Why Put Off Tomorrow What You'll Never Do Today? [Rin/Ryo]

Nakkoa puffed out a breath into the crisp air and gripped the edge of the bridge. The ice railing cracked a bit under her gloved grip and she cursed inwardly, mending the damage instantaneously. Without hesitation she hoisted herself up over the railing and plummeted toward the icy river below. She narrowly missed a random gondola as it floated by and quickly conjured an ice board, shouting a sorry and taking off in a hoot of laughter.

"You're crazy you know that KoKo?" Yakuna chided, appearing around another bend and catching up with her, "The council will have your head if you mess up another bridge again!"
Both girls let out a whoop before propelling themselves forward, dodging gondolas at every turn. Nakkoa spared a glance in Yakuna's direction and ignored her long ponytail as it slapped her in the face.

"Ah the council's nothing but a bunch of stuffed shirts. 'Sides, our platoon is off duty for the rest of this week while Ahanu and his are off on EK business. It's been too long since I've bent some good ol' ice and snow. You know you guys' have missed me! WAHOO!" The waterbender shot around a corner and brought up a modest sized waved of water. She and Yakuna bounced off of it and used the momentum to sail over another upcoming bridge. The passersby ducked below them and shouted angrily after their rapidly retreating silhouettes. Nakkoa, as always, paid them no mind and kept going.

"Whatever you say nutball," Yakuna murmured once they came to a stop. They clambered onto the snowy steps of a random icebank on the south end and pulled themselves up. Nakkoa plopped down on the snow and bent the water back into the river, her heavy pants echoing Yakuna's. For a split second, both girls stared at one another before giving way to laughter.

"C'mon Kuna admit it, you KNOW I'm the only one who can give you a run for your boomerang in ice-surfing...admit it!"

"Well," Yakuna drawled playfully, "I dunno.....Ahanu's starting to pick up some skill. He's gotten good while you were away. Maybe when you guys are are on leave at the same time we can all have a race."

Nakkoa sat up in a lotus position and raised a quizzical eyebrow, "Ahanu? Good at ice-surf? This I have to see; maybe. But I'm only here for a few weeks before I have to leave for the frontlines against."

Now it was Yakuna's turn to sit up, "What?? Again?? For what?"
"Something about rebels in Omashu, nothing we can't handle. It's fine. Especially with the best waterbender in the world!" Nakkoa gave a fist pump and flashed her best friend a cheeky grin, only to gain an eye roll.

"Don't give me that you hogmonkey," She grabbed a snowball and packed it into her hands, "Before I give you something to roll your eyes about."

"And just what're you going to do KoKo?" Yakuna supplied, packing her own snowball.

Nakkoa's lips split into a smirk and she chucked the snowball, "This." The snowball spiraled out of her hands and propelled itself in Yakuna's direction. The latter girl ducked below the ball and rolled out of the way, but not before training her eyes on the renegade snowball. It soared through the crisp winter air and into the throngs of the marketplace. It landed with a loud splat!

They eyed eachother warily.

"You didn't.....you didn't hit anybody did you?"
"You really wanna stick around to find out?"

Rin was strolling down the icy streets, her body finally ajusting to the cold of the NWT. Growing up in the fire nation, she could only stand exetreme heat, not freezing cold. The first day she arrived, her white teeth had been chattering constantly, her fingertips nearly blue. Even with her abnormal heat the radiated from her as it did all fire benders, the cold, harsh wind of the northern water tribe was enough to make the firelord shiver.

Continueing down the frozen walkway, she shivered as the breeze blew back her ebony hair, tickling her neak. crossing her arms and deciding to walk alittle faster in atempt to get warm. Maybe she should go find Rengshi or Yasu? Rin was dying of boredom and in desperate need of fun.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't see the ball of snow flying towards her, untill it hit her square in the forehead, pushing her back into the snow. She sat up, face red in anger, her skin growing hot, so hot infact, the snow ball melted into water and dripped down her face. With her amber eyes a blaze, she yelled "Who threw that?!?"

Yakuna slapped a hand over her mouth and stifled a laugh. Nakkoa bit her lip and fought the urge to burst out laughing, only to snort in an unlady-like manner instead. The crowd began parting like the red sea at the random roar of anger, giving them a good look at who they'd offended. She was a ways off, but Nakkoa could tell that it was indeed a girl and that she was rightfully incensed. This would not end well.

"Good job KoKo," Yakuna chimed and shook her head, "First day back and you're already causing trouble."

Nakkoa rubbed the back of her head and laughed sheepishly, "Whatever. C'mon let's go help her up." Nakkoa set foot on the icy banks and traipsed over to the bustling crowds of the market place. She would've weaved through the people, but upon seeing who she was majority of them parted to make her pathway clear.

"Nakkoa!," A six year old piped and stood at attention, "Warrior Tama reporting for duty sir!"

Nakkoa ignored Tama's bastardization of her gender and ruffled his wolftail, "At ease warrior. Hey! You've gotten bigger shortman!" Tama beamed up at the older waterbender and nodded his head in earnest. "Uh-huh, and I start Sifu Hakano's classes tomorrow!"

Nakkoa could feel Yakuna tugging on the sleeve of her parka, but she smiled regardless, "Really? Good for you short stop! I'll have to drop by and see your moves someday. Better yet," She dropped down to Tama's level and leaned into his ear, "I'll show you some super cool moves that'll put you at the top of your grade. How's that sound kiddo?"

"Awesome!" Tama wrapped his arms around Nakkoa's neck and grinned. The warrior chuckled and looked over at Yakuna. Her bestfriend merely shook her head and inclined it in the girl's direction, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Nakkoa sweatdropped, "Right!" With Tama still attached to her neck, the duo sauntered over to the fallen girl. As she got closer, Nakkoa realized that she was not in fact from the water tribes. Her skin was of porcelain and her hair was the color of lizard-ravens. What's more, her eyes were a molten gold and currently boring holes into her bright turquoises. Tama poked his head around Nakkoa's shoulder and peered at the foreigner curiously,

"Is she an albino?"
"Tama!" Yakuna hissed.

"No, she's....not from around here I think." Nakkoa offered the girl a quick smile and stretched out her hand, "Really sorry about that. My best friend and I were horsing around, I was the one who hit you; You're not hurt are you?" She briefly noted that the snow around the stranger was turning into a slight puddle, and, instantaneously froze it over with a subtle flick of her wrist.

'Firebender huh? Tama doesn;t need to know that, and it;s best if he doesn't find out.'

Rin was furious at being hit with a snow ball, in the distance, she saw a pair f youths laughing, looking in Rin's direction. Well, at least she knew who through the death ball of snow at her.

The people approtched Rin, one offereing her hand to help her up. Rin of course, refused, she wasn't being disrespectful, she just hated help.

"Really sorry about that. My best friend and I were horsing around, I was the one who hit you; You're not hurt are you?" Rin got up, brushed herself of and smiled weakly "Nah, I'm fine..."

Rin held out her hand for the girl who had hit her with the snow ball, for her to shake. "I'm Rin, I haven't been around here very long...can you piont me in the direction of the blue palace?"

Nakkoa retracted her hand when the girl just left it hanging in the air. 'Well so much for friendly gestures.' She thought lamely and folded her arms across her chest. 'Not like this chick knows she just committed a cultural blunder anyway.' Nakkoa turned to look at Tama and smiled at him briefly before setting him down. The six year old looped his hand in hers and eyed the new girl curiously, his mouth slightly slack and his wolf tail flowing in the winter wind.

"What kind name is Rin?"

Nakkoa doinked him on the head and Yakuna looked at him disapprovingly, "Tama!"
The six year old puffed his cheeks out and blushed a little, "What'd I do?"
He was doinked on the head again,"You don't just go around saying that kiddo. You just don't." Nakkoa smoothed a few stray chocolate strands from his face and he squirmed from her "motherly" contact. Not to be outdone, he puffed his chest out and eyed both waterbenders defiantly.

"But it's weird."

"That's it!" Nakkoa hooked her arms under Tama's tiny shoulders before Yakuna could grab him. He let out a startled yelp as he was effortlessly hoisted in the air and thrown over her shoulder, his butt facing them and his legs flailing.

"Koaaaaaaa! Put me doooooooown!"
"No."

Yakuna sweatdropped and shook the girl's hand in place of her bestfriend, "Rin? That's a pretty name, from....the um Caldera right?" Her eyes slid from the three of them to Tama who was still flailing and waving his tiny fists around.

"I'm Yakuna!"

Nakkoa continued to ignore the little monster and went to shake Rin's hand in a traditional way, by gently grabbing for her elbow. "What Kuna said. I'm Nakkoa by the way and this little booger here is Tama. You'll have to excuse him, he's a lil' reckless withhis mouth sometimes."

"Nuh-unh!"

When Rin opened her mouth for the second time, both Yakuna and Nakkoa exchanged confused expressions. "The Blue Palace....?"
Nakkoa frowned slightly, 'Why in the world does this woman want to go to my house?' She gripped Tama's legs to keep him still and regarded the girl carefully, one could never be too cautious.

"I would be more than happy too; However I am under jurisdiction to ask you why it is that you need to venture to the Blue Palace. As I am assuming you seek an audience with the Chief?" 'Who is my cousin.' People ever rarely sought out the Palace for social visits and usually came for either an audience or for War Meetings regarding the rest of the world....Nakkoa included, despite the fact that she lived there. So, unless this young woman was part of the war council of the Fire Nation or a soldier she'd technically be at the bottom of the roster. However it was unlike her uncle or cousin to refuse an audience anyway, whatever the issues.

Still, she had to take precautions.

Rin was trying not to laugh at the little pack of water benders infront of her. The little boy Tama reminded her of her brother, Ryo, who was currently serving in the fire nation army as a foot soilder.

"I would be more than happy too; However I am under jurisdiction to ask you why it is that you need to venture to the Blue Palace. As I am assuming you seek an audience with the Chief?"

Rin bit her lip to stop herself from giggling, before returning to her serious expression when the to girls introduced themselves. "It's fine, remind me of my big bro!"

Rin blushed and nodded at the girl named Nakkoa, clearly embarresed. "Well, yea...I was on my way to apoligise to him on behalf of my travel partener. He tried to pic a fight with Kanoei the other day." She said, her usually proud voice was softer than normal.

Nakkoa exchanged a glance with Yakuna that was indecipherable. The latter gave a curt nod and stretched her arms out, shifting as Tama was carefully put into her grasp. The moment the boy was transferred from Nakkoa was the moment he stopped flailing, instead watching her with bewildered eyes. The older bender's eyes were laced with kindness when she gave him a firm nod and, he returned the gesture with a salute.

"Yakuna, would you mind taking him back to the orphanage?"
Yakuna adjusted the tiny boy against her hip and nodded, "Sure. Meet up later?"

"Yea," Nakkoa stuck her tongue out at her and winked at Tama, "Definitely so I can kick your butt in ice surf!" She clenched her fist while her eyes twinkled impishly, sliding from Yakuna to Tama and back to Rin. Nakkoa moved to pat little Tama on his head and poked him in one of his dimples.

"Alright you, no funny business when you get home, kay?"
"Okaaaaay."
"And you'd better eat all your sea prunes."
"Yeeeeeeea Koa."
"And,"She grinned cheekily at him and poked him in the dimple again, chuckling when he giggled, "Kuna and I are gonna drop by later. I've got a surprise for you and the rest of you little boogers."

Tama's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, "Really?!"
"OH yea," Nakkoa supplied, smug, "Straight from the Earth Kingdom, so spread the word."

"Nakkoa...."Yakuna warned.
"OH BOY! Yahoo! Is Rin coming too?!"
Yakuna and Nakkoa both sweat-dropped and glanced back at Rin, "Dunno, I'll ask her and see what she says. But right now Captain Koa has to attend to some business. So! Off with ya little soldier! Haha see ya Kuna!"

"Aye aye Cap'un!" Tama piped and gave her another salute, accidentlly slapping himself in the forehead. Yakuna merely nodded and trotted off in the opposite direction, with Tama babbling excitedly as they disappeared in the crowd.

Once they were out of sight, Nakkoa rounded on Rin without hesitation,"So! Rin right? You knew around here I take it? Vacationing and what not I suppose?" She inclined her head toward a snowy alleyway and gestured for Rin to follow her. She founded an icy set of stairs that wound upwards and began her ascent into the upper part of the city.

"Don't know if the Chief's in town or not, but I'll take you to him anyway. My cousin has a knack for not being around when crap goes down,, well either that or he's always in the middle of trouble." 'Like you're one to talk.'

She reached the top of the winding stairs and traipsed out onto a bustling street, packed with conversing people, vendors, and animals. Nakkoa narrowed her eyes against the sharp winds and scanned the crowd, a speck of black stood in large contrast a midst the sea of blues and whites.

"One question for you, you aren't afraid of beasts are you? Because if you are, this could be bad." Nakkoa cupped her hands over her mouth and let out a short, hard howl. She gained a response shortly afterward and watched as the black speck started to move. Fifteen seconds passed before the speck became larger, and ten seconds passed until a massive jet black wolf-lion barreled towards them. The beast galloped his way through the throngs with ease, dodging a moving vendor and heading straight for Rin.

Rin saw the wolf lion and, well, had a heart attack. Not because she was frightened, in truth, she was not that animal's biggest fan. The wolf lion bowled Rin over, and happyly licked her face, equally as excited to met Rin as Rin was to meet it.

"So cute!" Rin squealed like a little girl to her embarresment, and patted the animal on the head.

"Rin, did I just here you squeal?" A young man's voice said mockingly, the sound coming from behind Nakkoa.

ooOOoo

Ryu was standing on the frozen pathway, his gold eyes sparkling, his classic smug half smile on his lips. Ryu was tall, taller then most men, with dark ebony hair like Rin's. He had the posture of a soilder, his mucsular arms crossed over his cheast.

Rin's eyes widened and she stared at her soilder brother. She bounced up and ran over to Ryo, giving him a bone crushing hug.

"Ryo! you arse! why did you stop writing me!?! Ma and Pa were worried sick!"

Ryo laughed then looked down at his sister. "Sorry! sorry! I have been bussy!" He pushed his sister away, grinning, before noticing a young water tribe woman who was talking to Rin before.

Ryo shot Nakkoa a dashing half smile and said "Who's your friend Rin?".[i]

It was a reflex.

It was an in-born reflex that she normally had a hard time controlling.

Spending most of her time under the training of her grandfather, mother, and her instructors, her mentors did their best to try and curb her....rather proactive instincts. Usually it ended with the little waterbender breaking something as a child, and now breaking someone's collarbone as a young adult. In short, Nakkoa had the reflexes of a leopard eagle....

And she barely resisted the urge to punch the newcomer in the gut.

A chiding yip cleared the figurative blackout from her vision and she looked down. Kaira was sitting on his haunches and staring up at her curiously, his head tilted and his canine ears twitching in the breeze. He panted a bit before giving her his equivalent of a charming smile. Nakkoa rolled her eyes.

"Yea, yea I know, I'll feed you in a minute fluff butt." She bent down to run her hand through his thick, black mane and scratched ones of his ears. Kaira bared his fangs in contentment and leaned into her touch.

She stood and watched the exchange between the two Fire Nation with amusement,"Family reunion eh?" Nakkoa grinned cheekily and crossed her arms over her chest. She gave the newcomer a once over, blatantly ignoring the fact that his smile was Tui-awfully cute.

'Only guessing, but they look a lot like. Cousins maybe? Or maybe brother and sister I suppose? For the love of La....I'm going to need him to quit smiling like that.'

"Captain Nakkoa," She replied, extending a hand, "But nevermind all of that riff-raff stuff. Nakkoa's just fine, and you are?"

Kaira sat in the midst of the trio and slid his gaze from his master, to Rin, to the overly-friendly newcomer and back to his master again. He leaned next to Nakkoa's legs and eyes the young man warily, his tail thumping idly against the icy grounds.

Ryo's smile grew into a full dazzling grin, he held his hand out to Nakkoa to shake. "Private Ryo, ma'am, please to meet you, Nakkoa" He said, his voice smooth with a slight proud tone. Ryo couldn't help but think this captain was pretty damn good looking, and he wanted to make a good impression.

Rin giggled, then smirked at Ryo "He is also known as noodles..." she chimmed, nugding Ryo.

Ryo blushed a bright red and glared at his sister "Rin..." he hissed warningly. Why did she have to mention that god forsaken nickname? revenge, most likely. Ryo now avoided Nakkoa's eyes, his golden ones flickering across the icy landscape.

Rin laughed at her brother's embarresment. He maybe older, but he is always gonna be that little boy that would come home with black eyes everyday from getting into punch ups at school.

She shook the Private's hand lightly, careful not to accidentally crush him with her insane strength. His grip was firm, but not so much that it made her uncomfortable. On the contrary, a sort of jolt ricocheted from his touch to hers and flew up the vein of her arm, nestling somewhere where a lovesick poet would call a heart. The captain absent-mindedly shook her head and earned a quizzical groan from her companion beast. Nakkoa purposefully pushed that notion around until it buried under cobwebs and shrouded in deep shadow. She would not entertain the thought here.

Although she had to admit that she did find him attractive, but that was another story altogether.

"Likewise Ryo-san, the pleasure is all mine." She gave him a quick quirk of her lips and mentally slapped herself. 'The heck are you doing Nakkoa? You are on duty, stop fraternizing with the visitors!'

She cleared her throat awkwardly and scuffed her boots against the snow. "Private huh? Really?? What division are you in?" She clasped her hands behind her back and eyed them curiously. Nakkoa was an army brat her entire life, the military and the battle fronts always intrigued her. However aside from her crew there weren't many people she could actually exchange throws with as far as battle tactics and sparring. While her grandfather was indeed a Prime Minister to be revered, he was getting up in age. Her mother was constantly away on security duties, and Kano was just farting around doing who knows what.

So that just left her ragtag crews of friends back home, and though she loved them dearly, she really missed going over tactics and talking shop. Yakuna was a well enough waterbender, but Nakkoa would crush her if they were to actually spar. As far as Ahanu went, he was just a normal warrior, and after the last spar she knew he wasn't going to square against her anytime soon because he really cherished his collarbone.

The waterbender snorted and bit her lip, "Noodles?" Her lip quivered and she snorted in more air to resist laughing, instead she smirked at him cheekily, "So is Noodles you're first name or your last?"

Ryo was absolutly mortified by that damn nickname. He countinued to glare at Rin after shaking Nakkoa's hand, golden eyes burning. His face was still a bright red, most likely redder then the fire nation flag; from embarresment or anger, he didn't know. I mean really, noodles? that has to be the worse name ever. "err...well...I..." He began to answer Nakkoa's question on his division, suddenly finding his army boots very interesting. Gosh, this never happens, why is this so embarresing infront of Nakkoa? AND WHY IN THE AVATAR'S NAME AM I BLUSHING?!? He thought to himself, I mean, I can't even talk now! this has not happened before

Ryo quickly remembered that Nakkoa was an officer, and he needed to look her in the eyes when he was adressing her. Dispite his red face, he straightened his back and looked into her icy blue eyes. "I'm in the infantry divisions, I'm nothing special..." He laughed lightly, the colour red in his pale cheeks slightly fading. Woah, she has nice eyes...and a nice body...and A nice voice...and a WAIT! NO! STOP IT RIGHT NOW! Ryo cursed himself under his breath.

When Nakkoa asked about the name noodles again, he silently swore revenge on Rin. thanks for nothing, lil' sis. Ryo half smiled at Nakkoa again, trying to go along with the joke. "It is actually one of my first names..." He grinned and looked at Rin before leaning over and whispering to Nakkoa openly so Rin could see. "It is actually a family name." He winked at Nakkoa and smirked at Rin.

"Oh no! you are not trying to off load your goofy nickname on me, Noodles!" Rin said, crossing her arms firmly over her cheast. "Not on your life are you gonna try and get someone else to call me Noodles!"

Nakkoa frowned, waving his comment off. "Nonsense; every soldier counts. Do you think the stone that sits at the top of a mountain is more important than the ones that form the base?" She adjusted her posture so that she was facing him fully, feet firmly in the snow and her shoulders their usual relaxed instead of squared. Her cerulean eyes twinkled against the winter sun and she raised an eyebrow at him questioningly, her slight smile betraying her teasing. It was a common attitude among the new recruits in the marines, mostly in the lower ranks. 'Not hard for me to sympathize, because I used to feel the same way.' Her question was the same exact one the colonel would ask them when she'd first started out. And, now that she'd earned her own ship and crew, she used that same philosophy.

"Whatever you say Noodles clan." She winked and snapped her fingers. Kaira stood at immediate attention and gave a short bark. Wordlessly, Nakkoa extended her hand and waited as the wolf-lion turned to the side to reveal the modest travel pack that was saddled onto him. He jerked his head towards the pack and Nakkoa retrieved a small scroll. She tucked it firmly into her sash and looked back at the Ryo and Rin.

"Rin, I believe it's best we get a move on if we're going to catch the Chief in time so that your issue can take precedence. Private Ryo," Her eyes snapped over to him and she clasped her hands behind her back firmly, "I trust that you would wish to accompany Miss Rin as well? You are welcome to join us if you'd like." She turned away from the two of them and headed down the north end of the street. Kaira intercepted the two fire folk and bolted after his master, slowing down to a regal gait that mimicked her stoic posture.


The trek was a good fifteen minutes at best; through winding icy pathways and past the several marketing districts in the city. By now the grand palace was literally in view of their fingertips, surrounded by massive walls conjured of hard snow. In the center of each wall lay the crest of the Aowaka clan, as were several imperial guards stationed near the gates. Nakkoa traipsed over to the guards and they exchanged the customary Water Tribe bow.

"Captain Nakkoa, we've heard tale of your return to the city. Glad to have the Wolf's Fang amongst her brethren again." One of the guards, Sarook, said.
Nakkoa nodded curtly and winked, "Couldn't stay away from the home front too long now could I? I'm actually here as an escort on behalf of these two in my company. The young lady here wishes for an audience with Chieftain Kanoei."

Pahana, another guard, gestured his spear towards the grand steps and nodded, "You are very fortunate Wolf Fang, for he's just returned from the eastern port of the city and should be in the throne room of the palace."

Nakkoa's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "Eastern port? As in, the port I last docked?"

"Ahem....er...yes Captain."

Nakkoa stiffened and nodded in thanks, "Right. Thanks. Follow me Miss Rin, Private Ryo." The waterbender darted up the steps of the palace and lead them through its massive double doors. Kaira bounded down the hallway before them and disappeared around a corner. He returned shortly with a sharp hoot and pointed with his muzzle.

"Good boy Kaira." Nakkoa motioned for Ryo and Rin to remain in step with her and came to the engraved doors of the throne room. Entering into a stance, Nakkoa bent the icy doors open until they melded into the palace walls. Kaira appeared by her side and gave another deep yip.

"Alright, just step through here if you will?"

Kano marched through the Throne Hall furiously, a half dozen officers following along in his wake. He looked absolutely venomous about something. Just what became apparent around when he and his company reached the vicinity of the Icy Throne itself.

"My lord, I--"

"NO, COMMANDER KELOA!" Kanoei roared, turning on his heel. "NOT ANOTHER WORD!"

Keloa and the other officers stopped dead, amazed, apparently, at his fury. He had good reason. They had just sent orders to sacrifice a minor fleet in the south of the Central Sea to draw away a pair of Fire Nation fleets from the southern islands located in those waters. The idea had been to allow a sub to sneak into the island vicinity and deploy agents to retrieve Fire Nation orders from the base there. It was a longshot and it was going to cost many Water Tribesmen their lives.

"You acted without my approval!" Kano said angrily, advancing on Keloa slowly. "You acted and now someone else's sons and daughters are going to pay for your foolishness. You should never have done that!"

"My lord, we must make the tough decisions. Those documents could save thousands of lives!"

"Perhaps. But I have a guarantee in all this." Kano said, narrowing his eyes. "Regardless of how many lives this information might save, we are certain to loose hundreds to earn it. That was not a choice for you to make! That was mine. The Northern Water Tribe follows Kanoei, not Keloa!"

"We--"

"Guards!" Kano roared, turning away. In mere seconds, a dozen or more elite guards appeared out of nowhere. "Take this idiot away! I never want to see him again!"

The guards bowed at his command and seized Keloa, who was spluttering in disbelief as they dragged him off. They would put him in the dungeon of the palace until Kanoei could make a decision on his ultimate fate.

Kanoei collapsed into the throne for a moment.

"Do any of you argue my decision?" he asked, looking around at the officers briefly. "Speak. You will not be punished."

"No, my lord." said Captain Klargith, the commander of the Seawolf and the most senior of the officers present.

"Very well." Kano said, rising once more. "Then I want a message sent immediately. I want this maneuver canceled forthwith. All ships are to disregard Commander Keloa's orders. Understood?"

"Perfectly." Klargith nodded.

Kano sighed as they disappeared into the western wing of the palace, to the command center where the seals needed to validate orders were kept. When they disappeared from view, he collapsed onto the step at the base of the platform upon which the throne sat and leaned back against the side of the lavishly carved chair of ice, closing his eyes. He hoped beyond all hope that the orders reached them in time.