Tales of the Past (Part 1)

Feng leaned against a tree. "Then I guess he will find me sooner or later."

"I don't think you are taking this seriously," said Taru.

"I am. Am just not worrying about it too much."

"Do you have a plan that you would like to share with the rest of us?"

"Yes."

"Let's hear it then."

Feng gave a big smile and said, "I will tell him the truth."

"And how is that supposed to keep you alive?"

"If the young man wants to fight, am not going to hold back. Wouldn't be the first time I've picked my life and family over someone else."

"And that's the problem. How sure are you that some relative wont come to avenge him?"

"So you are saying that I should just let him kill me?"

"Am saying we need to find another way. Maybe offer him a gift or money."

"Of course you would think like that. Being a son to a rich merchant must make life easy. If you have any problems just pay for them. Brother, not everything can be solved with money."

Feng wished he could have taken his words back or at least been given a second chance to rephrase his last sentence because Taru looked like a volcano that was about to explode. "Don't speak to me like I'm a child Feng."

"Am not. Am just saying that sometimes you can't throw money at your problems."

Zoraya stepped in. "How about we do it both ways. First we tell him what really happened and second we try to compensate him. If the death of our brother is the only way he can be pacified then we will face him together. Can you track him down Taru?"

"Why Taru?"

"Because genius, you are the one he is looking for. I would have done it but I don't have any contacts in the village," with a grin and a cough she added, "or money."

Taru seemed to have calmed down. "Yeah ok, I'll do it. Just make sure this tall monkey doesn't do anything stupid."

"Since when have I ever - ". Zoraya placed her hand on his back and gave him a look that said, 'just let it go.'

"Oh and when you do find him, be a dear and set up a meeting. And just so we are clear, I will be the one to tell him."

Feng was surprised. "And why should you be the one to tell him?"

"Because I instigated the whole thing."

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(20 years ago)

Feng was about to make himself comfortable on the couch when he realized something. "Wait. Hold up. Why is Zoraya here? You didn't mention her in your letter."

"Coincidence," she said. "We met on the way here, and am glad we did. How would you like to join us on a hunt?"

"The same hunt that Mawi is on?"

"No idea." Zoraya replied.

"Have you found the trail?"

"She is in Omashu."

Feng looked puzzled. "She?"

"Some rich girl who ran away from home."

"Oh. And you need me because?"

"I don't need you. But I do want your help. Are you in or not?"

"If her trail leads outside the city then I won't be able to help."

"Why not?"

"My wife is going to kill me. Normally I tell her before I go hunting. The last time I went hunting without informing her -"

"Oh I remember," said Taru. "She knocked you out cold with a frying pan." He burst with laughter. Zoraya couldn't hold it in and eventually she too begun to laugh. Feng just lay down on the couch, and covered his head with his cloak in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.

The next morning, Feng wrote a letter to his wife and left it with the Tavern Keeper. He trusted him to get it to her as soon as possible.

Even though Zoraya had stated that her target, Kiki, was in Omashu, she still didn't know where exactly she would find her. Luckily for her ,she had met Taru and Feng, who had contacts within the city in high places and low places respectively. By noon they had found the lodge she was staying at. They carried out their reconnaissance and agreed on capturing their target in the evening. For now Feng and Taru would get some rest and be back at the lodge before the sun would have set. Zoraya remained nearby just in case Kiki had plans of leaving.

Later that evening the team regrouped and got an update on their mission.

"Things look easy enough, " Zoraya said. "Kiki just arrived and went up to her room. We can use the back to sneak her out of here after we put her to sleep and I have informed the owner of what we will be doing. We can expect his full cooperation. We ready?"

They all nodded and proceeded to Kiki's room when the sun had just set. Once inside, they found signs of a struggle, or a robbery but whatever the case, Kiki was not in her room. Taru spotted a figure out in the back that looked like it was carrying a sack. They rushed out and were greeted by a familiar face. A face that none of them would have wanted to see.

Looking at Feng, Mawi said, "I should have known you would be here with them."