29. WE SPEND THE NEXT HOUR HASING OUT DETAILS. We set a date to depart, a week hence. It'll take at least that long to finish gathering supplies and men. From Shu Jing, we'll make straight for the rendezvous point. The hope is that, with Master Piandao at the lead, no one will think to question us. If things don't go well, though…
We'll have to fight…
That might take longer…
Outside, it's still raining; water streaks the windows and rattles the roof. Aang declines any company, wanders off into the house. Katara and I watch him go. I'm about to say something to her when Sokka appears beside me. "Hey, dude, can I talk to you for a bit?"
I shrug. "Sure." I look at Katara, who winks at me. I wink back, then follow Sokka back towards the study.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Well, two things. One, future Fire Lord or no, break my sister's heart, I break your face, deal?"
Well, that was easy…
"Deal," I say. I laugh. "Is that really the most Big Protective Brother I'll get?"
Sokka shrugs. "Katara's a big girl; she can take care of herself. She made me accept that a long time ago. Still, there are forms to be followed, hence, the threat."
We pause at the door to the study. Piandao is still inside, looking over maps. We watch him for a moment.
"Fair enough," I say, "though, to be honest, I'm more afraid of her than I am of you."
"Heh…you learn fast, buddy."
"I try. So, what was the other thing?"
Sokka's face falls. He turns pale and nervous. He rubs the back of his neck, shifts from foot-to-foot. He clears his throat, fiddles with his clothes, clears his throat again. I reach out, concerned, lay a hand on his shoulder. "You alright, bud?"
He takes a deep breath, lets it out.
"I'm going to ask Master Piandao to take me on as a student. If I'm to lead a force up those cliffs, a spear won't do. I need to be better at swordfighting." He turns to me, face deadly serious. "Will you vouch for me?"
I grab his shoulders. "Of course I will." I squeeze his shoulders, let go. "In fact, I'll go you one better."
He blinks. "How do you mean?"
I graph his elbow, pull him into the study. "Come and see."
Piandao rises as we enter. He bows, we bow back. He smiles. "Think of another brilliant plan, young man?"
Sokka bows, kneels, head down. "Master Piandao, I humbly request that you take me on as a student. I will need all the knowledge I can possibly get, if I am to do my part in the struggle to come."
Piandao clasps his hands before him, eyes intently focused. He looks Sokka up and down, examining every inch of him. Out of nowhere, I'm fifteen again. My uncle stands behind me. I'm on my knees, head bowed. I'm the crown prince of the Fire Nation, Heir to the Throne, and yet, this peasant, so-to-speak, is looking at me like a cut of meat. Your birth will mean nothing here. Those were my uncle's words, not mine. They ring in my ears.
Piandao speaks. "You are a student of the sword, young man?"
"I try to be a student of all weapons, Master."
Piandao turns to me. "And what say you, your majesty?"
I hold my head up, speak clear, full, try to imitate my uncle. "My friend sells himself short, Master. I have taught him everything I know, and I myself attest that he is a natural swordsman."
Piandao arches an eyebrow. "Everything you know?"
I smile. "Everything."
He turns back to Sokka. "Young man, do you know where Fire Lord Zuko learned his swordsmanship?"
"From you," Sokka answers, eyes still down.
Piandao nods. "That is so. And I taught the young Fire Lord everything that I know. What say you, your majesty?"
"I believe that my friend Sokka has moved beyond teaching. I believe that he has reached the stage where refinement, practice, and experience are called for, not instruction."
"Hmm…how is his technique? His form?"
I smile. "I believe that it was you who taught me that The Way of the Sword is not about technique or form, but, rather, about passion, dedication, discipline." I move to Sokka, lay a hand on his shoulder. "These are qualities that my friend possesses in abundance."
Sokka coughs. "Well, I wouldn't go that far…"
Piandao laughs. "Sword fighting is very different from, say, table manners, young man."
Sokka finally smiles. "Thank the gods…"
I look straight into Piandao's eyes. This is the moment. Gravity weighs heavily on every syllable. "Master, I nominate my friend for The Trial."
Sokka looks up, eyes wide. "The what now?"
Piandao sets his face in stone. "Before any student may graduate my school, they must past the Trial. They must forge a blade, and then use it in a match against me. If you meet my approval, you pass. Are you ready for this test?"
Sokka shakes his head. "Gods no."
I pat his shoulder. "Good. Neither was I. My uncle nominated me in the middle of dinner, when my mouth was full and I couldn't effectively argue."
"Heh…you pass?"
"Oddly enough, yes. And so will you."
Sokka nods, lowers his head again. "Well…then…I'll do my best."
Piandao smiles. "Then you're already halfway there, young man."
Sokka rises. Piandao bows. Sokka bows back. "I will see you six days hence, at sunrise. Fire Lord Zuko will help you practice, as is the sacred duty of he who nominates one to undergo the Trial. Your majesty, do you accept the charge?"
I bow. "I do."
Piandao smiles. "Very well, then. Until dinner, gentlemen."
We were several feet down the hall before Sokka finally reacted. Out of nowhere, he shoves me, lands several soft punches. I fight back, and we wrestle, laughing like school boys. Finally, out of breath, we embrace like brothers.
"I don't know whether to hug you or kill you!" he shouts, smiling.
"Well, one of those won't end in Katara drowning you in your sleep."
"True…I guess I'll stick to the hug."
We embrace again, then resume our walk, arms around each other's shoulders, spirits high and smiles wide.
"You know, this doesn't change what I said, right? About my sister."
"Does it at least make you amenable to your sister's choice? Or, at least, more amenable?"
"Well, I guess…"
Holy shit! A Saturday without updates! What's wrong with me! Some fucking thing, no doubt, because I should be updating, since I'm still a good ten chapters ahead of you guys. Well, I'm going to try to throw up a few tonight. We'll see how that goes.
A couple comments. One, you guys are so awesome. I couldn't do what I'm doing without you. Please keep being patient and enjoying what I do. When I started this, it was for my own amusement. It's still for my own amusement, but now it's mostly for you guys. So…I hope you keep enjoying what I'm doing, even as I fuck Canon up the ass. For the record, I didn't intend it to be this bad at the beginning. I just wanted to make Zutara work, and write a realistic Avatar series. It's all kind of snowballed from there.
Two, I keep getting positive PMs from some of you guys. That means a lot to me. I'll try to respond to them all.
Three, I'm a bit boozy tonight. If my author's notes start to get weird, that's why.
Four…well…keep staying with me. I appreciate it.
In the next chapter, Zuko and Aang have a bit of a tiff, but not for the reason you're thinking. Stay tuned!
