Hello again. This is a shorter one. I actually really like it though because it builds up to the next chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 29
Battle Plan
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked surprised.
"It's a long story, but it's good to see you Hyriu," Exo said. "But where is everyone else, and why is it dark?"
At that time, the campfire relit and L. E. said, "We are here. And sorry about the light, I didn't know who it was so I extinguished the fire as precaution."
We all gathered around the campfire. I saw Moji sit next to Exo.
"It's good to see you again, Moji," Exo smiled.
"It's good to see you too, Exo," Moji said flustered.
"So where is Taria?" Lamara asked.
"That's part of the long story. After we had separated from you, we met up with some other refugees going to Full Moon Bay where you can take a ferry to Ba Sing Se. that's when we decided we wanted to leave. You and the bounty hunter inspired us," Exo began.
"Yeah, that Karis girl was pretty cool," Nuhai added.
"We wanted to make a difference, so we left. It was hard, but we've freed two villages and several farms all on our own. We heard that this town, Zhanling was pretty important so we were coming here next when we saw your campfire. We heard some of you talking and then the fire went out. Well I guess it wasn't too long of a story," Exo explained.
"Well, we were also going to Zhanling," L. E. said.
"Really?" Erzi said shocked. "Well, I guess that makes sense but it's just so cool that we're going to the same place to do the same thing."
"Yeah, it is," Koluk agreed.
"Well we were about to do some training, care to join us," Dhanu inquired.
"Sure," they all said.
"Okay, it's a little game we like to call Bending Ball," I smiled and tossed the ball to Exo.
We explained the rules to them. Nuhai joined my team and Exo joined Lamara's. Erzi decided to help L. E. mess with us with earth bending.
We were pretty even this time. L. E. and Erzi shook the ground with mini earthquakes. L. E. also threw blinding fireballs and created suffocating tornados. It was all we could do to even see the ball, let alone try to score. I used all my bending to help my teammates. Lamara's team was having just as much trouble. Lamara used her air bending to block the ferocious winds around the goal so she'd be able to tell if the ball was coming or not.
I shot a few attacks at Exo and Moji as they had the ball. Nuhai and Koluk ambushed them and the ball flew out of sight. I once saw Dhanu holding it then Shan, then Exo.
Suddenly the ball came rushing at our goal. I created a wind shield and caught the ball. I rushed forward. Fire was everywhere. I jumped in the air and landed in front of the opposite goal. I threw the ball but Lamara jumped in front of it and caught it with air bending. She tried to launch it at me but I stopped it with my bending. We began to fight for control. Moji jumped out on my left and shot a continuous fire blast. I used my left foot to block it with water. Shan came out at my right and sent an earth wave. I countered it with my right foot. I stood as I fought the three of them at once.
Without warning, the ball exploded from all the pent up force. The explosion knocked everyone to the ground. L. E. and Erzi stopped their attacks.
"Well, I guess that's the end of that," I said getting up.
"We could make another ball," Koluk suggested.
"No, I think that was enough training anyway. We need to come up with some sort of plan of attack. I think I might have one," I told everyone.
We all gathered around the fire and I showed them the maps.
"Zhanling is open to the north. The ocean is to the south. To the east and west are steep hills covered in evergreens. Though, in the west hills is a narrow valley where a garrison of troops waits should the city need reinforcements. It also serves as an escape route from the city. Shan and Moji, you'll cover the entrance to that valley. Don't let any troops into the city, take out that garrison and don't let anyone leave that way. The rest of us will charge the city from the north. We can hide in the east hills until we need to reveal ourselves. When we charge the city, Lamara, L. E., and Koluk will hang back and hold that border. Dhanu, Exo, Nuhai, Erzi, and I will storm the town. I will go to the southern side and take out the three Fire Nation Navy ships. Once I have done that, if need be, I'll reinforce the four of you. Shan and Moji, if you can find a way to block that valley, then you can also help us with the city itself. Most of the people who live there are imprisoned. If we free them, some of them might join us. After that, our target is the citadel. That's where the commander and Fire Nation governor will be. If we can take them out or capture them, we will have won. Sound good?" I asked and looked at each of them in turn.
"I don't know. This isn't just a small village we can attack. You said that yourself Hyriu. It's a fortified Fire Nation outpost. It was a village but it's a fortress now. I think it would be better if we went undercover and infiltrated Zhanling, and then signal each other when we should begin the attack," Moji suggested.
"Okay, but how could we sneak in?" I asked.
"We could be traders," Exo spoke up. "If we say we're there to buy stuff, they'll let us in."
"Alright," I said smiling.
"Wait, they might want to see if we have money," Moji said.
"If I could see what a gold piece looks like, I could probably replicate it somehow," L. E. said.
"I have several from what Rida gave us," Shan said and handed them to her.
"I'll get started," L. E. said excitedly.
We decided on what we would be 'trading' by where everyone needed to be located when we gave the signal. Lamara and L. E. would be looking to buy herbs. Koluk and Erzi would be cobblers. Shan and Moji would go to the forge. Dhanu would look to buy weapons. Exo and Nuhai would buy food. I would go to the docks to transport the goods. Of course none of us would buy anything. We would just say that so we could get into position. The signal would be for Moji the light the flag atop the citadel on fire.
We finished up discussing any other loose ends of the plan. Once we finished, we went to sleep.
We resumed traveling the next day. A few hours before sundown, the rough hills came into view. I used the last of the seaweed found in the Bei River to make Beiwater. I distributed it to everyone to refresh us. We all put on our disguises.
We continued forward. We got to the gate and the huge iron wall that blocked the city. The citadel could be seen and it was tall and menacing. The Fire Nation flag could be seen flapping in the wind. They interrogated us. We told them we were there to trade and buy and showed them L. E.'s very convincing false gold. They opened the gates right away.
'Here begins the beginning of the end,' I thought to myself and walked into the city of Zhanling.
I really liked creating the detailed plan. I also really wanted to emphasize that this will be a hard battle to win.
Chapter 30: City Under Iron will go up Monday.
