Rattling the Saber <Shai City, North Pole>

[saghani]

Saghani had left the hospital at dawn. He had been told he needed to rest for an extra day. Unsurprisingly, he hadn’t listened to that advice. Instead, he’d been a whirlwind of activity. During his last two days in the hospital, he’d gotten in touch with Pakak, his political contact, to try and get an audience with the war council. Pakak had been more hesitant than usual, suggesting that Saghani meet with the nobles instead. A wounded war hero could get a lot done politically, he had suggested. He was right, Saghani knew, but his reluctance still made Saghani wary. Pakak had been a staunch ally for a long time, so why the sudden hesitation? Saghani dismissed it by noon. He had more immediate concerns, anyway.

A short time later, Saghani was standing before the war council, looking up at them with a flat, steeled gaze, arms folded behind his back. Every now and then, his left hand grasped at a right hand that wasn’t there out of instinct. He did his best to ignore it.

“I don’t understand,” a warchief with a long, grey beard said. “You wish to undertake another expedition? We have already made contact with our southern bretheren…”

“This has nothing to do with the Southerners, nor is it an expedition.” Saghani interjected, pausing as his back straightened slightly. “It is a campaign. A campaign to strike back at the Fire Nation.”

Several of the warchiefs exchanged glances. Saghani knew he had them at a disadvantage. It was no secret that he had been part of the reason they had survived the last siege, and with the losses from it, he was now among a higher tier of strategists within the military. They had to at least give him the time of day.

“You propose to go on the offensive after what we’ve just gone through?”

Saghani nodded, “If we wish to avoid another siege, we must force them to defend and prove that we are capable of striking back. Otherwise, they will simply regroup and attack again. It is only a matter of time.”

Another warchief spoke up, “Lieutenant, we are still rebuilding. Our resources are limited. We do not have enough ships to…”

“Good, because all I’m asking for is several units of catamarans and a single other ship,” Saghani paused. “The Fire Nation frigate we captured.”

There was a stunned silence from the war council. Not that the men weren’t intelligent, but they were old, and like all old Water Tribe citizens, they were stuck in the old ways and drowning in tradition. None of them would have considered using the captured frigate because that was not how the Water Tribe had done things. It was their greatest failing.

“It will be repaired and upgraded to make it more powerful than even normal Fire Nation frigates, and will launch the catamarans mid sea in battle, effectively carrying a small attack group in one ship,” Saghani continued. “We will strike at the Fire Nation supply lines heading towards the northwest Earth Kingdom using the islands in the area as temporary bases when necessary. The Fire Nation is not used to seafaring combat outside of the sieges here. This one group can do more than ten thousand Earth Kingdom soldiers. All I need is the resources.”

It was an overly bold claim, though Saghani only partially acknowledged this as the warchiefs suddenly began to converse among themselves. He fought the urge to smirk. He had the advantage now, for once. It was an aggressive plan, to be sure, but now for once he had momentum and reputation on his side. He would get this through, and at the moment, he felt no one could stop him.

“We will time to…discuss this, Lieutenant,” the first warchief who spoke said. “For now, you are dismissed.”

For once, Saghani obeyed the call to be dismissed and walked briskly out of the chamber. He started to head towards the docks, cutting through a market.

***

A short while later, he was staring at the captured Fire Nation Frigate. It was mostly undamaged aside from some small structural concerns a few of the trebuchets and catapults, but they had more than enough of those lying around to replace them. Next to him stood Pakak, a worried expression on his face.

“I’m not sure, Saghani,” he said. “Your asking me to use all of my Fire Nation equipment on this one idea. That’s a big gamble. You’re a war hero now, Saghani. You said you wanted to make changes, well, now’s the time. You and I could take Water Tribe politics by storm.”

“I will have time for that later,” Saghani retorted.

Pakak frowned, “I’m not so sure. You’re in your twenties, unmarried…”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Saghani said a tad sharply, glancing harshly at Pakak.

“Hey now, I’m just saying…there are a lot of eligible bachalorettes. Noble ones. And they’re in your range now. Marry them and instantly you’re…”

“We’ve been over this, Pakak,” Saghani cut in. “Just be prepared for this. I promise you, this will give you the clout of twelve noble’s daughters.”

A hesitant agreement and farewell later, Saghani was left staring at the massive ship as people bustled about the docks. They had to store it in the civilian area, as the military canals were too crowded. They had needed to part the wall all the way up to fit it through. A small smile crossed Saghani’s lips and he began to wander off through the docks. It was time to drum up support…

[chamir]

"They actually brought it inside the city?" Chamir was still staring at the Fire Nation frigate before him that was indeed inside the walls of Shai City. At least we we're the ones who brought it in by choice, Chamir thought, with our kind manning it.

"The guys around here said that it's gonna be patched up," one of the Southerners who had brought him and others along to see it, spoke up. "And use it."

"Around here?" Another Southerner asked. "It's too big. They better use it further out to sea."

"You think they would," Chamir agreed. "Maybe they'll become privateers if not pirates--just like the rare rogues of ours use to do in better times."

"One of them already has a stub for a hand," one of them loudly whispered in so everyone in the group could still hear, "All he needs is just a hook."

"And a parrot-auk on his shoulder," Chamir jested and raised one leg as if he were standing on something. "And a wide brimmed hat, tri-cornered with pompous looking feather even."

"And a sword, jian even--wait--he has one. I got it! A patch over one eye," clamping a palm over his left eye then looking at everyone in turn.

"A wooden leg made of wood and an accent that rrrrolls of the tongue. Maybe one that offers three 'r's for every 'r' matey," Chamir laughed.

"Seems like a fair price, me bucko. Then toss in a pair of calf high boots and a bottle of rum."

[nati]

Nati felt herself shrinking from the sight of the huge, thing . Never in her sheltered life had she seen something so huge and imposing. She wondered briefly in her mind what the cool metal felt like, and where the Fire Nation managed to mine so much ore. She owned perhaps one or two items with some silver or traces of cooper in, and they were valuable, yet to the enemy it appeared they had a surplus supply.

Luckily Nati had her beloved twin close by for mental support. Kian stood tall, his wolf tail smoothed back from his forehead, only beginning to line a little with frown lines, he tended to frown quite a bit at the moment. His maya blue eyes looked ahead with a blank expression, then softened when he glanced down at Nati, and tugged her arm gently. Inside Nati was grumbling that Kian had dragged her out so early, she had been hoping for a sleep in on her first day off in a while.

Reaching out to cover her eyes to the sun for a moment, she raised her head to scale up the huge ship. Talk was going about that someone was planning to fix it, and put it to some aggressive use on the open seas, or something of the sort. Nati personally thought such an idea was aggressive, a lash back from a wolf still licking its wounds. Kian thought the opposite, which surprised her.

“I want to help our Tribe, I think it’s time we struck back, we’re the essence of water, we changed shape as needed, and the last attack changed the shape forever..” had been his point before they left the house. Nati was sick of trying to argue with him.

The young Healer looked better this morning than she had done the past few days, despite getting up early, she looked fresher and more alive. Her long russet braids moved gently with her walk. Her hand fell away from her eyes, and went to smooth over the plait absentmindedly as Kian tugged on her arm again, pulling her deeper into the crowd. Nati hoped to see any familiar faces, looking out for people who hadn’t been there for a long time. Kian stopped very briefly to catch up with someone, and Nati’s ears were left wandering..

“Seems like a fair price, me bucko. Then toss in a pair of calf high boots and a bottle of rum."

Raising a mittened hand to her lips, Nati held back a small giggle at the banter getting passed between all the warriors, who ever they were talking about. Catching a look from Kian, they hurried deeper into the crowd, she barely managed to keep hold of his parka as he went to make a final check up on some of their Father’s catamarans which had been used during the second Siege.

“That one doesn’t look too bad Kian.” Nati pointed out, dropping her grip on his arm and walking to gaze at one she’d ridden on a few times in her childhood. There was some damaged to the sides, but some new paint, and maybe a rug, and it would look good again. She smiled to him. “How about we paint it purple instead of just blue?” she teased Kian.

But his attention was fixed elsewhere.

His eyes were looking at someone in the crowd, who ever they were. Kian strode forward, and quickly bowed to the figure.

“Lieutenant. Morning.” Kian spoke in a voice steeped with formality, a little tense, and suddenly it dropped away. “Are the rumours true? Are we to use it for a strike back?” He sounded almost gleeful.

Nati went to stand next to Kian, silent and unimposing as a woman of her Tribe should be. A mild shock registered on her face. It was none other than the man she’d saved, the man who had lost a hand.

[boragan]

It was huge. It was huge indeed. He’s never seen a Fire Nation machination like this before. How much steel did it take to make such a beast. Heavy breathing could be seen behind his metallic mempo as he gazed upon this iron-worked wonder. It made Bora Gan tremble with excitement.

“It’s finally time,” Bora muttered, “It is time to go back. Back to the Earth Kingdom.”

He uncovered the hood to expose his helmeted head to the bitter cold.

“My bretheren,” he looked down in regret, “My poor warriors. I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I wish I was with you all.”

He clenched his fist as rage started to swell in his eyes, “You will be avenged. All of you. I will gather the rest of our men and we will slaughter the Fire Nation and bathe in their blood.”

“Seems like a fair price, me bucko. Then toss in a pair of calf high boots and a bottle of rum."

That broke his rage a little. He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention as he took time to find himself again.

“Hmmm, I wonder what kind of crew they will put on this ship?” he asked himself, “My earth bending will be ineffective on a ship. Swimming with my armor would be out of the question since we will be mostly at sea. I guess I will have to leave it up to martial prowess. Problem is, I don’t work well with most Water Tribe weapons since they are mostly made of bone, so they are quite fragile and they will be quite small and I specialize in heavy weapons with a lot of mass. Hmmm, I wonder if I can just punch and kick people to death?”

[saghani]

Hearing stifled laughter not far away, Saghani’s eye’s flicked to his right, where he noticed the Clown of the South and a few of his comrades. He was useless and foolish even outside of battle it seemed. They were not his problem now, though. He didn’t care what they did unless there were a few willing to volunteer as crew for his expedition. Crew…yes, crew was going to be an issue. He would have to command it, which meant he’d need to find a subordinate or two that could relay his orders and keep the men in line. Tactics didn’t even matter that much, as he would personally be seeing to those. All he needed out of his officers, or perhaps even officer, was charisma, the ability to instill discipline and an eye for talent. He couldn’t have men like the Clown in key positions, after all. The upgrades to the ship wouldn’t be an issue with the captured firebenders they had who were desperate for their freedom. Surely enough could be persuaded to help make repairs. No, all he needed was men…

“Lieutenant. Morning.” Saghani turned his head to glance at the speaker. “Are the rumours true? Are we to use it for a strike back?”

Saghani turned around fully to face the eager soldier. He didn’t smile, but inwardly was pleased. There was fight in the Water Tribe still, he knew it. Perhaps it was only among the young warriors like this one, but age wasn’t an issue for him, considering there had been only two battles for the Northern Water Tribe in the last hundred years anyway. The young were as experienced as the old. If there was this kind of enthusiasm in the youth, then recruiting warriors would be almost a non-issue. Next to the young man was a woman, and Saghani’s eyes paused over her. He recognized her as a healer, but it was only after a moment that he realized she was the one who had healed him after the battle. His memories of that were a bit fuzzy. He showed his thanks with the smallest of nods, almost passable as a twitch before turning his eyes back to the warrior.

“Yes, as soon as the upgrades are made,” he answered simply. “All we need is volunteers for the campaign.”

He paused for a moment, debating whether the young man could help him spread the word among the soldiers, but something caught his eye: the glint of the sun off of metal. An iron helm, and not a Fire Nation one. His brow furrowed ever so slightly as he studied the wearer of the helm, an extremely large man with a graying beard. He did not look like someone from the Water Tribe, but rather the Earth Kingdom, and he was wearing armor. An emissary? What had occurred while he was holed up in the hospital.

“Who is that man with the helmet?” he asked, directed at the warrior who had addressed him.

[chamir]

"Shh! Shh! Over there, there he is. That's him," one, if not all of the small group of Southerners hushedly went to one another. Elbow ribbing and laughing under their breaths like a group of maidens while they attempted and fail to keep straight faces.

The Southerners' ploy failed abysmally when someone, more than likely Chamir, mentioned eternal look upon Saghani's brow and deduced the reason for it in a hushed comment.

"How do I look?" Chamir turned to the group of would-be hecklers.

"Like a man," one of them chuckled.

"No, seriously--how do I look?" Repeating himself, then tilting over the dock and primping himself in the water's reflection. "Good, no?"

"But isn't that her man," one of them chin pointed to the man the woman stood rather close to, somewhat clinging to his side.

Knowing in fact who the woman was, Chamir gave a nonchalant shrug at the possibility. "Fortune can favor the bold," he smirked, tossing the tail end of the cloth, wrapped around his neck like a scarf, over his shoulder then walked forward.

He came to a halt, almost directly behind Saghani and patiently waited. Though he did such while looking directly at Nati, greeting her with a close lipped yet wide brimming smile. Next he looked in the direction of Saghani and back towards Nati, then scrunched in face in grotesque caricature of Saghani. Hands tucked into his parka Chamir then bowed to her with the same look on his face before wiping it away as he continued waiting, innocently rocking on his heels with an intended false sense of innocence.

[nati]

Nati almost felt her brother was going to volunteer for the mission, her left hand casually dropped to the side, ready to subtly grasp his parka to stop his stepping too close and swearing his life away. Each time the Siege had happened, or rumours were heard of raids, her heart was sent racing and she selfishly wished Kian away from harm. Saghani’s features were sharp, matching the clearness of his voice. It was like he’d been cut from ice, sculpted to form that expression of coldness.

Kian’s face belied all the emotion Saghani was probably hiding, he suddenly all keenness and interest, and Nati could feel he was going to be non-stop chatter whirlwind of energy when they get home. The grin on his face was undeniable now, with annoyance Nati knew Kian was committed already. Her expression darkened a little, eye browed drawn down into a disapproving frown, eyes glaring a her brother a little.

Her heart leapt, she reached out and grasped his arm firmly where Saghani could not see, and gently tugged on his They twins swapped looks that said more than words. Shaking off his over-protective sister’s hand, Kian was ready to lauch into his next line of questions.

“So..”

” Who is that man with the helmet?” Saghani suddenly asked, cutting Kian off very quickly. Nati found her eyes searching out for someone wearing a helmet, and after a few seconds, managed to fix her eyes on a helmet bobbing in the crowd. Kian a lot taller than Nati, swept his gaze out across, and then smiled.

“I believe he is a man named Bora Gan, he’s staying with the Haukea family, -close trading partners of our family- I heard he arrived here and was quickly thrown into prison.” Kian said, and Nati suddenly spoke up.

“I understand he’s a general, someone high ranking from the Earth Kingdom.” Nati spoke, her voice a little quiet at first, but gently gaining strength. “A man with all that armour isn’t a nobody.” She didn’t say anymore, much as she didn’t want Kian signing his life away; Nati wasn’t going to embarrass him.

“He’d be useful, probably knows a lot about the Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom waters.” Kian commented.

Nati glanced now and then at the busying crowd a little, and a sight set her heart pounding in her chest. It was Chamir. Coming towards her, behind Saghani. Rather pleased to see him again, and not pleased to see him near someone very willing to tear his head off, Nati tried her best to keep her face straight.

He was no different from what she remembered, and there probably wasn’t going to be anything different in this interaction. She returned his smile, her eyes darting between Kian and Saghani. Then he did the face, a perfect rendition of Saghani’s listless expression. Nati managed not to snort too loudly, it was the giggle that escaped her lips. Her mittened hand flew to her mouth, and she quickly pretended to cough.

“Sorry, excuse me a minute.” Nati added a cough between each word, she was choking with laughter. She went to walk past Chamir, and gestured in a direction away from her brother and Saghani. At a reasonable distance, Nati allowed herself laugh.

“Lively as ever Chamir!” She smiled, bad mood breaking away, stifling the last bubble of laughter with her hand. “I’m glad to see you well.”

[hotaru]

The past couple hours had been hell, she was fearful, would she be killed? She didn't know. Her tears had long since left her leaving her feeling numb and raw. Her course of action was vague but clear enough for her to act on. Since no one from the water tribe really knew what she was yet she'd have to stow away to the earth kingdom or the firenation or something. She'd be able to handle that... Yet as she walked over bridge after bridge the call of the cold waters below seemed tempting. The answer was a lot more final.

Walking over another bridge her eyes flickered to the icy chilled waters. How long would that take? Minutes? That route would leave a lot less loose ends she supposed, she wouldn't need to worry about where she would be living, what the consiquences were...Her eyes again pricked at the corners urging tears to fall but she'd not eaten breakfast or had anything to drink. She was thirsty and tired. Her mind mused over staving to death but for missing one meal that would be a long shot. Carefully Hotaru climbed up onto the ledge of the walkway looking down into the waters. It would make all of the problems go away, just one more step.

Quivering as she was little more was to be done aside from stare into the water like a rabbit deer caught in the head lights. As she was about to take a step a few children of her age came running through, one noticed the pale skinned girl urging the second to stop. Hotaru consumed by her own thoughts didn't see either of them. " HEY! get down from there your going to-" The pale girl whipped around, wide eyed, she'd been found out and was going to get it. Her lips didn't have time to let out a small shriek before she fell backwards landing on her shoulder's, knocking the wind out of her. "......... hurt yourself..."

The pair of boys gave one another a quick look, it wouldn't be too befitting for them to have their hides tanned over this so they ran away sparing only one look to Hotaru to make sure she was in fact still alive. On the ground the small girl had once more found her tears and pressing her hands over her face she couldn't stand it anymore. She couldn't even die right, the spirits must hate her... There was one option left to her that she thought of.

Go away.

Collecting herself from the ground Hotaru let out a small sigh running her hands over the back of her head. There was no time to collect her things, she'd have to leave with the clothes on her back and nothing else or face being thrown in jail. In her mind the possibilities loomed over her head like a giant cloud, a freighting black cloud of the unknown. There was no longer a mother or father she could run to, if they knew thought, they'd hate her too.

Her short legs carried her swiftly to the docks and her eyes scanned the harbor, there seemed to be a crowd today but in her mind it meant that one of the boats might be leaving. That would be a good thing. With her hood drawn over her head she made her way along the outer most wall attempting to keep away from the groups. Which ship was leaving and where were they going... On another sweep of the boats the giant metal firenation ship caught her eye, at the same time a firm bard of fear pushed into her heart. Her blue eyes widened and her hood fell away, what in the world was that thing.....

[boragan]

His impatience is getting the best of him. As much as he somewhat enjoys the scenery of the Water Tribe continent, he’d rather be home so he could be in contact with some earth again. He didn’t dare take off his shoes with the worry of frost bite.

Bora looked around to see if he knew anyone that knew the plan for this large ship.

“You know,” Bora mumbled, “This would a lot easier if everyone around here didn’t look the same. How did everyone identify everyone else from around here? By scent?”

Bora looked disgruntled as he walked toward the ship. Rather than look up at the ship’s hull, he looked down in the water. Again, bad memories flashed upon his mind. A look of sorrow could be sought from his eyes. He thought of the thousands of lives that were wasted under his command. The Fire Nation were a strong adversary, but Bora couldn’t believe that they were nigh invincible. He’d have to try harder next time. That is, if there is a next time.

He snapped out of his trance and heard some murmuring over in the distance. He turned around slowly and saw a Water Tribesman with slick back hair and hair under his chin speak to a Water Tribeswoman with brown hair braided in the back. It looked like a third person was with them, but he couldn’t describe him too well.

“Hmmm, I wonder what they know?” Bora whispered to himself.

[saghani]

Saghani’s eyes flicked to the young soldier and the healer as they initially answered, and then back towards the man in the armor. The healer was both wrong and right in her assumption that armor meant status. Were there a battalion of infantry with similar armor, it would mean nothing, but to wear it here in the north pole alone made it more interesting. Saghani noticed the man glance in their direction just as the soldier mentioned that he could prove useful. Saghani couldn’t help but consider that likely.

“Perhaps,” he mused in response, still looking at the man in the armor.

Now, Saghani was not well versed in the ways of stealth, and he certainly wasn’t tactful, so he was in no place to give lectures on them. However, even he saw the flaws in walking up behind someone and making faces to their back while not keeping your attention to them. The man in the helmet intrigued him, as did the answers to his question, but not that much. His head didn’t snap around, but rather it smoothly turned, catching the Clown of the South just before he did his ridiculous bow. Saghani’s expression didn’t change, but his pupils seemed to become smaller and more intense, as though there were about to create a blade made out of sheer willpower and slice into the man’s skull. Those eyes followed the man until the healer had ushered him away, and only then did they return to their usual level of sharpness and turn back to the soldier briefly before refocusing on the man in armor, this Bora Gan.

“Womanizing clown,” he muttered under his breath, and then began to walk forward.

He didn’t pay attention to see whether or not the soldier was following him or whether he was going to retrieve the woman he was accompanying from the clutches of the worst comedian the Water Tribe had ever seen, but he wouldn’t blame him for the latter. Instead, he concerned himself only with the towering warrior from the Earth Kingdom. Stopping a few feet away, he looked up at the man calmly and spoke.

“You are Bora Gan? The warrior from the Earth Kingdom?” these only barely qualified as questions. “Tell me, what business do you have in the Northern Water Tribe?”

The statement was not in a hostile tone, though it was certainly not warm and inviting. Saghani simply needed to find a little out about the man before he could potentially include him in some part of his plans.

[chamir]

It was tough decision. Where to focus my attention, Chamir pondered. There was the withering glare Saghani was giving him. Surely a look love, cynically telling himself. And then there was look on Nati's face. One of those looks he enjoyed and wanted to bask in while the other was an expression he wanted to encourage.

For him it was difficult to tell which one was which. Thankfully, for someone, Nati made a choice for him, gesturing him away from something that could escalate as she causally walked past them both.

Chamir gleaned his eyes to Saghani once more, puckering his lips at him before turning away. He nodded to the Southerners who still sat around in the distance, they replied with nods, some pursing lips to hold back a grin.

“Lively as ever Chamir!” Nati tried to stifle herself once they were a 'safe' distance away. “I’m glad to see you well.”

"Well, with someone that has less personality than that Fire Nation ironclad back there..." he replied with his head tilting back to the scene behind them. "Someone needs to be alive around here. But I do think that Lieutenant Saghani has a crush on me," covering his mouth and imitating a girlish giggle in his facetiousness.

[nati]

Kian raised an eyebrow when Nati suddenly headed off, though she’d excused herself politetly enough, he looked a little grateful he hadn’t been embarrassed by her. His bright blue eyes followed to where Nati went, to the company of another man. It wasn’t his place to ask or worry about how she conducted herself, she was responsible enough. Kian quickly felt the annoyance of Saghani snubbing him so quickly. Eager as he was to respect those above him, it was very hard when someone was so bloody rude!

Letting out a small sniff of disapproval, Kian cast his eyes in the direction of the Earth Kingdom man, and then left Saghani to his own devices.

“Good day.” He muttered, a quick nod and then headed towards some old friends to discuss something.

Nati couldn’t quite wipe the wide smile off her face, she was pleased to see Chamir again, especially after Padma nagging her for more information she was unable to remember. She nodded to his response, turned to look over at Saghani with a mixed look. She had after all been the one to see him through his recovery. Men were the celebrated war heros for just recovering in bed. The healers seemed to get little recognition for all their hard work. Her expression finally settled on one of a sort of pity.

"Someone needs to be alive around here. But I do think that Lieutenant Saghani has a crush on me," Said Chamir, with a giggle that made Padma’s little laugh seem gruff and manly. Nati snickered a little, and rolled her eyes.

“I wondered if he preferred men.” Nati replied, fuelled by Chamir’s uplifting mood. “He seems to regard any woman like he would the scum on the bottom of his boot...”

“Do you think he can smile? Or would Shai City would melt before that happens?” She gave a small laugh, deciding to mock Saghani quietly for the lack of thanks she’d received.

[chamir]

"I'm quite certain he can smile Miss?" A brief pause given he still not know the other man whose side Nati had stood by a few moments ago, "Miss Nati. However a true, genuine smile from such a man would not make this city simply melt as it would simply evaporate," beaming at her observation.

"A cold, ambitious seeming sort like himself? Why, they're likely selfish with a smile. Only giving from sadistic amusement. Pleased in their superiority. Or in love with their mirror," commenting matter-of-factly.

"He'll remain as glacier faced as ever while he has us crowding around him and eating from his hands. But once he retreats for the evening," he imitated Saghani's look once again. "And has a good look into his memory while reflecting on the day's events," his face suddenly cracked with a goofy, lopsided smile. Teeth purposely set uneven for effect and eyes looking anywhere but directly ahead in an airbrained fashion while the top of his hands cradled his chin.

"Oh! Dastardly and cunning fiend!" Chamir's caricature of Saghani suddenly disappearing as he then shook his fist in mock-anger.

[hotaru]

There were dents in it, marks, scars of war perhaps. It belonged to a firenation fleet, was it the fleet that killed her parents? Once more her eyes pricked with tears but she was so sore she doubted there were anymore to give. Her stomach cringed and she began to move towards it throwing her hood up and walking around the outer edges of the assembled group.

With so many people around this one ship it had to mean it was going somewhere, perhaps the fire nation. At least there she could live up to her family slaughtering heritage and grow into a fine woman who drank blood of fallen enemies and kicked turtle seals into volcanoes.

Her throat hitched with a sob, she didn't want to but her childish mind came up with each situation more clearly then the next. She saw herself in fire nation armer, vacant eyes and a mask over top, slaughtering mercilessly and laughing about it. That wasn't someone she wanted to be but little choice was left. There was always the option of just jumping into the ocean again. The thought of cold water enveloping her body snuggly was attractive. She'd get dizzy then nothing.

Either way she was nearing the ship, her eyes darted to the group and to the boat more than one time. The plank up to the ship seemed to narrow. She glanced over at some of the adults one last time before she took a step onto the gang plank, it shifted a little, fear shooting up her spine and a small inaudible noise came from her but she swallowed her fear and quivering like a mouse she looked up to the deck. No time to back out now.

One step at a time she ascended the gangplank, it didn't give out just yet, her mind told her people would be after her so she started to pick up her pace. She didn't want to be seen. Her hands pulled her parka around her face as she moved but her mind queezey stomach and shivers up her spine told her she was out in the open now, it may already be too late.

[boragan]

Bora was still looking at the ship when he heard someone from his side.

“You are Bora Gan? The warrior of the Earth Kingdom?” the man spoke. Bora squirmed his eyes toward the direction that the voice is coming from. From what he saw, he saw a man with darkened skin and blue coat. From the cut of the coat, he looks of warrior caste. He also had a goatee and a ponytail on his head. He smiled under his mempo.

“That I am,” Bora replied to him, “I was here because I needed to recover from my wound from battle.”

He looked down at the water from below, “My battalion attacked the Fire Nation army head on. More than half were slaughtered. I wish to seek revenge for them.”

His blood started to boil as he imagined his prized tetsubo was taken away by a soldier of the opposition that dueled him in his injured state. He wishes to find him once more to claim back his heritage.

“There was one that I especially want to see again,” Bora’s voice hissed, “I want to reclaim my family heirloom. Then, and ONLY then, will I seal his fate.”

He turned to the officer that was speaking to him, “So how was it that you have heard of me? Was it from the merchant family that I was accompanied with?”

The helmet on his head started to frost over from the cold. It didn’t effect Bora much, but it does make the metal quite brittle in the cold. It does look cool frosted over though, he thought quickly as he waited for an answer.