D: awww...No reviews, but a lot of faves and alerts? Please review people. I need to know your opinion about this story. I will keep updating, but how am I supposed to know if you like it or not?

Oh well...up with chapter 2!

Chapter 2:

Jeong-Jeong turned around in his tent with large, rhythmic paces. He had already sent the message to Ishi, the queen of Bao Yu. But he felt remorse. He tried to calm his mind, but it didn't work. It was so unfair! He tried to find a way so that no one had to risk his life. He promised to the queen to leave the siege if he lost. But his superiors would never give up and only thought about how to burn that city to the ground. The jade mines would be exploited more than ever, drying all recourses that made the wealth of the country within a few years only. The people would leave the city and a deserted area would be left behind, with no chance of rebuilding, even with the Fire Nation's help.

Bao Yu was in a bad posture, even when the colonel looked at the situation as positively as the reality permitted him to look at it. The most positive picture he could get, was that he'd win the challenge. But the Fire Nation would still abuse of everything they'd find on the grounds of the little kingdom.

A soldier came in with a messenger hawk. Jeong-Jeong looked up surprised. The answer came very quickly, compared to what they expected. He took the parchment and sent the soldier away. He sat down on a pillow and began to read the short message that had been written with a neat, elegant handwriting.

Colonel Jeong-Jeong of the Fire Nation,

I am honored to play a Pai Sho game with you. Where do you want to meet? My city and I will throw you a feast for you and your men.

They would what? Jeong-Jeong read the beginning of the message again. The great queen Ishi would throw a feast for them? The enemy would get such an honor? Usually enemies didn't give food away, especially not in times of war and need.

He shook his head and read it again and again without taking care of the rest of the message.

'Unbelievable!' he thought. 'They're joking!'

Suddenly he saw the other lines that were on the piece of paper.

You will be warmly welcomed, but I only accept to see you and five of your most honest men. The Pai Sho game will be held on the rendezvous point. Don't worry for the table, I'll take care of it.

Answer to this message quickly.

Ishi, Queen of Bao Yu.

The message was short, direct to the point, had nothing fancy and even the seal was a vulgar one, made with the most simple wax that could exist on earth. The man turned the paper around looking if he didn't miss something important. But, the rest was blank and white as snow. No golden borders, no decorations on the paper; no symbol related to the Earth Country. Just, a regular paper. It was like Ishi was toying with them, or was a very simple woman. A very simple, but precise and careful woman, he could tell.

Five of his most honest men? Jeong-Jeong had just sent away the most honest on permission! The others weren't to be trusted for such a mission...

Colonel Ryoku came in.

"I heard that the message of the queen of Bao Yu has arrived."

Jeong-Jeong bowed and gave him the message, cursing the fact that the messenger couldn't keep it's mouth shut for a little longer. The colonel read it quickly and looked up from the parchment.

"And you have already somebody in mind?"

"No, Sir."

The young man was still in the position of attention. His face was showed no emotion and his eyes were locked on the face of his superior. His hands were clenched into fists and his knuckles were white.

"At ease colonel. Why do you have nobody in mind?"

"They aren't to be trusted, Sir. If I go alone, nothing can go wrong."

"Hmmm..."

The colonel turned around Jeong-Jeong, with his eyes still on the message. The candle lights flickered by the gust of air created by the cape of the general, making the shadows move on the walls. The young man almost believed that his shadow was going to attack the general. Which would do exactly what his mind was wishing. He hated the men who were going to break a promise made on their honor.

"What a strange way of welcoming the enemy. Throw a feast...How strange, isn't it Jeong-Jeong?"

The question dragged Jeong-Jeong harshly back to the reality.

"It is, yes."

The general returned him the message and walked to the exit of the tent.

"Rapport in a half an hour colonel. And don't be late."

"Yes, General Ryoku. I won't."

As the superior officer walked away, Jeong-Jeong began to breathe again.

He didn't like the situation in which in he was. He didn't like the way how Ryoku acted. It was as if he was suspecting him of treason to the Fire Nation! If he wanted to stay out of problems, he had to take a man with him.

Suddenly he saw a young boy, some 14 years old. He would do the work. He stepped out of his tent and went to the boy who was carrying heavy weapons. In the corner of his eye, he saw a soldier next to the entry of the tent, and seemed to be peeking at him. But he didn't take care of it.

"Hey! You!"

The boy stopped and opened a mouth like a koï fish.

"What's your name?" asked Jeong-Jeong.

"Z...Zhao, sir." stammered the teenager.

"You'll come with me."

"Eh?"

Quote of the day:

King Bumi: Throw them, a feast!
Aang: Huh?