Author's Note: I have to apologize for the long wait…I usually update on weekends, but they've been hectic lately. But I know you don't want to hear my lame excuses! This is where the story starts to get good! So in other news, I will start replying at the end of chapters to those of you who leave me reviews. This will begin with the next update. If you are a guest and would like me to address your comment, you can just leave me a name and I'll be sure to get ya :) Reviews are appreciated, thank you for reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters.
Katara could hardly contain her excitement as she raced through the halls of the palace. Upon hearing the news that the waterbenders had just arrived, she had quickly weaved the last formal silver thread through her hair, dashed out of her room, and was now on her way to the main gates. Her footsteps echoed off the walls and her heart fluttered inside her chest. They're finally here!
Throwing open the doors of the palace, she scurried down the stone steps and path that led to the gates. Her feet slowed as she neared a group of people at the gates; there were the waterbenders, and several servants welcoming them who stood gathered just inside the open gate.
Although her hands were shaking slightly, Katara smoothed her fancy dress and raised her head for an appearance of formality. Upon her arrival, the waterbenders bowed respectfully and Katara returned the gesture with a polite but dashing smile.
"Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe," she said, looking each waterbender in the eyes. "I can't thank you enough for coming here."
One of the waterbender women spoke, "It is our pleasure to assist you, Waterbending Master Katara."
A slight flush of embarrassment spread across Katara's cheeks, much to her annoyance. She was unused to formal titles, but she smiled, and she had to admit to herself, it was nice to have her talents acknowledged.
"Please, come inside?" Katara asked the waterbenders, gesturing to the palace.
The group made their way to the doors, discussing rooming arrangements for the waterbender's stay.
The whole experience felt a bit surreal to Katara. She was among some of the best waterbenders in the entire Northern Tribe, and she had all the respect from them she could possible ask for.
Her heart swelled with joy as she thought of what the waterbenders' arrival meant for the people of her tribe. Before, she had had to struggle to stay on top of all the members of her waterbending classes, and there were too many questions asked and not enough people to answer them. Now that she had help, however, Katara could double the class sizes and be certain that her students were getting the help they needed.
She would never have to teach waterbending alone again, she realized. For the time being, the guests from the Northern Tribe were here to help, and when they left, the students of her class would go on to pass their knowledge on to the next in line.
As the group entered the palace, Katara led them up the center stairway and to the right, heading toward the council room. It was a fairly large room with two floor-to-ceiling windows, which provided a stunning view of the mountains beyond the tribe.
"Please, make yourselves at home. The palace is yours while you stay with us," Katara told the waterbenders, gesturing for them to take seats at a large, wooden table.
"Thank you for your hospitality," one of the men said with a bright smile as he settled into a chair.
Katara smiled and replied, "It's certainly the least I can do for all your troubles."
As she finished her sentence, three servants holding silver trays stepped quietly into the room and placed the dishes down onto the table with flourish. Piled on them were pastries of many kinds, some with white frosting, and some with bright berry centers. Glasses of water were placed before each member at the table.
After some brief talk of the waterbenders' travels, the group discussed teaching arrangements of the waterbending students. They were to instruct for two days, have the third for resting, and repeat the process until they left for home. It was a simple plan, but Katara had no doubts that it was just what her students needed. In a brief lull of conversation, one of the waterbenders addressed Katara.
"We have to apologize for the delay," the woman on Katara's right told her as she selected a pastry from the dish. "Over the span of two days, all five of us fell sick and we were unable to depart on time."
Katara shook her head, sipping her water. "No need to apologize. I trust you're all feeling better?"
The woman replied, "Much, thank you." She gave a good-natured laugh. "I thought I'd never stop coughing!"
Katara laughed and smiled fondly at the woman.
"We do, as I'm sure you're aware of," said a tall man across the table, "have a gift as recompense for the delay. I believe it is ready to be given to you now, if you'd like."
Having finished the discussion – and pastries – the group rose from their seats and exited the council room. They arrived at the top of the main staircase and were about to descend when the main doors to the palace slowly opened, and what appeared to be two people stepped inside.
"Ah, here he is," a man standing next to Katara spoke.
He? Katara wondered. With a slight furrowing of her eyebrows, Katara squinted to make out the two people who had now walked halfway to the stairs.
A large, strong man in a dark watertribe outfit held a thick chain that appeared to be attached to the other's wrists, which were bound behind his back. The boy in front, who wore a simple black shirt and light gray pants, stopped and took a step backward, only to receive a harsh shove from the man behind him. The boy stumbled and fell onto his knees, and Katara's eyes widened in concern.
The man standing above the boy grabbed a fistful of ebony hair and pulled the head back, forcing burning golden eyes to look up and lock into Katara's blue ones.
All at once, the strong-set jaw, ragged scar, and glittering gold eyes filled with hatred washed over Katara, and the world seemed to sway.
Katara's breath caught in her through. Oh Agni, help me.