Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The four nations lived together in harmony. Then, just months ago, the Fire Nation launched devastating attacks on each of the other nations during the Great Comet's passing. They landed on the western shores of the Earth Kingdom, seemingly picking up where they had left off during the late Avatar Roku's life. The Air Avatar was nowhere to be seen, and the Air Nomads have disappeared, too. Rumour has it that the Fire Nation managed to destroy the air temples and massacre all their inhabitants in a single night. Many have fled the warzones, banding together to form caravans for safety in numbers as they seek greener -- and unburnt -- pastures. It is during this great eastward migration that this story of loss, love, and sanctuary takes place.
The afternoon sun filters through the thick canopy overhead as you sit atop your trusty ostrich-horse companion, moving along the wide path with a large group of travelers, all heading the same direction. You've been traveling overland for weeks now, beginning from the far western point of the continent and just now approaching the south end of the East Lake. It's been an arduous journey, but the safety of Ba Sing Se is now within reach.
A sizeable settlement sits in a large clearing within the forest, signaling your arrival at your final stop: Yatir Town. An elderly man, the leader of the caravan, makes a loud announcement as he disembarks from his cart.
"Listen up, everyone! We're going to stay here for the night. Eat, rest, and get ready. Tomorrow morning, we head north through the mountain pass and board the ferry to Ba Sing Se. Remember, tomorrow morning! We won't wait for stragglers."
As you water your ostrich horse at a nearby stream, you take note of the near-empty saddlebags and decide to head into town to purchase some supplies for the 3-day ferry ride. You follow the sounds of commerce and eventually come upon a bazaar in the main road, large and lively. Manning many of the stalls are folk clad head to toe in dusty linens -- people of the Si Wong tribes, known collectively as sandbenders by outsiders -- peddling essential goods. No surprise to see them here, the Si Wong Desert begins just an hours' walk from here. You scan the scene and spy a fruit stall, obscured almost completely by fellow hungry travelers. Amidst the bustling activity, your gaze gravitates to the fruit seller: a slender, shapely lady with a sweet face, adorned in clean desert linens loosely draped over her head and body. Your presence draws her attention, and she momentarily meets your gaze, snapping out of her reverie as you draw nearer. She diligently closes fruit sales with the crowd at a practiced pace just in time for your arrival. It's just the two of you now.
The lady grabs a strange-looking pink fruit and makes her pitch.
"Hello, traveler! If you're looking for juicy fruit for the ferry ride, I recommend this dragonfruit. It's rare to have these in season, so it's a good chance to try it if you haven't yet."
Delicately, she brushes a lock of black hair behind her ear, unveiling more of her sun-kissed complexion. Her eyes, a soft lilac hue, are alight with anticipation.