A long time ago, the Avatar disappeared without a trace, and with the absence of any successor, the world was gradually thrown into chaos. Governments became unbalanced, spiritual and natural disasters spread, and war sprang everywhere.
In the face of this unprecedented crisis, Fire Lord Kuni declared that he would assemble a party to search for this Avatar, but many nations feared this as a prelude to more aggressive actions, and moved to subdue this threat. Amidst the chaos, two young women managed to escape, and with their allies, embarked on a long journey that would hopefully lead them to the new Avatar, the only one who could restore order to the world…
AVATAR
The Celestial Sailors
BOOK ONE: CHAOS
8: A Journey Suspended
"He's not dead," said Rei, her fingers pressed gently upon the side of King Motoi's neck. She let out a sigh of relief which was shared by everyone. "But he's in very bad shape. We need to take him to a healer as soon as possible."
"That's something we all need," Minako grunted. Although her own bruises and cuts were not easily dismissed, several others were in much worse condition: Makoto and Mamoru had both been hit by arrows, Rei had a gash on her forehead that was bleeding despite the bandages, and Usagi was still cut and bruised from a previous fight. Two of the king's retinue were dead; few had escaped unscathed. Minako smiled pathetically. "Does anybody know where the closest clinic is?"
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy," Rei said, wiping a trickle of blood off the bridge of her nose. "Those arrows were poisoned. I don't know much about toxins, but I know their work when I see it."
"You're kidding!" Usagi gasped. "Is he going to die?!"
"No…at least, not for a long time. If they had that kind of poison, we'd probably have three—I mean…I'm sorry." She cast her face aside, not wanting to bring any more bad news to bear. She was going to say, "we would have three dead people". Mamoru, whose face was ashen and slick with sweat, trudged closer, the arrow still lodged in his arm.
"Then do you know where we can take him?"
Rei shook her head. "I'm familiar with plenty of people who could cure him no problem, but they're all in the Fire Nation. Isn't there anyone in Omashu?"
"A few specialists, yes. But we shouldn't visit them unless all our other options are exhausted. If word of this got out, it would create great unrest with the people."
"No kidding. Oh! What about the king's personal physician?"
Mamoru's countenance became even more grim. Minako got Rei's attention and pointed to one of the retainers who had been killed in the fight. Nothing else needed to be said.
"I think I know of someone," Usagi said, as the silence and severity of the moment lingered. "It's a long shot, but she's a miracle-worker! I saw her sometimes whenever my family stayed with the Northern Water Tribe. Her name was Mizu-something."
"The Northern Water Tribe is further away from us than Omashu," Rei said. "Even if Artemis flew at top speed, it would take us days to get there. By then, the king would..." She clammed up and looked away grimly. The entire group was silent; it seemed returning to Omashu was their only hope. A pained voice arose, trembling and weak. It was the king's.
"We will go to the Water Tribe."
"My king!" Mamoru was at his side, clutching his hand. Motoki's face was white as milk, slick with the sheen of perspiration. His eyes were bloodshot as the poison slowly worked its way through his body.
"This arrow...I recognize it. The people who attacked us...were very clever...in concealing...their identities. But they couldn't hide everything: this arrow...is from the...Water Tri..." He passed out again. Cautiously, Mamoru broke off part of the arrow and examined it. The signs were very subtle, but to a trained eye like his, they may as well have been in glowing large print. A cursory examination of the dart in his arm confirmed it.
"Water Tribe Arrows. But how could they..."
"It was General Zoicite," said Usagi. "I...I don't have time to go into explanations now, but he was the one behind this attack."
"Usagi, are you sure?" Minako said; the other girl nodded. "If that's true, then the Northern Water Tribe is the last place we should take him. Zoicite's people will be on us the moment we arrive."
"I think his highness meant for us to go there and investigate the matter ourselves," Mamoru said. He winced in pain; as he clutched his arm, blood pooled beneath him. "In any case, we have to go somewhere. I hate to bring this group into any danger, but if we are to make any progress...and if it is the king's wish...then we must leave for the north." This was agreed by everybody; now came the issue of who should go. Mamoru must accompany the king; Usagi was the only one who had been there; Minako wanted Motoki to have another friend with him; Makoto joined them without saying anything; Rei obviously had a deeply-vested interest in these affairs. The king's remaining attendants and guards were told to quietly resume their trek to Ba Sing Se, and to send a message back home saying all was well. With any luck, they would meet up again a week or two later.
"Okay, Artemis," Minako said, pressing her hand into the air-bison's fur, "I need you to fly faster than you've ever flown in your life. Motoki's life is on the line." Artemis gave an affirming howl, and vaulted into the air with such speed that everyone was pressed down, and more than a few stomachs churned. The bison pierced through the sky faster than an arrow in a flight, like a peregrine chasing prey, like a star shooting through the heavens. The wind was almost too intense to bear; everyone had to hunker down to avoid being shredded by the torrential gale. Those who were not seriously hurt surrounded Motoki and Mamoru, and did their best to comfort them. Mamoru refused everyone, saying that the king was more important, but Usagi remained by his side. The barb and tail of the arrow had been broken off, but the shaft remained embedded, presumably to keep the bleeding from getting out of control. Usagi stared at it nervously.
"Mamoru," she said with quiet intensity, "we have to get that out. You'll get infected."
"I know," he grunted, "but I think it grazed a vein. If we remove it...I'll be done for before we get there." Usagi froze, racking her brain for ideas, finding it—and herself—useless and frightened. Rei shifted over to join them.
"I can cauterize the wound, but it's going to hurt."
"Cauterize it?" Rei looked at them gravely as her hand glowed with fiery energy. Usagi swallowed. It wasn't her arm on the line, but she still didn't want to think about it. "Ho, boy."
"Would you be okay with that?" Mamoru took a deep breath and braced himself.
"Do it. I can take it." Before Rei started, Makoto gave him the shaft of an arrow that had been caught in her ponytail—a lucky talisman, apparently-and told him to bite down on it. Usagi reached for his hand and held tight; Mamoru clamped down on the shaft as Rei counted down, removed the offending piece, and covered the hole with her hands, igniting the gentlest fire possible. Mamoru's teeth almost bit the arrow in two, and he nearly broke Usagi's hand, but when it was over, he looked intensely relieved.
"I'm sorry," Rei managed. He smiled at the two girls.
"Well...that was probably the worst pain I've ever been in. But it was quick, and I do feel better. Ah, my lady..." He let go of Usagi's hand, looking more pained than he had a moment ago; she just blushed and offered a feeble smile.
"Ah...it's okay. It...doesn't hurt that bad. Wow, you've got a strong grip."
"So I have been told. It would seem I owe you an inestimable debt, though. Consider...my services...yuh..." He passed out, but it was just a faint, and Usagi was there to see that he was properly nursed. Rei had watched some of this take place, whenever she wasn't concerned for her next patient, and couldn't help but smile warmly. She gave Minako's shoulder a tap once it looked like things were settling down.
"Just how long will it take us to get there?"
"I don't know for sure. On average, Artemis might take two or three days. If he keeps this pace up, we'll be there by this evening."
"Has he ever done that, though?"
"I've never pushed him that hard. I've never needed to. I'm helping as much as I can, but I don't know how long we can last before he needs a rest." Rei nodded solemnly. Despite suffering through the barb in her flesh, Makoto still tried comforting Motoki. Rei couldn't help but wonder why she should care so much for the king, but now wasn't the time for such trivialities. This was a time for healing, and if her priestess training ever meant anything, now was the time to use it.
…...
General Zoicite was staring out at Omashu as dark, dismal clouds hung over it, casting a cold, bitter shadow. He only had two days left until he was obliged to leave the city and return to the Water Tribes, but he was not misusing his time: he wanted to study Omashu, to see as many of its faces as it could show, to understand its vices and virtues—because one day it must all come in handy. His people were out making use of its amenities, gathering information, learning things about the city that no book or scroll or rumor could convey. A spy wouldn't have been so effective; he mused on this in particular with a chuckle. Omashu was laid bare, and it was all his for the asking! But there were other things he was watching for besides the heartbeat of the city, and one of them was flying his way. He raised his arm, accepted the eagle, and dismissed it as he palmed the little scrap of paper rolled onto its talon.
The message would be in coded gibberish for any eye but his own, in case it was intercepted. Even so, he made sure he was completely alone before opening it. The letter tersely informed him that all the disguised soldiers and officers he had sent to ambush the king were killed, save one whose orders had been to observe the battle from a distance. It went on to inform Zoicite that, while the King had managed to escape with only two of his retinue dead, he had been severely injured by a poisoned arrow—and a doctor was one of the casualties. The letter did not specify which direction the king had went after the battle, but unless he was suicidal, he would probably return to Omashu and seek another physician.
Well. Well, well, well. Grim news, but at least Motoki would be incapacitated for the near future—weeks, perhaps, if Zoicite's poison had done its work. In the end, this gesture had bought nothing but time. There was also no word on that blonde girl who had been invited to the banquet, nor of her tomboy companion. Zoicite highly doubted they were still alive, but as long as he was uncertain, he had to assume the worst. In all likelihood, they had escaped to warn Motoki and his band. Well.
Queen Beryl would not be pleased with that. No siree.
How to use this to his advantage? Lying to the Queen was pointless; she had all the resources of the Earth Kingdom at her disposal, and more. But did Zoicite have to report to the Queen immediately? He still had "official business" to take care of in Omashu; he wouldn't be able to get away for some time. He could probably shift things around in his favor before he was obliged to return home. Perhaps he could curry some favors, or put himself into other people's debts, or...ah! But of course. If King Motoki was forced to return home—and Zoicite had no reason to believe he wouldn't—his physicians would attend to him. He could very easily make it back before Zoicite left; the General would then offer his services—really, the services of his people—to see that the king got the best of care...for as long as it took.
Or rather, for as long as necessary. Yes, yes...not too bad a plan.
There was always the chance that the king would go somewhere else, of course, and with Zoicite's poison pumping through his blood, that left him few havens for recovery. The Fire Nation's doors were closed to him; he'd be in no condition to make his inquiry at Ba Sing Se; the Air Nomads would probably receive him willingly, but they were itinerant, and difficult to track down. There was also the possibility that Motoki would conveniently walk into Zoicite's territory and offer himself up to the Water Tribe. They could certainly cure his wounds, and in all likelihood, Motoki had no reason to suspect any foul play. No, not from his esteemed guest! He could trust General Zoicite!
All the same, Zoicite sent a few of his spies to the Air Nomad temples, and even sent a messenger to the Fire Nation, on the off chance that Motoki's sanity was affected by the poison. In the meantime, he would avail himself of the king's hospitality, biding his time until some good news rightfully fell into his lap.
…...
The urgency of their mission, combined with dire concern for her friend's life and the chill of the rushing wind, all kept Minako awake far longer than she was used to, but even all that could not prevent her from becoming drowsy, then weary, then exhausted. Artemis had it much worse than her, forced to bear so many over such a long distance, and at such a breakneck speed; he was descending fast, utterly spent, kept aloft only by his waning animal strength. At last they were brought down, plummeting into the frozen northern waters. The icy splash awoke Minako and revived her a little, but Artemis was too tired to care, and settled into a doze as he drifted. Minako called out to him, and though he stirred a little, it was no use. There was nothing but sea on every horizon.
"Sorry, everyone," Minako said to her passengers. "It looks like we need to rest here. Artemis is just too worn-out to move."
"I didn't think we'd make it all the way there in one go," Rei said softly. "Do you know how much more we have left?"
"I honestly don't even know where we are. Usagi's been helping me navigate." They looked to the other girl, who had long ago succumbed to slumber. Waking her proved difficult, even in the cold, and it was awhile before she could give a lucid answer:
"We've been going north by northwest for as long as I can tell. If the sky could clear up a little, I could give a better reading. It's so overcast that I can't even see the sun."
"We can't stay here long," Rei said sternly. "His highness is barely hanging on as it is. I'm doing all I can, but..."
"Look, it's not up to me," Minako offered helplessly. "Artemis needs to rest, and that's that. I've already pushed the poor fella more than I should have."
"How long will it take?" Rei said impatiently. Minako snapped back at her.
"I don't know, all right? Look, unless you all want to get out and paddle, I suggest we use this time to rest ourselves! I could barely keep my eyes open for the past hour."
"It won't do us any good to fight," Makoto said weakly, one hand over her wound and another grasping Motoki's. "Mina's right, Rei: we need to rest. Motoki's tough; he'll pull through. In the meantime, we should at least be grateful that Artemis has a big, fluffy coat, and we still have a few supplies. At least we won't starve or freeze for some time." With that said, the debate was ended, and everyone took a quick nap. They were awoken about two hours later, when Motoki let out a nauseating scream. This stirred Artemis, who pushed on instinctively, though he barely hovered over the water, and never regained his full speed. Rei resumed her care, but the skies remained clouded, and though a few glaciers passed them by, Usagi couldn't recognize anything. Wherever the sun was, it was setting soon, and however cold the day had been, night would likely be fatal so long as they remained exposed like this.
The skies cleared up a little, but only in time for the sun to sink. Still, there were a handful of bright stars that pierced their way through, and Usagi could get her bearings straightened. They hadn't veered very far off course, thankfully, and it took no time to get back on track. Rei wanted to light a fire to guide them, but the wind was obstinately blowing in their faces, despite Minako's best efforts. She let a single fireball loose, hurling it in an arc directly in front of them, where it fizzled into the sea. She shot two more, as far as she could, before Usagi perked up.
"I saw something—a big mass of land, I think, or a really big glacier. It was far off, though. It's too dark to know for sure, but...I mean, it's better than nothing." That it was, and though Artemis slackened again, now skirting against the freezing ocean like a great skipping-stone, he plodded onward until he could manage no more. Rei sent out one last desperate fireball and found that the mass of land Usagi had spotted was now close enough for all of them to see.
Weary as they all were, it lifted their hearts to see distant bonfires twinkling on that shore.
…...
If the people of the Northern Water Tribe had come to them as bitter enemies, fully armed and ready for battle, it wouldn't have made any difference: the company was too wounded, too cold, and too bone-weary to put up any resistance. As it happened, several people in the boats that sailed out to greet them were armed, but their caution was understandable given everything that was happening in the world. In any case, friend or foe, they took the group into their care, offering them shelter and food. There was one among them who, while not yet old enough to be considered a Chieftain, was nevertheless a figurehead of authority. She was brought out as soon as it was clear there were wounded in the group. She noticed King Motoki immediately and ordered her aides to carry him to her medical yurt; the others she sent to other tents. Usagi approached her, having recognized her.
"Hello, ma'am! I'm glad you're still here! Do you remember me?"
"Are you injured?" she asked.
"Um, just a little, ma'am."
"Then you're in the way. Go see the trainees in their tent; it's the black one with a small fish painted on its sign."
"I know a little medicine, ma'am," she said, but the older woman paid her no mind.
"Please let me get to my work. The longer I'm delayed, the less chance they have of making it." That shut Usagi up good and proper, and she reluctantly obeyed. The trainees' yurt was mostly populated by girls much younger than her, lorded over by a single teacher. Minako was there, being tended to while she slept; Usagi sat close to her, feeling pensive. The girls put her more on edge as they giggled and tittered amongst themselves, but were eventually reigned in by their teacher, who put cold but soothing hands over Usagi's wounds.
Rei had been conscripted by the head doctor to help heal Motoki and Mamoru, while Makoto was consigned to one of the trainees. This girl was exactly the same age as her patient, a timid and soft-spoken lady who nevertheless had as much healing in her smile as she did in her hands. She asked Makoto's name, where she came from, what brought her there—which Makoto was not yet ready to divulge. The other girl politely apologized and agreed it was none of her business.
"Still," she said as she slowly closed up the largest wound, "I must admit, it's unusual for us to receive so many visitors, at such a late hour, without any prior notice. Mother didn't say who our unexpected guests were, and it's a doctor's code of confidentiality that keeps us from prying, but one notices things. An air-bender, a Fire Priestess, one with the bearings of a king, his loyal attendant... Forgive me," she stammered, smiling bashfully, "I really shouldn't be so nosy. Ah, and that's done." The girl was a certified water-bender, and a first-rate healer at that. She had barely begun to work her skill and already Makoto could feel herself invigorated. All of the minor cuts and bruises she had built up over the last few days were gone, and even their scars were beginning to fade. Makoto gave herself a cursory examination, and was impressed.
"Wow, you're good. It's hard to believe you're still just a trainee." The girl smiled humbly.
"I just need more experience. You're the first person outside of our tribe that I've tended to."
"Ya coulda fooled me!" Makoto grinned, flexing her muscles. The other girl blushed and looked away. Idling for a moment, she regained her composure and summoned another flow of water from a vase in the corner; it contained the purest water the Northern Tribe had, and though it was bracingly cold, was quite effective. Makoto squealed, but took it like a champ.
"Sorry, I should have warned you. The next one's going to be warmer." She gestured over to a pot that had been bubbling over a fire, summoning a strand of water and guiding it over Makoto's wounds. She repeated this two more times, offering her patient a drink when she was done. The water was lukewarm but somehow refreshing.
"Thanks. So what's your name?"
"Ami—Ami Mizuno. The head doctor in this village is my mother."
Blackest night turned to brightest day, with most of the visitors rested and refreshed. Mamoru was still undergoing treatment for his wound, but he was well past the critical stage. Motoki, however, still required more time to heal; the head doctor had taxed herself draining the poison from his body and had to rest while other doctors took over. Usagi was finally allowed to visit Mamoru, and they were given a precious moment of privacy to say whatever they wanted to each other. Their exchange was known only to them; they smiled at each other, and Usagi took the hand she had been holding when the arrow was withdrawn.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, gently pressing his other hand to it. She smiled and shook her head.
"Nah, it's nothing. I was just about to ask you the same thing."
"The pain has diminished considerably," he said. "I have many people to thank for that—not the least of which is you, my lady."
"Oh, come on," she tittered nervously, "I didn't do a thing. If anyone's the hero here, it's Rei."
"All the same, my lady, I thank you." They smiled at each other; Usagi took a breath, wanting to add something, but one of the doctors slipped in and began their administrations. She respectfully gave them space, but kept watch over him, her smile never fading. The warmth from his touch remained.
Outside, fully healed, Minako was peeping through an opening in the yurt, watching Mamoru and Usagi's exchange with increased interest. Rei was beside her, officially on leave, angry at Minako for spying but angrier at herself for being talked into it.
"We shouldn't be doing this. I'm sure other people could use our help."
"Will you relax? They're just getting to the good part! Ooh, this is better than a play!"
"Someone's going to catch us! And...besides, aren't you worried about your friend the king?"
"He seemed fine the last time I checked in," she waved dismissively. Minako gasped and opened the seam a little more; Rei grunted and shoved her aside for a peek.
"Girls!" They both shrieked and jumped as the voice called out to them: it was the village chieftain, a short but stern-looking man with a face as wise and wrinkly as a tree. He walked with a stick, but given his posture, he probably used it for other things besides getting around. "What are you doing here?!"
"Ah...we were just...uh..."
"We wanted to see...how...um..."
"You wanted to spy on Water Tribe boys, is that it? Well, sorry, but most of them are either training or hunting. If you can't make yourselves useful, then make yourselves scarce."
"But we were just—"
"Yessir, right away, sir," Rei exclaimed, slapping her hand over Minako's mouth. She hastily apologized and dragged her protesting friend away. Meanwhile, making sure nobody was looking, the chieftain peered through the hole.
"Aah, so that's what they were interested in! Hmm...maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on them. This is really interesting stuff!" He laughed slyly to himself and continued to observe Usagi and Mamoru's exchanges.
"Chief Oomari!" The chief shrieked and jumped as a voice snapped at him: it was Dr. Mizuno, arms crossed and glaring. "What are you doing here?!"
"Ah...I was just...uh..."
"Spying on the newcomers, huh? Shouldn't you be out teaching the boys? If you can't make yourself useful, then make yourself scarce." She then pulled him away by the ear, much to very familiar protesting.
…...
Two days of rest and recovery passed; it felt like Rei, Usagi, and their growing entourage had been doing nothing but running, fearing for their lives, and defying gruesome fates nonstop ever since the tournament, so it was a blessed relief to stop and breathe even for a short moment. Makoto recovered very quickly, but Ami still found excuses to be around her: she had become enamored with the powerful, cheerful girl, and hung on her every word as she talked about life in Omashu, and cooking, and chopping wood, and failing completely as an earth-bender. No detail was too insignificant; even her silence, her mere presence was a pleasure. She got to know all the other girls, too, but try as she might, she couldn't tear herself away from Makoto.
"Yeah, Mina and I go way back," she heard Makoto say as they took a leisurely walk. There were great evergreen forests bordering the village, and Makoto had volunteered to cut (or rather, bend) a few down as repayment. She hefted a pile of firewood in two arms, and tied to a band around her waist was a small tree she was dragging, a detail that astonished Ami. She continued, undaunted by her enormous burdens: "We've known each other since we were little kids. Her air temple and the royal family have been on good terms for ages—I mean, Omashu's royal family—so she and I were pretty much destined to be pals. The girl's practically my sister."
"I wish I had a close friend like that," Ami smiled wistfully. Makoto looked at her.
"Hmm? Don't you have any friends here? It seems like a close-knit community."
"It is, and I do have friends, but I don't have any...history with them. I'm not close."
"Oh. Well, to be honest, my list of actual friends is pretty slim, but the ones I do have I love. I guess Usagi's my friend now—goodness knows we've been through enough already. Hey, she said that she's been here before. Did you know each other back then?"
"I don't think so. I was probably too young to remember, but it's possible." Makoto shrugged.
"Anyway, Mina's great. Usagi reminds me of her a lot: they're both really brave, and kind, and good for a laugh. It looks like I'll get to know Rei a bit more in the future, too, so I can't wait for that." They stopped and Makoto relinquished her burden, which took three fully-grown Water Tribe men to haul away (mostly for the tree). She asked if they needed any more firewood, which they didn't, and then volunteered to go fishing. They explained to her that her debt had been paid, but she loved to fish, and had never done it in the ice—and besides, she was hungry, and wanted to see what kind of bounties these northern seas had to offer. The men applauded her enthusiasm and loaned her any tool she wished. Ami, naturally, came along with her.
"Are you sure you're not busy? I mean, I appreciate the company and all..."
"I have a little more spare time," she answered, trying not to blush. "Besides, I'd like to know more about you."
"There's not much to tell," Makoto shrugged as they embarked on their new mission. "I think we've already gone over the basics. I play rough and hard but I also love dressing up and cooking. I'm a tomboy who loves frilly dresses, cleaning, sewing, fashion, all the girly stuff."
"The best of both worlds," Ami laughed. "But I was curious about what brought you here, and what plans you had for the future. I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
We don't have to talk about anything, she thought to herself as she stared up at the beauty. I just like being with you. We could just sit together and fish and I'd be happy.
"I'm more or less in the dark myself," Makoto admitted. "You'd have to talk with Mina or Usagi for that." Ami actually knew of one or two popular fishing spots and led her companion to one of them. It was completely frozen over, so Ami bent a hole in the ice large enough for a respectable game fish to be hauled through. Makoto thanked her, impressed by the girl's effortless skill, and they sat down together.
"As for my future..." She trailed off, her eyes becoming vague as she stared into the water. "I kinda want to stay with the king. He wanted to go to Ba Sing Se, so I guess that's where I'll go once he's healed up. You know, I really owe your mother a lot. She's the most remarkable healer I've ever seen."
"She is wonderful, isn't she?" Ami said quietly. Makoto gave her a sporting smile and nudged her.
"You're pretty talented yourself! I should know, what with all the bumps and bruises and cuts I go through on a daily basis. Taking care of Makoto Kino is not an easy task."
"Maybe not, but I enjoyed it." She blushed again, not caring whether anyone saw it or not. Makoto was transfixed on her work, though, and was ready to bring up her first haul. She toyed with the fish for awhile before reeling it up out of the water: it was a lovely char, glittering silver and red. Makoto cheered as she held it up, but her smile sobered as she saw something murky in the far distance. Ami spotted it, too—as did the town watch. A minute later, the alarm sounded—not an alarm for an unknown vessel, or even a friendly one, but rather one that the village would know, and were not sure whether the visitor boded good or ill.
Saeko Mizuno, stepping out of the medical yurt to see the commotion, extended a telescope her daughter had made, and stiffened as she recognized the flag waving on the approaching vessel. Those were the colors of General Zoicite—and he wasn't alone.
The end of "A Journey Suspended"
Next time: "Zoicite Strikes!"
