Book Two: Water
Chapter 18: Thirst for Blood
The evening in the North Pole was rather cold it slowly began to freeze. There people who wandered off to their night shift jobs while others returned from their afternoon jobs. Tanaraq and Tulok held hands while they were under direct supervision by the royal guards. Tulok led his bride-to-be to the carriage the same one that took them to where they spent most of their afternoon near the bridge.
Senlin and Palartok wandered through the city in the darkness their goal was to head in toward the northeastern area of the city. Which is where Amak their target will be for the evening along with his guards who patrolled the streets. They reached a community kitchen that was two blocks down from Cut-Throat Alley where they boiled the white jade leaves in a teapot. And poured the contents of the teapot into the vial they bought from the old woman.
Palartok wore full clad leather armor the skin of a walrus bear protected him from arrows that an archer could potentially have shot him with. He wore a chainmail coif and a leather helmet over it as was the custom for captains of the guard. The chainmail was a sign of rank within the city guard, this would have allowed him to access anywhere and put him directly under Amak.
They almost reached the northeastern section of Aupaluk the homes in the area were of higher class. The homes of the citizens transitioned from medium-sized buildings to larger buildings and even estates in the back. They planned to pretend Senlin was a thief that almost got away with stolen items, Palartok would come in and try to arrest Senlin. Then he would have to call Amak for assistance only for Senlin to jam the poisoned dagger into Amak's body.
Rong Yan, Inuksuk and Aloi neared the large wooden gates of the city's northwestern entrance. On the city's side of the wall, guards were overwatching the wilderness outside the walls. They stood vigilantly on the walkways above the walls with spears in their hands. When they saw the cart with the old man, the Avatar and the Air Nomad they shouted to the men below to open the gates.
"The Avatar has returned, open the gates!" shouted one of the spearmen on the walkway.
The large gates swung open the cart was small enough to enter through the large gates without complication. Rong Yan and Aloi headed down the street from the gates to escort Inuksuk back into his home where his son had been worried sick for him.
The tall, fit olive-skinned man with long black-bound hair exited his home worried, "Father where were you?" the young man wondered.
"Calm down, boy. The Avatar and his friend rescued me from my fate earlier and denied my soul to Anguta. We spent most of the afternoon with Aumanil but she's fixed me and I am back," responded the old man he hopped off the cart with one leg his son threw his father's left arm over him while Rong Yan threw Inuksuk's right arm over his back. Both men assisted the old man into his home.
"Thank you, Avatar I only wish I could repay you in some way," thanked Inuksuk the Younger.
"Don't mention it, I only did what was right," commented Rong Yan, he gave a slight smile to the young man as they assisted the elder onto his bed where he could rest for the night. Inuksuk the Younger neared Rong Yan before he left, "Don't worry about, Kulavak. I'll take her the stables."
Rong Yan simply nodded in a form of thank you while Aloi waited outside. They both returned to the palace they didn't keep track of time. So they weren't sure if they were late for dinnertime. At the same time back in the palace, Unaraq sat in the court with Chief Cupun. Cupun sat on his throne as he relaxed while Unaraq sat on a pillow near the far back wall and observed the older chief.
"Any questions?" wondered Chief Cupun.
"Yes, in times of confliction between two citizens how would you resolve that matter?" inquired Unaraq.
"It would depend on what they are fighting over, usually citizens well the lower-class citizens fight over stupid things. While the nobles fight over power, money, and land," replied Cupun.
"Say two hunters are fighting over the meat of a whale shark they bring the case to me and now based on the evidence I have to choose who keeps the meat. Often its the one who killed it but it couldn't hurt to change things up a little," described Cupun as he gave an example.
Unaraq rose a finger in the air and exclaimed, "Clearly the killer gets everything but you could give both men their fair share!"
"Precisely," smiled Cupun.
Rong Yan and Aloi enter the palace Unaraq noticed as they walked past the throne room a servant arrived to the throne room. He bowed before the chief and reminded him, "Dinner has been served, chief. We await you and your guests at the dinner table."
Chief Cupun nods, "Thank you."
"Any word of my son and his bride-to-be?" wondered Cupun, the servant shook his head, "Not that I aware of, sir. But the Avatar and his airbending master have returned." Cupun gave a slight nod once more the servant had excused himself back to the kitchen. Unaraq stood up from his seat and followed Cupun out of the throne room and toward the dining hall. Rong Yan and Aloi sat in their chairs where Unaraq met them. Chief Cupun sat in the largest chair which was farther to one end of the table, the seats to his left and right were empty and belonged to Tulok and now Tanaraq.
A variety of Northern Water Tribe dishes were laid about on the table from fish to noodles, to akutaq which was a desert Unaraq loved. Cupun raised his arms Unaraq extended his arm out further to reach the chief's as did Rong Yan for a prayer. They lowered their heads as Cupun began the prayer and prayed to the Tribesmen pantheon.
A minute or two later, Tulok and Tanaraq arrived only to disrupt Cupun's prayer they slowly snuck around over to their chairs. When suddenly Cupun opened his eyes, "Do you want to tell me why you're late for dinner, son?"
Tulok turned to look at Tanaraq and then back at his father, he shook his head, "No, chief."
"A chief must always be on time, son. You have rudely interrupted my prayer, you could have waited outside," commented Cupun.
"And you," he turned to Tanaraq and paused before he spoke again, "You are to be my daughter-in-law, as future chieftess you must keep your chief in check. If you fail to do so, you fail him and he fails his nation. Am I understood?"
She rapidly nodded nervously, "Y-yes, chief." Rong Yan held Tanaraq's hand as Unaraq held Tulok's hand and they continued the prayer.
"May Torngark curse my enemies, and Tiandi continue to bless my nation, amen," finished Cupun. Cupun tucked in a towel inside the collar of his tunic as to not stain his clothing with food. He looked to his left and then to his right and smiled. He imagined smaller children occupied the seats his guests were in like if he imagined a scenario. Where Tulok and Tanaraq were older and with children of their own.
"Father," Tulok called out.
"Father!" repeated Tulok, Cupun snapped out of it and replied, "Yes, son?"
"Can you pass the stew of sea prunes?" asked Tulok, Cupun nodded and slid the pot of stew over to his son. Tanaraq pulled the stew out of the pot and gently dropped it into her bowl and Tulok's, Tulok chuckled, "That'll never get old."
"Have you spoken to your cousin Amak?" Cupun brought up to Tulok, he shook his head and responded, "No why?"
"Well it is his birthday in two days just thought I'd remind you to get him something nice," commented Cupun.
"Amak is a grown man he can get something nice from a good woman who wants something more than just to warm his bed for the evening, father. He doesn't need me to get him a tamed polar bear dog or an imported mace from the Fire Nation," answered Tulok.
"You will keep that sort of talk outside of my palace, Tulok. We have guests and a gentleman does not speak of mating at the table," Cupun scolded his son.
"You just mentioned mating at the tab-" exclaimed Tulok before his father cut him off.
"Are we understood?" inquired Cupun.
"Why can't you be like Amak for once?" Cupun added.
"Amak is a serious young man, decisive, protective, a good judge, fair, and knows well of the politics of the tribe. If you want to be a powerful chief you need to act like one," commented Cupun.
Tulok sighed and rolled his eyes he felt embarrassed in front of Tanaraq, "Yes, father. You're right."
Meanwhile, Senlin jogged off down a street he dropped something that he took from a nearby porch of a hut. Palartok chased after him Senlin concealed the poisoned dagger he made sure it couldn't be seen. Only Palartok knew what an officer wore so it made sense for him to be the arresting guard. As soon as he noticed the unique uniform of an officer he yelled, "Stop that thief!"
Amak reacted to his surroundings and ice stepped into the canals to cross them to catch Senlin. Senlin darted into a dark alley Palartok soon after him and after Palartok was Amak. Senlin shoved Palartok into some crates and Amak pulled snow out of the ground and transformed it into water that coiled around Senlin's right wrist. It soon froze and thickened around his arm as it bound him. Senlin gave up and placed himself against the wall. Palartok had gotten up and when Amak went to make the arrest that's when Senlin turned the tables and struck Amak with the poisoned dagger.
The blade had entered his body just a few centimeters in not enough to kill him but enough to allow him to bleed out. He cried out in pain as his body had begun to numb, Amak stumbled to the ground and clutched onto his left side. A rush of itchiness filled his body, his body reacted so bad to the poison that now its effects rapidly progressed. He could no longer feel the pain but not he felt an itch, red splotches appeared on his skin the rash settled in. His hands that once put pressure on his wound released that pressure and he continued to bleed out he was stiff and was unable to move.
He was unable to scream or talk and slowly but surely his vision had begun to darken, his throat was now swollen shut and the color on his face transitioned from a brown color to a purple color. Senlin slid his foot on the snowy ground and closed his eyes to feel Amak's faint heartbeat slowly as it shut down. After a few seconds, it was no more and he slipped his shoe back on.
"He's gone," uttered Senlin, Palartok grabbed the poisoned dagger and tossed it next to Amak's dead body.
They left the scroll with the forged signature of Earth King Qiang Zhen tucked into Amak's boot. And dropped the papers they took Xuen in Dahongpao. Senlin knew they had to leave the Northern Water Tribe soon and they also must steal new papers from citizens within the city if they hoped to be accepted the immigration checkpoints in the Oma Kingdom.
They were to meet with Kimaru in Lu'an the capital of the Han province when their missions were all over. They moved quickly Palartok devised a small plan and used snowbending to cover their tracks.
The next morning came, Tanaraq had awoken in her chambers to a knock on the door. After she quickly dressed she opened it to a servant woman who gave her a note from Tulok. She bowed to the woman and then closed the door. She unfolded the note and read the message left behind by her beloved Tulok.
"Dear Tanaraq,
If you're reading this note then my servant Tagaka has given it to you, I will be away from the palace this morning while attending some errands. I would like for you to meet me in the central park by the grand fountain at sundown.
You may present the stablemaster this letter so that he can send you a carriage with an escort to our meeting area. Be here before the moon rises to the sky. I have a great surprise for you, hope to see you soon.
Yours,
Tulok"
She sat at the edge of the bed while she kept the idea of the surprise in mind she wondered what the prince had in store for her. She folded the note again tucked it away in her robes, she stared into the mirror while she worked on her hair and made sure it was perfect.
Rong Yan, Aloi, and Unaraq sat at the table as they ate their morning meals, Chief Cupun and Tulok were nowhere to be seen. They had attended a meeting with other nobles somewhere in the northern areas of the city near the palace. Or perhaps they arranged the wedding that was scheduled for next week.
Unaraq let out a loud burp, Aloi who was disgusted at the prince's bad table manners kicked him in the shin. "OW!" he shouted. "What was that for?!" he cried out in pain. She stuck out her tongue and ignored him.
"You know for a prince, Unaraq. You're pretty disgusting," commented Rong Yan he laughed.
"That's coming from a peasant who lives in a mining town," countered Unaraq.
"Clean peasant," Rong Yan corrected him, he smirked.
A servant arrived with a notification for Rong Yan he bowed before Rong Yan, "Avatar Rong Yan, Chief Cupun wanted to remind you to seek Master Naartok at the Southern Water Tribe embassy near the palace."
"Thank you, I forgot about that!" thanked Rong Yan as he bowed his head at the servant.
"Wow, I just remembered the last time I used waterbending. Which was about two months and a half ago," remembered Rong Yan.
Aloi corrected him, "Three. Three months ago when we arrived at the Yantai River that was three months ago."
Ten minutes had gone by, Rong Yan and Aloi finished their plates and Tanaraq arrived to join her brother for a breakfast meal. Rong Yan and Aloi had gone their separate ways Aloi planned to pray at the temple near the city's center. While Rong Yan had to meet Naartok at the embassy.
Rong Yan stood out the walled compound inside the city that was known as the Southern Water Tribe embassy. Hung on the outside walls were the flags of the Southern Water Tribe, Southern warriors stood guard outside of the embassy as they kept watch. He entered the building a woman sat behind a desk she inquired, "Do you have an appointment with any of our ambassadors?"
"Yeah I came to see Ambassador Naartok," he answered she looked at him as he answered her question then it came to him she bowed before him, "I do apologize for not recognizing you Avatar Rong Yan. Please follow me."
She marched toward the left door and led Rong Yan to the room where Naartok held his meetings with Northern officials. Shaman, village elders, and militants were mostly those who visited him. He held shelves with various books from the Earth Kingdom and some from the Air Nomads. He sat at his desk where he signed parchments that were to be delivered to Chief Cupun later.
The light brown-skinned, tall, heavyset middle-aged man looked up from his work and saw the Fire Nation young man that stood before him. Rong Yan could see he wore his gray hair in a warrior's wolf tail and carried around a large bushy beard similar to Avatar Ku Tei. He got up from his seat and bowed to the man he welcomed Rong Yan and introduced himself, "It is a great honor that you accept my invitation, Avatar Rong Yan. I am Ambassador Naartok of Iqaluit, I'm sure you've been quite eager to see me."
Rong Yan placed his fist on the lower half of his palm and bowed to his elder, "Thank you, Master Naartok. I'm glad that I'm finally able to speak with you."
"I'm sure you've come all this way to see me. I apologize for having been busy and not being present in Iqaluit upon your arrival, how was the travel up here?" Naartok questioned him curiously.
"It was quite adventurous there were plenty of events that transpired both good and bad, but to the chief's request I escorted his daughter here and she's taught me some of the basics of waterbending," replied Rong Yan. Naartok nodded his head as he heard what the young man reported to him.
"Well come on let me take you to the training ground I want to test you on what you know so far," commented Naartok as he opened the door and led Rong Yan to the training grounds where most of the embassy's guards trained.
When they exited the main building the backyard of the embassy was walled and large. It was a compound basically, there were guards everywhere and racks with weapons on display for spar training. The waterbender training area had a lengthy curved pool that surrounded two-thirds of the area. It was one of the many sources that water could be extracted from. Naartok paced around with his arms behind his back.
"Gong bu stance!" he exclaimed at Rong Yan he stood there for a few seconds then jumped into the stance. His dominant foot pointed straight ahead while his back foot was positioned at an acute angle. He was long and low which was more of the southern style of waterbending rather than the northern style which stuck to a long yet higher stance.
Naartok paced over to his left and then ordered Rong Yan to do another stance, "Pu bu."
Rong Yan squatted onto one knee while he extended one leg out. His body was upright and his hands were positioned by his ribs. Naartok nodded at the stances that Rong Yan shifted into each one accurate as the last.
"Well it seems you know your forms but I need to also see your technique. Go into a ca bu stance and stream the water," said Naartok. Rong Yan his heel skidded forward with his foot up, his back foot was extended bent a bit. His front hand was positioned in front of his chest while the backhand was lifted and his fingers pointed down as if he were to pull water out of the pool. In this stance, he pushed and pulled the pool's water for about a minute.
"Nice, nice now gong bu and grab a glob of water push and pull it in a circular motion," said Naartok. Rong Yan did the very basic moves that Naartok requested him he wasn't sure why he needed to do this again after he's already done this well.
"For a Fire Nation Avatar you are doing quite well in these practices, your form is good, your breathing control is good and so your skill," complimented Naartok.
"Let's see how you fare in something a bit more complex. Ma bu stance then pulled water out of the pool and freeze it into an icicle," added Naartok, Rong Yan nodded he stood with both legs shoulder-width apart and pulled water out of the pool. He focused on the state of the water and froze it in his hands without the need to blow on it.
"Wow Princess Tanaraq has taught you well, I'm impressed that you didn't need to blow on the water to freeze it," complimented Naartok again he then said, "Now turn that icicle into steam," Rong Yan pulled the icicle and saw it transition from ice into steam before his very eyes.
"Let's see how well you do with a completely new move. A waterbender can use their water as a form of armor with tentacle-like arms. You can use these arms to grab objects or enemies, whip enemies, blast enemies with water, or freeze them. If you do not have enough water you can simply form the arms instead of the entire cloak," instructed Naartok, used both arms to pull enough water out of the pool and submerged his lower half in water and formed tentacles on his arms.
Rong Yan watched as Naartok had done this as a demonstration he copied exactly what the Ambassador did. He covered the lower half of his body in water and formed a tentacle in each arm. He began to dance mini waves formed from one tentacle and ended at the other he then chuckled because he was having such a great time.
"That's impressive I would've never expected you to master this so easily. But you are one of a kind," complimented Naartok.
"Thank you, Master Naartok. I owe it all to a healer I met outside the city last night," he commented.
"This healer taught this last night?" he questioned Rong Yan he wondered what else he might have learned from the teacher.
Rong Yan giggled and shook his head, "She helped me with her healing she removed this blockage in my chi paths that enabled me to bend water like any other Avatar could. Like Fire Avatars have trouble with waterbending, she removed what she believed was the physical or spiritual blockage that prevented me from learning this at a normal rate," Rong Yan explained. He had to word it carefully as not to give away Aumanil's true power bloodbending which was forbidden in the North and South.
"Fascinating, healing can reach such great heights," commented Naartok.
"Well in this case if you can learn waterbending at a normal rate I suggest we begin our training then, what do you say?" smiled Naartok.
"Right now? Yes!" exclaimed Rong Yan.
Naartok left the training grounds for a minute or two to look for something. He found a pile of wooden boxes that were empty and carried two toward Rong Yan. From the pool of water, he pulled out and formed a platform of water that then froze so he could place the crates on top of.
"The ability to shape water into a super-sharp edge or point for a split-second, enabling a waterbender to cut through metal, wood, and stone. This is what we call a water knife, its a thin and sharp crescent-shaped form of water that must be bent side to side to cut through something," instructed Naartok.
He pulled water out of the pool again he stood in pu bu stance and lowered himself to the ground again. While he carried the water he pivoted his body in a full circle and released the water knife. The crescent-shaped water sliced through the top crate like a hot knife through butter. Rong Yan gasped at how strong and lethal this move was.
"Now it's your turn," Naartok said, Rong Yan shifted into the pu bu stance as he pulled water out of the pool and focused on the crate beneath the one that was cut. He pivoted his entire body into a full circle and let go of the small wave blade of water and cut the crate in a diagonal position.
"It was good but it wasn't a clean horizontal slice, but you did good, luckily for you we're moving on to some snowbending. I don't think you're quite ready for master waterbending yet. So I'll teach you some sub-bending techniques that will be important when need them the most," chuckled Naartok.
"First I'm going to teach you one of the most important moves you'll ever need if you're away from water. All survivalists who enter foreign lands use this technique. What's the weather like in the southern Fire Nation islands?" he explained before he questioned Rong Yan.
"They're humid, why?" he answered then returned an echo question.
"Here in the North Pole I don't need to draw water out the air because there's plenty of snow around us, in the southern islands of the Fire Nation which are humid, the air there carries more water than here or than let's say the Si Wong desert. A waterbender can easily pull moisture out of the air and use it to their advantage," confided Naartok.
"Woah, that's amazing!" exclaimed Rong Yan in excitement.
"Even an assassin from one of our tribes can create ice blades or icicles to use against his targets without leaving a trace of evidence behind," added Naartok.
"There are a variety of ways to end a life with waterbending but we're not concerning ourselves with such practices. I will only teach you what is substantial," mention Naartok.
Naartok with a flick of his wrist drew water out of the air which then encased his fingers and went from a liquid state to a frozen one. He formed claws on his fingers which he could use for combat he examined his hand, "I just created ice claws these can be used in combat as well. I believe it's your turn if Tanaraq taught you how to manipulate different forms of water this should be very easy for you."
He concentrated on it but nothing happened he exerted himself and then exhaled and drooped his body. His first time failing since the confidence of having the blockage removed from him. Naartok shook his head, "You're concentrating too hard, concentration won't get you anywhere here. You do this naturally."
"Naturally?" Rong Yan asked, Naartok flicked his wrist again and bent the water vapor out of the air and transitioned its state into liquid, "Naturally."
"You're essentially pulling water vapor out of the air, and what is water vapor?" Naartok quizzed Rong Yan.
"Water vapor is steam," answered Rong Yan, "So like this?" Rong Yan turned to his master as he pulled a few droplets out of the air. Naartok crossed his arms and nodded, "Try again but this time pull some more out of the air."
Rong Yan attempted at the move again he flicked his wrist naturally and a swish of water formed out of thin air. He laughed and pointed at the water in his palm, "I did it!" he shouted.
Naartok nodded his head in satisfaction, "You are doing well, my pupil."
"I mentioned to you about being able to create ice blades, that's what you're going learn first. So I want you to pull water out of thin air and form it into a blade and then change its state into ice. When you've got a foundation of it built you can freely add more water onto it and make it longer," recalled Naartok.
Naartok pulled water out the air again and formed a sword of water, it froze in his hands as the ice crept up around the blade and froze it in its entirety. He swung it around like a warrior could swing his blade. Rong Yan nodded and did as he was told he pulled water out of the air and created a shiv. After the shiv was formed into ice he added more water into it and made it similar to a saber, the blade of his ice sword was long and thin.
"Nice one you learned that rather quickly," commented Naartok.
"Remember those ice claws I made earlier? I want you to do those right now straight out of memory and without demonstration," he said.
Rong Yan did it with ease he pulled water out of thin air and covered the tip of his fingers with the water. Each finger slowly froze the water around his fingers which created small claws.
"Now similar to the technique of ice claws comes another more advanced technique, the ice gauntlet. A waterbender can freeze water around their hands and turn it into a fist or a sharp spike that can be used to scale mountains or impale their opponent. There is an even more creative technique for this as well known as the ice hook," described Naartok.
From the blade Naartok held, it melted and crawled onto his left hand and formed into an ice gauntlet. The water near the top melted again to form itself into a hook of ice and once more into an ice spike. Rong Yan watched in awe as his master formed the ice into different shapes and sizes he even formed it into a spiked mace before he allowed the ice to melt once more and splash onto the ground below.
Rong Yan picked up the water Naartok dropped and allowed it to crawl around his right hand. He formed a fist around his hand then it changed shape into an ice blade, an ice spike, then a deformed ice hook. He didn't quite grasp the hook yet as he wasn't too skilled in doing this yet but with practice, he'll get more creative with it.
"Now similar to an earth column used by earthbenders comes the ice column used by waterbenders. We can shoot pillars of ice up from the ground to knock our opponent off their feet," Naartok described he then went into a du bu stance he stood on one leg at the beginning of the stance. When he planted his foot down he swung his arms up and with it, a column of ice rose out of the ground.
"Now you try," he said as he sunk the column back into the ground.
"Is it similar to an iceberg spike?" Rong Yan asked, "Yes actually the same motion can be used," answered Naartok. Rong Yan changed into the du bu stance and then planted his lifted foot down and swung his arms upward. A column shot out of the ground and then he brought his arms down with force to sink the column back down.
"Well done, Rong Yan. Well done," clapped Naartok.
Meanwhile, the sun begun to bear down on the streets of the Northern Water Tribe capital. Tons of brightness filled the streets, canals, and alleyways. All of a sudden, a shriek was heard in the distance a few guards sprinted toward the shriek and found themselves in an alley where a woman continued to shriek. She found the corpse of Amak in the alleyway the guards halted near her while another muttered under his breath, "Oh...no.."
He knew the young man who was found by a citizen was the chief's nephew, he shouted to his comrade, "Find the chief! He needs to know what happened!" One of the men nodded in response and ran off while the same guard tells another, "Find more guards, we need to clean this mess up. I won't touch anything until there are more guards here."
Ten minutes later, a group of five appear with the guard who left. They investigated the crime scene while they also cleaned up the area. One of the guards found a dagger with Qiangda Kingdom designs on the pommel of the blade.
"Sokka look what I found," he called out to the lead guard, he was under Amak, the older man ran over to Amak's cold and pale corpse.
"It's a dagger lodged into his ribcage," the younger guard pointed at the dagger.
"But what makes it unique is the Earth Kingdom designs carved into the pommel," added the rookie.
"Not just any Earth Kingdom designs, these are carvings made by a smith of the Qiangda Kingdom," Sokka corrected the rookie. He grabbed the blade and unlodged it from the corpse, he examined it and found that some of the fresh blood that remained in the man's body coagulated as soon as it hit the ground.
"White jade leaf," he muttered to himself.
"What was that?" another said.
"Amak was poisoned with a White Jade leaf," repeated Sokka.
"How do you know?" asked the other.
"It coagulates the blood causing paralysis eventually if they don't suffocate first, they die of a heart attack," explained Sokka.
"So someone from the Qiangda Kingdom kills Amak with a poisoned dagger, why? Could have been a random killing," the other speculated.
"Sokka I found something," said the rookie.
The rookie stooped over and grabbed a scroll that was carried over to the wall of a hut and half-buried by snow by a breeze. He handed him a sort of wet scroll, Sokka opened the scroll and read the contents of the scroll and dropped the scroll as his mouth opened agape and his eyes widened.
"You are to travel to Aupaluk, North Pole within the Northern Water Tribe we need to show these snowbacks who's superior. I need you to eliminate a royal family member, my sources say there five within the capital city.
Be there on time and eliminate one of them when they're most vulnerable, Yama will be most proud of you when you've sent the royal to the Spirit World.
Regards,
42nd Earth King Qiangda Qiang Zhen, Long May He Reign!"
The other guard picked up the scroll and read it while Sokka remained in shock, the two waterbenders cleaned up the body with snow of any visible blood that dried up. Their task was to carry the corpse to the city's kashim nearby where the elder shaman will prepare the corpse for burial.
"...regards, 42nd Earth King Qiangda Qiang Zhen, Long May He Reign..." whispered the other guard as he skimmed through the scroll.
"By the gods, this wasn't a random killing it was an assassination approved by the Earth King of the Qiangda Kingdom!" he exclaimed.
"I'll take word to the chief," said Sokka as he ran off.
"We should clean up here and escort Amak's body to Ashuna, so she can get him ready for burial," said the other guard to the rookie and the two waterbenders.
At the same time, Rong Yan had learned another move Naartok described another alternative to the ice column, "A waterbender can create a cylindrical column of ice and proceed to slice razor-sharp sections of it off and send them at an opponent. This is called an ice disc, and is created similar to column except the column risen your waist."
"The discs are to be sharp around the edges but also thin," added Naartok.
Naartok then mentioned, "I should mention further you're starting at the ma bu stance when you raise the cylindrical column to cut the discs you must change into a bai bu stance. Doing so will allow you to pivot your body from an obtuse angle which gives the momentum to slice the column. Making them sharp and thin takes practice, however," described Naartok.
"How does one do the bai bu stance?" wondered Rong Yan.
Naartok instructed the stance to Rong Yan as he demonstrated it, "The leading foot is set down on the heel and then swings outward in an obtuse angle. The heel of the back foot releases with the shift of weight, and the hips turn."
Rong Yan nodded, Naartok focused on the ice disc move so he presented it to his student. He swung his foot around and planted it and with his hands, he sliced a thin disc that flung toward a wall and crashed. Naartok cracked his knuckles, "Simplicity at it's finest."
Rong Yan copied the same movements as Naartok except his disc wasn't so thin and so it wasn't allowed to glide as freely. It was a bit thicker it glided a short distance before it wobbled and hit the ground.
"First time for everything, it wasn't thin enough but you did get it fly a short amount of distance. Try again," Naartok said.
Somewhere in the northwestern section of Aupaluk, Prince Tulok and Chief Cupun enjoyed a cup of tea while being surrounded by a group of nobles. The noble which led the meeting had been standing idly while he spoke about things they could all work on.
"Well I was thinking we could propose a tax on the citizens to repair the canals in the southern district of the city," proposed the nobleman.
"What percentage would require for the money needed to repair the canal, Noa?" inquired Cupun then he sipped his tea.
"I was proposing a ten percent tax increase," replied the nobleman.
Tulok looked at his father and before Cupun could say a word he interrupted and debated the tax increase, "With all due respect Elder Noa imposing a ten percent tax increase on the citizens will cause outrage. I suggest we do increase the tax percentage but lower it to a modest four percent."
Cupun exchanged looks with Tulok and then smiled, "You will make a fine chief one day, my son."
"Four percent it is, we can span the work in six months and pay the workers five gold pieces a day," Cupun approved.
Suddenly, Sokka burst through the doors of the nobleman's house Elder Noa darted his head to the direction in which the warrior entered, "What manner of disrespect is this?!" he shouted.
"Captain Sokka what seems to be the problem?" questioned Cupun as he rose his hand as an indication to Elder Noa for silence.
"Chief Cupun I need to speak with you and Prince Tulok privately something has occurred in the northeastern section of the city," requested Sokka, his voice was quavered as it was filled with emotion and urgency.
"He's sound urgent, father. We should listen to him," interrupted Tulok.
"Everyone but Tulok and Sokka is dismissed for the moment," ordered Cupun, every nobleman and guard bowed their heads and stepped out of the meeting room.
"I don't know how to say this but I am deeply saddened for your loss, chief. Amak's body was found this morning, a dagger of Qiangda Kingdom design was found lodged into his ribs, and a letter from the Earth King was found nearby," reported Sokka.
Tulok's world came to a halt, like time itself had frozen he stood in silence while his jaw dropped. He couldn't hear anything other than what the captain said, 'Amak's body was found'. The emotions hit him all at once as he collapsed to his knees and cried loudly. As did his father. Guards burst through the doors, "What's going on?!" shouted one of the royal guards.
"Officer Amak is dead," announced Sokka as he took a step back and rose his hands as he showed the royal guards he was empty-handed.
Something snapped in Cupun because he begun to shout his nephew's name, "AMAK!" "AMAK!" he cried out as he repeated the name over and over again. He too wept for the loss of his nephew, the royal guards lifted Cupun to his feet as others did to Tulok.
One of the guards commanded to the captain, "Sokka get the stablemaster here to ready the carriage we're taking Cupun and Tulok to the palace it isn't safe here!"
The captain nodded and ran off, Elder Noa stepped inside, "There's an assassin in our city? We're not safe from those dirt people. I need someone to assemble the court in the palace. We need to know what we're up against. We might have to call for Thod and Dashi."
The royal guards escorted Tulok and Cupun to their carriage while the other noblemen weren't sure what to do next. Elder Noa shouted, "Now!"
One of the elder's guards walked up to him, "Shouldn't we sound the horn for the death of royal member?"
"Good idea, go to the watchtower down the street and announce it to them," responded Noa, the elder's guard jogged out of his estate and toward the watchtower nearest the estate walls.
Meanwhile, Rong Yan punched the icy and snowy floor of the training grounds a small line of jagged ice shot out of the ground. Naartok with his arms crossed smiled, "You're doing well, first try at the ice line and you got it done."
A horn is sounded off in the distance then another farther way until another is barely heard. Naartok gasps, Rong Yan is confused, "What's going on?" he asked concerned.
"One of the royals passed away! C'mon we need to reach the palace!" stated Naartok. He ran out of the embassy along with Rong Yan right behind him. Rong Yan shouted, "What do you mean one of the royals passed away?!"
"I thought there were only two!" Rong Yan added.
Naartok looked back as he continued his jog, "There are more royals than just Cupun and Tulok," Naartok corrected Rong Yan.
"When's the last time you heard that horn?" Rong Yan questioned Naartok as he caught up to him, "When Prince Tulok was born, his mother died of childbirth," answered Naartok.
"But you can't always be too sure who passed away, that's why the Horn of Anguta is important. Come on we're almost there," said Naartok as he finally saw the stairs that led up to the palace. At the same time, Tanaraq headed toward the palace courtyard when she heard the Horn of Anguta. Her heart sank because she knew what it meant Unaraq as well joined her.
"What's going on?" Unaraq asked.
"I don't know but the horn went off. I'm worried maybe something happened to Chief Cupun or Tulok," worried Tanaraq. Rong Yan and Naartok appeared as they ran up the stairs to the courtyard. Unaraq pointed at Rong Yan and Naartok, "Look there's Rong Yan and Master Naartok!"
Aloi strolled through the streets of the Northern Water Tribe city when a horn was sounded a lot of the people on the streets panicked while others cried out. A guard tried to calm the citizens Aloi questioned the guard, "What's going on? Why is everyone panicking the horn went off?"
"One of the royal family members has passed away," answered the guard. She gasped and then ran back to the palace.
"Are you kids okay? Do you know where the chief and the prince are?" Naartok questioned them, they both shook their heads. A platoon of thirty royal guards have shown up they surrounded a carriage with their weapons raised.
"That's the chief's and Tulok's carriage," Naartok stated.
Tanaraq tried to run toward the carriage but Unaraq stopped her. He clutched unto her shoulder and held her back, "Stop we have to wait until one of the royal guards says we're allowed to enter."
They waited outside a few more minutes a group of nobles were escorted into the palace as was a man and a woman. The man wore purple robes while the woman wore light green robes, Naartok observed everything from where they stood.
"Those were the ambassadors Thod and Dashi, whatever happened must have more serious than we thought," claimed Naartok.
"Who are they?" wondered Unaraq.
"Thod is the ambassador to Ba Sing Se state, while Dashi is the ambassador of the Earth King to the Northern Water Tribe," said Naartok.
"You don't think they're preparing for war, are they? I mean why else would they call the ambassador from the Qiangda Kingdom?" guessed Unaraq.
"Rong Yan's the Avatar he can just waltz in there," Tanaraq mentioned.
"You're right but that means ONLY the Avatar," repeated Unaraq.
"I'm the prince's fiancee I can too," Tanaraq coaxed, Unaraq shook his head, "No you can't, let Rong Yan go." Rong Yan ran off toward the palace the royal guards who stood in a line formation in front of the entrance to the palace separated and allowed him to go in. They went back into formation as soon as he entered and they held their spears tightly in their grasp.
Rong Yan entered the throne room a court nobles, two ambassadors, Prince Tulok and Chief Cupun were inside. Cupun wept on his throne while Tulok was held by a noblewoman he knew one of his court. Elder Noa had called the shots while Chief Cupun composed himself.
He yelled at Ambassador Dashi, "You! I knew I couldn't trust you! You dirt people are conniving and backstabbers!"
The woman was in disbelief and baffled at the elder who accused her of having been involved in Amak's assassination. This woman was light-skinned, she had brown eyes and long light brown hair with short bangs that covered her forehead. She gasped while Ambassador Thod defended her he countered the argument that Elder Noa started, "Noa this isn't the time to accuse others! You're being ignorant to what's going on!"
"I'm being careful! This dirt person had to approve an assassin right under our noses! Seize her!" shouted Noa he then commanded the royal guards to arrest the ambassador.
"Stop! There's no evidence against her!" yelled Rong Yan.
"And who in Torngark's name are you?!" shouted Noa angrily at Rong Yan.
"I'm the Avatar! You need proper evidence to arrest this woman, look at her she's just as shocked as you are!" responded Rong Yan.
"Elder Noa, I had nothing to do with this. Amak's assassination is effecting me too I need to send a letter to the Earth King. I need to know why he's broken the treaty, with a response we will work on this accordingly. Throwing everything into disarray is not the way we should handle ourselves," cautioned Dashi.
"It'll take weeks for a letter to get to Qiang Zhen, by then Qiangda Kingdom troops will march on our city!" maintained Noa.
"No we can send a letter via albatross crane it'll reach Ba Sing Se in three days," stated Dashi as she tried to calm the elder.
"I need to see the letter, I can examine it further and if the signature matches up while we wait for a response, then we can send it as well," added Dashi. Ambassador Thod ordered a royal guard, "You bring us the letter that shows the Earth King's signature."
A guard nodded, "Right away, sir," the guard ran off to find the scribes were the letter was taken to.
"Under no authority do you have the right to order these men around, I and the elders have that power. You don't," said Noa.
"Arrest Ambassador Dashi, she has committed treason until proven innocent," commanded Noa, a waterbender wrapped her wrists with ice.
Rong Yan tried to stop them then Noa broke in, "If you try something you will be arrested as well, Avatar Rong Yan." Rong Yan sighed and stopped, "Don't worry I'll try to find someone who can send that letter," he told her.
"I've done nothing wrong!" cried out Dashi, "Take her the prison!" shouted Noa. The guards manhandled the woman and escorted her out of the palace. Unaraq, Tanaraq, and Naartok observed as warriors escorted the ambassador in ice cuffs.
"They arrested Ambassador Dashi, but why?" soliloquized Naartok.
"They arrested the ambassador of the Qiangda Kingdom? This isn't good, Naartok," Unaraq said.
"This might be a means for war," guessed Unaraq.
"I'm going in! I can get Tulok to talk to me!" Tanaraq said.
"No! You have to stay here!" declined Unaraq.
"Stand against your tribe again, Ambassador Thod and I'll have you arrested for treason. Do you understand?" warned Elder Noa, Thod bit his teeth in anger and lowered his head, "Yes," he muttered.
Tanaraq ran toward the line formation of guards at the palace entrance they held their spears at her. She gasped until one of the rookies recognized her, "Stand down! Do you even know who that is?" he shouted.
"That's the prince's bride-to-be!" he shouted again, the men split the line and allowed her to enter, "We're sorry princess Tanaraq you may enter!" another one spoke.
She ran down the corridor two guards blocked her entry into the throne room, "I demand to see my fiance!"
"The prince is not in his right mind at the moment! Wait patiently in your quarters!" declined a royal guard.
"Tulok!" she cried out, no response from the prince, however, Elder Noa permitted her to enter, "Let her in!" the two guards separated their spears and saluted Tanaraq.
She nipped inside the throne room Cupun sat in his throne he hasn't stopped sobbing, Tanaraq ran over to Tulok who cried on his knees. She tried to comfort her fiance but when she reached her hand to touch his shoulder he smacked her hand away. She took a step back and lowered her head she instead sat up against the wall.
Rong Yan walked over to her, "I need your help." She looked up, "What is it?" Rong Yan exchanged looks with her and then begun the request to her in the Nationalist language.
"Elder Noa had Ambassador Dashi from the Qiangda Kingdom arrested without evidence. He accused her of treason to the North and probably will have her executed. We need to save her life but bringing her the scroll with Earth King's Qiang Zhen's signature so she examine it. We need to prove that it is indeed his signature."
Tanaraq nodded, "I can do that for you."
Tanaraq stood up and whispered in Thod's ear, "We need to meet at the prison with the scroll where they'll be holding Dashi," Thod nodded to Tanaraq's idea. Rong Yan, Thod and Tanaraq ran off. Elder Noa calmed the court of nobles while others attempted to calm down Chief Cupun.
"Call...Rafa...and Niyok..," Cupun cried between pauses of emotion. A guard ran off to find Amak's parents, they needed to be escorted to the palace from the estate. So that Cupun could tell them what has happened.
The guard Thod sent out stopped them as he shouted for Thod, "Ambassador!" Thod turned around the guard bowed before them, "The scribes allowed me to take the scroll, here it is." He handed the scroll to Ambassador Thod, "Thank you," Thod thanked the guard. Thod opened the scroll and read the signature he sighed, "I hope this isn't true."
"Come on I'll take you to the prison," he told Tanaraq and Rong Yan.
Two waterbenders carried a cot with a sheet that covered the body of whoever they picked up. A short, plump and elderly lady watched the men as they slid the body onto a wooden table where the old woman can do her work. They left without saying a word, the woman's old and wrinkled hands removed the covers she gasped when she had seen the young man's face, "Amak."
She removed the sheet entirely and had seen the large wound that killed him as she examined the body she used waterbending to see if anything could be found in the body that could tell her anything different.
A light green substance hovered out of the body, she needed to know more and she placed the drops inside a small wooden bowl. She called out to another shaman one of her apprentices, "Misu dear, I need you to find Mamittuk. Only he can identify this unknown substance."
A young short, chubby girl appeared and bowed, "Yes mother," she then ran off.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Noa has taken lead while Cupun and Tulok are saddened. The court debated on what to do next. A royal guard appeared with Amak's parents, "Chief Cupun, your sister Niyok and your brother-in-law Rafa have arrived," he announced. Cupun tilted his head when Niyok ran up to hug Cupun while on his throne he tried to comfort her.
"Niyok...I need to tell you something," he whispered.
"What's wrong? Is mother gone?" she questioned him, Cupun shook his head.
"A-amak's body...was found.." he paused a tear came out before he continued, "...this morning...by a woman. I'm so...s-sorry..." he uttered. She froze in that fell backward her husband Rafa caught her before she could have injured herself.
"Niyok!" he cried out as he caught her.
"Cupun what's going on?" he questioned his brother-in-law.
"Amak is dead," he said, Rafa screamed through the roof as tears filled his eyes. His only son had been killed.
"Why? Wh-what happened?" Rafa wondered what happened.
"I told Amak being more involved in the city will get him killed. I told him he didn't listen!"
"Your son was assassinated, the dagger he was killed with was poisoned. The dagger is of Qiangda Kingdom origin," brought up Noa.
"How do you know?" Tulok questioned, having spoken for the first time in three hours.
"Captain Sokka told me everything," Noa replied.
"I had ambassador Dashi detained in our prison while we further investigate this matter, Cupun. Allow me to take up the responsibility of dealing with this matter while you focus on your son's wedding. It is only a week away," reported Noa then he requested to take the mantle on the situation while Cupun focused on Tulok and Tanaraq's wedding.
"I need this city safe Chief Unirak of the Southern Water Tribe will be here in a few days," said Cupun after having composed himself. Niyok had awoken in her husband's lap she was dumbfounded to what occurred as if she was in a dream or lost her memory.
"What's happening, Rafa? Why are you crying?" she questioned her husband.
Cupun shed a tear when he stared into his sister's face. She was confused, "Cupun what's going on? Tulok?" she questioned all the men in the throne room.
Rafa embraced his wife and whispered in her ear, she wasn't able to stay calm she wailed after her husband told her that her son had been assassinated. The woman wailed and shrieked Tulok crawled over to his aunt and hugged her Cupun gazed at Elder Noa.
"You have approval, assemble the court in your home if you'd like. I must tend to my family who's in mourning," he approved.
"You will not be disappointed, chief. The city will return to standards we always have it at. I can assure you of that," agreed Noa.
At the same time, Aloi runs into Unaraq in the courtyard, "One of the guards told me a royal guard died what happened?" she asked Unaraq concerned.
"That seems to be the case but I stayed out here. I don't know who it is, but we can't just walk in there! Tanaraq ran in but then she walked out with Rong Yan and the ambassador to the Qiangda Kingdom. I don't know where they went," Unaraq replied.
"My dad should be here soon, if the city's in a disarray his safety, our safety could be jeopardized. We're safer here than we are beneath the palace," Unaraq added.
She hugged Unaraq, "I won't let anything happen to you. We should go inside though to our chambers, we don't have to bother the royals." Unaraq stared at her then nodded in agreement and wandered off toward the palace.
Rong Yan, Tanaraq, and Thod reached an ice cavern with several men who guarded it. One of them saw the Ambassador and two others, "Ambassador Thod what a pleasant surprise."
"I need to see Ambassador Dashi, take me to her," requested Thod. The prison guard shook his head, "No can do, strict orders of Elder Noa." The warden of the prison lumbered out of the prison's entrance he overrode Noa's orders, "Let Thod and his allies in," said the warden.
"Yes, Warden Sangok," replied the prison guard as he lowered his head to the warden.
"Thod it is good to see you, I found it strange when Noa had Dashi arrested. I'm worried as well for our future with the Qiangda Kingdom," he smiled at the ambassador. He placed his hands behind his back and then wondered who the two strangers with Thod were, "Who are they?" he asked him.
"This is Princess Tanaraq of the Southern Water Tribe and Avatar Rong Yan," he answered as he introduced both strangers to the warden.
"Ahh Princess Tanaraq yes, the princess from the South who's going to marry our Prince Tulok. I've heard of you. Avatar Rong Yan, an honor to meet you. I'm sorry we have to meet in such a dire situation. Please follow me," said Sangok he led them inside the prison
"I have a scroll with the signature of the Earth King that I need Dashi to look at, we need to know if it is authentic," Thod said to Sangok.
"I'm glad you thought of that, I don't trust Noa. His ignorance and blatant racism has hurt his reputation in the past," recalled Sangok.
Minutes later, they have arrived at Dashi's cell, she sat in a corner while stared at the wall as she sobbed. Warden Sangok called to her, "Ambassador Dashi, you have visitors." She wiped the tears from her eyes and was glad to see Thod's face along with the Avatar but she didn't know who the girl was. She didn't care and ran up to the bars, "Thod I knew you'd come."
"We brought you the scroll with Qiang Zhen's signature I need you to check the authenticity of the scroll," requested Thod.
"Certainly," smiled Dashi. Rong Yan handed the middle-aged woman the scroll she took it and then opened it. As she read the scroll she said, "It's fake."
"How do you know?" asked Tanaraq.
"The scroll's seal doesn't have the insignia of the Qiangda Kingdom crown, therefore, it isn't official, while the signature looks like Qiang Zhen's, its also missing the stamp," she stated.
"Before Qiang Zhen has a scribe send out an official document or letter he has his scribes stamp it with the family seal. That is the only way we know for sure its official," she disclosed.
"Damn it! I knew Noa was just being an ignorant racist! We need to bring this to Cupun before we can get you out of this prison, Dashi. You have my word," exclaimed Thod. Sangok was right, Noa had a reputation for being ignorant and racist.
Ba Sing Se Royal Palace, Ba Sing Se, Qiangda Kingdom
Qiang Zhen sat in his throne comfortable while Guwen stood beside him with a clipboard and inked quill. They prepared things for the wedding, "Did you make sure my in-laws received the tamed camelephant? I want them to have transportation around the city whenever the need arises."
"Yes, my liege," said Guwen, a courier burst through the door and scurried through the throne room up to the throne.
Qiang Zhen stood up angrily, "What's the meaning of this interruption?" he shouted at the courier. He scrambled to his knees and knelt before the angry Earth King.
He presented the scroll, Guwen grabbed the scroll and handed it to Qiang Zhen he examined the scroll before he opened it. The seal read 'Kunlun province'. He broke the seal to the scroll and read its contents, "Dear Earth King Qiang Zhen,
I have grim news to announce to you while your cousin Prince Baotong was in my city he was assassinated by an assassin from the Northern Water Tribe. Along with the scroll, you'll find a folded note, this is an official approval from Chief Cupun for the assassin to kill the prince.
The evidence found at the scene of the crime was a dagger of Northern Water Tribe design, identification papers of the man were found. He was a national of the North Pole, with approval to enter the Qiangda Kingdom, his name is Sagluruk. We're not sure if he's dead or alive right now but he may be on his way back to Aupaluk. Your cousin's body was found mutilated. His throat was slit, he bled out, the dagger was plunged into his chest, and his genitals were castrated.
This is serious and I urge you to take this to the embassy and find out what the heck is going on! My deepest condolences to you and your family. I also want to congratulate you on your wedding in two weeks. Best wishes.
Regards,
De Tou Jingshen, Governor of Kunlun province"
The scroll fell out of Qiang Zhen's hand he fell to the ground and cried out so loud that it hurt Guwen he screamed at a guard, "Help me assist the Earth King to his throne." A guard ran over and assisted Guwen with Qiang Zhen. Guwen picked up the scroll after he helped Qiang Zhen to his throne, he cupped his mouth with his hand in shock.
"Tell the watchtowers to sound the horn of quietus," commanded Guwen to one of the royal guards he sprinted out of the palace.
Minutes later, the nearest tower sounded the horn and lit the bonfires Yi'an and her parents exited their home and peered over to the watchtowers. Several soldiers and nobles raced to the palace courtyard for assemblage. Many cried as well as they thought the Earth King had passed away.
"Dad what's going on?" cried Yi'an.
"I need a carriage to take me to Qiang Zhen's palace I must know what's happening to my son-in-law!" he barked at one of his guards.
Two of them saluted the nobleman, "Right away, Lord Zhang!" The horns echoed in the Middle and Lower Rings as the bonfires lit up as well. Several citizens exited their homes they wanted to make sure what they heard was correct. Many of them panicked but they knew soon they'd hear word from the government.
