Wandering Firebender

Eighty Seven: Unwanted Circumstances

Another day, another mission.

Elio stood in front of the mirror, staring intently into his own eyes as he put his uniform on. Lately, the armor that he put on day after day felt like it was weighing down on his shoulders more. He let out a heavy sigh as he fixed his clothing into place.

Time to start another day.

"Captain Elio! You have a letter." An attendant called to him through the door after knocking a few times.

"Is it from Fire Lord Zuko? I'm about to go and speak with him now." Elio said in response.

"Actually no, sir, it's from someone by the name of ray-la?" The attendant answered. Elio's eyebrows furrowed and he scrunched his nose in confusion.

"I don't know anyone by that name...unless..." Elio walked to his door and opened it. The attendant smiled politely, handing the letter to him. He took it and looked at the name inscribed.

"Master Rala!" Elio exclaimed in surprise, unwrapping the ribbon wrapped around the rolled-up paper.

"Oh! My apologies, I was pretty far off there." The attendant laughed sheepishly.

"It's alright, thank you. I'll look this over and then go to speak with Fire Lord Zuko. Could you let him know that I'll only be a few minutes?" He requested.

"Of course, sir." The attendant replied with a nod before leaving Elio at the door.

Elio closed the door to his room. Once it was shut and locked, he rolled the paper open excitedly. He hadn't heard from his old staff master in a few months, but what he would normally consider a relatively short period of time felt like a lifetime ago given the circumstances.

My faithful student, Elio,

I hope that you are doing well. I've thought about you often since we last spoke before your departure to the North Pole. I'm sure you have been through quite a lot since then. I heard word that you've gone home and you are now working with the new Fire Lord, providing aide and relief now that the war is finally over. I was overjoyed! I'm very proud of you. I would like to speak with you again, there is still more that we have to discuss. When you are in the Earth Kingdom again, come to my old home. Hopefully you remember where it is! I look forward to seeing you soon! I will have some tea and snacks ready for your arrival.

Rala

Reading this letter made Elio ecstatic! If the master was requesting to see him again then surely that meant he had something new in store for him! Elio would have to speak with Zuko right away and see what arrangements could be made so that he could go see him.

Elio rolled up Rala's letter and carefully placed it in his travel bag. Once it was safely tucked away, he exited his room and made his way straight to the throne room. Then he was brought right inside where he walked up before the Fire Lord. He knelt down in respect.

"You may rise, Elio. How are you this morning?" Zuko asked. Elio stood up and nodded his head a little.

"I'm alright, thanks. How are you?" Elio asked him in turn.

"I'm alright. I could've gotten more rest, but unfortunately I have a lot of things to take care of today. Meeting with you is only the start of my day." Zuko explained to briefly give Elio an idea of what his schedule was going to be like.

"I see. Well, I don't want to keep you for too long then, but there is something that I would like to bring to your attention before we talk about my next mission, if that's alright with you." Elio began.

"Go ahead." Zuko invited him to speak freely.

"I just received a letter from my old staff master. He has requested that I go to see him in the Earth Kingdom. He must have something for me. With your permission, I would like to go see him as soon as I am able." Elio requested.