The Highest Bidder
Chapter Twenty-Two: I'll Save You from the Pirates
The Seedy Merchant's pier was located in the Western Earth Kingdom, and it was cleverly named for the sort of company it attracted. Fire Nation, Earth Nation, Water Nation, and notorious con artists were encouraged to come through Merchant's pier as long as they had the inclination to bargain for the rare and scandalous items that the merchants provided. My father was a bender, but he didn't need to use his fiery weapons to pull in some of the idiotic customers in the world. He was a clever man with a silver tongue, and he could bargain as long as the customers believed that he was a charming man.
The reason why I mention the Seedy Merchant's Pier is because it was a location that we spent an entire day—believe it or not—shopping. It was also the first time that I had ever met official pirates. Sokka, Katara, and Aang can recall this moment during their journey because, yet again, our paths crossed with the same pirates.
This journey started the next morning after Prince Zuko and I shared that ceremonious kiss that started our blossoming relationship. I'll start from there.
After Zuko kissed me, I went back to my quarters, smiling, and when I drifted off to sleep, it had been the best slumber that I had ever experienced in a while. When I awoke bright and bushy-tailed in the morning, I had to remember that what happened last night had been for real, not a dream. I remembered that it was true because when I looked in the mirror to fix my hair, my memory returned to me when I saw the chain-link scar across my forehead.
As I had expected, the swelling dwindled drastically; and although the scars were deep, and the wound was trying to heal, I could tell that Iroh's first aid had helped me by pass a few days of aching pain. I made myself presentable for the day.
I went to the cargo hold to feed the Komodo Rhinos, and then I went up to the main deck to inspect the sudden cries and yells that I heard just a moment ago. I hadn't expected a surprise, and what I saw was routine, actually. Prince Zuko and Lieutenant Jee were sparring off on the foredeck as a morning drill. Prince Zuko fired blast after blast at Lt. Jee, and he blocked the jets of fire with adequate practice. They continued like this for the next few minutes then Prince Zuko called for intermission.
Lt. Jee drained a cup of cold water from a pitcher. Zuko turned to see me leaning against the side of the ship, smiling appreciatively. I unfolded my arms from across my chest and greeted him with a morning salute, which he nodded to, brushing off my formal 'hello'.
"How long have you been up, Prince Zuko?" I asked, indicating the sunrise with the palm of my hand. "Seems an awfully early morning start to a long day, if you ask me; did you get any rest last night?"
"I slept fine," he said coolly. "Did you feed the rhinos below?"
"Yes, they're fed," I reported.
"I'm a bit preoccupied, as you can see"—he gestured toward Lt. Jee, who approached us with a soft smile in my direction—"so if you don't mind…"
"Ah, no more to say," I said, turning, "I'll just be in there with your uncle."
I entered the hood of the ship to see that General Iroh was playing a game of Pai Sho with three other crew members at a low table. A helmsman controlled the wheel with diverted attention. Aside from General Iroh, they saluted me as I entered; I declined for them to return as they were. Iroh noticed their reaction and turned to me with a warm smile,
"Well, someone's in a good mood."
"I'm fine," I said lightly, unable to suppress a wide grin.
General Iroh made a move on the Pai Sho table; two crew members groaned disappointedly; one smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand in obvious turmoil. Iroh waited patiently for the next move; meanwhile, he continued to speak to me.
"You know what, Commander Mura? I think that we should take a quick detour."
"Why do you say that?" I asked, knowing that a detour would take us away from the Avatar's trail. I asked in a way that would propose curiosity, but reluctance to do it. I didn't want to be at the brunt of Zuko's temper again. We just made up last night, and honestly, our constant arguing was even getting on my nerves.
"Well," said Iroh casually, "it seems that I have misplaced a special possession of mine. And without it, I'm lost."
"What is it?" I asked, concerned.
"My White Lotus tile to Pai Sho: it's missing."
I stared at him, amused and conflicted. He looked up at me to see my reaction when I had said nothing in response. An entertained grin spread across his aged mouth, and he shoved a hand my way in a gesture to settle my uneasy nature.
"I'm sure Zuko will understand."
Irresistibly, I snorted aloud at his comment.
"Helmsman," said Iroh, "head a course to the Western Earth Kingdom."
The man at the helm was obedient; he jerked the wheel suddenly and the entire ship jolted in response. It rocked us viciously and threw me off balance. Lt. Jee and Zuko's cries of surprise were heard from the main deck. I casually crawled toward Iroh and sat beside him to avoid Zuko's temper tantrum.
As I had expected, Zuko entered the chamber, confronting the helmsman,
"What is the meaning of this mutiny? Nobody told you to change course!"
"Actually," said Iroh calmly as he made a move on the Pai Sho game board, "someone did. I assure you it is a matter of utmost importance, Prince Zuko."
Prince Zuko glanced at me swiftly before turning to his uncle,
"Is it something to do with the Avatar?"
"Even more urgent. It seems," Iroh said with a slight chuckle, "I've lost my lotus tile."
Zuko's voice retreated into a mystified tone,
"Lotus tile…?"
He was as dumbfounded as I had been.
"For my Pai Sho game," Iroh said more clearly. "Most people think the lotus tile as insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy that I employ."
Zuko, incensed, said in reply,
"You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?"
I looked to Iroh,
"See, General? I knew he wouldn't go for this…"
"See," said Iroh, "You and Mura are like most people: you underestimate its value. Just give me ten minutes to check the merchants at this port of call. Hopefully they'll have the lotus tile in stock and I can get on with my life."
Zuko worked hard to contain his anger, and he ultimately released gout of flame from his mouth and smoke from nostrils; it licked the ceiling. As smoke filled the room, Iroh smiled gleefully and said,
"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew."
Despite his obvious disapproval of the detour, Zuko angrily allowed his uncle to follow through the so-called needed change of plans. I thought it was actually quite relieving to visit another merchant's stop, due to the fact that I enjoyed browsing through various collections of wild life and the weaponry that was provided for Fire Nation, Earth Nation, and Water Nation troops. I also thought it was a bit amusing to know that Zuko, hell-bent on finding the Avatar, (albeit grudgingly) allowed his uncle to find the missing White Lotus tile to a frivolous game.
It was two hours that we sailed on the sea, and we ported on the deck of the Merchant's pier in the later morning. As we came onto shore, a few soldiers followed us while others separated to find supplies, cargo, and to purchase their own miscellaneous possessions.
In Seedy Merchant's Pier, the products were various sorts from jewelry to parrots, from boomerangs to flaming arrows; and the foods were from each Nation, sold by merchants and owners who wore matching Nation robes for their supplies.
While Iroh searched the merchant shops, I grew especially attached to a Fire Nation Messenger Hawk. I was more interested in the menagerie on the spit of the land than the shops that proposed the more of the 'high-risk trading' route.
The animal handler behind the booth approached me from behind the counter while I was talking to a male hawk, which looked at me attentively, cocking his head from side to side. The merchant smiled at me.
"You look quite young to be a Commander," he said indifferently, observing my Fire Nation robes.
"It's because I take good care of my skin," I retorted, looking at the Messenger Hawk with interest.
"Must be. You really are a pretty girl."
The hawk responded with a small coo from its copper beak.
The merchant laughed warmly,
"Looks like he thinks so too. You have a certain inner love for animals, don't you? I can tell. The bird doesn't seem to have any enmity for your presence."
I looked at the merchant in little surprise.
"Well, I guess I'm just in touch with my inner animal than I am with people," I said loosely.
The Messenger Hawk tooted wistfully and rattled his wings in his cage. He really was a beautiful bird, as I believed that its entire species was. He had tawny red feathers, a sleek back with slender wings and a relaxed tail; its eyes were amber like Prince Zuko's. I suppose, in that moment of time, that's why I liked the animal so much.
I slipped my hand through the metal bars and petted the creature's feathery head. It tooted again. The merchant betrayed an anxious expression as a stroked the hawk's vibrant feathers. I looked at him, eyeing his disposition.
"I tell you what," said the merchant. "You must have been promoted just recently in order to be a Commander of a ship. So here's what I'll do: I'll give you the bird for a congratulatory present. How's that?"
I looked at him suspiciously.
"What's the catch?"
"You must be misunderstanding me," said the merchant with the same warm smile. "I sincerely offer you this hawk as a promotional gift. He does seem to like you a lot."
I glanced at his other beasts for sale. What I realized afterward that of his vast collection of birds, beasts, and creatures from far and wide (and his Messenger Hawks); this one that he offered so willingly was the only one that was caged.
He must have understood—or followed—my gaze, for he put his cards on the table.
"This hawk comes free because every time he is purchased from my menagerie, the buyers are attacked. Apparently, this one is biased. I can't sell him without having to keep the refund on hand."
"So that's the catch," I muttered. "Why does it attack your customers?"
"I guess it's distrustful," said the merchant. He was at a loss. "I'm not sure what makes it so angry at its masters. But you're the only person that it has shown at least a little interest in. I guess it's just coincidence, isn't it?"
I looked at him frankly.
"Yeah." I muttered, not surprised. "I suppose it is…"
"Well, do you want to take him out or what?" asked the merchant.
"I suppose," I sighed. "I mean, what harm could it do at this point?"
"My thoughts exactly," the merchant agreed quickly.
As he reached for the door of the hawk's cage, it lunged for his fingers and nipped his thumb. Blood rushed from his nail; he jerked his hands away from the cage and gasped in pain.
"Ooh," I grimaced. "That's a nasty cut…"
"Yes…I'm afraid it's not the first," the merchant muttered coldly.
"Perhaps I'll try?"
He gestured for me to give it a go.
"Easy, boy…" I whispered to it. He stared at me unblinkingly. "That's it. Watch my eyes. Don't look at my hands…"
"Why are you talking to it as if it's a human?" asked the merchant impatiently.
"Because," I said, still eyeing the bird in a staring contest, "if Messenger Hawks can understand destinations, they obviously understand common speech as well…"
"That's ridiculous," hissed the merchant.
The Messenger Hawk cried out in disapproval and flapped his wings wildly. I glared at the merchant.
"You're not exactly helping my case," I snapped at him irritably.
"Sorry, sorry…"
I returned my attention to the bird, and unlatched the cage door slowly.
"Easy, boy," I said to it calmly. "Don't make any sudden movements. Now come out of your cage. Climb onto my hand. Come on."
It hesitated. The merchant ducked under his booth. The hawk tweeted coolly, and it detached one foot from its comfortable branch to set a foot on my wrist. Its long talons lightly prickled my skin. I could easily understand why he was returned consecutively; one cut to the throat would leave any person hemorrhaging blood. His amber eyes watched me closely. Inside, my stomach turned uncertainly. Then the bird set his other foot onto my bare knuckles.
"Good, boy," I said quietly. "Easy…"
I maneuvered my hand out of the cage and closed the door slowly. It flapped its wings in freedom, and cried out loudly at the merchant who slowly rose to his feet to stare at the magnificent creature. The hawk side-stepped along my arm, and finally settled on my left shoulder where it bathed itself.
"Thanks for the gift," I said gratefully, smirking at the merchant.
"Anytime, Commander…" the merchant retorted with a cold smile.
I searched the rest of the market with my new pet perched on my shoulder. Although it was used as a Messenger Hawk, I merely wanted it because it was more a familiar than a postman. I enjoyed its company as I passed through the cobblestoned streets, searching for General Iroh and Prince Zuko.
I mulled over several names to call my newfound friend, but all the names that I came up with seemed too obvious in a manner, such as 'Claws' or 'Wings'. So, unintentionally, I just stuck to the name "Red".
When I passed through the merchant's pier, I recognized Iroh and beside him was Zuko, who looked clearly unhappy.
I arrived at Zuko's side. He turned to look at me and jumped when Red squawked at him.
"Why do you have a messenger hawk?" said Zuko irritably.
"No one else wanted him," I told him casually. "Apparently, he attacked his new masters, and the merchant that owned him gave me Red for free to get rid of him. I don't know; he seems to like me."
"Red?" questioned Zuko. "You named your Messenger Hawk?"
"He's not just a Messenger Hawk," I retorted reproachfully. "He's my pet."
"They're mailmen," said Zuko, raising a finger to Red, "not pets—Ah!"
As he said it, Zuko drew back his finger as Red lunged at him.
"Oh," I added with a smirk, "he can also understand what you're saying."
"Most of them do," said Iroh on the side.
"Yeah," I agreed, "but Red is easily offended."
"Great," said Zuko irritably, "so you have a new pet, and we're still nowhere close to the Avatar's trail. This was a useless detour!"
"You didn't find the White Lotus tile?" I asked curiously, and slightly surprised.
Zuko crossed his arms. Iroh shook his head.
"No. I've checked all the shops on this pier. Not a lotus tile in the entire marketplace."
"So aside from Red," I said gently, "this trip was a waste of time?"
"Quite the contrary, my dear. I always say that the only thing better than finding something you were looking for is finding something you weren't looking for at a great bargain!"
A parade of Fire Nation soldiers walked by us carrying armloads of merchandise that General Iroh had apparently purchased while I had been preoccupied with acquiring Red. The last soldier carried a load of instruments; including a large brass musical instrument.
Zuko gave the soldier a look and turned to his uncle,
"You bought a Tsungi horn?"
"For music night on the ship," said Iroh with a delighted grin. "You should participate, Prince Zuko. Commander Mura has the most beautiful singing voice." He nudged him in the ribs. "Now if only we had some woodwinds…"
Iroh led the way through the street. He walked for a few minutes along the outskirts of the town, and then he pointed excitedly to a ported ship by a pier. It wasn't a ship was belonged to any nation, and I knew this from studying International Naval Affairs with my father while I was rather young. However, despite its uniqueness, Iroh insisted,
"This place looks promising!"
Iroh, Zuko, and I filed in through the threshold of what I immediately realized was a pirate ship. The big hint was that the head of the crew was a man dressed in a large, feathered hat and an iguana parrot was perched on his shoulder. My hawk cooed unpleasantly; Red and the rivaled iguana parrot chirped resentfully at each other. I held fast to its feathery body, holding Red in my arms. Zuko looked at me with a cross expression.
"Still think it was a good idea buying that thing?"
"Yes," I said strongly. I felt Red's talons scratch my arms in protest. "Yes, I do."
Iroh didn't pay any heed to my restraint with my new pet; he apparently felt that I was well able-bodied to control him. The iguana parrot that was perched on the captain's shoulder quieted as I stroked the feathers on Red's back.
"Behave," I hissed, setting him behind my neck.
Iroh admired a red jeweled monkey statue on a shelf.
"Ooo! That is handsome! Wouldn't it look magnificent in the galley?"
I crossed over to him and glanced at it awkwardly.
"Looks a bit devilish, don't it?" I said. "You'd probably make a better fortune by cutting its eyes out and pawning the rubies at a jeweler."
"Well," said the pirate captain, rising from his seat at a desk; he walked toward me with a casual stride. His iguana parrot watched me with those yellow eyes. "Seems like we've got a trader in our midst, lads."
He gave me a wide grin.
"Perhaps you'd like to join our crew some time," chuckled the captain.
Zuko frowned.
"You're talking to a high-ranked officer," he said disapprovingly. The captain scowled at Prince Zuko, but he nevertheless looked at me with a different glint in his eyes, and bowed to me respectively, palming his two hands in the original Fire Nation greeting. "My apologies, Ma'am. I assumed that you were a regular recruit. You're awfully young."
When he said 'young', it was like a terrible purr. I stepped away from him; as I did, Zuko stepped in front of me. He was about to say something when a pirate with long, greasy brown hair and a feminine stride approached the captain in disappointed alarm,
"We lost the girl," he said, "and the bald monk she was traveling with."
Zuko's face lit up. He turned to the pirate.
"This monk, did he have an arrow on his head?"
According to the Pirate Captain, three kids had been in the ship earlier, and they had been inspecting a Waterbending Scroll, which had been the item in question that had been stolen. The girl—which was Katara—had taken it while Sokka and Aang had been preoccupied. Now the plunderers were searching for their lost treasure, and it so happened that their precious was traveling with our own target. Prince Zuko arranged a deal with the Pirate Captain that they would hit two birds with one stone. Iroh commanded the Fire Navy ship while Zuko and I sailed with the captain. In order to stop the aggression between the iguana parrot and my Messenger Hawk, I requested to Iroh that he keep Red until we found the Avatar. Red didn't object to this; he had merely perched on the side railing of the naval vessel.
As we sailed generously slow on the gentle, moving river, I side-glanced the pirates and turned to Zuko.
"You don't really expect them to keep their side of the bargain, do you?"
The Pirate Captain apparently heard me, for he turned on his heel and approached me; he towered over my short stature,
"You got a problem with pirates, young lassie?"
"You have a poor reputation of keeping your word," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "And just because you're a few inches taller than me, don't think that you have the upper hand. I'm not a simple Fire Nation woman, Captain."
"Trust me," said Zuko with a small smile, "she's not."
The Pirate Captain glowered at me for a minute longer but resolved his issue, looking over the stretch of the bay before him.
"Shouldn't we stop to search the woods?" asked the captain.
"We don't need to stop," said Prince Zuko. "They stole a Waterbending scroll, right?"
"Uh huh."
"Then they'll be on the water."
I looked at the captain incredulously.
"You know, for you to be the head of your crew, you're not really bright, are you?"
The Captain clenched his teeth irritably.
"You know, Commander, something tells me that you're picking a fight."
"Even if I was—and I'm not—surely you'd want to do something about it, hm? Captain, in your line of duty, I imagine that there isn't a lot of honor among cutthroats," I said, "but I would think that a man who promotes himself as 'captain' would have the basic understanding that somebody who is a Waterbender would be practicing near water. That makes me believe that you're not—"
"Girl, you're making me angry," said the Captain aggressively; he made a step toward me. Zuko threw a hand out in front of him to stop him from coming any closer.
"I know that she's annoying," said Zuko seriously, "but she is still one of my officers, and I highly suggest that you don't make her angry."
The captain frowned deeply.
"What makes you so special anyway?" he remarked. "Aside from those scars on your forehead and your pretty bird, why would a Fire Lord Prince let you come aboard his ship?"
I gestured for him to look upon his own ship to see for himself. He was obviously thunderstruck when he turned to see barrels of gunpowder emptying them in the air; the power fell in black, dusty piles. He stared at me and raised his sword.
"Witch!"
The pirates circled us immediately. Zuko uttered a frustrated groan and looked at all of them.
"Stay that sword, Captain," he said. "If you harm her, you'll answer to me."
"Tell her to stop her weird black magic," Pirate Barker ordered from behind his captain; he was the man with greasy, long hair and the feminine strut.
"It's not magic," I said coldly. I released the barrels of gunpowder from my control, and they fell with heavy clunks to the main deck. "It's power. And I have enough of it if you all are thinking about going against me."
The captain gestured for his men to stand down. The pirates waited on deck patiently; the atmosphere settled. It was nearly sun down when a frustrated voice of a girl cried out in the dim light,
"Come on, water, work with me here! Ah! Stupid scroll!"
We docked by the nearest shore. As I stepped onto the land, I automatically could feel that someone—or something was near. The pirates took one side of the beach; and Zuko and I went around.
Just as we had expected, the Water Tribe girl was practicing a water whip by the edge of the river (and she was losing her concentration by the minute). She must have heard the pirates, for she scared easily and turned to see that one of the pirates had tried to sneak up on her. He caught her by her wrist.
"No!" she said, startled, "Let go of me!"
She bended the water whip around and it smacked the pirate in the face. He released her hand, and she charged ahead; however, she ran right into Zuko's arms, which held her fast to stop her from fleeing.
"I'll save you from the pirates."