Well this chapter is not quite as emotional as the last two. This one is more of a filler, breathing room before we plunge into the end. I will say that after this each chapter gets worse and worse and worse as far as emotional and tension wise. So get ready everyone, the end is coming. Enjoy :D
Chapter 33
Stowaways
I went to Heiwa Valley and asked Lamara and Daminao if they were up for my plan. They were, so I went back to the city and told Koluk.
After a quick dinner, Wei said goodbye to us and that he would be back soon. Hiko went to bed early. I wrote him a note explaining what happened and why I wasn't home. The sun hadn't set yet, so I knew Wei hadn't left.
I met up with Koluk. We both had our gear and cloaks to hide in and went to Heiwa Valley. We were careful going up the mountain pass, so no one would follow us.
By the time we met up with Lamara and Daminao, the sun was setting.
"So what exactly is your plan, Hyriu?" Lamara asked. "You weren't very specific earlier."
"I have been very observant when riding the land raft to the capital. The raft goes around a large area of weak ice and ends up going behind the Gambing Palace and the valley. So my plan is this; we use the secret passage to the estate behind the palace and then you two-" I pointed at Lamara and Daminao- "will fly us up behind the train, and we will climb on."
"Sounds simple enough," Daminao said.
"Let's do it," Lamara said.
We followed Lamara to a large cave opening and walked in. I kept looking back to see if we were being followed. When we got to the palace grounds, Lamara and Daminao opened their gliders. They rode the traditional way, with the glider above them. Koluk and I rode on top of the glider. Soon, the land raft was in sight after we had flown through the mountains. Lamara and Daminao got as close to the ground as they could and did their best to get up right behind the raft. Fortunately, everyone on board was occupied at the front.
"Now what?" Lamara asked.
"This," I said and pulled out an arrow with a rope tied to it.
I fired the arrow into the wood of the raft; it went deep enough to hold my weight. I made a sled of ice on the ground and jumped on it. I motioned for Koluk to join me. I told Lamara and Daminao to fly back and thanked them. Using the rope, along with my sled, I climbed up right behind the raft and climbed on. I watched as Koluk did the same. We quickly hid under a tarp. I started to help water bend, so we went faster.
As soon as I started to water bend, I heard hushed voices and quick, heavy footsteps. I could hear other tarps being moved. Koluk gave me a nervous look. I stopped water bending. Suddenly, the tarp over our heads was ripped open; Wei's stern, angry face was above me.
"The next time you get a brilliant plan to stowaway on a raft heading to war, be sure not to do something incredibly stupid like revealing your presence by making the raft move a lot faster," he said and pulled me to my feet.
"Ha ha sure," I said nervously.
"I believe everyone is acquainted with my step-son, Hyriu. Oh, look, and he brought a friend as well. So Koluk is here also," Wei announced.
I saw most of the Hydronia Court along with a few other masters. Among the group was Master Desu, Instructor Chen, and Yukan, Hana's father.
"Hyriu, why are you here?" Chen asked.
"Because I can fight. I can make a difference," I said.
"We are all well aware of your abilities," Wei said.
"Wait, everyone here?" I asked and looked at Yukan and Chen.
Yukan nodded at the sand time Chen have me a stern, knowing look.
"If you knew, then how come neither of you let on?" I asked them both.
"Well, I never saw a reason to say anything," Yukan said simply.
"What about you, Chen?" I asked.
"Well, Hyriu, if it was me, then I would want to feel normal, at least sometimes. You know, equal, like no one is better or worse than me. I figured you would want the same, so I treated you exactly how I treated everyone else," he said to me.
I felt taken aback. He was right. I had never realized it, but every now and then, I did want to be normal.
"I might appreciate this nice moment more if you two hadn't snuck aboard this land raft that is heading to war!" Wei snapped. "But you two will get your wish."
"But Wei-" Desu started, but Wei cut him off.
"No, we do not have time to turn back, and since they are here, we might as well use them. Hyriu, use your bending to accelerate us. I believe with a large number of masters, Hyriu, and a nearly full moon, we will get there in much less than two days, especially if there is fair weather," Wei said.
We all started bending, using the power of the moon spirit to help us. I entered Stage Two and let loose. I had never water bended in any stage when the moon was almost full. The amount of power was incredible. We flew over the barren tundra. The sky was clear, and the weather was perfect; no blizzards showed up to slow us down. About an hour after sunrise, the ocean was in view and so was the capital. As well as a large black cloud on the horizon. We got to the edge of the cliff, the capital below us. It was snowing, but the snow was black. I recognized it immediately, but no one else had seen black snow before or knew what it meant. We got off the raft and stared at the snow.
"What's happening?" Desu asked.
"It's soot mixed with snow. The Fire Nation burn coal to power their ships-" I pointed at the black cloud- "They are already here; the entire Armada is already here."
Well I hope you enjoyed the time to catch your breath because after this there is no break, it gets more and more dramatic all the way to the end. Chapter 34: Snow of Soot; Rain of Fire will go up this Sunday. Please continue reading, follow, favorite, and review.
Oh and I just checked and I have over 1,000 views on my story this month! That is the most I have ever had yet. I just wanted to say thank all of you so much for reading my story and continuing to read, it really means a lot. Thanks again! :D