Steam: An Avatar Story

Chapter 9

It has been 3 days since Zuko, Suki, and Katara left the Fire Nation. Katara was practicing Firebending with Zuko while Suki watched, making sure nothing was catching on fire on the Earth Kingdom ship.

"Is that all you got Zuko?" Katara teased, separating the flames and sending a few blasts of fire his direction.

"I'm just warming up," Zuko grinned.

"And you two need to cool down!" Suki demanded, running over to a plume of fire and extinguishing it. Zuko and Katara looked around, wincing. "And anyway, we'll be hitting land soon." Zuko and Katara nodded.

The ship they stole from the harbor wasn't made for long distance traveling. They needed to make landfall in the Earth Kingdom and find another way north. Ren was too small to carry everyone, and she won't be large enough for a few months. Dragons grow fast, but not fast enough. She had grown over the last few days, she's now the size of an otter penguin, but she still has a lot of growing to do.

"How are we going to hide Ren? She can't fly yet, and she can't protect herself with fire." Katara asked worriedly.

"Just have her hide in the hills while we figure out another way north." Zuko said, glancing across the water to the sliver of land that was visible. They'd be hitting the Earth Kingdom by lunch.

Eventually the ship pulled into the dock, and some workers tied it up. Thankfully the group of three had docked up the coast before coming here so Ren could hide.

"How can we help you?" One of the workers, he looked like the leader, asked. Thankfully no one knew what the Fire Nation prince actually looked like, because otherwise their little group would be in trouble.

"I'm Katara, these are my companions Suki and Lee," she explained. "I think we would like to sell the ship, we're trying to get north."

"I am Fu-Goh, There are many buyers in this town, check the market. You want to look for Shan-Xi, he's a wealthy merchant who uses the seas to transport his goods."

"Thank you Fu-Goh," Suki said with a smile. "We'll find him now." The three friends walked off to the town center to find Shan-Xi. After a while of searching, the discovered his shop and managed to make a sale.

"Thank you Shan, do you know where we can find land transportation?"

"There's an ostrich horse ranch just outside the town. They can set you up with some fine animals."

"Thank you, I appreciate your help." Katara, Zuko, and Suki gave Shan a bow and left the shop.

"Come on guys," Katara said. "We need to find a map and get out of here. I don't like the way we're being looked at."

"I know. These people are a port town, they probably know that the closest land for a small ship to travel is from the Fire Nation. We need to change clothes." Suki replied. Zuko's golden eyes flashed around, searching for threats. They were all still in their red clothing, nailing them as Fire Nation, even though they didn't realize who Zuko was.

A while later, they were fitted in different clothes. Zuko decided to don a simple long-sleeved tunic with a green sash and brown pants, while Suki wore a green cropped wraparound shirt and kimono-style skirt with side slits and leggings. Katara was drawn to the selection of Water Tribe type clothing and settled on a long blue kimono trimmed with white material and had side slits, with leggings underneath.

"Come on guys," Zuko said. "Let's get out of here and find some ostrich horses.

A little while later they were leaving the ostrich horse ranch with 3 new animals. They had one for their belongings, Suki and Katara shared one, and Zuko had the other. They immediately went towards where Ren was hiding to fetch her and continue on their way.