A fourteen-year-old girl in dark blue robes that sculpted her figure with light black hair down her back, knelt over her rare,exotic garden.
Flowers from all over the world including Purple Roses, to Eve Glories and Star Lilies were surrounded by a hollowed out hill that had vines strewn over a large opening that always invited in the sun.
"Ursa,"Came the voice of an elder man.
She looked over her shoulder at her Supervisor and gave a small grin of embarrassment, her oval face turned a deep red.
"You caught me, Ren.I know, I should be studying scripture."
"Now why is that?"His slightly wrinkled face smoothed out as he smiled, looking unhurriedly around."You've kept these flowers thriving so well, I want you to enjoy them very fully."
Ursa gave a nod of agreement and tilted her head slightly."Is there something behind you,Rennie?I can't see your arms."
"Perhaps..."He said teasingly.
The young girl blinked a few times and thought a moment.
"Well, if you won't tell me then you leave me no choice."
Renzick straightened a bit."You have an idea?"
"Yep,"Ursa began sprinting passed him to see behind but for every turn she made,he made a smooth shift on his feet."Ren!"
"Now,now." he chuckled when she stopped to face him. "I'm hard pressed not to believe you know better then that, Ursa."
"I know better, but waiting is getting too hard."
Renzick started to move his arms forward."Then it's time."
Her hazel-red eyes widened."It is?"
"But of is time for you to receive my gift to you."
He produced a scarlet red lily;which she knew to be a Fire Lilly. Still partially awed, Ursa accepted the flower.
"It's...so pretty,Ren."
"From what I've heard you'll see many of these flowers."
She moved a glossy, wax-feeling petal betwixt her fingers.
"Happy Birthday."Renzick's arms enclosed her to him.
As soon as she felt tears gathering,Ursa buried her face into the man's robes. Through out her life of conditioning for this day, Renzick had served as her mentor,her father-figure and her friend.
Her only true friend.
"Whatever happens, I want you to know I love you."
She clung tighter.
"But you know what must be done,Ursa."He had never truly given her a nickname as she had given him."Your heritage is from Roku,your nationality is Fire Nation and your home is-"
"With you,"she turned to look into his eyes firmly,took a step back and stood at his arm's length."And here in this garden."
"And with the Order,"Renzick touched her cheek and she looked away."It is not your destiny to become queen but it is a great chance at a better life you and the entire planet."
Ursa met his eyes again,out went the doubt and the strong sense of duty that had been instilled early in life. She was as delicate as a Fire Lily but as strong as a Shensi Vine.
"Were ready for departure."A younger man told them.
"Very well, we are ready."he held his hand out."Right?"
She glanced over at him and he could see the forlorn and the dread that were still built up in her , but she gave a quick bow of the utmost respect to him and hurried back underground for her things.
"Is she ready, sir?"
"She is,"Renzick sighed."Just let her be for the moment."
x.x.x
Ursa looked back into her dark room. A single piece of furniture and worldly position, cloths included ,would be left. She was to begin life anew behind in Fire Nation walls.
Two hooded people were waiting for her next to either side of the hall and began with her to exit was a large stone structure where she had stayed for years.
After Sozin's death,The Order of the White Lotus had built an entire underground labyrinth complete with two tracks.
They had long ago severed connections with biological family to monitor situations around the world, there were tunnels underground that served as highways stretching partway around the blue globe.
The maiden herself had hardly even been above ground but she managed to get sunlight from the hollowed out hill. She was mere miles from the main gates of the Fire Nation, from her new life.
We know the prince is young,not too many years older then yourself. Our few underground paths under certain Fire Nation offical's meeting places tell us all we know.
She had always been nervous around the senior member.It will be upon you,Ursa,to restore balance.A job that had been extended to the late Avatar but since the cycle has...
"Broken."
One of the cloaked figures turned to her."Princess?"
Ursa closed her eyes,unsure of that name."It's nothing."
Down the wooden steps they went and boarded the water fueled,roofless wood train. Bright torches lit the curved path she would follow. Without a word, she seated herself down. The two bodyguard-persona two sat on chairs beside her.
Taking a Pai Sho piece from her robe belt,Ursa placed it in a tiny square and pushed it in. Once inside it would activate a special signal that gave notice to all of the benders on board.
They kept the water flowing and the torches lit.
Clasping metal poles that were brought down, Ursa felt the ever uncomfortable jerking of the train as it began forward.
This rocking motion was the fastest and safest transportation through out the catacombs, she placed her hand to her lips.
Ursa didn't travel often.
"We have arrived,"A woman announced after a few minutes.
Peering up and trying to hold her stomach, the young girl saw an opening that could have been a drainage system. Recalling what Renzick had told her, she stepped off the train bravely.
"Prepared, Princess?"The man asked as they went under the metal frame and an Earthbender rose them up to the top.
"I am."Ursa meant it.
Then, for the first time in her life, she emerged with the people who would help with the conspiracy; her parents.
To be continued...