Book Four: Air

IC: Toph

Before Sokka or Suki could respond to her leavestakings, Toph stiffened. She whirled around and fell into a quick stance.

"Someone's out there," she said.

And that was the only warning she gave.

Toph stomped the ground. The floor rumpled, tore up, and the fissure pushed out of the foyer and into the gardens. It crashed to a bit of shrubbery near the main entrance of the mansion.

She ran outside and pushed past the leaves and bushes. A man sat there, trapped by manacles of earth. He wasn't going anywhere without her say so.

"Okay. Mind telling me who you are before I thrash you a good one?" she said.

Suki

As soon as Toph had said someone was out there, Suki dropped into a fighting stance and withdrew her fans. Her previous embarrassment was forgotten. For the moment. Suki followed Toph to where the man was.

?

"Yes, that sounds reasonible to me. A thousand it is." The cloaked man withdrew two sacks of gold and descretly put it on the table. He pushed it toward the leader.

IC: Mercenaries

A greedy smile passed over the leader's face. He dragged the sacks towards him. On brief glance into them made him chuckle. He handed off the bags to the Earth Kingdom lady, who placed them in a pack slung over his shoulder.

"We've got a deal, then. We'll sent your girl to you when we have this stone you're wanting, sir. Thanks for your business. And, like I said, no worries." He saluted. "We'll get that rock for you."

The mercenaries rose from the table and left the catina. Once outside, the Fire Nation man asked for the map. He looked over it again, nodding.

"Hidden temple, huh? That'll be interesting. We'll need some tools for that."

IC: Samanya

By the spirits! The earth had just attacked him, and now it was holding him down?! What sort of strange magicks was this? The warrior squirmed a bit in his bindings before a small girl came into view, and demanded his name in that strange language.

For a brief moment, he looked deep in thought as Samanya tried to peice together a coherent sentance. "I Samanya. Baratta Tribe. Big boat. I Follow Owners. Yes?" Coherent? Not so much. Understandable? Hopefully. A large smile was spread across his face, making the intimidating figure look more like a child than a full grown man.

"I'm sure they wont mind helping the Avatar and the famous mighty Katara." Aang said optimistically as he noticed that a few of the children were returning, this time with their parents.

"See mom, mom see! I told you it was him." A little boy informed an older woman as he held onto her dress and followed his mother towards Aang and Katara.
"A pleasure to meet you madam. My name is Aang, and this is Lady Katara." The Avatar greeted with a polite short bow.

"Hi! I'm Jing, and this is my mom." The young anxious boy shouted, obviously embarrassing his mother. Aang glanced towards Katara with a smile of amusement, pleased to finally meet someone that wasn't acting completely official and snooty as the people he usually had to deal with now a days.

"I apologize for my son's manners Avatar Aang, my name is Avanli, how may we help you Avatar?" The mother said politely, yet with a bit of stiffness as she was obviously rathered worried with how Aang and Katara would react.

Aang bit his lip as he was about to tell her it was fine to just call him Aang but changed his mind. "Well we were just passing through and we were wondering if we could buy some food from you, we have money too." The Airbender said as he pulled the gold coins out of his pocket.

"Of course Avatar Aang, I just finished preparing a meal anyways and we have more then enough." Avanli answered. "Just wait right here and I'll bring it out for you." She said as she clasped her hands together and walked away towards a small hut-like building that Aang supposed must have been her home.

"Well then...that was easy." Aang said as he looked back towards Katara, pretending not to notice that the children and even a few adults were staring at them now.

IC: Toph

She lifted a slim brow. The best she could tell, the man spoke a fragmented version of language, but he was telling the truth. His voice made it sound like he was even smiling.

She tried to piece together his story. She guessed the owners were Sokka and Suki, since they were the last to arrive here, and this strange man was now in the bushes when he hadn't been before. She had never heard of the Baratta Tribe, though, and his name was also strange.

"I'm Toph," she said. "And you shouldn't be sneaking around like that, buddy. This ain't your Baratta Tribe."

IC: Samanya

"Oh. I apola..apola...apologize. I new to villiage. I not get your ways yet." Samanya's large eyes seemed to soften when Toph told him of his mistake, and the tall man hung his head as if in shame. "I learn. Not fast at it. Hard."

Iroh’s expression changed completely. From cheerful and happy, to the most serious a man could be.

“I was a general back then, and I was the Dragon of the West. But that is no more. I do not miss the Fire Nation and I don’t want to remember it. I’m a simple tea maker now and that’s how it’s going to stay.”

Iroh stood up, and walked over to the kitchen where he continued to work. Hoping that those men wouldn’t come and talk about that again.

IC: ?

"Should we make our move?"

"Not yet. Wait for the right moment," said the leader, as he watched Iroh walk to the kitchens. "Let the old fool simmer for a little while."

***

IC: Toph

She sighed, and blew irritably at her messy bangs. "I'll say," she muttered. "You're lucky I didn't toss you around, you idiot."

A group of soldiers had, by now, come to investigate. They removed the stranger's weaponry, and only then did Toph release him from his bonds. The soldiers glanced at her, and she waved a hand. They slipped back into the mansion.

"Sorry. But we can't take any chances," said Toph. "You'll get your weapons back later."

Katara

"Yeah, I guess you're just good with people," Katara said. She felt a little uncomfortable that everyone was just staring at them like they were. She gave a smile and waved at them, hoping that would help things. "I think they aren't used to having visitors."

Zuko

Zuko walked up the path to the Govenor's house, accompanied by his guards, and stopped as he saw other guards. "What is going on," he asked, and continued. He soon saw Toph, Sokka, Suki, and some stranger that didn't look like he came from a very civilized part of the world.

IC: Toph

"Oh, hey, Sparky." Toph nodded a small greeting at Zuko. She had already sensed him approaching. "Don't worry, nothing's wrong. Just a small misunderstanding."

Suki

After seeing the man was harmless, Suki put her fans away. Who was this guy? Whoever he was, he sure didn't speak quite well. She had never heard of his tribe before. Well, at least he was no threat.

?

"All is well so far, my lord. Once the mercenaries retrieve the stone, all of your plans can come into fruition." Jing said, turning to the man. He nodded back at her.

"Yes Jing. Once those fools retrieve the stone, everything I have planned can come forth. They took my city from me. I will not allow that. I will take back Ba Sing Se, but this time I want more. The entire Earth Kingdom shall be mine." Long Feng said, smiling under his hood.

IC: ?

The man delved into the small crowd that watched and waved at the two visitors. Eyes narrowing, he slipped into a small room. He quickly wrote out a note, and tied it to the back of a hawk.

"Away with you..." he said. He took it to the window. "And quickly!"

The hawk screeched and took to the skies.

***

IC: Mercenaries

As their leader pondered over what they would need for their latest job, the others waited outside the catina for their ally. None seemed entirely pleased with the idea of allowing the strange woman to come with them, but they were well trained enough to keep their mouths shut.

"Now there's an idea..." said the leader, rubbing his nose in a thoughtful expression.

"What is it?" asked the Water Tribe Woman. Her name was Kara.

"This here hidden temple looks like a nasty piece of work. We need us something to make the job easier, quicker."

IC: Samanya

The warrior watched as his weapons were taken from him, confused as to why they would strip him of his defenses. He rose, and almost made a move after the guards, but he stopped himself. This was probably part of the customs of these people. Of course! Why else would they strip a warrior of his weapons?

"When Samanya get back?" He asked, trying to keep his eyes on his beloved weapons as they were carried off towards the building. He visiably slouched when they disappeared behind the doors.

Sokka had gripped his sword when Toph sensed an intruder but relaxed when he turned out harmless. He felt a little empathy for the man. After all, he was amazed when he saw buildings not made a of ice. He knew they existed, but it was still a shock for him after spending all his life in the South Pole.

Jing

Jing left Lord Long Feng and went outside to met with the mercenaries. She had worked with men and women like them in her short time as a mercenary. Hopefully it would not be hard to deal with them.

Zuko

"Hello Toph," Zuko greeted as he approached. "Hello Sokka, Suki," he added. He looked over at the savage, hearing what he asked, and frowned, he was speaking their language, but in a primitive way. He was obviously not from a civilized part of the world, but he seemed rather gentle to be a savage.

"I guess so..." Aang agreed reluctantly as he looked at the kids for a few more seconds. "So what do you guys do for fun around here?" The Airbender asked as he tried to make the kids feel more comfortable so maybe they wouldn't seem so....stalkerish.

"Well we usually play in the jungle or swim with the otterwhales, they're just around on the other side of the island by the cliffs." Jin informed Katara and Aang proudly. "I could show y-"

"Jing you know your father told you to stay here for now. Ah here we are Lady Katara, Avatar Aang." Avanli said as the tiredness left her voice and the smle Aang knew was fake came back to her face.

"Thank you it looks delicious." Aang said as he looked at the bowl that he Avanli handed to him. It was full of rice, but on one side there was some rather good looing fruit and on top of the rice on the other side of the bowl there was what Aang decided must be fish, something he would not be eating. The Avatar then grabbed two gold pieces and handed it to her.

"Oh no this is too much and I couldn't ch-"
"It's fine, and I'm sure that this food is worth it." Aang insisted before the mother simply nodded in thanks to him.

"Thank you Aang." She said with a bit of genuine happiness this time, receiving a smile from the airbender before heading back for her home.

"Well I suppose the four months of having to learn and deal with political manners really helped out in the end after all....." Aang said before looking back at his girlfriend, knowing she was probably uncomfortable with the children of the village still following them. "So where would you like to eat Katara? Appa, the Beach, the otterwhale cliffs those kids were talking about....?" Aang asked as they began to walk away from the village and the many children that had been staring at them.

Katara

Katara giggled at his comment about politics before thinking. "I like the sound of the beach," she confessed. "But I'm fine if you want to eat at the cliffs." She had looked in bowl and saw the contents, and knew that Aang wouldn't be eating the fish.

"The beach sounds great! It's sunny, and there's sand..." Aang said as he realized for a second that he almost sounded as dorky as Sokka usually did.
"But it'll be nice. Maybe we'll even see an otterwhale swim by, that would be a story to brag about later." The Airbender exclaimed as they were finally out of sight of the village and the Airbender could see Appa far away, and the beach laying between them.

IC: Mercenaries

"Ah, good, good, you're here!" said the leader, smiling at the silent woman. "We can set our course!"

Kara sighed. "Whenever he has the scent of a hunt in his nose, he gets a little excited. Like a kid, that one."

"You feel the same way, dear one." The Fire Nation man nodded at the soldier, who darted into the stables next to the catina. A few ostrich-horses were brought out. "But the hunt doesn't start yet. We've gotta track us down some tools."

***

IC: ?

Steely eyes watched the young man and his lady friend walked towards the beach and the flying bison. Their muscles twitched. Growls echoed from the large crate hidden in the cave behind them.

"Should we let her go?"

"No. Give it a few more moments. Let 'em enjoy themselves for a little bit. Makes it twice as sweet when they're taken by surprise, see?"

***

IC: Toph

"Not too long," said Toph. "We have to make sure we can trust you first. But don't worry. If they take too long, I'll get 'em back for you."

Toph really didn't have that sort of power and pull here, but that hadn't stopped her from doing what she wanted before.

It was now late evening. She knew before long she would have to get some sleep. The council convened early in the morning, and Wuong would need her by his side.

After some minutes of making a wide variety he completely forgot about the men on the table, the ones who were fire nations soldiers. Iroh just kept making tea, whining about too many orders at the same time, telling some workers to do this, telling others to do that, etc…

“Is it me or is this day extremely hot Chuang?” Iroh said while he took a drink of some cold water.

“All this boiling in a small place, plus the current time of day (around noon), it is bound to be hot Iroh” Chuang said while attending some pots.

IC: ?

The three men stayed in the teashop for quite some time. They bought tea and talked, and though they walked outside from time to time to stretch their legs, they always came back.

It was approaching closing hours, and the crowds thinning, when the leader nodded at his companions. They understood the silent command, and returned his nod.

Fire erupted from their hands as they stood. The motion knocked back chairs and tables, and scorched the walls and floor of the shop. Serving girls shrieked and ran from the three men, but the leader caught one by the arm. He dragged her close, and a knife slipped close to her throat.

"No worries," he whispered. "It's not you we're after, dearie."

“I did change my mind, and decided to leave everything in the past. However that does not mean I have lost my skills. Let the girl go now!” Iroh spoke angrily and loud.

“If you hurt that woman, I swear you will regret it.”

Iroh stance changed, he was now, ready to attack.

IC: ?

"There is no need for violence," said the leader. He flashed an arrogant smirk at the former general. "Like I said, we're only here for you, Dragon of the West. Give yourself up and come with us, and we'll leave her and the rest of your staff alone. It's that simple."

***

IC: ?

"Is it time yet?"

"You have no patience whatsoever!" The woman grunted. "But... yes. Yes, I do believe it is time to let loose our little friend."

Her companion grinned and darted into the cave. The woman climbed to the top of the rocky outcropping above the cave. She did so just in time; second later, a blurred mass shot out of the cave.

It skidded to a halt. The beast growled, sniffering the air and hissing all at once. Its fur stood up on end, and its maw opened, revealed sets of sharp teeth. It turned towards the beach, and the young man and woman, and darted forward after them.