Castle of Sand
Chapter 4: The Village that Echoes Part 1
Has my father gone insane? He shouldn't be leaving the fire nation during a time of war, let alone leaving his teenage daughter in charge without even telling her. I'm meant for expeditions. Fighting. Warfare. That's why I've been training all these years.
I don't care that father expects me to stay here. I'm leaving. I'll find Uncle and throw him back in prison where he belongs. Then I'll confront father.
As for now, I find myself on the western rim of the fire nation. We received a tip after investigating a few villages outside of the capital, and they happily informed us that an old fire-bender with a love for jasmine tea spoke of heading west to a village in that direction. Unfortunately that was a week ago, and Uncle Iroh could have easily moved on by now—the only question is to where.
For the sake of being covert, I haven't brought anyone with me except Ty Lee and Mai. Anyone else would just be annoying and hard to deal with. After all, there aren't many people I care to associate with.
The village of Okura is small, rugged, and a useless coastal asset to the fire nation. How people live here is beyond me. Its streets are crawling with rats and the people reek of fish—dead fish. No wonder I've never come here. But with fewer than three-hundred people living here, it shouldn't be too hard to find out if someone has seen Uncle. Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't caught a hint of his horrible stench. Most of the time I can smell him from fifty miles away.
We get off our mongoose lizards after making a scene in the village square, which is far from impressive. There are fish stalls and other food stands around, meanwhile all eyes are focused on us.
My arm is also feeling much better, although I'm still keeping it in a sling.
Within a few moments we are approached by an old man who claims to be the village elder. He looks wise enough. Maybe he can give us the information we need.
In no mood to chat, I get straight to the point and hold up a picture of Uncle. "Have you seen this man?"
The man slides his glasses higher on his nose and looks diligently at the picture with squinted eyes. "Can't say I have. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
That's right. I forgot to asset my authority over these people. Perhaps he's keeping quiet because he doesn't realize who I am. "I'm Princess Azula, daughter to Firelord Ozai and heir to the throne of the fire nation. If you have information regarding this man then I suggest you tell me at once."
The man smacks his chapped lips, "Firelord Ozai? Last I recall Sozin was the Firelord. Are you sure you didn't fall on your noggin, missy?"
Is he serious? My mouth gapes open as I try to determine whether he's toying with me or if he's just senile.
He speaks once more, "You know, you're not the first crazy child I've met in recent days. Just a couple days ago a young bald boy about your age came strolling through looking for a flying lemur! Imagine that—a lemur with wings! He's a strange boy though…has an arrow 'top his head. He even—"
"This boy," I interrupt. "Did he say where he was headed?"
Surely the avatar wouldn't reveal himself to the fire nation so flippantly. Maybe tracking him will be simple. If I'm lucky, maybe he and Uncle are on the same trail. Two birds with one stone—I like it.
"Oh he hasn't even left yet, my dear. With the Firefly Festival coming up we simply can't resist having guests in our humble village. So he says he'll be staying a few days."
This is unbelievable. The avatar has fallen right into my lap. Father will be more than pleased when I capture him. "Take me to him at once."
"Of course! Are you two friends? Oh, to be young…Sure wish I was your age again. I miss those days.
[Break]
The old man has brought us to some dilapidated tower on a hill near the village. It overlooks the sea and has a large field of flowers and colorful plants behind it. I'm surprised we didn't notice this before.
"Right inside here. Usually we wouldn't let a guest stay in the tower, but he likes to meditate so was gave him the privacy."
This is beyond weird. It almost feels like a trap. I glance at Mai and notice she must be thinking the same thing because a throwing star is hidden in her palm. Ty Lee looks tense as well.
After we walk in the ramshackle tower we notice that it's empty. Yet the man continues leading us up a spiral staircase. I would've never guessed the surprise that awaited us as we reached the top of the tower:
A young man in an orange robe is meditating on the towers balcony. A small flying lemur is on his shoulder. And a blue arrow adorns his bald head.
"Mr. Gyatso, some pretty young girls have come to see you. Friends of yours, I presume?" says the village elder.
The lemur runs toward us and jumps on me, and immediately starts poking at my hair. I frantically try to get it off as Ty Lee giggles. Mai watches with a barely noticeable grin.
"Momo, don't bother the young lady…I know they're fire nation be we mustn't give them a hard time." chuckles the mysterious man.
What is going on? Who is Gyatso? There are no other airbenders. The little avatar pest is the only one; and I know I've heard him call his flying lemur 'Momo' before.
The lemur rushes back to its master. I regain composure and stare at the man before man before me. He is an air nomad monk in his mid-twenties with master tattoos.
"Who are you?" I demand, taking a step forward.
He answers calmly. "I am Gyatso, a monk from the southern air temple. I must say I'm a bit surprised by the sudden visit. Still I'm pleased to meet you. To whom do I owe this pleasure?"
He bows.
"I'm Azula, the daughter of Firelord Ozai. I demand to know why you're here and how you're still alive! We ended your people a hundred years ago!"
He quirks an eyebrow. "Ah, I see." He rubs his forehead and then breathes in deeply. "You are a very troubled child. Come, sit with me. We'll meditate together over some green tea. Perhaps we can determine what ailment has overcome you."
Does he think I'm crazy? Was that an insult? I'm not the one suggesting Firelord Sozin is alive or the one hiding out in an enemy village.
I scrunch my face into a hateful sneer. "Excuse me?"
But he doesn't reply. Instead he returns to a sitting position and begins his mediation. I look beyond him at the sea and watch the setting sun. A blinding array of orange and yellow are splashed onto the fluffy amber clouds.
The monk speaks again, "Relax and sit with me. You'll be glad you did."