Daughter Of Destiny - An ATLA/TLOK Fanfiction

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You know what they say - time flies, just as Daiyu's worry for King Zhang flew away through every trot her ostrich-horse took. She visited many towns, barren and fertile, cold and hot; each had their own fascinating culture and history of how they formed. 

Many years had she prepared for this, her maids often describe the world as dangerous, but to her, it was certainly beautiful. Watching the leaves born on the trees, and then dance in the wind, and the vines that caged the forest - it all felt so peaceful, calm. She'd been waiting so long to leave the castle and now, she couldn't ask for more freedom.

Daiyu's ostrich-horse trotted into the outskirts of the Si Wong desert, weariness already lingering in the animal's eyes as it carried Daiyu further. She needed to get across the desert to reach the Eastern Air Temple. She traced her hands across her leather belt, locating her water skin which appeared to be empty, "Let's find some town nearby and refresh." With that, she sharply turned in the direction of the nearest towns plastered on the leather map she held.

Daiyu rode across the outer edge of the desert, frequently glancing down her map and encouraging the animal to move faster. They'd both eventually reach a bustling village with houses coated in sandstone and small stalls with cloths of maroon reds and corn yellows dispersed through a small horde of what seemed like women wandering from one stall to another. Each of them were clad in long dresses of black and beige, their heads completely covered, some revealing their faces and others concealing their own. Daiyu's lips curved into a satisfied smile, her heart already expressing gratitude, "Let's go" She'd gesture at the ostrich-horse to follow her into the village.

She'd tie the animal on a small stone poll, nearing a swarming cave that seemed to attract people from anywhere. Walking in, the room was brimmed with predominantly men; some were enthralled in a game of Pai Sho and others would simply ogle at each other's gaze, as if they were stalking their prey.

It was quite clear to Daiyu that these men were bounty hunters, poachers and soldiers, judging from their sheathed swords accompanying their side, and cream scarfs that blanketed their faces and enveloped their forearms.

The gnawing feeling of insecurity gripped Daiyu as she sat down, some men turned their gaze to her, narrowing their eyes as they recognised the colour of her dress and kasa - an emerald green with gold accents. Hues used by the northern region of the Earth Kingdom - a region they didn't like at all.

A bartender in his 50s slid over to Daiyu, presenting himself with the same menacing gaze as the other men, but this time his stare was accompanied with a menacing grin; his lemon-coloured crooked teeth showing through, "You want anything, darling" he'd lean forward on the sandstone counter, the last word was purposely more projected than the others.

Daiyu leaned back on her stool, clearly discomforted with the bartender's reception, she straightened her face, and in a low undertone, she'd mumble "Water".

The bartender's expression turned into a cloud of disappointment as he turned to fill the wooden cup. Meanwhile, Daiyu rotated her head slightly, silently trying to contemplate on these men who had began gossiping in their groups and constantly met their gaze with hers. She knew she wasn't welcome here. Tension began to escalate as she caught her eye on a wanted poster, not any wanted poster, but a wanted poster of the Avatar.

She thought about how the image drawn of her was in such disarray, most likely because of the lack of visits from her father. The girl shown on the poster was Princess Daiyu. A completely different Daiyu. Now she was just an outcast and fortunately and hopefully would not be noticed by these bounty hunters.

A sudden thought plagued her head; she couldn't introduce herself as Daiyu anymore, the poster had plastered that name several times on that wretched piece of paper. She needed a new identity - and an alibi - fast.