Water Lily in a Sea of Fire

Chapter 25: The Fire Days Festival

Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Chiara spent the afternoon searching for food, but found little to eat. Chiara, her senses heightened, had been distracted feeling as though someone had been watching them for the last hour. Flashbacks of attempted robberies in the Earth Kingdom made her really regret not having her knife, and now especially her sword, and the recent attack by the pirates still had her on edge. She was not sure which of the Gaang she should approach first to tell of her suspicions. She initially wanted to tell Aang since he was the Avatar, but his age made her want to protect him more rather than worry him. Katara was her next thought as she felt more comfortable speaking in private with another female, but she worried that she might overreact. She suspected Sokka would be the best choice, but only if he could remain calm and be stealthy. Finally, she just decided to make a general statement.

"We need to stick together," she said. "I...I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about our surroundings."

"Huh, I think it seems pretty quiet," said Aang.

"Just don't let your guard down," she said.

"Goo' a'vice," mumbled Sokka with a mouthful of food, his attention inside a pouch he was carrying.

The path they followed led them to a sign board.

"This should give us a good idea of what's around here," said Katara while Sokka emptied the last crumbs of his pouch into his mouth.

"See if you can find a menu," he said. "I'm starving."

"You were just eating, Sokka," she said.

"That was snacking," he moaned making his sister roll her eyes.

While the Gaang was looking over the posters on the board, Chiara was staring at the woods still feeling wary.

"I bet we'll find something to eat here," said Aang pointing at one of the posters. "The Fire Days Festival."

"Really?" asked Chiara, her attention drawn away from the forest. She walked over to him. "I haven't been to that festival in years."

"Fire Nation cultural exhibits, jugglers, benders, magicians, firebending masters, puppet shows, and here's something for you, Chiara: plenty of fire to make you feel like you're back home in the Fire Nation," read Aang. She giggled. Aang looked at Katara. "This would be a great place for me to study some real firebenders."

"You might want to rethink that," said Sokka staring at a poster on the other side of the board. "Look at this."

They walked around to Sokka.

"Hey, a poster of me!" said Aang excitedly.

"A wanted poster," said Sokka. "This is bad."

Aang removed the poster and started reading it. Chiara was looking at the poster of the Blue Spirit and smiling to herself as she read it.

Wanted, by order of the Fire Lord: The so-called Blue Spirit. He is a thief, guilty of stealing the Avatar from the Fire Nation. He wears a traditional Earth Kingdom opera mask. His true identity is unknown, but disregard the rumors that he is a ghost. If you locate the Blue Spirit and attempt to apprehend him, you are advised to enlist as many forces as you can gather for the task.

"I think we better keep moving," said Katara.

"I have to learn firebending at some point and this could be my only chance to watch a master's up close," said Aang.

"If you want to see a master firebender, Master Jeong Jeong would be the one to speak to," said Chiara.

They turned to her as she pulled his wanted poster from the board and held it up.