Chapter 46
Past and Present
Maddi
I watched as men and women were brought to the healing huts on stretchers, held by friends or even slung over someone else's shoulders. They were overrun in both allies and enemies, something I hadn't considered. Hakoda had pointed out that the warriors who survived could be held ransom or be persuaded over to our side. Either way every person who could be saved was. I didn't enter the healing huts myself. As I had been standing among the archers I had absolutely no injury to myself and I wasn't skilled enough in healing to be of any use there. Instead I stood outside and counted those who entered. I was actually surprised at the sheer lack of major injuries, the worst being a sword stuck in one man's gut. I was distracted by a shout. Turning I saw Zuko and Aang walking side by side and all around them the warriors cheering. I smiled, slung my bow across my shoulders and walked over to meet them.
"Hey, how are you guys doing?" I asked. Aang shrugged, his eyes fixed firmly on the healing huts. Probably looking for Katara. Zuko's eyes though fixed upon me and a smile crossed his face. I returned the smile.
"Its good to know you two are getting along so well." I continued with a shrug, only to be distracted by a new voice.
"Nephew, Maddison, Aang." We turned to see Iroh approaching from within the crowd. Beside him was Sokka and Katara's father. Behind them are twelve women, the oldest being about Iroh's age and the youngest the same age as Katara.
"What's going on?" Aang asked, his eyes flicking over the women. Hakoda turns.
"Avatar Aang, these are the healers from the army Priestess Yue sent, they are here to help in the healing... hut." Aang nodded looking confused as Hakoda gestured to the building for the women to enter. Once they had vanished inside he turned back to us.
"I need you three to find Sokka, Toph, and Su Sen. I need to talk with all of you." We shared a look and nodded. Aang heading towards the building to talk to Katara while Zuko and I split to look for the others.
"So what exactly is going on?" Sokka asked. We were gathered in the war tent. Hakoda and Iroh sat at the head of the tent while the rest of us moved into a circle. I knew every person in here except two, both young men around the same age as Su Sen. Judging by Su Sen's smile at one of them and the warm greeting the two shared he knew the first young man but not the second. The first stranger was as tall as Su Sen, about six foot, dark green eyes, tanned skin, and shoulder length hair pulled into a ponytail. He wore a rather unassuming tunic and bracers on his hands and legs. The second stranger was clearly water tribe. His skin was pale and his hair black that fell to his shoulders. It was braided in places and held by thick blue carved beads. His eyes were the familiar blue that I had come to associate with the water tribe. He wore blue and black and seemed to have a modest baring. Hakoda stepped forward and gestured to the two strangers.
"I would like to introduce you to Kanan from Su Sen's army, and Iluq, whois one of the four men who Priestess Yue is considering to be the next chieftain of the Northern Water Tribe after her father passes on." I saw Sokka wince out of the corner of my eye. Yue being a priestess must have still been painful for him then.
"Now, to business." Iroh stated, taking a seat. We all quickly followed him, a sign of respect. Once we were all sitting Hakoda explained.
"General Iroh brought it to my attention that we had a possible secondary force right on enemy territory. However to access it we needed to have more than a flag." Hakoda sighed deeply.
"We are sending both Zuko and Aang to the fire nation, I am well aware that where Aang goes you four will be going as well so I invited a few more to go along as well. Su Sen is free to stay here or go with you, that is his decision but Kanan and Iluq will be traveling with you from now on." He finished. There was silence in the tent for a few moments.
"Isn't that dangerous with all those wanted posters out for those two?" Su Sen asked, glancing at the two of them, "No offence."
"None taken," Aang agreed.
"No, the fire nation does not hold soldiers beyond the usual guards for nobility. If Ozai was to place warriors to watch his own people he would have a revolt on his hands. As it is he was barely staying in the good graces of the people before we left. As it is now there is an undeniable rift between the people of the fire nation and the fire lord." Iroh explain with a sigh. A few of us nodded. It made sense. Ozai wasn't the sort of person who would care for the common man.
"If that is so, why so few?" Su Sen questioned, "why not send an entire contingent?"
"We aren't trying to attract attention," Hakoda quickly explained, "this is supposed to be a mostly undercover mission. More then fifteen would attract to much attention. The less people the better."
"Umm, I have a question here." I piped up, "We're supposed to be hiding in plain sight but you're sending three water tribe members? Iluq might fit in but Sokka and Katara... your skin is to dark to pass off as firenation." That fact bothered me a lot, how were they supposed to not stick out?
"They can pass off as colonials." Zuko stated causing me to blink in surprise.
"How? Blue eyes, dark skin, no offence their appearance screams water tribe." I winced and glanced at Katara and Sokka, "I'm sorry but it is true."
"There are peoples from both the water and earth nations in the fire nation colonies," Iluq stated, speaking for the first time. His voice was a light tenor which was far from the sound I had been expecting from him, "There are many water tribe people who live to the far north and south of the earth kingdom, a few no doubt are in the colonials as well, though they would be a severe minority." I nodded, it would be enough I hoped. I had always wondered how no one but Hama had noticed the distinctive water tribe features that both Katara and Sokka had.
"We're all going to have to say we're all from the colonials… the problem is Aang and Zuko, we need them to be able to fit in and with all those wanted posters…" Sokka trailed off. All of us looked at the two in thoughtful contemplation. I knew how to disguise Aang of course but Zuko would be the hard one without using a lot of makeup which was expensive and hard to come by.
"How bout we figure it out later?" Katara suggested, "we need to decide when we're meeting up with the rest of the army again and where."
"The fire nation is small compared to the earth kingdom in area," Zuko pointed out, "with a high population. There are lots of ways to successfully pass knowledge on to a majority in very little time. We won't have to stay there very long, but it won't be as effective as going from town to town." This time Iroh spoke.
"I recommend that we meet up with you two days before the day of black sun. That will give us time to organize the troops and finish the final touches of the strategy. It also will give us time to make it through the most villages we can. It makes the most sense." Su Sen stated, looking at us for confirmation.
"It sounds like a plan. Now its just the where." Katara pointed out.
We debated over various places but finally decided on a small cliff covered island hidden in an unoccupied bay. It was a good place to meet, isolated and secure. Once it was decided upon we all split up to go and pack what little things we had. IT wouldn't be long before we would be ready to head on our way.
Sokka
"Where are you going?" I turned at the familiar voice, finding myself face to face with Jet.
"To pack, we're heading to the fire nation to recruit troops there." I replied simply. Jet raised an eyebrow at my words and began to walk with me.
"Alone?"
"Hardly," I snorted, "the entire gang is going and Zuko, Su Sen and two other guys. Personally I don't think we'll need it, we've managed just fine when it was four of us, we don't need body guards." I sighed. I knew why my father was insisting upon it. He was worried for us, I understood that but it didn't mean that he should treat us like kids. Only Aang and Toph had been kids recently. The rest of us were adults, there hadn't been any option.
"Is there room for three more?" Jet asked, causing me to jerk out of my thoughts. Blinking I turned to look at the scruffy eighteen year old.
"What do you mean room for three more?" I asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing at his innocent expression.
"Just what I said. I was wondering if Longshot, Smellerbee and I could accompany you. The mores the merrier right?" I was tempted to refuse but Jet had shown himself to have learned and matured. I shouldn't hold what he had done so many months ago over his head. It didn't mean I completely trusted him but I did respect him.
"I can't make the final decision. I'll have to ask everyone else." I stated firmly. Jet nodded reasonably, as if he didn't seem to mind that.
"Of course but a few more fighting hands can't hurt. What are you going to do if you come across a fire nation army?"
"We run and hide." I replied firmly. I wasn't going to give Jet any ideas. The last thing we needed was him assuming that we were attacking the fire nation. "The point of this mission is to gain followers, not murder unnecessarily. Besides, General Iroh already explained to us why there would be no army. The worst we'll have to worry about is a few guards in the larger cities, which we'll be avoiding in the most part anyway. It isn't the nobility who will welcome us after all." Jet nodded again, mulling it over, his eyes thoughtful.
"Well I'll get packed myself. If it is up to all of you then I might as well assume the best and see where it goes from there." With that Jet turned away, leaving me alone. I stopped for a moment, watching him vanish into the tents with a thoughtful expression of my own. Perhaps Jet would prove to be a useful ally. I would have to watch him and decide later. If he did end up coming. After all he would have to get past Maddi and Katara first.
Zuko
"Prince Zuko, Avatar Aang, may I have a word for a moment?" My uncle asked, catching me by the shoulder as we turned to leave the tent. Aang, who had stopped upon hearing his own name nodded and took a seat once again. It was just the three of us now, Hakoda having left to try to talk to his daughter before she left and patch up their relationship.
"What is it uncle?" I questioned as I too sat down beside Aang while my uncle took his place across from us.
"I believe it is time that the both of you know your history." I exchanged a confused glance with Aang and my uncle's words. Know our history? What did he mean?
"You are both aware of Roku and Sozin, the avatar before Aang and the fire lord who began the war. There is more to their story then that. Before they were the avatar and fire lord, they were best friends." There was silence.
"What?" Aang asked, shocked by the revelation. I just continued to stare at my uncle blankly. I couldn't seem to connect the two together. How was the previous avatar best friends with my forefather? The one who began the war?
"Sozin as you know was the crown prince while Roku was his playmate when they were younger. The two became best friends until they were sixteen when Roku was revealed to be the avatar." Iroh smiled softly.
"After Roku became a fully realized avatar he returned and married the love of his life. Not much later Sozin fell to madness and attacked the earth kingdom. The two friends were split, apart. Years later the volcanic island Roku lived on erupted. Sozin helped his friend quell the volcano but when Roku fell prey to the poison gasses Sozin left him for dead. You two resolve of that battle. Aang you are Roku's reincarnation and Zuko, you carry the blood of both Sozin and Roku in your veins."
"Both?" I echoed in shock. My uncle nodded.
"Your mother was a decedent of Roku, therefore you have both bloods. It was for you to decide which to follow and I am proud of the one you chose and the man you became." I reacted on instinct. I stood, stepped forward and hugged my uncle. There were a few moments of silence while we embraced each other.
"I have always believed in you Zuko, even when it looked like you lost your way." He whispered softly, his strong arms wrapped around me. After a few more minutes he pulled away.
"You best go pack. There is a long journey ahead of you. But I know you will succeed." He turned to Aang.
"You too young avatar. There is much riding on you." He paused then pulled out two rolls of parchment, one sealed with wax, the other little more then a scrap.
"I do have something that I need you to do for me." He stated, passing the thin paper to me.
"The letter is to an old friend of ours explaining our situation. I'm sure that he would be pleased to meet you once again after all this time. Perhaps you should show how well you have improved?" He winked and it struck me exactly who he was suggesting I visit.
"The second is merely a suggestion for when you are teaching the avatar how to firebend. I believe this too will be educational." I nodded, tucking both pieces of vellum into my belt. I wouldn't let my uncle down. Turning away I joined Aang and the two of us left the tent. Uncle was right there was still a lot to be done before we faced my father. I only hoped that we would be strong enough to take back my country for good.
Less then an hour later we all met up back at Appa. The large bison had been staying away from the majority of the strange warriors as well as keeping the lemur, Momo company. The two animals had been rather uncertain of the strangers. To my surprise both happily greeted each person in the group from Aang, to Maddi, to me. They examined Su Sen, Kanan, and Iluq carefully while Aang and his group saddled Appa and packed the stuff we had taken. I found myself awestruck by how well the five of them worked together. They each knew exactly what to do and where the others would be. It was impressive.
"What are you doing here?" I turned at the question to see three people I hadn't seen in several days. Jet, Longshot, and Smellerbee. Jet grinned like a cat.
"I was wondering if we could come along? A few extra hands could be useful after all." I glanced at the others. Toph's head was cocked to one side. Aang seemed curious not not judgemental. Katara looked resigned. Sokka and Maddison both looked neutral with the others had little idea who these three were.
"I don't see why not. Can Appa carry all of us Aang?" The airbender nodded in response.
"He should be okay, we just can't expect to travel for a long time."
"If we can get to the fire nation without swimming I'm good. After that we'll only be traveling short distances anyway." Maddison pointed out from where she was sitting on Appa's saddle. I smiled and then shrugged.
"Alright then, lets go."
We all filed onto Appa. It was a little crowded with all the extra luggage and people but Katara and Aang took Appa's head, clearing up some more space. Once we were all seated Aang glanced back, smiling brightly.
"Appa, yip yip!"
I leaned over the edge of the saddle and watched the camp become smaller as Appa flew off. To my surprise Maddi stood and came to sit beside me.
"It will be okay. We'll see them all again."
"Will we?" I asked softly, "you never know."
"You're right. There are no guarantees but I believe we will. Sometimes you just have to believe." She grimaced.
"Darn it! Katara you're rubbing off on me again!"
The sound of laughter echoed in the sky.
A/N: Another short one but the next one will be longer. I'm starting to worry that this story won't be finished until September. Since I'm working two jobs, writing on the side, and trying to prep for university its really busy. I'll have to see.
Princess Kassie Out.
