12th Of October

Fire Lord Taishi (25)

Year Of the Sun

Four hours after Noon

Dear Maeko,

I'm afraid that locking Lady Cho in a dungeon is something which I cannot do on Earth Kingdom soils, however if she continues I will be happy to hire an assassin for you...I do some excellent ones and I'm quite tempted. Lady Cho has a reputation and for all her sweetness and niceties she still reeks of poision.

As for Queen Zan? Eccentrics run in her family. From what I know her mother died in childbirth and her father died of illness so she acended the throne aged 10. She's an extremely good earthbender and although she may act odd on the outside she see's a lot more than she tells.

The match between you two should be interesting. You're both level on skill.

Sozin Agni

Eccentric is an understatement. It would have been nice If I had gotten this letter yesterday but then again not even hawks can fly 219 miles in one night.

I lost.

My pride is hurt. How could I have lost! I never ever loose! I feel so unclean and this will haunt me forever.

Here is what happened ;

The arena we fought in was large. It had walls seperating it from the seats where Haku sat watching. Only two guards remained in the arena with us. Queen Zan came dressed in a pair of green shorts and a baggy yellow tunic. Her auburn locks were tied up into a long ponytail but on her head stood a small green crown. She is taller than me by several inches, this was clear when Mielia, Shinji and I stood forward.

"Which one of us goes first?" Asked Mielia - she was wearing a green tunic with a baggy pair of brown shorts. Shinji wore only red trousers while I was dressed in red armour with black leggings. My hair was tied up while Mielia's was in a bun.

"The boy" Answered Queen Zan smirking.

As I sat with Mielia to watch I didn't feel afraid or worried for Shinji. I knew he would be safe...I was more interested to see the full extent of my brothers skills.

Queen Zan was fast and unpredictable. She struck using powerful blows of earth. My brother barely had time to react but when he did he burned them. His legs kicked out waves of flames but Zan only blocked them with walls. She'd disappear into the ground and reappear behind him. This continued on and on and I could see Shinji getting angrier and angrier while Zan smiled until finally my brother lost - he was defeated when Zan pinned him against the walls with fists of earth.

"I need a break for a few minutes" Announced Zan, "Lady Maeko I believe your next"

My fight lasted much longer.

I managed to predict most of her moves and blocked her at every turn. She always managed to counter attack though. I created whips of blue flames and used them to drive her backwards forcing her to create barrier after barrier to deflect them. Then while I was preparing to strike she stood still...I know now why she didn't attack...she was waiting for me...I found my legs sinking into the ground...I was waist length into the ground while she towered over me.

"Do you yield Maeko?"

I was furious at her. So angry...How dare she make me loose!

My arms where still free...

Zan found herself blasted off the ground by sparks of blue and white.

She still won...but she was out for a few minutes.

Mielia won.

I was amazed.

I thought Mielia would never win. I underestimated my friend because she didn't attack Zan once. She just stood still dodging all of Zan's attacks. Tiring her out until finally she leaped into the air and kicked her in the chest sending her flying.

Later Zan explained her reasons for fighting - over lunch.

"You let your emotions get in the way too much boy. Anger blinds you and makes you do stupid things. It would be obvious to anyone where you're going to strike."

Shinji scowled at her.

Then she turned to me.

"You're good at hiding your emotions. You could predict every move I made...but you must learn to listen before you attack. The offensive doesn't always win...you need defence too."

Oddly enough that made sense. Advice I could actually use.

"And finally Mielia Bei Fong. You listen before you attack...you have my grattitude"

Why exactly she was giving Mielia her thanks I don't know. All I know is that the sooner we leave this place...the better.

I went into to the city earlier today. I bought more kimono's for myself and Haku and some fruit tarts. I love fruit tarts.

Well tomorrow we leave and I spend another week in a carriage. I hope I have a different driver other than the fat lump.

Yes another chapter.

Besides the point I saw Day of Black Sun and I can't wait for the Western Air Temple. I want to see Zuko join the gang. Sokka is not going to be happy...I used to hate Zuko but now I'm turning into a fan girl.