A Vast Ocean Expanse

Ryu Minoru woke up suddenly. He tried to understand his surroundings. There was a boat beneath him, a sail above him, and a vast ocean in all directions. The sun was bright in the sky, but not directly overhead. "I must have fallen asleep. . . The sun is up now, but I have no way of knowing if it is morning or afternoon." Ryu Minoru tried to stand up, but stumbled downward. He felt dizzy. "Ugh... I hope this is the last time I need to sleep on a boat. Well, I guess I could get used to it eventually, but I just hope I can find land soon."
At that moment, his stomach growled. Ryu Minoru realized he hadn't eaten anything since last evening, as he had left shore the night before and slept for quite a while. Ryu Minoru looked around for the pole he had brought with him. He saw it on the back end of his small boat. Ryu Minoru wanted to reach for it, but still felt uneasy. Even though Ryu Minoru was a Waterbender, this was the first time he had been on the open ocean, far enough he couldn't see his homeland. Or anything else, for that matter. Looking around, Ryu Minoru tried to distinguish where the ocean ended and the sky began.
After sitting a while longer, Ryu Minoru realized that the wind felt a bit stronger than when he had departed the night previous. Ryu Minoru looked in the direction the wind was taking him, but didn't see anything close. It appeared it would be some time before he would see anything other than ocean and sky.

After some time, Ryu Minoru again wondered how much longer it would be until he saw land. It was close to getting dark again, and most of the day had been uneventful. "Why did I leave my homeland? It wasn't so I could sit on a boat and stare at the ocean. I can see plenty of the ocean from where I lived. I came to explore the world. I hope I find some land soon, otherwise I might just turn around and head towards home."
Feeling discouraged, Ryu Minoru looked towards the sky. "Clouds have filled the sky. Perhaps it will rain soon." Ryu Minoru loved the rain, and perhaps it would provide comfort during his long journey. Before long, a slight rain had begun, and Ryu Minoru was feeling less discouraged, bit still hoped to see land soon.

Some time later, the weather began to get worse. It was storming hard now, and the sky looked ready to crash down with thunder and lightning. The winds were strong and violent. Ryu Minoru eagerly hoped to see land soon. He didn't mind the rain, but strong winds and thuder might pose a threat to his small boat. Ryu Minoru let the wind continue to carry him.
Suddenly, Ryu Minoru saw a bright flash, heard a violent cracking sound, and then all went dark.

"Stand back everyone," Karnok said as he laid the man down on a bed below deck. He breathed slowly as he pulled some water out of the jar next to the bed and onto the man's body. During Karnok's watch, he helped keep the boat on course through the storm by using his bending to subdue the waves near their escort ship, but he was intrigued to see a lone man on a small boat alone during the storm, and took immediate action when the boat's mast was struck by lightning. Using the healing he knew, Karnok was able to speed up the healing process of the few burns around the man's body as well as remove the small bit of water caught in his throat. When his breathing returned to normal, the crew relaxed.

"I never figured we'd find the Chief out here," on of the shipmates whispered in awe.

"They did tell us he left this morning," another added, "although I'm surprised we didn't see him on the way in."

"Shhh!" scolded Karnok quietly, "we should let him rest. Everyone back to your duties, and I want Tagnip and Nequia posted outside of Chief Minoru's door. If he wakes up, one person will come and inform me immediately and the other will do whatever the Chief asks." Karnok then left to return to the main deck so as to steer the boat back to the South Pole. Although the double back would prolong the unit's return to the North Pole, Karnok was pleased with the unexpected delay that kept him from his home.

After some time, Ryu Minoru woke up. He tried to take in his surroundings. "Where..? What happened? All I remember is the rain, and my small boat, and... This isn't my boat. How did I get here?" After a few moments, Ryu Minoru sat up. He then heard movement and someone came into the room. Without waiting long enough to even try to recognize who had come in, Ryu Minoru asked, "Where am I? Where are we headed?"
Ryu Minoru wasn't sure where the boat he was now on was headed, but perhaps it could help him at least find land. Ryu Minoru was hoping to find a place far from his home filled with new people and perhaps exciting adventures. Ryu Minoru awaited a reply to the questions he had asked.

"Sir, you are on one of the Northern Water Tribe's ships that accompanied the trading vessel to your village two days ago," the man explained, "and our captain, Karnok Werrtak, is steering the ship back to the South Pole to take you home."
He bowed respectfully to the Chief of his Sister Tribe. "I have been given specific instructions to do what you ask while one of my companions informs the Captain that you have woken up. He said that he found you after your ship was struck by lightning and that he was able to partially heal your wounds." He then studied the bandages that covered his still injured wounds and added, "You must forgive him sir, he is the closest thing we have to a healer in our unit, but even he admits to not having had very much training in that sub-form of waterbending."

"Why are we headed to the South Pole? I've just come from there. I have no intentions of going back quite yet. I don't care if I have to jump off this boat and swim somewhere else, I'm not returning until I've at least seen some other parts of the world. I want to explore, and if I went back now and my people saw me even slightly injured, they would probably closely guard me and never let me leave again. If you want to do what I ask, get this boat headed somewhere other than the South Pole. Don't change the course of this vessel on account of my being here. Just resume your activities as if I wasn't here."
After a moment of considering his wounds, Ryu Minoru decided he was fine. "Don't worry about my injuries. Probably just recklessness on my part. I'll be fine for now."

"Very well, Sir," the guard replied. Before he could carry out the Chief's wishes, another guard as well as Karnok entered the room.

"Good afternoon, Sir," Karnok said with a bow. "I am Karnok Werrtak, Captain of this unit and member of the Northern Water Tribe Navy. I am pleased to inform you that we will be back to the South Pole within a matter of hours." The guard quickly iterated the Chief's wish to go anywhere besides home and continue with their routines. Karnok then returned his gaze to the Chief. "Well, our next order was to return home to the North Pole. We can, however, stop at any of the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation ports on our way back if you wish - I am sure Chiefess Kyoko would not mind."

((hi, mind if i join you? if it's ok, let the ship stop over fire nation for a while thanks ))

((I want to join you, Shiva. I'm still at Fire Nation as well))

((I would not mind, if Ryu gives the ok, then I will "steer the ship" into the fire nation my next post))

((ok, we'll wait for you ))

Ryu Minoru contemplated his options for a few moments. "The Northern Water Tribe, at the North Pole, might be somewhat similar to the South Pole, and I want to see something different for now. So then, my options are likely Earth or Fire. I'm not sure which I want to see first, perhaps I will be able to see both eventually."

Ryu Minoru stood up, despite the slight pain he felt from his injuries. "I don't really care where we head to next. But I think I might enjoy getting to see either the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation. You can head wherever works best for you, and I won't complain."

With a bow, Karnok said, "As you wish, Sir." Karnok then turned to the two guards assigned to the Chief's quarters. "There is now a new duty on the rotation roster as I want at least one person stationed here to assist the Chief in any way possible." The two bowed and said "Yes, Sir." Karnok left the room to send a letter to Chieftess Kyoko. When he had finished that he returned to the front of the ship again and resumed his post as navigator of the ship.

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As the sun began to set later that day, Karnok could see in the distance the Capitol City of the Fire Nation. After finding a suitable port to dock in, Karnok along with two other waterbenders on board brought their vessel calmly and carefully to a stop. Instead of dealing with the excessive weight of an anchor aboard his ship, Karnok merely froze the boat at the dock instead. As the crew lowered the gangplank, the Captain went below decks to check on their important passenger.

"Sir, we have arrived in the Fire Nation's Capitol City," he said to the Chief as he walked in the door. "I sent a letter to Chieftess Kyoko explaining our situation, and while we await her orders for us next and restock our supplies, we would be happy to provide you with any assistance or protection you wish during your stay."

Moments before a foreign ship arrived at the pier, Royal Doctor Shiva Li is having an argument with the ticket vendor.

"You said that the last ship will leave in the afternoon but now you're saying that the ship left in the morning!" the doctor is really furious.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but the captain said that there's an emergency that's why they left early." said the frightened vendor.

"Oh really? I don't think you thought of verifying that excuse."

The vendor shook her head. "You can always refund your ticket, ma'am."

"I don't care how much a ticket costs as long as I am taken to the SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE RIGHT AWAY!!" Shiva shouted at the vendor, tore the ticket just as the foreign ship arrived. One of the passengers must've heard her scandalous cry.

"Is there a problem here miss?" asked one of the Water Tribe sailors as he and two others walked over from the ship that had just pulled into the port. Sensing the rising tensions within the situation, the two behind the one that addressed the distressed woman subtly placed their hands near their whale-tooth scimitars - just in case trouble started. The lead sailor, however, remained calm as the group approached, and carried about him an air of importance, but without any arrogance.

All three men were between 5'7" and 5'10" with short brown hair. They wore the traditional Water Tribe Navy uniform and had similar looking faces. It seemed at first glance that the only way to tell the three apart was by their eyes: the two in back had brown and green eyes, while the lead sailor had blue eyes.

"Is there a problem here miss?"

Shiva turned around and saw a man dressed as Water Tribe Navy, the other two as well. She stared at the foreigners, mouth opened.

"Am I dreaming? Or is Water Tribe coming to me?" she whispered, not sure if the person heard her.

"I'm sorry but the problem is the management of this pier!" she said as her senses came back to her, "This person here doesn't know how important a doctor's time is. I am about to go to Water Tribe to conduct a research and this person told me that the last ship left in the morning but she told me yesterday that the ship will leave in the afternoon."

She shot a piercing stare at the vendor, who in turn shook her head shamefully.

"I hadn't heard anything about a Fire Nation doctor doing research back home, have you?" one of the two warriors in the back asked his companion. The other merely shook his head in response.

The lead sailor ignored them and continued to address the situation. "I am Captain Takaio," he said, extending his arm to shake the woman's hand. "My brothers and I are sailors in the Water Tribe, and we decided to stop in port for supplies and a chance to relax after the long journey we've had. General Werrtak, our commanding officer, plans for us to leave by dawn tomorrow and I'm sure, if you presented your situation to him, he would not mind if you accompanied us for the remainder of our journey back to the North Pole." He then remembered a small piece of her previous statement and added, "Unless that would be too late for you, as you said you were in a hurry."

"Hmmm..." Shiva thought for a moment.

She turned to the vendor and asked, "When will the next ship be coming?"

"A week, ma'am."

This statement even made Shiva angry, but she controlled herself.

"I really really hate this day." were all her words, "Anyway, you heard her. Even that I'm in a hurry, I still have no choice but to come with you."

She sighed in disbelief that this day turned out bad for her.

(May I please join? I'll disguise myself as a sailor, and help steer the boat with the other waterbenders :], besides, Kyoko needs to see the Fire Lord for the big war attack :oo)

((Sorry for the inactivity, sometimes life gets in the way. Anyways, it seems like I've been gone long enough that I don't know how to jump back in, and I'm still not sure how often I'll be able to respond.))

"We are happy to have you aboard miss," Takaio said with a bow, which the two other warriors mimicked. "If you would follow me, we can search for General Werrtak to inform him of your accompaniment on our voyage. Do not worry, we will get you to the Northern Water tribe with much haste." He turned and began to walk back to their ship - on which, he was sure Werrtak still resided. They boarded the vessel and went two decks below to first check the General's chambers. He knocked three times and asked permission to enter, stating his name and business while doing so, but he received no answer. He then asked a passing sailor where the General was and was informed that their commanding officer was in their leopard-owl keep waiting for their orders from Chieftess Kyoko.

Leading his group back through the ship's passageways, Takaio arrived at the residence of their messenger birds and knocked three times, as he had done before. "Come in," Karnok replied. As Takaio opened the door, the group could see before them the small and messy room in which the crew's snow-leopard-owls roamed freely while awaiting a task of delivering an important message. "Sir, I have found a doctor in town that would like our assistance in her traveling plans," Takaio said as he presented Shiva Li to Karnok. The General subtly rolled his eyes and thought to himself Are we running some sort of ferry service now? but nonetheless looked toward the doctor to hear her plight.

((Ryu, feel free to jump back in if you want. Not much has happened really, so you could catch up quickly. And Kyoko, if you really want to jump in, I guess you could... but I was thinking that you're orders for Karnok would be something like asking them to bring the Fire Lord with them back to the North Pole, or something to that effect. Plus, I'm not sure Karnok would be that good of a General if he let the Chieftess sneak aboard his ship and remain hidden among the crew without him noticing after being at sea for a couple days; but it's up to you I guess.))

"Greetings, kind sir." Shiva said with great respect, "My name is Shiva Li, the Fire Nation Royal Doctor. Well, you see, I was suppose to leave for Southern Water Tribe today to speak with the healers regarding new techniques on healing and medicine but I was disregarded because the ship that I am about to ride left in the morning. I really need this opportunity to speak with Water Tribe healers because, obviously, we need more aid for the incoming war."

"But I don't really care if you're heading North or South. I just need this little research of mine to present to the Fire Lord afterwards." she continued as the Royal Doctor badge on her chest shone.

(Sorry it's been a while, I started a new job this week)

Karnok bowed respectfully to the doctor. "It is an honor to meet you Miss Li. As you may have heard already, I am General Karnok Werrtak of the Northern Water Tribe Navy. As to your plight, it would be an honor for us to escort someone of such high esteem as you to the North Pole; however, we will not be leaving until dawn tomorrow, and that is even if we don't receive any other orders from our Chieftess before then. The choice is yours to join us, and if you so chose to, Captain Takaio here will assist you in bringing your things aboard and finding you a place to stay while with us. In the meantime, I must ask that you do not disturb the other crew members while they preform their duties." The general then bowed to the doctor and walked around the group of people and out the door - the other sailors snapping to attention as he did so.

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The sailors froze. They found it odd that a person would simply walk onto another ship without permission and were slightly puzzled by the girls appearance. She seemed to have come from an Agni Kai of sorts, but the way she dressed made it clear she wasn't from the Fire Nation. "I'm sorry, Miss, I am not aware that any person by the name..." one of the men began to stammer, but was instantly silenced when he noticed the General exiting the owlery. "General on deck!" he yelled, and all of the men that heard him simultaneously paused what they were doing to snap into attention. "Resume your duties gentlemen," the brown-haired man replied. He carried about him an air of importance that only subtly gave away his underlying weariness, even though he was only twenty-three years old. While the sailors around him quickly went back to work, Karnok made his way to the stairs that led below-deck.

"Thank you, I guess I'll have to stay. I cannot wait for a week until I start with this research." Shiva said this as the general finished his speech.