The Traitor Princess

Chapter 40 - City of Walls and Secrets

The group sat on the monorail together, waiting to enter the city. Eziri sat beside Sokka, but she was on her knees, excitedly looking out the window behind them. She'd only read about Ba Sing Se–she couldn't believe she was actually going to see it in person.

"I can't believe we finally made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece." Katara said.

"Hey, don't jinx it! We can still be attacked by some giant Fire Nation spoon! Or find out the city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp!" Sokka warned. Eziri leaned back and looked at her boyfriend suspiciously.

"You been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked.

"That or he hit his head on something." Eziri joked.

"I'm just sayin', weird stuff happens to us." Just then, a large man plopped himself right between Toph and Sokka. He was sucking on a corn plant and staring straight ahead. Sokka gave Eziri an 'I told you so' look and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. Eziri stood and walked over to the doors so she could get a better view.

They entered through the Inner Wall and the train went dark for a moment. As soon as they exited, they could see the city stretch on for miles. "Whoah." Eziri whispered. Her eyes were glued to window. The only other big city she'd been to was Omashu. And even that didn't compare to the sight before her.

–

When the group disembarked, they were met with an eerily happy-looking woman.

"Hello, my name is Joo Dee! I have been given the great honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Sokka, Katara, Toph, and Eziri! Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?"

Eziri eyed the woman suspiciously. She was way too cheerful for someone who lives in a city that was almost invaded.

"Yes. We have information about the Fire Nation army that we need to deliver to the Earth King, immediately." Sokka said.

"Great! Let's begin our tour. And then I'll show you to your new home here. I think you'll like it!"

"Ugh! Maybe you missed what I said. We need to talk to the king about the War. It's important." Sokka urged.

"You're in Ba Sing Se now. Everyone is safe here." This woman gave Eziri the creeps, and it seemed her friends had similar feelings. Regardless, they allowed the woman to lead them to their carriage to begin the tour.

"This is the Lower Ring." They started driving through the most run-down part of the city. Eziri read a lot about the class divisions in Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation capital was a little more subtle about their treatment of 'lower-class' citizens, but Eziri was no stranger to the politics of social status.

"What's that wall for?" Katara asked.

"Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls! There are the ones outside protecting us, and the ones inside, that help maintain order."

"Bullshit." Eziri mumbled under her breath. Toph snickered beside her.

"This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsman and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively!" The group noticed a man threatening someone in an alley with a sword. Both men glared at the carriage as they passed.

"You do want to watch your step, though." Joo Dee said nervously.

"Why do they have all these poor people blocked off in one part of the city?" Katara asked.

"Because the monarchy and rich citizens have determined poor people and refugees are undesirable." Eziri grumbled.

"This is why I never came here before. I always heard it was so different from the way the monks taught us to live." Aang said sadly.