Chapter Text
Subterfuge
noun: Deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal.
PROLOGUE
The hut was sparse. Apart from a couple of pelts lying on the floor and a folded bedroll, there was nothing else, save a bowl containing water. Seated cross-legged atop one of the pelts was a frail old woman. Her eyes were closed and her hands lay palm up on her knees, two balls of water hovering a couple of inches above them. Her breathing was steady, chest rising and falling at measured interval.
Lost in her meditation, the old woman didn’t notice the lithe figure clad in black that appeared at the window suddenly. With cat like grace, the intruder stepped in. Sharp, critical eyes surveyed the surroundings with precise movements, zeroing in on the sole door.
The woman on the pelt continued to breathe as the figure behind her bent slightly at the knees. Black gloved hands raised up and formed into claws, the last two fingers in each hand folding further than the remaining three. Cold, calculating eyes narrowed slightly and then the figure raised one hand and made a slicing motion through the air. The slowly rotating balls of water splashed on the floor as the old woman controlling it seized up. Her blue eyes snapped wide in horror, mouth opened in a soundless shriek. After a moment of desperate flailing, the old woman collapsed on the floor and went completely still.
The intruder straightened and sighed. Wiping sweat off own brow, the black clad figure crouched next to the old woman and checked her pulse. Satisfied that life was snuffed out of its prey, the figure in black stood up.
“Accept my obeisance, healer Kala,” the intruder muttered. “May your soul rest in peace.”
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Book 1: The Deception
Chapter 1
Lieutenant Jee held up a hand to shield his eyes against the sun. One would think that as a Fire Nation Citizen, Jee would be used to heat but it couldn’t be further from the truth. He had always detested heat, much preferring the cooler breeze of seas which was why he had opted to work in the Fire Nation navy. True he was at home with the blistering heat of Fire Nation and the Harbor City, but there too he had the salty sea breeze to soothe him. But out here, in this godforsaken town of Earth Kingdom, the heat was different. It was dry and the air seemed to sap out any moisture from the skin.
“A waterbender lives here?” Jee wondered incredulously. “There is even less water here than in Fire Nation. Are you sure we’re not lost?”
“No Sir,” Kenzo replied. “We’re not lost. Per my information a great healer lives somewhere nearby.”
“I hope your information is right,” Jee grumbled. “I would hate to on be a wild goose chase while our men are dying.”
Kuzon couldn’t help but ask, “Sir, what could a backwater peasant do to help us when our best healers couldn’t do anything?”
Jee shrugged, “General Iroh swears by the Waterbending healers. I too have heard good things about them during my travels. Besides, we’re desperate.”
Presently the trio reached a small, nondescript hut. The three men hopped off their Komodo-rhinos and stretched. Those animals were never fun to ride. Handing their reins to Kuzon, Jee and Kenzo walked over to the hut and knocked. A soft, feminine voice asked them to enter. The entrance to the hut was so low, the men had to bow down to get inside, not an easy task because of their armor.
“Good morning Gentlemen,” the young woman greeted them. “How can I help you?”
Jee frowned, “You… I thought that the healer Kala is an old woman.”
The woman in blue smiled sadly, “Was. I’m afraid my mistress is no more. She passed away in her sleep.”
“Who are you?” Kenzo shot bluntly.
“I am Katara. I was her apprentice.”
“You mean you’re a healer too?” Jee was dubious.
“I am.”
“Great, come with us.”
Katara folded her arms and huffed, “Wait a minute. What do you mean come with you? Who are you and why should I go? Where is the patient? Can’t they come here?”
Kenzo’s patience snapped, “Look here young lady, our men are dying. We don’t have time for your attitude.”
Katara raised a brow, “Why should I aid a Fire Nation? Just so you can continue your siege at Ba Sing Se?”
“You dare refuse us,” Kenzo’s hand was on the partially drawn sword.
“Or what?” Katara challenged, summoning water to herself and taking a defensive stance. “You’re going to attack me? Take me by force?”
Jee huffed, pinching his nose, “Now calm down everyone. No need to get worked up. Look Katara, this is not an order but a request. I understand that you do not like or trust us and I don’t blame you. But you see, we need a healer like you. We will pay you as much as you want but please come with us. People are dying as we speak. As a healer, isn’t it your duty to aid people, regardless of where they’re from?”
Katara eyed Jee for a few moments before dropping the water back to its bowl. “Fine. I’ll go. But I have a few conditions.”
“Name them.”
“First, this village gets immunity from Fire Nation and two,” she pointed her chin at Kenzo. “This man doesn’t come anywhere near me.”
Jee smiled, “Deal.”
Katara nodded, “Hang on. Let me grab a few things.”
While Katara gathered her supplies, Jee sent a hawk to Ba Sing Se.
****
Tortured moans filled the tent. Rows after rows of bodies lay on straw mats with barely enough room for one person to walk among them. Healers tiptoed around the tent, their noses and mouths covered with cloths. The stench of unwashed bodies, sickness, and rotting, infected wounds hung in the air. The lone incense stick burning in the corner of the tent had long since lost the battle with the heavy stink permeating in the tent.
One man stood amidst the bodies. Clad in armor, only a pair of unmatched golden eyes were visible under the helmet and mask. His hands clasped behind his back, he stood tall and erect. So still was he that had it not been for the occasional rise and fall of his chest, one could easily mistake him for a statue.
“My liege.”
The man’s head turned a fraction, letting the speaker know that he had his attention.
“Lieutenant Jee’s hawk just arrived. The healer should be here by sundown”
A curt nod and the speaker was dismissed. Amber eyes found the grey ones of the chief healer Matsu and passed a silent communication. A look of understanding and relief passed the middle aged woman’s covered face before she resumed her work. The man lingered for a few moments, eyes sweeping over the apparent misery housed in the tent. He turned on his heels and walked out in silence, unnoticed by the occupants of the tent.
Once outside, Zuko peeled off his mask and helmet and ran a hand through his long, messy hair. His fingers snagged on the ribbon tying the hair into a pony tail at the base of his neck. With an irritated growl, he yanked it off and threw it on the ground. It did nothing to alleviate the frustration and anger building up within him.
His eyes traversed the length of his camp and beyond it to the mile-high wall that stood resolutely, mocking him in its majesty. This was his glorious siege of Ba Sing Se. Back home, people always sang praises of Fire Nation’s superiority. Every child was brought up on tales of how heroic and wonderful the Fire Nation was, how they were doing the less civilized nations of the world a favor by conquering them and giving them the chance to share in Fire Nation’s fortune.
Bullshit!
Here lay the magnificence of the Fire Nation, bloodied, demoralized, plagued and dying. Two hundred and fifty days into the battle, all illusions of grandeur lay shattered. Where was the so called superiority of Fire Nation now? Battered by Earthbenders and desperately seeking the aid of a Waterbender, Zuko couldn’t find one single reason to call himself and his kind superior.
They were not going to win this war, Zuko could see it in the eyes of his men. The walls of Ba Sing Se had defeated him. Yes he was still waging the war, but he knew he was fighting a lost battle.
****
Arnook paced around his throne room, a magnificent chamber made completely out of ice.
“I think you’re worrying needlessly Arnook,” Hakoda prompted from a chair in the throne room. “I trust Katara completely.”
Arnook whirled around and gave the other man a withering look, “Of course you do, she’s your daughter. You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t share the same confidence. I still say Hahn would’ve been a better choice.”
From his seat, Sokka let a huff of annoyance, “But for two small details. Hahn is not a waterbender nor a girl.”
Hakoda silenced his son with a look, “We alos needed someone who was a healer and a warrior. If Master Pakku says Katara can do it, I believe she can.”
Arnook waved a hand in dismissal, “But the fact remains that she’s a woman. We just cannot trust a woman with something so important. I have never liked this plan to begin with.”
Sokka’s face scrunched in distaste, “Well the council thought otherwise, so tough.”
“Sokka!” Hakoda admonished. “Relax Arnook, if the council has faith on her, so should you. Besides, she won’t be alone. There are others who’ll help her.”
Arnook opened his mouth to protest again when a messenger walked in and bowed. “Chief, we just received a message that Katara is on her way to Ba Sing Se with Fire Nation soldiers.”
Arnook looked like he’d swallowed something extremely bitter while Sokka sat back on his chair, his arms folded and a smug grin on his face.