[Ba Sing Se Palace] Ode to the King (private)

The former Kyoshi Warrior strode confidently off of the train and onto the platform in the Upper Ring. She stopped short as a strange woman with a broad smile appeared suddenly. “Hello! I am Joo Dee. You must be the representative from Kyoshi! I have been given the honor of showing you and your guests to your new home here. Welcome to Ba Sing Se!” Daiyu gave the woman a puzzled look, “What do you mean by my new home? I thought I would see the General today.” Joo Dee’s smile was unnerving to the warrior who wasn’t accustomed to dishonest women. “The General will be available to see you next week. He is a very busy man. We have a beautiful apartment here in the Upper Ring for you to stay in until then. Please follow me.” Daiyu was discouraged. She had hoped to get her meeting over with and head home quickly.

“Oh! I almost forgot.” Joo Dee handed Daiyu a thick piece of paper. It was an invitation to a party at the palace later that night. It said she could bring two guests with her. She couldn’t help but be a little excited. She had never been to a big city before and now she had been invited to a fancy party for the Earth King himself! She looked down at her muddy armored kimono. She considered going into one of the shops nearby to get a proper gown, but she knew she couldn’t afford it. She would have to get to the apartment and wash up before the party. She re-read the invitation, “Two guests”. Daiyu turned to the others, “Kenzan, Ren Wu, Look at this! Would you like to go to a party at the palace?”

The murmuring of excited voices in the hall ahead was like the gurgling of a stream to Lee’s ears. He couldn’t make out any individual voices, but he longed to know what they were talking about. Perhaps they spoke of the King who had failed them. Silence fell over the hall as he was carried into the large room. The corners of the box were illuminated by the brightly lit chandeliers which were hanging low from the high ceilings. He peeked through the crack in the silk curtain and noticed the room was filled with long tables covered in a magnificent feast. At least a hundred guests were dressed in their finest party clothes. He could see many powerful men wearing tightly buttoned silk shirts and beautiful women dressed in flowing silk hanboks or body hugging cheongsams watching him with their heads inclined as a sign of respect. He also noticed a young brunette watching from near the back of the room.

The palanquin stopped only for a moment to allow the guests a brief view of their host before they continued on to a back room at the end of the hall. Lee knew it would be considered indecent for him to eat with everyone else but he couldn’t help but feel disappointed as they exited the room. He would be allowed to return to the hall after the feast. That is when the entertainment and dancing would begin. When the curtains were pulled open he found himself in a smaller chamber.

He stood, climbing down from his portable throne, and walked to a table in the center. His favorite meal, boar-q-pine ribs and watermelon, was laid out on a white cloth along with a small feast that would be wasted on one person. The King’s stomach growled and in the harsh candle light one could appreciate the dark shadows caused by his sunken features. Lee sat in a carved wooden chair before looking around. His voice was steady and strong, “Bring up another chair for Kailì.” One of the Dai Li who had carried him in scrambled off to find a chair as the old guard stepped forward, “Thank you Your Majesty, I’m famished.” The agent arrived with the chair and Lee gestured towards it. Kailì sat down next to the King.

The food smelled delicious but as he brought the first bite towards his lips he noticed Kailì wasn’t eating. Instead his companion’s eyes darted from one guard to another. Lee looked up with a grim expression and noticed several Dai Li staring at him intently. His appetite disappeared as he wondered if the food might be drugged. Did the Dai Li worry about him making a scene at the party? He didn’t want to take any chances. He needed something to distract the guards so he could avoid eating the food set before him.

“Joo Dee!” he called. The woman came rushing forward cheerfully. “Was that woman near the door the famous vocalist I heard about?” Joo Dee’s smile broadened, “Yes Your Majesty. That was Yi Yun-Uk.” The Earth King nodded, “I need entertainment. Bring her here to sing for me.” Joo Dee’s smile faded a little. “Your Majesty, Yi Yun-Uk is here to entertain your guests, she will sing after dinner.” Lee was on his feet shouting, “I am King of this city and she will sing for me now!” Joo Dee fled the room quickly, heading off to find the young performer.

The silence that fell over the main hall from the entrance of the guard-carried box was astounding. Everyone, from the nobles and various other important guests down to the handful of troupe members who accompanied him stilled, watching the gama with mixed reactions. Olive eyes flitted from each face he could see from where he stood: shock, curiosity, wonder (from the troupe members). No one spoke, only watching as the guards carried the throne into another room. There were many customs of the upperclass that even he didn't understand, despite growing up with his grandmother, despite the hundreds of plays put on that included nobles and royalty. He chose not to wrap his mind around it, however. He didn't need to be distracted while on duty.

As the guards and the king disappeared into the back room, quiet murmurs erupted in the hall. The other guests made their way to the feast spread out on the tables, finding their seats while the hushed murmuring turned into casual conversations. The last to sit down were the troupe members, most of which shuffled around while allowing the higher class guests to find their places first. Yun-Uk, however, remained by the door, uncertain of what he should do. His eyes made contact with the dark eyes of his leader, and the older man beckoned for him to take the seat next to him.

The brunet could only take one step before someone appeared before him, sneaking up on him and causing him to freeze. He quietly listened to the woman with the frightening smile, slowly nodding once before allowing himself to be guided to the back room that the king and his men had disappeared to. He cast one last look over his shoulder, earning a reassuring nod from his troupe leader and a couple of thumbs up from the other troupe members. Glancing around the room once he was inside, he took in quick observations, such as the empty chair and the guards, before focusing his attention on the king. With his hands sheathed in his sleeves across his chest, Yun-Uk lowered the upper portion of his body, bowing to the king out of respect and greeting. "You wished to see me, your Majesty?" He was not prepared for this one bit, but he was not about to let that show.