Book 4 Air
Chapter 18 Awaken
The strong breeze rolled over the sea as the sound of metal channels filled with hot steam course through the rusted pipes. Katara lay down in bed as she pulled the warm blankets up to her neck.
Slowly closing and opening her azure-blue eyes, she thought about her answers that she said to the two councils. 'I hope they were pleased…I don't want to fail…' Katara thought as her eyes narrowed softly.
Then a knock was heard on the metal door, Katara sat up and called out. "Yes? Come in…" the waterbender said.
The door opened and the head guard walked in, "Miss Katara, there is a message for you. It was sent from Fire Lord Zuko."
"From Zuko?" Katara questioned.
'What could it be?' anxiously thought Katara as the guard handed her the scroll.
A blurred sight of a ceiling was seen as a dry feeling in the back of Aeron's throat stopped her from coughing. Clearing her sore throat Aeron sat up looking around the room.
"Where am I?" questioned the mercenary girl.
"Oh you're awake…" said a soft feminine voice.
Looking to her right Aeron saw a tall lean woman. Her black hair braided in the back and her gentle features appearing friendly. Her face was youthful except there were a few slim lines under her eyes and mouth. Smile lines some would call it.
"Who are you? Where am I? What happened?" Aeron asked as she then hissed in pain.
"Rest now…Your questions will answered in time…" the kind woman said as she patted a cool rag along the girl's cheek, wiping away smeared dirt.
Aeron's eyes narrowed as she tried to hold back from shivering. Turning to her side she coughed again more violently than before.
"Oh dear, it seems you got a fever during your trip here." The woman said as she felt Aeron's forehead.
"My trip? What are you talking about?" Aeron asked as she opened her eyes.
"You are no longing in the Fire Nation." The woman said as she pulled away.
Aeron's eyes opened widely as she quickly sat up, looking at her surrounds. The colors of green, dark gold and brown painted around the room.
"Where am I?" Aeron asked again in complete shock.
"You're in Earth Kingdom territory. You were sent from the Fire Nation councils." The woman said sadly.
"What!" Aeron exclaimed as she tried to get up.
"Please lay down, you are in no condition to be moving." The woman said as she placed her hands on the girl's shoulders lightly.
"No! You don't understand! Let me go! No!" Aeron cried out as she struggled, gasping for breath she then slowly started to fall. Unconscious on the sheets, with her arm folded under the blankets.
The woman sighed as she looked down at the exhausted girl.
"Poor dear…I do understand…More than you know." The woman said as she gentle brushed away the girl's bangs.
Zuko gently tapped the ink brush over the thin rice paper, writing a message in small detail.
Aang looked over and asked the Fire Lord what he was doing.
"I'm ordering a full search for Azula and to have Colonel Lu Yan report back any suspicions." Zuko said as he finished the last symbol.
"Miki, send this to Private Zha and carry out the orders to Colonel Lu Yan." Zuko said as he handed the scroll to the servant girl.
"Yes Milord…Right away." Miki said as she quickly left the room.
"So what now?" asked Toph as she sat up from a type of chaise longue chair upholstered in fine red silks and wooden gold frames on the side.
"Now we prepare for the report from the Colonel, only then can we do anything necessary." Zuko said as he leaned against the table.
"Necessary! This is necessary! No this is an emergency! We can't just wait here! Beisdes your the Fire Lord! Can't you just do as you please?" Sokka exclaimed.
"No I cannot, I do not control the ships and military. The Comannder and high ranked Chief of Army recuirt do. I have too much on my hands already."Zuko said composedly.
"No! What if Azula goes after my sister!" Sokka yelled out.
Zuko's eyes glistened and narrowed, he turned away from the water tribe warrior.
"It's alright Sokka, the message is being sent-we'll have our chance to find Azula and stop her." Suki said with calming ease as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You're right…I'm sorry." Sokka said as he lowered his head.
Then suddenly a loud knock tapped against the oak wood door.
"Come in." Zuko said.
"My Lord, the Admiral, Officer Chen from the Red Tail Fleet wishes to know if the Avatar is still planning on his trip to the Earth Kingdom Central." one of the servants said informing the request.
"Hmm…Yes, he shall. Please send the maid to pack his things and open the cargo hold for his bison." Zuko said.
"Zuko, I'm not going. Not with all that's going on here. And besides I can just ride on Appa to get to the Earth Kingdom." Aang said in a small pout.
"No. You are needed at Central, regarding the report of riots and chaos at the main gates. It was ordered by the Earth King himself. You cannot overlook and ignore his request." Zuko said in a higher tone.
"But I wasn't going too, I was simply going to reply back there was a change in plans. More important things, that I-
"Helping bringing peace and order is more important than this matter." Zuko cutted Aang off as he nearly yelled out. He paused collecting himself.
"We have control in the solution. The Earth Kingdom on the other hand does not. Their economic system is out of balance. Even if you were to delay this, the message will take too long to deliver. Messenger hawks are fast, but it would take days before the message arrives. Who knows what would happen by then. You are to leave first thing in the morning." Zuko said as he calmed down, maintaining his own frustrations.
Aang lowered his head, "Fine …But I can still just ride on Appa. You don't have to send a ship." Aang said as folded his arms in a childish matter.
"No, I personally offered you one of my finest fleets to take the voyage. Besides, it's hurricane season. The skies are too dangerous to travel in." Zuko said sternly.
"Alright, I'll go…" Aang said with a huff as he left Zuko's office.
Sokka and Suki looked back at Zuko then at each other.
Toph stood up and yawned, "I'm tired, I'm gonna catch some sleep-eye if you guys don't mind." Toph said as she walked to the door. Stopping at the doorway Toph lightly gripped the frame.
"I'll go talk to Aang later, maybe I can motivate him to actually go without complaining." Toph said softly.
"Yes, thank you Toph." Zuko said.
"Ha, what are you going to do? Kick him out of the Fire Nation with your Earthbending?" Sokka joked.
Toph smirked, "No, I'm going to use some positive reinforcements. Kind of like what Katara's done in the past." Toph said as she punched Sokka's shoulder.
"That will good, I'm confident you will do the right thing Toph." Zuko said as he turned his head to the blind earthbender.
"Geez, you've been hanging around gramps too much Zuko. I want Sparky back." Toph said as she crossed her arms over her chest and walked out the door laughing.
Suki chuckled, "Gramps? Who is she talking about?" asked Suki.
"I believe my uncle. He's been such a positive influence on me lately; I guess some of his words are rubbing on." Zuko said as he placed his hand on the desk.
"How is he doing by the way?" Suki asked.
Zuko smiled, "Alright. He managed to serve the Earth King some tea at the Royal Dining Room just a few days ago to celebrate Bosco's seventh birthday." Zuko said as he re-read the letter.
"Oh wow that must have been something. I wish I could go to the Earth Kingdom Palace." Suki said as she sighed dreamily.
"What you've never been there?" Sokka asked amazed.
Suki shook her head, "No, I only stayed at Iroh's tea shop, and walked around the markets." Suki said.
"Well maybe sometime after this is over, you can meet the Earth King and his palace. I can get you an invitation." Zuko said with a light smile.
"Oh really? Thank you so much." Suki said with a smile.
"Hmm…Well then, I think it would be best for you two to go rest for now. I'll send a servant to inform any news." Zuko said as he placed the paper down.
Sokka nodded his head and started heading to the door and Suki followed.
"Oh, but what about you Zuko?" Suki asked.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I have to sign a few more papers and then I'll retire for the night." Zuko said with reassurance.
"Ok…" Suki said as she took Sokka's hand and left the room.
Zuko turned his head to the window and sighed.
'Katara...Please get that message.' thought Zuko as his worried thoughts surfaced in his head.
I finally updated!
Thank you for patiently waiting, and for the reviews. Next chapter will come up very soon. I hope you liked it! Please review and comment my chapter, its boosts my creativity and makes me update sooner! Haha!
