Storm

Chapter 5

            Storm had been flying for hours. Her arms were starting to ache--she wasn’t used to using her glider for such long periods of time. Below her, all she could see was water. Far in the distance was a huge landmass, but she wasn’t there yet. And there were no isles to land on like there had been before, when she was flying across the Fire Nation.

            The ferry had let her off on Ember Island, but she hadn’t been able to find a boat to the Earth Kingdom. At least, not one that she wanted to ride on. She didn’t mind flying though--she loved watching the scenery go by. When there WAS scenery.

            The ocean was pretty too, though. She’d never seen an ocean before--there weren’t any in the Spirit World. At least, there weren’t any close enough that she’d been able to go to them.

            Storm felt herself drifting downward, and after a moment’s thought, she allowed herself to do so. Folding up her glider, she dive-bombed toward the water.

            At the last minute, she formed a ball of air beneath her that sent her rocketing across the water. The salty ocean spray soaked her instantly, but she didn’t mind. Laughing, she decided that this was a much more fun way to travel than flying.

            Not that she didn’t like flying. She loved flying! Just… not for hours at a time.

            Still laughing, the airbender raced across the water toward the Earth Kingdom.

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            Storm woke with the sun.

            She was stretched out on a bed of leaves, comfortable and content. She watched the day slowly lighten as sunlight made its way through the tops of the trees, and she breathed in the scent of the forest around her.

            After over an hour of lazy relaxing--something she never could have done at home--Storm clamored to her feet and brushed off her clothes. Then she opened her pack and pulled out the little sack that she’d filled with the nuts and berries she’d gathered the night before.

            After a small but delicious breakfast, Storm set off. Her map said there was a “Merchant’s Pier” a few miles to the north, so that was where she would go. If there was one thing her short time on Ember Island had taught her, it was that she needed to learn more about this world before she tried to make her way in it.

            After several hours of walking, Storm smelled the ocean again. The map said the town was on the ocean, so that meant she was getting close! Finally left the forest behind, and walked up a slight hill.

            When she reached the top, she found herself looking down at a town. It was huge, though, spread across a large bay. The buildings were arranged in straight lines and at the far end, on the water, long fingers made of wood stretched out. Little figures that had to be boats bobbed on the water next to the fingers.

            Storm took in all in with awe for several minutes, then made her way down the slight incline to the Merchant’s Pier.

            She walked among the shops, her steps slow so that she could look around to her heart’s content.

            She saw shops filled with many wondrous things, from musical instruments to jewelry to clothes and weapons.

            Storm had never seen so many people in one place before--men and women dressed in lots of different colors milled around, and she had to use some fancy footwork to avoid two men carrying a long, heavy-looking bundle. She couldn’t help but feel a little anxious--the people didn’t necessarily look friendly, and there was so much noise and activity!

            Storm was a little overwhelmed, and she didn’t like the feeling.

            Was the whole world like this? Hira’a hadn’t been. Even with the festival going on, it hadn’t been this crazy! But then, she’d been with Noren and Noriko. Maybe that was what she needed--friends! Someone to guide her!

            But friends didn’t just appear. She had to make some friends. Helping out had worked with Noriko… so maybe that would work here, too. With a nod to herself, Storm set out through the bustling port town to look for someone in need of assistance.