Published December 17, 2017
"For a Moment"
And while we cannot see a way to survive, we hope that you may. We hope that you will go swiftly to the cause of the trees' sickness and find a cure; we hope you will invent a means of dealing with the tualapi, who are so numerous and so powerful.
And we hope you can do so soon, or we shall all die.
There was a murmur of agreement and approval from the crowd. They were all looking at Mary, and she felt more than ever like the new pupil at a school where they had high expectations of her. She also felt a strange flattery: the idea of herself as swift and darting and birdlike was new and pleasant, because she had always thought of herself as dogged and plodding. But along with that came the feeling that they'd got it terribly wrong, if they saw her like that; they didn't understand at all; she couldn't possibly fulfill this desperate hope of theirs.
But equally, she must.
~ Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass
Tonraq reads the transcript of Korra's speech aloud at breakfast. He does not read the very end of the article, which recounts Amon's response. The manipulative coward's final words make Tonraq crumple the page in his hands; he lays it on the floor and smooths out the wrinkles so Senna can cut out the article as a keepsake.
The real treasure is the telegram Korra sends, which they receive later that day. From Avatar Korra to her family with love. Glad to learn you are well. Started training. Staying here until war ends. Hope to see you after. Be safe. After Tonraq reads it aloud, he and Senna and Damasak take turns reading it to themselves, hanging on every word. It is hard to discern her personality and emotions in such a sparse method of communication.
After consulting the local chieftains, Tonraq and Senna arrange a meeting at their house. Word of it spreads so quickly they do not need to run an advertisement in the local papers or radio station. The people of the South are intensely curious about the return of the Avatar and her affiliation with their home.
It would be considered inhospitable to invite people without providing sustenance, so Katara and Kya help Senna make kale cookies, sea-cucumber sandwiches, and other finger foods. The house has never held so many people at once: dozens of friends and acquaintances, and even some who are only vaguely known to the family. Varrick and some of the tribe's wealthier and more powerful figures come, sparking curiosity and annoyance in many other guests.
The parents of some of Damasak and Hanami's classmates come, some with their children. Damasak and Chibok look at each other from across the room. Damasak folds his arms and gives the smuggest smile he can muster. The children refuse to be left out, so Katara settles into a rocking chair with Hanami in her lap, and Damasak sits on the floor next to them.
Tonraq calls the meeting to order. "Thank you for coming, everyone. I know news about our daughter, Korra, has been spotty. I'd like to clarify what she intends to do, and what I intend to do." He looks to Senna, who nods and addresses the assembly.
"Korra is staying in Republic City. She's started her Avatar training under the White Lotus, but she's also trying to resolve the city's conflict with the Equalists.
"I've spoken with the Council of Elders," Tonraq says. "We plan to ask Chief Unalaq for permission to assist Korra in the fight against the Equalists. If he grants it, Master Kya and I will both go to Republic City, and we invite anyone with military experience to accompany us."
Kya explains "Waterbenders will face a slightly greater risk, namely the possibility of losing their bending. Non-benders, or anyone trained in martial arts that don't require bending, will be particularly valuable, since chi-blocking won't inhibit them in a fight."
Chibok's father interrupts. "You want us to travel half a world away and risk our bending for a girl we don't know?"
"She may be a stranger to you," Kya says, "but she's also your Avatar."
Tonraq intervenes. "But this isn't just about helping my daughter, or our Avatar. If the Equalists take over the United Republic, then they will move on to the other nations. We cannot wait until they move so close that we feel endangered. If you won't fight for Korra, fight for yourselves, your families, your way of life."
Kya holds out her hands in supplication. "We're all part of this tribe. We pride ourselves on our willingness to help each other, because that's what enables us to survive. If we don't make ourselves available to one of our own, how can we call ourselves members of the Water Tribe?"
Katara smiles, seeing something of herself and her father coming through her daughter: a rallying speech, an appeal to community values, an encouragement to rise and do what is right.
"I've got a battleship," Varrick volunteers. "I can provide transportation and ammunition."
"I'm coming too," Katara announces. The other adults turn their heads toward her incredulously. "Not to fight," she reassures them. "My days in combat are over. But I need to talk to Korra and Tenzin and Lin."
"Can't you just give us a message to relay?" Kya asks.
"No." Though old, Katara is firm. "I need to deliver it myself."
Kya groans. "Is this about your theory again?" They have argued about this more than once over the past thirteen years.
"Yes," Katara answers simply.
Seeing the elderly master volunteer encourages the more reluctant guests. A few stand up, and then a few more, declaring that they will come; and those too old, too young, or too out of shape to fight offer other forms of help, such as healing wounds and providing supplies. Senna clasps Tonraq's hand, and they exchange a look of understanding. It has been a long time since they felt so supported by their community.
"Thank you," Tonraq says, fighting back the emotion in his voice. "Thank you all."
Every day the new Team Avatar spends on Air Temple Island seems like a precious gift, not to be wasted; and yet, as one day passes into the next, they form something of a routine. Korra's new mentors try to pack as many activities as they can into her schedule.
Each morning, Lin brings a few metalbenders at a time to the island, where Korra and Asami give a crash course in chi-blocking techniques and Equalist technology. Neither of them have been teachers before, and Korra finds it awkward to find be in a position of authority over people who are older than her and, incidentally, were once targets of her scorn and hatred. But Asami eases the tension and helps Korra get comfortable. The two of them demonstrate chi-blocking moves, point out flaws in bending techniques, and offer suggestions for how to adjust fight tactics.
After the lessons, the girls go separate ways. Asami visits the mainland, accompanied by an undercover police escort, to meet with lawyers and financial advisers regarding Future Industries, or to campaign for non-benders to stand in solidarity with the city's benders. Korra stays on the island and develops a training routine. She spends time studying scrolls and books, borrowed from Tenzin, the White Lotus, and the public library, showing diagrams of bending forms for every element.
Monad insists on teaching her the elements in the same order as the seasons and the Avatar cycle. Since Korra comes from the Water Tribe, they begin with water.
For their first practical lesson, Monad takes her to a wooden dock that juts out into the ocean, hidden from the city shore. "Have you been able to bend water in the past? Other than while in the Avatar State?"
"Yeah, but I've only had a few chances in the past few weeks."
"Then show me what you can do. Any amount of movement or manipulation."
"Oh—okay." Korra expected a bit more instruction, but this gives her a chance to experiment. She turns to face the ocean, extends her arms, and raises her hands, imagining that she is pulling the water—
And it rises, a thin stream breaking from the waves' rhythm. Korra smiles, gaining confidence, and bends it toward her, forming it into a liquid sphere.
"Now, what would you do if you wanted to use it offensively?"
"I tried that once, against my—" She cuts herself off, disgusted that she can still think of him and come close to referring to him as my dad. She uses her self-disgust to propel the water as she bends it toward Monad.
He takes control of it easily. "Not bad," he concedes. Korra wonders if Monad might be even more difficult to impress than Mako. For a while they practice offensive tactics, with Korra attempting and Monad correcting until she gets each movement right.
"Now time to try defense." On the last word Monad sweeps his arm in an arc toward her, and a thick jet of water comes her way—Korra puts her hands out and tries to stop it, and it does, about a foot away from her, before dropping onto the wood and splashing her feet.
"That's not how you're supposed to react," Monad informs her.
Korra is a little indignant. "What do you mean? I stopped it, didn't I?"
"You should have tried using the water, not letting it fall at your feet. It was yours to control. In waterbending, your defense becomes your offense. Think about it. Water is always moving. You can't stop it, but you can redirect it. Try redirecting it this time."
She stands ready, knees bent and hands raised. Monad sends a smaller jet of water, and as soon as she feels it enter her physical consciousness, she spins and sends the water back to him. "Better," Monad states. "Again. You start this time."
Thankfully, she only spends a few hours at a time training with him, and she begins earthbending training before she has fully mastered water. Monad consents to this when Mako points out that Aang had not fully mastered one element before he started training the next. And in Korra's case it is imperative that she learn to master the elements she has unlocked.
They set up the nets and earth discs in a large, open area. Bolin is a jittery ball of nervous energy. "I just can't believe this is happening to me. The last person to teach an Avatar earthbending was Toph. It's surreal that I'm doing the same thing now."
Korra gives him a lopsided smile. "Then you know how Tenzin and I feel, standing in Aang's shadow." This sobers Bolin somewhat.
Like Monad, Bolin decides to start with an informal assessment. "Alright, let's see what you got."
Korra nods and focuses on the two disks at the top of the piles. Lifting earth is different from lifting water: the motion requires greater force and a steadier stance. She punches her fists up and forward, sending the disks into the nearest net.
Bolin is initially full of praise. "That was great. Good power. But in a real fight, you'd be a sitting turtle duck." Korra frowns, maintaining the stance she learned from the scrolls. Bolin clarifies, and demonstrates, "Not so upright and flatfooted. Stay light on your toes, right up until the moment when you need to dig in and strike. Then … pop, pop!" He punches out, sending two earth disks into the air, across the yard, and into the net.
"Okay. Let me try it again." Korra tries to follow his advice.
Bolin is impressed. "Wow, nice adjustment! You're a natural at this."
"That's not how real earthbending is done." The two teens look in surprise at Lin Beifong approaching them.
"Sorry, what?" Bolin splutters.
"I don't know who taught you, but my mother always said earthbending is about being rooted."
"Well, I think bending styles have changed," Korra says. "What the pro-benders do is different."
"Maybe, but you'll need to learn what they evolved from."
"Even if they're not used anymore?"
"You never know what kind of fighting styles you'll run into. Besides … as Mom used to say, you need to learn the rules before you can break them."
Korra almost gapes at the police chief. Her astonishment causes Lin to smile at her for the first time. As Lin turns to leave, Korra suddenly has an idea, and calls out to her. "Hey, Chief Beifong? I was wondering … well, there aren't any metalbenders in the White Lotus. Would it be possible for someone to teach me metalbending?"
"Not right now," Lin answers. "We need every metalbender cop on the force." Her expression softens slightly. "But maybe when this is over."
Korra smiles slightly and nods. It is not a promise, but considering it is coming from Lin, it is better than nothing.
Korra is glad to try firebending with Mako again. As nervous as the activity still makes her, Mako's presence helps calm her mind and body after so much intense exercise.
"I know you're nervous about this, so I thought we'd start with something basic: breath control."
Korra rolls her eyes. "I know how to breathe."
"Involuntarily, sure. But your breath makes a big difference in your firepower. Look, we'll cover it until you prove that you've got it, then we'll move on. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Fire needs oxygen to stay aflame. When you make a campfire, you need to let it breathe. When you bend fire, you need to control your breathing so it won't get too big or too small. You have to be precise, or you'll lose control one way or the other. Does this make sense so far?"
"Yeah."
"So when you fight, you have to time your breathing just right. So I want us to go through the forms, first without fire, then with it. I'll say when to inhale and exhale."
"Wow, talk about micromanaging," Korra jokes. Mako does not laugh. He simply looks at her. They both release a sigh, which surprises them, and then they both start to laugh. Once they calm down, they bow to each other and begin to move through the first form. It is almost like a dance, which reminds Korra of Aang and Zuko's adventure with the dragons. They repeat it until Korra memorizes both the movements and the moments of inhalation and exhalation. "Once they're in your muscle memory, you'll be able to do them without thinking too hard," Mako says, and his implicit confidence in Korra fills her with a warm feeling, something between pride, gratitude, and hope.
Fairly quickly, Korra comes to recognize and enjoy the grace of waterbending, the brute strength and force of earthbending, the warmth and power of firebending. Each of these elements feels like a different part of herself, bringing out qualities she did not know she possessed. Air is the only element that does not feel like a part of her.
When she thinks about it, Korra can see similarities and connections between air and the other elements. Waterbending is also about adapting, and firebending involves the flow of one's breath, but airbending seems yielding in a way that none of the other elements seems to be. Korra dislikes that idea; she has always thought of herself as unyielding, and she must be so now more than ever.
Before they begin, Tenzin gives her a uniform, of the same design as his children's. Korra remembers Aang and his childhood friends wearing them. It denotes the status of a novice. Korra feels rather childish putting it on.
"Do I have to wear this?" she asks, pushing the long sleeves up to her biceps.
"Yes. The shawl acts as a parachute, so novice airbenders won't hurt themselves if they fall a long distance."
"But I can't even airbend yet."
"Someday you will," Tenzin says, casually pulling her sleeves back down her arms. "When that day comes, I'd like you to be prepared."
"Okay, fair enough."
Tenzin leads her to an area she has not yet visited. His three eldest children stand in front of an expansive raised dais holds dozens of wooden planks, like window shutters, embossed with the airbending symbol. "What is that contraption?" Korra asks.
"A time-honored tool that teaches the most fundamental aspect of airbending." Tenzin looks to his firstborn. "Jinora, would you like to explain this exercise?"
Jinora steps forward and gestures to the panels. "The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it to the other side without touching them."
Korra smiles, encouraged and even a little enticed by the prospect of a challenge that can be overcome. "Seems easy enough."
Ikki speaks up, excited and smiling like someone delivering a secret. "Jinora forgot to say you have to make it through while the gates are spinning."
Tenzin assumes a stance in front of the gates, moves his arms in a circular motion in front of him. The air around them responds—Korra feels it moving like wind over her hair and clothes. Then Tenzin thrusts out his hands, sending a blast of air that sets the gates spinning, some clockwise, some counterclockwise. Tenzin melts out of his stance, and takes something from a pocket of his robes: a small leaf. He holds it up and then lets it go, allowing it to follow the current of the wind. "The key is to be like the leaf. Flow with the movement of the gates. Jinora will demonstrate."
Jinora approaches the gates and steps between the two nearest when their panels are parallel to each other. She is quick and nimble, but also careful, holding out her hands in front of her. Korra tries to watch through the opening and closing gaps, while Tenzin explains, "Airbending is all about spiral movements. When you meet resistance, you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice."
That actually sounds somewhat familiar, like what Pazo said when he taught Korra chi-blocking. Much of the Equalists' fighting style is rooted in evasive maneuvers. Korra knows how to evade attackers who come at her head-on. Maybe these gates work the same way.
Jinora must have made it through to the other side, because now, as the gates begin to slow, a new gust of bent air shoots through them toward Korra and the remaining airbenders.
Korra makes her way slowly, trying to time her movements just right. Her espionage training taught her to be vigilant and aware of her surroundings, but it is impossible to watch every direction at once. The gates inevitably hit her back and sides, but she manages to avoid contact with the ones in front of her, and even moves around them as they spin. When they start to slow, Tenzin calls out, "I'm going to spin them again!" before sending a fresh gust of wind through them.
She does not come through unscathed—she can feel sort spots where she will surely have bruises tomorrow—but she makes it through, to the delight of all four airbenders.
"Well done, Korra," Tenzin congratulates.
"Thanks." She grins, realizing that Tenzin gives praise more easily than Amon ever did.
Even though they cannot do too much until she unlocks her airbending, Korra and Tenzin still spend time together, often just talking, trying to learn from each other. Tenzin has questions about her life, and Korra has questions about the elements and being the Avatar.
"Have you ever owned a pet?" Tenzin inquires.
"No."
"I wonder …"
"What?"
"Every Avatar has an animal guide, usually native to that Avatar's nation. I would expect yours to be something from the Water Tribe, but if we cannot find any, and there are already bison available—"
"Actually, I think I may already know mine. There's a polar-bear dog at the zoo. I used to go there just to visit her."
"Have you mentioned this to anyone?"
"No. I didn't realize it until Aang introduced me to Appa in the Spirit World."
Korra has many questions about bending, which she was never able to voice until now. "Do the elements you bend really affect how you get along with people?"
"Ah, well … poets have used that kind of imagery. And there may be some truth in terms of culture—people have traditionally emulated their own nation's element, and some cultures got along better than others. That concept isn't as strong now, since intermarrying and assimilating between nations is so common now."
"What about the saying 'opposites attract'? Is there any truth to that?"
"Well …" Tenzin looks ambivalent, almost conflicted. "I once dated an earthbender, so for a time I believed it was possible, but things didn't work out between us. Air and earth don't make anything together, nor do they help each other much."
"And fire and water?"
"They make steam. And, on a practical note, heated water is healthier to drink and cook with than lukewarm."
Even when she is not training, Korra tries to find ways to use her bending. She always prided herself on being tough enough to not depend on all the shortcuts benders have in different tasks, but now that she is pressed for time and needs to practice, she welcomes any opportunity she can find. When she bathes at the end of the day, she uses waterbending to fill the tub and dry herself off. When she helps in the refectory, she uses firebending to light the stove and even heat water for tea.
Pema insists on giving Korra breaks, time to relax and recharge. She invites the teenagers to participate in the Air Acolytes' community life, built around a routine of work, recreation, and reflection.
"Do you know how to cook?" she asks Korra over a meal.
"Sure. I did it for my d—for Amon often enough. We grew our own vegetables, on the roof of our apartment building."
"You might like our greenhouse, then. We grow all of our own food."
While they work together in the kitchen, Pema opens up about her own experience joining the Air Nomad community. "I remember when I moved out of my parents' house to become an Air Acolyte. That first night I was so scared and lonely, and the bed was so hard. I really wanted to be there, but it still took time for me to adjust and feel like I was a part of it all."
Korra nods. "I know exactly what you mean."
Pema smiles. "I know it's a little different for you, with your training and the war going on, but I hope you still feel like a part of this community. In a way, you are family to us."
This is becoming more and more true. The airbender kids frequently ask Korra to join them in playing or reading or training. Usually she has to turn them down, recommending one of her friends as a substitute if they are available, but in the evenings she is able to read to them or play board games with them. Ikki and Meelo are not shy about hugging and cuddling, particularly at bedtime.
One day, during their recreation time, Bolin organizes a pai sho tournament between the younger people on the Island. It starts with the youngest participants, Jinora and Ikki. Jinora wins and proceeds to the next round, beating Skoochy. Korra goes next, and expects to have to go easy on the younger girl. She is surprised to find that she was wrong: Jinora beats her in a mere ten minutes. The ten-year-old then proceeds to beat Bolin and Mako, who play what they call "street pai sho," a more fast-paced version of the game. Only Asami proves to be a challenge, having several more years of experience playing against a brilliant engineer.
Pema speaks up from her rocking chair, where she has been nursing and playing with Rohan while watching the games. "Korra, would you hold Rohan while I go to the bathroom?"
"Um … okay." Korra rises off the floor as Pema stands up from the chair. "Should I rock him, too?"
"It might be more comfortable."
Korra sits down uncertainly. Pema smiles and hands her the bundled-up baby, adjusting Korra's arms as she releases him. Korra supposes she should not be surprised by the level of trust people around here have in her, but it still amazes her that Pema would place her youngest and most fragile child in her unpracticed, sometimes unpredictable hands. When Pema leaves the room and her friends return their focus to the game, Korra ducks her head down and sniffs Rohan's tuft of hair. She wonders if most babies smell this way, or if each one has a unique smell.
Rohan begins to cry unexpectedly, reminding Korra to rock the chair forward and backwards. She is surprised by how much the motion soothes her. Rohan's cry dissolves into whimpers. Korra wonders if she should sing or do something more to soothe him. The only lullaby she knows is "Leaves from the Vine." She is not even sure if it is really a lullaby or just a song her mother and foster father used for that purpose. But she starts singing, trying to rock in time with the slow song. Then Rohan stops crying. Korra takes that as a good sign, and continues rocking and singing, watching as his eyes close drowsily.
Suddenly Korra realizes that the other people in the room have stopped chatting over the game. She looks up and is embarrassed to see her friends looking at her, the girls fawning at her sweetness, Asami and the boys grinning smugly. "You're going to be the best big sister in the Water Tribe," Asami predicts confidently.
Korra cocks an eyebrow. "Only in the Water Tribe?"
"Well, I didn't want to discredit the airbender girls," Asami says, nodding courteously to Jinora and Ikki.
"Thanks," Jinora says playfully, "but you still discredited our aunt Kya. She's Dad's big sister."
"You guys have met my siblings, right?" Korra asks the airbender sisters. "What are they like?"
"They're really fun," Ikki answers at her usual, rapid speed. "Damasak is a waterbender, and he uses waterbending to make snow sculptures, while we use airbending to make ours."
Jinora adds helpfully, "Hanami likes to play quiet games, like dolls and house, but Damasak likes outdoor activities and competitive games."
Pema returns then, reclaims Rohan, and sends the children to bed. Korra wonders whether the dynamics within her own family are like the ones she sees between the Air Nomads, or even between her friends. Will her siblings want to be friends? Will she be able to interact and connect with them as easily as she does with the airbenders?
She already sent a telegram to let them know that she is thinking of them, but that evening she decides to write to them. She borrows some paper, ink, and brushes from Tenzin's study and takes them to a table, where she spends several minutes wondering what to say. As far as she can remember, she has never actually written a letter before. She never had anyone to whom she could write one.
Since composing lists helped her process her thoughts under house arrest, she starts by making a list of questions to ask them: What are your favorite foods? What are your happiest, saddest, proudest, scariest, most embarrassing, and funniest memories? What are your favorite indoor activities? What are your favorite outdoor activities? What makes you happy? What makes you sad? What do you fear? What is your biggest goal? Those are all safe, conversational questions, like the kind a dating couple should ask as they get to know each other. But other questions she wants to ask are more complicated: How did you feel about me all this time? Did you miss me? Did you get used to me being gone? Do you hate my foster father? These questions ought to be answered in person, not on paper or over radio waves.
Korra wants to love them, but is that the same as actually loving them? What she feels is more like longing. She does not know whether it is for something that she misses, or something she has never known.
It takes a while for her to find the right words to convey her feelings honestly while not revealing any information that the Equalists would find useful. She crosses some parts out, rewriting it a few times before finally copying a final draft onto a fresh piece of paper. She addresses the envelope to Tonraq, Senna, Damasak, and Hanami, but leaves the salutation in the letter general. Once she meets them, she will ask what they prefer to be called, though she assumes "Mom" and "Dad" will be satisfactory to her parents. She will just have to get used to using the word "Mom" and calling someone other than Amon "Dad."
Dear everyone: This feels weird, writing to you, but then again, a lot of things I've been doing lately have felt weird. These past few weeks have been hard, but I'm doing much better now that I've figured out who I am, where I'm from, and what I need to do. I have a lot of people helping me, some old friends and many new ones. There's a lot that I want to tell you about, but I'm afraid to put too much in a letter that might be intercepted, so I'm going to wait until we can talk in person. I look forward to meeting you when this is over. With love, Korra
She does not mention how nice it is to be on Air Temple Island. It feels like a vacation home, or a retreat. Someplace to get away from the world. Life here, even in the midst of intense training, feels fun and safe and too good to last.
Unalaq's fleet stops on the northernmost coast of the Earth Kingdom, as close as it can get to the Northern Air Temple from the sea. Once they drop anchor, Unalaq insists on making his inland journey alone.
A wild-looking man meets him on the beach. His long, unwashed hair is pulled back in a ponytail. His clothes look as though they were once vibrantly colored, but now are faded and stained with dirt. Unalaq's well-trimmed robes seem like vestiges of another world. Yet Unalaq cordially greets him, "You look well, Zaheer."
"It's been a long time," Zaheer remarks, bowing slightly. They both know he is referring to the long gaps between their meetings in the physical world. They manage to meet briefly once or twice a year by visiting the spirit world at the same time.
"After so long," Zaheer says, lifting his face toward the sky, "the universe seems to be providing for us."
"Our patience is being rewarded," Unalaq says pointedly. They argued many times, over the years, about whether to execute their plans or put them off for a future date. Unalaq only managed to rein in his comrades' eagerness by reminding them that if they upset the nations' social and political balance, it would make finding the Avatar more difficult. Now that the Avatar has been located, they can finalize and carry out their plans.
They exchange terse questions and answers as they walk. "I trust the Air Acolytes don't know about my arrival, or our meeting?" Unalaq says nonchalantly.
"You needn't worry. They have no knowledge of our coming and going."
"How do you manage that? Did you graduate to the level of hermit?" This sarcasm is the closest Unalaq will come to teasing his old acquaintance.
"I'm no longer affiliated in any way with the Air Acolyte community."
This is news to Unalaq. "You're no longer an acolyte?"
"No, I am not."
Unalaq pauses. "I must admit some surprise. As I recall, you were enthusiastic about the opportunity to recruit new members of the Red Lotus."
"I stopped for … personal reasons. You'll see why when we get there."
"Why did you not mention it?"
"I told you everything that was relevant. I didn't think you wanted or needed to know much else."
Unalaq accepts this answer. It is simply a reminder that they are not friends in the truest sense of the word. Allies, yes, but not friends. Despite the deep secrets they share, they do not trust each other fully. They never have, and most likely never will.
Zaheer leads Unalaq down and up the rocky terrain. "Some Air Nomads hid in caves like this after the genocide."
"Have you stayed here all along?" Unalaq inquires.
"No. We've traveled all over the world. We try to stay close to the Air Temples, though. Laghima's Peak has always been my favorite place to live."
When they finally arrive at the cave campground, Unalaq is surprised to see not one but two figures emerge to greet him: a tall female combustion bender, who Unalaq vaguely recognizes; and a prepubescent boy, who he has never seen before. The boy's face is shaped like Zaheer's, but his hairstyle resembles the woman's, with the sides shaved, though his black hair is not long enough for a braid like hers.
"You remember P'Li," Zaheer says, gesturing to the woman.
"Of course. But who is this?" Unalaq asks, gesturing to the child.
Zaheer smiles, his expression softer than Unalaq can remember seeing it. "Our son, Charsadda."
"This is Chief Unalaq," P'Li informs the boy. "He is the leader of our society."
Charsadda looks mildly impressed, and bows slightly. "It's good to finally meet you, sir."
Pleased with this show of respect, Unalaq indulges him with a small smile. "Are you thinking of joining the Red Lotus, young man?"
"Someday. I try to learn as much as I can. I can fight with or without my bending, and my father teaches me philosophy and spiritual exercises."
Unalaq gives a small nod of approval. "You remind me of my nephew. Remind me to introduce you to him someday. I think you'll get along swimmingly." He turns to the boy's parents and says sincerely, "I'm glad to see there is hope for the future of the Red Lotus."
Zaheer and P'Li's smiles are proud.
P'Li ushers them in and offers them food, acknowledging that they have much to discuss in the privacy of this hermitage-turned-home. Unalaq quickly sees why the mother and son stayed to prepare the meal: they are both firebenders, and occasionally conjure a flame as part of the cooking process.
He wonders whether this changes any part of Zaheer or P'Li's priorities. He does not voice these concerns, however, because no one dared to ask the same of him when he married, nor when Desna and Eska were born.
"After we agreed to wait," P'Li says, answering some of his unspoken questions, "we realized there was no point in putting off what we really wanted: having a life together. Charsadda was born a year or two after your niece disappeared."
Zaheer turns to Unalaq and leans close to murmur, "We've had other children, but Charsadda was the only one who lived."
"I see. Please accept my condolences."
"I do, with thanks."
The formality they maintain strikes an odd contrast with the rude environment.
While they eat, the adults exchange the intelligence they have been able to gather over the past several days. Though he no longer has contact with the Air Acolytes, Zaheer still has a radio which can pick up signals going to and from the Northern Air Temple. In this way, he and his family learned of the Avatar's apparent return when the four Air Nomad temples witnessed the phenomena of their respective statues. Unalaq confirms that the Avatar is, in fact, his niece, and informs them that she is currently under house arrest at a secret location in Republic City. "She has turned down my offer of asylum, but is willing to meet me."
"What are your plans now?" Zaheer asks, finally getting to the point.
"I've assembled a fleet, and charted a course with two destinations. The first is the United Republic, where I plan to meet the Avatar and offer her military assistance as well as the tutelage of myself and the most skilled fighters I know." Unalaq nods to P'Li and Zaheer. "That is where you come in. Will you accompany me, and offer your services to the Avatar?"
Zaheer smiles broadly, while P'Li's amber eyes shine with excitement. "Of course," they say at the same time.
"What is your second destination?" Charsadda asks. Apparently he was paying attention after all.
"The Southern Water Tribe. My wayward brother has requested an audience with me, to discuss his tribesmen's participation in the United Republic's war. And with Harmonic Convergence approaching, we need to locate and secure the portal quickly and facilitate the Avatar's journey there."
Zaheer nods in understanding and approval. "I have to admit, for once, I'm glad you retained your position as a political leader." He used to openly resent and oppose Unalaq for maintaining a position of power over others, an apparent contradiction of the high value they place on freedom. Now, however, that power will be useful in ushering in a new era.
Music: "For a Moment" from The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Names: Charsadda is the name of a city in Pakistan. I honestly can't remember what made me choose it as a name; it may have been the gun attack at Bacha Khan University in January 2016.
Artwork: eviechan68 made a character design for Charsadda. You can find it on her or my Tumblr account.
Author's Note: I'm updating this now because I knew it was overdue and I won't be able to work on this much again until after the New Year. This story is becoming more and more difficult as we go on, because my most solid plans for the storyline were from the beginning to the point when Korra switches sides. All this is to say that your reviews are more valuable to me now than ever before.