บท 2: The Ripple Grows
Over the next week, Fire Nation prisoners are given the opportunity to take knitting classes, assuming their behavior is worthy of a passing score. Fire Nation troops are still expected to keep their cells clean to a certain extent after eating, but these standards are easily met by the captives.
Water Tribe staff are prevented from scoffing at and harassing the inmates making the imprisonment standards more hospitable than what is endured by most people than Fire Nation facilities.
Another day Kett and Jannik stand outside with other Fire Nation soldiers as they are forced to rake leaves and cultivate crops outside of the holding facility. Some of the more dangerous firebenders and soldiers like Kett are still forced to watch in cuffs from the distance.
The warden arrives and holds his right hand up signaling for the prisoners to gather. Water Tribe guards walk with the troops as they gather outside of the facility. A cultural performance occurs. Several locals can be seen marching about fifty feet in the distance.
A Water Tribe captain with medium brown wavy hair, yellow skin, and monolid eyes announces, "Hello prisoners, I am Captain Pachua. What you see is an annual festival that we call Kunapa! It is a moment of great pride and admiration when our people celebrate when our town won independence from a wicked tribal leader known as Ackta the Unassailable!"
Jannik whispers, "But alas, he was assailed."
Kett murmurs back, "That probably was the point."
A water tribe warrior slams his spear behind them and they both flinch, "Quiet!" A splash of water slaps both of their necks and strong wind gives them chills.
Kett groans, "Ugh!"
Jannik yells, "Ah!"
The warrior points at them, "Next time, I hear a side conversation I'll swat you both with the butt of my spear! You will respect our culture outsiders! Just as you would respect your own!"
Kett mutters, "I don't respect everything about my own."
The warrior steps in front of Kett, "What was that?!" Kett looks the man in his eyes. The warrior has deep blue eyes, black hair, a long nose, almond-shaped eyes, thin lips, and thin eyebrows.
The Water tribe warrior exhales and his breath turns to vapor in the cold air, "Ahhhh, I see. Yes, I see. You are a rebellious one, bold, defiant! It is in your nature and essence. And YOU WILL BE MADE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF!!"
The counselor, Teshiki arrives in white and blue robes. He raises his hand as he stands beside the warrior. The Water Tribe warrior turns. Teshiki interjects, "Keme, now is not the time. He has fire in him, as expected. But he is independent, he is rebellious, that's the whole reason for why he might be useful to us."
Teshiki steps closer to Kett and Kett looks in surprise. Teshiki: "You wonder why your nation never gave you fulfilment."
Kett: "I liked most of the people in my nation, but I didn't like everything about the nation itself. Still, you will never get me to turn my back on it. Life is a game of sticking with your side because that's all we have."
Teshiki: "But you are different than a noble zealot, like your infamous commander. No, you stand for what you believe."
Keme leans behind Teshiki, "Sir, you can see him and try your approach. But I still must make an example out of him to not appear weak to the other prisoners."
Teshiki comments, "Of course, do with him as you will, but make sure he will be well rested for tomorrow."
The Frost Bites
Kett runs relentlessly on Keme's command. The 31st lieutenant spits and coughs after running dozens of laps. The cold wind and air slows him down. Keme: "This is difficult for your people, ready to quit?!"
Kett shakes his head, "No, I grew up in Nyarri. This never feels good, but I know how to dig deep."
Keme: "Let's test that!" Kett is forced to climb up and down a rope several times. He performs pushups while a Water Tribe spearman presses his leg against Kett's back. Still Kett continually pushes himself up and down. Kett's muscles become more visible, and his veins pop out as he pushes himself to his limits.
Kett performs dozens of sit-ups and is forced to sprint across the area. Keme nods in respect, "You are the strongest firebender I've ever seen. Still, it will take more than physical strength to pass my tests. Let's see how your mental perseverance holds up."
Kett is tied against a pole outside in the cold as the sun begins to set. The firebender grows tired and can no longer draw on the heat from the sun to warm himself up.
The seventeen-year-old is forced to dig deep within to regulate his body temperature. As it draws toward midnight Kett nearly passes out but still holds on. At this point of night, the sky is a blue-purple color. It is about -6 Celsius (21 degrees) outside.
Keme walks up to him, "Not bad, you are tough, inside and out. I would keep you another two hours, if you were up for it. However, the counselor has insisted you get some sleep so I will release you this time firebender but don't test me again or the next punishment will be more gruesome."
Two Water Tribe warriors untie Kett and escort him indoors and to his cell. The next day, Kett is called out of his cell to meet with Teshiki. The counselor sits on the other side of his cell and slides a cup of hot tea under his cell. Teshiki: "Care to have a drink?"
Kett looks into the tea. Teshiki: "I have no need to poison you, if I wanted you dead, I'd have it so."
Kett stretches out his cuffed hands and picks up the tea. He has just enough mobility to sip it. Kett: "Hmm, pretty good."
Teshiki: "I put the finest spices that I could collect in that tea. I'm glad you enjoy it."
Kett: "So what is the point of this? What do you want from me?"
Teshiki: "I want to show you something, but before we went I wanted you to have some tea. Don't worry, it will make you up and give you energy throughout your day." After Ketta and the counselor finish their tea, Kett's cell is open and he is escorted out of the building behind Mr. Teshiki.
Kett and his new counselor walk outside. The sky beams light yellow and blue as the sun rises. Several birds can be heard flying in the air as well as some morning insect explorers. Kett looks at the counselor, "So where are we going?"
Teshiki answers, "To a place of knowledge." Two guards follow them. Teshiki walks with Kett through the village which includes some villagers walking, some children playing in the grass, some old men laughing on a porch, farmers working, and an artist sculpting for a paying villager.
Teshiki: "They are a beautiful people, aren't they?" Kett does not answer. Teshiki: "Come on, you don't have to be in denial. It's not a trick question." Kett ignores him. Teshiki: "Either way, you are really going to love this. It is our historical library." Notice notices a wide light grey building with cobalt blue markings as well as a large chimney.
Kett enters with Teshiki as two guards make way for them. An open fireplace keeps the living room warm and various elegant paintings hang on the white walls. The paintings include depictures of the sky, plains, mountains, local birds, other wildlife, winter pictures, villagers, the village, and historical figures.
The floor is of a beautiful light grey, black, and white marble design. The roof is made of a light brown wood material and multiple spears are mounted against the walls. Teshiki: "The chieftains that have reigned from generation after generation all have drawings that can be found here."
Kett looks at a picture of a man with a thick fur coat. Kett asks, "Who is that?"
The counselor answers, "That is Jorutakhan! A man of great tenacity but someone our people would like to forget out of all the chieftains here. He was quite greedy and was a pain to many of the other tribes and villages during his time. But in due time, our tribe assisted and helped others in their time of need. Like when our ancestors helped save the people of Yogenu of dying from famine."
Teshiki continues, "Still you have more to see, let's go." Kett walks with Teshiki in a room which has many books and maps. This includes maps and books of old historical events which. Teshiki: "Look and read, you will find historical accounts which might include some events you have heard in your Fire Nation history. But you will also find more, including accounts of events that fill the holes in your history classes."
Kett looks at Teshiki, "What makes you so certain of that?"
Teshiki: "Some of your people walked away from the Fire Nation life and while they are very few those individuals had pointed this out. Some did this during the beginning of the war, as my father had accounted. Ozai and Azulon increasingly erased previous history following the precedent that Sozin has set. But as you read, you find that these stories made perfect sense."
Kett reads through several books while Teshiki continues to explain, "Every nation had good and bad people. Heroes and villains... Each group has had its ups and downs. While the Fire Nation would have you think they were always the better nation, you know from personal experience that they can be hypocrites, corrupt, and that there is inequality within your own nation."
Kett responds, "Ozai has cracked down and decreased a lot of corruption in our nation."
Teshiki lays some papers on Kett's desk, "If that corruption means people who stand against him, then yes. But if that corruption benefits him, then no. Ozai is known for his selective policies. Also consider what you see here in these books you have read, the lies your nation told you, and these United Way reports."
After hours of reading the counselor sits across him, "So, what do you think?"
Kett: "I think anyone can make up a lot of useful theories to plant doubts in an enemy. But your cause doesn't have a monopoly on the truth."
Teshiki: "Yet we even listed flaws in our nation. We have a much more open and fair mindset than the Fire Nation."
Kett: "You do when you know you'll benefit off it."
Teshiki: "No honestly, we do in general."
Kett: "There is no way for you to prove that."
Teshiki adds, "Regardless, are you convinced now?"
Kett shakes his head, "Nope, not even close. Can I be released now and go back to me cell?" Teshiki slowly nods and Kett is taken back to his cell by the troopers.
A few minutes later, Keme pops in the room and sits beside the counselor. Keme: "I don't get why you are wasting your time with him, he is indoctrinated like the others."
Teshiki: "He is different, even you said it. He is stubborn, but he also is rebellious. He was the only one in his unit who refused to burn down a village. He just needs the right event to open his mind, but right now I'm planting seeds. I cannot decide what destiny will bring, but I hope something happens to put his values to the test. I truly believe he can change Keme."
Keme shakes his head and gets up, "Then you'll surely disappoint yourself. His people cannot be trusted."
Teshiki counters, "There was a time all the nations worked together, traded, and communicated in peace. When differences were understood but not seen as bad. Ignorance and greed have blinded many, but that game can only last so long. Things will change." Keme storms out of the building.
A Glimmer of Disdain
A Fire Nation colonel walks with a captain behind him. The colonel has a long dark grey cape with bright red highlights, dark red armor with light red & black markings, dark brown boots, and silver cuffs around his wrists. The colonel also has straight dark brown hair, a dark brown light beard, thin yet high eyebrows, medium brown eyes, a medium yet long nose, moderately light skin, and scruffy hair on his arms.
The captain looks the colonel in his eyes, "Colonel Hurayo, it seems our fleet has abandoned us. There is no way out of this island now!"
The colonel nods and huffs, "Fine! Then if we are stuck here, we should make it worth our while."
The captain questions his superior, "Sir?"
Major Hurayo paces in the sand, "That's right Bentossi, we aren't going to surrender or turn ourselves in. But the entire fleet is gone, we are stuck here in the arms of our enemies. So instead, I say we change course. I say we march up into the plains until we reach closer to the South-Central portion of this Northern Water Tribe island which is well away from the capital."
Captain Betossi: "And what would you have us do?"
Major Hurayo: "I say we strike on a warpath! Burn everything down in our path. Most places on the path are remote with little life, but at some point we must hit a village."
Betossi nods, "Yes, the first major settlement we would run into is Sogo. We'd have to travel a bit west to find them and only a little south from our position. According to military estimates they have a population of about 3,000, it is quite large for a village and has a great deal of history."
Hurayo: "Good, I say we go, and burn everything down. Kill every person, cement our legacy. While I've heard it is a bit less than 3,000, maybe closer to 2,800 or 2,700 we won't know for certain until we go. I'm thinking it might be a few hundred warriors that protect the area. Many are children and elders that live there."
Hurayo continues, "We will spare none of them and make them remember the wrath of our people. So that they will fear our people even in defeat so when the Fire Nation returns, our enemies will immediately crumble before Ozai's might!"
Captain Belossi gulps at his leader's bold stance but reluctantly agrees, "Of course sir, that would be glorious."
Hurayo: "After we clean out the village, we can expect intense resistance. But I believe we can still hold out for months and kill many before our line is cracked. How many men do I have left? We didn't lose that many since we hardly had time to fight."
Belossi: "We are about 5,000 strong sir and we have dozens of tanks at the ready. More than enough to plow through whatever the people of Sogo have to offer."
Hurayo adds, "Perhaps we will save a few women as prizes to enjoy the spoils of victory."
Belossi laughs, "Now that, is exciting."
Hurayo continues, "But we must be merciless, willing to kill who or whatever stands in our way. Destiny has afforded us an opportunity of vengeance for all those fallen during the Siege of the North. Before they know it, the snow will be red instead of white."
Belossi: "When do you want our men to set off for the journey?"
Hurayo: "I will let them rest tonight but henceforth we will march consistently. I suspect we will reach them within a matter of days. So, we're going to need to have intense battle rallies each night until then."
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