Disclaimer: Refer to Ch.1
Chapter 6: Meeting the Fortuneteller
The first of the two was an older woman, who wore a yellow dress and a gold hairpin to hold her gray hair up in its large bun. She gave off an aura of superiority and slight mystery, almost as if she had such knowledge that was known only to her. The second was a girl of only eleven or twelve. She had her black hair up in two thick pigtails that stuck out from either side of her head, and wore a pink dress in the standard Earth Kingdom style. He now knew, from what the older woman said, that her name was Meng.
The older woman took the cup of tea and proceeded over to the prone prince. She kneeled down to his side, and helped him into a sitting position, offering the cup. He weakly raised his arms, taking hold of it shakily with both hands. He brought it to his cracked lips, and let some of the warm liquid slide into his dry mouth. He swished it throughout his mouth to hit everywhere before finally swallowing. He could not describe the glorious feeling of the soothing effect in his throat.
After another sip, he roughly asked, "Who?"
The woman smiled, "It's Wu, actually, and you may call me Aunt Wu. I am a fortuneteller from a village some ways from here. I foresaw your need for aide, and came here. After all, you have not yet reached the end of life's path. Now though I believe we should care for that scar of yours. It seems to be a bit inflamed, no pun intended. Meng, be a dear, and bring the bandages."
The two helped him over toward the fire after wrapping his face so only his right eye, hair, and mouth could be seen, and let him sit against a log. As they began to dish out the stew that had hung over the fire, they were joined by a man in his forties or fifties. He explained that he had driven the cart they'd arrived in and had been caring for their ostrich horses. They returned the saddlebags that Zuko had removed before using his mount to run off his sister's. He wasn't too concerned about having them back. They'd only contained a few pieces of food and personal items, but mostly just some feed for the ostrich horse. The creature was smart, no doubt he would do as he was told and return to the young nurse, Song.
After lunch, Aunt Wu asked, "May I please see your palm, young man?"
Zuko gave her a suspicious look, but raised his hand palm up. She took a gentle hold of his wrist and gazed at the contours. She cocked her eyebrow as she noticed something about his future. It actually took her quite a bit of effort not to lose her composure when she saw it.
Zuko's eye's narrowed further as he growled, "What is it that you think you see?"
"I'm not really sure. Your hands are too roughed up to read accurately." She replied with an innocent smile. "Now, why don't you get some rest so you can head out to join your uncle and the Avatar tomorrow. You can always come see me some other time."
As he laid down rolling onto his side he mumbled, "Yeah, sure. Like I'm ever going to seek out a fortuneteller."
After they were sure he was asleep, Meng asked, "So, Aunt Wu, what did you see?"
She replied with a genuine smile, "Something that so rarely happens, only once or twice in a lifetime. This boy's future is divided into different paths. He has no set destiny, but is actually capable of choosing his future. And some thing not as rare is that one of them crosses with another's that I've already told."
Zuko had woken for dinner, but was asleep again after a few hours of talk with the small group. They spoke of the current events in the world. He'd learned that the incident at the bridge had occurred two days prior. Rumors of a new offensive against Ba Sing Se to be launched from Omashu had reached their small village. The capital was the largest of the Earth Kingdom cities, and if it fell there would be no true chance for the people. Zuko wasn't too worried about the large city. Even with their strongest forces his uncle had only ever been able breech the outer wall. It was likely that they'd wait to start the new siege until just before the comet arrived so that they could again breach the wall and be gifted by the comet once inside. They only had about two months left.
Zuko woke the next morning to find the others preparing to leave. It was only then that he realized that he was on the wrong side of the chasm, something he'd feared when he began the exhausting climb. It would take days to go around, perhaps an entire week on foot. That had been one of the reasons for heading this direction, he'd intended for the bridge to be destroyed, just not like it had been. He was again startled as the driver walked past him to the chasm's edge.
Aunt Wu called from beside the cart, "Did I forget to mention that our driver is an earthbender? Anyhow, he'll create a bridge for you to cross, and don't worry we'll destroy it afterwards so no troops can cross. You did well, your sister shall not find your hideaway."
Zuko watched as with a stomp of the man's foot and thrust of his arm a length a rock extended from one side to the other of the chasm. He adjusted the swords at his side and threw the saddlebags over his shoulder. After a shared nod between them Zuko dashed across, heading toward one of the forks in the path of his future. He looked back as the temporary bridge crumbled, and out of gratitude waved back at the three. Then he turned to move along. He had much to do, and not too much time to do it.