Avatar: The Legend of Anzen Hyriu, Book 1: The Legend of Beifen

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

To the Earth Kingdom

I walked with my friends to the land raft as I was telling Hana about my warning vision. Tekton, Koluk, Lina, Lamara, Daminao, and Fai were also with us. I was glad all of my close friends knew who I was. We had formed a team almost. Several of them came to Heiwa Valley to watch me train, and sometimes all of them came. They would even help me while they were there.

"Wow," Hana said, "this Robed Man sounds scary. I don't know how you can deal with it."

I just laughed a little, "Yeah, it is a bit...scary."

What I didn't say was that I didn't deal with it. I had nightmares every night about him. I was terrified, but I couldn't tell my friends that. I also had nightmares about the fight during the scouting mission. To complete it, I was also having the recurring dream where I'm in a wrecked house that's burning with a Fire Nation woman in it. Every night, it got clearer and clearer, and I could see more and more details. Last night was the worst so far; I could see the body of a Water Tribe woman laying at the feet of the Fire Nation woman. I pushed that out of my mind as we arrived at the dock. There was a large crowd, but not for me; the Royal Court was going to return to the capital.

"Farwell, Hydronians, it was a true pleasure to stay here as long as I did. I wish you all well and say do not be sad at my departure, for I will visit Hydronia and the other cities more often," Arnook said.

His daughter, Princess Yue, stepped forward. "May the Great Spirits watch over you and keep you all safe. I look forward to returning to see this great and wondrous city and the mighty people that live in it. Farwell!"

Everyone cheered. Wei, Hiko, and I climbed on the raft. I waved to my friends. I saw Taruk in the crowd, and for the first time in weeks, he wasn't glaring at me. His eyes were filled with suspicion, and he looked like he was searching for something. I saw him rush from the crowd.

A few minutes later, the raft started to move. I saw Taruk hand something to a man looking after the goods on the raft just as we began to move; it was a letter. We picked up speed, and the crowd got smaller and smaller. The raft turned to the mountains, and we rode into the foot hills. We would be taking a route straight through the Bei Shui Mountains and directly to the capital. I noticed we took a turn right when we passed through the mountains. I recognized some of the mountains behind us, and I realized we were leaving behind Heiwa Valley.

"Why are we going this way?" I asked Wei. "I thought we were going straight to the capital?"

"We are, but this is the only safe path on this part of the tundra. The rest is known to cave in often," he answered.

I started to help propel us forward with my enhanced bending. The mountains raced by. Soon, we left the mountains behind, and we were racing through the open tundra. Harsh blizzards battered us the whole time. Finally after a day and a half, as the blizzards slowed us down, we arrived at the capital.

The city was built below the tundra at ground level, so high ice cliffs surrounded it. When we approached the city, we were looking down onto it from the top of the cliffs. Along with the high ice cliffs surrounding the city, there was a man made ice wall guarding the city from the ocean. Instead of ice streets, the city had canals. You could travel anywhere in the city on a small boat because of the canals. Along the canals were paths of ice, so you could walk if you wanted. There were also patches of the city that didn't have canals. There were two-story tall bridges over the canals. The city was made of several tiers. At the part of the city furthest from the ocean was the tallest tier with the Chief's Palace on top. It was also tiered, kind of like a pyramid, only more narrow, and it didn't come to a point. The city practically ran on water bending. It was what powered the boats, canals, and how to enter or leave the city to the ocean. The way the wall was designed, a ship had to go through so many canals and ice walls that no unwanted ship could break through to the city unless they had a lot of fire power. Outside the city, in the ocean were many razor sharp ice burgs that could even rip through the metal ships of the Fire Nation.

After a quick welcome party, Wei, Hiko, and I were escorted to our house. It was close to the palace on one of the highest tiers. We did the routine that we always did. I pretended to start getting sick, and at the feast that night, I left early because I wasn't feeling well. I pretended to get sick every time I had a trip to the Earth Kingdom, so no one would think it was odd that I wasn't seen. We said it was the tundra weather that got to me. The next day, I wore a cloak and had my face wrapped up as I boarded a ship that was taking goods to the Earth Kingdom. Arnook informed the captain and crew that I was coming, so they didn't ask questions. Wei and Hiko had to stay in the capital; otherwise people would be suspicious at their disappearance. I used water and air bending to help guide the boat.

Soon, the Water Tribe was lost in the horizon, and the Earth Kingdom was in sight. This part of the Earth Kingdom was dominated by the Bei Ji Mountains. They were much taller than the Bei Shui or Atarashi Mountains. The mountain range was also much larger. It was about the size of the entire Northern Water Tribe. The mountains also had the Northern Air Temple in them.

About five hours past noon, we neared the coast. I could see Mazushi Village; that was where Master Lee and Shan lived. It was nestled between two arms of a mountain. A forest of pine and oak trees covered the bases of the mountains. The village was made of wooden and stone buildings. There were many old docks that led into the ocean.

We pulled up to the docks. The village was unorganized and random except for the docks and the mayor's house. Every other building looked as if the people closed their eyes and pointed to a random spot and said, "Build there." There were a few rickety boat houses near by. The mayor's house was a combination of wood and stone. It was three floors high and had the Earth Kingdom symbol on it- a green circle with a tan square at its center.

There was a crowd waiting for us. The boat was unloaded of it's goods. I got off and walked through the crowd, greeting people. The mayor walked up to me. He was a large, older man who governed the city. He was decent enough, but he wasn't my favorite person.

"Oh, Anzen Hyriu," he began in a high but bland voice, "You visit us once again. And you bring goods from the north. Wonderful."

"Mayor Tanlan, it is good to be back," I said.

"Ah yes, hmm...is, um, is this all the ship brought? Hmm," he paused. "Very well then, I will leave you now. I am sure Master Lee is around here somewhere." He walked off.

I looked around and spotted my friend, Shan, and Master Lee. I walked over to them.

"Hey, guys," I greeted them.

"Hey, Hyriu, how you been?" Shan asked.

He had a deep but smooth voice. He was a bit taller than me with broad shoulders, and he was muscular but lean. He was surprisingly tan, but he was nowhere near as tan as me. He had brown hair that he kept in a messy top not. He had a square-like face with a strong jaw and emerald eyes.

"I have been good. How have you guys been managing?" I asked as I glanced at the small pile of goods.

"The same. Don't worry; we always manage to get by. Don't listen to what Tanlan says," Master Lee said.

He had a rough voice. He was tall with broad shoulders and a barrel chest. He had a brutish face.

"I'm sorry I didn't bring more food," I said guiltily.

Being in the Water Tribe, I sometimes forgot how good we have it off. We worry about our exams and girls and games; here they worry about pirate raids, food shortages, and freezing to death on a daily bases.

"Oh, don't worry yourself," Master Lee said. "It is not your fault. Arnook must feed his own people first and us second. We can always manage, and don't feel guilty. Instead, enjoy what you have before it is gone."

"I suppose you're right," I said, clearing my head.

"Of course I am. Ha ha. Besides, Tanlan is trying to make you feel guilty. Vile man, but I suppose he is only trying to help us get by," Master Lee said.

"Okay, this is getting me kind of depressed. You came to earth bend, right?" Shan said with a grin.

I smiled. He was like Lamara; she could always put a smile on your face, though I always thought he was better at it. "Right."

"Well then, this so called 'Robed Man' will think twice about going after you once you learn these moves. Well, there is noting else left to say but let's get started," Master Lee said with a hearty laugh.