Well another chapter. I will most likely put up a chapter a day until I get chapter 16 out then that will be it for this year. Early in 2014 I will resume posting chapters. I like this one a lot and I hope you all do also. Enjoy :D

Chapter 13

Forests of Emerald, Rivers of Sapphire

In the morning, I woke and saw Hiko still sound asleep. I went to my window to see how much damage the storm had done. The morning air was crisp and cool. Some buildings had collapsed, but they were very few in number. We got about a foot of snow, and the harsh winds had created large snowdrifts all over the city. I heard a knock downstairs. I grabbed a white robe and put it on. I ran down the stairs lightly and snatched a mango I had smuggled from the banquet before I pulled back the curtain with a yawn.

"Oh sorry. Did I wake you?" It was Koluk.

"No, I had just woken up when you knocked. What's up?" I said then took a bite out of the mango.

"Just wanted to tell you that Warrior Training before school has been cancelled. There is a huge snow drift in the field," he explained.

"Oh, okay thanks, anything else?" I asked.

"I think school might get delayed. Many streets are blocked by snow," he said.

After he finished his sentence, I saw Wei approaching.

"Hey kids, I thought you should know school has been delayed for one hour," he said as he walked up.

"Yes!" Koluk cried out.

"Cool," I said.

"Ha ha. Well I'm going to help clear the streets. See you kids later," he said and walked off.

With the extra time I had, I was not in a hurry. I got ready for the day and woke Hiko. He nearly cried of happiness when I told him Warrior Training was cancelled. We had breakfast, talked a bit, and he went outside to go play with his friends in the snow. I spent the rest of my time cleaning the house, reading some scrolls, practicing my bending, and admiring my sword. When it was time, I headed off to school. I met up with Lina and Tekton, and we told him all about what we saw yesterday. When he asked about Pakku's performance, we told him very little.

At school, most of the day was uneventful. In History, we had a quiz that I easily took. I saw Hana in Astronomy, and I walked over to her and took a seat even though there were several other seats still open.

"Hey, Hana," I said as I sat down.

"Oh, hey," she said, somewhat quietly.

"How are you," I asked.

"Oh, I'm fine. Thank you," she said. She hadn't looked at me yet.

"Are you sure? That storm was pretty bad." I asked, trying to meet her eyes.

She looked at me this time. "Oh, I really am fine. Thank you for saving me by the way."

"Oh," I blushed. "Yeah, uh, you're welcome. What were you doing in that storm any way?"

"Oh, uh, um, nothing really I was, uh, just…" she started to say.

"Okay, class, calm down," Mr. Kuan said. He began the lesson, so we had to stop talking.

At the end of class, Hana reminded me about our date, which we decided would just be dinner.

In Myths and Legends class, we finished up on spirits, and we began to learn all about Avatar Roku. We finished that lesson, and Mr. Hui said we would learn about the Chosen Child tomorrow. That made me nervous. At lunch, everyone kept coming over to us asking us all about our adventures in the palace. Koluk was used to the attention. He was friends with just about everyone, and his warrior skills didn't hurt his popularity either. Lina and I on the other hand were sort of the outcasts in school. Many people teased Lina about how she talks. People thought I was weird and made fun of my water bending skills. Others seemed to be wary of me since I always seemed so secretive because I was for obvious reasons, but they didn't know that. Anyone that knew about me being the Anzen understood why I acted so strangely. If everyone knew that, I might have not been so looked down upon, but for good or for ill, after the celebration, nothing would ever be the same again. Hana sat with us at lunch, which earned some weird looks from many kids. She and Lina seemed to already to be best friends and have inside jokes. Fai did not like the extra attention or the newcomer. He seemed content to just sit there being ignored. I did my best to include him in a conversation, but he would always get out of it very quickly.

After answering many questions through mouthfuls of sea rice and satisfying enough people with the events at the palace, we were left alone at out table.

"Well, that was quite fun," Lina muttered quietly, perhaps to herself. "I mean, I have never really been popular before, and if that is what it is like…" she didn't finish.

I saw Koluk look down at his food with a guilty look.

"I'm just glad they finally left," Fai said. "Well, most of them." He glanced at Hana, but she didn't hear him thankfully. He then abandoned all table manners and attacked his bowl of rice.

"Oh Fai, they were not even bothering you," Lina said. "It was kind of nice actually, everyone wanting to talk to us," she said dreamily. "How come all the good things in this world fade away?"

The Robed Man appeared right behind her, almost as if he was saying, 'See, I told you.' I was startled and accidentally snapped my chopped sticks in my clenched fist.

"Hyriu, are you okay?" Hana asked.

"I'm fine," I said through gritted teeth. The man faded away as if he had never appeared.

We ate our lunch in silence after that. Hana tried to conjure up some small talk, but to no avail. When the bell rang, we got up and went to math class. The rest of school was uneventful. When Warrior Training came, we just kept practicing the moves we had already learned. There were some friendly spars, including one between Fai and me, which I won, but we were just practicing. As the Robed Man said, no one was killed in the storm. I had no crazy dreams or unusual visions. I noticed Instructor Chen watching me while I fought with Fai and showed him how to correctly do a move.

When water bending practice came, I was in such a good mood about how uneventful the day was, minus lunch, that not even Taruk could dampen it. In fact, he hardly said a word to me; he just kept to himself and didn't even talk to his little group of friends. He looked like he was planning some master plan to bring me down. I laughed at my over-active imagination. If Taruk wanted to waste his time glaring at me, I was fine with that.

Wei was at practice, and he took me aside as everyone else started to practice the performance they would give at the celebration.

"Hyriu," he told me, "during water bending practice you will practice your performance in Heiwa Valley."

"Really?" I asked. I always found any excuse to go visit the Air Nomads.

"Yes, but first we must go and visit Chief Arnook," he said sternly.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked.

"You have yet to tell us about your vision. Yesterday after your test, you told me in the library that you had another vision. It looked like it really troubled you," he said.

"Oh, right. How long will it take?" I said glancing at the stands where my friends sat; I made eye contact with Hana.

Wei glanced at me his face stern. "That should be of no importance. He is our Chief, and he can take as long as he wants." His expression softened and, there was an amused glint in his eye. "But you will have plenty of time to get ready for your date."

He led me through the city and to the palace. When we got to the Wall's Gate, a loud voice called, "Who goes there? Present your names."

"I am Wei Buluo of the Hydronia Court," Wei answered loudly.

Silence.

He elbowed me in the ribs. "Ouch, and, uh, I am Hyriu Jingshen."

The guard came down to see if we were whom we said. We walked in. The palace was no longer welcoming because we were not here for a tour. We were here to discuss my dark visions.

We walked down the long main hall to the Royal Courtroom. The doors swung inward, and we entered. The court was sitting in their respectful seats, all with stern, but not unkind faces. We both bowed respectfully.

"Good afternoon," Arnook said. "As I'm sure Wei has told you, we asked you here to discuss your visions at length and in private."

"Chief Arnook, Wei, and Pakku have all given their accounts on what they have witnessed and what you have told them," Sukotto said. "We would now like you to tell us about all your visions and any unusual events that happened yesterday and today."

I hesitated. I didn't want to relive the events, but I knew I had to obey them. I told them about my dream in History. I was about to tell them about the woman's voice I heard when she spoke to me:

"Do not tell them of my guidance," she said. "They know nothing of the spirits and their realm. Keep me a secret from all non-spiritual people."

I then told the Court about the vision during water bending practice. Then, the one after that when I saw my friends tortured. I could see looks of shock and horror poorly concealed on the faces of some court members. I also told them about the person who was following me, who I thought was the robed man and the person in the library. I continued on and told them about the events in the Meditation Tower, and what I learned. I lastly told them about my revisit to the library and the piece of cloth I had torn from his cloak. There was a moment of silence.

"You are sure the man in your visions wears a black robe, and this person you attacked in the library wore a blue cloak?" Arnook inquired.

"Positive," I told him. "Actually, it was more like a large coat than a cloak."

"Hmm, alright then," Arnook started. "Well, we will think more on this matter in private. Though, I believe we shouldn't worry about this, like Wei said, 'When the Avatar returns, we should worry'."

"Yes but-" Wei started but stopped when Arnook held up a hand cutting him off.

"Now, enough of this dreariness. There is a celebration coming, and you need to practice your performance," Arnook said with a smile.

I got agitated that he just completely dismissed my visions, even when the man said he would be here in less than 6 months.

"You are to go to Heiwa Valley to practice your performance in secret," Arnook said pleasantly.

I had had enough, "Really?" I screamed.

Arnook looked very surprised at my outburst.

"I have visions of a guy threatening to destroy Hydronia and kill everyone I care about if I don't bow down and obey him, and all you say is we shouldn't worry. I need to go practice my performance. Let's just forget about that, as long as the Avatar isn't here we will all be fine!" I shouted in a sarcastic voice.

Chief Arnook's tone turned very serious, "You forget your place, Hyriu. You are a member of the Northern Tribe. I am your Chief, and I will not be spoken to that way by any inferior person."

"I will speak to you however I want. Yes, you are my chief, but I am the Anzen," I said.

"That title means nothing," Arnook said, frustrated.

"Well, if I am supposed to be the 'Backup Avatar,' then actually, it does. The Spirits and Roku granted me my power. No Avatar had any superior. If any leader of any nation acted up or ignored a warning, then that Avatar would deal with him. Avatar Roku confronted Fire lord Sozin, Avatar Kyoshi confronted the Earth King, and now I am confronting you!"

"Hyriu, maybe you should-" Wei started to say.

"I should what?!" I shouted. "Go practice my 'performance'? Be a nice little boy, and do what Daddy says. But wait, he's dead, and you are not my father!" I didn't mean to be so harsh, but I was angry. "No! I have had enough of everyone telling me everything will be alright. 'We'll all be just fine as long as the Avatar doesn't come back!' No, we won't! If the Avatar never returns, then what?! Will I have to stop the Fire Nation? I can't do that anytime soon. There is a war going on. People are dying out there! And all you care about is giving tours or having celebrations!" The pool of water behind the court began to boil. "Well, I have had enough of everyone saying everything will be alright. It won't be alright, but don't any of you come crying to me when you figure it out!"

The faces of the Royal Court were all in complete shock. Wei looked very upset and was looking at his feet. I turned and started to walk out.

"Where do you think you are going?" demanded Arnook.

I stopped and turned and said in the most sarcastic and insulting way, "To Heiwa Valley to practice my performance as requested of the 'oh so great' Chief of the Northern Water Tribe," At the end, I bowed in a very insulting way.

I then stormed out of the room, using air bending to slam open the door and slam it shut. I heard yelling behind me, but I ignored it. I noticed there were torches on the main hall, and they blazed to life as I walked past them. I slammed the main door shut with air bending as well. When I walked by the fountains, they boiled.

"Hyriu!" I heard Wei call behind me. I walked faster.

The guardsmen opened the gate, and I walked out. I nearly ran into Hana who was waiting in the Plaza Square.

"Oh, Hyriu," she said surprised, "I saw Wei take you here. I forgot to tell you. I have healing practice, so we have to go to dinner a little later."

"I didn't know you were a healer," I said.

"Oh, ha ha, yeah," she said a little embarrassed. "What's wrong? You look angry."

"It's nothing," I growled. I could see Wei running and trying to tell the guards to keep the gate open, but they didn't hear him in time.

"Well, I have to go," I told her.

"Oh, where?" she asked.

"To Heiwa Valley. Chief's orders. See you at dinner," I said as I walked away.

"Bye," she said, dreamily.

I then took off running just as the gate began to reopen. I dashed into an alley way and continued to the Mountain Pass. I could hear Wei interrogating Hana; thankfully, she said she had her back turned when I ran off. I reached the edge of the city and started up the pass. Whether Wei was searching the city or he just gave up, I saw no one on the pass. I cooled down on the way, but I still thought Arnook's actions were a bit stupid. I walked up the last slope and reached a little balcony that had a door way to a tunnel through the mountain. There was a man meditating on the floor of the balcony. I recognized Monk Yami, one of the High Monks of the Shui Temple. He was elderly, but not extremely. He was still very active and did not have trouble moving around.

With eyes still closed, he said, "Good afternoon." Then, he opened his eyes and stood, "Ah, Hyriu, I was beginning to think you were not coming."

"You were aware I was coming?" I asked.

"Of course. Chief Arnook came by this morning," he said with some distaste. "You look upset. Is something the matter?"

"Just these arrangements," I stated bitterly.

"Ah," he looked like he wanted to say more, but all he said was, "I would guess you do not agree with them."

"You would be correct," I said. "Do you feel the same way?"

"It is not my place to give my thoughts on his orders," he said, but his look told me he did.

"Well, then I am glad I am not the only one who disagrees with him," I said.

"Well, we have a location for you to train. Let me take you there," he said.

"Alright," I said, and we walked into the tunnel.

The tunnel was brightly lit with many torches. About halfway through the tunnel, it changed into a hallway, and there were doors on either side of us. We got to the other side, and we were in a kind of open air porch area. We walked out from the roof, and I looked back at the grand temple that was on the mountain side just above us. There was the main section, which the open air porch was the base. Then, there were a few other sections and towers around it connected by bridges, paths on the mountain, or underground passageways. It looked like the paintings of the Western Air Temple but more modern and not upside down. And unlike the other temples which were round and circular, this one was mainly rectangular with triangular roofs. On the mountain was a lush forest with rich greens of the leaves and pure blues of the streams. I walked to the edge of the balcony and looked out over Heiwa Valley. It was bordered by the sides of eight mountains. The mountain we were on was Gaofeng. It was the tallest and had the whole of the Shui Temple on it as well as the tunnel we had passed through and the mountain pass that lead down to the city. The mountain on our right was Yanshi. After that one was Sutorimu, which had a long arm that stretched into the valley creating a large wall. The mountain that was behind Sutorimu was Piku. The two mountains that formed the back of the valley were Tai and Gate. Next to Gate was Mori. Then, the last mountain and one of the shortest was Ochiru, which was directly to our left. They formed an oval shape around the valley. An emerald forest covered the majority of the valley. All around were breaks in the trees of sparkling sapphire that were the streams, rivers, and the lake. Here and there, little buildings and temples breached the thick canopy. Some places had fields for air ball or statues and things of that sort. There were also stables for the trained bison and caves for wild bison. Lemurs flew around all over the place. One landed on my shoulder and licked my cheek before flying off. The arm of Sutorimu that hid the far right corner was called the Greenwall.

"This place always amazes me," I said stunned.

"Yes, it is truly a wonderful sight," Monk Yami said.

His words sounded similar to what the robed man said about the sunset in the Meditation Tower. Almost as if on queue, I got a cold feeling, and I heard a terrible voice behind me.

"I am watching you," it said.

I turned and saw the robed man. I blinked, and he was gone.

"Is there something wrong?" Monk Yami asked.

"I- no…I just…thought I heard something," I answered him.

"Oh, I feel cold all of a sudden. That is odd," he said and looked around.

"Well, uh, can you take me to where I will train?" I asked, still shaken.

"Oh, yes of course. This way." He went over to the stairs that led into the valley.

We walked down the path and into the valley. Above us lemurs, bison, and air benders passed by. We descended into the valley, and the tropical trees towered over us. The forest was alive with insects, birds, lemurs, water, and many other things. Every now and then, we passed over a bridge or passed by a building. We arrived at the bison stables after an hour. The stables were on the slopes of Yanshi. I had started to sweat. Something I was not used to, even though I came here often. I had removed my dark blue robe, so I only wore a thin, long sleeve grey shirt and a blue sleeveless shirt on top of that. Monk Yami called his bison, and we climbed on and flew through the valley. The wind felt great, and the view wasn't too bad either. We flew around the Greenwall to reveal the hidden part of the valley that lay behind it. A few air benders lived here, but they were more separate and detached from the others. The forest here was also more exotic and wild. At the bottom of the hidden corner was a field of tan stone. There were a few air benders there, but they all left when the bison landed except one.

The remaining air bender wore the normal air bender robes, only his were darker shades and faded. He was holding dual broadswords and moved in circular motions, air bending with them like other air benders would use their staves.

I got off the bison and approached him. He stopped practicing when he saw me coming.

"You are Hyriu," he had a deep voice.

"Yes, I do not believe we have met," I said.

"My name is Daminao," he said as he sheathed his dual swords in a sheath that rested on his left hip.

He had dark grey eyes that seemed to be tinted red. I didn't know if it was a trick of the light or if they were always like that. He looked to be around sixteen years old. He was taller than I was and had long shaggy black hair that almost covered his eyes. There were also dark shadows under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in days. He was muscular, but not extremely. Overall, he was the scariest looking air bender I had ever seen.

"You obviously already know my name," I stated. "You seem to have some skill with those swords."

"Indeed, perhaps we could spar sometime if you are familiar with swordsmanship?" he suggested.

"I hate to interrupt," Monk Yami started, "but Chief Arnook has requested Hyriu to train here, and we said he could... alone."

"Oh, I don't mind sharing the field, Monk Yami," I said. I could feel a friendship starting between Daminao and me.

Monk Yami looked at Daminao with slight distaste, "Very well, if you wish. I will be back in two hours to take you back to Hydronia."

"Alright. See you in two hours," I said and waved as he flew off.

A smile crossed my face. Here I could freely bend all four elements and do whatever I wanted. I began to bend out of joy. There were large pots filled with water for my use no doubt. I whipped some water around, shot a blast of air, and unleashed a small blast of fire.

After that, I lifted up a small mound of earth. If felt good not to hold back. Daminao watched me with a guarded expression. He didn't show much emotion, so it was hard to tell what he was thinking. I cleared my head. If Arnook wanted a performance, he was going to get one. I knew I wouldn't be doing any earth bending, so I focused on the other three elements. I started with fire bending since that's my worst element of the three. I practiced forms and then actually bending fire. As I practiced, more air benders joined Daminao to watch me. The sun began to sink. I switched to air bending, aware of the crowd of air benders. I used the most complex moves I knew, making sure to have perfect form.

As the sun got lower, I went to water bending. The sky changed to orange, and a bison flew into view. The crowd of air benders began to disperse. I walked over to Daminao.

"You're not that bad," he said, "for a Water Tribesman," and showing emotion for the first time, he smiled with a crooked smile.

I laughed, "Yeah, maybe you can judge my sword skills pretty soon."

"Maybe," he said, and his smile was replaced with his guarded expression.

"Well, see you around," I said.

"Yes, you will," he said and walked away.

"Alright then," I said to myself.

I walked over to meet Monk Yami. He had a look on his face that made me say, "What?"

"I heard about your outburst with Chief Arnook," he explained.

"Oh, yeah, about that," I started, "Well, I told him about my visions and-"

"Visions?" Monk Yami said puzzled, "Monk Dadao did not tell me anything about visions."

"Maybe Chief Arnook didn't tell him about them," I suggested.

"Let's go and find out," Monk Yami said with a smile.

We flew to the temple and landed on a balcony on the upper part of the temple. We ran into Master Sonam and Lamara who joined us. We got to the room where all the monks would sit. A few were missing, but after we told Head Monk Dadao why we were there he summoned them. When they got there, I told them about my visions and what Chief Arnook had said and my reactions.

"Hmm, well, Hyriu, I agree with you," Monk Dadao said.

"But the next time you disagree with someone as powerful as Chief Arnook, maybe tell them your thoughts in a more respectful way," Master Sonam said.

"Yeah, I'll remember that," I said.

"Monk Yami will take you back to Hydronia," Monk Dadao said,

"Oh, but be careful. Arnook is scouring the city for you."

"Uh, but he told me to come here. Why isn't he looking for me here?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, well, Chief Arnook did come to me and asked me where you were. I could tell he was very angry and not in his right mind, so I told him that I hadn't seen you. Which wasn't a lie since I haven't seen you until now," Monk Dadao said with amusement.

This was why I loved the Air Nomads. They were a clever, mischievous people. They often played pranks on one another and could talk their way out of most situations.

I smiled, "Well, then, I thank you, and I had better get going."

Monk Yami took me to his bison, and we flew to the bottom of the mountain pass.

"Good luck," he said with twinkle in his eyes. "And don't get caught."

"I don't plan on it," I told him, and he flew off. "I got a date."

Well only three to go until the break. Please read on and please review. Stay tuned for Chapter 14 Hiding in an Alley, which I hope to post tomorrow on 12/20/13 in the evening, well the evening here anyway. It will be around this time tomorrow.