Chapter four:
Unexpected Saviour.
When he woke, he was in a cell, deep in the palace dungeon. He stood up and went to the window. He realised that he was chained to the wall be a three metre chain. He looked at it, trying to find a way to undo it. At that moment he heard six sets of footsteps coming closer. On the other side of the bars the emperor and Nera came into view, along with two soldiers and a dungeon guard. The Emperor smiled a satanic smile.
"Not so tough when you're chained, are you?"
"I'll be free before you know it and then you'll singing to a different tune." Kuhey said.
"We'll see... We'll see." The Emperor said. He turned to the guard.
"Have him ready for the execution in the morning." The guard nodded. He turned back to Kuhey.
"Looks like you trusted the wrong girl. I think I'll burn your village again, just for fun." He laughed and they started walking back to the surface.
One his knees, Kuhey gave out an inhuman cry to the heavens, and then another. Upon hearing this Nera hesitated for a moment, she looked back at the bars of the cell that were still just visible. But then continued walking.
On the ground a single tear fell into the dust.
Kuhey was trying to catch some sleep when the cell door creaked open. He lifted his head and there, in the opening of the door, he found Nera. She wore a cloak that covered her completely, only her mouth and the point of her nose was visible. She motioned into the shadows and two figures appeared. They undid Kuhey's chains and helped him to his feet. They lead him up the stairs and to the harbour. All the way no one made a sound. At the harbour she showed him to a small boat. The two guards climbed on board. Orehime stayed on the shore though. She gave him his katana.
"Why?" He asked.
"My loyalties lie with my father, but I couldn't let him execute you. I owe you my life." She said anxiously.
"Well my loyalty lies with no one man Nera. It lies with the people of Japan and with the soil itself..." But when he saw that he had hurt her, he added. "Thank you."
She leaned forward and kissed him. He looked at her for a moment.
"My personal guard has orders to take you to the far off nations of the benders. You'll be safe there."
"One day I will return Nera. I will return and I will free my people, and I will avenge the death of my master!" He turned and climbed on the boat. The members of her personal guard raised the sails and they started off for their destination. Kuhey looked back expecting to find nothing, but Nera was still standing in the darkness.
"She must really love you to turn against her father like that." Said one of the soldiers.
"By having you take my away from here? ... She isn't turning against her father. She knows how strong I am. She knew that I would escape from the cell and that I would kill her father. She is protecting him."