twenty three

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it had been ten months since the founding of the air acolytes, and Liara was now at the western air temple with all of the girls, searching for artifacts.

they had a large crate loaded with scrolls and gliders, as well as recipe books and the usual things like that.

she was in the backrooms of the council building when daiyu, one of the acolyte girls from yu dao came to her with a small scroll in her hand.

"master liara," she said, bowing to the airbender. "miss daiyu, what have you found?" liara asked, looking at the scroll in her hand, "well I didn't find this. a messenger hawk just arrived with a message for you."

Liara cocked her head to the side. "what is it?" the girl handed liara the small scroll.

the ribbon seal had the fire nation insignia on it, as well as the fire lord's seal.

curiously, liara opened the letter.


master liara, of the western air temple.

the search for my mother has come up with good information, but there are still too many missing links. as you have told me a few months ago, you have the ability to communicate with spirits.
if you please, will you aid me in the search for the former fire lady ursa? please come to the fire palace as soon as possible.

best wishes,
fire lord zuko.

Liara rose an eyebrow, his writing was much too formal as an s.o.s message to one of his friends. but of course, she'll go to the fire palace. it was only a day's journey on bisonback.

"what does it say?" daiyu, who was still with liara in the hallway, asked curiously.

"i have to go to the fire palace." liara replied calmly, shoving the scroll into her pocket.

Liara and daiyu walked through the hallways to the exit at a quick pace, "yao, are you listening?" the girl said out loud, almost frightining daiyu.

"yes? what's gong on, liara?"

daiyu turned white as a ghost, confused as to how she could also hear the spirit.

"what do you know about zuko's mother?"

yao hummed, probably brushing the hair on his chin, "former fire lady ursa was the wife of ozai and the mother to zuko and azula. she was subsequently banished from the fire nation for treason and never seen again."

liara pursed her lips, "is that all you know?"

"i am afraid so, yes. although, I do know of another spirit who can help you find her."

she and daiyu finally got outside, and Liara looked over the crate, seeing an embroidered tapestry that always hung in monk nora's chambers. it was partially singed, but still in good condition.

"gather around, ladies!" liara called and all the girls near the fountain gathered near her. "I will be heading to the fire palace in a few minutes. will all of you be okay here alone?"

"yes, master liara," most of the girls said.

"okay. there are fruit orchids and vegetable gardens nearby, I'm sure you know where they are. after I land at the fire palace, I will send my bison back immediately, for all of you to have a way to get off of the temple."

after gathering her things, liara packed them in diki's saddle. "I'll be back soon, ladies. please continue searching, we have to do our best to preserve air nomad culture."

then, she and diki were off, heading south, towards the fire nation capitol.

~

Liara landed at the fire palace just after sunset and noticed appa eating some hay in the courtyard.

when appa and diki saw each other they rubbed their heads together, showing each other affection.

Liara smiled "diki, eat some food and then head back to the temple, okay, girl?"

the bison groaned, and the girl smiled, "I'll take that as a yes."

"liara!" she turned to see aang waving at her from the entrance, she was glad to see him, as it had been three months since they have last seen each other.

they had both been so busy lately, liara with the acolytes, and aang with his avatar duties, as well as the construction of Republic city.

she went up to him and hugged him as tightly as she could, earning a kiss on the top of her head.

"gross." she heard sokka mutter from inside, and she sent an air blast towards him, knocking him over.

once she and the avatar let go of each other, liara greeted her other friends with hugs as well.

"where's toph?" she asked and sokka shrugged, "she's at her school. everyone and their uncle wants to be a metal ender now that they saw the lily livers in action."

lily livers?

Liara ignored it and nodded in understanding. she then turned to zuko, "you said that you got information, but still have a few missing links,"

the firelord nodded, "yes. if you can, can you please ask a spirit about her?"

"do you have a meditation chamber?"

Zuko nodded and lead her to one of the closed, soundproof meditation chambers with vanilla scented candles. he had lit them earlier, as he knew that she'd want to use one.

she sat down on the mat and had zuko sit diametrically opposed to her. it was almost like a ghost séance.

"yao, can you hear me?" she asked

"of course," the monkey man replied also allowing zuko to hear him.

"when I asked you about lady ursa earlier, you said that you know of another spirit who can lead me to her."

"yes. she is known as the mother of faces, as well as the mother of Ko." the spirit explained. "however, I have always known her as Ying Lian,"

Liara savoured the name and meaning. 'Ying' meaning wise, and 'lian' meaning graceful willow.

"do you know here she resides?"

"the forgetful valley in the fire nation is linked to the spirit world. it is dangerous, as one wrong move can lead you into the spirit world, to the fog of lost souls."

"where is the forest located?" zuko asked, curious for this information, "near a village called hira'a, on the outskirts of the fire nation."

Liara smiled, "thank you so much for your help, yao. I appreciate it greatly."

Zuko nodded in agreement. "yes, thank you, good spirit."

"okay leave me alone. I want to go have tea with my friends."

Liara laughed softly and stood up, letting zuko go out of the chamber first. she knew that they were leaving first thing the next day, so she had to get her rest as soon as possible.

she remembered reading of the fog of lost souls. it was a prison for humans in the spirit world, ruled by a fog spirit that slowly drove the prisoners crazy.

she recalled the writing saying that 'time is relative in the fog of lost souls.' she had no idea what that meant.
















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