Travels <Earth Kingdom>

[xia]

She had never been this far even while traveling from her little mining village to the great city of Be Seng Sei. Now though the young woman found herself traveling through the heart of the Earth Kingdom to Zhy. It was quite thrilling, at least to her, the rest of her traveling party which consisted of five guards and the eternally grumpy Bao did not seem to find the beautiful scenery as moving. Perhaps it was because Wei Li’s outlook on life was almost like that of an innocent child’s but whatever the cause she never wasted a moment of peering out the small window of the Ostrich-horse pulled carriage. The wheels of the finely designed carriage never once met a rut in the road thanks to the two Earthbenders accompanying her, one an old soldier who had seen enough killing to last him hundreds of lifetimes and the other a young rookie who had just recently mastered juggling stones. It was their mission, their duty, along with the three other soldiers turned guards to see that the young wife of the great General Nakehiro reached her destiny safely. So far the trip had been uneventful, if not boring; the youngest of the guards, who had been placed away from the true battles at the request of his doting and influential parents, was disappointed while his comrades were enjoying the break from constantly walking on a knife’s edge. It was the third day of their travels, another two to go before reaching Zhy, and they had only passed another fellow Earth Nation traveler going to visit family in Omashu. The Master Earthbender Koshi, named after the last Earthbending Avatar, was ever aware for any Firenation scum. They were not common in this part but they were much like spiders…hiding and waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

Wei Li’s thoughts were far away from any possible dangers. The reason for this excursion was a simple one: family matters. A week beforehand her older sister Yuri had requested a visit in honor of her eldest son’s discovery of Earthbending. Absolutely delighted at the thought that her estranged sister wanted to see her again made the younger woman beyond happy. Bao, cynical as she was, suspected that Yuri simply wanted to leech wealth off her younger sibling but these thoughts she kept to herself in order not to ruin her young mistress’s good mood. For whatever reason the invite was sent Wei Li accepted the offer and arranged for the journey.

Currently she was leaning against the door of the carriage, poking her head ever so slightly out the window. The world seemed to roll by like a moving picture and a charmed smile was spread across her lips. “It’s truly beautiful…I wish we could travel more often,” She commented to Bao who was slumped against the wall of the carriage, looking quite relaxed amid the cushioned bench that served as a chair.

“There’s a War going on deary. Traveling more often is out of the question,” The old woman tried to sink deeper into the seat but to no avail. She found it hard to believe Wei Li was so naïve about the world but what was to be expected? The girl had been sheltered and then forced into the real world rather unceremoniously. She couldn’t be expected to understand how life really was…especially with the lavished life Wei Li had previously, and still was to some extent, had. Their chatting was cut short when the robust figure of Koshi atop a slim Ostrich-horse blocked Wei Li’s view.

“Lady Wei Li, I suggest you close the curtain. We’re entering a bad area…” His tone was flat, stale almost as he spoke to her.

Wei Li looked puzzled for a moment but at the urging of Bao did as she was told and pulled the dark green curtain over the window. She pressed herself against her seat, linking her hands and allowing the sleeves of her kimono to fall over them. Her gaze drifted to Bao, the look of confusion replaced with one of a desire to know. Bao was frowning, the wrinkles in her forehead standing out more so than ever beneath the grey bangs. The old woman nodded once and looked to the curtain. Slender fingers pulled them back and Bao watched as Wei Li’s profile wilted then softened to the point that Bao regretted allowing the girl to look. Wei Li would have to learn the truth; neither she nor Nakehiro could protect her forever.

Darkness fell on the interior of the carriage as Wei Li let the curtain slip threw her fingers but it could not hid the glint of tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She said nothing and neither did Bao. Silence was often best but the old woman did rise from her corner and with careful steps hobbled over to where Wei Li slumped on the opposite bench. With her worn hand she clasped the young woman’s smooth one, rubbing the soft palm with a coarse thumb.

It seemed like forever before the two women were allowed to leave the carriage and while the guards made camp they were allowed a short walk. Bao had her arm linked with the shorter, younger woman’s and it pleased her to see that Wei Li’s mood had changed from the earlier depressed one. Together they wandered perhaps a little too far from camp but Bao was only concerned with Wei Li’s happiness at the moment and it seemed the more she walked the better Wei Li felt.

[chamir]

“Upon this broken land… I am free as the wind…,” thoughtfully reciting, wandering around. Chamir lifted a dead twig from the ground, pondered then placed it with the stack of dry sticks and leaves under his left arm. Shaking his head as he continued gathering firewood and composing he began again. Then shook his head again as part of the headcloth loosely wrapped about his head fell.

“I am free as the wind upon this broken land…” better, he thought. “The grass for a pillow, for bed mere sand. Eyeing the lullaby of stars, amidst the ever changing blanket of sky…,” head shaking.

“Free as the wind upon this broken land. The grass a pillow and bed, mere, sand. Celestial blanket, that changing of sky. I shall point and tell them to look, when in Zhy.” He began to point skyward himself. “Look! Look, that sky so big and so high. Avatar, truly, birthed from such hope…”

Chamir paused, looking upon the grass and greater meadow, while his finger still pointed skyward.

No answer.

“I know you’re a silent audience” he began to the land around him, his hand falling to his side. “But we performers need feedback even from the land itself. You blades could at least nod yay, shake nay, or even laugh at me.”

He sighed and set down the firewood then began to unwrap the unraveling. “Surely even the grass and trees are old enough to remember the old timey phrase of the ‘the sky so high?’”

No answer still, not even a stirring of the wind.

“Oh come on now,” he chided. “Of course you do, it means that the sky’s the limit and the world is full of vast hope and vast possibilities like the vastness of the sky,” wrapping the headcloth around his neck as a scarf, Chamir bent to pick up his firewood and continued.

Smiling, “Do as you will then. In a night like this… the grass will do as it pleases, the moon will shine as it pleases, the wind will blow as it pleases… and humans will think as they please.” Chuckling to himself, “though I’m sure the people in Zhy will be more responsive than quiet grass upon a broken land.”

[xia]

They had come upon him quite soon, his voice reached them first but in a few seconds the stranger had come into view. Wei Li was stark still; the arm that was looped with Bao’s stiff and unmovable for the most part. She was vaguely aware of the older woman trying to pull her back but only the fabric of her kimono moved.

“Move stupid girl,” Bao hissed in her ear, trying to avoid catching the foreigner’s attention, “He’s obviously crazy let’s go before he tries to kill us.”

Wei Li broke her attention from what could be a crazy man and looked over at the now very flustered Bao, “I don’t think he’s crazy,” She commented happily in low tones to match Bao’s hiss but she it said just as he began his rant to the grass about being a silent audience. Wei Li stifled a giggle and her opinion had been slightly altered, “Maybe just a little but you talk to that pipa of yours.”

Bao narrowed her eyes at her charge, “That’s not the same…not at all the same.” She looked like a bird who’d had her feathers ruffled and it was obvious the delight Wei Li found in it.

“And just because he’s crazy doesn’t mean he’s dangerous,” Wei Li chimed, tapping Bao with the closed fan on the arm as if that somehow made her statement true. “I wonder where he’s from,” She titled her head to the side curiously trying to get a better look of him.

Bao huffed but remained at her mistress’s side, “I think he’s from one of those water tribe places. Cold I hear, not very pleasant, they’re darker up there skin wise. That’s how you tell the nations apart you know. I saw a few like him once before.”

The younger woman was only paying half of her already scant attention; she caught the words ‘water’ and ‘tribe’ which were enough for her. “Nakehiro fights with a legion from the Water Tribe,” She murmured already aware that Bao knew. Wei Li felt another urgent tug at her arm and heaved a soft sigh. The guards would begin to wonder and Bao was beginning to get that look that always led to a heavy reprimand. Just as she turned a brittle twig found itself beneath her geta sandals.

The 'snap' was loud and Wei Li's head jerked behind at the same time Bao's did.

[chamir]

On Chamir continued with his chore of gathering kindling. Humming and singing as he went.

“Mmh mmm mm mm hmm. Mm mm mm mm hm hm mm. Free like the wind upon this broken land. Ever on I wan-der. Yet even the moon has found her home.”

snap

“Ah! Applause or heckle,” grinningly he turned, looking under his foot. Yet there was nothing but grass. Upon lifting his head he paused, smiled gingerly at the two women a short distance off. He couldn’t tell much other than that with their backs pointed two him and their heads turned to look at him… they were deciding whether or not to run.

Not yet standing straight Chamir held up his right hand and reached into the bundle of kindling under his left arm. Standing straight he produced a twig, held in his right hand, and with his thumb.

snip

“…”

Accusingly he looked at the twig then tossed it aside. Trying again he pulled out a slightly larger one. Using his thumb:

SNAP

“Success,” he smiled at them triumphantly.

Hopefully that’ll give the impression I’m mostly harmless. Or a few tiles short of a Pai Sho game, he thought to himself then suddenly threw his feet from under him. Hitting the ground with sizeable thud and nearly falling backwards while the kindling fell from under his arms. I meant to sit down, he winced, wanting to further disarm the situation.

Where were their menfolk anyway?

[xia]

Bao huffed, her hand gripping Wei Li’s arm and urgently tugging at her but the girl’s attention was fixed on the Water Nation man. His antics amused her, the snapping of twigs not nearly as imposing as Bao seemed to find it. “That’ll be our necks if we don’t leave now,” Bao hissed angrily growing impatient with Wei Li who rolled her eyes seeing no such threat.

The fan was out and lightly fluttering above Wei Li’s nose. “I think he’s harmless,” She snapped the fan shut and offered a full grin to her caretaker, “at last to us.”

“Oh you are an idiot!” Bao’s voice was low and menacing, more so than the Water Tribe member was. Wei Li prodded the woman with the edge of her fan which Bao swiped at with a calloused hand. Bao clucked her tongue, in awe at how naïve Wei Li was. “Please?” She did not ordinarily beg but the old woman thought she could hear one of the guards calling for them. Wei Li was about to give in, abandon her peaking curiosity but just as she was about to say so the Water Tribe man fall to the floor. She cast a glance at Bao with a determined look.

“Don’t you dare,” But it was obvious she was going to. The wooden sandals caused little clouds of dust to form around her feet and the hem of her kimono brushed against the grass. Her fan was out once again, hiding the lower have of her face allowing only the green eyes to give away her emotions. Once Bao realized Wei Li would not be coming back before approaching the Water Tribe member she scurried her way towards the young woman. “You’re a stupid, stupid, stupid girl,” She fussed, speeding up to be a step ahead of Wei Li subconsciously in maternal protection. Wei Li grinned behind her fan, knowing Bao did not mean what she said.

They were just a foot away from the Water Tribe man and Wei Li was oddly excited. She’d never been this close to a non-Earth Kingdom person but Bao wasn’t in the least amused. The old woman’s eyes were narrowed and suspicious. All it would take would be a single shout and the guards would be here in moments, which was the only reason Bao was putting up with Wei Li’s nonsense.

Wei Li kept the fan before face, studying the seated figure. “Are you alright stranger?” Her tone was vaguely amused but genuinely concerned, Bao only made a soft growling noise in the back of her throat.

[chamir]

Crossing his legs and sitting up, Chamir began gathering what kindling he could reach. Creating a new stack beside him, moving his attention from kindling gathering to the two women now moving towards him.

Eyeing them every few moments Chamir assumed they were well. Their clothing bearing no sullies of tearing, dirt or sweat. Surely their menfolk were nearby then. Surely they would not be on a leisurely travel unattended. They themselves showing little sign of fear as the neared him, though the elder of the two practically sprinted in front of the other. Maternal caution perhaps? Narrowed eyes of the elder woman suggested he not meet her gaze lest he wanted to worsen this now calming matter. That left the other human focus for his eyes to be the younger woman, the observation of which noted her as a woman of upbringing. Maybe not nobility but possibly aristocracy, yet nonetheless rank.

And so whenever his eyes moved back to the two women, to the younger in particular he mentally noted of her geta wooden sandals, the grace of her walk due to them, the shifting patterns of her kimono, the movement and even measurement of her body underneath.

Looking down he thought, How long has it been, stifling a smile. Gathering a few more pieces of the scattered kindling, he inwardly mocked himself for thanking the gods she covered her face with a fan. A low chuckle barely left his lips.

“Are you alright stranger,” she spoke steadily with a tinge of concern. He looked up to meet her eyes, hiding a need to laugh from a soft growl and narrowed eyes of her mother. How rare it was that he received such a thing, a maternal growl, from a mother. In his younger days the growl was something he received more from fathers. This change was amusing him.

“I am as right as a situation requires m’lady,” lowering his eyes into a bow, though his rump was still tinged with pain. “Your show of concern for a mere lonely vagabond musician,” he clasped his hands together, “has brought such righteousness to the heart-mind and body of this being—”, he briefly paused yet with his clasped hands made a formal bow. He wanted to add: “—this being wonders if your mother has not given birth to a new Bodhisattva or Goddess of Mercy,” yet decided otherwise. Even though the higher classes where taught such speak and enjoyed such flattery this woman’s mother, suspicious of him, would have nonesuch.

“Please, my ladies, forgive my impetuousness,” speaking his words in a gentle and submissive manner with an air of respect; bowing again. “but my eyes cannot accept the sight of two women, more beautiful than the returning of spring itself, are allowed to wander alone with not even one man within a li’s distance.” He gazed about the field in a faux protective manner. “I know this road offers far little danger of bandits and the Fire’s children but still…”

He fell into a deep bow, his head nearing the ground. “If you lovely daughter, if you sanguine mother, if you my ladies are alone as such… then this humble musician must perform the task of accompanying you to your destination as guardian unto you both.” He bowed lowly again, this time not looking up. “You need only command me to do so… otherwise I ask only to be on my way, with your graceful blessings and the memory of your voice, m'lady.”

[xia]

The warm air shifted from in front her nose, replaced with cooler air from the slowly moving fan. Her wrist barely flicked and there was no movement from her fingers yet the fabric caught between the ivory skeleton of the fan pulsed, the art of fan waving was one mastered by all ladies of high social standings. Wei Li was not too entranced by the newness of this stranger to not completely notice his attention was solely on her. Of this she was not surprised; Bao was not a welcoming site when she scowled. For a brief moment she wondered what he saw when looking at her. It hadn’t taken her long in her childhood to realize that she was neither as clever nor as attractive as her elder sisters or mother. To say that this truth had never bothered her would be a lie but with time she found herself relinquishing the hopes of being able to compare with them and with that the want to be their equal. Wei Li knew she was pretty, had been called so many times but even the stars look dull compared to the moon and then completely fade when in the presence of the sun.

Bao’s presence kept Wei Li aloof towards the stranger, a reminder that not everything was as it seems. She forgot that at times, sometimes Wei Li wished that she could permanently forget but if that was to happen she would not last long in this world. Deep within the comfort of the night Wei Li would pine for the security and ignorance that the walls of her father’s home had provided her with for so long.

“I am glad to have brought you such a gift as righteousness. It is a valuable one indeed,” The movement of the fan stopped as she spoke, the image of an impressive mountain range painted with large strokes idle for the moment. She tried to mirror his manner of speech, a good example of what the noble men were trained to say and how women such as herself were expected to reply. Words became more than just sounds produced by the throat but Wei Li was only beginning to learn how to bend them to her will. Their hidden meanings eluded her during some occasions and very rarely as she able to slip in a message among what was laid out in plain view. It was a game that she knew only few of the rules to and even less on how to play, much like war.

Her grin widened behind the fan, his words of flattery finding their mark but besides her Bao’s face contorted into a mask of distrust. At his calling them mother and daughter Bao barked a short lived laugh, eyes glancing towards Wei Li as if in a personal joke. Wei Li made no voice to correct him and decided if he did indeed escort them to Zhy he would find out on his own that the angry woman, so maternally protective, was not in fact her mother.

“You are very kind, stranger, but you’re service as a guard is not needed,” She used the practiced tone of a high lady, one she remembered her mother always using. It sounded unnatural even to her ears and Bao even quirked a brow at the change of her mistress’s tone not all to unpleased. Wei Li turned her head a fraction of an inch in the direction of where the guards were making camp before looking back at the stranger. “However, a musician is always welcome.”

Bao took on a look of appalled horror that Wei Li would even think to extend an invitation to a complete stranger. “What will the guards say? Mmm? What would Nakehiro say?” The portly woman jabbed an accusing finger at her mistress.

For once Wei Li did not look fazed, but dealing with Bao was entirely different than dealing with other people. “The guards will say nothing. It is their duty to protect me, not question me and if by chance Nakehiro finds out…he is quite fond of good music. He would be more than understanding,” Wei Li flaunted the arrogance given to her by years of nobility and Bao knew better than to challenge her when she got into this mindset. The old woman knew that as much as Wei Li loved her the girl and how gentle her spirit that could not prevent the child-like tempers she found herself in ever so often. It would be better to reprimand her later when she would be more willing to see the errors.

Wei Li addressed the musician, half her face still hidden behind the fan, “We are headed to Zhy. If you wish to travel with us there your presence will be welcomed.” Bao was silent as a stone, she was glad to see Wei Li acting the noble she was but it was a reminder to the old woman that the little girl she had grown so close to might vanish and become someone entirely different. She prayed that that someone would be kinder than the women whose blood and heritage Wei Li shared.

[chamir]

“Thank you m’lady,” he replied along with a clasp hand bow. “Your offer is indeed a blessed change for this lone traveler. A coincidence of fate perhaps as I too am on the way towards Zhy.” He began to sweep a hand across the landscape, mainly in the direction he came from, “though my journey there is not strictly by road as you can guess.”

Inwardly, a part of him was grateful hearing she had an escort of guards. Though I have had to retrain my warrior attributes since I left Shai City, he mentally noted, My ability is that of a mere streetfighter. I doubt any skill in fighting half a dozen men at once…

“But before I partake in your company, m’ladies I must first retrieve my further belongings,” he turned and thrust his chin to a small pile of rocks. Bowing to take his leave for the moment, he began to walk the distance to the pile of rocks he had gathered earlier to use as a fire pit. The only belongings that remained at his side until then, other than his clothing, were the coin purse and machete at his waist.

Upon returning to them from acquiring his travel bag and pipa, Chamir halted nearly a foot directly in front of Bao. Kneeling before her he slowly drew the machete from his waist sash horizontally, setting it near Bao’s feet as closely as she’d allow. Next he went into his travel bag and slowly produced his whale tooth knife, which he also set before Bao. Then he did the same with his iron boomerang. Looking up he showed her the contents of the open bag. As best could be seen in this dimming light.

Clasping his hands once again into a bow, he began. “I present unto thee, good mother, my weapons. I can empathize the want of protecting your child, and so I impart unto thee, implements normally carried by many a self-respecting man of the Southern Pole. I impart these unto your care and use should you deem their use as such in protecting your child. I only ask, gentle lady, for their return upon the end of my services or until the earning of your trust.”

Lifting his head and turning slightly to the younger woman’s direction, he took the five-string pipa slung over his shoulder and laid it near her feet. “And unto you m’lady,” a clasping bow, “I present unto thee my instrument as a show of the service I shall render unto thee. And though I must admit my knowledge of the courtly and high class pieces of this kingdom are lacking, I intend to make up for such a failure with my skill and knowledge of other musical pieces.”

He lifted his head, but his hands still clasped. “Thus I, Chamir, Osahar’s wandering child, the South Pole’s azure lotus, the singing tide of the Water Tribes, beloved Cha Cha to Chandrakant, conclude my induction and thusly render thyself and thine services unto thee at the behest of my ladies.”

[xia]

They waited patiently, at least Wei Li did Bao was grinding her teeth but remained quiet. Once Chamir returned both were surprised when he knelt before Bao, more surprising was when his machete was offered. Bao pursed her lips, the corner of her eye nearly twitching. He played a crafty game this one…the old nurse would make sure to keep him monitored at all times. She grunted after he showed her the open bag, unalarmed by its contents but still untrusting. Another grunt was his only answer to the eloquent speech and quickly afterwards Bao bent over to scoop up the weapons. Somehow she managed to fasten the machete with her obi sash as with the boomerang but the whale tooth knife she kept at hand. At her side, Wei Li barely managed to stifle a laugh.

It was Bao’s turn to laugh as Chamire offered Wei Li the pipa, an instrument pressed upon the girl without any real reason other than she possessed long fingers. To say the least, Wei Li would not be a great master any time soon but it had elevated past the point of sounding like a dieing animal. Gracefully, and revealing nothing as she bent, Wei Li took the pipa off the ground and held it loosely with one hand. At all times the fan had remained in its place.

“Your gifts are met with many thanks Chamir of the South Pole,” Wei Li flicked the fan closed and in a moment it was hidden again in the folds of her kimono. She would have begun her own introductions had not Bao already started them.

“You’re in the presence of the Lady Wei Li of the House Inari, formerly of the House Kirin, daughter of Tahako and wife of the General Nakehiro. You are safe beneath her protection but not under mine young man and don’t think there’ll ever be a moment when I’m not watching,” Her formal introduction started off correctly but ended up turning into a mini-rant at which Wei Li giggled behind a well-manicured hand. “Now let’s go,” This time instead of just tugging Bao dragged her charge, not really caring if Chamir followed but knowing he probably would if he wanted his weapons and pipa that Wei Li had not had the chance to give back.

Koshi nearly ran up to him but stopped as Wei Li raised a hand. “All is well Master Koshi. We have even found a musician to make the journey more pleasant,” She said no more before sweeping to her tent that had been put up first. Koshi exchanged a glance with a now well-armed Bao then his gaze wandered to the new comer who was weaponless it seemed. The Earthbender sighed, rubbing his temple but until the Water Tribe man did anything that might endanger them he couldn’t remove him from the party without Wei Li’s consent. The last thought Koshi had about the stranger was that hopefully he could carry a tune and that he wouldn’t slow their journey.

ooc: We can let this just be the last post and then go over to Aden's thread or you can post then go or just continue our thread. Whatever works for you I figure that Aden's is moving rather fast so if we do want to join now would be a good time.