BLADES OF ICE

The Southern Water Tribe was unlike any other place Zia had ever been. And it wasn't just because everything was iced-over. For one thing, the entire village was built in concentric circles. The village wall formed the outer circle, with little round houses inside it. In the very center of the giant circle that was the Southern Water Tribe there was the Village Circle, a place where all manner of social gatherings and events took place.

To Zia, the place held a sort of magic.

The Sages however, did not seem nearly as happy to be in the South Pole as Zia was. In fact, they seemed downright uncomfortable.

After introducing Zia to Amador, the village chief, the Sage's had announced that their job was over and it was time for them to return home.

"But now what am I supposed to do?" Zia had protested. Then, realizing how childish she sounded she added, "I mean, Avatar-wise and all. You guys are the experts."

The head Sage surprised Zia then by smiling. Zia realized with a pang of guilt that she didn't know the Sages' names.

"My dear girl," he said with a chuckle, "All the expertise in the world cannot prepare you for the journey you must take. You must rely on your own intuitions, and the knowledge of the past Avatar's to guide you on your journey."

"But how will I learn about the Ava- I mean my past lives?" Zia inquired, more confused than ever.

The Sage patted her on the shoulder. "When you are ready, it will be revealed to you."

Inwardly, Zia groaned. Outwardly though, she nodded politely. "Thank you for helping me on my journey so far."

"It was our honor and pleasure." replied the other Sage. They both bowed to Zia.

She returned the bow politely and the Fire Sages turned and boarded their ship once more, leaving Zia with Amador, who came forward now that the Fire Sages were done saying their goodbyes.

"Well," the village chief chuckled, "I supposed you will be staying with my wife and I. Come right along now." He ushered Zia inside the gates and into the village which was bustling with life.

People were roasting fish over open fires outside their houses and drying animal hides in the sun. Zia spotted an old woman drying laundry by Waterbending all the moisture out of clothes before she folded them. A few people, noticing Zia's Fire Nation clothes, stopped and stared at her as she passed.

"I don't mean to bother you and your wife." said Zia to Amador apologetically.

Amador practically roared with laughter. "Goodness, child!" he said, "It's an honor to have you! My wife will be tickled pink. She loves having visitors and since you're the Avatar, you're extra special."

The village chief, thought Zia, was a grandfather-like character. His hair was going gray and his face was wrinkled with smile lines. He seemed to laugh at everything.

Zia flinched at his praise, but offered her friendliest smile. "That's very gracious of you."

Amador waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. After all, you'll only be staying with us until you're Waterbending teacher returns."

"Returns?" Zia asked.

"Yes, he should be back before too long." Amador shook his head and laughed. "Only the Moon Princess herself knows where he's off to this time."

One of Zia's eyebrows went up involuntarily. "He sounds a bit eccentric."

"Oh, he's that. Never know when he's going to go off on some blasted journey. Some people say he's even been to the spirit world. But he's never gone more than a few weeks without notice, so he should be back shortly. And a better Waterbender you won't find."

Zia nodded, and then a thought accrued to her. "How did you know I was coming?" she asked. "The Fire Sages were so intent on keeping my identity a secret."

"In the Fire Nation, they were...at least until you were safely out of it." replied the chief, "I received a message a few weeks ago from the Sages telling me to expect the arrival of the new Avatar shortly. It seems they thought you were in some sort of danger from spies in the Firenation."

"Huh." said Zia. She didn't mention the attack on the ship. "But they think I'm safe in the Southern Water Tribe?"

Amador smiled. "Everyone in the Southern Water Tribe knows everyone else. It's not a big nation like the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom. Besides," he said, "we don't get that many visitors."

Zia glanced at a couple of kids who had stopped their snowball fight in order to stare at Zia. "No," she said, "I guess you don't."

Amador laughed. "If we thought that you were in danger, Zia, we wouldn't be throwing you a party tonight!"

"A party?" Zia coughed. "What for?" Then, realizing she must sound rude she added, "I mean, you shouldn't have done anything special just for me."

"Ha!" scoffed Amador. "We villagers love an excuse for a good party. You're doing us all a favor."

"Oh." So much for upsetting that plan, she thought. "Great."

xXx

xXxXx Saga of Zia xXxXx

xXx

The villagers of the Southern Water Tribe knew how to party. It was already late into the evening and the revelries were still going strong. A band with Sugi Horns, lutes, and drums were playing lively music near the huge bon fire in the Village Circle. Tables made of ice were stacked high with meat and sea prunes.

Of course, as soon as the revelries had started, Zia, seated next to Amador and his wife Mara, had been the center of attention.

"Can I have your attention please?" Amadore had stood and held up his hands to get everyone's attention. That didn't work. "ATTENTION, EVERYONE!" he boomed.

Zia shrank back and covered her ears. No wonder he'd been elected chief, she thought. They can probably hear him in the Earth Kingdom!

Now everyone in the Village Circle stopped chattering and tuned to look at Amador.

"We have with us a very special guest tonight," he began. Zia sat up straighter and tried her best to look special. "The Avatar has come here to train in the art of Waterbending! We hope that you will all welcome her with open arms." Amador motioned for Zia to stand up and she did.

Everyone clapped and cheered. There was some rude whistling and wolf-howls from the back of the crowd were a group of boys were gathered. Zia did her best not to glare at them.

"And now," continued Amador once the cheering (and howling) had died down. "Enjoy the feast!"

People ate and drank and the band played more lively music. After the feast, Waterbenders melted the ice tables away so there was room for dancing. Soon couples were spinning and dancing wildly. Amador and Mara introduced Zia to so many people that she knew she'd never be able to remember all their names.

Finally, as the moon was nearing it's zenith overhead and the music and dancing was still going strong, Zia managed to slip away from the party unnoticed. She stood in the shadows of the houses, watching the revelry from a safe distance. She sighed with relief. It felt good to be out of the spotlight.

She heard voices coming her way and stepped farther back into the shadows. Soon, a young couple about Zia's age came into view, giggling as they slipped off into the shadows. They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't notice her. They were gone soon enough and Zia let out a breath that she'd been holding.

She leaned back against the house behind her and watched the ongoing party that (except for the occasional couple slipping off into the shadows) showed no signs of ending soon. As Zia watched the dancers, thinking how different and wilder Water Tribe dances were to those in the Fire Nation, she noticed a figure that was standing in the shadows on the side of the Village Circle opposite Zia.

It was impossible to tell if the shadowy figure was male or female, but it seemed to be doing the same thing that Zia was; watching the festivities from a distance and seeming content to do so.

Soon though, the figure was joined by a second figure. Zia straightened. The second figure was none other than Amador. The two of them seemed to converse for a second before they turned away from the celebrations.

Zia didn't give it a second thought. She followed them.

It was easy to keep out of sight amongst the houses as she followed Amador and the first figure, which she now saw was a man in a dark hooded coat. They stopped just outside the village wall and Amador spoke. Zia edged closer to hear, keeping behind one of the watch towers outside the village gate.

"I had a little trouble on the way down here." replied the man in the hood to Amador.

Amador cursed. "Damn that woman!" he hissed. Then, as if another thought has occurred to him, "She didn't tell me of any trouble. Why?"

The man in the hood muttered something that Zia couldn't hear. Amador grunted in response. Zia crept closer, along the side of the watch tower.

"The Avatar thinks she's in danger already." Amador said.

Then, suddenly, Zia slipped on an icy patch in the snow and went down with a loud, "Oof!"

Both men whirled and saw her. Amador said, "What the..."

But the man in the hood didn't hesitate. He jumped Zia and pinned her to the ground, face-first in the snow. Zia squirmed and manage to kick him in the back. She heard him hiss as his grip loosened. Zia rolled out from under him. She leapt to her feet, but the man was too quick. He lashed out at her with a Waterbending move that froze her hands to her sides.

Unfortunately for him though, his hood had come off and his face was fully visible in the light of the moon.

"You!" exclaimed Zia in astonishment.

With his hood gone, Zia could clearly recognize the sharp features of the knife-thrower.

XXXXX-Author's Note-XXXXX

MmHm. Yeah, it's kind of a cliffy. Sorry about that.

Please review! As always, feel free to offer advice, but no flamers please.

Honestly, I'm thinking of quitting the story soon because I just don't have as much time as I used to for writing fanfiction. I'll try to finish this one, but I'm sorry if it takes a long time for me to post new stuff.

Flameo, Hotman!

-MissBlueFlames