change of fate

Best Dreams, Lu Ten.

Dear Katara,

I am glad to here that you are adjusting to your lessons and your schedule well. The rigors of day to day demands can be quiet tiring and I am sorry that I can not be there to help you weather them.

The battalion is in the process of establishing a hold on one of the rivers leading into the city. If one of your tutors helps you you might find it on a map the Shé River to the north east of the city.

Its unlike the southern wall up here. In the south desert stretches for a far as the eye can see. It laps against the wall like the tide, broken only by the current of troops. Father has broken through the outermost wall into farm country. There it feels like and entire world apart from the desert. Rectangles of green and gold and orange and even purple span the horizon all the way In to the second ring.

Here in the north its temperate. Warm in the summer but harshly cold in the winter (or so I've heard). Right now the leaves are vibrantly colorful. Reds and oranges and yellows dancing along the riverbed. I would compare it to fire but fire could not do this beauty justice. I wish you could see it.

Best Dreams,
Lu Ten

Dear Katara,

I hope this letter finds you well. Now that I know how much you look forward to my letters I can't help but smile as I write. Its unintentional really, sometimes one of the men will catch me smiling into a page and I have to endure hours of taunts and jeers for the audacity to write happily.

It warms me in this chilly weather to learn that you are getting along with Zuko. I knew you two were going to cause Ursa trouble. (Hello by the way Ursa, thank you for reading her these thoughts of mine.) And I do hope you and Azula come to get along, her friends Mai and Ty Lee would be good for you. Girls near your own age. She can be rough at first but she is known to be sweet on occasion. Why just last year at Azulan's birthday dinner the child marched to the front of a line of Courtiers, sat herself down in Azulan's lap and gave him a hug. His present, the Honor to hung his own granddaughter.

In the next letter you send I would ask most kindly for you to send something from your own hand. A poem or a drawing perhaps.

I will be sending home gifts the next time the battalion finds a town.

Best Dreams,
Lu Ten

Dear Katara,

You think you're funny do you? A real comic. When I asked for a momento to be sent what I meant was something.. smaller. I have this child sized origami Koi fish under my cot and a whole lot of explaining to do every time a superior officer does bunk inspection. What do I tell them? That a certain child of mine has a sense of humor? The boys sure thought it was funny.

Thats it missy. I'm getting you back.

How did you even manage to get it here unscathed? Its origami!

And no I do not think that putting squid paste into Zuko's dumplings would be a fitting punishment. He said water tribe food was weird. Can you blame him? Seal blubber jerky? You can't poison the boy for having an opinion.

Ursa, come on, a 3ft origami Koi? I thought we were tight?

Best Dreams,
Lu Ten

Dear Katara,

The battalion is moving south right now. I might not be able to get any letters to you. Know that I am and will be safe.

Best Dreams,
Lu Ten

Dear Katara,

I want you to know how exceedingly proud I am of you and that I read every letter you sent while I was traveling. I keep every letter you write to me. And if I had the means I would frame the poem you wrote and hang it in the center of camp for all to see. Unfortunately I don't so with the rest of your letters it goes.

You've progressed so far in only a year. Soon I hope I can start reading letters in your hand writing.

With this letter I send to you two items. Firstly An Earth Kingdom pendant made from silver and emerald. An antique from the Huidai dynasty. And secondly a handcrafted wooden Koi Fish. Its eyes are black pearls from the southern seas.

I hope you find these gifts pleasing. The town my battalion is stationed at just recently came under occupation so these gift are likely very recently from Ba Sing Se herself.

I hope that one day you migh see the city. We are so close to breaking the wall, i could be home before the summer is out. I could bring you once we have brought her to heel.

I will not be able to write to you these coming weeks. Know that I am safe and well.

Best Dreams my Koi,
Lu Ten