Dark clouds were gathering, the wind was already strong. Soon the snowfall would begin. A blizzard, but this storm seemed off. There was a sinister feel to it, as if the storm enjoyed the discomfort it caused. But it was more than discomfort, he could feel the wind even inside the palace. Despite wearing fur clothes and having lived in the arctic his entire life, Desna was chilled to his core.
Desna stood in his room, gazing out the window of the palace.
My palace. He thought to himself. Mine and my sister's. We're the chiefs of the Northern Water Tribe.
He still couldn't quite wrap his head around that. Desna had never really thought about what he would do when he became chief. He always thought his father would teach him and his sister everything they needed to know.
My father. Desna trembled with rage as his father's face appeared in his mind. Even after all these years, he still could not think of Unalaq without the painful memories of his father's fall flooding back.
Stop it Desna. He doesn't control you anymore.
The door opened and his sister walked in.
"Hello brother. I hope I am not interrupting your brooding." Eska said.
"Not at all sister. I was merely pondering on this storm. There is something strange about it."
"Indeed. I have spoken to the shamans and they are in agreeance."
Desna turned to see his sister. But what he saw in Eska's eyes made him want to turn around and pretend he never looked. Eska was afraid.
Tenzin sat in the gazebo, deep in meditation. He was pondering the Great Thoughts, and he didn't like what he saw. Suddenly a rush of wind on his back returned his thoughts to the present.
"Meelo, please. I'm trying to meditate."
"I'm afraid this can't wait, Master Tenzin."
Tenzin turned to face his speaker.
"My apologies Dah. What news do you bring?"
"Bad news I'm afraid. There's a major squall coming in from out to sea. We won't be able to follow the Avatar as we planned."
"That is unfortunate. I'm sure they'll be alright for another day or so. Besides, Korra said they'd radio us if they needed assistance."
"I'm afraid that's not all. President Raiko wishes to see you at once."
"What for?"
"He didn't say. But he says it's urgent."
"Very well. I'll be there at once."
The salty smell of sea air was thick as Tonraq stood on the prow of the ship, water and spray splashing up to his face. He kept his gaze forward, toward the distant shore of Republic City not quite visible on the horizon. Still, Tonraq had made this journey before; he knew they were close.
"Chief Tonraq," the captain said. "We've almost reached Republic City but there's a major storm coming in."
"Can we make it to the city before the storm arrives?"
"It will be close, but we probably will be able to."
"Very well, Captain. Hold current course and speed, we need to reach the city."
"Yes, sir." The captain said as he left.
A storm like this is unusual this time of year. Tonraq thought to himself. And the water is never this choppy, even with a storm coming. What is all this?
Whatever it was, he hoped it would soon pass.
A lone ostrich horse stood atop one of the mountains overlooking Republic City. It's brown-hooded rider stared at the solid wall of black clouds slowly moving towards land.
This is not of nature. Nature is never so clean, so straight, so- seamless. And what of this wind? The storm must still be hours away, and yet I can feel the wind chill my very core. Whatever this is, the Avatar must be warned.
He slowly guided his mount down the mountain side before turning it loose near the outskirts of the city. The city. It was an uncomfortable place to think about, much less visit. He had lived his entire life in the dense forests of the northern Earth Kingdom, or Earth Federation or whatever they were calling it now. He couldn't be bothered to keep the name straight. So what if that kid decided he didn't want to be a king? The man's people had long been autonomous, and were effectively an independent nation with only nominal loyalty to Ba Sing Se.
The man slowly made his way through the busy streets. Even with the storm coming in fast, the people were in no hurry to get indoors. The crowds suited the man just fine. He stood out in his hooded cloak, but he would be harder to notice in a large group. Eventually he reached the harbor. The wind was much stronger now, and the smell of rain hung in the air. He walked up to the man at the Air Temple Ferry.
"I seek passage to Air Temple Island."
The ferry man gave him a quick once-over.
"Sorry pal. The ferry's closed to tourists on account of the storm."
"I am no tourist. I seek passage to Air Temple Island."
"Look buddy, the ferry ain't gonna take you over there. Besides, if you're one of Tenzin's fanboys than you're doubly out of luck. He left about an hour ago."
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know, he didn't take the boat. He usually doesn't. I saw him flying off in the direction of the Capitol Building, that's all I know."
The hooded man turned without replying, with a new destination.
Tenzin entered President Raiko's office.
"Tenzin, I'm glad you got here so quickly." Raiko said.
"I came as soon as I got your message. Now, what do you wish to discuss?"
"Have you heard from the Avatar recently? I was wondering how she was progressing in tracking the Raiders."
"I haven't heard from Avatar Korra for a few days now, but that's certainly to be expected. She would try to maintain radio silence if she were near hostile forces."
"True enough. I wish her the best of luck in her hunt."
After a brief pause, Tenzin spoke up.
"Is that all you wanted to talk to me about? We could have said that over the radio."
"No. There is something else I wish to discuss with you but we must wait for another to arrive. He should be here any-"
The sound of shouting voices in the hall outside cut Raiko off. A scuffle could be heard, and suddenly the office door was flung open and a man stepped in. He was clad in a brown robe with a hood pulled up. Between his bow, two swords, and a dagger, Tenzin was a bit startled by how heavily armed the man was.
"Is this the one we're waiting for?" Tenzin asked, turning to Raiko.
"No." Raiko replied. Turning to the intruder, he said. "Who are you and why are you breaking into my office?"
"Apologies Mr. President. I broke in because your guards would not open the door."
Tenzin could swear he saw a faint smirk under the hood.
"I am Tree Brother Megildur of the Kurai Rangers. I come bearing a message for the Avatar. Where can I find her?"
"I'm afraid she isn't in the city at this time." Tenzin said. "What message do you bring?"
Megildur paused for a moment before replying.
"A Ranger force recently clashed with a group of bandits, the ones you call the Raiders. They were well armed and the battle ended with a draw, both sides took heavy losses. When investigating the battlefield, I came upon a chest of money the Raiders had in their possession."
"Yes, they probably stole it." Raiko replied.
"I doubt it. See for yourself."
Megildur tossed a coin to Tenzin, who held it up for Raiko to see as well. It was silver in color, but felt too heavy to be silver. One side was was what looked like the Earth Federation Crest, but closer examination showed it to be that of the Earth Empire. Upon turning it over, Tenzin saw the other side bearing the unmistakable likeness of Kuvira.
"Kuvira only minted these coins for a few weeks before she was defeated. How could the Raiders have gotten this?"
"It was not with their other loot." Megildur explained. "I believe the reason is that the Raiders are working for someone. Someone who wishes to weaken the United Republic and the Earth Federation."
"But who on earth would want to do that, and has access to Kuvira's money?" Tenzin asked.
"Actually that was what I wanted to talk to you about." Raiko said.
Tenzin looked at Raiko, and even Megildur looked interested in him now.
"I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about the Raiders attacks that didn't add up. Actually, it did add up, which is what was so strange about it."
"What are you talking about?" Tenzin asked.
"I'd still like to wait for Tonraq to arrive, but suffice it to say that if my suspicion is correct, and this new information suggests it is, then we have much bigger problems than some particularly well organized bandits."
