Warning: This chapter may appear very family friendly, but trust me, it can be very disturbing. Please approach with caution. Take care of your health!
The two of them used the nearby river's water to clean their faces. So far, they are a few hundred meters away from the main camp. With the guidance of helpful herdsmen tending to sky bisons, they arrived at the nearest water source. It is morning, so they have to redo their war paint for the day. While Mayumi flawlessly imprinted the standard face paint onto her sister, she herself became a mockery as Satchiko flimsily did hers. It was atrocious. The red lines look out of place, and the area which was supposedly white is not fully covered. Even a drawing of a school children is better than Satchiko's 'art'.
"Satchiko!" Mayumi complained lightly as she looked through the water for her reflection. "The face paint is meant to intimidate our opponents. If my intention is to scare off my suitors, only then would your paint job be satisfactory."
Back on the island, while Hakaru would formally decline the boy and his family's advances, there were occasion when they are more persistent. While all of them would sat on the table trying to persuade Hakaru, Mayumi would walk in unannounced. Not to impress the suitor, but to traumatize him and his parents. Usually she would use red paint to plant a few red dots across her face, giving off the illusion of sickness. And the next very next day, she would be miraculous 'cured'. It's a simple trick that can repel any men who wishes to court her. Once they declined, they would no longer have the face to try again.
"My drawing skills were never the best," Satchiko defended herself. "And so is writing, reading, and listening in class. But it's usually you the one who did the face paint for both of us." Satchiko then exasperated. "We should have brought our mirror!"
Batu's chewing noise invaded the atmosphere, and his slurping sound is even more ear wrenching. Right now he is having his breakfast, a cup of fresh sky bison milk and some bread with clotted cream, which is also made of bison milk. He is also accompanied by the same baby bison that have been used as Satchiko's pillow. The calf drank from the river, occasionally spitting some of it out.
The two Kyoshi warriors looked at Batu, and he noticed that.
"What?" He asked them. "I'm a growing boy. Mum, wanted me to want to grow up tall and strong, so I have to eat as much as possible."
"Yes but can you at least do it quietly!" Satchiko screeched. "I am trying to concentrate on my drawing here."
"Pffft! Oh don't bother," Batu recommended. "Do you Kyoshi warriors very have to paint your faces EVERYDAY? Have you forgotten that a lot of people are after you two? I'm not talking about...you know what I mean ." The Kheshig munched on a chunk of bread, talking while eating. A marvelous display of Kheshig nomad table manners. "Those people living behind the walls, and the acolytes too. They all know who you are because you two stood out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd. And besides, your face paints are scaring no one." His snorting is startling to get on Satchiko's nerve. Having the face paint being undermined by someone who is ignorant of the history and cultural significance clearly displeases the young Kyoshi warrior.
"Say, when we left that town yesterday, what's with you and that old lady?" Batu asked Mayumi. Clearly the boy is interested in the weird discussion they had before the bison took off.
"Oh, you mean her fortunetelling." Mayumi remembered. "Aunt Meng predicted that my future husband would give me a purple flower. Who knows, maybe I can meet him on this very journey!" She actually sound exited, much to Satchiko's disgust.
"That's it?" Batu got bored immediately. He leaned flat on the ground and rest his now full stomach. Resting his still sleepy eyes. "Anything else Meng said? Doesn't sound very convincing to me."
"Wait, there is more." Mayumi tried to keep it interesting. "Actually, that person I will meet in the future is a very talented person. Strong bender, great caliber, and quite ambitious!" She used her fingers to keep record of Meng said. "I am quite lucky, don't you think?"
"Don't take her words seriously Batu," Satchiko recommended. "My sister properly knocked her head on the ceiling last night."
Mayumi immediately stared at her younger sibling, eyes twitching. "Am I sensing disrespect? From my very own little sister?" The face paint still looked horrible. To make it worse, it's waterproof. Removing it will not be easy.
"Oh I don't know," Satchiko replied in an overly causal tone. Clearly not worrying too much about Mayumi's question. "For someone who believes in stupid things like fortunetelling, it's very hard for people to look at you and think you are normal."
"Normal you say?" Mayumi replied, not impressed with Satchiko's rebellious behavior. "Huh! Well at least I don't hit my head on the ceiling every morning back on the island. Perhaps your constant head injuries explains why you have poor literacy skills!" Mayumi used her index finger and delivered a striking blow to Satchiko's forehead. Batu continued to chew his food.
"Ow!" Satchiko was toppled backwards. She landed in the shallow river, all soaked. She spit out the river water. "Argh! Why is it so salty?" Instead of trying to sooth things over, Mayumi just stood there, and laughed loudly.
"Ok, is that how you want it? Fine!" Satchiko got back up. "Listen to this big sis, I think the reason why you couldn't find a boyfriend back on the island is because...er." Satchiko thought hard on the reasons why Mayumi turned away all the young men in her village.
"Go on, take your time." Mayumi stood on the river bed and savor Satchiko's inability to counterattack. "I can wait all day."
When Satchiko finally got it, she grinned. "It's because you are bad at it!"
Mayumi is still not offended by Satchiko's shallow comeback. "Oh, is that so?" She said to belittle her sister in the battle of words. "I wonder what my trouble making little sister could possibly be talking about?"
Batu felt goosebumps as Mayumi said that. Mayumi tone was excessively high pitched, intentionally uncomfortable to the ears.
"You are afraid because even if you are the most beautiful girl in our village, you actually know nothing about boys. You never talk with them, never interact with them, actually now that I think about it, you now barely see any boys since all you think about is training us Maikos!"
Mayumi did not expect that, no longer is she smiling with pride. "That's not true! The only reason why I rejected all the suitors is because I have no feelings for them! I have social skills!"
"Oh very?" Satchiko chuckled and went on the offensive. "Kazuki and I always talk about who you would end up with. We even have duels to settle our differences. At the end of the day, we both agreed that you are hopeless, because you don't even know how to approach a boy yourself!" She pointed at Mayumi, like she has found her sister's point of weakness.
"What-but I, that is a bold accusation!" Mayumi struggled to riposte. "I tricked that person named Suo back on the town of Shang didn't I? I extracted valuable information, just by talking alone, you were there with me."
"Yeah, but do you have any real friends back on the island that is not a girl?" Satchiko asked. "If you have, then tell me the names."
Mayumi is silent.
"Exactly, asides from those suitors, you know literally no boy." Satchiko relentlessly continued the assault. "What bothers me even more is your unrealistic expectations in your potential partners. What kind of woman would want a man that is strong? So you can marry an abuser? But don't you worry, I am sure some lunatic with a disfigured face would pick a purple flower from the side of the road. After mistakenly giving it to you, both of you two will live happily ever after and have ugly children. Meng's fortunetelling would also come true. Happy?"
Satchiko stopped as she slowly noticed Mayumi's shifting behavior. She might have went overboard.
"Enough!" Mayumi scrawled her voice. Satchiko can hear her sister cracking her knuckles. Mayumi is stretching her neck and shoulders, grasping her hands into large fists.
"Not bad, looks like in the world of insults, you got the upper hand." Mayumi complimented in a unsettling tone. "But now, I think I need to discipline you, and remind you of something about me you may have forgotten!"
Satchiko swallowed her saliva nervously, she has definitely overdone it. Now, it appears that she has poked the bear to much, and a monster have been awakened. Kyoshi warriors like Kazuki is very easy to defeat in duels, but Mayumi is a different story. While she herself was trained personally by Akahana, she is naturally more skillful than the average Kyoshi warrior. But her sister gained her knowledge from many respectable instructors, like Ayuma and Suki. The last time Satchiko fought Mayumi in a training spar and win was...never.
"Alright, I want a clean and fair fight." Batu yawned, clearly not that interested in what is happening. "That means no using Earth bending for you Satchiko." If his sister was here, she wouldn't be so receptive of this activity. She would have immediately intervene, instead of fueling the tension.
"Even if she is a trained Earth bender, my little sister would still be as helpless as ever." Mayumi snorted, pulling out her katana.
"Let's see if that statement holds true." Satchiko countered, face determined. Since she only had one war fan on her, she is going to be more careful.
They both noticed a single leaf is dropping from the trees. Even without speaking, they both agreed to start when it touches the ground. It glided gently, passing Mayumi and Satchiko's armor, it dropped until it finally connected with the river's surface.
The water suddenly became violent as large splashes disrupted the flat surface. Mayumi charged forward and slammed herself into Satchiko, locking both of them into a difficult engagement. The speed of the katana's slash was almost invisible, and most opponents like non-benders would find it hard to parry it.
The younger sibling used her metal fan, barely able to block the strike. The force was so great that it is straining her arm muscles. If it wasn't for the expert craftsmanship of their blacksmith, a normal weapon would have been shattered upon impact.
Mayumi noticed the stiff expression, and smiled gleefully at her sister's predicament. "Tired already? Too bad you lost the other metal fan. But don't worry, we will get you another one!"
Mayumi used the blade to push aside Satchiko's war fan, effectively breaking the opponent's guard. She then shoved Satchiko back by punching the chest plate with an elbow strike.
"Argh!" She felt the punch through her armor. She tried to hold strong as she want sent spirally backwards, but the difference in skill between them is way too much. She herself is disadvantaged with only one metal fan.
"You know, maybe using my sword is too much for you." Mayumi pointed out. "I have a lot of knives and other weapons under my dress, I could make it easier by using something else."
"The enemy would never play fair, you know that Mayumi." Satchiko said, preparing herself into a stance in case her sister intends to throw projectiles at her. "Just because I lost my other war fan, I will still try to fight you even if I am disadvantaged."
"Of course," Mayumi replied. "But remember this. Our great grandmother taught us that a weapon is an extension of your body. Your skills are just as important. When I win this fight, you will clean my armor and weapons. I expect to be able to see my own reflections in them."
"You are serious aren't you?" Satchiko asked. "I suppose I can't lose then. It would be quite embarrassing for me to lost to someone who believes in stupid things like fortunetelling."
"Why are you so against Meng's fortunetelling?" Mayumi cannot help but ask. "It's just a harmless prediction, who knows, it might come real."
"Because everyone know it's fake!" Satchiko went out of her fighting stance and placed her hand on the side of her hip. Increasing frustrated, Satchiko is no longer concerned about winning. This fortunetelling debate has been going on for far too long. "Out of all the people I thought would believe such nonsense, you were the last person I had in mind. Seriously, no one can very tell the future!"
A lone fish jumped out of the water, and flew to Satchiko's face, it slapped her with its tail. The girl can feel the immediate burn from the unprovoked attack.
"Why you little!-" Satchiko raged and tries to stomp the fish in the water.
Mayumi is amused, even nature is not on her sister's side.
After trying for a long time, Satchiko gave up. She is panting as she has wasted all that energy on a fish. However, the fish did seemed to be floating lifelessly on the water's surface. Although there no sign on the fish's body that it has been stomped.
"Still want to continue the duel?" Mayumi asked with a content expression. "Yield and apologize, maybe I will consider sparing you from the punishments."
"Never!" Satchiko is not willing to give up. If she has to go down, she will do so by convincing her sister to abandon lunacy. She grabbed the fish and wield it like a sword, intending to slap some senses into her sister. "Fortunetelling isn't real. If I say the next second there would be an earthquake, would it happen? I highly doubt it."
The ground immediately shook, they all felt that. Batu felt his head has been knocked by someone. He immediately sat up, looking at Satchiko with fears in his eyes.
The Kyoshi warriors paused their sibling rivalry. They tried to trace the sound, and arrived at the small grassy hill on the other side of the river. Climbing over the steep incline, both of them can see the environment on the other side. A large flat plain, filled with weird round objects stuck into the ground, and a structure that is endlessly very long.
"Mayumi, what is this place? What is that weird long rusty metal thing? And what are those giant stones sticking out from the ground?"
Satchiko's reaction is due to her lack of knowledge of the world outside the island. The endless grassy field had a single structure running from one side to the other. Some sort of old rusty railway that have fallen into great disrepair. It spanned for miles, and she can't even see the end of it. But what further intrigues the mind of the inexperienced Kyoshi warrior are the countless objects around this the railway. They looked like normal coins used in trade, but those are much larger and made of stone. Obviously, no merchant is going to want those things in their wallets.
"Hey look," Mayumi informed Satchiko by nudging the shoulder. "There are some people there."
Satchiko saw them. A small group of scavengers are tearing bits and pieces of the railway track. Placing metal pieces into the baskets on their back, the work appears tiresome and backbreaking. Even from here, the Kyoshi warriors can felt how difficult it must be to work in such conditions.
"Let's go up to them, but be careful." Mayumi warned Satchiko. Here, you must trust no one. But if there is something dangerous around here, it would be better to inform the Khan. Any information from the locals would be useful.
The scavengers noticed them. They didn't appear afraid nor worried. An elderly man came forward, his small and wobbling body made a small wave to signal the warriors that they are friendly.
"Greetings, my name is Mayumi, and this right besides me is my sister Satchiko." Mayumi said in a formal tone, she bowed to the scavengers. Her messy face paint must have confused these people, whom some reacted by giving her weird looks. "We means no harm, we are just asking about what that noise is?"
"Noise?" The old man crackled. "Ah, you mean that rumble sound a few seconds ago! You see, that sound came from Earth Benders , they are fighting."
"Fighting?" Satchiko is confused. "Are they under attack by bandits? If so, we should help them!"
Another scavenger, a middle aged woman, walked up to them. "What are you, born yesterday?" She rudely stated. "Why should we help them? We don't even have enough to feed all the mouths back home, if we stop scrapping the metal here, our families wouldn't have a roof over their head!"
The sentiment was shared by the other scrappers. They all couldn't care less about what is happening somewhere else.
The elder coughed. "What she meant is that the Earth Benders fighting are none of your concern, this always happen around here. You two must be new, so let me explain. This place is called the land of Xuedi, it is a contentious border between the two warring states of Siaw Jong and Jian Sin, those two have been fighting for more than two decades! Two decades! They are like two quarreling siblings, fighting over who is right and who is wrong. What I can say is that those two are idiots, and the only thing they are fighting over are completely pointless!"
Mayumi and Satchiko cannot help but stare an each other. It's just like how they were earlier, fighting over something so trivial.
"Elder, why are the two states fighting?" Mayumi asked.
"Ehhhh," the elder's mind is working a bit slow. "Well, they were actually one state. But since Wu divided them into two independent ones for better governance, those two just suddenly started to fight. Weird isn't it?" Clearly his memories are a bit incomplete. "The United Republic even decommissioned the railway system built by the Earth Empire, which is good because that means scavengers like us can collect the scraps and use it to build our houses! Even better, we can even scrap any mecha tanks and cars left behind by both armies. Any working ones, we bring it home!"
Satchiko smoothed her hands across the railway's rough edged surface. The metal is cold and rusty. She then laid her eyes on the numerous large Earth coins. Judging by the marks on the ground, they have been thrown around constantly, trying to hit something.
"It's quite dangerous, the two armies fight everyday. Sending young men and resources to this place. The governor of the two state cannot agree on a border." A younger scavenger said to Mayumi. He appears to be more knowledgeable about the contexts.
Mayumi nodded. "But where are you from? Which side do you belong? Surely you own your allegiance to one of these two states?"
The scavengers looked at one another.
"Well, we are not very sure," the elder sighed. "Our humble little village is right in the middle of the two state's border. When the Earth Kingdom divided, no one told us which state we are in. So, we just pretend none of it happened, and collect metal to sell!"
Batu arrived, noticing Satchiko is looking any a peculiar object buried underneath a large mossy coin. The entity looked quite old, and the grass nearby is much greener.
"Cool! Traditional Earth Kingdom soldier armor!" The little boy's attention is captivated, and runs excitingly towards the inanimate object. He noticed a conical metal helmet with a spike in the middle. Often times, it is said that certain regions around the Earth Kingdom still retain uniforms designs from the Hundred Year War. And weapon enthusiasts would love to collect them. "Satchiko, come help me! This helmet won't come off!"
Satchiko's feet went cold. "Batu stop, I think that is a dead body!"
It was too late, Batu stood triumphantly as he wore the helmet over his head. Not even ashamed that he is actually robbing from the dead.
"What do you think?" Batu asked her innocently. "It's a bit heavy but I think it would make a nice shield as well. Wait till the others see this!"
Satchiko didn't look, she averted her eyes to avoid looking at the fleshless skull. Both of them went back to Mayumi, who is still discussing with the scavengers.
"Very well then, please stay safe." Mayumi said to the workers. She then bowed at him.
"Oh please, don't worry about us!" The elderly man chuckled. "I have been collecting metal for years. If I know any soldiers are throwing rocks at each other, I would have known!"
Satchiko wondered around the site, the whole field is just a scene of destruction and ruined landscape. While she still does not understand what is the purpose of this long metal endless track, she does felt there is inherently something wrong with people fighting one another. Everyone should be focusing on the bandits, who truly threaten the livelihood of the people.
"I notice the grass in this place is very green. But it's sad to see things like this, people killing each other, over what?"
"You are sulking again, don't do that." Mayumi warned her sister, walking next to her. As Batu further examined his new helmet, Mayumi wanted to spend some time talking with Satchiko.
Both of them looked at the large earth coins imbedded into the grounds. Grass and plants can be seen growing on the earth projectiles, forming mosses. With the right interpretation, an artist can even claim that these earth coin projectiles served as a symbol of division between Earth Benders. As well as a measurement to how long Siaw Jong and Jian Sin have been warring. People who were once united, fighting each other in the endlessly bloodbath.
"Remember this sister, the war between this two Earth Kingdom state is none of our concerns. Solving it would also improve none of Kyoshi island's own sets of problems and challenges. My priority is to make sure you are safe." Mayumi said, refusing to accept any objection from her younger sibling.
"It's not like I can even do anything," Satchiko crossed her arms, hiding her displeasure about this place. "But, I do want to if I have the power."
Mayumi didn't meet Satchiko in the eye, instead, she only continued to rub off her own face paint. So that she may finish the war paint herself. "You remember what the Khan said yesterday night? Maybe he was right, maybe all we needed to do is to protect our own loved ones."
Satchiko look at Mayumi with a surprised look. "But sometimes, it's good to help other people!" Satchiko argued.
"Not if helping others would endanger those closest to you. We are Kyoshi warriors, we protect the people of our island. Our family and friends comes first. As for me, I cannot allow you to be constantly in trouble and risking your life, understand?"
Satchiko couldn't contend with her sister's authority. Unlike their regular petty disagreements, this issue is much more serious. While she doesn't necessarily agree with Mayumi's staunchness, she doesn't disrespect it either. The protection of your allies is important, and risking the lives of your friends to save others could be counterproductive. Which is why she needs to be more careful next time.
"Um, guys?" The Kyoshi warriors noticed the nervousness of Batu's voice. "There is something heading towards us!"
Both sister looked up to the sky, it was a large earth coin.
All three of them easily moved out of the way. But the ground impact of the projectile still managed to dislodge their balance. Satchiko felt dust where red her eyes, she tried to rub it out to no avail.
As Batu air-bend himself onto a nearby earth coin, he can see the direction of where the projectile came from. A large group of uniformed soldiers, and a few mecha tanks painted in dark green are charging forward.
"Kill him! He is a Jian Sin dog!" One them yelled.
"Batu! Your helmet is making them think you are their enemy, take it off!"
"I think it's too late already!" Batu said. The thunderous sound of thunderous multiple mecha tanks are approaching. A few hundred more armored men and Earth Benders also surge towards their position.
The scavengers begin to retreat. "You know the drill, head back to the village!" The elder shouted to everyone. "We will come back later to collect more metal tomorrow!" All of them run off the railway track, and decided to head to the opposite direction of the incoming army. They headed East.
"Wait, there is more of them over there!" Batu pointed at East.
This time, another army is approaching from the eastern side of the field. Light green mecha tanks accompanied by a contingent of infantry is also charging at their position. Satchiko knew what is about to happen, a battle.
"It's those Siaw Jong barbarians!" A light green uniformed man screamed. "Today, they will pay for the sacking of Langshu!"
"Never mind, we will go over to that hill and wait out the battle instead!" The elder directed the scavengers to the very same hill the Kyoshi warriors just climbed across.
Mayumi grabbed Satchiko's hand, and run as fast as she could. "Batu, keep up!"
The Kheshig nomad quickly air-bend himself to safety. Using the technique Sarangerel taught him yesterday, he tried to mimic her swift movement. But at the end, he still settled for running as his skills are not fully adequate. Also because the helmet he is wearing mitigated his maneuvers.
Both armies are now very close. Meeting at the long abandoned metal railway.
A lone Siaw Jong trooper pointed at Batu wearing the light green helmet. "He is running away! Attack!" But the man was immediately squashed by a giant earth disc thrown by the Jian Sin army. It's as if the soldiers would take every opportunity to harm their adversary.
Without speaking a single word. The two armies begin their battle. And immediately, there was a clear lack of tactics from the Kyoshi warriors' perspective. It's just two massive blob of men and vehicles descending into a mindless slaughter, with deadly exchanges of massive earth coins, and mecha tanks unleashing deadly contraptions on the flesh and bones. The uniforms of these warlike men are the same with the exception of color, but their helmets are the similar conical helm designed for pretty much most earth bending soldiers.
The sound of smashes and cries of men mixed together. Satchiko watched the heart wrenching scene from the relative safety on the hill. She and the others can only wait until it is over, any attempts of intervention would only result in their own doom.
There was even a moment when a group of non-bending soldiers went up against mecha tanks with only swords and spears. They have either all been incinerated by the flamethrowers, sawed into halves or even simply being squashed into pulp by the war machines giant wheels. It was a gruesome view from here.
"Take a seat you three," the elder calmly advised the three youngsters. "They won't take long." He then lay down on the ground, and decided to take a nap. "Wake me up till it's over."
The other scavengers also does not appear too disturbed by soldiers killing each other. They begin to unpack their supplies, some even begin to eat dried tofu they have brought here.
"Should we...tell the others what is happening here?" Satchiko asked out of fear. But Mayumi didn't respond immediately, only observed as the dwindling numbers of combatants begin to gradually thin each other out.
"We need to stop them from doing this!" Satchiko tried to approach the two fighting armies. But was immediately stopped when Mayumi used her katana to block the path.
Mayumi shake her head in disapproval. "Don't bother, they will kill you too if you go near them. What you are looking at, is called a war. It's not your place to do anything about it."
Satchiko took a deep breath as she heard the word, war. The concept itself is both familiar and foreign. Goals and priorities stray very far from a Kyoshi warrior's duty of fighting pirates and defending villagers.
...
After the sound of swords clashing, Earth discs smashing and machines roaring have died down, they have concluded that the fighting presumably have ended.
The elder yawned as he rubbed his sleepy eyes. He stand up and lead the others scavengers to the site, which is now filled with even more used massive earth coins. Dead soldiers lying all across the field, some are smashed by earth discs directly. In the face of such monstrosity force, their armor were not enough to protect their flesh.
"Are there any survivors?" Satchiko tried not to stare at the faces of the dead. The fact that she even decided to walk with them here is already too much for her mentally.
"We have to be careful, we might not be their enemies, but that doesn't mean both sides won't attack us." Mayumi have told Batu earlier to put away his new helmet, which to the kid's credit, he did. As the boy used his air-bending to survey the new surrounding, he jumped onto a earth coin to obtain a high vantage point.
"There is a mecha tank over there." He said to the scavengers. The old man and a few scavengers went to the direction Batu pointed. Ignoring the corpses, they looked for any valuables on the scene. The mecha tank itself, while damaged, can provide valuable resources such as copper wires. The remaining fuel can also be sold for money.
"Oh, over there!" Batu squeaked. "I think that is a car!"
A car?
The Kyoshi warriors approached it. It is a military vehicle. Judging by the design, it is manufactured by Future Industries.
"This thing, it's the metal wagon that doesn't need to eat anything to move." Satchiko said as she finally got a chance to thoroughly examine this intricate machine. Last time, she didn't get her chance because the four Green Ribbon needed the armor car to leave town. Like the bi-planes, she still couldn't understand how a combination of metal parts put together can move on its own.
"I think there is something inside the machine that make it works." Mayumi blocked her nose to fend off the nasty smell of oil. There is a leakage of the liquid from the car, which prompted her to pull Satchiko but further away in case something go up in flames.
Batu didn't share the same concern. He took out a small jar and started to collect the oil from the puddle. "I will take some back, Subutai can make more bombs with it."
Just then, all three of them detected a faint call of help.
A man they thought was presumably dead is crying out in a weak distress. His lower body is trapped underneath a massive earth disc. Luckily, he appears to have only suffered from superficially blunt damage. Anymore force from the projectile would have shattered his bones.
"Heeeelpp." He cried weakly to the sky.
"Quick, let's help him!" Satchiko rushed forward without much thought.
Mayumi immediately held her back. "No, let me go first." She cautiously approached the injured man, hands on the katana's hilt. She is wary of the surrounding, while at the same time focused on the tiniest movement of the stranger. If this was a trap, then she needed to be prepared.
"Who are you?" The Kyoshi warrior interrogated the man buried underneath the earth coin.
"Get me out!" The soldier retorted. Mayumi immediately pulled out her blade and point it at him.
"He a sedentary warrior, he could be dangerous, we can't help him!" Batu said. Even until now, Batu still have a hard time with armed men. Yet, it appears that this soldier is anything but dangerous.
"You are not an earth-bender, are you?" Mayumi further questioned.
"If I was one, I would have gotten my self out!" The soldier spatted back. It appeared that arguing with Mayumi have given some energy back to the soldier. Based on his light green uniform, Mayumi know that this is a Jian Sin soldier. But is he honest? If he is bare footed, that means he is an earth bender, and could potentially be dangerous. They don't know since his food is buried underneath the coin.
"Why should we help you?" Mayumi wanted to ask more, but Satchiko pushed her aside and started to lift the massive earth disc. "Satchiko, get back here!"
"Stop standing there sis! Just help me!" Satchiko struggled to even move the coin. It's too heavy. Mayumi rushed over and assisted her. Batu, who is watching, also let go of his cautious attitude. He too came over and tried to lift the massive coin.
All three of them are doing their absolute best, but the coin still wouldn't budge.
"Satchiko, just use your earth bending." Batu stopped as he instantly got tired from the laborious activity. "Just do a few moves and get the guy out!"
Satchiko didn't thought about it that way, simply 'do a few moves' in earth bending sounds even more difficult than defeating the Unagi serpent. "I haven't even grasp the basics yet." She told. "I don't think I can get him out."
"What do you mean you can't get me out!" The soldier cried incredulously. "How old are you? Seven?"
"Seventeen," Satchiko replied, a bit intimidated by the soldier's loud voice. "I'm not good at earth-bending, I only bend pebbles."
The soldier appears extremely disappointed. It is often highly unusual for an earth bender to not even grasp the most basic moves of earth-bending. The worst part is that Satchiko is already a teenager. That earth bending teacher in Ba Sing Se better be VERY good if she wanted to catch up fast.
"Hey! If you want us to help you, maybe try to be a bit nicer!" Mayumi barked at the soldier, who immediately obeyed.
"Mayumi, let me try." Satchiko asked for permission. After receiving clearance, she tried her best to move the rocks. Her face felt stretched as she concentrate her mind, closing her eyes and imagine the rock is moving. She thought about how Lei and other three earth bend. They were fast, but she knew Earth bending may not necessarily have a definitive form.
She can hear the earth being tilted, and stones cracking. "It worked!" She quickly opened her eyes, but disappointed herself as she realized that the massive earth coin was not move by her. It was by a mecha tank and its massive claws, with the scavenger elder piloting it.
"Youngsters!" The elder smiled brightly as he lifted the earth coin. "I must say, it sure is our lucky day. This mechatank is still intact!"
"Did the coin at least moved a little when I was trying to earth bend?" Satchiko asked Batu, she still had a faint hope that she has somewhat improved in bending.
Batu gave her the cruel answer. "Nope, not a single bit. Are you very an earth bender?" He certainly did a poor job to conceal his criticism, but Satchiko prefer his honesty. She is an earth bender, technically. But like a person who is just holding a sword, Satchiko can't cannot grasp it in her hands and use it as an extension of her body. Any skills require practice and learning, and that is what she hope she will find in Ba Sing Se.
The soldier crawled out of the way, he looked around, realizing he is completely surrounded by strangers.
"Thanks, I owe you all one." He said. "If I was found by one of those blasted Siaw Jong men, they would have add another earth disc on top of me!"
The man had boots, so he is not an earth bender. As he attempts to stood upright, his body failed him by taking his strength from him, causing him to fell back to the ground.
"You ok?" Satchiko supported him. She grabbed his shoulder and lifted him up.
"Yes, I need to continue the fight, I have to avenge my-" the soldier felt a sharp pain across his stomach. There is no external bleeding, but that does not eliminate the risk of death.
"We should carry him back to the camp, Subutai can cure him."
Satchiko's suggestion immediately drew Batu's condemnation. He complained about how bringing a complete stranger back to camp would compromise the safety of the Kheshig. But leaving him here may expose him to enemy soldiers from the Siaw Jong side. But Satchiko once again convinced Batu by reminding him of their first meeting. While they both disagreed about how the turtle duck should be treated, it didn't stop Batu from inviting them back to the camp for dinner.
"Ugh fine!" Batu crossed his arms and gave up. Strangely, Mayumi agreed with bring the soldier back. But her reason may not be solely out of compassion.
As the scavengers departed, four of them slowly walked back to camp. On the way, the Jian Sin soldier revealed his name, Liu. There are a million people around the world with that name. His speech is filled with stories about the evil Siaw Jong soldiers, slaughtering his families and raping women. How the enemy state have done everything to inflict suffering on the people of Jian Sin.
"I'm sorry about that," Satchiko emphasized with him. "It must be very hard for you to be all alone."
Liu didn't elaborate further as they approached the camp. The Kheshig people all looked with suspicion as a stranger was brought to town. But this time, it didn't have the sanction of a responsible adult.
"Who is this?" Ganbaatar asked Batu. The guard captain looked at the injured soldier with full readiness, in case this situation went south. "Why have you brought a soldier of a warlord here? You know you shouldn't do that."
"It was my idea captain," Satchiko quickly shifted the blame to herself. "A border skirmish happened and this man is the last surviving man. Is the physician available?"
"Yes, Subutai is in the medical tent." Ganbaatar replied with a more polite tone. "But there is a problem, the tent is running on full capacity now."
Batu looked a bit frightened. "What do you mean? I thought only Amgalan and Khiimori are injured."
Instead of wasting his words, Ganbaatar lead them to the tent. They saw Khenbish and Batzorig carrying buckets of water into the tent.
"Wait, what is going on in there?" Batu immediately opened the flaps to the interior. All of them widened with shock as the whole room is covered with new patients. With the exception of Amgalan and the semi-conscious air-bender Khiimori, the newly admitted sick people all have severe coughing symptoms. Subutai is pacing restlessly around the room, tending to as many people as possible. Sarangerel and a few other girls Mayumi have spoken to even volunteer as nurses, helping to distribute water and care.
"Brother!" Sarangerel called out. She immediately came over and give Batu a hug. "You are back!" She then looked at Liu. "Hold on, who is this?"
"Another patient that needs help." Mayumi answered the question for Batu. Satchiko then helped Liu across the room, they found an empty space on the ground and put him there.
"Well, well, well!" Subutai came over to Liu to examine him. "You don't look too well, at least you are not coughing badly like the others here!"
Mutliple coughs around the room can heard at the same time. The patients ranges from young to old, weak and healthy. No pattern of sickness can be observed except that all of them are coughing non-stop.
"What is this, why is there suddenly so many people? It's not like this in the morning." Satchiko asked the Kheshig girl. What explanation can they come up this time?
"I don't know," Sarangerel said. "When the three of you went to the river, some of people in our tribe became sick. They started to cough and can't even stop. As time goes on, many more people became sick, even mother."
Batu's heart skipped a beat, he quickly surveyed around the room, and found Saran laying on a mattress on the ground. He immediately run over, but was stopped by Sarangerel.
"Let me go!" Batu said.
"We don't know if this sickness is transmissible, so don't get too close! There is a reason why we separated Amgalan and Khiimori further away." Sarangerel then faced the Kyoshi warriors. "All of you should leave as well, we don't want more people potentially catching this sickness."
All three of them headed for the doors, but stopped when they saw Subutai using a large spoon to get water out of a wooden bucket. Liu didn't drink the water, but asked where it is from.
"Don't worry friend," Khenbish approached Liu in a amicable tone. "Me and Batzorig collected this water from the nearby river. There is nothing wrong with it, just that it tasted a bit salty. Have a drink, you do look very thirsty lad."
Liu licked his dry lips with his even dryer tongue. He looked around the room slowly, noticing that the nurses are giving other people the same water.
"No, I don't think I will." Liu's response confused Khenbish. But then, the soldier stood up. He walked wobbling and tried not to fell over.
"Hey, what are you-" Subutai watched as Liu kicked the water bucket over, Khenbish was taken back by this sudden action.
Batzorig tried to wrestle Liu down, but the soldier dodged and the Kheshig warrior tumbled over. Liu continued his quest as he kicked over more water buckets in the room, spilling the river water.
All the patients were focused on him, he has gone mad.
"Liu, stop, what in the world on you doing? They need to drink!" Satchiko reasoned with Liu.
"No they don't!" Liu yelled. He appears agitated, breathing heavily as all eyes are on him. "No one on this camp are to drink the river's water, if you do, you will die!"
Amgalan snubbed Liu, he tried to take a sip out of a cup but his hands were kicked by the enraged soldier.
"Get him!" Batzorig yelled. Multiple men in lamellar armor rushed into the tent. With scimitar drawn, they tackled Liu to the ground and threatened his neck with cold iron blades. After capturing him, they then proceeded to drag him out of the tent.
"I repeat, do not drink the water!"
That was Liu's last line as he disappeared out of the tent. Obviously, Temujin would not be happy when he heard some warlord trooper is disrespecting the Kheshig's only medical practitioner.
"Go after them," Subutai told all the three m and the two Kheshig men. "I will come later."
As Batzorig and Khenbish lead the three of them outside. Batu started to cry. It weird how having a high mental tolerance of death and destruction earlier on the field of Xuedi, Batu suddenly displayed a wave of vulnerability in front of everyone. Only when those closest to him are in danger, do Batu show his true color.
"Mum will be fine, she will recover." Khenbish promised Batu, who can only hope that is true.
Satchiko and Mayumi watched as Batu cried for the first time. To them, they never felt that the insensitive boy is even capable of displaying emotion. But they are wrong. His love for his family exceeds above all else.
...
Temujin hit the table to produce a loud noise. "You got a heart of a Lion turtle!" He said to Liu, who is now forced to kneel in front of a whole council of Kheshig herdsmen and warriors. Usually, describing a person's heart as akin to a lion turtle's is meant as a compliment. In this case, it definitely wasn't used for its intended purpose.
"Um, thank you?" Liu nervously responded.
"Insolence!" Temujin banged the table loudly. Liu flenched at the sound. "You entered our respectable physician's tent, he treats you despite not knowing who you are, yet you DARE disrespect his working station! Now tell me, who are you, and where you from!"
Liu bowed down his head even lower. "My name is Liu, I am a citizen of Jian Sin!l
"Why are you here?" Temujin asked him. "Why are you wearing that uniform?"
"To avenge my family," Liu said with a renewed voice of determination. "My family died when Siaw Jong attacked the town of Langshu. After taking it over, they killed everyone in it...I wasn't there when it happened, which is why I will make sure the people who have done it get what they deserved."
Temujin nodded a few times, appears to be acknowledging Liu's determination. "You are quite interesting for a warlord's lapdog. I admire your spirit kid. I too would love to boil my enemies and their families in cauldron to diminish the pain of my people. But that is a discussion for another day. Tell me, why did you rudely kicked over the water buckets in the medical tent, explain your intentions."
Khenbish coughed a bit, everyone looked at him, expecting that the nomad wanted to say something first.
"Don't worry, my throat felt a bit soar, that's all." Khenbish assured. But it didn't stop Batu and the Kyoshi warriors to worry.
Liu took a deep breath. "If I tell you, would you promise not to harm me? The sickness, it is not my doing."
Temujin nodded once, the whole room's audience waited in suspense. They want to know why this stranger acted so irrationally. Most Kheshigs were not very that interested in this ordinary looking man, they still have jobs to do. Like feeding the bisons.
"The river is poisoned." Liu's didn't drew an immediate reaction, the disinterested audience suddenly opened their eyes wider.
"How?" Temujin further asked, concerned with this allegation. "If it's poisoned, is it serious? Do not leave out any details."
There was slight hesitation in Liu's voice. Satchiko and Mayumi noticed his fiddling fingers. "Do you know why the water tasted salty? Because the upstream are filled with corpses!"
Khenbish suddenly coughed out loudly, so painful that he looked like he is about to die. Batu quickly patted his father's back, and everyone beside him panicked as they realized Khenbish has probably drank from the river. Most of the audience cannot believe what Liu just said. Who would throw dead people into the river?
"Do not worry, you can't get the sickness from the patients. You can't die either, but whoever drinks from the river will be very weakened." Liu tried to pacify the those in the meeting room.
"That certainly is reassuring," Temujin sarcastically said. The Khan then looked motionless. "Hold it, do the water affect animals?"
Liu nodded. "Our livestocks have also been affected."
The bisons are currently drinking the water from the river. Some herdsmen rushed out of the tent, attempting to rescued the bisons and prevent them from getting the same sickness.
Temujin slumped on the table. "This day can't get any worse, could it?"
Satchiko watched Ganbaatar entering the tent. The captain have a alerted face, he have brought news. "My Khan, there are soldiers in dark green uniforms outside the camp, they said they wanted to meet you"
Liu quickly became afraid. But Temujin knew this, he sent Batzorig to escort Liu out to find a less obvious hiding spot. Satchiko can only hope that the man would not be spotted.
"Send them in," Temujin ordered.
Ganbaatar went out of the tent. A few moments later, he came back with five Earth Kingdom soldiers wearing dark green. One of them isn't wearing a conical hat, and appears to be a high ranking officer of sort.
"Well, if it isn't soldiers of Siaw Jong." Temujin casually stated. "How does feel when some fool sits comfortably in his office while all of you drag your feet across bare earth?"
"Perhaps you should watch your tongue, air-bender." The officer said specifically, he probably knew about the Kheshig. "This is Siaw Jong territory now, yesterday we just laid waste to a whole army of Jian Sin, which is why this whole region is under my jurisdiction! We even cleared out an illegal filthy town made of metal scraps. I have received word that a Jian Sin soldier is hiding amongst you. If you are not careful, this puny little camp would be next!
Satchiko gasped as they heard about what the officer said. She naturally assumed that the officer is talking about the home of those scavengers earlier. "You animals! You should be fighting the bandits not-" Mayumi muffled her mouth, preventing the outburst from continuing.
"Siaw Jong and Jian Sin," Temujin lamented on the two name. "Two brothers divided, fighting over something that is completely meaningless. How poetic. Now that I think about it, did Wu drew different maps for your state and Jian Sin? Wasn't that what started the war?"
"It doesn't matter, our border can be drawn by defeating our enemies on battle!" The officer said. "Leave this land, or face the consequences. You are in our territory!"
Temujin stood up, the officer realized the Khan is walking towards him. The height difference between them is obvious, with Temujin towering over him.
"Very well, it's not like we were going to live here anyway. We will leave for Ba Sing Se, after I send you out first!" Temujin used air-bending to push all the Siaw Jong soldiers out the tent. It wasn't a very gentle gesture. They can all hear the painful cries outside as the soldiers gather themselves up.
"Those imbeciles, they are the literal manifestation of what is wrong in this world!" Temujin ranted. He started to drink a bit of fermented milk to quell the stress. "Bring Liu back in, now!"
Without being noticed by the Siaw Jong troopers, Liu was escorted back here.
"They are gone," Temujin said with a solemn voice. "I have associated with too much sedentary people for the day, I suggest you leave too."
Liu got up, he wanted to head out immediately but stopped. "Hold on, where are you going?"
Temujin gave Liu a warning look. "Why would we tell you? We don't even know you that well."
"Please, if you are going to Ba Sing Se, bring me with you!"
"What happened to avenging your family? Don't you want that more?" Temujin questioned.
"I do, but there is someone I wish to meet in the city first. The Judge of Honghai!" Liu's goal brought weird faces upon the people listening. "I don't have the powers to fight my enemies, but maybe he can!"
"You don't look very smart do you?" Temujin said. "I doubt someone like you can convince that man."
As both of them went back and forth about whether or Liu can come with them to Ba Sing Se. The Kyoshi warriors stepped out of the tent. Batu helped his father to walking to the medical tent, they will also inform Subutai about the river's poisonous property.
This sudden outbreak came at a very inconvenient moment. All the nomads are in the middle of packing up their tents and supplies, all so that they can be prepared for their final flight before arriving to Ba Sing Se.
"This is bad, very bad." Khenbish struggled with his speech. "The bisons, the whole herd have drank from the river. We shouldn't have feed them with it!"
"You and the other couldn't have known," Batu argued. He then looked at Satchiko and Mayumi, remembering that earlier this morning both them were near the river. "How come you two didn't get sick?"
Mayumi replied. "We didn't drink it. I actually did wanted to do it."
Although earlier, Satchiko did tasted the water. Luckily, she spat it out before it enters her stomach. If both of them have consumed the river's water, they too would be infected.
...
The bisons' uncomfortable growl can be heard all the way at the camp. The herdsmen came and guided them away from the river, but it was too late. Almost all the bisons are infected, and they begin to display signs of fatigue. Loud coughing sound is also accompanied by uncontrolled gusts of air bursting out the animal's mouth. No matter how hard the herdsmen tried to get the bisons to fly, none have succeeded. The entire advantage of the Kheshig people is to utilize the sky bisons to avoid danger. Now, that part of them is temporary out of action.
The baby bisons, which are usually flying around energetically, are now huddling together. They stick to the ground, not looking too healthy.
"The bisons can't fly like this!" Batu looked dreadfully. "We are almost there to Ba Sing Se's border, and this happens?" He scratched his head to vent his growing frustration.
The Kyoshi warriors can clearly see this terrible predicament. They are exposed to dangerous elements on the road to Ba Sing Se, such as the frequent wars between Siaw Jong and Jian Sin. Walking there poses a huge risk.
"Hey look! Isn't that the old man from before?" Satchiko noticed a group of refugees. It's those scavengers, and they are accompanied by their families. She appears very relieved that they have not been killed by Siaw Jong military.
The elder lost many of his earlier carefree attitude. Alone with the others, they have packed their belongings and went here.
"I guess we can't be salvaging metal forever," the elder gloomed. The tone highlighted his eagerness to find somewhere safe, somewhere more stable. "Are you all going to Ba Sing Se as well? Finding a new life behind the great walls?"
"No, we were doing it so that my two friends can reach there safely." Batu responded. "We are nomads, we might stay at Ba Sing Se for a while, but we will probably leave if there is no more grass for the bisons to graze."
"Your bisons appear sick," the scavenger elder immediately noticed the signs and symptoms of those animals. "Usually we local living in the area boil the river's water before we drink them, you know, kill all those pesky germs!"
"If only we thought about that," Batu grimaced. After traveling over so many places across the Earth Kingdom, the Kheshig have never encountered undrinkable waters. A river can be polluted in many ways. Oil leakage and minerals are some ways which renders the nearby water undrinkable. But infected bodies is a first.
It is inevitable that a war between the two entity would affect the lives of those who are not fighting in the first place.
"I will talk with your leader, I hope he is a reasonable man." The elder said. "If it's fine, perhaps he would allow me and the rest of my people to travel with you to Ba Sing Se."
"It depends," Batu replied without critiquing Temujin's personality. "He looks mean, but he does care about the people close to him."
The elderly man only nodded his head gently. "I will try what I can do." He headed for Temujin's tent, about to discuss with the Khan himself.
What's left here are a whole village of scavengers. Satchiko heard the cries of children, as all these residents must have left in a hurry to avoid destruction. From the beginning of their journey, they have encountered one disaster after another. Almost getting kidnapped, being targeted, and almost getting killed. How much can her mind endure this torture?
"You think we can make it to Ba Sing Se?" Satchiko cannot help but seek a form of comforting reassurance.
"We can, we are almost there aren't we?" Mayumi replied, trying to give a sense of optimism. "You ok?" She asked.
"Mayumi, it just that so many things have happened on this journey, I wish I could forget every bad experience I have on the way to Ba Sing Se. If I have the choice, I wish never set even foot off Kyoshi island." The memory of that dying orphan girl is just yesterday, the face is still fresh in Satchiko's memory.
Mayumi only stood there as she listened to Satchiko's complaints. Witnessing much of the world's cruelty can change a person. "We came so far sister, you can't give up now. I assure you, once we went over the safe walls of Ba Sing Se, you will never have to see innocent people being killed right in front of you again. You will learn Earth bending without worrying a single thing."
Satchiko have a glint of hope in her eyes. Even until now, her more childlike side shows above the surface. "You promise?" She said, pleadingly. "You promise I won't see anymore people getting killed?"
Mayumi didn't say anything at first. Satchiko can sense the hesitation, she isn't totally naive.
"I promise, and I will be there with you the whole time." Mayumi patted Satchiko's shoulder. "That's what big sisters are for right?" She the smiled, which subsequently made Satchiko smile back.
Author's notes:
-Xuedi means field of blood.
-The way how earth coins have plants and mods grow on them is to symbolize how long the war has been going on, which is long. I also find the view of massive earth coins laying across the battlefield as a good way to present how Earth Benders fight, as the coins are present since Avatar Wan's era.
-The long abandoned railway used by the Earth Empire is a good way to show the legacy of the regime. Describing the railway as 'rusty' and 'disrepair' parallels with the disintegrated Earth empire, yet it is still breathing...