The Earth Kingdom Revisited
Chapter Six – In Between
Zuko and Piandao walked slowly back to the quiet village where their ostrich horses were tethered. Piandao had bought supplies for their journey while Zuko was working for Song. Everything was set for tomorrow. All they needed was some sleep.
"Let's ride to the outskirts of town and pitch our tents, Zuko," Piandao suggested.
"Yeah, okay, but I want to stop at that inn over there first and see if I can write a note to Mai and have them send it by messenger hawk in the morning."
"Go ahead then," Piandao agreed. "But make it quick. This old man is getting very sleepy."
Zuko grinned. "I'll be fast." He ran up the steps of the inn and found the proprietor very helpful with his requests. He sat at a desk and composed his note.
Dear Mai,
I finally saw Song. She was a little angry at first and put me to work at the hospital. She realized who I am and I told her most of my life story (don't yawn).
Her mother gave me a list of plants native to the Fire Nation that are good for healing. I'm going to look into getting her some when I get home. And I'm going to try and locate Song's father (or at least find out what happened to him), if I can. He was taken in a raid years ago. That won't be an easy task.
Tomorrow we head off for Lee's town. It's called Yunnan. That's a few day's solid riding at least. I have a feeling I'm going to hear a lot about The Order of the White Lotus.
How are things with you? Any problems? We've had a quiet journey so far. Everything has gone well. I hope I didn't just curse us by saying that.
As much as I'm enjoying this trip and spending time with Piandao, I miss you so much and think about you all the time.
Love,
Zuko
Zuko let the ink dry and rolled up the letter. He placed it with the clerk for safekeeping, giving him three Earth Kingdom coins as payment. "Please send that off first thing in the morning."
"Yes, first thing, sir. I can't believe I'm sending a letter to the Fire Nation capitol…the palace no less."
"Yes," Zuko replied. "Keep that bit of information to yourself, will you?"
"Oh, don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
Zuko wasn't worried. The letter didn't contain any classified information. It was just a personal note. But he preferred to keep his business his. The Fire Lord walked back outside and met a drowsy Piandao. They took their ostrich horses and rode to the other side of the village, set up a basic camp and went to bed immediately. Neither Fire Lord nor sword master noticed the three men watching from a distance, hiding behind a small hillock. They turned their ostrich horses around and headed back into town.
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"Well, did you see the Fire Lord?" demanded General Meng of his three soldiers.
"Yes, sir," the oldest one replied promptly. "He's camping for the night on the west side of town. The sword master and member of The Order of the White Lotus, Piandao, is with him like you said he would be."
"Did you ever doubt me, soldier," Meng shouted forcefully, just inches from the man's face.
"No, sir," the middle-aged man replied, barely hiding a flinch.
"That's very good, soldier. Doubt breeds fear and fear will do us no good in our plan to milk the Fire Lord and his pathetic nation dry."
The four men stood alone in the town square thinking about their upcoming mission. This mission was unsanctioned by the Earth Kingdom. General Meng was acting of his own volition. He was a fierce and ruthless leader, merciless in battle and always looking to gain another foothold in the Earth Kingdom's poor and uncultured central region. One day, he thought, the entire middle of the Earth Kingdom would be under his control, including central ports. Everyone would have to go through his territory when travelling or else make a very arduous and long journey around him.
"I managed to procure the young Fire Lord's letter to his lover back home. Now, I know where he's headed next. We don't have to follow him closely. He will never know that we're behind him, biding our time."
"Sir, won't his lover be suspicious if she doesn't receive a letter?"
"Did I say you could speak, soldier?"
"No, sir, you did not say I could speak," he replied meekly.
"Then why, soldier, did you open your big mouth?"
"I just thought that…."
"I don't pay you to think," Meng bellowed. "I pay you to follow my orders to the letter. If I say jump off that cliff, you will jump off said cliff. Do. You. Understand?" The general said the last words slowly and with great emphasis as if talking to a dim-witted child.
"Yes, sir, I understand sir."
"I want you three to set up our camp on the east side of town. NOW!"
Another clear, mild morning dawned. Zuko, ever under the control of his firebender blood, rose with the sun. He stretched leisurely and left his small tent, deciding to make a fire and get breakfast started. Zuko gathered a few handfuls of kindling and some larger pieces of wood. Piling the wood neatly, he placed the kindling on top, lighting it with firebending. Walking to the nearby stream, Zuko filled the teapot with fresh water, rinsing it out first. He returned to the fire teapot in hand. He firebended the water and then added the tea leaves, setting the pot aside so the tea could steep. Rifling through Piandao's sack of supplies, he found some rice and put it in a small cooking pot to boil. He added some seasoning and a few vegetables. It smelled delicious. Zuko heard Piandao moving around in his tent. The sword master emerged looking refreshed.
"That smells excellent, Zuko. Who knew the Fire Lord could cook?"
"I can only do some basic things…enough to survive," Zuko said in response.
"Hmm, well I'm ready to eat," Piandao declared. "We have a long day of riding ahead."
They ate Zuko's concoction quickly, wanting to get on their way. After packing away the food, tents and their belongings, Zuko put out the fire. Climbing aboard the grazing ostrich horses, Zuko and Piandao pointed them west and urged them forward. Their plan was to ride past midday and then have a quick rest and snack. They hoped to reach Lee's town by morning of the third day. The dirt road was easily wide enough for them to ride side by side and talk.
"Do you have any interesting stories about The Order of the White Lotus, Piandao?" Zuko asked, wanting to make the ride less dull. The landscape was changing from flat farming land with the occasional hill to a rocky, barren land, with high mountains. Trees were rare and the soil was a dusty uniform sand colour. Rocks of all sizes littered the landscape, having broken off the surrounding mountains over the years. A cerulean stream appeared to be the one bright spot in the countryside.
"Let me think," replied Piandao. He paused for quite a while, deep in thought. "Have you heard of Wan Shi Tong's great library in the heart of the Si Wong Desert?"
"Oh, yeah, Aang told me a story about how he and Katara and Sokka and Toph went there to try and find information about the Fire Nation. The sandbenders took Appa while they were inside."
"Well, Wan Shi Tong is the great knowledge spirit and if legend is correct, he built the library and constantly searches for any kind of knowledge to keep inside it. He has foxes that help him with this task. Wan Shi Tong does not let just anyone in the library. You have to bring a gift of knowledge to contribute to the library's collection. The Order of the White Lotus is the greatest contributor of knowledge besides the spirit himself. Over many, many years, we have brought writings about rituals, legends, art, music, history and so forth to the library in an attempt to preserve the cultures and beauty of all four nations. I have made the journey there myself and it's not an easy one."
"Really, so what's the library like? Aang said it was buried under the sand."
"It wasn't buried when I was there. The library was massive and beautiful and elegantly designed. It had several huge sections all with rounded, high ceilings. There were spires on all the towers. It's a pity that no one can see it now."
"Wow," Zuko stated. "I didn't know you liked architecture."
"I can appreciate the beauty in anything, Zuko."
"I think the spirit completely buried the library so people wouldn't use it to obtain information for the sole purpose of gaining the advantage over someone. Again, that's what Aang told me."
"That makes sense. I suppose it's buried forever. There's no way anyone could ever dig that out."
"Maybe once the world really regains its balance, Wan Shi Tong will unbury it again," Zuko suggested.
"Maybe," Piandao mused. "The Order of the White Lotus preserved things in other places too, but in smaller amounts. It's too bad that so much information is lost to us."
"You would be surprised at how much information is out there if you know where to look. The Dragon Catacombs in the Fire Nation capitol, near the palace, have all kinds of documents. I read Sozin's Final Testament there. It told me a lot about Sozin and Roku and how the war actually started."
"Hmmm, yes," agreed the sword master. Sometimes you have to know where to look for information. Anyway, getting back to the library…." Piandao continued. The rest of the day passed in much the same way. Piandao regaled Zuko with stories about The Order of the White Lotus, different things the group had done and how he was involved.
It was almost dark when they stopped for the night. Both Piandao and Zuko were exhausted. They had barely enough energy to set up their tents, have a cold meal and take care of the animals.
"We've got another full day of riding ahead of us, so let's get some rest," suggested Piandao.
"I'm not fighting you. I'm really tired," Zuko agreed.
Both men crawled into their tents and fell asleep immediately. A few miles behind them, another camp was set up.
In the Fire Nation capitol, Mai paced the hallway outside the Fire Lord's meeting room, no longer called the 'war chamber'. A worried look flashed across her face.
First Minister Cheng strode down the hall about to enter the meeting room.
"Lady Mai, you look distraught. What's the matter?"
The young woman shot him a sharp look. "What gave that away, my pacing or the frown on my face?"
"Ummm, both, I suppose," he replied carefully.
"I haven't gotten a letter from the Fire Lord for a few days. I have a feeling that something is wrong."
"But, Lady Mai, there are many possible explanations."
"I know that. I just have a feeling that something's up."
"Perhaps you should write him a note now and send it off. Where should he be about now?"
"I suppose he should be on his way to that boy, Lee's, village. What's the name of it again?" she asked.
"Yunnan, I believe."
"That's it," Mai declared. "Thanks. I'll be in the study."
Cheng bowed to Mai and she turned on her heel, practically running down the long hallway to Zuko's study. Once there, she shut the door tightly and tried to compose herself. She couldn't shake the worried feeling that had plagued her since the previous evening. Taking several deep breaths, she sat down at the ornate wooden desk and got out the writing supplies.
Dear Zuko,
I'm worried and I don't know why. I haven't gotten a letter from you for a few days. I know that there are many possible reasons why but I can't shake this nagging feeling that something is wrong.
Everything here is good. We're all managing pretty well. I want you home soon, though. I miss you.
Please write soon. And if you've gotten yourself into a mess, I'll kill you.
Love,
Mai
Mai rolled up the scroll neatly and left the study. She walked quickly to the messenger hawk compound and gave instructions to the birds' handler.
"I want this letter sent to the village of Yunnan in the Earth Kingdom. The Fire Lord should be there soon. Do it now," she demanded rather harshly, worry furrowing her brow.
"Yes, ma'am," the handler said, attaching the letter to a hawk. "The letter will be waiting for the Fire Lord."
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General Meng and the three men under his command had kept a discreet distance behind Zuko and Piandao. Meng only wanted to keep within a few miles of the Fire Lord right now. It was not the right time for a confrontation. That would come later, when the Fire Lord and the sword master inevitably passed near his town of Sen Si. They arose almost as early as Zuko did, dismantling their camp quickly and mounting their ostrich horses, ready for the second full day of riding. The three soldiers rode abreast with Meng following a few paces behind. Fearful of being overheard and chastised by Meng, the men whispered comments to each other, often expressing their disapproval of Meng's whole plot.
"Does he think the Fire Lord will just hand over piles of money and trade with Sen Si more than any other town because he asks nicely? What does he have to persuade the Fire Lord with?" asked the youngest soldier, a man named Quan.
"He knows what he's doing," whispered the oldest man, Hamu. "I'm positive that he's got something over the Fire Lord or something that the Fire Lord wants very badly."
"Yes, but will the Fire Lord serve his own needs over those of the rest of the world?" asked Quan.
"That remains to be seen, men," answered Meng, who had quietly removed the bit of space between him and his men. "Don't question me. If you're not with me all the way, I can find other soldiers. None of you are indispensable. In fact, I have hundreds just like you at my disposal. It would do you well to remember that."
Zuko and Piandao passed their second day of traveling much like their first. They made good time, stopping only when necessary. Zuko was sure they would reach Lee's village early on the third day. By nightfall, they were curled up in their tents, fast asleep. Zuko almost willed the next day to come. He was strangely excited about seeing the boy and his family again. Over the course of their brief time together, Zuko developed a fondness for the boy and secretly imagined having a younger brother like Lee, who so clearly looked up to him. Though he understood it, Zuko was hurt by Lees's (and to a lesser extent Lee's mother's) hatred of him as soon as he showed himself as a fire bender. Zuko was forced to fire bend to protect himself and to save Lee, but no one seemed to care about that. Fire bender equaled evil in their world. Of course, he hadn't been just any fire bender either. He had told everyone who could hear that he was Prince Zuko, heir to the Fire Nation throne. His father was Ozai, their oppressor. It made sense for the whole village to hate Zuko. But, it still hurt.
The third day dawned cooler and grey clouds filled the sky. That was a rarity in such a dry country. Piandao wondered if it would actually rain.
"Let's get moving so we don't have to ride in it, on the off chance it happens," suggested Zuko.
"I agree," Piandao, said, mounting the ostrich horse and speeding off down the path.
"Hey, wait for me," yelled the Fire Lord, prodding his slower animal. "Not fair! Your ostrich horse is faster than mine."
"I guess I know how to pick them," Piandao laughed.
About three hours of solid riding later, Zuko and Piandao climbed a small rise. Up ahead lay Lee's small village, surrounded on three sides by treeless, beige mountains. Zuko inhaled deeply and proceeded onward down the dirt path.
"Here we are," he stated. "I guess we should buy some feed for the animals and get more supplies first. And I hope there's a place to send letters here."
Piandao just nodded. The village was insignificant looking and was probably home to a thousand people at most. The buildings were all dull colored and slightly shabby looking. Obviously, the people of Yunnan were not wealthy. Zuko stopped at a familiar stall and asked for animal feed. He paid the man and then asked where to buy food and where he could send a letter.
"Jee's place just down the way has supplies and he has a few messenger hawks. It will cost you, though," the merchant replied.
"Thank you," Zuko said. He and Piandao walked their animals the few hundred feet to Jee's shop where all sorts of supplies were sold. Tying the ostrich horses outside, they entered the dimly lit store. Jee, Zuko presumed, was stocking shelves with basic tools. Other shelves held cloth, candles, parchment and ink, rice and dried meat.
"We would like to buy a few pounds of rice and some of that meat," Zuko stated.
Jee didn't turn around right away. He continued to carefully place the hammers and spades on the shelf. Only when he was finished did he look at his customers. Shocked at the sight of Zuko, he hurried over to the counter and filled their order.
"There you go, Lord Zuko," he said reverently.
"Thanks," Zuko answered slowly. "Do you think I could buy some ink and parchment as well? And do you have somewhere I could sit down and write a quick note? The man with the stall down the road said you have messenger hawks."
"Yes, of course," Jee said. "You can sit in the back room. It has a table and chair."
"Fine," Zuko replied.
"Is two pieces of parchment enough or do you want more?" he asked Zuko.
"Two will be fine. And a small bottle of ink. Oh, and a brush please."
Jee got the parchment, ink and brush off a shelf and handed them to Zuko.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Four coins is sufficient, sir," he stated. Zuko gave him six.
"Thank you, sir." Jee said, bowing. "If you don't mind me saying, sir, I was here last year when you took on those thug soldiers. Everyone talked about that for weeks. Of course, we cursed you too, since you were Fire Nation and the son of Ozai. Your father isn't exactly popular in the Earth Kingdom."
"I understand. He's not popular with me either," Zuko joked.
"Once you helped end the war and became Fire Lord, a good Fire Lord for a change, one who's trying to make up for what his ancestors did, the whole village felt bad for, umm, running you out of town."
"Don't worry. I know why you did it. I don't blame you. Listen, I've got to write my letter now and get you to send it to the Fire Nation palace."
"Back here," Jee said, gesturing to a small room behind a green curtain. Zuko sat down at the table and began to write.
Dear Mai,
We've made it to Yunnan. I'm writing this note at a little general store. When I'm done, Piandao and I will ride to Lee's place. I hope things go well.
We've had no problems so far and our journey has been pleasant. Let me know how you are.
I miss you, Mai.
Love,
Zuko
Rolling up the parchment, Zuko left the room and handed Jee the letter.
"Why don't you come out back with me and send the letter off yourself, sir," Jee suggested.
"Sure," Zuko agreed and followed the man out through the back room and the back door to a narrow alleyway. Zuko looked up and down the alley warily, his hand reaching instinctively for the sword across his back. Jee noticed Zuko's apprehension.
"My hawks are back here, sir. It's perfectly safe. See," he declared, pointing to a large cage with two scrawny looking messenger hawks.
"Are you sure your birds are fit to fly," Zuko asked, peering inside the cage at the listless birds.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure," Jee insisted. He inserted Zuko's letter into a small carrying tube. He then removed the larger bird and attached the tube with a leather strap. "All set," he said brightly. "Hey," he said loudly. "Here comes another hawk. I wonder where this could be from." The new arrival perched on top of the cage, twisting its head and looking at the men with its bright eyes.
"It could be for me." Zuko prodded. "Do you mind if I take a look?"
"Go ahead."
Zuko removed the hawk's messenger tube. It opened with a popping sound. The outside of the parchment bore the Fire Nation royal family seal. Zuko smiled and opened the letter, eyes scanning it quickly. His lips now turned down slightly, Zuko faced Piandao.
"We may have a problem," he stated flatly.