Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legend

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***

The journey along the Pona River and then along the coast of Ten-Ten was dull and tedious. A new day was no different from the previous day, and if it wasn't for the changing landscape, it seemed like they were wandering through the spirit world. The calm waters of the mighty river were lulling.

The warm sun warmed the soldiers who were lucky enough to ride on horseback. Most of Sun Ce's entourage had been pecking their noses during the crossing, only the guards who were covering the column kept themselves toned up. Encouraged by the veterans' kicks, the new recruits walked forward, looking enthusiastic. From the first day, the enthusiasm of the future 'heroes' disappeared, and in its place came boredom and melancholy.

Their arrival at the Pohai Fortress was without pomp or joyous greetings. The guardsmen checked the papers that Sun Ce had provided and let them behind the walls while the garrison soldiers watched them from all the fortifications. Artillery guns adorned the walls, their predatory contours standing out against the impenetrable gloom of the fortifications, and above the towers could be seen the huge unmounted trebuchets that would remain there forever.

Passing under the tall black gates made of iron, Yu opened his mouth in admiration, twisting his head around. Unlike him, the noble classmates tried to keep a straight face and kept a cold mask of detachment on their faces. The column slowly made its way inside, occupying the little space available. Between the outer wall and the inner wall was the camp of the Iron Fist Army. Brother Wenling had brought a great many people behind him. Veterans of the southern campaign, Yuyang archers, militia from the colonies, and even marine troopers. Dozens of very different types and branches of troops coexisted together. Tents with different standards were clearly separated from each other. The order organised by Gongsun Zan inspired respect. No one clashed and everyone in the camp was busy doing something.

Passing by the even rows of tents, Sun Ce's detachment was looked at condescendingly and pitifully. The former veterans shook their heads sadly when they saw the dozens of small fellows that were stopping by Pohai with a smile. Among them were not only military men, but also village men who lived on the border. Throughout their lives they had been frequent targets for attacks by brigands and enemy foragers. When they heard the call to raise a new army to clear the forest of Baru, many of them left their villages, hoping to get rid of the savages flooding the forest once and for all.

Looking at such different and yet similar people, Guan Yu felt a surge of unprecedented elation. As he looked around at his comrades and fellow soldiers from Liping, he noticed a similar effect on the faces of many. The feeling of being part of something greater filled the hearts of the young men with enthusiasm. Quickening their step, they straightened their shoulders and, raising their heads higher, followed their leader, who hummed contentedly at the changes taking place behind them.

Pulling into a vacant lot, Lipin's army began to prepare the car park. As soon as the first tents began to rise above the ground, a cavalry procession burst into the camp. Two dozen white horse-striders rode in battle order. At their head was a tall, gaunt man dressed in full armour. The rough iron plates were framed by tattered red furs. Scraps stuck out in all directions and were of varying sizes. A tall helmet was adorned with a scarlet ponytail, and a sun-faded shirt peeked out from beneath the elements of the armour.

As Iron Fist moved closer, hundreds of marks on his armour became visible. Dents and scratches adorned it everywhere, and some places even showed scorch marks.

Impressed by what they saw, the soldiers froze in indecision, not knowing what to do. With a frustrated tsk tsk, Zan went to the centre of the camp, ignoring the timid attempts to stop him. The general's soldiers were not known for their manners either, increasing the distance between the horsestraus, they forced Ce's soldiers to hide near the tents to avoid getting under the animals' feet.

Yu was just finishing putting up the tent when a growing noise was heard from afar. Fleeing from the riders, ordinary soldiers scattered in different directions, giving way to the noble-coloured animals.

Despite all the training in earth magic, it was hard for Yu to fully adopt their vital principle of waiting. Therefore, following his heart's call, he snatched up his halberd and stood in front of the rushing riders. For a split second, the orphan thought he saw the satisfied smirk of the commander of the riders, but dismissing this reflection, Yu adopted a fighting stance. Unravelling the shaft, the young man swept the blade in front of his feet in a single motion. Obeying the will of the conqueror, the ground instantly swelled, taking the form of huge stone stakes that grew in the path of the procession.

Just one action plunged the camp into silence. The riders behind Iron Fist's back drew their blades and prepared for battle, while the general galloped in front of the barricade, keeping his gaze fixed on the earth mage.

A polite cough behind Yu's back caught everyone's attention. Sun Ce stood with a strange expression on his face, simultaneously expressing so many emotions that the boy even began to get confused. Fear, humility, understanding, anger, and many other feelings. With one eye he spoke, 'I knew this would happen.'

Standing up next to his youngest, Tse placed a hand on his shoulder conciliatingly. Nodding his head towards the stakes, the heir raised an eyebrow sceptically. Understanding his lord without words, Yu stomped his foot, hiding the improvised wall beneath the ground. Placing his halberd beside him, he kept a close eye on the approaching rider who left his men behind with a wave of his hand.

A small beard and a long moustache with flecks of grey framed his mouth. His skin was tanned and weathered, making him look much older. But even after all these traits, Zan made a strong impression. If the Viceroy of Liping was like a huge volcano that would explode with fierce flames at any second, the general was more like a bamboo spear. Flexible and fast, in skilful hands he would become an incredibly dangerous weapon.

Jumping down from the horsestraus, the man approached Tie and his bodyguard. Without taking his eyes off the young conqueror of the land, Zan reached the two boys with quick steps.

-Greetings, Sun Ce, son of the Fiery Giant,' with his first phrase, the general turned the young man against himself, 'I am happy to see that you have finally made it here.

And with the second phrase, Zan completely ruined the good impression of himself. Grinning his lips, the man noticed his interlocutor's lip twitch. Turning his gaze to Yui, he made an intimidating face that made the boy's hamstrings start to take on a life of their own.

-And you are Guan Yu. My sister has told me a lot about you, you little shrew.

Grinning like a maniac, Iron Fist wanted to continue the dialogue, but Tse turned his attention to himself.

-Go on, Yui. You still have things to do.

Without arguing, the orphan bowed politely and retreated towards his tent. It was only as he closed the tent that he felt the general's threatening gaze disappear.

-Lucky you, Sun Tse. An earth mage will come in very handy in our affairs.

-That's right, Yu is a good bodyguard.

Emphasising the last word, the Liping heir explicitly indicated that the boy would stay by his side and under his protection. After glaring at the youngster, the man nodded lightly at this and suggested that they discuss the immediate plans in the commander's tent.

The two aristocrats stood around the table where servants were hurriedly unfolding a map of the northern province. Without further ado, the general pointed his finger at the area on this side of the river, the area that was under the control of the Fire Nation.

-Your father and I have come to an agreement, but that doesn't mean I'll cherish and nurture you. If you want me to start trusting you and assigning you important tasks, there's a small test to be passed.

Listening carefully to the general's abrupt and curt speech, Tse nodded in agreement. Resting his hands on the table, he leaned over the map and waited for further explanation.

-There, between Yu Dao and Lu Yang, there is a small forest that stands between the hills. Our patrols have been missing there a lot lately, so I want you to find out what's going on there. If you do, I'll start talking to you differently. Otherwise, you'll remain a symbol of our friendship with your father.

Understanding what was meant by the word symbol, Tse gritted his teeth, struggling to hold back the rage that was bursting out. The patronising attitude and constant mention of his parent was infuriating. The hot temper of the Fire Country resident wanted to show that he was no longer a child, but rationality and discipline helped to keep from caustic response.

-Well, do we know anything about the people who do this? -Well, do we know anything about the people who do this?

-Only rumours and scraps. They could be tribal remnants or deserters of the shrews, or they could be ours. Many soldiers have refused to fight lately, the younger generation often fleeing the battlefield after seeing the horrors.

Zan's cold eyes followed the facial expressions of his interlocutor. Smirking, the man saw that his words had achieved their purpose.

-I see, I will follow your orders, General.

-Great, I'll make you a lieutenant at first, take a couple of platoons of your own and go on a search.

Before he could turn round, Iron Fist was stopped by a new question.

-What about my men? They could use more advanced training.

-Right,' Zan stretched his vowels and scratched his chin with his fingers, 'All right, I'll take care of them, assign a couple of good commanders to train them while you're gone. There's plenty of time while the army's assembling anyway.

-Are we expecting someone else?

-Of course, Prince Iroh has almost finished his war in the north. When his army replaces us, we'll march. That'll be in two or three months. That's it, time is of the essence, so get ready to march.

Leaving the last word to himself, Iron Fist quickly left the tent, showing that he was not in the mood for further conversation. After seeing the man off with a glance, Tie slammed his fist on the table, venting his anger and the remnants of his rage. Only after a few minutes did he manage to calm down and come to his senses. All that speech, intonation play and stares - it was done on purpose to piss the guy off, and the general had succeeded. Throughout the conversation, the son of the Fire Giant felt confident only on the street, when his young bodyguard stopped a cavalcade of riders.

Pushing aside his thoughts about Gongsun Zang, the young man quickly left the tent, wanting to immerse himself in business and forget everything that had happened. The first thing he did was to fetch a couple of messengers and servants to fetch the commanders his father had lent him. Covered in scars and grey hair, a dozen mustachioed 'nannies' flooded the tent. Listening calmly to the gentleman's rambling speech, the men glanced at each other glumly, inserting the occasional comment on the adventure. Realising that there was no point in challenging the order, they promised to find the most capable and proven men from the entire Lipin host.

It took less than an hour for the squad to assemble. After announcing the new task, Tse ordered all those selected for the search to sleep. The perplexed soldiers questioned each other, not knowing what to think. In the end, each of them was used to following orders, so they all dispersed to their tents, preparing for another trek.