Chapter 55: Planning to Split
In a long awaited meeting with the Earth King, Sokka surprised the small group of friends with remarkable maturity. Every now and then, he stops playing around, stops being silly, drops his sarcasm, and they see a brilliant warrior full of strategy and courage and intelligence. Katara had to whisper in her mind, was that my brother? MY brother? He sounds like Dad.
Sokka stepped forward. Appealing to the Earth king as he explained the coming of the comet. "But there is hope. Before the comet comes, we have a window of opportunity. A solar eclipse is coming. The sun will be entirely blocked out by the moon, and the firebenders will be helpless. That's the day we need to invade the Fire Nation. The Day of Black Sun."
The Earth King was hesitant. He could hardly believe how foolish he was to not realize there was a war going on. First the betrayals within his own walls and now this. How could he have been so blind? What was he to do? "I don't know…. That would require moving troops out of Ba Sing Se. We'd be completely vulnerable."
Sokka's serious speech struck home. "You're already vulnerable. The Fire Nation won't stop until Ba Sing Se falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or take the offensive, and give yourself a fighting chance."
Katara was never more proud of her brother, nor more amazed, especially when the Earth King agreed to support this invasion. Her brother… the Idea Guy. She smiled.
An older general walked into the court. He looked briefly at the youths noting that he would discuss this with the other generals from the Counsel of Five and the Silver Circle later. "I apologize for the interruption, your majesty, but we have finished the search through Long Feng's affairs. We searched all his rooms and his office here at the palace. We found something that I think will interest everybody." A guardsman that was following the general stood with a large jeweled trunk. "There are secret files on everyone in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids," he said looking over at the avatar and his friends. "And these letters were found locked among them. He was hiding them for some reason, though I know not what… yet." He brought out a handful of letters and scrolls. Several he handed to the king. "Long Feng has been intercepting mail and messages. This one is for Toph Bei Fong, a letter from her home, from her mother." He handed her the small scroll and she took it awkwardly. "And this is some note for Aang." He handed a crumpled and rolled parchment tied with string to Aang.
Aang looked at it gingerly. "It's from the Eastern Air Temple!"
Katara stepped forward hesitantly, hopefully. "Is there a letter for me and Sokka by chance?"
The general looked again through the letters. "No, no letters for you specifically." Katara and Sokka looked down sadly, their shoulders sagging. The general could imagine that they were lonesome for news from home or family. "I don't know if this is of any use, but there was an intelligence report that might interest you." He handed a folded report over. The seal was broken on it already.
Katara read it. "A small fleet of Water Tribe ships? Protecting the mouth of Chameleon Bay… led by… Hakoda. IT IS DAD!" Her and Sokka beamed at each other. Relief in their eyes that their father was still alive and well.
An hour later, Aang and his friends sat in a private office given to them to discuss and plan on their own and to give them some time with the news they just received. The general insisted on it, even if the king did not wholly understand. The generals sat in a different ante-chamber bringing the king up to speed with the reality of the war beyond the walls.
Aang paced and skipped about the room unable to sit still as he waved the parchment in his hand. "I can't believe it! There is a man living at the Eastern Air Temple. He says he's a guru." Momo leans over Aang's shoulder pawing at the parchment.
Sokka wrinkled his nose. "What is a g-u-r-u? Some kind of poisonous blowfish?" He scratched at the back of his head, not that it helped stir further insight into the strange word.
Eagerly, Aang explained, "No. A spiritual expert. He wants to help me take the next step in the Avatar journey. He says he can teach me to control the Avatar State."
Katara stood still hugging the news report to her chest, "And I can't believe we know where our Dad is now."
Having listened to Katara read her mother's letter to her; Toph had time to think about it. "I know what you mean. My mom's in the city, and from her letter, it sounds like she finally understands me."
Sokka almost bounced in his seat. "This is all such big news. Where do we even start?"
Katara frowned, "I hate to say it, but… we have to split up."
Aang protested, "Split up? We just found Appa and got the family back together. Now you want us to separate?"
"You have to meet this Guru, Aang. If we're gonna invade the Fire Nation, you need to be ready," Katara said firmly.
Grinning broadly, Aang suggested, "Well, if I'm going to the Eastern Air Temple. Appa and I can drop you at Chameleon Bay to see your Dad.
Sokka became serious again, "Someone has to stay here with the Earth King and help him plan for the invasion. I guess that's me." He rose to his feet with a glum expression.
Katara turned to him. She knew he missed their dad, how desperately he needed to validate himself as a warrior in their father's eyes. "No Sokka, I know how badly you want to help Dad. You go to Chameleon Bay. I'll stay here with the king." It hurt to say it, but she was closer to their mother while he was closer to their father. She could do more good here ensuring the Earth King was safe and that the planning went forward.
Tears welled up in Sokka's eyes. He stepped from one foot to the other. "You are… the nicest… bestest… sister EVER!" He does a silly little dance and throws his arms around her in a big big-brother hug and kisses her cheek.
"Easy there big brother," Katara said awkwardly as she gently pushed her brother away. But then, she could not help smiling, "Though, you are right, I am."
They decided they would tomorrow after they visit Iroh again to let him know the news. Maybe he can help Katara.
