Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 21: Swordplay
Everyone watched as Mai handled a sword for the first time. Piandao had brought three along with him besides his own, each a slightly different weight and size. The young woman, accustomed to throwing sharp projectiles of all kinds, had chosen the one that felt the best in her hands and now the sword master adjusted her fingers on its handle.
"Like this," he explained kindly. "It will feel more comfortable."
"Okay," she replied and moved her fingers accordingly.
Mai was wearing simple green pants that went down to her knees and a sleeveless tunic, perfect for training. Her feet were bare and her hair was in a ponytail that hung more than halfway down her back. Zuko watched admiringly as she mimicked Piandao's simple moves, trying to get the feel of the weapon. The firm muscles of her arms and calves flexed and relaxed as she jabbed and swiped, going through a series of both offensive and defensive moves.
"Are you admiring her form or admiring her form?" Iroh asked with a chuckle from a seat beneath a large umbrella.
"I think you have a bit of drool on your chin, Prince Zuko," Keung joked.
"Oh, funny," Zuko replied and resumed his staring only after giving both men a good humored glare.
The prince sat on a stone ledge that surrounded a large fountain right in the centre of the spacious courtyard behind Keung's house. His own sword was in its sheath on his back and he was awaiting his time with the master. He wiped at his forehead, damp with perspiration already, though he sat still. The day was hot for spring and Mai's clothes seemed to cling in all the right places. Zuko could feel his own pants tightening down front and silently cursed his almost constant state of arousal when around Mai.
Piandao spent another hour with his betrothed and then assigned her some simple exercises to sharpen her senses.
"Good," Piandao praised when Mai finished. "Now when I'm done with the prince, I want you to show me what you can do with those weapons I brought you. We've got targets set up over there."
He pointed to a spot at the far end of the courtyard. Mai followed his gaze and saw dummies along with traditional targets. She looked over at Zuko and he gave her a dreamy smile.
"Zuko, over here; demonstrate your technique for me."
Zuko was too busy watching Mai to hear the sword master's words.
"Uh, Zuko, Piandao is calling you," Mai said, sitting down beside her betrothed and giving him a nudge.
"Oh, uh, sorry," he called and flushed a bright red. "I'm coming."
He bowed to the older man and unsheathed his sword, splitting it apart dramatically and going through most of the moves that he had perfected over long months of practice.
"Hmm," Piandao said, a finger on his chin. "You came up with all that yourself?"
"Yes, sir," Zuko replied.
"I've never used the dual sword before. It's very different from what I know but I suppose that the basic principles are the same. Yours are heavier and a bit more awkward. They have a single edge while the jian has a double edge. And your dao have that slight curve at the tip. It's a sturdy weapon excellent for chopping and relatively easy to gain mastery of. Now, that's not to say that you haven't done a wonderful job teaching yourself, because you have. They truly are extensions of yourself when you use them. Can you incorporate your bending with the swords?"
"Mmmhmmm," the prince answered.
He held out the blades, crossed in front of him and summoned his chi, creating flames that seemed to erupt from the blades themselves.
"Now that's something I'll never be able to do," the master conceded. "Now, I'll only ask you once and won't be offended if you refuse."
Zuko nodded.
"Do you want to stick with the dao or would you like to start over with the jian?"
"I prefer these," Zuko replied instantly.
He recalled the day Mai had bought them as a gift, a day that seemed so long ago.
"Alright then; I suggest you keep doing what you're doing. I'll keep my eyes on you and give you any pointers that come to mind. But, I need to concentrate on Mai. Learning to master a jian usually takes about a year, less for someone with a real knack for it. I want Mai to be able to protect herself when all those shuriken and arrows are gone."
"So do I," the prince replied emphatically. "She got hurt once and I don't want it to happen again."
"Spoken like a man in love," Piandao joked. "Now let's go join your girlfriend."
Mai demonstrated her knife throwing for Piandao and he was suitably impressed. She then put her new sword across her back, in its black leather scabbard and tried to throw again. Everything was completely different. The extra weight and the way the sword hung threw her off balance.
"You'd better learn to throw with that on your back, young lady," Piandao grinned. "Adjust your balance, make accommodations and you'll be fine. Those weapons are like a part of you. You're so comfortable handling them and your aim is remarkable."
"I had a lot of free time," Mai quipped.
Piandao laughed heartily and placed an affectionate hand on her shoulder,
"Well, at least you did something with it," he joked back. "A lot of natural ability doesn't hurt either. Some people could never achieve your level of skill even if they practiced for decades."
"Thank you," Mai replied.
"I think you've had enough for today. I believe that Keung's got some other work for you later on anyway. I'll see you at lunch."
Zuko and Mai each gave the sword master a bow as he left then looked at each other. Both of them were tired and sweaty and hungry.
"Ugh," Mai said and wiped the sweat from her brow. "I'm going to my room and having a bath."
"Yeah," Zuko agreed. "I need one too. So what do you think of him?"
"He's pretty amazing," Mai enthused. "I'm really glad he's here. The sword still feels weird though. I don't know if I'll ever get the hang of it."
"You'll manage it," Zuko said. "You taught yourself how to throw knives on your own. I think you can do anything you set your mind to."
"You would say that, but thanks anyway," Mai replied and gave him a kiss.
They walked inside together, hand in hand.
Three nights later as they all sat outside in the garden having tea and cookies, Toph suddenly appeared up out of the earth like a groundhog from its hole. None of them were surprised.
"Hey guys," she said. "I decided to pay you a visit. I didn't want to wait anymore. But I think my parents are wearing down."
"Toph," both Mai and Zuko stated.
"Would you like some tea?" Iroh asked. "I brew a delicious jasmine."
"Don't mind if I do," the earthbender replied and plopped herself down beside Zuko.
Iroh poured the tea in one of the extra cups and handed it over to her.
"Try it," Iroh urged.
Toph blew on the hot liquid, sniffed the air and took a sip.
"Not bad," she agreed. "So, who's the new guy?"
"Toph," Keung began, "the new guy, as you call him, is Piandao, a sword master from the Fire Nation. He's also a member of the Order of the White Lotus. He's generously giving of his time to train Mai with the jian and help Zuko with his dao."
"Oh, so you fought in the war too?" Toph asked.
"Yes," Piandao replied. "I was valuable fighter for the Fire Nation until I saw the error of our ways. Then I traveled the world and learned from many skilled people of all nations. Now I live comfortably on one of our smaller islands."
"Piandao once fought off one hundred Fire Nation soldiers who were ordered to capture him for desertion." Iroh said admiringly.
"Wow, one hundred men, and with just a sword?" the earthbender asked.
"Just a sword," Piandao agreed.
"Then I could probably manage twice that many with my earthbending."
"Overconfidence has been the downfall of many a man and woman," Piandao chided softly. "Confidence on the other hand is essential. There is a fine line between the two. I suggest you learn to walk it, Toph. Maybe you can give a bit of your bravado to Zuko. He can be far too hard on himself."
The earthbender's face scrunched up with irritation and she began that foot tapping of hers, something that seemed a habit.
"I didn't come here for a lecture," Toph snapped. "I came here for some fun."
"We old men can't help ourselves," Iroh soothed. "When we see an opportunity to teach, we leap on it. Don't be offended, young lady. Accepting constructive criticism is a valuable thing to learn."
"Whatever, it's just that I'm told all the time that I can't or shouldn't do anything. I'm the only one who thinks I can."
"Yes, and it is remarkable how you've developed. All three of you young people taught yourselves a skill…it would be wonderful to have you on our little team, Toph."
The young earthbender's face lit up for a moment and then she frowned.
"Yeah, like my folks would ever let me go anywhere with you."
"No, of course they wouldn't. You would have to run away. And it would be wrong of me to encourage that," Iroh conceded. "But an old man can dream."
"Maybe when I'm a bit older," she replied softly. "I, I don't think I'm ready yet."
"That's fine," Keung said kindly and patted Toph on the arm. "But maybe you could sit in on some of our lessons. I firmly believe that education is essential. What kind of education are you getting at home?"
"Well, I know proper table manners and how to properly address everyone and how to make boring small talk and how to act and dress at a party. Plus, I can do math."
"What about history or geography or literature?"
"Nope, I suppose they think because I'm blind I don't need to know anything. I'll just get married off to somebody and live on some boring estate for the rest of my life. "
"If that's not what you want, you'll need to find another path, Toph," Keung encouraged. "You're strong enough. I could teach you if you want. Look, I'll pay a visit to your parents tomorrow and convince them to let you spend some time with us. Perhaps you could stay for the whole day and throw some rocks at Mai. "
"Oh, thanks," Mai stated.
"We'll see how many you can deflect with your sword; Zuko too," Keung laughed.
"Sounds like fun, the throwing rocks part at least," Toph declared.
She finished her tea and grabbed a couple of cookies. She slurped and chewed in a distinctly unladylike manner and when she was done, burped.
Mai lifted her eyebrows and wrinkled her nose.
"Manners aren't all bad, Toph," she observed.
"Yeah, well, I like to let it all hang out whenever I can."
"I've noticed."
After Toph left, the group retired for the evening. Mai and Zuko especially were ready for bed. They slept almost as deeply as the dead.
Toph did join them the next day, dressed in frilly white silk, her hair pulled back in a sophisticated bun. As soon as she entered the library with Mai, Zuko, Keung and Iroh, she found a chair, moved it around so that it faced a small side table and placed her bare and slightly dirty feet on top of it.
"Feet off," Keung said firmly. "And come over here with us, Toph."
She grumbled audibly but did as she was told.
"What's the point? I can't see your dumb books."
"Books are not dumb," Keung exclaimed vehemently. "They are treasures, all of them."
"Hmmmph, says the guy who can read."
"Besides," Keung continued, "I'll be reading some things aloud to Mai and Zuko. You can listen, can't you?"
"Yeah, yeah, I can listen."
For Toph's benefit, Keung related some interesting legends, like the story of Oma and Shu, and some old folk tales. She listened raptly enough to those, but when he began to speak of great benders in Earth Kingdom history, she really listened.
"Wait, go through that part again," she demanded.
Keung chuckled and repeated the story of Chung, an earthbender who lived about five hundred years earlier and helped to build the more modern Ba Sing Se that existed in the present age.
"I wish I could have met him," the young girl said wistfully. "That's so cool."
"I'm going to be using some maps now," Keung said. "Feel free to wander around the library, Toph. There are lots of artifacts that you can get your hands on. Just be careful, please."
"Don't worry," she said and got up from her seat. "Have fun, kids."
Mai shook her head but she was smiling. It was difficult not to feel affection for the brash girl. She was unlike anyone Mai had ever met, unlike anyone she was exposed to as a child. Her independence and outspokenness was admirable.
"Look this way, future Fire Lord and Fire Lady," Keung chastised. "I'm going to point out the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom. Here, do you see them all?"
"I learned about them in school," Mai replied.
"Yeah, my tutor mentioned them too."
"So you know what they're called and where they are?"
"Yes," they both replied.
"But," Iroh stepped in. "Do you know what will become of them once the war is over, should we prove successful that is, and I believe that we will?"
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked.
"When you take over the position of Fire Lord, the colonies are sure to be a point of contention," Iroh explained. "That issue will be thorny and problematic, with both sides wanting their way. What will you do? I think that everything about who you will be as a Fire Lord will be summed up in how you resolve that issue.* I want both of you to ponder that problem and I want an answer tomorrow. And then I will rip your idea to little bits."
"Ha," Toph cackled from across the huge room. "Fire Lord sounds like a terrible job."
Zuko shook his fist at the girl.
"I can feel that, remember," she called and went back to running her fingers along an ancient clay vase.
The entire group fell into a comfortable routine. Zuko's and Mai's days were a whirlwind of intense training with Toph now added to the mix at least three times a week. She was merciless with the couple and both were bruised and battered at the end of each day. Piandao worked intensely with Mai while Iroh and Jee continued the work that Jeong-Jeong had began with Zuko.
Mornings were physically relaxing but intellectually stressful. Iroh and Keung threw more and more puzzles their way and they often spent evenings discussing the issues in Mai's bedroom. They still hadn't come up with a satisfactory solution to the colonies issue. Iroh continued to prod them, making them think probably harder than they ever had before.
"The first few years are going to be really hard," Mai said as she leaned against Zuko on the sofa.
"I'm glad you'll be there to help me," the prince replied honestly. "I would hate to have no one."
"I'll be there," Mai reiterated. "I just hope the old fogies in the council don't start clamoring for an heir right away."
"Would that be so bad?" Zuko asked softly.
"No, not bad at all; I just think that the first year or two at least will be too busy and stressful to worry about having children."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. It's funny how we talk like it's all going to happen according to plan. We might lose you know. My father and sister aren't exactly pushovers and neither is the Fire Nation. If we had the Avatar, I might feel more confident."
"Yeah," Mai sighed, "the Avatar."
She snuggled in closer to Zuko, resting her head in the crook of his neck. He reached up with his hand and stroked her long hair, held back in its ponytail, a style she found useful for training. Mai lifted her head then and Zuko turned so that he could kiss her.
"How tired are you?" he asked.
"No that tired," she replied with a smirk.
Zuko got up to lock the door.
Piandao stayed with them an entire month and on the day before he left engaged Mai in a mock sword battle. It was the best way to see exactly how far Mai had come. With her training outfit on and her hair pulled back tightly, Mai wore a determined look on her face. Without warning, Piandao lunged at her. Reflexively, Zuko made tight, anxious fists and his knuckles whitened. But Mai managed to parry the thrust, though she was thrown off balance and nearly tripped.
"Whoa, Mai's almost down already," Toph whispered to Zuko.
"She's got her balance back," Zuko retorted, quick to defend his betrothed. "Besides, she's just a beginner and he's the best in the world."
"Yeah, yeah, but she'll need to do better than that in a real fight."
"Shut up," Zuko hissed. Now his mind raced, placing Mai in all manner of horrible situations in which she might get hurt or worse. "Thanks a lot."
"Just calling them like I see them," she joked and punched Zuko in the arm.
"Stop," he whined. "You're breaking my concentration."
He turned back to see Mai leap gracefully onto the fountain's edge and run along its circumference away from Piandao. She was trying to put enough distance between her and the master in an attempt to regain her composure. Piandao was relentless, coming at her again and again. Perspiring now, Mai quickly wiped the back of her hand against her forehead and then faced her opponent head on. He made a thrust at her legs and she moved aside smoothly avoiding the blade before making a thrust of her own. With terrifying ease, he blocked her blow and then thrust again, this time landing the point of his sword against her throat.
"You're dead," he said seriously.
Mai frowned.
"Well that was a poor display," she said dully.
"You're wrong," Piandao countered. "I think you did very well. You're not going to encounter any master swordsmen in your battles, Mai. I think you'll be able to handle yourself. You remembered the proper techniques and you made use of what was around you. With lots of practice, you'll only get better. You should be proud. Make sure that Zuko spars with you. It's better practice than just going through movements on your own."
"Hey, you did great," Zuko said lovingly and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah, you were awesome," Toph added. "Zuko was worried but I told him that you could handle yourself."
She gave Mai a punch on the arm and the older girl winced. Zuko narrowed his eyes at the earthbender but kept his mouth shut.
"Thanks everyone," Mai replied.
She felt strangely proud.
Piandao left the next morning. Mai especially was sad to see him go. It was good to have a non bending warrior to look up to. She felt that he could teach her so much more.
"I feel better knowing that the future of our nation is in your hands," Piandao said and bowed to Zuko. "I wish you well on your journey and I'll help in any way that I can."
"Thank you," Zuko replied with a faint blush. "We appreciate the help you've already given."
Next, he bowed deeply to Mai and then grinned.
"Goodbye, pupil; it was an honour to teach you."
Mai bowed in return and murmured her own thanks.
Iroh and Piandao chatted for awhile before the carriage that would take the sword master to the coast arrived.
"So what do you really think?" Iroh asked the man softly.
"I think you've done well, Iroh. There's hope now, at least. That's more than I've had for many years."
Fire Nation palace, same day
Azula stood inside a massive training room deep inside the palace. Ty Lee, dressed in pink, her long brown hair in a braid, practiced her chi blocking technique on several dummies hanging down from the ceiling.
"How's that Azula?" the girl asked brightly, eager to please.
"Fine," the thirteen year old princess replied curtly. "But I want you to be more vicious. What kind of warrior attacks while humming?"
"Oh, of course, I won't hum anymore."
Ty Lee stood with her hands behind her back, a nervous smile on her face.
"Good; Ayaka never hums. She never smiles either unless she's just hurt someone. I can't wait to see her actually make a kill. Maybe she'll even laugh."
"Yeah, Ayaka's really tough," Ty Lee said uneasily. "Is she coming today?"
"Yes, she'll be here soon. She had classes at the military academy this morning. They're not quite finished with her yet."
Ty Lee shuddered.
The military academy had a special section, one only a few people were accepted to. These trainees were all war orphans with no ties to anyone. Ayaka's parents were killed in the war when she was just two years old. Her parents' commanding officer had recommended that little Ayaka be placed in training. Both her parents had been particularly cold and methodical killers. Neither took much pleasure in anything but wiping out Earth Kingdom villages. Many wondered how they had managed to produce a child at all. When they were crushed by earthbenders in a random attack, the Fire Nation lost two of its best soldiers.
But the wily old general figured that Ayaka might make up, in some small way, for the terrible loss. From that young, impressionable age of two, she was taught to feel nothing but hate for the rest of the world's people and a desire to avenge her parents. Killing was pleasure; hurting was pleasure. There was nothing else, ever. All hints of compassion and kindness, any curiosity or questioning were wiped out before the age of five. She was, quite simply, a weapon and nothing else.
Naturally, when Azula heard of this group, she investigated with her father's blessing and made her selection. Who needed a traitorous bitch like Mai? Ayaka wouldn't betray her because she couldn't feel anything. She wouldn't fall in love or develop loyalty to anyone else. She simply did what Azula asked. She was fourteen years old.
"I'm here," Ayaka said dully a few minutes later as she entered the training room.
"Ah, good," Azula replied. "Let's see what you can do with those dummies."
Ayaka, slightly taller than both Ty Lee and Azula, and more muscular than both combined, had brown hair and brown eyes, set in a plain face. She used a pole weapon called a woldo; a six foot long handle topped with a blade almost three feet long. Swinging it over her head, spinning it faster and faster until it became nothing but a blur, Ayaka stalked toward the hanging dummies. Her teeth were clenched and her jaw was set, her eyes showing nothing but a fierce single-minded drive. With three brutal slashes, she opened each dummy up, their 'guts' spilling onto the polished marble floor.
"That's very good, Ayaka," Azula said as if talking to an animal rather than a human being. "Would you have a problem doing that to some Earth Kingdom rabble?"
"No trouble," the girl replied mechanically. "In fact, I can't wait."
*Thanks to Tribun for putting that idea in my head.
A/N: So, Mai and Zuko have some fun to look forward to. I wouldn't put it past some people in the Fire Nation to raise killers. What a perfect weapon…no desire but to murder and maim. And Azula would latch onto someone like that. I feel bad for Ty Lee. She's terrified (no circus for her in this story).
I can't describe sword fights worth a damn, so I made everything sort of brief. Very soon, we'll hear news of the Avatar's return and that will change things for everybody.
Thanks for your reviews and thanks for reading.