29th of August

Fire Lord Taishi (25)

Year of the Sun

Noon

My cold has not improved any. The doctors insist on forcing me to drink a vile liquid that seems to burn your throat but at least it clears it and I can speak without sounding like a frog. I asked Dr Tallis why my health is not improving and he waffles on about my fire chi! Really I'll show him fire-chi if he doesn't find something soon! Really what use is be in bed? It makes no difference if I'm in bed or not...I'm still going to have this damned Cold! It's not like I want to go outside-it's raining horribly-but it would be nice to be more mobile around the house.

Anyway I sent a letter back to Lee yesterday. There is not much I can do in this room apart from read, sleep and write letters so I've sent about a dozen to Mei, Kari and Chen. I haven't recieved any replies yet...of course I expect it will take at least three weeks for my letter to reach Mei...and at least a week for Kari.

Dear Lee,

Mad Idea's? What in the name of Agni is that meant to mean? What mad idea's and schemes have I ever concucted? I think perhaps you should look in the mirror Air Head! Anyway it's so boring being confined to bed rest...I just want to walk around the house and maybe go to the library but no...Dr Tallis says bed-rest and waffles that my Fire-Chi must have time to adjust and such nonsense. Anyway how is University life suiting you? You say it's boring...how can it be boring? You have freedom! Count yourself blessed!

Anyway I hope you do master Air...then we can have a re-match and this time I won't feel like I'm fighting unfairly...my victory will be with honour! Although in saying that trying to picture you with arrow markings is bizarre and I imagine the tattoo's would be quite sore.

Anyway Mielia is still quite sick yet refuses medical help. I'm concerned but also wary...the symptons suggest...well your a medi-student...it's been happening for a month but when I try to talk to her she changes the subject! It's ridiculous because if she is...then by Agni someone's going to need to know!

I shall leave you now.

Love Maeko Azu x

Anyway I don't expect I shall recieve a reply for a week at least. Lee cannot afford a messenger hawk...regular mail shall have to do.

Four Hours after Noon

A messenger hawk turned up.

An offical one...one only used by royalty for it was one of the faster ones. Still I'm amazed the poor bird managed to fly from Ba Sing Sei to here in two days! Anyway my heart flutters when I open this letter...it's odd but then again having a Prince as a penpal can be quite...well flattering if not awkward and annoying. I mean I do not know him that well and I have to be careful with my words...unlike letters to friends where I can write what I please.

Dear Lady Maeko Azu,

I value your opinion on such matters since your advice seems intelligent and sensible. You have helped ease my mind in such matters.

I have also heard recently that you are ill with a Cold? That is unexpected but not unheard of. My sister Yin Wei reacted the same way when we visited the South Pole. She was only five and had to be in bed for two weeks...although I don't think you'll be in bed for so long as there is no snow or Ice here yet.

You may be wondering why I am taking such an interest in your medical health? Well I hope that my valued subjects are healthy so they can still preform their duties...or in your case I am worried as a friend.

I do not know why I am saying that. You must understand Maeko...friendship is not something I take lightly. I have a friend who left two years ago...he like me had duties to perform and I won't deny I miss him but I hope us two can become friends?

Anyway I wish to know more about you...I know most things like you have a good relationship with your family but you do not with your Father. I know he gave you that scar on your cheek and I know that you enjoy fire-bending and reading. I find both acceptable pass times. I also know that although you display clear talent in your fire-bending that you are not a Master...I hope next time we meet you will let me help you and not let your pride get in the way.

I also know that you were a good student at the Royal Fire Academy...although your tutors often found you were to opinionated in your written work. Yin Wei does not like the Royal Fire Academy much either. The tutors are of course polite around her but I know they find her tiresome for she is proned like you to dreaming when she should be working.

I would like for you to get to know my sister. I feel she would benefit from your friendship for she is so shy around people and she does not truly have any real friends her own age- I try my best but I want her to have female companionship. I would be happy if you would write to her.

I hope the favour is not too much. My sister is someone who I truly care about...so it would mean a lot to me...I ask not as a Prince but as a friend.

Your Prince,

Crown Prince Sozin

The letter is odd.

For one thing I am counted as a friend by my Prince...I know he speaks of Avatar Roku as his old friend. That is an honour...but to me it's an annoyance. How can I avoid a person who clearly counts me as a friend? Why oh why could he not dislike me as he so clearly does Mayleen?

Another thing I do not like is how he knows so much about me. He must have made some inquries...why though? Did he hope to win me over by knowing about my history? How dare he pry so much! How dare he know about personal buisness such as my scar!

But as for his sister...I will write to her for I took a liking to her. Not for him but for Yin Wei.

To Prince Sozin,

I am glad that I was of some help to you but I do not like how you learned so much about me and my personal history. My history is my own and not something I like people prying with...you may be my Prince and that may be your right...but If you count me as a friend I ask you not to do it again. I will not lie...yes my Father gave me that scar...It was a moment of anger...and my revenge is my own to seek so I would feel better if no one knew of that.

If you have any questions to ask me then ask me myself instead of prying.

If it will ease your heart then I shall write to Princess Yin Wei. I like your little sister although my moments with her were brief...hopefully I can tell her how to survive the Royal Fire Academy...although I expect my old tutors are much more paitent with your sister than they were with me. It's true while I did not speak out open in class I did contradict some of their opinions in my essays. I guess they did not like that I showed instinct rather than humidity.

Yes I have the Cold. I hate it and by Agni I hope it won't last two weeks or I shall burn down the Bei-Fong estate or worse my doctor.

Your loyal Subject,

Maeko Azu.

I'm worried that I seemed to forward or rude...but at the end of the day the worst that can happen is that he shall loose interest in me...I hope he does yet for some reason I hope he doesn't...I don't know why but it is nice to think that I can earn the friendship of a Prince while Mayleen struggles.

Anyway my letter to Yin Wei was much shorter and cheerful.

Dear Princess Yin Wei,

I heard you where attending the Royal Fire Academy and I felt it was my duty as your subject to write and help you survive in that place...as you've probably heard the Tutors and Mistresses did not like me so much. The best advice I can tell you is to keep your friends close...they help you in sticky situation and it's generally better if you have people to talk too.

I hope we can be good friends for our mothers where...I think if my mother where alive she would like us to be.

Also I hope you are enrolling in the Art Studies...you have a good talent for art.

Your Friend,

Lady Maeko Azu x

I was puzzled on how to start that letter but hopefully she will feel happy reading it. It sounds soppy to my own ears but it shall bring her comfort.

I must go now for I wish to tell Mielia what has happened.

Right I know Sozin sounds too nice but he's trying to win her over so obviously he's not going to act arrogant or nasty her. Also at this point he isn't evil...many evil people start out with good intentions. Also his relationship to Yin Wei is important...it's a key factor in turning him into a prejudiced maniac! He does love his little sister...it's sort of how I imagine Zuko to be with Azula if she hadn't turned out to be a manipulative scheming...well you get the idea.

Also Maeko does have bits of Azula in her character...trust me in the next book you'll see just how much

By the way sorry for the lack of updates but I was on holiday for fives days.

Apart from that Review! x