Bending the Legend

Cracked Rocks

It took everything Iroh had to not cry in dismay as another shock from the bison spilled the rest of his tea onto the tilting deck. His second worry, the Water Tribe girl, came at him yet again. He had to admit, she had spirit, but she clearly was not a trained Waterbender, even if she could bend his tea mere minutes ago.

"I do not want to hurt you, young lady," Iroh said after pushing the girl away. He studied her and the clear frustration on her face. He was blocking her way to the Avatar, and he had not let down his defense or shown any opening in the slightest.

"Keep it together, Katara," she told herself and shifted her weight. Iroh recognized the simple Waterbending form.

He also correctly guessed the bender, this Katara, would try to gather his split tea and attack him with it. Again. "Perhaps, you should try another angle," Iroh advised after sidestepping the glob of hot leaf juice. "Maybe take time to relax between your stances."

"What would you know?" Katara snapped with the glob she brought back around.

"A bit, actually."

Iroh proved his point, somewhat, when he stepped forward to spin Katara by her wrist yet again. He had to give Katara credit. She quickly caught herself to take another stance. Her tenacity shone in her eyes, and her persistence had not wavered throughout the whole confrontation. It would change if Iroh ever used his fire on her, so he planned not to. She could be helpful in the long run.

The ship shaking yet again brought Iroh back to the present. This one was strong enough to splash water onto the deck, right by Iroh and Katara's feet. The former cried as the sizable puddle swelled and soaked the hem of his robes and shoes on the latter's command. A visibly cold breath from Katara passed over Iroh's robe before his hand could squeeze it dry. The water inside it and on the deck grew stiff. Bits of frost spread onto it and Iroh's feet.

Thinking quickly, Iroh breathed. The heat leaving his mouth and nostrils carried over lower body. His feet fumed out their regained warmth, and he inched away from the newfound steam in his icy hold's place. "An interesting move. Remarkable for one so young," he said.

That was when another icy person strolled aboard. It was the one whom Tahu spoke of before, sword and shield in hand. It certainly brought joy to Katara. "Kopaka!" Ah, so that was his name.

As much as Iroh would have wanted to talk to him, the former general turned to what his eye had caught. Lines of smoke rose in the distance, past the beach where the men fought young girls and past the trees which his nephew escaped into. Even those below noticed.

Among those who also saw the smoke, Katara held the most concerned expression. If Iroh was right, she mentioned something of a "Sokka." She was right to be worried. After all, no smoke without fire.

"You should leave. Your friends will be in great danger, if they are not already," Iroh told the two in front. Given how they both side-by-side and looked ready for another fight,

"And why should we believe you?" Katara demanded.

His old eyes falling on Kopaka, Iroh said, "Koti." It was not a word Tahu had taught him.

Kopaka understood it, nonetheless. Iroh saw it in the glowing blue eye before it and the mask turned back to the smoke. "Go," Kopaka said at last.

The young Katara looked shocked, then conflicted. She gave in, but not before she looked to Iroh and said, "We'll get him back, one way or another."

Iroh was sure she would try. For now, Katara and Kopaka rushed back down the ramp. The other three women warriors joined them around the Avatar's giant bison. No one else, not even the rhinos made it too close, while the enemy climbed aboard their vessel (if some did so hesitantly) and flew off.