Well this is a very long one, the longest so far. I hope you all like it, enjoy :D
Chapter 11
Night at the Gambing Palace
Thunder boomed outside as we walked through the halls of the Gambing Palace.
"Well, children," Chief Arnook said, "now that the 'performance' is over, you may explore the palace at will. Though, I recommend that you at least stay in pairs. We do not want anyone getting lost, especially you, Hyriu." The Chief took me off to the side with Wei. "Now Hyriu, have you had any more visions since the library?"
"No. None," I replied.
"I expect you will get one soon. It seems that you get one every few hours, and you will be due for another before dinner. I ask that you do not leave the sight of at least two other people, no matter what. Do you understand?" he said very seriously. I nodded.
"Well, after that piece of sunshine," Wei began with a smile," You have passed your test; you should be celebrating with your friends, going where you please. However, heed Chief Arnook's words for he speaks the truth. Something is going on that we do not understand. You pass your test, these visions, and someone over hearing Pakku call you 'Anzen'. These cannot be coincidences, and I think in the coming weeks we will not gain answers, but instead, more questions."
"Do you think it could be because the Darkness is coming? Maybe that's what is causing all of this. Maybe it will be here soon," I said in a scared voice.
"No, I do not think that it is the Darkness," Wei said reassuringly.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"I don't," he replied gravely. "But I would think the Avatar would return before the Darkness gets here, and he hasn't been heard of for almost a hundred years. When the Avatar returns, we should worry. But enough of this dreary talk. Go celebrate, have fun with your friends, and please, take Hiko with you."
"Alright," I said, forcing a smile.
My friends and I split off from all of the adults with Hiko trailing after us. We discussed my test and the water bending forms I had used. Then, we decided which places we would each be revisiting and exploring.
"I really would like to see the Meditation Room. Hyriu, I'm sure you would like to go there with me. What about you guys?" Lamara asked.
"I don't know. I kind of wanted to go back to the library," I told her.
"Oh come on," she grinned. "Hiko will go. Won't you, Hiko?" He blushed and nodded shyly, "See, and how about you Koluk?"
"I'll go," he said, seeing what she was up to.
"You wouldn't leave your brother and best friend, now would you? And Lina will go, right?" she asked eagerly.
"Of course I will go. I love learning about the Air Nomad culture. Hyriu talks about it a lot during trai- after school," Lina finished quickly. She was about to say during our training lessons, but no one else was supposed to know about them.
"Now you really can't say no," Lamara said. They all looked at me expectantly. "Chief Arnook and Wei said to celebrate with your friends, and if you go to the library now, you will probably get distracted and lose track of time. Then, before you know it, it will be time to leave."
"Well, I can't argue with that," I said finally with a smile.
We did our best to find our way back, but we did get lost and found very interesting parts of the palace along the way. A courtyard that was full of statues and a walkway that went over a large chasm with a waterfall pouring into it were a few of our discoveries during our escapades. Finally, we found the main hallway and followed it until we saw the passage way that lead to the Meditation Room. We followed the blue and purple patterns beneath our feet until we reached the end where there was a circular room with a spiral staircase that reached at least five stories.
"Meditation Room?" Koluk scoffed. "More like 'Meditation Tower'."
A thought entered my mind, and I glanced at Lamara who was looking at me.
"Race you to the top?" she challenged.
"Go!" I shouted.
She used an air cycle technique and propelled herself upward. I began using my acrobatics helped by my air bending so I could make impossible jumps and flips. It felt great to be myself and not have to hide anything. Occasionally, I shot blasts of air to Lamara to knock her off balance, and she countered my attacks. Our friends were left struggling up the stairs being buffeted by gusts of wind.
Lamara was just about to beat me when I shot a blast of air pinning her to the tower wall. I leaped up past her and landed in the top room. A second later, Lamara jumped up and with a flip of her hand, she sent a gust of wind knocking me to my butt. We both laughed until we couldn't breathe. The others finally joined us as we recovered.
"So who won?" Koluk asked.
I stood up to answer him, but Lamara knocked me back to the floor with an over exaggerated angry expression.
"Well I guess that answers my question," Koluk stated, plainly on the verge of laughter.
"Whoa, come and look at this view," said an amazed Lina.
We walked to one of the many open space windows around the circular room. We were in the second tallest tower in the palace. The tallest tower was the one at the peak of the domed library. Dark clouds had taken over the sky. The sun had sunk beneath the clouds and gave off a red-orange radiance that faded to dark blue and black across the sky. It was beautiful to look at. The mountains to the south were a dark blue on one side and a light orange on the other. The sun reflected in the water with wonderful colors. I looked around the room, and there were fountains all around it. However, they were not complex designs or carvings; they were very simple with just small pebbles and stones with some water quietly running through them. They were all right up against the walls with a small stream connecting each one to another. When we were quiet, you could hear a faint trickling that was some how very calming. I sat down in the middle of the floor in a meditating position. Everyone else followed suit. Even though only Lamara and I had actually meditated before, they all seemed to know what to do. I closed my eyes and cleared my mind. I concentrated on my breathing, trying to forget everything else, only, I couldn't. My mind kept drifting back to the robed man.
Suddenly, I felt like I was falling. I opened my eyes and fell backwards from my sitting position. I looked around and saw the robed man standing by a window. I quickly took a fighting stance and lifted up some water. I waited for my friends to react to the noise of me falling and then jumping up. Surely they heard that since it was so quiet here, but they didn't even flinch.
The man turned, red eyes flashing, "Oh that won't be necessary." He spoke in a different tone than when he talked in the Hall. He sounded calm but still intimidating. I could just barely hear the edge of his voice that caused me so much fear. It was lurking in the depths of his calmness, brushing the surface here and there. "You wouldn't be able to do much to me with that water anyway. Go ahead, try and hit me with it."
I shot the water at his head, but it passed through him as if he was made of smoke. I looked at my friends who still seemed to be meditating.
"They can't hear us, or even feel us for that matter. I've placed us in an alternate reality, so to speak. The real idea is much to complex for…your people to comprehend," he said. The way he used "your people" to represent the human race gave me chills.
I just stared at him with a blank expression.
"Come look," he said. I reluctantly joined him at the widow. "Isn't it beautiful?"
He was speaking in a very different way, almost friendly- almost.
"Ah, this is truly a fantastic view. The sunset makes your city look as if it is made of diamonds and gems, not snow and ice. It would be a shame if destruction befell it," he said, and the sun started to fade, and his voice became more and more scary and menacing with every word he said. "But as is its destiny, the sunset, and everything else, even the light, must yield to the Darkness."
When he finished, his voice was just as menacing and intimidating as it was in the Grand Hall. The sunset faded just as he said "Darkness," and the dark storm clouds took control of the sky with an evil red glow lingering from the hidden sun.
"See," he said turning to me, "even the most wondrous things fade into Darkness. It is a part of nature. Even the day yields to the night."
I worked up some courage finally to say something to him. "How do you know that the night doesn't yield to the day?"
He laughed his cold laugh. "So finally the great and powerful Anzen speaks, and it is a rebellious remark towards me. How fitting," he said in a very mocking way as if 'Anzen' was a word made up by a child wearing a costume. "Well boy, what comes first, night or day?"
"Um, I guess day," I said weakly.
"Yes, day comes before night, so how could the night yield to the day if the day comes first? It cannot. The day yields to the night. While it is dark in the early morning of the day, that does not make it night. But then that also shows that the day begins and ends in Darkness."
"Who are you?" I asked, unable to think of anything else to say.
He laughed again, and the room dropped in temperature.
"Have not guessed by now, or are you just too afraid to think of the answer? Well, either way, you will find out soon enough. I am here for one reason only, and that is to give you a warning."
"A warning?" I asked fear obvious in my voice.
"Yes. The first of three," he said menacingly. "You have the potential to be a problem and a nuisance to me. You would only be a thorn bush blocking my path, but if you try to block my path, I will remove you and cause much sorrow and regret. You remember the visions of your friends being tortured? That was just a taste of what I can unleash. So here is my warning." He turned his whole body toward me, and I backed up a few steps. "If you stay on this path, if you try to discover your true potential, if you try to stand against me, I promise you and your world will suffer, and your people will die. I warn you, if you stand in my way, I will knock you to the ground so hard, not even in your most rebellious dreams would you even attempt to get up. If you stray from you path however, and you do not master the other elements, and you will not stand against me, I will leave you in peace. But if you ever show even the slightest act of rebellion, I will not hesitate to let your world burn and have all your loved ones just out of your reach, so all you can do is watch."
The tone of his voice told me he really would do all of those things. Part of me wanted to go hide in a corner and never leave, but something didn't match up. He said all these things but back in the library. I openly attacked him, and he just ran off. In his threat, he made it sound like I have yet to decide, as if I hadn't attacked him in the library.
"If you're so powerful, then why did you run from me in the library?" I asked fearfully.
He laughed mockingly, "Now why would I run or hide from you? The only reason I even gave you any attention is because I saw that you might be a problem. So I watched you, but didn't see any potential threat, yet I watched. Even now, you are hardly an opponent worthy of my full attention. But still, I watch you and see if you could become anything I might need to remove. I never leave anything to chance. Even if I was told a peasant boy might rise against me, I would wipe him out. You should count yourself lucky that I am still letting you live. The only thing keeping you alive right now is your potential. And now, today, I see you could be a worthy servant of mine. It is not every day that a boy becomes the best water bender in history. Oh, and just so you know, no matter how hard you train, no matter how fast you master the other elements, it will not be enough. There is nothing you can do to prepare yourself for my arrival. Sure, you could be a fierce warrior in ten years, but you don't have ten years. Your deadline to prepare is only months away. Less than six months to be precise. So think. Can you actually become the safety net in 6 months? I am sure you would almost be ready if you abandon everything and train every hour of every day, but still you wouldn't be ready. When it comes down to it, almost killing me is nothing. If you fire an arrow, and it almost strikes my heart, my heart will still be unharmed. I would still be alive and very much a danger to you. Almost is never good enough when dealing with me."
The news struck me hard; he wasn't the person I had seen following me or the person I saw in the library. Also, I was surprised by how much he knew. His knowledge seemed infinite.
"Well, I have given you my warning; I will leave you now to think. You had better make the correct choice. If you take another large step of progress like the one you did today, you will receive your second warning. You will not have any visions of me like the ones you had today until your second warning. You may see me here and there keeping an eye on you, but that is it. Now, as a demonstration of power, I will unleash this storm upon your city. No one will be killed, not yet. This is to show you exactly what you are up against," he disappeared in a bright flash.
Even though my vision had ended I was still standing at the window. 'I must have walked here during my vision,' I thought. The bright flash was a bolt of lightning, but instead of streaking across the sky, the crack spread downward and connected with a distant watchtower that was in the foothills of the Bei Shui Mountains. A crackling boom followed an instant later and the tower exploded. My friends jumped out of their sitting positions and joined me at the window, and we watched in shock and horror as the tower collapsed. Just then, a strong gust of wind struck the tower we were in and nearly threw me to the floor.
The only place I felt the wind currents this strong was in the mountains surrounding the Shui Air Temple. However, even those were not nearly as powerful as this unless you climbed to the mountains' peaks.
"Oh…" I heard Lina say. I looked and saw she was sitting on the floor looking sick. "Is…is the tower swaying to anyone else?"
"Maybe we should go back down," suggested Lamara as another strong gust of wind hit us.
We quickly went down the stairs as more thunder echoed around us.
A voice echoed in my head, "The red-eyed man did not lie. He will see those threats through to the end if he can." I recognized it as the same voice I had heard in History class after my first vision- the deep strong voice of a woman.
"Who are you?" I asked in my head.
"I am someone watching over you, guiding you, and helping you when you need it most," she said.
"Okay, but who are you? Are you one of the spirits in me?" I asked her.
After a slight pause, she said in an amused way, "Yes," but she said no more. No matter how loud I screamed in my head, she remained silent.
We reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped to catch our breath.
"That was so cool how we all started meditating at the same time," said Hiko with a grin.
"It was pretty cool," Koluk said, "but while I was sitting there, I got this weird feeling. I felt a sense of dread, cold, and I felt more scared than I have ever felt before. It went away when the lightning struck that watch tower."
Everyone agreed with him and said they had felt the same. I sat quietly to myself not speaking, thinking about what just happened and what I learned.
"Hyriu," Lina turned to me, "did you feel it too?" I shook my head. "Then what did you feel? You look…unnerved."
When I didn't respond Koluk asked, "Did you have another vision?"
I gave a curt not.
"What do you mean vision?" Hiko asked nervously.
"Oh Hiko it's- it's nothing really. You wouldn't understand," Lamara said and went over to him.
"You don't know that. I'm not that young!" he said angered.
"Hiko," I said calmly, "I have just been having some visions of- bad things, like bad dreams. That's all."
I went to stand up but winced as I felt a familiar surge of pain from my right leg and I sat back down.
"Hyriu!" Lina cried out. "Are you hurt? What happened?"
"Nothing," I managed to say between gritted teeth. "My right leg just hurts from time to time and during our fight, Pakku grabbed it with some water which messed it up a bit."
"Why does your leg hurt sometimes?" Lamara asked concerned.
"They don't know?" Hiko said, confused.
"Koluk does, but they don't," I said motioning to the girls.
"What don't we know?" Lamara asked.
"Well, in the attack that killed our parents," I started, "You know that Hiko's right arm got injured and is now scarred and weaker than his left?" They nodded. "It is the same for my right leg." I pulled up my right pant leg to reveal the pink and white scar. "It starts at the top of my thigh and stretches all the way to my ankle."
Lina and Lamara gasped at the sight.
"Well, I say we move on," I said recovering my leg. "Now I'm going to the library."
"Oh, come on. Not this again," Lamara said. "Let's go check out some other places first."
"Fine," I said annoyed.
We went to the Tea House and met some of the Court members there. Their names were Dansei, Bai, and Shiro. Dansei was a skilled warrior, Bai was a healer, and Shiro was a master water bender. We had a quick snack with them and talked for a bit. By the time we were about to leave, it was time for the banquet. We walked to the Banquet Hall with them and continued our conversation. The Banquet Hall was a beautiful place with many lanterns over a large table in the center of the room. They gave off a yellow light that lit the table well but the distant walls and ceiling were in a deep dark blue that was not menacing or dark and ominous, but calming. It reminded me of being deep under water on a bright summer day where the ocean was calm, soothing and cool.
The chairs at the table were all different from one another. They each were carved to look like a different animal. There were so many seats that we could only fill in the middle of the table. The food was fantastic. There were Water Tribe delicacies as well as other exotic foods from the gardens and fields that the Air Nomads grew in Heiwa Valley, as is the name of the valley behind the Shui Air Temple. There were all kinds of fruits and vegetables I had never seen before. I had apples, peaches, pineapples, and many more fruits like that. Though, the fruit that commanded my taste buds the most was the mango. It was absolutely delicious and one of my favorite foods. The drinks were fantastic as well. Chief Arnook had us all take a sip of our drinks, which turned out to be just pure water. Then he told us to take a piece of dried seaweed that was next to our chop sticks and had us crush it up in our hand and put the powder in our water and stir it. I stirred mine with water bending, I enjoyed using my abilities to do everyday tasks, not out of laziness but because it just fascinated me. After we had stirred our drink, Arnook told us to take a sip. What used to be pure water now had a fruity taste to it that made your taste buds dance in happiness. It also had a pleasant smell which Lamara said was similar to black raspberry and vanilla. He told us that the seaweed was found at the bottom of the Bei River and also had subtle healing abilities. I realized he was right. I no longer felt tired or stressed. I just felt good. Arnook said that, if boiled, this water could also heal small cuts and bruises, but if a healer used it then they could heal injuries that would normally be impossible. It also could heal colds and sea-sickness.
We discussed the palace, the storm, my test, and other less important matters.
"Hyriu," Arnook said, "now that you are a master water bender, your water bending training will take a step back as it is no longer your priority. You will still practice it to keep up your skill level, but the other elements need more attention. Air bending will now be your top focus." He motioned to Master Sonam. "You will start your intense air bending training in two weeks time after the celebration, which, by the way, is in your honor."
I choked on my fruity beverage. "Oh, I had forgotten about the celebration. So how is it going to be in my honor if I'm just a normal person to most of Hydronia?"
"Well, at this celebration, I will talk about the war and how the Avatar has not returned and then talk about the Legend of Beifen. At the end of my speech, I will say that the Anzen is finally here and you will come out on stage and perform some of your bending skills, but you're face will be covered until the end of your performance. Then, I will announce your identity as you remove the mask."
I was shocked that he would want to reveal who I am to everyone. "Wouldn't you want to wait until I have mastered all four elements?" Then, I realized that the robed man would be here before that happened.
"No. I have given it a lot of thought, and the people are losing hope and need someone to look to," he said.
"Well alright," I said, still unsure.
"Oh, and we will have to inform Masters Zohar and Lee of your success," he said, calling one of his servants and having him take a note so he would remember to send letters later, "I am sure they will be very happy to learn this because soon you will have to spend more time with them. And I am sure Moji, Zaria, and Shan will also be glad."
Master Zohar was my fire bending teacher, his daughter was Zaria who was a non-bender, and Moji was who I learned fire bending with. Master Lee was my earth bending teacher, and my friend Shan learned earth bending with me. We talked a bit more about them and how my training was going so far, until we drifted to the topic of my birthday.
"You know Hyriu," Arnook started to say but stopped to take a drink of light wine he had brought out for the adults, " your 14th birthday is coming up." I nodded. "I will expect to see you in the Warrior Games since you will be old enough to participate. The same goes for you Koluk." Koluk looked surprised that the Chief had addressed him directly but dipped his head in acknowledgement. "I have heard many stories of what a capable warrior your are, even Hyriu has said you can put up a good fight."
Koluk glanced at me and chuckled, "I think the stories might have been exaggerated."
"He's being modest," Wei said. "He can take on Instructor Chen and win within a few minutes. I have seen it myself."
"Then it will be most entertaining to watch you fight in the Warrior Games," Chief Arnook chuckled. "Oh, and remember children, you can take two items of your choice out of the palace with you to keep."
We continued talking for a long time enjoying the food and just having small talk. After we had eaten our fill, Master Sonam asked that Lamara and I accompany him to the Air Nomad Wing of the palace. I agreed and my friends came along as well.
On our way there, I asked him, "Master, how did you, Lamara, and Hiko get into the palace unnoticed?"
He chuckled and answered in his deep wise voice. "Well ,Hyriu, there is a hidden passage into the estate area of the palace, where you had your test."
"A secret passage?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered. "It leads from the Heiwa Valley through the mountains. That is how we got here unnoticed."
When we got to the Air Nomad section, he asked me many questions, testing my knowledge and explaining certain paintings or objects I wasn't familiar with. We found a Pai Sho table in the center of one room and held a little championship. Hiko didn't even know the rules, so Lamara taught him. Then, when they played a game, she made it look like he almost beat her. Lina and Koluk knew the basics, but Koluk was the better of the two, and he went on to play me. I won that round, so Lamara and I played each other. She beat me but with some difficulty. Master Sonam was the best Pai Sho player I have ever seen. He was so good that whenever he played one of us, he just messed with us and drove us crazy. I noticed that he used a very unique and rare strategy involving the White Lotus piece. It seemed to be his specialty. He could manipulate every move Lamara made by setting traps for her all over the table. At some points, no matter what moved she did, she would fall victim to one of his traps. After he had had his fun, he quickly finished the game with a hearty laugh.
He then tested me on my glider knowledge and asked which one I would prefer. I told him the Southern Style was my favorite. He asked me to explain, and I told him I thought it was the most aerodynamic and easiest to maneuver. I then added that I also liked the way it looked. He looked displeased with that comment. He and Lamara then exchanged a look and we moved on.
Eventually, we left him, and I begged my friends to go to the library for the third time. They obliged, and Lina said she would accompany me. When we got there, I told her I was going to the master water bender section.
I walked along the pool at the bottom floor. I looked into its depths and remembered seeing a person down there, and that person was not the man from my visions. I walked into the center of the pool, freezing a path before my feet. I could see Lina watching me out of the corner of my eye. I spread my hands, and an opening appeared in the falling water. I walked toward it, continuing my ice path. I looked back at Lina as I walked through the opening, and I lowered my hands, obliterating the opening I had created. I was faced with a dark hallway; I walked toward the other end, my footsteps echoing. I reached a sheet of ice that acted like a door. I could barely see through it, but I could tell that there were people on the other side. I was scared for a second, then I realized I couldn't be the only person wanting to come here. I melted the ice and saw Wei talking with two court members. "Ah Hyriu, I was wondering if you would come here. This is Wanqu and Menba," Wei said with a warm smile.
I greeted them.
"Actually, we were just about to leave, though I don't like you here alone," he said concern in his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine for today," I said looking down.
He stepped close to me. "But what if you have another vision?" he pleaded.
"I won't have any more for awhile…" I trailed off.
"Did you have another vision?" he asked quietly.
I nodded. "I'll tell you about it later, I am still…figuring it out," I told him.
"Well okay then," he said. "Are you sure you're alright? You look…shaken."
"Yes," I smiled. "I'm okay, really. I can take care of myself if I need to."
He chuckled, "I am well aware of that. Remember to choose your items soon; I would like to see them before we leave."
He then walked out with Wanqu and Menba and refroze the ice. I walked around; this section was circular with a waterfall falling from the center of the ceiling. There were four floors and each had so many books and scrolls on water bending. I walked into the back shelves and read so many things. I found out that there was a very advanced form of steam bending that is similar to air bending. I studied the technique and saw it was very complicated and works best in foggy and humid weather. I continued looking around and saw so many fantastic forms and techniques.
I was browsing some statues that demonstrated some water bending forms when I heard a crash that sounded like ice breaking. I was on the third floor and air bended down the stairs in seconds. I ran to the entrance and saw someone had half melted the ice then just smashed his way through. I heard foot steps behind me, and I turned and saw a cloaked person running out from behind a statue. I recognized it as the person who has been following me. I leaped, air bending enhanced, and grabbed hold of his cloak. He tried to continue running and with a fierce tug, his cloak ripped, and he ran off, leaving me with only a piece of his cloak. I breathed a sigh of relief, this person wasn't powerful at all. He couldn't melt the ice all the way and when given the chance to attack me, he just ran off.
I looked at the piece of cloth in my hand; I noticed that it was a dark navy blue, not black.
Lina and I walked out of the library. She was telling me how she had found a secret passageway that led to the tower that topped the library's domed roof. I was only half listening as I was debating in my head on whether or not to tell her about what had happened in the master water bender section. We rounded a corner and ran into the rest of our friends.
"Oh hey. We were on our way to get you," Koluk said. "I thought you two would want to join us on our way to the Armory."
"Oh, okay. Yeah. Cool. Thanks," I said, caught off guard as my internal debate was interrupted.
"Have any of you chosen your two items to take yet?" Lina asked.
"Yes, I have both of mine," Lamara said.
She pulled out a royal blue ribbon that looked like a hair accessory, but it was nearly three feet long. The other thing she held looked like a miniature staff.
"What is that?" I asked pointing to the staff.
"It's a sort of grappling hook, but it has some unique qualities only an air bender can use," she wouldn't say any more than that.
We got to the Armory and started exploring all the different rooms. The rest of the Royal Court came there and said we only had an hour left in the palace. I made my way to the Sword Room as I really wanted a sword.
I entered, and there were swords everywhere- in racks on the walls, on stands and tables. It was fantastic.
"Chief?" I called out.
"Yes?" He answered and came to the doorway.
"Could you tell me when we have half an hour left if I am still in this room?" I asked politely.
"Of course Hyriu," he said warmly.
Koluk joined me in the sword room, and we browsed around quickly. I picked up an elegant rapier from a shelf; it looked of Earth Kingdom make. I tested its weight, tossed it from hand to hand, and decided it was not the sword for me. It felt like I was holding a piece of straw from the air benders' crops. I then picked up a large broadsword from the Fire Nation; however,- I immediately set it back down. It was too unbalanced in my hand. I tried a Water Tribe katana. I liked it, but* I preferred a double-edged sword.
I began to feel hopeless when I saw a double-edged short sword from the Water Tribe with a beautiful sheath. I walked over to it and examined it. The sheath was decorated with all kinds of wave patterns and swirling water. It had a hand and a half handle, meaning that it can be used to fight with only one hand but the pommel was made in a way where you could hold the sword with both hands if needed, the grip was made of brown leather. I unsheathed it and revealed the blade which was two and a half, maybe three feet long. On the blade was etched a delicate design. There was a large wave rising to its crest. There was an inscription on it as well. I angled the sword so I could see it clearly. Is said, 'Victory is worth any sacrifice, except your honor'. I pondered the words thoughtfully. Finally, I decided that this was the sword for me. I was still holding it when I head Koluk gasp then start laughing immediately afterwards.
"What is it?" I asked, still holding the sword.
"I forgot you were left-handed, so when I looked over and saw you holding the sword in your left hand, I was so shocked for a second before realizing my mistake," he said still laughing.
"Oh right. I don't even think about it most of the time," I said as I sheathed the sword.
In the Water Tribe, holding a sword in your left hand is a great insult to whoever you are facing. Whether it is a friendly spar or a duel to the death, it is highly offensive to draw your sword with your left hand. Since most people are right-handed, they fight with their sword in their right hand since it is their dominant hand. If you face your opponent with you left hand holding your sword, you are suggesting that the other person's skills are so inferior that you can beat them with your non-dominant hand. Some families only train their sons to fight left-handedly so as to give off the impression that they are very skilled swordsmen, and no one is worthy of their true fighting abilities. After it was found out that some families did that, there was a law against training anyone who was right-handed with their left hand. The only way a person could fight left handedly was after he draws his sword he must bow and say, 'No disrespect indented.' I had trained with both hands, but since I was left-handed it was my better hand.
I left Koluk in the room and moved to the armor section one floor below. I glanced in the rooms stopping only if something caught my eye. I went into the room with all the robes and saw Lina there.
"Hey Lina," I said.
"Oh, hello, Hyriu. That is a beautiful sword!" she exclaimed.
I grinned and held it up so she could get a better look. I then examined the robes hoping to find one to my liking.
"Oh, Hyriu, look at this one. The greens and gold go together wonderfully," Lina said.
I looked at the outfit she was talking about; it was a type of dress but for battle. It was green with dark grey or black silk along with a black chest plate made out of a material I was not familiar with, perhaps leather. There was also a gold insignia and gold streaks along the arms. I suddenly recognized it from a painting.
"This is the clothing the Kyoshi Warriors wear," I said. "They also wear face paint."
"The 'Kyoshi Warriors.' Who are they?" Lina said, puzzled.
"They are a group of female warriors," I started to say.
"Really? Where are they? Where do they live?" Lina asked excited.
"They live on Kyoshi Island," I said, and I was cut off again by an excited Lina.
"Kyoshi Island. Where is that?" she asked.
"It's a small island in the Southern Isles which also has the Patola Mountains and the Southern Air Temple. It's pretty much on the other side of the world," I told her.
"Oh," she said, clearly disappointed. "You know, that name, 'Kyoshi' sounds familiar…"
"It's the name of the latest Earth Avatar. She was the Avatar before Avatar Roku. The look of the Kyoshi Warriors was inspired by her clothing and face paint," I explained.
"Well, she must have been a great and inspiring woman to have so may things named after her," Lina said dreamily.
"She also formed the Dai Lee, a sort of law enforcement in Ba Sing Se. Though a lot of people have a 'different' view of her. People think she was too abrasive and forward, and over the years, she has been exaggerated into being called blood-thirsty," I said.
"Oh, wow," Lina said shocked. "How do you know so much about her? I have never heard of any of this."
"You know, I'm not sure," I said. "I just kind of know. Maybe it's because she was an Avatar, and part of the Avatar Spirit is in me."
"Can you tell me more about these warriors?" Lina asked with a smile.
"Well, their fighting style is very unique; it's like water bending for non-benders. They use their opponents force against them. Their weapons of choice are two metal fans and a katana," I told her.
"Wow, I wish I could learn from them," she said, then quickly looked at the door to be sure no one heard her.
"Actually, now that you mention it, I remember seeing a scroll in the library that was all about their fighting techniques," I recalled.
I gave her directions to the scroll, and she rushed off to the library, leaving me alone. I looked around and spotted a robe that was dark blue and accented with dark grey. I saw it matched my sword very well. I walked over to it and studied it closer. I really liked it and judging from its size it was made for a teenager. I carefully set down my sword and help up the robe to me. It looked like it would fit very well and could be adjusted, so I could wear it in the years to come. I folded it up neatly and set my sword on top of it to make it easier to carry.
I walked out and nearly ran into Chief Arnook.
"Oh Hyriu," he said. "I was just about to get you. We are getting ready to leave, but no one knows where Lina went."
"Oh, she went to the library," I explained. "She should be back soon."
"Well, I guess we will just have to wait for her," he said then he glanced at what I was carrying. "Are those the items you chose?"
"Yes," I answered looking up at him.
"Very interesting that you should choose these," he said. "Do you know their history?" I shook my head. "Well, back when this palace was being built in the Chief Darming's time, there was a war going on between the Fire Nation and the Northern Earth Kingdom. The Water Tribe got caught in between, and the Fire Nation sent an attack to Hydronia. Darming was killed in the attack, and his son, Gambing, killed the Fire Nation general who ordered his father's death with the sword you are holding. The robe you hold was what he was wearing at the time, and later, he wore to every battle he fought in. After his father's death, Gambing became Chief at 15. The palace was finished under his rule, and it was named the Grand Palace. After Gambing died though, it was renamed the Gambing Palace, and his sword was called the 'Gambing Blade'."
He left me to ponder the piece of history, and Wei came over and looked at the sword and robe. I saw that Koluk had chosen a short sword also and a dagger made out of a whale's tooth. After about 10 minutes, Lina came back, a large scroll in one hand and two black metal fans in the other. I saw a hint of disapproval in Chief Arnook's eyes as he saw the fans and scroll. Then, we walked out of the front door of the Gambing Palace and into the storm that raged on around the city.
Well that was quite a chapter, it is one of my favorites. Once again, please please review they are very helpful and I love reading them. As always continue reading and I will try to get all the way to Chapter 16 before I take a break for the holidays but I can't promise it.