48 Chapter 47
The next morning Aang, Sokka, Katara, and I were standing next to Appa loading him up with supplies. When we are finished Aang, Sokka, and Katara boarded Appa. The entire village was seeing them off yelling their goodbyes and good luck wishes. I gave the Chief a handful of gold plates as a farewell gift just in case the Fire Nation still comes and ruins the village. The only person left I have to say goodbye to is Suki.
"I wanted you to have this" I tell her handing her a sheathed Valyrian steel dagger.
"Well, I wanted you to have this" she says before pulling my head down to her's and kissing me. "You better come back, Silva"
"I will. Stay safe Suki"
From there I get on Appa and we take off with Aang yelling
"Yipp Yipp"
If riding Rayquaza is like riding a horse Appa is more like a carriage. Somewhat roomy and the wind speed isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
"So, I don't know where you all were planning on going, but I can begin our lessons whenever we set up camp for the night."
"We had planned to go to the North Pole to find Aang and I a water bending master, but I guess we don't need to do that anymore"
Oh shit. How to get them to the North Pole?
"Actually, It's still probably a good idea to go to the North Pole. A portion of Aang's training can only happen there. The North Pole is home to the Spirit Oasis one of the last stable locations of Spiritual activity in the world and the only place he can learn the spiritual aspect of Water bending"
"Couldn't we put that off while we look for an Earth Bending master for Aang?" Katara asked.
"Learning water bending will take time and learning another new element will impede learning progress for both unless he has a strong foundation. Plus I'm sure you two would both like to see the northern tribe."
"Ok. Change of plan, no change." Sokka added.
"Aang, Sokka take a look at this and plan the course." I say tossing them my map.
"What is... Woah this map is incredible. Aang check this out." Most of the day's journey was then made up of Aang and Sokka arguing about where we would be taking pit stops at. By the end, they had reached a compromise route somewhere between detour filled and practical. The major detours were Omashu our next destination and the Northern Air temple. Besides those two we would curve around the Earth Kingdom desert but otherwise straight on toward our destinations.
That night when we set down it was time for our first Water bending lesson. We had landed next to a large river perfect for water bending.
"I want to start by going over two things fundamental to all bending, not just water bending I believe this will help you both. Bending gets its power from two things philosophy and source. Naming the factors that way may be a bit inaccurate, but complex ideas are hard to express as one word. Aang how would an air bender deal with a problem, like say you fell into a raging river?"
"We would jump out of it and fly away?"
"Exactly you would avoid it. Air Bending philosophy would focus on dodging, remaining elusive, or not letting problems affect or stay with you. Would that be a fair description?"
"I guess. The monks did always tell us about letting go of our problems and to work towards forgiveness."
"The other bending disciplines are different. To keep it simple let's stick with the river metaphor. An air bender would fly away, an earth bender would block the river, a fire bender would try to go upstream, but a water bender would let the river sweep them away using it to get where they were going quicker."
"Water benders use their problems to their advantage. " Katara added.
"Yes. In order to water bend you must have the right mindset. A state of mind I would describe as calm creativity."
"Wait but my bending has always been strongest when I've been angry?"
"And how controlled was your water bending when you were like that."
"You right.When I'm angry my bending is stronger but sometimes I don't even know I'm bending."
"It's perfectly possible to become a competent or even talented bender without mastering your emotions. Just mastering the right forms will make you a pretty good bender. However, a bender who has mastered their mindset will be able to bend at will with nearly complete freedom from forms. This is a long way off for you two, but knowing about this now will give you something to focus on while practicing."
"Do you have any hints?" Aang asked
"Try to focus on a memory that you think fits. I don't know if you've done this but maybe think about a time you used a windy day to glide faster or further"
"So sailing, you want us to think about sailing?" Katara says looking at me with skepticism.
"Think about whatever you want it was just an example. Alright, the next most important part of where we draw our power is the source. I could talk more about what other benders do, but they're not important. We water benders gain our ability from the moon. It's why our bending is stronger at night especially nights with a full moon."
"Gran Gran used to tells stories about that. The moon and ocean were the first water benders and together they created the waves and tides."
"There are similar origin stories for all bending dragons, sky bison, and badger moles. So, when in doubt try watching the waves. I have often found my self drawing inspiration from them." I then stand up and make my way back to camp.
"Wait that's it. I thought you were going to teach us" Katara yelled at me. While she was angry Aang seemed fine with the lesson being over.
"Just think about what we talked about and watch the river we'll go over forms next time."
"I have. I'm ready for a real lesson"
Well now, who am I to say if she's ready or not.
"Fine" I pull the river out covering her and Aang's feet then freeze the water halfway up their shins.
"Hey!" "Hey!"
"Lesson 2 Ice to water transformation, good luck I'll back at camp"
I walk back to camp with annoyed shouting behind me.
"So how was the magic water lessons?"
"They thought my lesson wasn't hands-on enough so I froze their feet"
"Ha serves her right. You wouldn't believe how many times she's done that to me."
