I ducked out and slipped down the hall; my feet fell into the instinctual walk to my father's chambers. I was relieved to find that the door was unlocked, having been broken by my father years ago, and I hesitantly stepped over the landing. My father's replacement's possessions had taken place of all my father's various knick knacks- it was evident in the stark contrast of decor. The only thing that remained the same was the large bureau that dominated most of the office's space; I smiled faintly when I recalled the numerous occasions I had hid under that same desk. I came around and crouched down to run my hand along the underside of the desk. It was still there- the clumsily carved characters that composed my name from when I was seven years' old. I had expected my father to be cross when he discovered it; on the contrary- he said that he was happy that he would always have a piece of me with him...as I always had him.
I was pulled away from my past by the sound of voices. Hastily, I left the office and stood next to Bolin.
"I am shocked you would accuse me of such an evil act! I have already explained- Equalists attacked us and took her!" Tarrlok protested, feigning innocence.
"But there were no chi blockers here last night. You planted the evidence, didn't you?" Tenzin demanded, jabbing a finger at the water tribe councilman.
"That is a ridiculous accusation," Tarrlok scoffed angrily.
"You're lying," I sang sarcastically, "Come on, poof, try a little harder- you can do it!"
"Shut your mouth, you miserable orpha-" Tarrlok began, rounding on me.
"-Finish, I dare you," Lin growled, and stepped between us. Her eyes glittered darkly as she refused to be the one to step down.
"It's true! He took her!" the Council's page chirped shrilly from behind a pillar on the balcony above, "I was here when Avatar Korra arrived last night, but Councilman Tarrlok ordered me to leave. I was on my way out when I saw Tarrlok bring her to the garage."
"That is nonsense!" Tarrlok raged, pointing a finger up at the cowering page, "Everyone knows you're nothing but a squeaky-voiced liar!"
Lin folded her arms in suspicion as she critically beheld the page. "Why did you wait until now to 'fess up?" she inquired tersely.
"I was terrified to tell because-" the page trailed off, "-Because Tarrlok is a bloodbender! He bloodbent Avatar Korra!"
"Don't make this worse for yourself," Tenzin said as he took his stance, to which Lin followed suit, "Tell us where you have Korra."
Tarrlok's eyes twitched when Lin and Tenzin made to attack him; the metal cable Lin wielded fell to the ground like limp parchment. We cried out in pain as Tarrlok forced us to our knees. I snarled behind clenched teeth as I trembled violently to not lower myself to the ground, my bent knees trembled violently. I would never kneel to Tarrlok.
"Such spirit," Tarrlok observed, "Your father had it too. Kneel."
"No matter...how the wind howls..." I grunted, "The mountain will not bow before it."
"Unless the mountain is in pieces," Tarrlok spat. With a flick of his wrist, Tarrlok sent us all tumbling into darkness.
"Kailyn doesn't look too good," I heard Bolin announce from somewhere over me, and he gently shook my shoulder. "Are you all right?" he asked when I slowly opened my eyes.
"Yes, are you?"
"Wake up!" Lin scolded Tenzin, and slapped him across the face. Tenzin lurched upright, and wildly looked around. I smothered my brief chuckle with a clammy hand.
"Ugh, man! I had this awful dream that Korra was taken by this evil bloodbender. So weird!" Bolin mused.
"Bolin, that really happened. He knocked us out," Asami explained bluntly as she helped me to my feet.
"Are you serious?!" he gasped, and looked around for Tarrlok, "Where is he? Is he here right now?"
"Tarrlok is long gone- I'll alert the whole force," Saikhan said, and then stiffly departed.
"We've only been out for a little while- maybe we can still pick up on Tarrlok's trail."
"It could lead us to Korra, let's go!"
We had been flying over Republic City for hours, it had gotten dark, and there was no sign of Korra. I shivered as another chill wind bit into my otherwise numb skin; I hid my face into my father's cravat and rubbed my arms in a poor attempt to keep out the cold.
"Here."
My head snapped to my left to look at Bolin, who held out his coat for me to take. "Won't you be cold then?"
"Nah- you take it."
"Thanks," I mumbled demurely with a blush warming my chilled cheeks.
Just then, a howl echoed plaintively throughout the city below. "That sounds like Naga!" Mako exclaimed, and frantically leaned over the side of Oogi's saddle to look. "There!" he shouted, and pointed down a side street.
Tenzin and Lin were the first to reach Korra. The Avatar was slumped against Naga, and for once looked terribly frail.
"Korra! Oh, thank goodness," Tenzin breathed.
"Where's Tarrlok? How did you get away?" Lin asked.
Mako shoved the two of them aside as he demanded, "Give her some space!" With great care, he pulled Korra into his arms. He carried her back to Oogi, and mumbled, "I was so worried..."
"Let's get everyone back to Air Temple Island, we can all rest there," Tenzin announced, and floated back onto his perch astride Oogi.
The ride was mercifully swift, and I could feel Lin's angry gaze once more upon my person. Mako swept Korra away to be attended by the air acolytes, Asami stalked off, and Bolin lingered at my side. Thinking he was waiting for me to return his jacket, I peeled the coat off and held it out for him. "Thank you again," I murmured sheepishly.
"No problem!" Bolin dismissed warmly. He ran a nervous hand through his thick hair and he haltingly bid me, "Erm, good night, Kailyn...see ya tomorrow?"
"Hopefully," I agreed warmly.
"Kailyn, a word."