Wandering Firebender

Fourteen: Cindra

Elio decided it would be best to avoid anymore Fire Nation colonies, camps, or settlements. Unfortunately for him, if he was to make it to the next town, he would have to find his way around an army camp. However, there was one solution.

Elio had heard talk of an older man, an earthbender, who served as a guide. He would take refugees through a cave system that ran underneath and to the side of the camp, thus avoiding any chance of being discovered by the army.

He determined that this would be his best chance to get where he needed to go. He couldn't risk being recognized again. So there he stood in a distant canyon, paying this older man to grant him passage through the cave.

"What's a young man like you doing traveling by yourself through such harsh country?" The man asked curiously. Elio shrugged.

"Just staying on the move. Thank you." Elio said, tapping on the counter and stepping out of this man's small wooden cabin.

Elio's eyes scanned the refugees all standing around in their small respective groups. There were easily about 20 or more of them all looking for safe passage. Elio leaned a little bit against his staff. Then his eyes caught sight of someone to his left; someone else who appeared to also be alone.

She wore a long blue piece without sleeves and beige pants with walking boots. She had darker skin and long, swirly hair that fell past her shoulders. She immediately reminded him of Katara. Curious, Elio decided to approach her.

"Hello there," He greeted her with a polite smile. "What's your name?" He asked.

"Oh, hello. I'm Cindra," She smiled back. "And who are you?"

"My name is Elio. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cindra," He said, shaking hands with her. "Did our guide by chance also ask you what you're doing traveling out here alone?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Yep," She nodded and giggled. "I get the concern, but I politely told him to mind his own business."

"Haha, well you're more assertive than me. I just said I need to keep moving...and then I kept moving." He said humorously.

"Good way to do it. What is it about old people being so comfortable asking personal questions and getting in people's business?" She asked with a chuckle.

"I don't know. Older age lessens inhibitions, I guess. So, where are you heading off to on the other side of this cavern?" He asked curiously. Cindra brushed her hair back.

"Um... Where everyone else is going, of course: Ba Sing Se. What about you?" She asked.

"Don't know. Inland, I guess. Ba Sing Se; that's the Earth Kingdom stronghold, isn't it?"

"Yep, seems to be the symbol of hope for the Earth Kingdom. Every refugee I've met all want to get inside the walls of that place."

"Alright, everyone! It's time to get moving," The guide declared loudly as he stepped out of his cabin. "Grab your belongings and the people traveling with you in your party! We will not turn back for anything left behind!" He stated before beginning to lead the trek.

"Looks like that's our cue," Cindra said, standing up from the wooden beam she'd been leaning against. "We better get going."

"Right..." Elio agreed. He glanced at her for a moment, "I'll walk with you if you'd like. Seeing that we're both traveling alone- Might be a good idea to pair up."

"I don't mind," She said with a shrug. "If we run into any trouble, you can just whack 'em with that pole of yours." She lightly teased him, tapping his staff as she stepped around to follow the guide.