Satchiko caressed the thick and fluffy fur of the bison. Every time her fingers rushed through the animal's gentle wool, it felt very comfortable. Describing it as simply comfortable is an understatement, and she wondered what it would feel like to use this fur and make clothes.
"It's just so soft!" She complimented the bison.
The beast responded with an amicable rumble, which indicated its own approval of the girl's statement. While Satchiko isn't sure whether sky bisons can understand the human language, she is certain that bisons can at least have a correlation with those that are friendly to them. This one in front of her is clearly demonstrating somethings. By allowing her to touch its prized fur alone is enough.
"Well, Takhi's fur is soft!" Ganbaatar noted enthusiastically while limping next to the Kyoshi warrior. "Although things do get ugly whenever he sheds, picking them up is...very tiring."
"Is it because your people have use the fur to make the clothes you wear?" It's obvious these bisons can act as a source of wool, which made them even more versatile than she originally thought.
"Well yeah," Ganbaatar replied slowly. He tried to suppress his painful expression. The man limped himself to a nearby log, and cautiously rested his body on it. His arm is holding onto his injured leg, trying to narrow the large sword wound. Even until now, his own saber is still drenched with his own blood, which the warrior doesn't seemed to too concerned.
"Curse that blood bending witch!" Ganbaatar ranted with a bitter voice. "I just got this armor repaired!" There was a slight annoyance in his tone, and Satchiko's concern grew as he begin to extract some metal armor pieces from the injured site.
While she was used to seeing a bit of blood when she fought the pirates, she still cannot help but to ask more about Ganbaatar's wellbeing. "A-Are you ok? That wound does look like it's getting worse." Satchiko asked in a worrisome voice. It's weird how the priority of this man is presented as though his lamellar armor is more important than his leg. The girl kneeled down to examine the wound and see if there is anything see can do about it. It was a very deep wound.
"Blah! Nothing too major! I will get over it kid." The older warrior said. Ganbaatar dug out some of the debris inside his leg, and proceeded to clean the excess blood with a dirty cloth. "Go help the others, carry them to the bisons. Then we can return back to camp after I patch myself up. Takhi can even give you ride there if you want."
Not wishing to argue with the person who saved her life, she went towards the others to see if she can do anything to help. While some of these warrior people are trying to break Mayumi's ice, those who can still stand is helping those who are more severely injured.
She watched as a tall warrior carried a man in armor to the nearest bison. Attempting to mimic this action, the girl went over to a warrior who is resting under a tree. His helmet is dented, and his suit of lamellar badly damaged. He does appear a little drowsy.
"K-Khen-bish?" Satchiko called out to the man. Her tone sounded weird, as to him she clearly pronounced his name wrong. People's names sounded very here.
"That's me! Ow!" Khenbish's hand instantly went to cover his forehead. An intense headache suddenly took hold of him.
Satchiko immediately rushed to his side, and noticed that there is a small bump on where his head had hit the tree trunk.
"Don't worry, I will carry you to that bison named um...Tahki over there," Satchiko said reassuringly.
Khenbish's face is likely one of great confusion. He is a grown adult weighed much heavier than her, plus he is wearing a very heavy lamellar armor. "You sure? I don't think you are strong enough to do that."
He is right, Satchiko is much smaller and weaker in terms of pure strength. It's unlikely that she can carry this middle aged warrior by herself. She is still a teenager, and a girl. It would probably be better if she called one of Khenbish's clansman to help.
"Well, I can still try." Satchiko suggested. Her tone is very earnest, as she clearly wanted to help the people who have saved her. "It's the least I can do, since your people saved us."
"Nonsense! YOU are the one who saved Batu, well, and the rest of us before our necks were snapped!" Khenbish refuted. He still covered his head so that no more pain would trouble him. "Besides! You will break your back if you tried to carr-hey! hey! What are you doing?"
Without speaking much, the Kyoshi warrior attempted to carry the warrior on her back. The moment the man's full weight is upon her, she stumbled a little as she tried to move. It felt like she is bearing the weight of the whole world.
She also carried the man's spear with her hand, making it even more difficult to maintain her balance.
"Hey! Be careful!" One of the warriors yelled. Before he can come over to help them, The Kyoshi warrior fell inevitably over to the grass, causing Khenbish to hurt himself too.
"Ow!" The man cried. Khenbish once again felt a pain in his head. No matter how hard he massages his forehead, the man still felt the increasing terrible sensation there.
He sighed. "What did I do to deserve this? I'm just a nobody."
That's true.
"Oops, sorry!" Satchiko said with a narrowed eyelid. She knew her apology might not be sufficient, as she can see the man is now in more pain than before. She made it worse!
A man in fur clothing rushed over here and lift Khenbish up. Despite Khenbish's weight and additional armor, this man carried him with relative ease. Satchiko watched, and adamantly concedes to her own weakness. These people are strong, much stronger in raw strength than her. A Kyoshi warrior was never meant to use strength, but to always use an opponent's strength against them. However, that doesn't mean that Satchiko is always satisfied with that. Seeing Khenbish easily being carried to the bison made her felt useless. There are few moments in life where she actually experienced this. From being unable to feed all those homeless people back in the last town, or just simply being helpless against Shui's water attacks. She can be considered lucky that she is still alive after getting herself into so much reckless trouble. Especially with her carelessness of almost being devoured by the Unagi.
Before she can stand up, a hand reached out to assist her. The armored hand belonged to none other than the Khan.
The young girl did not know how to respond at first. She knew she can stand up by herself, but refusing to accept the help of the Khan might be interpreted as being ungrateful or disrespectful to him. Reluctantly, she took the hand, and stand up from the grass.
"Thanks," Satchiko nodded. While she still doesn't know who this person very looked like. The fact remains that they would probably all be dead if it wasn't for him. She can sense a menacing aura from the Khan, even more than Ganbaatar grumpy attitude towards Shui. The armored warrior can be very intimidating when facing him directly, and Satchiko count herself lucky that she isn't a foe.
The old Khan walked away. He went over to the edge of the cliff to observe the rescue mission. Him, along with the others watched as a flying bison carried a man in rugged fur clothes on its back. The ice shard in his chest has melted a little, but that doesn't hide his severe injuries all across his front body.
"There he is!" A man shouted. Everyone rushed to the bison as soon as it has landed. The man on its back is none other than Khiimori, that air bending warrior who fell off the cliff with Tu. Judging by the scars and bruises, his face and body has hit rocks and solid objects while he fell. Who knows how much bones is still intact inside him.
The warrior swarmed the bison to see Khiimori's critical condition. Satchiko watched from the sides as many of them displayed concern towards their friend. The rider of the bison yelled to them to maintain distance with the patient.
The group of lamellar soldiers suddenly cleared an opening for the Khan. The hulking figure walked towards the injured man and placed his finger near his nose. The armored leader can sense a faint air, so slight that even a child could exhale more. Nonetheless, it's a miracle that this person is even still alive. An average person would not have survived a high fall after being mutilated by Shui.
Satchiko couldn't hear anything from the place where she is standing. A few inaudible muttering from the Khan commanded everyone else to resume tending to the wounded. The rider of that bison himself soon made a weird sound that signaled the beast, which ascended high into up the air, presumably going back to their home to seek further medical treatment. She watched as Khiimori's body slowly disappeared from her sight. While this man have chosen his own people over her, she sympathized with it, it was a difficult position after all. But if one day she was forced to make a choice just like him, what would she do?
The loud sound of ice cracking was suddenly captivated by the girl's ears. She turned around to see Mayumi freed from the chunk of ice, stepping out and stretching her leges and shoulders.
When Mayumi finished getting herself used to the ground she is stepping on, Satchiko ran up to her and delivered a very toght hug.
"Sorry I wasn't able to protect you." Mayumi apologized. But none of it matters. They are finally safe. It did took them a while to let go.
The surroundings warriors continued their packing, many retrieved their weapons which they have lost during the battle. It's hard for some of them when the similarities between each weapon is near identical, which is why they are taking a bit longer to sort everything out.
Occasionally, Satchiko can overheard their conversation about their disdain towards benders like Shui. Their positive opinion on how the Khan was able to kill her despite not using his own air bending directly. She took glances at Shui's dead body, it remained there and was ignored by everyone else. She felt Tu must have also lost his life during the fall, which may be why the rider of that bison did not take Tu with him. Finally, there was Huo, still unconscious from the fight. In the greatest irony, she was tied up by the same rope that was used to restrain Satchiko. The warriors also used a small strange looking container to encase Huo's two hands. The container has water taken from the lake. She already knew they are still wary of Huo's fire bending when she awakes. It would be better to restraint the fire bender's ability in case she tries to break free.
"Wait," Satchiko suddenly said with a worried expression. She has completely forgotten someone. "There is another bandit in the forest somewhere here. He is an air bender just like you."
The nearby warriors suddenly tensed. They just fought a very tough battle, are they going to find another one?
"No need to worry about him." Ganbaatar said reassuringly, lifting his entire body with a slightly wobbling stance. His bandaged legs are barely supporting him, yet, he still managed to find his way to the Kyoshi warriors. "If he is still around, he would have stepped out to help his fellow cutthroats." He said in very heavy accent. "I bet he just escaped after seeing his little friends dropped like flies!"
The other warriors laughed loudly in unison. The mocking of Feng allowed them to be uplifted by his alleged cowardice. Satchiko and Mayumi did not laughed with them, they did not have carefree attitude to take Feng's absence so lightly.
"Alright, I think that is enough for our little jest." Ganbaatar sobered, and recomposing himself as the captain. "We will leave the celebrations back at camp, all of you, get on the bisons."
"Is Batu there?" Satchiko suddenly asked the man. "Is he ok?"
Ganbaatar turned to Satchiko, and smiled. "He will be fine. He is probably starting to celebrate the feast without us." He then walked to Tahki and slowly climbed onto the seat for the rider. After securing his injured leg, he patted the head of beast, making sure that it is ready to lift the other passengers. He then looked towards the two Kyoshi warriors, who still haven't moved from their original spot. "You two, don't just stand there, climb up!"
Satchiko looked eagerly at Mayumi, she wanted to follow her older sister's lead on whether they should accept the invitation to their camp. The other warriors have already boarded the bison as the two of them contemplate, everyone is waiting. They have initially turned down Batu's invite, but that was only because they wanted to follow those air nomads for their flying bison. Now however, they have achieved their goal without taking the initial route. They can just ask these people to take them to Ba Sing Se, and she is certain these people would not mind resupplying them, hopefully with some food as well.
Mayumi, to Satchiko's surprise, turned to her younger sister and asked first. "What do you think?" Should we go with them?" She asked with a determined smile. The older sister is giving her sibling a choice. While they have just met them, Batu's people appeared friendly enough to make them valuable allies in a land of instability. After all, making friends in these places do not come easy.
Satchiko's stomach suddenly grumbled loudly after Mayumi's question. It's as though it has voluntarily answered in her stead. "Let's just go, I am too tired to walk anyway." She responded while looking at their tattered conditions. They are worn out, hungry and very needed rest before continuing their journey to Ba Sing Se. "Besides, I would like to check if Batu is ok, and taste this 'Buuz' he told me about!" Satchiko ended with an enthusiastic and cheerful note.
Mayumi laughed at Satchiko for her almost adorable behavior. It reminded her of a younger Satchiko whenever they are having elephant koi for dinner, she would always run back home on those tiny feet's of hers after hearing they are having the Koi fish as meal. No matter how many times Mayumi reminded her, she felt lucky to have a little sister like her.
Both of them carefully climbed on the sky bison of which Ganbaatar is manning. The five warriors on the beast's back cheered in unison as the two Kyoshi warriors boarded the beast.
"The two heroes are on!" One of them declared with a cheerful tone. "Now take us out of here captain!
"And take it easy, will you?" Khenbish said nervously while securing himself on the bison. "Y-You know, for my sake?"
Hearing all of this, Ganbaatar laughed and chanted at the bison loudly. "As gentle as a feather! Ok, Tahki, let's go home!"
Satchiko and Mayumi desperately grabbed onto the handles to reinforce themselves, they felt as if they are going to fall off due their inexperience with riding such animal. The beast slowly distanced itself from the ground, and lifted its passengers onto the air.
"Woah!" Satchiko cried. Despite her initial fears, she and Mayumi cannot help but enjoy the thrill and adrenaline that is created by being on the bison. It's an unique experience, one that is not available to the majority of the world, and to be able to ride a bison itself is already a major accomplishment. Thinking about this only made Satchiko smiled harder. It made all the trouble earlier on this trip somewhat worthwhile.
While Khenbish covered his head to reduce the pain, Satchiko notice that besides them, other sky bisons with warriors have also ascended up to the air.
"Look boys!" One of the warrior beside Satchiko said. "There is the Khan!" His voice was energetic, and Satchiko couldn't help but looked at the direction he was pointing to.
Mayumi also looked with interest. The Khan is now hovering on a giant grey fur bison right above the entire area. They shadowed the land, with it's beautiful scenery and the pristine waters of the lake. Even with scars of a fight, it still preserved its own unique look, untainted by the conflict that just ended.
The Khan slowly draws out a composite bow, he equipped it with a black arrow. He shifted his entire armor so that he can point that arrow to his desired target. While watching this with curiosity, Satchiko notice the a small flask attached to it. A distinct and repulsive odour can be traced to that peculiar object.
"What is that thing? What is it for?" Satchiko asked while covering her nose to block out that unpleasant smell. "It sticks so much!"
"Sheesh!" Khenbish also said. "I will never get use to that thing!"
"Little girl, that little jar is a special weapon crafted by one of our brightest mind." Ganbaatar said with lighthearted tone. He guided the bison so that they can better see the Khan's target.
When Satchiko and Mayumi saw it, they were confused. When Ganbaatar implied that Shui, who is now dead, would be the arrow's destination, both of them were perplexed by his indication.
Before Mayumi can further ask about this, they heard the sound of the bow's creak. The arrow, with that flask attached, was released by the Khan. The sharp whistle traveled right towards Shui's dead corpse, hitting it.
"That thing on the Khan's arrow is still experimental, the only thing I can tell you is that it has black oil in it." Ganbaatar pointed out.
"Wait, what?" Mayumi asked with grimace. Black oil?
As Ganbaatar finished his sentence, Satchiko immediately noticed that Shui's body bursted into flames. The fire grew larger and more fierce, so intense that it made reflections in her eyes, flickering at her deviously. It slowly started to consume Shui, turning her black and slowly unrecognizable.
Satchiko hid her shock, she watched in dismay as Shui is slowly withered away by the fire. For some reason, she felt the urge to conceal her personality. She felt fear as she couldn't take her eyes off at what she is seeing.
Mayumi too held her breathe. Eyes widened as she noticed that the other warriors, including Ganbaatar, cheered at the Khan's excellent marksmanship.
Something felt wrong here...
"Ha! Ha! That's what she gets for hurting Batu and Khiimori!" A warrior cried cheerfully. They all felt a great burden removed after seeing the sight of his enemy turning into dust.
Satchiko tried to hold in her gasp. She is shocked at this disturbing response from these people. Just moments before she had considered them a friendly bunch, but now, how does she put it?
When Satchiko turned to Mayumi for advice, the elder sister only shook her head subtly as to not attract the attention from other around them.
Before Satchiko can regain her mental strength, she is almost frightened when Ganbaatar spoke to her.
"You ok? You seemed tired?"
Satchiko's head is starting to sweat a little bit. She tried her best to remain composed after witnessing such a horrific sight. Not wishing to arouse any suspicion, she acted normally in her responses.
"Just hungry nothing more." She said.
"Well, that wouldn't be a problem when we reach our camp. I think they have roasted meat prepared for us!" Ganbaatar now turned his bison so that it would follow the rest of the pack. With the Khan leading them, they travelled towards the direction of their encampment.
Satchiko felt a bit uneasy after seeing what just have happened. Nothing can prepare her to comprehend the Khan's disturbing action. Sure, Shui tried to kill her and the others, but does it make the Khan's action justified? The bandit is already killed, and doing something like this seemed to cross the line.
Satchiko never felt this conflicted. In the past, she would have been glad that the pirates be punished severely for raiding Kyoshi island. But after witnessing such an event, she is no longer sure if she still wanted that.
Mayumi placed her hand of Satchiko's shoulder, and comforted her little sister the best way she could. It has been a long day, and Satchiko closed her eyes, wishing that she can temporarily forget what she just saw.
As the herd of bisons carried its passengers in a neat formation, Mayumi turned her attention to another bison. A few guards are on it, and the unconscious Huo is seen being guarded by them. While she does not wish that this bandit would not suffer the same cruel fate as Shui and Tu. At the same time, she cannot easily forgive those who tried to capture her little sister.
This is because Mayumi made a very crucial promise to a very prominent old lady, that she would protect the younger sibling no matter what. Even if it costs her own lives.
Author's note:
Khenbish actually means nobody in Mongolian. (I might be wrong, though)
