8th of July

Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

One hour after noon

Mielia and I have been busy organising the preparations. Lord Bei Fong is journeying to the city of Oma Shu to see it's king and discuss matters of trade between his land and Oma Shu. He shall be away for a good month so Mielia says that she and I shall stay at her private estate near the sea.

Mielia says it is her favourite in the Earth Kingdom because it's so faraway from big cities like Oma Shu and Ba Sing Sei. There is a fairly big town but it is a three mile walk from her small palace. Apparently she has a stable full of Ostrich-Horses and she says that we can go ride them freely and do whatever we wish for she is on friendly terms with all of her staff.

To me this sounds wonderful. A place faraway from my Father and faraway from my troubles. A place where I do not have to act under his rules. I can be Lady Maeko and have a say in what happens to me.

Shinji would probably like it there. He loves animals so he'd probably stay all day out in the fields with them.

Shinji is arriving in a few hours. Father will probably greet him with stern words about upholding our honour and traditions...bah what does Father know? He can go burn his own hair for all I care!

This morning I met with a master of fire-bending. I was practicing in the courtyard when he found me. I know him to see for he is one of the Fire Lords best generals.

Master Jei is a very stern and powerful man though. He says I could have been a protidgy had I recieved the proper training when I was younger but now there is little hope. Still he helped me with my stances and was impressed that I could produce blue-fire. I wish I could have a duel with someone...it would be a great way to prove myself but very few men would wish to duel me.

It's so annoying that Shinji recieves proper training but I do not. Still he cannot produce blue-flames and I always win against him.

Eight hours after noon

Shinji arrived three hours after noon. He met with my father and when I saw Shinji afterwards he was in a very bad mood. He had steam coming from his ears and was cursing Father under his breath. From what I know Father told him he was immature in mind and that he hoped this voyage would make him into a proper man.

Man! He's only thirteen! He's got five years before he becomes a man!

I wonder if I'm the only one with such a Father. When I asked Mielia she grimanced and said that if I met her Aunt I would know about bad relatives. Her Aunt now lives in Oma Shu enjoying the riches of being an in-law to the Bei Fongs no doubt.

Dinner wad a quiet affair. Father as usual did not attend and it was just Kari, Shinji and I. Kari kept shooting us looks of contempt and anger. She left before we'd finished. I feel a little guilty...maybe I am being too hard on her?

Anyway tomorrow shall likely be a very busy day. My servants are already busy packing my things but I pity them. While my luggage only takes up ten cases I've heard Princess Mayleen has over thirty!

I shall try to steer clear of her. She annoys me to my last nerves and it would be a dreadful shame if her lovely raven hair got burnt? Or her favourite kimono lay in ashes?

Yes I am evil!

Well poor Maeko is in for a shock with this voyage. Also there's more about Mayleen that what meets the eye.