...

Mrs Anyakya had made a big deal of leaving for their mystery destination immediately, but by the time she finished delivering a new set of instructions to her workers in the laundry's rear Xinfei was starting to doze off leaning against the wall in a corner. Ayika just tried to stand still in the middle of the shopfront and resist the urge to start throwing things at the counter girl's incessant gum-aided mastication. Xiaobao had slid into some sort of meditative torpor as he gazed out through the window slats and Ayika could not tell what he was thinking. But when Mrs Anyakya finally reappeared she simply rushed past them out the front door without a word and Ayika was forced to bolt after her. Hopefully, the Bao brothers managed to get their limbs in order and follow.

Anyakya had begun talking even before Ayika managed to fall into step beside her. Apparently the washing mogul operated under the belief that it was everyone else's responsibility to hear what she was saying and she made no allowances for people having to catch up. Wherever they were going, she quickly left the street to stride down a small side path squashed between two plaster building walls. Here the paving stones fit very roughly together and between them heavily trodden grass somehow struggled on without direct sunlight.

The laundry owner continued her ongoing commentary. "If you can quiet these workers of mine from getting so worried and superstitious then you'll be worth your weight in silver. I've actually had three people try to say they were too sick to come in today? Like I don't have a finger on the pulse of this town. The only sickness going around is people worrying themselves ill with all these rumors of imaginary angry spirits. Just another scam for the rubes." They exited from that narrow alley canyon to a narrow ledge or walkway alongside the canal that backed against the wash shop. A long open-top canalboat was unloading tied bundles of clothes by the tens and fifties.

Ayika knew Mrs Anyakya had a reputation as a very practical woman and very few people in Kuang Harbor were what could be called religious. All the same, Ayika had never heard one of the People so clearly deny the existence of the spirits. As they climbed up the steps of a small arching bridge over a water channel Ayika looked at her new employer's eyes and saw the calculation of a fierce survivalist who catalogued everything and everyone for how they fit into the pattern. Another look back over Ayika's own shoulder confirmed that the brothers had at least managed to keep up with her.

The older woman continued without breaking her rapid walking pace. "I'll find a formal position for you as a counter girl somewhere. I can cut Eknasa down to half time. She thinks I haven't noticed that bump growing in her belly but I suppose now is as good a time as any to stop ignoring it. If she didn't make a note of where she left the one who did that to her, well I know a whole stack of good neighborhood boys who can't be too choosy for a bride for one reason or another."

She carried on, "Rumor infects this town like shipworms. Can you believe my workers are saying ridiculous things like the employer should provide a money assurance against sickness? As if that's my concern! They just want a handout so they can go get fleeced by that vile Mama Mua, the so-called healer. I'm sure she'll indulge their delusion that spirits are making them sick. As long as they keep paying." Anyakya gave a very unladylike snort. "There may be a lot I don't like about the North but at least benders there didn't charge."

Ayika felt that by this point she should have contributed something to this one sided conversation. They were rapidly racing off though the back alleys of the town and she still had no idea where they were going. "Mam," she said. "Er, what is it exactly that you'll be wanting me to do?"

Anyakya did not bother slowing or looking at her. They abruptly crossed onto a main street other pedestrians on the path parted around her. "If you managed to learn half of anything from your Gran then you should know more about the old stories and charms than these ruffians I employ. Just tell the workers who it's you're related to and explain why their superstitious interpretations aren't what's happening. Those of the tribes will recognize some details of what you're saying and the kingdomers think all tribal ladies are witches anyway so they'll trust you too. Then draw some signs on the walls in chalk or something."

She shrugged. "I really don't care what lies you tell them as long as they don't catch you at it. Just give me calm. I'll give you a bonus stipend on top of salary, and you may give me a bit of peace while this city is losing its collective mind." So she meant for Ayika to be a fake shaman. Ayika was not sure how to feel about that.

Now they passed back onto a different street and over another bridge. Ayika fell back a few steps to whisper to Xinfei who was still trailing behind. "She's really worried about people freaking out over the Islanders. Her people also think there's something magical going on. Maybe those people in the Masks actually are involved in some sort of spell or curse against people?"

"Come on," Xinfei said. "Don't get caught up in your own hype. Your headmaster up at your school did the same thing kind of thing as her. Always made you staff go to temple out of some show to ritual. He made you get receipts! Doesn't mean there's any spirit stuff going on. Just good employee management and public relations."

Their strange party now passed by one of the government run temples near the center of the town. Unsurprisingly there was not a line outside it. More surprisingly, the priest came running out of it to stomp out the smoldering fringe of his robe against the stone steps. He was cursing in a very unpriestly way about uncooperative candles.

Xinfei gestured over at him as they crossed past his smoky display. "I present another example of why no one goes to the city temples anymore for spirit help. Look, that place is completely empty!"

Ayika twisted her neck to look back. The doorway was only available for a second but she saw figures moving inside vaguely in the dim light of the temple. She frowned. "I see plenty of folks. Maybe people are starting to trust government priests again." Anyakya's workers had something right. Something about this city felt unsettled. Like a distant blaze before the fire-bells began to ring. If there were people in the state temples then others could feel it as well even if Xinfei couldn't.

"I think a more likely explanation is your eyes going bad. Hey! Look over there!" Xinfei grabbed at her shoulder. He pointed off ahead down the street past Anyakya. "It's those student nationalist guys. I told you I was going to meet with them today."

Ayika recognized the three university boys. The night of the fire had soured her to their association. No matter how harmless they looked or how ridiculous they sounded they were involved in something dark and dangerous. Xinfei hadn't seen when those ordinary men in the warehouse put carved wood over their faces and suddenly were able to fight on even footing with a trained earthbender. That was not natural. To him the Masks were just thugs in one of a thousand secret societies. But after everything Ayika had heard and seen, the university boys' attempts to agitate the populace against the Islanders just seemed a whole lot less amusing. Someone from a position of power was using them. The Masks had a greater agenda. And one of those Masks had killed Lizhen.

She frowned. "I'm not sure you should be still talking to them. We don't know who's giving them orders. You've seen how they've been riling people up, it's not worth helping them cause trouble."

Xinfei looked affronted. "Those guys aren't the ones making people angry. Sure, they're idiots but... People are already angry. They're sick of cheap imports and Islander machine run factories putting craftsmen out of work. The king's giving foreign merchants more help than citizens. That's why those guys get away with being out here with those posters and signs. The people want someone to do something."

He actually sounded like he was sympathetic to those guys and Ayika could scarcely believe that. "The people? Xinfei, they burnt down your job! They're with the Masks! There's something dark going on that I don't fully understand but trust me and do what I say. Those boys are trouble and I say don't go near them."

They'd now stopped in the middle of the street, leaving Anyakya to build up a considerable lead. Xinfei was growing angry as well. He had an expression of hurt disbelief. "Come on, you know me. You were the one who wanted to find out who killed your professor guy! I was helping you! You say that the nationalists killed Lizhen because you got a funny feeling and they both wear masks. Well, stuff also points that islander Miohuito so maybe I say you should say away from Mizumi!"

He bit his lip and turned away as if he wanted to stop but then he turned back. "Her dad was at the crime scene, and wouldn't say why! Ma'er was threatening the professor and then he was hunting the Masks so I think they could actually be on our side. You said that your professor was into all that magic stuff from other cultures, maybe he made those weird masks you insist are creepy." There was a pressure here that had been building up for a while, but under it was a hint of pleading.

Ayika couldn't believe what she was hearing. The accusation against Mizumi riled her the most. "None of that makes sense! On our side? In case you weren't hearing right, that guy in the Mask at the warehouse was the man who cornered us in the alley! You set him on fire once! They were talking about being against all foreigners not just Fire Nation and, as people are keen to remind me, I look pretty foreign!" She felt like cursing. Her points were jumbled too.

Xinfei shook his head, trying to get his thoughts in order. "That's not what they meant! Water Tribe folks aren't doing anything!"

Xiaobao finally worked up the nerve to step in between the two of them. "Hey guys, calm down."

Ayika was sick of arguing. She shoved past Xinfei. "Go then. Go join up with your protest boys!"

"Well, maybe I will!" Xinfei opened and closed his mouth a few times more looking as if he wanted to end this conversation with a more eloquent parting line. But he could think of nothing so he angrily hunched his shoulders and turned. Ayika saw him begin to walk down the street but Mrs Anyakya was getting further and further away. She did not have time to chase after him.

Xiaobao was conflicted. Ayika was quickly walking in one direction while his brother plodded off in the other. But Xiaobao made his decision and caught up to Ayika in a few quick strides from his much longer legs. However, she shook her head at him. "I'm fine," she said. "I know you've not got work today but there's no need to stick to me. Anyakya's not likely to leave me unsupervised till nightfall. I'll talk to you tomorrow about what I learn tonight from Mizumi and Lili. Go, he needs you."

Xiaobao put his hand on her shoulder. "He's trying to help you. And you aren't the only one who wants to feel like they've got their own control in this city. Just be careful with that spirit stuff Anykaya wants to do. People are nervous. Don't lie to them." With that he turned and headed back to where he had last seen his brother. Ayika rushed forward and hoped that Mrs Anyakya had not been talking all this time.

She managed to fight through the crowd of other pedestrians just in time to hear Anyakya finish a speech she had apparently never ceased giving, "...is the last of what you need to know. Now if you're as smart as you think you are then I won't need to repeat myself."

Great, Ayika thought. It was her first day on the job as a shaman.

...

Zhangyi paced in the narrow isle between the outdoor tables of the steamed-bun shop that served as the student nationalists secondary revolutionary headquarters. Chonglong was seated on a bench and leaning back against a support post and seemed a bit more satisfied than usual. Jiang had covered a corner of their small table with an open book and a sheet of paper as he carefully brushed a few more precise characters down. He actually appeared to be doing schoolwork. Chonglong glanced around the street enough to spot Xinfei approaching them though he declined to further open his heavily lidded eyes.

Xinfei heard him say, "Hey, Zhangyi, I thought you said you were waiting for that Tu guy. That wasn't the dockworker boy was it?"

Jiang did not look up from his brushwork. "No, that kid's name was Xin-something, I think."

Zhangyi at least turned and met Xinfei's eyes. He flashed his customary winning smile as he strode over to greet him. This greeting was briefly interrupted by Zhangyi bumping into the back of another restaurant patron who glared up with most of a bun sticking out of his stubble covered mouth like a baby's pacifier. Once the student managed to extricate himself from the restaurant without starting any more feuds he clapped Xinfei on the arm. "Good to see you my friend! No, Chonglong, this is not the man I was waiting for but he is a welcome sight all the same. And look, his brother's here too! See, our forces are multiplying already!"

Xinfei turned to see Xiaobao suddenly standing behind him. The slightest motion of the head was enough to communicate their respective thoughts. There was nothing Xinfei could do if his brother felt like following along. Truth be told he was not entirely sure what Xiaobao did for recreation these days on his few times off work. It was not gaming or drinking or even girls as far as Xinfei had seen sign of. So he simply smiled back at Zhangyi and said, "Yeah. So what's the scheme you teased us with yesterday? Something splashy for those Initiated? Do we get to hear what the big plan you cooked up is?"

Zhangyi was clearly excited to have another audience to share his brainchild with. He led the two Bao brothers over to the little communal table set up on the street outside the restaurant. Such a space should rightfully be filled up with other eaters but Chonglong's big frame and glares seemed to have been sufficient to claim it for private use. As the Baos moved in close, Jiang sighed and carefully cleaned off his ink-brush as he saw that all studious action was going to be impeded for the near future.

Zhangyi, the sometimes leader, began. "There is a plan indeed. I received words of support down from the highest levels of our organization's secret leadership. We're going to lead a protest march against the merchant families of the Middle Ring! We are going to cross the Lower Ring, spreading the word of how traitorous merchants like that Gaoli are betraying our country. You saw those smuggled machines in the warehouse wall. We will gather supporters along the way and by the time we get to Gaoli's house itself it will be blisteringly clear to everyone in the city how the people feel about what Gaoli has done! That merchant will find his hard won political connections leaning away from him and other merchants will think twice about emulating his actions less they incur the same bad publicity!"

A march. In his thoughts Xinfei breathed a faint sigh of mental relief. Despite what he had said, all Ayika's concern's about these three's involvement with her boss's murderer had made him nervous. But the students were harmless. They just wanted to walk around and make up chants. And who knew? Some government figures might actually care that the people of the city were fed up with special treatment for those getting rich off foreign loyalties.

"That sounds great," he said. It also sounded doomed, but safely doomed.

"Yeah!" Chonglong said with a grin. "We'll ruin Gaoli! The order from on high says to make an example of him. And I'm sure he won't be the last. We'll harass each of those merchants until they have to abandon the foreigners or shut down their business. One by one." He said the word merchants like he was pronouncing something foul and profane.

Jiang was a less combative soul. Now he just sighed and worked at checking that the ink on essay he had been writing was dry. "Do you guys remember when the 'orders from on high' were just to put up threatening posters? Or even remember further back, before the movement had all this mysterious support from all corners and it was just us and the other students? Deciding what was best ourselves? Sometimes I miss that."

That was another reference to changing leadership of the nationalists. There was definitely something going on behind the scenes. Xinfei tried leaning over towards Jiang to ask him. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

However, Chonglong was quicker to respond. "What does ancient history matter? Tonight we are taking the movement public! No more secret membership! Everyone will take part! And we will be the leaders for the newly awakened consciousness."

Zhangyi had the same infections grin on his face. "Tonight the city wakes up. Tonight we march!"

Behind Xinfei, Xioabao was worried that his brother seemed to be sharing that eager smile. An afternoon finding people who were annoyed with foreign imports and Islanders dwelling in the city should be easy enough. However, the real question would come when the sun began to dip low. Who knew how this was going to end?

...

Light in the Exclusion always felt like sunset. So many of the exterior pillars and freestanding ritual gates were painted in holy red that when the sun began its nightly dying display the burning orange brush it painted across the darkening land did not have much to do in Fire Nation quarter. Mizumi stood in front of her house glanced up at the sun now. It lay glowing low in the sky, enlarged by the smoky haze that boiled over the Impenetrable City's walls.

One of the household servants gestured again to her waiting carriage and Mizumi sighed, consenting to climb up the carefully placed footstool and slide into her seat. This leg of the journey was only from their house in the Exclusion to the harbor tram station but her father was taking no chances after the warehouse fire and the accusations of Public Safety against them. Their carriage would be accompanied fore and aft by several burley men of his employ as well as a pretty military firebender lady from the Trade Mission that father had managed to convince Representative Tailang to briefly lend them as accompaniment.

Mizumi had not been hesitant to tell her father that these precautions were excessive. In the sixteen years of the Trade Mission in this city there had not been a single attack on citizens of the Nation. Well, no official attacks. There had been a few incidents which the Ambassador had without much cajoling reclassified as self-inflicted harm. If you started carelessly firebending while drunk in a Kingdoms brothel then a knife to the side was as good as you could expect. But her father had been hearing none of these reasonable assertions of her probable safety. The fact that he had finally noticed that Mizumi had snuck out of the house many times in the last few days since Teacher Lizhen's death did not help her argument.

From the carriage's other bench Tetzamatl Miohuito sighed at his daughter's sour expression. "These enhanced measures are only a temporary precaution. I am sure that things will quickly return to normal and you can resume attending the school. You did like it, didn't you? Even after all that...unpleasantness."

"Yes. It was a good place." Mizumi said. But she had her own unanswered questions; questions which had been building pressure for days. Then she suddenly struck. "Why were you waiting outside the school in the carriage that night? Why were you talking with Teacher Lizhen?"

Miohuito flinched at his daughter's sharply inquisitorial tone. "I had corresponded many times with the man. He was a very strong voice for the Kingdoms citizens in the reformist faction, you know that."

"That is not what I meant and you know that! What happened that night? I have been trying to ask you for days but you have never been around the house!" Mizumi tried to govern the emotion in her voice but it was difficult.

He sighed. "I know. There are political matters I can't yet worry you with. Chen wrote me that day about...Well, I suppose it doesn't matter what now. I will never know. He was very vague, it sounded like he wanted to warn me about something, not saying what, though he was very specific about the time I come visit him. After moonrise, strange man. He was probably going to say that our opponents in the conservatives were getting bolder and more dangerous. As they quickly demonstrated." Miohuito suddenly realized that he was rambling on about a great deal more information than his daughter deserved.

His expression darkened. "Not that I have anything to answer to you about. You have disobeyed me three times in four days! First you stayed late at the school over some foolish essay and exposed yourself to the danger there, then you twice left the Exclusion despite my express command to stay safe!"

Mizumi noticed that he had missed noticing one of her excursions with Ayika for all the good it did her. "Technically, you just asked me if I could remain in the Exclusion." She murmured softly. "And I did get permission to attend the funeral with Lili Gaoli."

Her father gripped his fist with his other hand. "Mizumi...!" He took a deep breath and calmed down. "At least the Gaolis are one of the few allies we still have. If I told your grandfather what you had been getting up to he would beat you dark as a Tribal."

You do not know half of what I am up to, father, Mizumi said silently. "Or he would congratulate me on conducting recognizance operations and recruiting allies." She smiled, thinking about telling the story of her investigation with Ayika in Granfather's preferred soldierly speech. Grandfather was not one for delicate phrasing.

"Allies? Plural? Who else have you been meeting with besides Lili Gaoli?"

Mizumi quickly swallowed. She would never have expected anyone to pick up on such a small detail but she had gotten her mind from somewhere after all. "I was talking about the Gaolis, Father." She said in a hastily affected exasperated tone. "You just said they were our most important remaining allies."

Miohuito narrowed his eyes with well-earned suspicion of everything his teenage daughter said but fortunately they were arriving at the tram station. Mizumi did not think she had ever been so happy at the prospect of having her bones shaken out of her body by that rickety ancient contraption powered by enchanted stone and Earth Kingdom benders. She thought to herself that when they reached the Gaoli residence she would have to quickly get Lili to cover for all her other outings with Ayika. The father and daughter made their way up the station steps as numerous suspicious eyes turned to look at them from the street below.

...