Earth...Fire...Water...Air... This is the age of the new Avatar, and after many years of chaos, the world is poised to enter into a time of prosperity and peace. But every light casts a shadow, and in the days to come, the very balance of the universe will be in danger, and the true purpose of the Avatar will be revealed. The Avatar's name is Usagi, a warrior of love and justice, and despite all the great deeds she has accomplished, her story is not over yet!
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK THREE: DEATH
4: Ports and Portends
King Motoki Furuhata had been waging campaigns against the pirates of the east since the time of Beryl. Despite what the citizens of the Hinterlands would think, he truly did care about his distant properties and did everything he could to ensure even his most remote subjects enjoyed full, peaceful lives. The trouble was that he was not always capable of doing that, or his efforts weren't enough, or his successes never lasted as long as he wanted. For better or worse, Omashu was his primary concern; anything beyond that largely rested on the leadership of various dukes, lords, and other officials (Makoto's own family had been entrusted with maintaining the Kolau region for decades). Sometimes it worked out, and the entire southern Earth Kingdom prospered; other times it didn't, and there was smuggling, infighting, extortion, and piracy.
The Hinterlands had always been a hotbed of duplicitous activity, but now all of that was spilling into the Eastern Air Temple. Minako had seen a taste of it during her sojourn there, and it was largely her reports that compelled Motoki to (eventually) act. The problem was persistent enough to warrant additional allies, and since the Eastern Air Temple also bordered the southeastern peninsula of Ba Sing Se, King Endymion III would be reunited with his friend to hopefully remove this problem for good. The two navies met in the center of the channel between the two kingdoms, one side flying the brown colors of the south, the other flying the green of the north. A gangplank was put between the two flagships to symbolize their unity, and in the center the two kings shook hands.
"It's good to see you again, old friend," Motoki smiled. Mamoru's face mirrored his bright demeanor.
"Yes, it's been far too long. The last time we saw each other was at my coronation, if I recall."
"Indeed. And if I may recall something, Avatar Usagi still owes me a dance." The two laughed.
"Don't tell me that the King of Omashu went the entire evening as a wallflower?"
"No," Motoki grinned. "Fortunately for me, your fire priestess friend was gracious enough to keep me company. I also stole a private dance from my fiancee, whenever I wasn't pressed into service by some elder heads of state."
"Ah," Mamoru sang, raising a lewd eyebrow, "so you prefer the company of older women."
"A good king surrounds himself with wise, experienced people," Motoki countered airily. "But the wind is chill, and I fear we may fall into the ocean if we keep standing here."
"We do seem to be in a precarious position," Mamoru observed. The double meaning was not lost to his contemporary, so he suggested they find more stable grounds at the temple. Most of the ports around the Eastern Nomads' land were either under pirate control or hotly contested, but the two kings were escorted to a safe area on the north side by the local air-benders. Scouts were ordered to survey the island while the two kings and their respective retinues went to the temple. There, they met the resident commander of the anti-piracy forces, a man their age named Boris. When they asked him where the residing Sifus were, Boris met them with a grim expression.
"We had five governing this island. Two were killed during a terrible battle three months ago. One, Mishkin, turned traitor and sided with the pirates, and led an operation to capture another. The Sifu in charge of the southern region is the only one alive, free, and on our side, but regrettably was unable to attend. I stand here in place of the one who was captured."
"I'm sorry for your losses," said Motoki respectfully, and he meant it. The Air Nomads were generally self-governed, seldom giving or receiving help from foreigners unless by necessity. Even so, Motoki knew that he had had the power to stop or prevent these losses, but didn't. Boris just nodded.
"We have given more than we got. The betrayal hurts more than the deaths, to be honest. But you are here now, so maybe there is a chance to set things right."
"We hope so," Mamoru said. "It's in all our best interests to make these waters safe for honest people. What can you tell us of the situation so far?" Boris mentioned that there had always been pirates in the area, but until the time of Beryl, they had been little more than pests that one swept aside every so often. They used to deal exclusively in smuggling, only occasionally raiding the Hinterlands, but now that Beryl and the Tears of Apsu were no more, suddenly there were fleets of brigands wandering around with only their appetites to guide them. In a sense, Beryl had kept the peace by uniting all their forces into a single privateer coalition, and now that she was gone, there was havoc once more.
"Estimates vary," Boris said, "but we count six separate fleets, with anywhere between ten and thirty ships per fleet." Mamoru and Motoki both felt their stomachs tighten. That meant that they could be facing nearly two-hundred ships.
"That many?!" Motoki hissed. Boris nodded.
"It used to be more than twice that number. Infighting has been our best ally, but we have made some account of ourselves, if I may be so bold. Also, my cousin Linka and her friends have been helping recently."
"We've sent scouts of our own to survey the area," Motoki said. "Once they return, I'd like to form a strategy. Where would our navies be the most helpful?" Boris drew out a rolled-up parchment from his desk and unfurled it, showing a map of the island and the seas around it. Various marks had been made, indicating attacks, ports lost or recovered, areas of concern, trade routes, hidden areas, and so forth.
"The east is the most dangerous area," he said, pointing to a coastline cluttered with red marks. "The traitor Mishkin surrendered it to the brigands a year ago, and we lost all control when Sifu Ilyich was captured. The west is still under contention, but is slowly being won back. As you might expect, the activities from the Hinterlands struck there first, and hardest. Our two departed Sifus held onto it fiercely and paid for it with their lives. The south is not much better, but we have fared the best there, excepting the north, which both your majesties have graciously kept liberated."
"At times," Motoki sighed. Mamoru noticed his glum expression and put a hand on his shoulder. Even Boris added his support.
"As Linka would say, 'you do not see me with a gavel, so I cannot judge'. You have done everything that a king could. This island is our island, not yours. And you are here now, so any misgivings you may have will be laid to rest." Motoki nodded slowly, drawing in a deep breath.
"The Hinterlands are my subjects, so I would like to offer my support to the west and south. Mamoru, can I trust you with the east?"
"I'll do what I can," he replied. "If I could have the support of the locals, it would make things easier."
"I can give you better than that," said Boris, smiling thinly.
…...
Mamoru squinted as the air-bison surged onward to the eastern side of the island. The wind seemed focused primarily at his head, piercing his eyes and blasting his hair as he and four other passengers flew toward the eastern side of the island. Some rain had also begun to pick up, and though there was a water-bender in the group, she seemed no more concerned for the weather than the Nomad controlling their transport. Masses of dark soggy hair clung to his forehead and whipped his ears, no matter how low he squatted or what position he took. What a time to regret putting off that trip to the barber. Just thinking about the minor inconvenience of long bangs obscuring his vision made him reflexively touch his chin, feeling the grainy stubble forming. He had shaved two days ago and now all that work seemed wasted. Usagi insisted that he'd look good with a beard, but he preferred a smooth jawline.
Mamoru reigned his focus back to the matter at hand. Boris had been unable to gather much in the way of support for Mamoru as he was sent off to (hopefully) liberate the eastern territory, but he promised that these five teenagers would more than make up for it. First was his cousin Linka, a commander of air-benders whose own prowess was spoken of in high regard. She struck Mamoru as straightforward, blunt, and a little severe, but solid as a rock and twice as dependable. The water-bender of the group was called Gi, an endlessly amiable (and chatty) girl hailing from Motoki's distant swampland territories. She was riverfolk, and they carried a reputation that quelled any doubts Mamoru may have carried.
Kwame was, as earth-benders went, simple and warm with a flair for dignity, quiet leadership, and a shrewd mind. He specialized in sand-bending, which came as no surprise seeing as how he hailed from the Si Wong desert. Then there was Joriah, or "Wheeler" as he insisted on being called, as arrogant and hotheaded as a room full of fire-benders. Mamoru was surprised to hear of his track record—how he had worked behind the scenes during the dismal weeks of Fire Nation persecution, and had helped unify parts of the country after Beryl's downfall. Finally, there was Ma-Ti, whom everyone referred to as "the heart of the group". He had no bending powers but made up for it in warmth, insight, compassion, and the ability to keep his team members together regardless of the adversity they faced. He reminded Mamoru of Usagi: in fact, the whole team made him think of the dynamic that his own traveling companions shared. If they were even a fraction as skilled as Mamoru's five friends, the Eastern Air Nomads had nothing to fear.
"I hope so," Linka said as Mamoru expressed this sentiment. "For too long we have been living in the shadow of these murderers and thieves. The sooner I can see it end, the happier I will be."
"No reason we can't do it today!" Wheeler exclaimed. Linka just scoffed and resumed steering. After a few minutes, Linka announced that they were approaching the contested area and was compelled to ascend, so as to avoid artillery fire. She could deal with archers, but some ships wielded ballistas, catapults, and one even carried a trebuchet. Some had cannons, likely stolen from the Fire Nation, and more than a few ships boasted crews with benders onboard. Linka's expression darkened when she relayed this information.
"The Northern territories had their shame with Beryl. Now the East stains their heritage by helping out these villains."
"Boris said that one of the Sifus turned traitor," Mamoru remarked. Linka scowled, baring her teeth.
"Yes. His name will be stricken and cursed. The monks he swayed over to the side of evil will be cast out of the order if they are not killed."
"Shouldn't they be given a chance to redeem themselves?" Ma-Ti said. "The monks of the Northern Air tribe did that. Once they've seen the error of their ways..."
"Our northern brothers and sisters were brought into evil under false pretenses," Linka argued. "No such deception was perpetrated here. Every single man and woman who turned their robe on the order did so willingly. The punishment must match their decision." Mamoru frowned as this discussion sank in. He could understand the argument from both sides, but this wasn't his country to rule over or change. He came here to protect his people and his neighbors, not make judgments. Soon the bison stopped its ascent; they were now safe from any oncoming fire.
"What's the plan here?" he asked. Ma-Ti gave Mamoru a spyglass and told him where to look.
"Do you see that shoreline? The port farthest north is where the main force is centered. Mishkin surrendered that land in exchange for protection and profits. Now look south. That's where Sifu Ilyich came from. With both the pirates and Mishkin attacking them, they didn't last long, and Ilyich was taken as a hostage. Our goal is to liberate the south, then unite them in a strike against the north."
"Do you know where Sifu Ilyich is?"
"Yes, Mr. Boris received two ransom notes from enemy commanders, with details concerning his location. The third will be his final chance to reclaim the prisoner before he's executed."
"And I take it he opted to rescue Ilyich rather than pay the ransom." Ma-Ti nodded grimly.
"That's where the second ransom note came from...along with the remains of the people who tried to rescue him." Mamoru's face darkened alongside Linka's. Wheeler glowed with disgust while Gi gnashed her teeth.
"Gol-durn gutless murderin' cowards, erry last one," she hissed. Mamoru sighed.
"I was hoping we could rescue him first, but it seems that isn't an option. Tell me, is the southern side smaller?"
"Yes, but not by much," Linka replied. "There is a difference of maybe two or three-hundred people." Mamoru nodded his head.
"Very well. We should focus all our power on stopping the biggest ship first. Cut off their support from land and keep the fighting to the waters. Gi, Linka, and Wheeler should be able to destroy their ships while Kwame and I separate them. Ma-Ti..." He hesitated as he looked into the innocent, benign face of the young man. Ma-Ti met his gaze firmly.
"I can fight. Just put me where I'm needed most."
"Very well," he relented. "You'll be with Wheeler and the ladies. Once you've removed the biggest threat, go down the chain of command. If things get too dangerous, we'll make a tactical retreat and try to draw a few away from the main fleet. Any questions? No? Then prepare yourselves, and may the spirits be with you." In order to carry out this attack, Linka knew she'd have to descend back into artillery range. She warned Ivanushka that he would face arrows, fire, stones, cannons, javelins, and anything else that would deter a flying target. Ivanushka gave her a bold growl, assuring her he that was prepared for whatever fate bestowed him. With that, he burst through the clouds, accelerating exponentially until the force of his descent pushed the air around him. As soon as the mainmast of the enemy flagship was visible, they began firing on him, but he pressed on dauntlessly. Linka swerved him away from the larger projectiles until finally he came within range, pulling up violently, issuing a blast that knocked three smaller ships on their side and nearly shattered the flagship to bits. Wheeler immediately jumped onto the deck, setting everything ablaze. Some of the crew chose to jump overboard rather than be burned to death, but some stood to defend their vessel at any cost. He merely saluted.
"Later, guys!" With a parting grin, he leaped overboard, where Gi bent a wave to catch him and bring him back onto the bison. He sent a stream of fire to douse the rest of the ship, and soon even the stoutest pirates were throwing themselves into the ocean. Mamoru watched coldly as the flagship collapsed into a smoldering heap and sank into the sea.
Five enemy ships closed in, unloading their entire arsenal of cannons. Ivanushka dodged them when he could but got clipped a few times; Wheeler tried shooting them out of the air with mixed success. Gi volunteered to take care of a few, and asked that Mamoru and Ma-Ti cover her. Kwame rode on, disembarking on the beach, where he was surrounded by his natural element. As he called the miles of sand to aid him, Gi had dropped to the ocean below, where she landed gracefully and rode the waves with a dolphin's fluidity. She summoned the sea to rise up and pierce one of the ships, punching countless holes into its hull. As the cannons focused on her, she called on the waves to shield her, then swirled them up into a small tsunami and pushed against the offending vessel, capsizing it. Mamoru and Ma-Ti both found themselves on the deck of the next-largest pirate ship, surrounded by armed and bloodthirsty men.
"We need to clear a path to their coal supply," said the king as he and his partner stared down the horde. "Then I'll be able to really stick it to them. Do you think you can hold off a few and help me—" Before he could finish, one of the pirates leaped at them and grabbed the boy. Ma-Ti crouched with the dexterity of a possum-ape and hurled the blackguard into a group of his friends, then grabbed the next one and tossed him, too. Two more approached, but he pummeled one with three lightning-fast punches to the gut, then grabbed the legs of the other and handily flipped him upside-down. The fracas caused a harpoon to dislodge from its place on a wall, which Ma-Ti grabbed, broke off the steel tip, and wielded with blinding fury, smashing and jabbing the enemies with an exotic martial arts skill Mamoru had never seen. Even the little lemur Ma-Ti kept as a pet joined the fray, biting and clawing at the pirates' faces until they went mad. By the time the pirates had learned to fear him, at least seven of their number lay beaten and unconscious. Mamoru was impressed beyond the capacity for words.
"Well then," he coughed, rubbing his forehead humbly, "never mind."
"Sorry I interrupted you," Ma-Ti said, only slightly out of breath. "What were you saying about coal?" There were still dozens of pirates onboard, but Mamoru only had to clear a few out as he made his way below deck. Ships generally didn't carry much in the way of stone, and this one didn't have any coal—but it did have a garden. He emerged from below just in time to watch Ma-Ti be crushed under the weight of nearly half the entire crew as they piled on him—brave fellows indeed! Mamoru directed the soil he "borrowed" to sweep them away, blinding their faces and choking their mouths. He tossed more than a few overboard and pulled Ma-Ti free, then they joined forces and routed the others. Mamoru immediately took command of the ship and steered it towards the pier, where most of the fleet still lay moored. He then signaled Linka.
"Wheeler!" he shouted as Ivanushka came close. "I want you to set this one on fire, too, but not enough to sink it! I'm going to ram this into the pier and cause some real damage!"
"Whoa, you got it, boss! Just say the word and you've got a sailing inferno!"
"Good man. Linka, could I get you to push this into the pier? Have Gi help you if...nece...ssary..." He trailed off, mouth slacking as the vision of a nightmare bloomed in front of him. Enormous golden arms were sprouting up from the beach, grabbing any ships or boats trying to retreat and either hurling them away or crushing them. On the shore, he could just barely make out the image of Kwame orchestrating this spectacle, bending the sand to his will. A thought crossed his mind as the sand-arms punched a hole through a galleon.
"Belay that, I have an idea! Wheeler, get Kwame over here, and tell Gi to search the wreckage of the other ships for gunpowder! We're going to show those pirates what it means to cross the Air Nomads."
…...
Gi was able to trawl eight barrels of gunpowder onboard, although a few of them were waterlogged. Mamoru directed his team on where to place them, keeping some closed while unloading the contents of others. Kwame helped scatter the powder to key locations while Gi dried them off; soon the ship was half-covered in volatile explosives. Mamoru set the final course and jumped onto Ivanushka, with Linka and Gi helping to steer the ship with wind and wave. At Mamoru's signal,Wheeler lit the sails and stern, then there was nothing to do but sit back and wait. The enemies at the port saw the danger and did everything in their power to avert it: most ran, some tried sailing away, a few opened fire. It did them little good: the ship smashed into their ranks and set off an explosive chain reaction that spread across the entire port, decimating nearly every vessel there. The few lucky enough to escape were either blocked off by Kwame's sandy arms, capsized by wind and wave, or sunk as stones from the bottom of the sea rose up and punctured their hulls. In the span of an hour, the southeastern section of the island was under the control of King Endymion.
The explosions had the additional and beneficial effect of attracting the attention of the locals. Scores of them rushed out of their homes to investigate the ruckus, and were overjoyed to see their oppressors finally getting their comeuppance. Mamoru wasted no time and arranged an on-site meeting to officially return control of the port to its people. He then explained that his next destination was to free the northeast, the most dangerous part of the island, and any volunteers willing to join him would be welcomed. Fifty air-benders and sailors eagerly stepped forward, and ships and bisons were procured. They made a grand procession, and were sent off with cheers and music. With Gi controlling the waves and Linka handling the wind, they came within range of the northeastern fleet within an hour.
"I see two already, directly ahead of us," Kwame reported. "They're small vessels, though, little more than patrol boats."
"Let's show them we mean business," Mamoru said. "Sink them by any means necessary!" Gi's waves toppled one over, while the Nomads shattered the other to bits. There was nothing left to impede them from the main fleet. "Linka," Mamoru called, "tell the other benders and sailors to skirt along the coastline; we'll circle around the far eastern side and surround them. Hopefully it won't take more than a skirmish to coax them into surrender."
"Very well," Linka murmured, "but you do not know these fiends like I do." Bisons and ships hugged the coastline, leaving Mamoru's ship to veer eastward. Several pirate vessels noticed him and made a beeline for the invader, but the Nomads struck first, pummeling one of the larger ships with gale force winds until its masts shattered and it fell onto its side. Wheeler lit up a second; Kwame and Mamoru hurled coals and sand-spikes through the hull of a third; Gi sank a fourth; the enemy ships were cracking and crumbling left and right. This should have been a resounding victory for the Nomads, but something wasn't right. A cluster of sixteen huge galleons emerged on the horizon, initially making their venture seem bleak, but the closer they sailed, the more suspicious they became. There were no arrows being fired, no boats full of pirates going out, no shouts or bells, no movement, nothing. The ships seemed to sail without any regard to their opposition.
"What in tarnation's going on?" Gi exclaimed. She scooped up some seawater and dashed it onto the deck of the nearest ship, but nothing happened. One sailed clear past them without so much as a shiver of its timbers. Mamoru was perplexed. Even if they were preparing for an ambush, they would've had ample time to carry one out. He decided to signal for the other monks to land on one, and asked that Linka check out another, sending Ma-Ti and Wheeler with her.
"Have either of you seen anything like this?" he asked the others. Gi and Kwame shook their heads.
"It's like there ain't nobody home," she murmured.
"That would be my assessment as well," Kwame added. "But why would everyone abandon their ships? Even if this were a ploy to stall or deceive us, it wouldn't make sense to sacrifice their biggest asset—unless Mishkin made some sort of deal with them..."
"We'll soon find out," Mamoru said, keeping a cautious eye on the ships as they drifted around the ocean. He gave a start as a loud shout broke the eerie silence, and steered toward the source. Plumes of fire erupted from one of the ships, Wheeler signaling them. As they drew near, they saw Linka leaning over the side, retching and gagging heavily. Mamoru braced himself for the worst as the gangplank was set.
"It is terrible!" Linka sputtered, choking on her words. She staggered her way across the plank and fell to her knees, heaving and moaning. Mamoru soon found out why: the crew was still onboard, but as lifeless rotting bodies, the Captain's hands forever clutching the wheel as his vacant eyes stared forward. Seagulls were already starting to feast on a few of the corpses. Mamoru covered his mouth with the hem of his cloak, half to keep himself from gagging on the stench and half to mask his disgust and horror. Wheeler was still onboard with Ma-Ti, both turned away from the carnage. They looked up as Mamoru found them, their faces understandably pale and dismal.
"They were like this when we came here," the redhead informed him. "Every single one, dead. Do you...do you think it's the same on all the other ships?"
"It would be a logical assumption," Mamoru said. His eyes narrowed as he considered what all this portended. There had been no report of a battle, either from scouts or townspeople, and he would have heard a calamity of this magnitude en route. It was as if every single crew member, pirate or monk, had simply dropped dead where they stood. He swallowed as he realized an investigation must take place.
"We need to examine the bodies," he said. "I'm not going to ask anyone to help me who doesn't want to. All I need is a strong wind from Linka so I can breathe." Wheeler nodded.
"I'll stay with Linka," Ma-Ti said. Kwame and Gi volunteered to join Mamoru while Wheeler stayed behind. While Mamoru couldn't establish the means behind this mass death, one thing was for certain: none of them died violently. There were no traces of any recent injuries on any of the bodies. Without anything else to go on, Wheeler was asked to set the ships ablaze, and Ma-Ti, gentle heart that he was, offered prayers for all their souls. Linka shivered as she processed all of this; Wheeler cautiously put an arm around her and was not rebuked.
…...
"So that's that," Motoki said the next day, as he and Mamoru exchanged their reports. "The entire west side is free, and I've promised to reinforce security in the Hinterlands. I'm thinking of sending Reika down there. It'll be a great undertaking, but I'm sure she's up to it. It's the sort of thing I would've assigned to you back when you were a Captain."
"Smart," Mamoru nodded. "And the south?" Motoki smiled emptily.
"Some threats still abound, but my people are having fun mopping up. Their spirits were lifted after liberating the Hinterlands. It did them good to save a piece of home, and many have expressed an interest in staying there, either to settle down or help secure it. I'm afraid you've had a worse time of it than I did."
"It wasn't all bad," said Mamoru, sighing deeply as he ran his fingers through his hair. "We completely liberated the southeast, and the north...well, you know. We did find Sifu Ilyich, though, but no signs of Mishkin." Motoki smiled. Ilyich had been kept under careful guard in one of the occupied villages, but without any fleet to protect them, they couldn't offer much resistance once Mamoru's forces arrived. Many of the pirates surrendered, and those who fled were being rounded up. All things considered, the campaign to liberate the Eastern Air Temples was a success.
"The deployment I'm sending down will help with that. He won't be able to hide in the Hinterlands, that's for certain, and going further east will put him in Kinsei's grasp. Frankly, I'd rather face a dragon than have him as an enemy." He and Mamoru shared a soft laugh, and the two kings finally retired to a late (and well-deserved) dinner. The affair was private, just the two of them, and personal, as Motoki had something other than business and duty on his mind.
"I have some good news to share," he began, idly cutting his food into smaller portions. "Makoto and I have been discussing when we'd like to be married. I've been postponing it due to various circumstances, but now that things are starting to settle, it seems like a good time to make our union official."
"Ah. So when were you planning on holding this ceremony?"
"A month from now," said Motoki, chewing some steak. "Makoto and I still have obligations to fulfill, but we've managed to clear some time away. We'll use about three weeks for the wedding and honeymoon, then it's back to the grindstone, in whatever capacity that may entail." Motoki saw the serious look on Mamoru's face and chuckled nervously. "Of course, you'll be my best man..." Mamoru gave an indolent start.
"Hmm? Oh, that wasn't what was concerning me. I'll be there, but how will that affect Mako's position with the Avatar? I mean, if there's a crisis in some far-off land..."
"We've already taken care of that," Motoki assured him. "I'm making her my official Minister of Foreign Affairs. If there's an issue that requires the Avatar's attention, then Makoto can be there to represent her country. I'll have someone I trust keeping an eye on the world, we'll still be married, and she gets to be with her friends. Everyone wins."
"Convenient, but you realize you'll receive criticism for giving that position to your wife." Motoki airily sipped his wine and dismissively patted his mouth with a napkin.
"I'm the King, Mamoru; I can give titles and positions to whomever I please. True, Makoto may not be the most qualified or experienced person for the job, but I trust her as much as I trust you or my sister, and that can go a long way. May I ask a personal question?"
"You've never needed my permission before," Mamoru smirked. Motoki chuckled but soon became grim.
"Who among your retinue do you trust? I mean, implicitly and unreservedly, with the deepest secrets of your kingdom and the innermost workings of your mind?" Mamoru closed his eyes, sifting through all the names and faces he surrounded himself with daily. Nephrite, Wu Yung, various ministers, general, advisors, and staff... Mamoru trusted them, but to the extend Motoki was talking about? No.
"Just you and Usagi, I'm afraid, and all those you two confide in. I'm afraid I can't extend that level of faith to anybody else."
"Well," Motoki said thoughtfully, "that's not entirely a bad thing. To know you can't fully trust someone is better than not knowing. A king should be cautious." He finished his wine, wiped his mouth again, and pushed his plate back. An attendant came and cleared it away; Mamoru was still working through his meal. Motoki leaned forward once they were alone, resting his chin on his folded hands. "I'm not implying anybody within your inner circle is duplicitous, Mamoru. I'm assuming you have no reason to doubt any of their loyalty?"
"No, though a few ministers and advisors seem to cling to their old habits. They give me the same respect they gave to Beryl, which was a considerable amount, but they also tend to think that my policies will be similar to hers, too—for better or worse. And usually they interpret them as worse."
"Give them time," Motoki sighed, "you're still new, and the circumstances surrounding your coronation were...unique, to say the least. Oh, speaking of personal questions, I have more for you."
"Why should I expect only one?" Mamoru gestured with a smirk. Motoki chuckled.
"You fancy the Avatar, yes?"
"That's putting it very mildly," Mamoru answered with all his sincerity. "Truthfully, I'm in love with her."
"I don 't doubt it," Motoki replied softly, his eyes glimmering with dignity. "Would you feel the same if she were an ordinary girl, though, and not the Avatar?"
"I think we can both agree there was never anything 'ordinary' about Usagi, even before she became the Avatar. But yes."
"Enough to make her your Queen?" So that's what Motoki was driving towards. Mamoru had expected their conversation to go in this direction some day, and while he had prepared for it, it still gnawed away at him. He stood up, walked over to a window, and peered out at the temple gardens. Some monks were out on business or pleasure, but most had turned in for the night.
"Mamoru?" he heard Motoki call. "I'm sorry, was that too forward? I just thought..."
"I've been contemplating that very same line of thought ever since the night of my coronation," Mamoru replied, his voice distant and twinged with sorrow. "I've been weighing it carefully—that and my feelings. Every moment I spend with Usagi is happiness beyond description; if I so much as think of her, my day gets a little better. To have her as my wife, my Queen, would be a lifelong bliss. But as you have succinctly pointed out, my friend, she is the Avatar. I'm forever going to be consigned to my throne, while she'll forever be a drifter, wandering from one place to the next. Even at the best of times, our meetings have been as infrequent as...seeing the sun and moon in the same sky. Besides, though Avatars may enter into relationships and even marry, they are never to rule. Kalkin and Kiyone even forsook their nobility. I want to spend the rest of my life with Usagi...but I don't know how that's going to work out."
Motoki slowly approached Mamoru, stood next to him, and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, in what he could only hope was a gesture of comfort.
The end of "Ports and Portends"
Next time: "Sky and Sea"