Book 4 Air
Chapter 25 Bold
The view of two massive red oak doors carved in detailed designs of flames and two dragons perching from top to bottom overwhelmed Katara as walked up to the entrance. Two guards opened to the doors for her as she entered into the dining quarters. The waterbender quietly made her way to the table where four men were seated including the Fire Lord.
"I am glad you made it on time." Zuko said warmly as he raised his hand out in welcome.
"Fire Lord Zuko." Katara said as she bowed deeply.
The four other men who appeared to be either high ranked nobles or officers watched the young woman's modest display and respect towards their lord. They approved.
Sitting on Zuko's left side, Katara folded her hands underneath the table, unsure how to represent herself to the group.
"Katara, these are the member's Royal cadres of the Eastern boarder of the Fire Nation." Zuko said as he introduced the men.
All were neatly dressed in fine kimonos with a symbol of their rank in pattern. Three of the men appeared older perhaps in their late forties. The fourth man appeared no younger than the Fire Lord himself.
Katara bowed to the men in honor of their high royal rank.
The first man closest to the Lord's right side, narrowed his eyes at the girl.
"You are indeed the Water Tribe Princess of the Southern lands?" the man asked with his thick eyebrow lifting lightly.
Katara bowed her head, "I am." Katara said with a short mild answer.
"Tell us, what plans do you have for our country?" the second man said as he rested his hands on the table.
Katara blinked then thought to herself.
"What I would for my country and any other nation. To protect the people and bring peace to the land." Katara said as she lifted her head high.
All of the men looked at one another; each expression they displayed was unreadable to the waterbender's eyes. She grew nervous.
"And how will you approve of being the womb-mother to our nation?" the third man asked as he leaned back rubbing his thin goatee.
Katara's eyes glistened lightly as she replied honestly, "If it is to help bring order to your people and to the world. I will happily accept that honor." Katara said with a deep bow to the men.
Zuko was impressed of Katara's answers to the Royal cadres. She was proving herself worthy of the title, Fire Lady and as a respectable partner in his favor.
The younger cadre looked into the woman's eyes, observing her posture and delicate frame.
"Do you think you can bare a healthy heir to the Lord?" the fourth man asked the girl with a serious tone.
Katara tried to hide her tinted cheeks as she sheepishly answered, "I will train myself hard and do my best to produce a powerful heir to his majesty." Katara said, her mind secretly not wanting to think of such things.
Even as a Water Tribeswoman, Katara knew the importance of producing strong children. Helping and delivering countless newborns along with the tribe's deep traditions of family and love. Katara knew raising a child who's skilled in the art of the tribe's belief will one day hunt and protect their people. Such enriched customs stayed with her thus she knew some thing's that involve the significance of carrying on the bloodline. She just never thought such a subject will be bought up, especially in front these men.
Silently lowing her head down, embarrassed of speaking about such intimate matters. Katara tried to tell herself it was only the bloodline they were interested in. Not the fact she might one day bed with the Fire Lord.
Spirits no, she was still hoping for the divorce to go through, rather than thoughts of producing heirs.
Slightly drifting her eyes to the left, Katara looked at Zuko. His golden eyes glistened as he appeared to be deep in thought. The waterbender's cheeks warmed up as she turned her head away.
The men noticed the innocent act from the girl, noting the wondrous fact she was not fake.
Any woman would want to produce a powerful heir for the lord. But only few actually show such modest and respect. They all nodded their heads with acceptance.
The councils have chosen well for their lord. Water Tribe or not, this woman indeed proves to understand the importance of their political views and testaments.
Just then servants entered the room, holding trays of food and drinks for the people. Each member received their own plate with two sides and glasses.
Katara looked down at the food. A chunk of beef braised in coconut milk appeared to be intensely spiced with lemongrass and turmeric. The meat fell apart in tender strands with the gentle pull of Katara's chopstick as she picked up the morsel to her lips. The flavor was deep, earthy, and bold as she chewed the meat. Katara then turned her attention to the bowl of soup. Dripping her spoon into the watery meal, Katara lightly sipped. It slightly burned her lips from the intense spiciness. Swallowing the soup Katara felt as though her throat was constricting. Looking more closely at the caustic stew, she noticed the chili surrounded with potatoes and chicken liver. Licking her lips Katara reached over for the glass. Drinking the red wine Katara noted the rough, puckery taste-like sensation it gave her taste buds, it was quite a change in the shockingly spicy meal to the lighter finer taste of the red wine.
Zuko tried to hide his smile at the scene before him. Watching the waterbender try the customary foods of the royalty was very amusing. Observing her chew on the tender meat, seeing her face lit up as she enjoyed it quietly. Seeing her turn to the soup, Zuko tried his hardest not to laugh at the girl's shocked expression as her face cringed from the hot chili as she bit on the golden utensil.
"Are you enjoying your meal, Katara?" Zuko asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Taking another sip of her wine, Katara turned to the Fire Lord with a smile.
"Yes, the food is exquisite…" Katara said as her cheeks turned red and forehead bead with sweat.
"Are you certain? I can have the chef prepare you something less…hot." Zuko said he tried to find the right words to say.
"Oh no it's fine. It's very good, Fire Lord Zuko." Katara said as she bowed her head lightly.
After the group finished their meal the four men dismissed themselves from the table, leaving the dinging room.
Katara finished the last of her wine and turned to Zuko.
"Lunch was very good, thank you for inviting me." Katara said warmly to the Fire Lord.
Zuko smiled as he leaned back on the table informally. "Perhaps sometime before my meeting, we can go walk in the garden's and feed the turtle-ducks, that is if the weather improved." Zuko said as he looked at the girl.
"Sure, that sounds nice." Katara said as she held her hands together smiling softly.
"Very well." Zuko said as he stood up and walked over to Katara.
"Shall I escort you to your room?" Zuko asked as he held out his hand.
Katara looked at the lord's hand then up at his face. "It's not very traditional with your title." Katara said unsure of the young man's intentions.
"Of course not. You will soon become my wife. It's only natural for people to see us together." Zuko said as he offered his hand to the waterbender.
"Well, alright…" Katara said she took the lord's hand and stood up and exited out of the dining quarters and down the hallway.
"So can you help us?" a wicked voice asked harshly to the woman leaning again the wall.
Turning her attention to the two cloaked persons, Jun sighed. "If you give me a reason to help you then it's all up to your payment." Jun said as she pinched her fingers.
"We offer you 10 pounds of gold and five hundred yuan." The next figure spoke underneath her hidden face.
"Yuan uh? That's rare in this part of the country…Fine I'll accept. What'da you need?" Jun said as she looked at the leather bag full of coins.
"Take us to the Western boarder then to the harbor." The woman said as she slightly lifted her head, revealing her golden eyes.
"Hmm, fine." The bounty hunter said as she walked over to her Shirshu.
"Nyla." Jun said the beast lowered its head lifting the woman up on the saddle.
"You two better hurry, nightfall is approaching and thieves are in the area." Jun said as she helped the two women onto the back of the beast.
"Hold on tight!" Jun called out as the Shirshu snarled galloping into the forest.
"How urgent is the message?" Suki asked the guard has he opened the scroll.
"They want you to depart as soon as possible. Shall I inform the Lord?" the guard asked the Kyoshi woman as she narrowed her eyes.
"Yes. Thank you." Suki said as she turned to Sokka.
"This is bad, Sokka. Riots broke out near the trade route of my village. I am needed to patrol my party to the Western canal near the Serpents Pass." Suki said with a serious tone.
"I'll come with you." Sokka said not wanting her to deny his assistance as a skilled fighter.
"Thanks, we'll need all the help we can get. The guard will tell Fire Lord Zuko the news. I think its best we prepare for the journey." Suki said as she walked down the hall.
Sokka sighed, 'A warrior's work is never done…' the young man thought as he followed the determined young woman in front of him.
Walking up to her bedroom, Katara turned to the Fire Lord. "Thank you for escorting me, Fire Lord Zuko." The girl said with a small smile.
"Of course…" Zuko said as he still held the girl's hand lightly.
Katara blushed deeply as Zuko lifted her hand, then bend down to kiss the top of her palm curtly. Straightening his pose the Lord smiled warmly at the girl's sheepish smile.
Just then a guard paced quickly to his lord.
"Sire." The guard said as he moved in and whispered the rest of the imformation to Zuko.
"Of course, send Captain Jin to the docks. I'll have them escorted as soon as possible." Zuko said sternly.
"What's going on?" Katara asked as her hand slightly clenched with worry.
"It would seem Suki and Sokka are needed sooner than expected. They will depart to Kyoshi Island this evening." Zuko said as he noticed Katara's small concern in her blue eyes.
"Don't worry. They'll be fine. Now I'm sorry but I must go. We shall meet later on." Zuko said as he smile slightly to the girl.
Katara smiled and nodded her head in understanding as Zuko and the guard left down the hall.
Katara then reached for the door handle and walked in her room. Closing the door behind her, the waterbender lightly touched her hand, blushing lightly as her heart raced in her chest.
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