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Chapter 4
The Empress docked at an island that Sokka remembered from his past. He recognized it as the island that Aang had accidentally enrolled in school at. There were few ships in the harbor. Whatever ships were there were mainly fishing boats or small cargo ships. The Empress towered over them in her small grandeur.
"Kerak, you have the ship," Inara said as she grabbed her gear. She threw on arm guards, swords, knives, and grabbed a pouch of coins. "Taizo, hurry up."
Taizo lumbered towards her. He was hauling a long sword. It was probably more appropriate for the battlefield but he enjoyed sporting it around town.
"What about me?" Sokka asked as they reached the gangplank.
"Stay here with Kerak," Inara said.
"No, I'm coming with you."
Inara let out an irritated breath. "If you were planning on coming with us, why did you even bother to ask me what I wanted you to do?"
"It was a chance to make the right decision," Sokka replied.
"This is the right decision," she stated. "Stay here with Kerak and stay out of trouble. We won't be long."
Inara and Sokka stared at each other in defiance until Kerak came up behind Sokka. Sokka was a strapping young warrior but Kerak was a bit more weathered and larger. He put two heavy hands on Sokka's shoulders so that he could not follow.
"Ta-tah," Inara said as she waved her fingers at him.
Taizo followed her down the gangplank onto the bustling deck. The port smelled of fish and sweat. The ships were bringing in the fresh catch and demanding top prices. There was a lot of shouting as house wives and merchants haggled with the fishermen for better prices.
"This is unbearable," Taizo complained as they pushed through the crowd.
Inara did not encourage him. She rolled her eyes and kept moving. She tried to take in as much of the town as she could. Her ears were opened but all she got were muffled blocks of random conversations. There was something about fish stew, a farmer's pregnant cow-hippo, and then someone's latest conquest. There was no mention of Azula.
"How much further?" Taizo asked causing her ear to twinge.
"It's just up here," Inara answered.
As they walked further into the town, the press of bodies became much more bearable. Everyone was trying to get to the ships while Inara and Taizo wanted just one particular merchant. Inara led Taizo to a spice shop. There were baskets and jars of spice and roots that could be seen through the door. There were only a few customers inside and one lingering outside the shop.
"Ryou's Spices," Taizo read aloud. "That's creative."
"I believe that is not consequential to why we are here," Inara remarked lightly and walked in.
The smell of the shop was nearly overpowering. There was curry, saffron, and ginger in the menagerie of smells. It was a feast for the sense. The olfactory senses were about to overload. There was such an overabundance of spices that the air even tasted. And they were all so beautiful.
"Hello," a man said to them politely.
Inara turned towards a rather small man. He wore the clothes appropriate for a shop owner. His age showed in the pools of his dark eyes and his thinning hair. The man's eyes immediately grew large when he took in a good look at her. He bobbed a small bow to her and scooted a couple of steps back.
"Captain Inara," he breathed. "I was not expecting you."
"I can't go everywhere announced," she said lightly to ease his anxiety.
The man looked around the shop. "I hope everything is satisfactory to you. Is there anything I have done wrong? Is there anything you would like me to change?"
"No, everything is splendid," she assured him as she gently stepped closer to him. "I need information," she whispered as discreetly as she could.
The man looked up at her. The anxiety had rushed from his eyes and he had a much more focused look. "Of course, please, follow me to the back."
Inara leaned towards Taizo. "Stay here and keep an eye out."
Taizo nodded and set his back to the door where Inara and the man disappeared through. He led her to a small office area. There was a small desk low to the ground and a few cushions for seating.
"I apologize that I do not have better accommodations," he said.
"That's quite alright Ryou," she said. "It's my shop; I should give you better office space. I'll send over some men to do some renovations in a week or so."
Ryou smiled but shook his head. "It is quite alright. I make due with what I have and you are more than generous to allow me to be here. Now, what is it that you need?"
Inara sat down on one of the cushions. Ryou brought some tea over sat next to her so that they could keep their voices low.
"So," Inara started. "How are the wife and children?"
"My wife is never satisfied and my children will make me a beggar," he laughed. "How is your family?"
"My father is doing well and he's pampering a new wife and a new son," she replied. "Nahito is more than ready to move to the family's city estate to get away from the overflow of love and affection."
"Your brother was never one for affection," Ryou recalled. "I remember how he would squirm away when your aunts would try to hug and kiss him. But what about you and your crew, how are all of you doing? Has Kerak gotten his own ship yet?"
"He won't take command of one," Inara nearly complained. "He's worse than a mother. He has to be on my ship at all times. I even offered the Tsunami and he refused to take command."
"He's just a concerned cousin."
"That's the keyword, cousin," Inara breathed. "He's worse than Nahito. Father doesn't even worry as much as he does."
"Perhaps it is because he is fearful for his life."
"If he's afraid I'll get him killed then he can take command of his own ship."
They laughed and reminisced for a bit. There was a soothing air between them that washed away Ryou's nerves. But Inara always felt the nagging sense of duty and obligation. She sipped her tea quietly to regain some sense of composure
"Have you heard of the events at the capital?" she asked.
Ryou nodded as the feeling of the room became much more sober and business-like. "It's a shame what happened to the Fire Lord. He has not had a fair shake in life. And this is bad for business," he commented and then realization hit him. "Please mistress; please say you're not involved in this."
"Fire Lord Zuko contracted me to…"
"No, there is no good that will come of this. The princess is death and destruction inside a fragile mind."
"But this is what I have agreed to do," she said in a low tone.
"Then go back and tell him you changed your mind," Ryou pleaded. "Let his soldiers handle this. Let the Avatar do this."
"Ryou, this is what I do," she said urgently like it was to save someone's life. "This is who I am."
"Not anymore," Ryou returned in a dangerously low voice. "You are a merchant. You are not a strong enough bender to handle her."
"I have improved since you have last seen me train."
"But if you fail, she will hunt down everyone that you ever held dear. She will destroy you. Think of your crew. Hell, forget the princess; think of what the Three Dragons will do. You know that they will catch wind of this. Remember what they did to Black Beard."
"Black Beard was dealing in the slave trade," Inara pointed out. "I believe that these are two entirely different circumstances that you are trying to compare."
"No one knows how they operate," he pointed out.
"Perhaps, but I do not care. Please listen Ryou; I know that you are just concerned but this is something that I have to do for an old friend."
Ryou became quiet and he shook his head mournfully. Inara could see death in his eyes as he stared back at her.
"Please Ryou," she pleaded. "The world is at stake. No one knows how she escaped and she probably has allies, powerful allies. Do you want to go back?"
For a moment, it looked like Ryou was not going to answer. He finally let out a sad sigh and wiped his hands over his face. He looked much older now. That short conversation had aged him 10 years with the fear and worry of Azula's rage. It was what everyone who was smart enough was feeling now.
"What do you need?" he finally asked.
"I need information. I need names," she stated. "Gold can go only so far. Information will be my currency. I need to know of anyone who might join her cause and anyone who might join in the hunt. Is she still here?"
"Well, I highly doubt she is still here. It is too quiet for her to be within the borders of the Fire Nation. Besides, everyone knows what she looks like here."
"I don't think she will go to the Water Tribes until she acquires sufficient forces."
"That is if she ever intends to go there," Ryou said. "But I will bet this shop that she is hiding in the Earth Kingdom. The only men that I know who would join her are the same ones that you know of. I would look into Edo and the former Rough Rhinos. Edo has not bee discreet with his dissatisfaction in the end of the war and the Rough Rhinos know only war. What else are they to do? Besides, I have heard that they have left the Fire Nation and no one really knows where they are."
"That's good, that's what I need," she said. "What else?"
Ryou paused and ran his teeth over his bottom lip. "You know who else you need to speak to. He is best suited to answer the second part of your question."
Inara narrowed her eyes. "I can't go see him," she said.
"You are the one who is making this dangerous journey," Ryou reminded her. "If you are to survive, you need as much information as you can get. He knows everything that happens in that world. He will know if she is even hiding there. Have you considered that? Have you considered that she could be hiding amongst them?"
"I have but I really did not want to have to look for her there," Inara grumbled. She got to her feet and started to pace around. "Do you know if he is still in the Fire Nation?"
"He keeps some men here but he has moved on to the Earth Kingdom," Ryou answered.
"There is only one place he would be there."
"If you do go there, do be careful. You should not put too much trust in him."
"No one ever trusts him," she said. "They just happen to need something from him and that's how he catches you."
"You're smarter than him. Just don't give up too much."
"Easier said than done," she muttered under her breath. Inara then untied the pouch of coins from her belt and threw it on the table in front of Ryou.
"Mistress, you do not need to pay me for information," he said.
"That's not for the information," she replied. "If things don't go in my favor, that's to help get you and your family out of here."
"I understand."
"Don't take anyone besides your wife and children," Inara advised him. "Anyone else will only slow you down and risk you being caught. Just pack what you need and go in the night."
"I understand," he repeated.
Inara gave him a quick bow and then quickly walked back into the shop. Taizo still stood guard like a vigil soldier. She walked past him without a world. When he saw her, he followed her out of the shop. They walked silently back to the ship.
Ryou's words settled in Inara's mind. His suggestion seeped and soured the more she thought about it. The noise of the crowd did not faze her. With the current burden that she bore, nothing could disturb her. Taizo had to push people out of her way as she was being pushed back and forth by busy merchants. It was almost like a dream when they reached the Empress and Inara ascended the gangplank.
Her entire crew was waiting for her with Sokka. They stood before her and she could take barely five steps from the gangplank. Nayen's eyes were wide with wonder while Kerak and Genji looked anxious for an order. Sokka's arms were folded. He looked more irritated than anything to have been left behind.
"Well," Nayen said as Taizo came on board.
"Give her some room," Taizo grumbled and backed them up.
Inara walked past them and stood in the middle of the deck. She looked over the water towards the Earth Kingdom with her crew staring at her.
"Ok," Taizo breathed losing what little patience he was granted at birth. "You've let the suspension go on long enough. Just tell us what is going on."
"We need to go to the Earth Kingdom. We need to go to Wei Yu," she answered. "Kerak, you have the wheel. Set a course. We leave now."
Inara then walked towards the door that led below deck. She could feel her crew's silence and their eyes on her back. They knew who was there. He would be the only reason they would go to Wei Yu.
"You heard the captain," she heard Kerak's loud voice. "Genji, Nayen, get down to the engine room. Taizo, you're with me."
Inara then closed the door behind her. She heard the shuffle of feet behind her but she turned a corner before Genji and Nayen could catch up to her. There might have been a small pause at where she had left the beaten path but they had no time to dawdle. They had to get down to the engine room. Genji had to tend to his precious engines and Nayen was to help him.
Inara continued quietly down the narrow corridor towards her rooms. Her heels made soft clangs on the floor of the ship as she walked down the lonely corridor. She reached her room and she snuck in. It was as if someone was watching her and she did not want them to see where she went.
Her rooms were her small sanctuary from the demands of a sea captain and commander of a small fleet of ships. She had a small office, sitting room, cleaning area, and a bedroom all of her own. If the ship could function without her, then she would probably never come out. She would lose herself in the books and records of her land and wealth.
Inara poured herself a drink and kicked off her boots. She collapsed onto a settee that was a gift from Ryou years ago and placed a cold rag over her eyes. Tranquility and relaxation was about to come on her like a smooth piece of silk until the door banged against the metal wall of the ship. She spilled her drink on the settee as she jerked upright with the rag sliding into her lap. She turned towards the door and narrowed her eyes at a blur of blue.
"We need to talk," Sokka announced in his bawdy voice.
Inara regarded him without interest. She turned away from him and settled back down on the settee. "Later."
"No now," Sokka insisted as he came around in front of her.
"Well, since you are so insistent, please, take a seat," she said sarcastically.
To Inara's chagrin, Sokka actually did take a seat. He pulled up one of her stools so that she could smell his breath. She reached towards the small table and grabbed the bottle of wine and another cup. She poured some wine for each of them since he was staying for awhile.
Sokka looked down into the red liquid with a bit of hesitation. A smile played on Inara's face. When Sokka saw it, he threw the liquid down his throat and let out a small cough.
"It's not like what you get down south is it?" Inara inquired.
"It's fine," Sokka managed to squeak out.
Inara chuckled at his resolve.
"So," he started once he regained his voice. "What's in Wei Yu?"
"A person," she answered.
"A person," Sokka repeated. "And I assume this person is a person of interest."
Inara lazily shrugged and sipped her wine.
"A person who has information that you need," Sokka ventured.
Inara rewarded him with a small nod.
"And why was I not allowed to go with you?"
Inara put her cup down. "It would have been disrespectful to the man that I went to see," she answered in a straight tone. "He is one of my tenants. I own the shop and provide the spices that he sells. He is an honorable man but he would not have spoken as candidly with you hovering over my shoulder."
"What did he tell you?"
"That we should look in the Earth Kingdom for Azula and a few men who might be with her," she answered.
"And will we be under the same arrangement as this when we arrive at Wei Yu?"
"No," she simply said. "The gentleman that we are going to go see will say anything in front of anyone."
"What does this man do for a living?"
"You are very interested into people's occupations," she observed.
"Just humor me," he responded.
Inara's mouth opened in a strange smile. She looked away for a second and then turned her head back to Sokka. "He's a retired assassin," she answered like there was nothing immoral about his profession.
This did not sit well with Sokka. His eyes narrowed and his brows gathered over his nose. "An assassin," he intoned in a shaky voice.
"A retired assassin," Inara reminded him. "He no longer kills. He has his own diverse crew of apprentices to do the work for him now."
"We are going to go see a killer," Sokka nearly growled.
Inara just shrugged. "The Assassins Guild is a subset of the Merchants Guild. They provide a service…"
"It is a crime," Sokka stated with malice. "And the Three Dragons let this go on?"
"First of all you're not a member of the Guild and so you have no say in what happens in it," she cut in sharply and sat up in the settee. "The Assassins Guild offers control and supervision to a profession that could easily spiral out of control. And no one knows how the Three Dragons operate. They are not the policemen of the Guild; at least they do not consistently act in this way. And if you are to come with me to Wei Yu, you cannot mention the Three Dragons or open your mouth to cite your notions of right and wrong. Do we have an understanding?"
Before Sokka could answer the door opened again. Kerak stood in the doorway. He paused for a moment and looked from Inara and then to Sokka. The tension was heavy, palpable.
"Captain," he said.
Inara turned to look at Kerak. "Yes?"
"You are needed for a moment if you are available."
"I'll be up in a moment," she answered. Kerak nodded to her and closed the door behind him. Inara looked back at Sokka with her gold eyes. "Do we have an understanding?"
Sokka wanted to say no. Every bit of his moral fortitude screamed for him to stand up for what was right and just. He was meant to represent Aang and Zuko. He was meant to bring in the escaped princess. This captain's morals were becoming more ambiguous by the moment. However, he strangely found himself slowly nodding to her. And then his lips opened and he said, "Yes captain, we have an understanding."
"Good," she said and rose to her feet. "We'll b in Wei Yu in a few hours." She then left her own rooms leaving Sokka alone with his stomach turning over like it was filled with black bowel.
Notes: Thanks for reading. We'll get back to Aang in a bit. I hope you have enjoyed so far and reviews are welcomed.
