A Singular Encounter [Chameleon Bay]

[pengon]

(Sai comes from: Gathering Last Pieces of the Shattered Jar)

It was, probably, the great disappointment he ever had while in military. While his brother was directly engaging Fire Nation troops in the west he was here and there rescuing VIPs and serving as security for imperial commodities convoys. The last mission was to escort silk from the southeast to Ba Sing Se's imperial building. Before that his mission was to reassemble a lost platoon that met defeat upon facing the young princess of the red nation. Sai never was the type of person to live for savagery but it was his deepest belief that spending the talents of a Xan-Xe-Re in such meaningless missions was stupidity from bureaucrats. While they were worried about their silk their lands were being taken.

The last assignment was to verify, in the northern lands, the rumor of military activity from another country. The captain of a merchant ship traveling through the northern seas threw some disconnected informations and it was enough for the council of war to send Sai and the elite troops to investigate the area. Another demonstration of incompetence of those in the power, in Sai's view. The trip went smooth, save for two encounters with Fire Nation raiding troops. Enemies taken aside, the destination was achieved. The elite troops of the Earth Kingdom's army reached a point in the northern coast and started roaming, east to west, the coastal line in search of anything suspect.

It wouldn't take long until they caught sight of a fairly decent encampment of, it seemed, Southern Water Tribesmen. A considerable battle force, reunited deep within the Chameleon Bay and setting up plans for war, it was what situation was proposing. Sai's informations was that the Fire Nation organized a second raid on the Northern Water Tribe. It was reasonable to assume these warriors came from the north after helping their fellow compatriots in keeping the foes away from sieging the frozen city.

Their presence in the Earth Kingdom was not really charming to Sai. They could be counted as an ally but as long as they would stay in their homes. It was like that that the Fire Nation, a thousand years before, betrayed the Earth Kingdom and attacked the continent. In these times of war, though, actions would have to be well planned to not bring any more problems. It was not that the water warriors would pull up much of a fight against the elite earthbenders and spear-men of the Earth Kingdom. Sai had the element of surprise and the Chameleon Bay was like an arena. In case of possible aggression the setting and situation would greatly favor the earth troops, Sai concluded.

Sai ordered the earthbenders and archers to circle the encampment to assure the control of the terrain. Right after this the spear-men followed Sai in their Ostrich-Horses till the entrance of the encampment. It was not an assault but every and each man was holding weapons in order to retaliate any offensive action. Sai ordered his men to halt some meters away from the tents. Sai advanced some more yards on top of his Ostrich-Horse till reaching a fairly near distance from the group of water warriors that was taking place in front of the green army. The major's deep green eyes peered directly at some of the beautiful blue colored eyes in line. Some moments of silence followed before Sai spoke, calmly but in a tone of order.

"I'm Major Sai Xan-Xe-Re, second in command of Earth Kingdom's Elite Troops. It is by order of my crown and the staff above that I demand a meeting with the officer in charge of this detachment."

[chamir]

"Continue to ignore them," Bato told them all. As planned the encampment of Water Tribe men continued about their chores as soldiers of the Earth Kingdom approached them from two ends Chameleon Bay's open shoreline, leaving the Water Tribe men pinned in two other directions by the sheer cliff wall on one side and the channel leading out to sea on the other.

"Just keep on with your duties until they speak." The men continued with the preperation of tangle mines or cooking while Bato sat upon the sand and watched the green clad soldiers cautiously approach but no less ready for a battle. When they finally came to a likely halt, Bato gracely stood upright with eyes focused directly at the soldier astride an ostrich-horse he suspected to be in command.

"Greetings," Bato began with holding up an open palm upwards once the troops came to a halt. "I am Bato of the Water Tribe. Second command of the war party. And bid you welcome to our camp." Though most of the welcomes towards the Earth Kingdom soldiers were more akin to glares at the open display of hostility towards them from a people they were not only aiding but protecting a route to their capitol.

"I'm Major Sai Xan-Xe-Re, second in command of Earth Kingdom's Elite Troops. It is by order of my crown and the staff above that I demand a meeting with the officer in charge of this detachment," commanded the head of the soldiers' troop. What members of the war party still went about their business now finally came to a hallt. All of them stood unarmed, not even having sheath weapons on their persons as Hakoda ordered of them earlier.

"Mmm... mmhm," Bato nodded whilst standing with arms relaxed across his ches, showing no sign of discomfort in his face from the still healing second degree burn wound that engulfed a portion of the left side of his body. "Your excellent impersonation aside," he then began, "your demand can be more than easily met. After all you are heroes of the Earth Kingdom, therefore obvious allies and not scoundrels of the Fire Nation."

A mental smirk hid in the back of Chamir's mind at Bato's hint of admonishment towards the Earth Kingdom's soldiers behavior. Even with their wounded pride at having them come to this massive kingdom's aid, Chamir found it their need to approach with weapons drawn and readiness for battle rudeness in the extreme.

Fought their kind so long you people are becoming like the Fire Nation yourselves., Chamir nearly glared at the soldier's leader.

"Please," Bato half-turned away from Sai and extended a hand towards the encampment. "Your men are welcome to sit and have a meal with us. Our scouts have glimpsed your approach (another mental grin resided in Chamir, being among those who spotted Sai's troops) whilst you were roaming about the coast line, in search of us perhaps? So we had time to prepare enough food for guests. While they wait, Chamir here can lead you to our chieftain (Chamir's face suddenly dropped) Hakoda for a meeting in private if you desire. He has been anxiously awaiting your arrival."

[pengon]

Major Sai kept looking at the man identified as Bato, while the water warrior started playing wisely with the words. At every phrase, Sai pulled his ostrich-horse a step closer to the man.

"...While they wait, Chamir here can lead you to our chieftain Hakoda for a meeting in private if you desire. He has been anxiously awaiting your arrival."

Right after the man finished, Sai slightly turned his head to the nearest soldier of his platoon.

"Lieutenant Tao, orders are that every man keeps the positions. In my absence you are in command and are enforced to apply any pre-planned measure depending on the situation, do you copy?" Sai said aloud, while not taking his eyes away of the man greeting him.

"Yes, sir!" Said a Lieutenant Tao occupied with making hand signals toward the men in the edges of the bay.

Sai got down of his ostrich-horse and walked toward Bato. As soon as reaching a pretty close distance, Sai said his first words directed to Bato "Save your food, Bato of the Water Tribe. While I'm thankful for your offer I don't plan to spend much time here. Just enough to understand why there is such a big military force of another country in this land. Assuming what you said, if you are really here to fight the Fire Nation scum, I must believe that my talk with your leader won't be long, anyway." And he stood a few seconds there, peering at the man's blue eyes.

Sai was far than being pleased with the situation. His heritage, a strong xenophobe feeling, was manifesting itself at every level possible inside him. Even yet, being cold an calculator, Sai knew that these people where not to be treated as an enemy. However again, it was Sai's less likely intention to treat them as friends. The Major gave time enough for someone to direct a speech until turning and heading to the warrior appointed as Chamir. Stopping about 4 feet away from the warrior, Sai questioned:

"Shall we go?"

[saghani]

The expedition of the battleship Yue was a new experience for everyone involved, Saghani included. It was his first solo command, and his first time away from the Water Tribe. As such, he had decided to be fairly patient. Instead of diving headlong into the western sea with no plans of leaving, he had decided to take it in stages. The first part of the expedition that had composed of this past month and a half was primarily a scouting expedition. The goal had been to get a sense for the Fire Nation’s supply routes, bases, and strategy. This was not to say they did not also wreak havoc on said supply routes and naval bases, for when you possessed a stolen Fire Nation battleship modified to be the single largest and most powerful vessel on the ocean, there was no reason not to engage and destroy every small convoy or fleet they came across. Indeed, the Yue’s battle record was quite impressive.

However, Saghani realized that they could be more than a mere nuisance to the Fire Nation only if they planned it right, and thus after the initial month and a half, left the western sea and headed for the Northern Earth Kingdom. Specifically, he made for Chameleon Bay, where the southern warriors had said their main Earth Kingdom base was. He had no intentions to return home to the Northern Water Tribe, but being among their tribesman would be a welcome break for his crew while he planned things out.

The journey hadn’t taken long. Despite it’s size, the Yue’s engines had also been added to when it was upgraded, and it moved with considerable swiftness. Maybe it was his improved mood due to their mission’s early success, but to Saghani it seemed like it took no time at all for them to find themselves approaching the mouth of Chameleon Bay.

“Raise the flag,” he ordered coolly from his position at the ship’s bow.

There were several shouts as the command was relayed, and soon enough a large white flag with a blue symbol for the Water Tribe was raised on the mast above the bridge. Despite this, Saghani remained somewhat tense, tapping the fingers of his left hand on his right wrist. He’d become prone to doing that lately. After all, he couldn’t very well clasp his hands together like he’d used to when he no longer had a right hand.

“Lieutenant, ready the waterbenders,” he said coolly. “At the first sign of any sort of aggression, they are to signal immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Saghani’s eyes darted across the bay. How would they react?

[chamir]

"Shall we go?" The Earth Kingdom officer proffered.

"Oh please, let us," Chamir cynically agreed with bared teeth in a false smile. "This way sire, follow me." He began to lead Sai further into the camp towards the largest tent therein, Water Tribe warriors gave the two of them a wide berth should the other Earth Kingdom soldiers panic and believe their commanding officer was being led into a trap.

Making their way to the large tent that served also as a council room, Chamir pulled the flaps back widely and pinned them open so the occupants could be seen from the outside. "Chieftain Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe," Chamir began after ducking into the tent then rising again, introducing the leader of their war party who serenely sat cross legged at the tent's rear center. "This is Major Sai Xan-Xe-Re of the Earth Kingdom military, whose arms are too burdened to greet us openly, sur."

With a nod of his head, Hakoda bid Chamir away then slid an outstretched hand towards Sai to offer the soldier a seat before him. Briefly Chamir bid a glare to the back of Sai's head. Something seething about that green clad soldier reminded him of someone...

"They could not have come at a better time," Chamir started at Bato's low spoken words, who suddenly appeared behind him. Chamir turned towards the direction where Bato's chin pointed. It took his eyes a few moments but between the sparse cloud coverage today, he managed to make out thin wisps of darker, grayish-black clouds. He saw them far above an outcropping of rock down the shoreline that screened their camp from any vessel sailing up from the mouth of the bay, one would have to round that bend just to spot their location. Today did not smell of approaching rain and those dark wisps look more like smoke.

"If our allies weren't so friendly," Bato said sarcastically, "you and other scouts would have seen that instead of being here. Oh well!" Clamping a hand over his shoulder. "Grab something to eat before the rest of our guests arrive.

"Stay near your mat," Bato stated as he walked towards his own. Everyone had kept at least one weapon under a sitting mat today. A precaution, Hakoda said. And the southern warriors were quite grateful that waterbenders of the northern tribe had remained with them and were now sitting close to the drinking water and stew pots. As far as the Earth Kingdom knew they were probably all southerners and probably not a single waterbender among them.

[pengon]

Steady, Sai remained afoot, silent, peering at the men in his company. He was alone in there, precaution was his best weapon. The major calculated the distance of the mat offered as sit for him to the exit, then the distance of his mat to the place occupied by everyone else in the scene. Then he calculated the size of his weapons and how much space inside the room would be needed to efficiently draw and use them. He had already the numbers of soldiers he would have to take down to regroup with his troops, if needed. As bothered he was feeling due the sarcasm and irony being thrown at him, he would like to avoid a battle. With his numbers, less than half than what he estimated would be in the Water Tribe camp, a fight would end up summing too many casualties in his platoon. A battle should be avoided unless Sai would find himself in a critical situation.

And yet, the image Sai was forming of this people was the worst possible for the situation. Honorless bastards, that were showing no respect to the owners of the land they were now occupying. Should all keep going the way it was and Earth Kingdom would, soon and certainly, need to deal with the problem they could become. That was Sai's thoughts, while still considering how much of a concern he was going to pull up with before taking a place in the tent.

Sai stopped evaluating the place already and was now inspecting that whose warriors were saying was the chief around, Hakoda. While his deep green eyes were peering deeply inside the blue eyes of Hakoda, Sai had to admit, the man had some guts, as for the gaze of his eyes didn't move an inch away from Sai's, and Sai knew few men could stand as such to his own glare.

The burnt man, Bato, was just a few meters away when he started muttering something to warrior named Chamir. Sai wouldn't have to bother paying attention to what was said as for as soon as Bato finished, a sound very familiar to Sai could be heard. A cornet made of the horn of a frog-bull was being played, a signal of problems. It produced a very singular sound, in a very grave note, what allowed the sound to drastically lose its loudness within distance. Without even saying anything, Sai abruptly left the tent. From afar, lieutenant Tao was pointing to somewhere in the horizon, trying to indicate the reason Sai was so suddenly called from what would be a meeting.

Smoke, in the water, behind the cliffs in the shore. What was that, now? Coal powered ships approaching a secretly built foreigner military encampment without authorization to be in Earth Kingdom? Sai walked toward his men.

"Lieutenant Tao, keep all archers and half of the earthbenders at the edges of the bay. Lieutenant Hi-Sien you will group your spear-men and wait my orders. Make sure you are at a reachable distance from the shore but watch out for these water warriors. Keep an eye on them but don't act aggressively toward them without my order, am I clear? I need three earthbenders, you will stay by my side under my direct orders."

Water tribesmen would come to Sai, that was certain, whether to ask of his leave of the meeting or to question his recent actions. Truth is, Sai was starting to think something could be utterly wrong over there. While he would try not to make a mistake, he wouldn't either allow foreigners to play their acts as would be convenient to them without letting the Earth Kingdom be aware of such moves.

[saghani]

Saghani’s eyes darted across the bay as the ship slowly entered. No movement. Odd. There were several possibilities as to why: the warriors here could have been caught off guard, were simply slow to react or (hopefully) being patient and lying in wait. He was grateful that the Yue had not been immediately attacked, but he did hope it was for the right reasons. Competent allies were good to have.

“Sir?” the lieutenant queried.

“Proceed.”

The lieutenant nodded, and called out to the waterbenders lining the sides of the ship’s deck. With practiced coordination, the waterbenders made a series of sweeping motions, starting low and ending high above their head. The water rushed to obey their commands, and suddenly the Yue was flanked by towering geysers of water that could never be mistaken for natural phenomena. The only conclusion that could be reached by the observer was that it had been created by waterbenders.

As the geysers crashed back down into the ocean, Saghani’s eyes again scanned the bay, waiting for the inevitable response.

[boragan]

Ugh! That fermented mare's milk took it's toll upon the leary warrior thats in his cot. The furs got drenched in sweat soaked from his body. He could feel the motion of the water underneath the ship's hull. That didn't help improve his headache. Feeling a little dizzy, he got to his feet and spent a few minutes cracking his bones into place followed by a loud yawn.
Upon stepping outside, he noticed the drastic change in the weather. Cool breeze, humidity, seeing a coast that consist of brown and green. Could this be the Earth Kingdom? A tooty smile came upon Bora's face.
"Well, about time," he exclaimed, "I need my armor."
Now wasting precious time, Bora went back into his room to spend about fifteen minutes of his morning donning his heavy armor, with the last piece being his kabuto helmet. Feeling great to be home, he walks about onto the ship deck, basking at the glory that is the Earth Kingdom. He could hear the gulls from the docks and witness some of the dock hands tying rop to the battleship. He could see a fishing vessel in the distance, dragging in a rock lobster pot from the bottom of the sea.
"Home sweet home," he muttered, "Now where is the captain of this ship again?"

[chamir]

You ass! Chamir mentally protested Saghani’s display just offshore. The southerner’s face twitched and grimaced at the threat inducing sight of the waterbender created geysers. Was he blind? Chamir wanted to demand. Surely he had a telescope to see what was happening here on shore with Earth Kingdom soldiers shouldering pointy toys at them. Was the northerner trying to push a volatile standoff into an open conflict?

Hakoda did nothing. With a brief glimpse around the camp, it would seem that everyone else was doing as Chamir now was—waiting on Hakoda, who just stood there. Cautiously emerging from the council tent some moments after Sai, Hakoda carefully made approach towards Sai and his personal guard, only to be held at bay by a couple of lowered spears aimed at his belly. Emotionlessly he agreed to the kept distance and went on to observe the situation around him, the predicament their encampment was currently in, then he gazed upon the Northern Water Tribe’s battleship Yue that gestured his face into someone who was impressed. At the sight of the geysers some sternness returned to his face but there was a nodded agreement in the move of his head. He must have noticed something in the display that Chamir and some of the others were unable to discern.

Comfortably standing at attention with arms crossed over just below his chest, “Saghani is merely saying ‘hello’ to my men, major.” Hakoda called over to Sai. “He wants us to know that it really is them, our kinsmen, and not some disguised trap set up by the Fire Nation. From what my warriors who aided the North Pole have told me, some of the captured Fire Nation warships were cannibalized and refitted into created that vessel. She is named Yue after the Northern Water Tribe’s late princess.”

[pengon]

"Waterbenders!" Was what stroke Sai's mind when the unnatural geysers pointed above the rocky line of the shore. Right after that, the Earth Kingdom major realized the eyes of his men on him. While none of the soldiers brought by Sai could be growing as suspicious as Sai himself, the concerns of their commander were taking a reasonable shape. Could be that the Water people really took control over a Fire Nation ship during their struggle against the latest invasions of the the Fire Nation to the frozen lands of the north. But nothing had proved as a fact that the warriors at that encampment were not working their way through another path in that war. As well as happenings would favor the first probability, they never ceased endorsing the second.

"Tell the men to "stand by", I'm trying not to rush things but things can change around here in a matter of seconds. If this people did really crossed the line then fighting them would be hard, principally considering the presence of waterbenders on the approaching ship." It was the consideration Sai threw at his lieutenant Hi-Sien. It was not longer after that that chief Hakoda approached Sai.

Hakoda was an wise man, Sai could tell from far away. Calm, smart and able to control the sarcasm and irony his kinsmen couldn't manage to maintain at bay, perhaps due anxiety. What to consider of him was exactly the same what should be expected of the situation itself. Nothing he did excluded one or other theory. He could be either a very cool headed chief or a liar capable of equaling the tricks of a Xan-Xe-Re. While Hakoda proceeded with the cautious explanation of the facts, Sai couldn't let go by the fact that almost all eyes at the bay were at them. Both peoples were just waiting for the answer of their respective leaders.

Sai maintained the gaze toward Hakoda till the last finished his argument. Right after that, Sai replied, as calmly as Hakoda:

"Don't worry, chief Hakoda, none of us seems to be in a hurry. Doesn't matter if what we are seeing is what you say or not. We will deal with whatever situation this is as it should be dealt as. We will treat it like it must be treated."

[saghani]

It was never hard to detect the approach of Bora Gan. The major was many things, but subtle was not one of them. Despite this, he had been of great service during the voyage. He had really helped to discipline the crew and turn them into an efficient fighting force, a real asset. Saghani had already planned out how he was going to compensate for his departure.

“Right here, Major,” he called without turning his head.

Losing Bora Gan, however, was the least of Saghani’s concerns right now by now, he could see the Water Tribe camp in the distance, but still there was no response. His eyes narrowed. Something was amiss. They should have reacted somehow by now.

“Telescope.”

His lieutenant handed Saghani an extended telescope, which he raised to his eye. Among the expected blues and whites, there were greens and browns. That wouldn’t me a problem if they were mingling, but right now they were entirely separate.

“Three longboats for waterbending squad five and warrior squads two and six are to be prepared for launch immediately,” he ordered, turning on his heel and marching towards the stairs that led below deck to the launch bay. “Major, prepare to set foot on your home soil.”

A minute later, three longboats were speeding towards the shore in v-formation, Saghani and Bora Gan standing in the lead longboat. Saghani stared outward, cold as always. He didn’t particularly care what the situation was onshore, but whatever it was, it was going to be dealt with. He had a schedule to keep.

[OOC: Sped it along a little, hope you don’t mind, Bora.]

[chamir]

This predicament was just driving Chamir mad, in both respects. Without a prior, proper announcement or introduction Saghani was now setting forth towards them. Chamir tittered as the three Northern Water Tribe longboats disembarked from the larger steam vessel drifted closer to shore and together were filled with enough warriors trying to rival the number of Colonel Sai’s Earth Kingdom soldiers that were allowed to ambush them.

Even with Hakoda standing there behind Sai’s bodyguards, spears pointed at him but still steadfast and calm with arms folded, that did nothing to slow down the sprinting pace of Chamir’s heart, which was now beating from its new residence inside his head. Typical Saghani, Chamir would have scowled if he was not engrossed in this ever pensive standoff. So much of a self-absorbed ass you fail to notice everything else! Patting the steel boomerang under his blanket, Chamir knew that if he could get away with it then when the attack signal was given his throw would have been aiming for Saghani’s skull.

"Hmmm," Hakoda loudly announced as he watched Saghani's incoming entourage. There was a green boulder next to him. "He doesn't look too much like a prisoner," he said to Sai, noting the figure that was Bora Gan though not knowing who he was. Did his warriors say anything about a Earth Kingdom soldier with them?

[pengon]

"And you don't look much like a leader, Hakoda." Sai said, even louder than the water tribe's commander, "You look more like a senseless owner of a bunch of disrespectful morons that should be more conscious about the earth you are standing on, for you are not its owner and, as so, should pay more respect to the true children of this land."

Sai's eyes were once again peering at chief Hakoda, that would still hold the always calm behavior under his gentle blue eyes. Sai wasn't angry at all, he was too experienced to let it go through him. Yet, the situation was bothering him more and more, with every action of water warriors. Bunch of disrespectful garbage trying to act as they wanted without letting the Earth Kingdom know about, he thought.

Once again, he spoke toward Hakoda, now in a lower voice tone: "Chief Hakoda, your arrogance and sarcasm are not enough to blow things between our armies here. What is in that ship may be, though. Your behavior will only be enough to draw my sword to your head, should things turn worse. If your story depicts the truth, then you should stop minding my actions, for they won't harm you or your people."

"To the shore." The major shouted to his troops.

"It is a big soldier in heavy green metal armor in the leading longboat." Said a private to Sai, while making use of a telescope.

"That makes up for General Bora Gan's attire. Lieutenant Tao, did the Earthbenders already make the recognition of the ground?" Sai, while walking toward the shore.

"Yes sir, the ocean floor seems to be rock hard as the Earth we are stepping on." Lieutenant Tao to Sai.

"Good, if something goes wrong you and your Earthbenders are to strike the boats out of water. Lock them up in stone pillars, we don't want to face their numbers if we are to be taking the warriors in land already."

"We will be waiting the order sir." Lieutenant Tao, right before going back to his group of Earthbenders.

Sai reached the shore, sited his hand at his sword's hilt and stood still, waiting to see the outcome of happenings.

[saghani]

Though some of the men exchanged nervous glances as the group of longboats neared the shore, Saghani remained stone faced. The waiting Earth Kingdom soldiers were aligned defensively, as though prepared for combat, but he did not fear any such encounter. After all, he had an Earth Kingdom major at his side and the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom were fighting the same enemy. Chances of hostilities were unlikely. Even if they were to occur, Saghani had full confidence they would be quickly resolved.

The longboats touched down on the shore and Saghani disembarked, his men following. Hand and stump clasped behind his back, he marched towards the man who looked like the unit’s leader, a young man with a long ponytail and a hand on his sword. Saghani looked him in the eye with his own cold, emotionless gaze.

“I am Captain Saghani of the Northern Water Tribe, commanding officer of the battleship Yue and its crew,” he informed the man. “My unit has been waging a campaign against the Fire Nation’s seaborne supply lines. We come seeking supplies and rest, and bear a message for our allies in Ba Sing Se.”

He took a brief moment to take in the Earth Kingdom soldiers. Some were unarmed – earthbenders – others archers, but all still seemed to be posturing rather hostilely. Why this was, he didn’t know, and he didn’t really care. He had important business here, and no time for games. Saghani’s gaze returned to the man before him.

“Are you the commanding officer here?” Saghani asked the man flatly.

[chamir]

Halt! Was the signal of Bato's immediately raised hand.

We can take them! Was the immediate reply on Chamir's face and that of numerous of the other Water Tribesmen, crouched in a lunge or sitting on their haunches. Each preparing themselves to pounce upon their severely scrutinizing Earth Kingdom allies upon overhearing Sai's louder statement followed by a much lower one they were unable to make out. Either way, even if few of them were willing to take physical reprimand for Major Sai's tone towards them, in unison they found his behaviour towards their chieftain was far too disrespectful to go unchallenged.

Chamir clutched the mat underneath him, willing himself to stay in place same as the others were who quietly though begrudgingly gave attention to their meal, one another, the meeting between their three leaders or the rather unfriendly allies surrounding them.

Resolving himself to be unfazed by Sai's prideful berating, Hakoda felt no need and made no effort to turn around. As long as Bato was at his side, he knew, the other warriors were kept well in check should they prove too hasty. He remain rooted upon the Sai where Sai left him. Hakoda watched Sai march onto the rocky shoal with enough tension in his body to attempt willing the bay's water away from the incoming Northern Tribesmen and leave them all grounded. And this Saghani? Hakoda raised an eyebrow and a twitch in his cheek. A mirror image? Was Saghani's tension willing the opposite of Sai's? The look on his face placed him elsewhere. Was he in a hurry? Trouble? Or maybe felt a likely interrogation beneath him. Two opposing waves crashing against one another?

An ocean apart and yet could it be possible there was something relateable between these two young commanders. The sort of leaders this generation was birthing?