Chapter sixteen: Execution
Me and Ping were patrolling the docks – searching for this damned quay. How could somebody hide something that big? At least we had not to watch the boring trial. I never found a point in big scale trials that the ruling elite had to stage sometimes. They were all played out before they even began. I could not imagine Yakone walking out of the court house a free man. He would not even if he had been guiltless. Nevertheless Ping had talked me into visiting some bars after work. In fact I would make it one drink. Not more – but that I did not have to tell him now, did I? The sailors were eying us suspiciously, some even started loading their goods faster. If the harbour had been Republic City soil I was sure we would have confiscated quite something. Much to everyones surprise the most smuggled goods in Republic City were vegetables and fish – nothing illegal that could not be sold openly if you had a licence.
In fact the guys working the harbour usually had explicitly told us to keep an eye shut, for it were the same smugglers that had fed the city ten years ago, as King Kuei decided it was time to ban trade with the united republic, which was seen as a threath of the very existence of the earthern system in wide circles of nobility. Actually it WAS! I sighed and asked againg for quay three. The man was an ancient fisherman, just two stubbly teeth sticking out of pink flesh. His beard was long and rugged, as were his clothes. He sat there stitching a net together with strong cord. „Whaddaya want´n this shithole youngster." he wheezed with a high pitched voice. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. What could a cop – oh, I had forgotten that I was wearing civil clothing, my shortsword carefully hidden under my robes.
„A bud said I should meet him there – has some business to to." I just shrugged casually. Ping was chatting with some sailors, I doubted he was asking for quay three – judging by the frivolous laughter of the group. The old man spit out some betel juice. „Uh – just canna say that the quay three is as bad as da bottemless pit kiddo – no mountain of gold´ll get me there at night." he tapped his left shoulder to ward off evil. I laughed. „Almost made me flich sir – no the guy´s waiting there right now. Or that lazy ass should be." I answered trailing off. Ping was still laughing and cracking jokes! He wheezed again and spit out some red juice. „Nah – in daylight it´s just a quay boy. Walk four quays up – thats quay three for ya." he told me, still fumbling with his net. I just wrinkled my forehead at this. This was quay number six – from both sides!
„But that makes no sense!" I stated disturbed. The old geezer let out a chuckle at my disturbance. „It does younster – for this has been the first and only quay that was ere before the Avatar settled here. N´then the guys built one new left and one new right´n so an. So this was quay three – get it." he told me with an unwavering expression. It still made no sense, but arguing with old people did not bring you anywhere. If there was anything more stubborn than earth benders it were men beyond ther fifties! „Thank you sir, really helped me out there." I answered while the old man just nodded, his eyes far away. „nothing boy – noting." he answered and put another betel nut in his mouth. I just shrugged and left him, I still wanted to check out what made quay three so special. I let Ping be, maybe he got something interesting out of this sailors.
If anybody could pull worms out of peoples noses it was Ping – this guy asked you so many questions that the most people spilled something between listening to his babbling. I walked to quay six, it was named six – the big white symbold painted on the mighty wooden pillars. There were ships tied, everywhere. The harbour was busy as always. Men were unloading goods, selling fish and other wares of not so legal origin. The debris of Republic City was the reason for the foul smell of the water. It was almost as bad as the streets of shangyang. The dragonflats did not stink worse, and I was not even close to the water! I walked over the planks of quay six. They were sturdy, dark wood, maybe oakplum or something like that. There were earth nation ships tied. High, heavy ships with dragonheads above the prow. They just jumped on the shallow waves lazy. I walked on until I reached the end of the pier, ropes were piled there, sparrowkeets were cackering around. I looked into the murky brown waters wondering.
What was special about this quay. Why did the Knuckle choose this location that most definitely was not his turf? The water carried foam, it steemed like a sheet, almost seeming solid. Like – a river! My eyes followed its trail and they were proven right. It was twirling there. The yellow river had this kind of streams,too. People who got in there never were found again. I grinned, so this was the dark secret of quay six. I just looked out into the sea as I heard people stomping around with heavy boots. I turned. Dockworkers were carrying heavy looking bags, they were chatting idly, cursing and teasing like teenagers. It was a beautiful day for an autumn, with the warmth of the dying summer. I turned and walked back, the guys eying me. Ping was waiting for me at the end of the quay. „Eh Lee – finished fliriting with the sea?" he quipped. „You know she makes me swooon." I sighed rolling my eyes annoyed.
„And what did she tell ya?" Ping asked me. „She told me where quay three is buddy." I smirked. „What?" Ping yipped like a little kid. „But this is quay six!" he blurted. I just nodded. „You want to think it´s quay six buddy." I stated dryly. Ping still looked baffled. „And who told you Lee?" he asked. „Nobody wanted to say us where it is." he griped. „Nobody you talk with Ping – an old geezer did." I answere superior. Ping just frowned at this. „Anyway – when shift is finished we´ll drink some shit before we go to that quay." Pings voice was qavering. It was just than I heard a deep groan from the heavens. I looked up – there were two mighty sky bison shooting across the sky like arrows. I never had seen this kind of animal – they looked strange from down here. The shot forward with a speed that surpassed everything I had seen in my live. I was wondering why the Avatar and his son were in such a haste.
I turned my eyes back to Ping, who was not looking up. He felt not comfortably about tonight and I was the last one to blame him. I never had seen an execution in my life. It was business any sane man tried to stay as far away from as possible! But I for my part was not even close to being sane. While we roamed the streets the time passed and Ping tried to drag me in close to a dozen bars. I refused twelve times before I finally gave in to his nagging. The bar was crowded, the smoke thick in the air. Sailors were tossing dices, cursing and bellowing through the whole bar. „Mommy – some ale for me an a boys." Some obviously drunken getleman screamed through the whole room. The remains of his shirt covered a hairy, tattooed chest. I just sighed inwardly as is sat down. The sword unpleasantly impaled its handle into my belly. I grunted. Ping yelled for rootbeer. The bar was tiny, just as big as an average living room. It was run by a fat woman in her fifties. She had heavy arms and looked like she could knock down any crook with her bare hands, and the big cudgel on the bar top indicated that she did do so.
„Shut you dirty shithole Ji-Feng and pay yer fucking bill." she yelled back at the man who just huffed around. His friends were laughing and soon another guy ordered rootbeer. Ping also got his share for he had pushed himself through to the bar. He pramped a big clay mug into my hands, spilling half its content onto my robe. Even noticing this would have made me an arrogant prick in this location so I just put up with it and took a deep gulp out of the mug. The beer was strong – and Ping downed it like water. „Ey man – take it slow." I was worried. If he got himself drunk we might get some problem when the sun set.
„Aww come on Lee- I know how to handle my drink!" he snarked and ordered anew. It was so crowded I could not listen properly to what anybody was saying. I felt bad – I hated crowded bars. It was dangerous if a brawl broke out in here. I was just a bug to be squashed with tables flipping and stools tossed through the air. Ping nevertheless gulped down anything he could lay hands on. „Eh Laddy – got some problems with the girl or what?" the Mommy spoke surprisingly soft. „No – get the fuck outta my business. I wanna drink something for men." Ping bellowed snarking his eyes gleaming. I gripped his shoulder but he smacked the hand away. „Stop mingling in my fucking business Lee." he hissed.
„It´s your shit I´m in." he snarked. That was it! That totally was it. I had never asked him to go along with me. He had insisted to stay my partner. „No – you are into nothing Ping." I answered calmly. Even though I wanted to curl myself up into a ball and roll my way home I walked out of the bar without saying anything. Ping did not follow me. He most certainly was embarrased, frightened or angy – if not everything at once. I would do my stuff alone, better that than watch Ping collapse and give us away. I just left the bar, not even finishing my beer. There were enoughy traders, so I just bought some watertribe makeup and smeared the brown stoff anywhere I could find exposed skin. Getting it between the toes took quite some time.
The makeup felt uggly on my skin , I marvelled how women could stand this a whole day! The sun turned red and the harbour emptied itself. She was touching the see, turning her red as blood. Oostrichhorses trampled though the steets ten of them, guarding a single steamcar. The man wore green, the round heads of the earthern army on their heads. Every man wore a blade at his side or carried a heavy war club. They all had the terra bands etched into their arms. A mob of youngsters was following them, the kids looked ragged and skinny. I just followed them. „Whats goin on with the terras showing up like that?" I asked a boy who was younger than me. „Eh – where are ya livin boy – they are tearing this wet scoundrel to pieces man." he cheered. There was bloodthirst in his eyes. I was disgusted, but nevertheless I flashed a grin. „Cool – that´s a show to behold. Some of Yakones dirty fuckers?" I asked the kids who soon started blurting around. The wet was anything, from a drugdealer up to the brother of a woman Kanto had raped. In the end it did not matter who that man was, important was that I saw him kill the guy. And that Saikhans spy saw me there, too. I almost wanted to bet that the guy who got him the info was here.
But it would be more than a miracle if I spotted him. „Going on on quay three right?" I asked them. „Heck yeah man – was quite some time. Ya know – the cage fights are not the real deal right boys." the kid piped up. The other streeturchins yelled inwith gusto. One of the men turned his Oostrichhorse without a thought and piped. The mighy anymal turned, jumped and kicked out with his mighty legs. One kid stumpled back, yelling in pain as the boy pressed a hand to his shoulder. The mob froze. „Shut the fuck up shitheads – or I gonna run you bastards down. Got that!" he yelled. Than he followed his comrades. I wanted to drag this man from his horse and place a straw sandal in his face, but I stiffled the impulse.
Now much more silent - we followed the triad member in a save distance the Knuckle undoubtedly would have called respectful. That was good because the chances of him noticing me would be smaller. The men dismounted while the well trained horses stood stiff as statues. One of the bulky guys opened the backdoor of the steamcar and pulled a man out. The guy was gagged and bound. He looked horribly as he had wetted himself over and over. He looked beaten an bruised, a lot of dried blood covering his skull. He tried to yell, but just mumbling sounds came out, they were horribly and almost mady my heart stop. „He – look at this sissyboy." somebody cheered. „Wetting yer pants shitty wet." somebody else cheered.
„Nobody fucks with master Kanto – come on I bet ten shims he shits himself on the way there." somebody rambled. Just because I had prepared myself for comments like this before I did not beat the shit out of this child! Than the knuckle appeared he wore the black robe, an emerald Badgermole on his back. This was the robe of a woukou captain, that much every child did know. He looked tall and mighty, nevertheless there was something familiar about him I could not picture clearly. He held a heavy jian in his hand. It was a ceremonial weapon, stained with emeralds and gold. The blade was as broad as a balled fist and so heavy I would have had to use two hands to use it. Kanto the knuckle held it casually the blades tip slowly dragging over the wood. The delinquent looked at him terriefied and tried to rob away, despite his bound legs and arms. Two triad men kicked in his ribs until he did nothing but wheeze. There was blood running down his face while panic wracked his body into shivering motions.
I did not notice that I balled my fists until my knuckles became white. The Urchins were staring, some of them even smirking evil smiles and cheering the men on. Of course these sick motherfuckers enjoyed themselves. The Knuckle even pulled out the bloodied gag, revealing an almost teethfree mouth. The man was fighting for breath, for his nose was almost as disfigured as the knuckles. As soon he regained a bit of air in his lungs his begged smashing his heand on the floor. „P-p-please Kanto. I – I – I will pay you thrice. I I do everything you command master. P Please. J-just let me live." he whined, I almost lost my composure. I was furious – why could Kanto not just kill this man. Why had he to play with him like a cruel catogator? That was sick – not even a criminal had to run things like this. There were enough men who just – killed – that was enough, wasn´t it? Kanto the Knuckle chuckled, it was a sound that sent ice through my veins, and not just through mine. „Oh – old friend. I really would love to just forget all of this. You know..." he trailed of sighing. „I always had a soft spot for you wet peasants." he stated while the man started sobbing.
„P-Please Master – I´ll be your slave – please!" he cried. Kanto the Knuckle just looked like he was going to jerk off. He just kicked at the mans head lazily, the guy screamed in pain. „Of course not – you cut my goods. You have lost your name buddy – so there is no reason for me to keep an uggly broken pet like you." he spoke. „You are a whimpy coward, so – YOU WILL DIE LIKE ONE!" he yelled. Kanto the Knuckle signaled tow of his men. They pulled the tied man up. He stuggled, spit and cursed as he franctically tried to tear himself free. „I always test the sharpness of a new blade, even if it is just for decoration." he stated and struck. The mans screams became shrill and inhuman as the knuckle forcefully cut off his lower legs with a mighty swing of this blade. The streeturchins screemed in extacy and even I felt as sickening feeling of – nausea at this barbaric scene, I had to look casual or joyful. Blood was shooting out of the wounds, I wondered that the man had so much left. Some of the Terra members almost started vomitting and I had to fight that urge,too. But the most just grinned like her boss. Than kanto gripped the long, crusted hair of the screaming man, and dragged him along the quay. „Shut the fuck up." he just dragged out a dagger and stabbed it into the mans throath.
Blood was silencing his cries as he slowly faded away. His heart was still beating as Kanto hurled him into the waters of Yue Bay. „Chang, get this mess out of my way." he spoke to a man who was vomitting on the floor. He just stared at Kanto with glassy eyes. „Chang – I said – remove this legs." his voice was dripping venom, a dangerous flicker in his eyes. The man wiped his mouth, looking pale as death. „Oh gods – m Lord I´m that´s disgusting." he croaked. The Knuckle rose his blade. „I just say it once Chang." he spoke coldly. The man trembled as he threw limbs into the ocean. „And now – clean your mess up." Kanto spoke, none of his loons did say anything. The all eyed the floor, while he pressed the mans face down into his own vomit and made him gulp it down with gagging noises. I just left, while the streeturchins watched in awe. I barely rounded the corner as I vomitted, my shoulders shivering, until a clear liquid burned in my throath. I would never forget this day, as long I would lived. It always would be one of the worst. I felt terriefied, but I had to get back in control somehow.
I wiped my mouth and got up. My hands wer wet an shivering. „That bastard." I cursed and swore that I would bring him into jail, bones broken and all! An animal like him deserved to be punished like one. It almost was dark and such it was time to return home. I would not tell Yumi about that one, she would just worry herself sick and tell me to stay the fuck outta this. I would not – Kanto the Knuckle had made this personal. I walked up towards the feet of Kantu hills, where our flat was located. It was beautiful. Dry, holding an oven – water in front of the house. We even had paint on our walls. Usually I would have smiled at the lone thought but I was too shaken for that right now. I focussed on searching a fountain or some water to wash myself clean. It took some time until I found a place, I scrubbed mself until my skin tingled. Than I started walking home, the autumn air was was cold and I started shivering a bit. I tried to force Kanto out of my mind but it proved difficult. I still saw this demon, smiling as he humiliated people needlessly. I saw these children sneering like predators.
No – Republic city was not better than Shangyang, not for a single shim! I could not wait to get the Knuckle. Tommorrow Saikhan would give me men – and than I would be the one who showed this beast where its place was. Than I arrived at the house. It was a broad, heavy building. Its bricks were of a muddy brown, towering into the heavens seven stories tall. It had real glass windowns and just forteen flats. Me and Yumi had four rooms. We even had a baththub – marvellous! We also had two couches, an iron stove and copper pans. We even hat real beds now – Lin had been startled about the fact we bought two and placed them in the same room! If she knew how cuddly Yumi got in sleep she undoubtedly would have understood me. It simply was not nice to wake with your back aching, your arms prickling because that girl was snoring across my belly. I opend the door and went up the wooden stairs, the staircase smelled clean. There was no debris flying around, not even gaffiti were painted at the walls. I walked up till the third story. And hammered against the door. It took some time until Yumi opened the door.
„Hey Lee." she sounded battered ans hugged me, burying her head into my shoulder. She did not even kiss me, which was quite unusual. „Hey – whats up girl." I asked my own problems retreating into the back of my mind at the moment. „Deep shit Lee." she sighed. I sighed. „So what happened." I spoke softly pressing my lips onto her bare neck softly. We walked into the living room and plopped ourselves down on the couch. „The trial went wrong – like really wrong." Yumi spoke a worried expression on her face. My guts turned again. „So what happened?" I asked silent praying to all spirits it was not what I imagined – sadly it was in vain. „Well – uhm, Yakone just bloodbent everybody in the courthall and fled. The avatar chased him down and took his bending." she shrugged. „Problem is that he, Chief Bei Fong and the whole council is gravely injured – if not dead." she stated biting her bottom lip and eying the floor. My heart almost stopped at this.
It felt as if something was breaking inside my chest – I felt tears burn in my eyes. I bit them back, to harden my resolve. I would not cry, even if they all died – not now. If I did I would get nothing done. Nevertheless I felt hollow like a shell. „Fuck." I muttered lacking any words, while pinching my nose. „Hm – I know you´re worried Lee. But heck – it was quite difficult to deal with Lin until Tenzin took here to the island. That girl was bawling like a baby." she stated wringing her hands. „These idiots had to yell the shit out into the streets!" Yumi griped. „No fucking decency they have!" I too felt furious. Just because the people concerned held some influence over the city it was not necessary to tell everybody about their misery. These nosy bastards – I muttered some curses. „I just hope little baldy knows how to consonle her." I sighed.
„They are in the hospital?" I asked Yumi. He shoulders slumped. „Sorry stormy, I don´t know. Lin an Tenzin just raced off with this strange flying beast of his." she answered with a small voice. „Well – can´t do anything to change it. So – lets go to bed Yumi." I answered. „Tommorow I´ve got work to do." I stated grim. At least the Knuckle would pay – if I could not get Yakone I would get him. „Lee – don´t do something stupid. Promise me." Yumis voice held iron as she gripped my shoulder. I almost spilled about the knuckle. „I promise – no hero actions girl." I answered nevertheless. It was true – it was nothing heroic I intended to do tomorrow.
Note:
So thats Kanto the Knuckle for you. Well – if you have not enough men to be amongst the big gangs. You have to have men who do everything for you – even the shit the others back down from. Just google the Pagans if you do not believe me – they are quite the example for this. And yeah – Lee just is really furious, and believe me, you want not have a furious Lee at your throath. In the next chapter we will be dealing with papers and hut people, so stay tuned!
Greetings In the Hood
