybe he just found something he likes."
Mako paused, glancing between the two before coughing. "Right. Though I don't think I'm going to tell him; let them figure it out on their own."
"Probably a good idea," Asami suggested as she looked up. "Looks like we've got some volunteers."
Korra glanced behind her and saw some of the villagers coming over, many of them riding horses. Some had spears and bows as well. Good, that'll cut down on the costs, she decided as made her way to the other side of the table and sat down while Naga sauntered off into the camp itself.
The eagerness of the volunteers who joined reassured her, even if some had turned away when they found out that Korra had no intent on any pillage besides what's recovered from bandits and not returnable to the proper owners. Even then they managed to recruit eleven Khergits, and most of them were airbenders. Those who weren't came with their own horses as well as weapons - either bows, spears, or both.
As the last of the recruits received their initial pay, Korra and Asami packed up the records, locked the chest, and made their way into the camp itself.
"Mostly benders again," Asami remarked as she looked over the updated roster. "But we've still managed to recruit a couple non-benders."
Korra nodded, looking towards where the few non-benders were doing some basic drills under the watch of the ex Rhodok Pikeman they had recruited once he got them off their backsides. "Yeah, though I think we'll get most of them when we get to Jayek."
"True. But we still need to train them, and Barnaby said he wasn't going to be able to do much more than the spear drills."
"Yeah, we need someone who knows all sorts of weapons. Besides, Ymira should probably be using a crossbow rather than a spear; she couldn't even pull the string back on my bow."
"I couldn't either," Asami pointed out.
Korra paused, glancing at her as they secured the lockbox in Korra's tent (made by earthbending), then shrugged. "Yeah, but you were at least able to get past half draw and Water Tribe bows were always ridiculously hard to use anyways. Ymira couldn't even get it to a quarter draw."
The ex-CEO shrugged. "Maybe. 'course Ymira's probably better off as a clerk or a nurse rather than a frontline fighter, but we won't have the luxury of a frontline. So, when do you want to leave for Narra?"
"As soon as the new recruits have said their goodbyes; I'd like to get there before nightfall. The next morning we can head north into Swadia and start seeing if their eastern villages have any recruits."
XXXXXX
"Oh, hey Opal," Bolin said as the small band was setting up a camp in Swadia's eastern plains for the night.
"Hi," the young airbender said, glancing away and using her free hand to rub the back of her neck. "So uh, you've travelled with the Avatar a lot…"
"Yeah," Bolin said as he brought up the last of the earthen tents for those who didn't have their own. "Alright, that oughta be enough for everyone. You eat yet?"
"No; Mako's still heating up dinner. Is he a good cook?"
"Well it probably won't match anything Zaofu had, but he's actually pretty good. Guess you have to be to make decent street food."
"I'm sorry…" Opal looked away as one of the Khergit recruits walked by with his horse.
"Hey, it's okay, it's all in the past. Besides I've been a pro-bender star, fought a dangerous revolution, starred in the first big mover, and helped the Avatar against a lot of bad guys."
"And now I'm going to be part of that…" Opal glanced away. "I just hope I'm good enough."
"You'll be fine - you're better at airbending than Korra was when she was fighting the Equalists."
"Yeah, but she could bend three elements already! I've only been taught a few basics in hand to hand - I was going to be an anthropologist, not a soldier!"
"Anthropologist?"
"Yes, the study of people," she explained as she glanced towards where her pack was. "You wouldn't believe how many cultures there are in the Earth Kingdom alone. I've always wondered: how do they cope with being forced under one banner from a city they'll never see?"
Bolin paused, curling his lip and looking side to side. "Yeah, I can't answer…"
"Oh shut it pony boy!" a loud shout cut in as Bolin glanced towards the center of the camp where rations for the night were being handed out.
"Uh oh…" Bolin muttered as they ran over and found one of the Rhodok recruits and a Khergit arguing.
"What? It's true - the Rhodoks are no better than the rest of Calradia!" the Khergit retorted, feeding his horse as he argued. "The Noyans may also favor their own sons for positions of power and land, but they're at least warriors who ride with bow or lance with the rest of us. How many Rhodok lords actually get into the pike line or wield a crossbow in battle? You're nothing but a bunch of puffed up hypocrites!"
"Yeah, and how many Khergits are actually able to do more than ape an effort at civilization?" the Rhodok with a massive cleaver asked, folding his arms. "You say you're civilized, but your cities are shambles that fall over like a house of cards when someone so much as blows in their direction!" the Rhodok retorted. "And you didn't even build them - they were Vaegir cities once!"
"Enough!" another voice suddenly cut in and everyone turned to see Korra coming out of her tent.
Alright Korra, show 'em some Avatar stuff, Bolin thought as he glanced at Opal and gave a weak smile.
"Ma'am, this…"
"I heard Barnaby," Korra cut in as she looked at the ex pikeman. "Look, I don't mind you guys arguing, but keep it civil."
"But how can the truth be an insult?" the Khergit asked.
"The truth itself? No, but the way you put the truth can be an insult, Mauci. Look, the Rhodoks aren't as free as they like to say they are - they've still got serfs and all that. But they do elect their king by a council that has both nobles and non-nobles - and no one else in Calradia has that. And the Khergits are still behind everyone else with their cities - it's why I've heard Khergits emphasize defending in the field where they are strong rather than the city. They're not uncivilized, they're just used to moving."
The two looked at each other, then back at Korra. Bolin held his breath as he waited for the two recruits to answer.
"Fine," Barnaby finally admitted as he threw his hands up. "I might've been a bit quick to call you a pony boy, but still…"
"Apology accepted," Mauci agreed. "Come, let's have our dinner and forget it. Maybe we'll be able to make amends with bandit blood."
"Better than killing honest folk doing their duty to their kingdom."
As the two moved on, Bolin looked to Opal and smiled. "See? Korra's good at solving problems."
"That wasn't exactly something that needs diplomacy so much as force of will," the new airbender retorted. "So, where's Jinora? I didn't see her when we were setting up camp."
"Probably went off to find some quiet to meditate," Bolin paused. "Actually, what does that make you if you're an airbender now? A new Air Nomad?"
"Maybe, but it'll still be fascinating to learn. Kind of ironic, though. Me and Keiko, both displaced by Harmonic Convergence, and we're benders of the opposite element to our culture."
Bolin nodded, glancing towards the young woman in Fire Nation armor from the Hundred Year War quietly eating her food. "Yeah, I think the universe has a sense of humor. Surprised she wasn't trained with it though."
Opal shrugged. "She never told me why she's a waterbender, but my mom always said that noble families were far too uptight about purity. Of course she usually added that she's a defiance of the stereotype…"
Before Bolin could answer, Asami walked up. "Bolin, weren't you supposed to do some more basics with the earthbenders before dinner?"
"Huh? Oh, right," Bolin said as he blinked and shook his head. "Sorry, I'll go get them."
XXXXXX
"What can I get you?" the innkeeper at Dhirim said as Korra approached.
"I need a place to house about thirty people and almost half that in horses, do you have enough space for us?"
The innkeeper frowned. "Sorry lassie, but I don't have that many beds or the place for you to store your gear. There's a townhouse nearby I could direct you to though, and if you'd like lodging here for yourself I can arrange that."
"I'll stay at the townhouse," Korra answered. "Though have you heard any news from abroad?"
"Oh aye - word is that the bandits are getting bigger."
"What do you mean?"
"She's referring to the recent incident at Uslum," a man sitting at the end of the bar said. Both turned to look at him - a man with short hair that stood on end and a beard, both of which were brown in color. He was muscled and carried himself tightly like a soldier, but the robe he wore contrasted that with its fancy trim and the pattern running across it. A dark teal colored cape was tightly clasped to the back of the outfit, visible from the angle he sat.
"What happened at Uslum?" Korra asked as she took a seat near the man.
"An organized group of bandits attacked Boyar Bracha and cut apart his levy. He ended up fleeing his fief with his family and retinue in tow."
Grimacing, Korra nodded slowly. "And elsewhere?"
"Still gathering," the innkeeper cut in. "A group of 'em hit a caravan on the north border - not ambushed, flat out assaulted it in an open fight. Overwhelmed the guards and took everything."
That's not something we'd be able to help with alone, Korra decided as she nodded slowly. "Looks like my work's going to be cut out for me… and I need to hurry up with the recruiting."
"Recruiting?" the man asked as he leaned forward. "Interesting. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Lezalit, second son of the Count of Geroia."
"Korra," she supplied as she held out a hand. The Geroian glanced at it, then shook. "Though if you don't mind me asking, what's the son of a count doing in Swadia? I thought Geroia was far from here."
"I take it you know little of my land. As the second son of a Geroian nobleman, I have no inheritance of land to look towards. So I have travelled Calradia seeking to ply my skills as a drill sergeant in hopes of earning my own wealth."
"Drill sergeant?"
"Indeed. Unfortunately Count Clais is not interested in the disciplinary methods needed to turn rabble into soldiers - I told him that with Dhirim's rate of attrition it's better that they complain now rather than be buried later, but he discharged me from service."
"I'd rather bring people home too, but what were you doing?" Korra asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Long forced marches to build endurance with gear heavier than what they will use normally, training with the same, and punishing them appropriately for their misconduct." He ended his list by taking another drink from his tankard. "Now, if you happen to know someone who believes his goal is to win and bring his troops home alive rather than pamper them before grisly death and subsequent burial, I wouldn't mind the work."
"I might be able to hire you," Korra said as she put a hand on her chin. "What're your weapon skills? I've got a multinational warband and while benders are still the majority I do need to train the non-benders as well."
"I cannot train your benders as anything other than soldiers, but if the rumors are true I expect that you will be doing the bender training yourself. Is that correct?"
She nodded. "It is."
"Good," the Geroian smiled. "I've grown knowledgeable about every form of army in Calradia in my years searching for work - from the Rock of Rivacheg to the start of the Desert Way in Bariyye to the eastern coast of the Balionic Sea I've trained troops. If you're building an army of every Calradian nationality, I can train them all in traditions they know so you can get the most out of them. No one else can boast that feat in this day and age, and I am also a skilled swordsman. Whether it's a Geroian gladius or a Swadian longsword, I can use it in battle."
"Alright, I think I can hire you. Do you have any gear? I can't promise swords or mail."
"I have my own equipment, and a horse named Alexander. If you give me a few minutes I can prepare it for inspection."
"How much are you asking for? The standard offer I've been doing is ten denars then wages based on skills, but you're a specialist."
"I would ask for four hundred denars before I join. It is not my policy to work for someone without having my due first."
"How long are you promising to stay on for?"
"Until you discharge me. If you want me to help you against my home countrymen however I reserve the right to leave your service, as I am still a son of Geroia and will not fight my countrymen lightly."
She nodded. "I understand. I'll need to check with Asami first - she's my quartermaster - but if your gear and skills are nearly as good as you say they are, I think we can hire you. First thing's first though: punishments are my responsibility to hand out if I'm leading the warband. I don't want you whipping the recruits for minor infractions without my say-so."
"Of course. But I also need room to actually turn your recruits into soldiers. They will not respect the soft hand of maternal care in the long run if you intend to lead them into battle."
"I'll give you the room you need, but I reserve the right to demand an explanation for why you need to do something in particular. I want soldiers, not nervous wrecks."
The Geroian rubbed his chin for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, I can respect that. It is your warband to command. How do you plan on training them - on the march or actually going to a training field?"
"Both. We're doing some basics now, but we're planning on stopping and doing proper training once we've visited all our places to recruit."
He nodded. "Very well. You can take a see what I'm doing in the time between marching and resting for the night, then when you stop for the full training we can discuss details." He offered his hand again. "If you can afford to pay me, it'll be a fascinating experience to work with you, Captain."
Korra raised an eyebrow at the title, but took his hand and shook.
XXXXXXX
"You know we've been marching for over a week with this 'Avatar' and gone all over Calradia picking up another guy or two every village and that big batch of Nords from Jayek this morning, but we haven't got a lot of good training."
"You're firebending is better than it's ever been, William," Opal retorted as she looked at the Vaegir firebender that had joined her when she was trying to find Korra. "Give it time, they've only been showing basics since that's what you can do on the move. The full training starts tomorrow and it won't be just an hour before bed."
He shrugged as he ate another spoonful of porridge - the night's dinner. "Maybe, but at this rate I'd still take my granddad's Balionic longbow over their training in a fight - all I'm doing is a few fireballs. They better prove me wrong by the end of the week."
"They will," another woman cut in, wearing Fire Nation armor styled after the late Hundred Years War pattern. "But bending is often taught from a young age, so we all have a lot of catching up to do and we won't be masters for years."
"So how come you're a waterbender?" Ymira asked as she laid a hand on the hunting crossbow she had been issued. "I mean, aren't you from some nation that's has a lot of firebenders? And even then wouldn't you have been trained?"
The waterbender's bowl fell hard onto her lap as she stared at the Rhodok and sighed. "My mom was from the Foggy Swamp, okay? Me being a known waterbender would've just made things more complicated for us since the only reason he got away with it was being the third kid in his family. You don't think I wanted to learn?"
"Easy Keiko," Opal warned, "she's just asking and she wasn't there the last fifty times you were asked."
The waterbender nodded, taking another spoonful of her dinner. "Sorry, I had to fit the ideal of politics growing up. But at least now we've all got a fresh start, and helping the Avatar fight the bandit hordes cropping up? Can't ask for a more honorable calling than that."
"Hopefully she'll get us into something more than just chasing bandits eventually," William muttered. "There's only so much glory to be won there."
"But isn't this the stuff of heroes - sallying forth against those who would harm innocents?" Ymira protested. "We'll earn a name for ourselves, even if the bards focus on our gallant captain!"
Opal glanced to some of the others nearby who looked at Ymira's outburst and were shaking their heads, muttering to each other. Ignoring it, the new airbender finished her dinner and she stood up. "Sorry to be abrupt, but we're going to be training hard tomorrow. We should probably get some sleep - especially you Ymira, you'll be with Lezalit the most."
"That's Sergeant Lezalit, Footman," William grunted, badly mocking the Geroian's tone. "He's really full of himself isn't he…"
"Considering he matched all of us point for point about weapons, I wouldn't say that," Keiko retorted as she shrugged. "But Opal's right, we should go to bed early. We're going to be doing a lot of hard work tomorrow."
XXXXXX
"Korra."
Blinking as she pushed herself up and off of Naga, Korra opened her eyes and saw Jinora standing ahead of her, Furry-Foot floating behind her outside of the shadow that the tree cast. "Hey; something wrong?" Korra asked as she noticed it was early in the morning.
"It's Lezalit. I know you need an instructor for the non-benders, but his planned training… air is the element of freedom, and Lezalit does everything he can to crush it. He's shown that every night since he joined us, barking orders on how to set up as if he's in charge and his pre-dinner drills."
Korra sighed, pinching her brow as she considered how to answer. "I know and I talked to him about that. But I can't just give the airbenders a special exception to the training either."
"Damn straight you can't."
The two turned and noticed Lezalit approaching them from behind Korra, wearing most of his armor and riding his white horse. "Apologies, Captain," he said as brought his horse to a stop, dismounted, and saluted with is free hand, "I overheard while returning from inspecting the training grounds. I appreciate you doing this in private and not in front of the men, Sergeant."
"I don't want military rank," Jinora protested as she stared at the Geroian. It had been Lezalit's idea to formalize a chain of command more than just having a captain in charge. After some persuasion - and Mako pointing out the need in case she was hurt - Korra had set up a basic rank system to ensure everyone knew who answered to who.
"No, but if you want to remain in our chain of command as an instructor, child, you need it." Lezalit cleared his throat and turned to Korra. "Regardless, I appreciate you not granting special treatment. Doing so will be disastrous without clear necessity. It breeds envy in the men and breaks down discipline."
"And you'll break them down into the cogs of a machine!" Jinora raised her voice at the armored man standing over her, Furry-Foot backing off from.
"This is war. I do not expect a little girl, no matter how mature she is, to understand military discipline."
"Enough!" Korra ordered as she really wished they had waited another hour before starting this. "Discipline is important, but Jinora's not wrong since there is a spiritual element in bending. How long do you need for basic training, Lezalit?"
"With one day of focused training I can get you a parade shield wall, but I wouldn't count on discipline to hold past looking nice. A week will give us enough for bandits and levied rabble, but I'd still prefer more if we can," he explained as he frowned. "Why?"
"How much of it is weapon training, and how much is just physical training and discipline? The hand to hand training we can handle with the bending," Korra explained as she hoped she found a middle ground solution. "Bending is physical and spiritual, after all, and asking an airbender to hold a spear in formation is a waste anyways since an airbender should be a leaf in the wind, not a boulder. But the team building stuff and just getting everyone into shape we can do as a group and then split off."
The Geroian grumbled as he rubbed his beard. "I see. I cannot recommend exempting them from basic drill, if only to ensure discipline, but I will defer to your experience with bending. However I ask that you defer to my experience with discipline, Captain."
"But the discipline is the problem," Jinora protested. "Well, not discipline in general, but your discipline. It's built on obeying. An airbender's is personal, about self-control and understanding themselves."
Korra sighed, shaking her head and putting a hand on her forehead. This was not what she wanted to deal with in the morning, especially one after two near shaves with Nordic Jarls - Irya and later his son - who briefly challenged them before letting them pass as they were leaving Nord territory with their recruits from Jayek.
"Look we'll treat training benders like specialist training," she finally said, "we haven't started the training yet so we can adjust, but let's not make any decisions without Mako and Bolin."
Lezalit nodded. "Very well, Captain. But I must stress that discipline is the key to survival. When I am finished with them, Sergeant Jinora may take the airbenders and focus on their 'spirituality' if that is how airbenders best learn. But before then I must stress that the discipline creation must be as unhindered as possible."
"If they have a spirit left by the time you're done," Jinora muttered. "Alright, I'll meditate on it. But I don't like it."
"Lezalit, why don't you go talk to the Lieutenant and make sure you have the tools you need for today?" Korra ordered. She needed to talk to Jinora alone about this, and Asami had a way of defusing the Geroian. Probably because he lives by the chain of command and she's my second in command… Korra decided.
The Geroian saluted and left them, leaving the two alone as Furry-Foot looked between the two.
"You need to get a better trainer," Jinora muttered in disgust once Lezalit was out of earshot.
"Jinora, you could ask Bumi to train them and he'd say the same thing. Soldiers need discipline if they're going to fight. Bumi would be a lot more fun about it, but he'd still run them hard."
"I know," Jinora explained as she looked down. "But Korra, this violence is why bandits can run around. The nobles here concerned with killing each other rather than protecting people. Are we going to be any better if we're just another bunch of armed thugs rather than a band of brothers?"
"It's not going to change with a few wise words, though. Words backed by steel and bending, on the other hand… that might actually work. Besides, discipline doesn't stop them from being friends, and I'll keep Lezalit from stopping that."
The young airbender sighed. "I understand, Korra. I don't like it, but I understand."
"That's all I can ask. Anyways, you better figure out your argument for later."
Jinora nodded. "Thank you. And for the record, if Lezalit barges into my training about rank I will tell him exactly what I think."
"I'll warn him to let the bending instructors do their thing," Korra said as her stomach rumbled. So much for going back to sleep, she decided. "For now though, I'm going to go get some breakfast. We've still got a long day ahead."
XXXX
"Well, that's a new one."
Ghazan nodded to the armless woman wearing blue who was crouched next to him. She wore her long black hair so most was hanging over her shoulders while the rest was tied up in a bun.
"The Avatar raising an army?" Ghazan shook his head as he looked back into the spyglass, observing the mustering men and women at the training field that marked the border between the Nordic holdings and Swadia. "Can't say the prospect is reassuring, Ming-Hua."
She grunted noncommittally as she looked to their guide. "So Borcha, what do you think?"
"I think we should stay well away," the Khergit muttered. "That big dog gives me the creeps."
"Yeah, but it looks like your boss was right," Ghazan continued as he shook his head. "If she wants to force things on Calradia, that's the first step. Getting an army to serve her. There's a reason why the Avatar isn't supposed to do that. At least alone the Avatar can't maintain their will on people who don't want it. But an army that can do that while she's busy smashing someone else?"
"We could kill them now," Ming-Hua suggested as water from the dual waterskins tied to her back spread out around her arms. "Bet the old man will be happy - he wants the Avatar anyways, why not lure her to him and deny her the army she's making while we're at it?"
Ghazan sighed, shaking his head. "I still don't trust him even if he was right about this. He might wear our symbol, but he came and went before the Red Lotus. If Zaheer was able to vouch for him, sure, the two probably met in the Spirit World or something. But he and P'li were left behind by Harmonic Convergence, so we don't have anything but his word to go on."
Ming-Hua shrugged with her watery arms. "Maybe, but it's not like we'll be able to free the people here from the nations without help. And besides, fighting the Avatar's followers when they aren't untrained rabble will be more fun."
"Speak for yourself," Borcha muttered. "Come on, let's get out of here. I already took a count, so we tell the boss and maybe you'll stick with us? And maybe the benders those Triads are training will be able to deal with this."
"They're not going to be able to face anything be remotely like the Avatar without years of practice," Ming-Hua retorted as the water withdrew back into the waterskin. "And that's if they stop sabotaging each other."
"Right then. Let's get out of here before we're spotted."
Ghazan nodded, taking one look back as he saw the young earthbender standing next to the Avatar as she was about to address her followers. Poor kid, Ghazan thought; he had been very nice when they had met.
XXXXX
Korra nodded to herself as her recruits were mustered, taking the moment to look at the full force that was now actually at her command. This is it, she realized as she looked them over. She had crossed the threshold when she started recruiting, but now that they had been assembled and those who needed proper weapons outfitted there was no going back. For better or worse she was now effectively a warlord in Calradia.
As she looked over the sixty two people who made up her command - not counting herself, Asami, Mako, Bolin, Jinora, or Lezalit - she had to wonder how common a sight such a pan-Calradian group was even with mercenaries. She had people from across Calradia in her army - the only group not well represented was the Sarranids. But the army had a relative balance of representation of those five nations, and all four elements were evenly represented in numbers if not nationality. Most of the earthbenders were Rhodoks, most of the Khergits airbenders, and so on. The odd group out where the dozen Nords in her force, armed to the teeth with weapons carrying their family honor as well as spears and the odd shield issued to them. The Nords were also the bulk of her non-benders, while the recruits from other nations were for the most part benders.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Korra stepped forward.
"We all know why we're here: to train. You've already been taught basics as we marched, but over the next week you'll be undergoing the real training that can only be done with time and repetition. I can't promise that you'll feel better when it's over, that you'll come out as the best fighters that Calradia has ever seen, or that it'll be glorious. A week is not enough time to build anything like that. But you know what? I didn't get all my skills in a week, and to ask you to do the same would be unfair."
"The training never ends, even if we spent months straight doing it. There's always room for you to get better, or just refine what you've already done. But even then I have the confidence that each and every one of you can make the cut, that all of you can become something better. By the end of this week, we'll be ready to deal with the growing bandit threat. They're organizing, and as the nobles of Calradia fight each other and prepare for more wars we'll be here preparing for the dangers they'll ignore."
"But we're not going to get any of that done if we stand around watching the grass grow! We've got work to do, so let's get down to business!"
XXXXXX
End Chapter
- Some of you may have suspected it for a while, but yes: Korra is building an army. At last the story enters one of the biggest things that drove writing this project on. The last thirteen chapters were effectively building up to this point: building up Korra's clout that she's more than just another adventurer looking to make a warband, getting her enough money (and some looted gear) to actually do it, and getting her into the mindset that building an army is the way to go forward. From pulling off some high paying jobs like rescuing Count Rafard to defending villages from attacks by bandits to just being a bender of all four elements (and a woman at that!), it's been building towards this. And now it's time for the story to take off in full - I've gotten them used to Calradia's norms and they have meshed into the setting.
- With Korra's warband, from the get go I knew that benders would be a critical part of it - making up the bulk of her initial force. This is what Korra brings to the table that's unique, and in the crossover I needed to have the intersection between Calradic and Avatar ideas. I had to introduce bending as something in Calradia to avoid it being "superior Avatar characters stomp Calradia with Outside Context Problem", but that doesn't mean I had to give them the knowledge to be effective benders.
- Speaking of her army, I do have a formal name planned out for them (one thing that I always disliked about Kuvira's Army before they became the Earth Empire Military - it never had a formal name that people used and it remained even after), but for now the warband goes nameless. But just as it took a while for Korra to get to this point while remaining in character, Korra isn't instantly going to come up with a name. For one she hasn't had months to think about it...
- With Korra building it though, I wanted to keep Korra from going for the max grade units easily. With the war chest they started with if you went by in game Korra would actually be set for a while - set enough to get max tier units like Rhodok Sharpshooters or Nord Huscarls once she got them the XP. Yeah, in the real world it's not that easy. I still played a bit with some people having their own gear so Korra isn't eating all the costs (if she was then sixty-plus people would be beyond her, bender heavy or no), but she's still eating some of it just to get them basic outfitting if they don't already own stuff. Viking Conquest is a pain about getting your army built up, but it actually captures things a lot better cost wise as to what it would be to outfit an army - base game costs don't even remotely cover it even factoring in possible loot. Plus an army of Nord Huscarls kinda diminishes the specialness of them, right?
- Speaking of pay - to give you a perspective cost based on True Cost (that is the hardwired cost before economics factor in), an item of Bread in-game costs 50 Denars, and has 50 Quantities. Each quantity of food feeds 3 men one meal, and in game troops eat roughly two times a day (for whatever reason it's put on a 14 hour rotation). So to feed your men one week (the average pay time), you need a little under five denars a man - if you're using only eating bread. So the wage Korra's giving for her recruits once their training is finished is actually relatively decent, especially once you factor in the fact that Korra is going to be supplying them with food and they'll be getting loot shares too.
- In the end, I'd like to thank you all for putting up with me being a verbose git about shifting the Krew to this point - I know some people may feel it was going in circles or lacking a clear plot, but I could not have Korra just go build an army. That felt too easy and frankly OOC for Korra to do, and if you're putting up with me being a verbose writer you deserve more than that.