The Order of the White Dragon

Chapter VIII

3 years ago, Northern Water Tribe

Mai's hands were so cold, they felt hot. For a moment, she wondered if this is what it was like to firebend. She stared at the white land surrounded by the icy blue ocean. The wind numbed every part of her body. Her white parka prevented her body from freezing... just.

Next to her was an overly excited girl her age, also clad in white parka. Her name was Suki. Her big eyes stared at the winter wonderland unfolding before them. Mai's eyes drifted to the older woman at the front of the boat, Master Kenata. Her white hair matched her parka. As a leader of the Order of the White Dragon, navigating the secret society through war times, Mai guessed it made sense to prematurely grow white hair. Master Kenata couldn't have been more than a day over forty-five.

Another lady, the master's assistant, hugged the only sack that contained the few articles of clothing four of them were allowed to bring.

Eventually, the boat came to a halt. Still in the middle of the sea, Suki's confused face looked at Mai's. Mai nearly smiled. She saw her best friend, Ty Lee, in this Suki girl. Maybe being a duo with her wouldn't be so bad after all.

The two girls met just a week ago, when Master Kenata inspected the Royal Fire Academy for Girls. She was seeking for one who had a determined inner flame yet do not bear the power to produce fire. Master Kenata saw preadolescent girl, tall for her age, she possessed the sharpest eyes the Master has ever seen. And yet, they softened in the presence of the young prince.

Master Kenata's lips slowly moulded into a smile, as she recalled her own adolescent years, when she lived within the Fire Nation Court. And her eyes would bright up at the sight of young Prince Iroh. The Master shook her head as she tried to shoo away the thoughts that occupied her mind.

She followed Mai for days. She watched her leave her friends to train with the Prince. She watched her hold those stiletto knives with intense precision. So much potential. She could definitely be groomed into a well refined warrior.

The day Master Kenata approached her for the first time, Mai was waiting for Prince Zuko behind one of the hundreds of pillars at the Fire Nation Palace. For what seemed like hours of waiting, the little girl didn't mind. She'd usually be bored. But she was waiting for Prince Zuko to train with her, she couldn't help but imagine all sorts of scenarios. She was entertained by those fake moments she made up in her head. It wasn't until the mosquitos started biting at dusk, when she realised, he wasn't coming. But she still didn't move an inch.

"You seem to be in deep thought." An unfamiliar warm voice spoke up in the dark.

Mai stopped leaning against the pillar and reflexively went into a well-balanced stance. She stayed quiet as she observed the owner of the unfamiliar voice to reveal herself from the shadows. Mai analysed the woman's clothing, and they seemed to be very expensive robes, only bought in central Caldera City. She must be from Court.

Mai immediately softened her posture and bowed, "I'm sorry. I should not be in the gardens this late at night. My parents must be looking for me. I'll see myself out. It won't happen again."

Before Mai could move from her position, the older lady spoke with melodious voice. "He's probably still with his tutors."

"Huh?" It took Mai a while to get what she meant, "Oh, uh. I- I don't know what you're talking about."

The older woman chuckled at the flustered Mai, "It's okay!" The woman's eyes gleamed, "I used to be just like you. Waiting in the dark for a secret rendezvous. The tutors are a pain with time management though. Never let them out early."