17 Uninvited

In the midst of darkness, Thorian traveled to the nearest and easiest island to initiate interaction; this island is known as the home of the Avatar.

The area that later became known as Kyoshi Island was a peninsula whose most prominent settlement was Yokoya.

This village was a poverty-stricken community of farmers and fishermen whose harsh lives were marked by monotonous work and an obstinate sense of xenophobic pride. The peninsula lacked any economic or strategic importance.

It was generally avoided by merchant ships due to the prevailing winds and currents of the nearby Whale Tail Strait. Consequently, the government of the Earth Kingdom had no interest in governing the area.

The people of Yokoya, therefore, lived in relative isolation, except for occasional contact with the city of Qinchao or an occasional traveler.

During the time of Avatar Kyoshi, a warlord known as Chin the Great conquered almost all of the Earth Kingdom with his armies, except for Ba Sing Se and Yokoya. When the warlord marched with his army toward the neck of the peninsula in 270 AG, Avatar Kyoshi avoided a battle and managed to keep her people safe from the invasion. Using a combination of different control techniques to separate her peninsula from the rest of the continent to form Kyoshi Island.

After Kyoshi's death, the island remained closely associated with her in popular memory, and some people mistakenly believed she was born there.

As the island had no significant military advantage and was home to a few Earthbenders, the region was not attacked at all during the early and middle stages of the war. That's why Thorian had chosen this island, which was very distant from the South Pole and was perfect for them to be offered food that cannot be found in other places where extreme cold abounds.

But assuming this alliance would be a great disadvantage in the minds of those who lead the island simply because they would be involved in the war they have been avoiding for all these years.

Still, Thorian was confident that his current forces could stand up to those of the Fire Nation, and very soon, when they expelled the invaders, they would take control of the sea to the south to keep the enemy at bay.

Boom!

Thorian landed in front of the statue of the warrior woman that was in the rear area of the island, then he patted Doki to move away and stay out of sight of these people, who should now remain alert.

If this place was as special as he had been told, the warriors would find him first, so he decided to sit down and light a fire.

Watching as the blue flames made contact with the wet wood, they changed to an orange tone, and in no time, the bonfire was fully lit.

Minutes passed, and Thorian was just sitting in front of the bonfire when he heard some sounds around him. "It's a very cold night; don't you want to come and join me?"

With no response, Thorian stood up and raised his hands to signal that he did not want to cause trouble. With a flick of his hand, the bonfire went out, and through the moonlight, he could be seen by the people around him.

The inhabitants of the island had no intention of receiving unwanted attention, and as a result, they were often hostile towards foreigners, fearing spies from the Fire Nation.

Perhaps it wasn't very clever to light a bonfire. How could someone light up that wet wood? Obviously, those who had come were more alert than ever.

"I am not your enemy, but I demand a meeting with the leader of this village as soon as possible," Thorian said, losing a little patience.

But at that moment, a type of rope shot out of the darkness, wrapping around his hands and feet. Faced with this sudden attack, Thorian showed no response; he stood still in the same place.

"We will decide that you have invaded prohibited territory." A female voice was heard behind Thorian, who immediately neutralized him.

Looking at the women who were known as the Kyoshi Warriors, Thorian showed no hostility and said, "If I were your enemy, I would have attacked you a long time ago. Look at my clothes, and you'll understand where I come from. I am the supreme leader of the Southern Water Nation; I come for important negotiations involving your island."

"We are not involved in the war!"

Thorian looked at the woman in front of him and asked, "Are you so sure about that? It's time for you to get involved a little in the war you've been avoiding out of fear; this is not an option but your obligation."

"It seems he's telling the truth; what do we do?" One of the Kyoshi Warriors looked at the young woman, who glared at Thorian.

"Show us; if you're from the Water Tribes, you should know waterbending." The girl named Suki did not lower her guard for a single moment.

Thorian simply calmed his breathing, and with a single movement of his fingers, the ground began to freeze rapidly, trapping the Kyoshi Warriors who tried to free themselves from this attack.

"If you were my enemies, you'd be dead before realizing your island was being invaded, so we should treat each other as mere strangers."

Suki, who realized that Thorian could not belong to the Fire Nation, lowered her guard, nodded, and said, "We will take you to our leader."

Upon hearing these words, Thorian nodded, moved his hand again, and the ice covering the feet of the Kyoshi Warriors disappeared completely.

When released, Thorian smiled slightly, waiting for these women to lead the way. "I'll stay close..."

"Watch your step." Suki, who seemed to be the leader, walked ahead, and Thorian followed closely, holding his sword.

On the dark path, Thorian could notice many movements in the alleys, so he said, "I apologize for the unwelcome visit; I could only come at night to avoid getting you into trouble. By the way, since you seem to be the leader of the warriors, what's your name?"

Suki stopped, turned her head, looked at Thorian, and said, "Suki, now follow me without speaking."

She was not in the mood; for a moment, she thought he was a spy from the Fire Nation, but it seems that was not the case, so it was a false alarm.

She still didn't know what someone like him's intentions were on this island, but if it involves a war that hasn't ended yet, that means there will be many problems.

Plus, she was annoyed by how Thorian called them cowards for not participating in the war where thousands have died.

"Wait here!" Suki did not turn around to see what Thorian thought; she entered a cabin that seemed to be the meeting place, and after a few minutes, she opened the door.

Thorian, with a calm look, admired the detail of the makeup these women used and marveled, wondering how long it took them to remove that stuff from their faces.