The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 58 [~|~] Favorite Place

Oyaji led them over the crest of the hill and headed towards Kyoshi's shrine on the highest part of the hill. Azara stared up at the shrine as she walked inside, noting the quaintness of the place. Granted, Kyoshi did have a whole island named after her, so maybe a grand temple was not needed. "This temple was converted into a shrine to Kyoshi. The clerics tell us these relics are still connected to her spirit," Oyaji explained proudly as the group fanned out around the temple.

Azara stared up at Kyoshi's headpiece as Sokka and Katara examined other artifacts. Tilting her head to the side, Azara could see how Kyoshi's personal dress influenced the Kyoshi warriors.

"Please don't touch!" Oyaji stated, causing Katara to drop Kyoshi's kimono and Azara to whirl around in surprise.

"These fans . . . they were her weapons, no?" Sokka asked, picking up one with his fingers.

"Also refrain from touching the fans," Oyaji sighed as Azara glanced down at the pair of boots next to Kyoshi's kimono.

"These were her boots?" Azara questioned as Momo popped out of one of them. "Her feet must have been enormous!"

"The biggest of any Avatar," Oyaji nodded, sounding proud.

"Congrats to her," Azara muttered awkwardly as she pulled Momo out of the boots. Then, it suddenly hit her. "Wait a minute . . . big foot, little footprint? There's no way—" Azara started to piece together before Sokka cleared his throat, cutting her off.

"Special outfit? Hat and pipe? These things mean anything to you guys?" Sokka sighed causing Azara to roll her eyes mockingly.

"Of course, my apologies. Please, continue," Azara huffed, before crossing her arms over her chest, Momo moving to perch on her head.

"Aha! There's no way Kyoshi could have made that footprint. And therefore, there is nothing linking her to the crime scene!" Sokka announced, raising a finger in the air.

"Brilliant, Sokka," Katara added in a deadpan as she stood beside Azara with a similarly exasperated look across her face.

"Okay, great. But, if Kyoshi didn't kill Chin, then who did? Who made that footprint?" Azara asked, glancing between Sokka and Katara. "I think we're going to need more than just a footprint to exonerate Aang from the murder."

Oyaji beckoned them to examine a painting on the back wall of the temple. "This piece is called 'The Birth of Kyoshi.' It was painted on sunrise of the day this island was founded. Why, it was today in fact, 370 years ago."

"370 years?" Sokka exclaimed, grabbing Oyaji by his kimono. "Wait, are you sure it was today?"

"Seeing as it's Kyoshi Day, yes, I'm sure," Oyaji replied, pushing Sokka off him and dusting himself off matter-of-factly.

"This ceremony didn't take place at sunrise. It took place at sunset," Azara pointed out, staring up at the painting. "Look at the shadows."

"They point east. So, the sun must have been in the west," Katara concluded, stepping forwards.

"So what?" Oyaji shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest.

Katara opened her mouth to speak before she was pushed aside by Sokka. Azara glared over at him before helping Katara up. "If Kyoshi was in the ceremony at sunset, then she couldn't have been in Chin committing the crime. She has an alibi," Sokka explained dramatically, standing with his arm out and pipe raised, his monocle swinging around his head.

Katara then ripped the pipe from his hand and slammed it onto his head, causing Sokka to fall to the floor. He rubbed his head, looking up at Azara for support, but she shook her head. "You deserved it, and we both know it." Momo chittered from her shoulder as Sokka looked at the ground.