3rd of September

Fire Lord Taishi (25)

Year of the Sun

Five hours after noon

My cold is thankfully gone. All that remains is a dry cough and a slight sore throat. It is typical that upon my recovery the weather has worsened. Water is pouring everywhere...they say a few local farms have been completely flooded! Shinji still insists he wants to go outside but I have forbidden him from doing so. Thankfully the servants listen to me...Shinji was soon to discover that when a servant blocked him from using the door!

"I'm sorry Lord...but your sister has requested that we stop you from going outside"

It was amusing seeing the look of anger on his face. Finally I am able to assert my autority!

For most Mielia and I play games. Old child games such as hide and explode or chase. It's silly but it's fun too. I haven't been able to act like that since I was little. Mielia too is enjoying her freedom. Lord Bei Fong shall not arrive back for another month or so.

Anyway I finally recieved a letter from Kari.

Dearest Maeko,

The weather here is not very good. It is thunder season and the sky is booming with noise as usual. I hope you've gotten over your Cold? Listen to the doctor Maeko and do as he says for Agni sake!

Anyway I've made some progression with the wedding plans. I think I should like a summer wedding...Jin Li thinks the same. I've also decided that you, Mielia, Princess Yin Wei and Maia shall be my bridesmaids.

It's odd that I ask Yin Wei but Fire Lady Lien and our mother were friends...I suppose it's only fitting. Anyway having a Princess as bridesmaid shall definately show how honourable our family is!

Lady Kia is having a party next week. I've had to go into the city a pick another dress..I've decided to make a statement and have choosen a pink kimono! It's a lovely colour...Maeko you would like it!

Love your sister,

Kari x

Honestly sometimes I think Kari would like Sozin and I to marry...then she could tell all her feather headed friends that her little sister would be the next Fire Lady! Anyway I would not like pink! It's a horrible colour and on me it makes me look like a desert gone wrong...although on Kari it will probably look nice.

Just my luck to land a beauty for a sister...

Well brains beats beauty...

I hope?

Seven hours after Noon

Two messenger Hawks arrived. Poor birds where soaked through...but the letters they bore where definately of interest. I finally got a reply from Lee.

Dear Maeko,

You know what I mean by mad Idea's. Duelling me was one and Prince Sozin was another.

Anyway freedom? You have lots of freedom...just click your fingers and you have twenty servants willing to do whatever they can to please you! Univeristy is fun...the lessons are interesting but the lecturers...on and on...and on...for what feels like forever...I feel like I can't breath trapped in that stuffy room with hardly any air!

Anyway I hope you are well...I hope that cold you have is getting better. Trust me try listening to the doctor...as a fire-bender it would be educational for you. Also is Mielia well again? If what you say is true then she will need medical help! Although I don't think it's true...she wouldn't have would she?

I'm worried now...

Anyway arrow tattoo'? Yeah I'd imagine they'd look weird on me...but hey it could be the latest fashion...Maybe I'll draw them on you and we can match! Or maybe not...if your a female hairbender you have to shave part of your head too...I don't think you'd suit it.

Look after Mielia and get well soon,

Your Friend,

Lee x

That air head has a twisted sense of humour. I will paint arrows on my head when fire falls from the sky!

Another interesting letter was of course Prince No-Respect-For-Privacy!

A.k.a Sozin.

Dear Lady Maeko,

First thank you for writing to Yin Wei. It means a lot to me as well as her.

Second how is your cold? If you want you could dissmiss that doctor...or I could have him locked up in prison...it would cost a lot of awkwardness if you burned down the Bei Fong estate...our lovely little Earth Kingdom friends turn a little icy towards us...although with your temper driving our Nation I'm sure they'd stay well away.

Thirdly I will not apologise for prying. It is my right as a Prince to know people in my own Nation. You are Fire Nation therefore I haven't commited any crime. You should be honoured and consider it a privilage...although now I've said that I can practically picture steam coming out of your ears...maybe you should meditate more for that temper...it's unladylike.

Fourthly...What I wish to know about you...well what is your favourite book? I know it sounds pathetic but to talk about fire-bending with someone like you is beyond the question so I wish to know your favourite book.

Fifthly It is good you were honest with me. I can't stand people who avoid the truth...lying to me is of little use and only wastes time. Clearly you have inherited your Fathers temper although in council your Father is usually revered and icy...it sounds unlike him...I wish to know why he gave you it for my respect for you Father has been lowered considerably. I have no time for men who would turn against their own.

Your Prince,

Sozin Agni

Of all the arrogant little swines! Oh...I bet he was laughing his head off when he wrote this! His head is stuck so far up his...oh! And I must send a reply...Agni! Why is he allowed to say what he wishes yet I have to act all formal and polite...I'm going to explode!

To Prince Sozin,

I like your sister therefore I shall write to her. My cold is much better thank you for asking and I don't want Dr Tallis sent to prision as tempting as the offer is...and If I burned down the Bei Fong estate than it wouldn't be the Earth King I would worry about but my friend Lady Mielia who would most likely kill me for burning down her house!

Also although you are a Prince you have no right to pry into anyones buisness. As a Prince you must of course respect your Nations people and therefore you must respect their privacy. My past is my own buisness and not yours...it's no more your buisness than the fish mongers!

I too do not like being lied too...I can see through them straight away so I shall not lie to you who claims to be able to do the same. I will not tell you why my Father gave me the scar for it is a personal matter. Also my Father is usually icy towards all...myself and family included so I was surprised when he lost his temper although I hope I did not inherit it from him.

Finally why not talk about Fire-bending to me? You might have won our duel but it is a poor boast to say a girl who isn't even a master nearly defeated you. Next time I duel you I shall win...Fire-bending is something I too like and I am not a servant...so you need not say to someone like you!

I have many favourite books. Most of my favourites are about legends or myths or history. I'm currently reading about the legend of the Fire Queen...but it isn't my all time favourite...but I do enjoy it.

I hope you are in good health,

Your Subject,

Lady Maeko Azu x

It's interesting to compare a letter from Lee to a letter from Sozin. Also there is a big forshadow in this chapter but it isn't easy to see...yes most of my chapters will include letters.

Review and Love,

LMS x