Chapter 48: Adamu

One week later...

River's death seemed to be a great loss to The Bending Tower. Almost every animal living there seemed upset about it, except for some of the younger ones (like Liberty), who didn't actually know River all that well. The animal most upset, though, was none other than River's own mate, Diamond. She had been so grief-stricken that she felt as though she couldn't carry on and retired to the elders.
Although Liberty was sure Ash only did it to distract The Bending Tower from River's death, Wyki, Mirage and Sirius were made apprentices. As all of the young always appeared to be, they were extremely excited about it but all went their separate ways with choosing what Bending skill they desired. Mirage took on Earthbending training, Sirius chose Waterbending, and Wyki decided to try out Airbending.
And, much to Liberty's annoyance, Bracken was still acting strange. This was confusing everyone greatly, yet Bracken was allowed to stick around. But every time someone asked about the group's whereabouts, Bracken would either try to hurt them, or say something unintelligible. Because of this, everyone gave up trying to talk to the young bobcat.
Today, Liberty was heading out into the forest with Twister, Sirius, Darner, Twig, Ryker, Stone and Ekaj. Twister hadn't been specific about what'd they'd be doing for training, so Liberty wasn't quite sure as to what was going on.
"Is your tail feeling better?" Ekaj asked as the group walked through the forest.
"Sorta," responded Liberty.
Ekaj examined Liberty's tail. "When is the cast coming off?"
"Dunno."
They kept walking until Darner - the leader of the patrol - stopped and turned to face all of them. "I apologize, but you probably won't get much action today."
"Unless there's another earthquake," Ryker pointed out.
"Oh Lifebreeze, there'd better not be," muttered Twig.
"We need to educate you on the land around you. If we don't, how can we expect you to be able to hold a conversation? Because if some animal brings up the Earth Kingdom or the Peacebenders, you can't respond properly if you don't know about them," Darner explained.
"Wait, so passing our apprentice test relies on us knowing everything there is to know?" Sirius blurted out.
"Yep," Stone mumbled. "Rather stupid, but there is a point to it."
"I wanted to learn how to do Bending. Or fighting," Sirius insisted.
"You will eventually," Darner promised the young wolf. "Now first I'll explain to you the locations of the land we live on."
Ryker yawned purposefully.
"Aren't you polite," sniffed Sirius.
"Hey, this is boring," insisted Ryker.
"To the north of The Bending Tower, the first group of animals you'll stumble across," began Darner, "is the Tribe of Flying Birds. They're wolves who don't know Bending, and they don't like to mingle with Benders either. They, however, hate the Fire Nation, and refer to them as the Tribe of Fire. Because of this they assisted us in the fight against the Firebenders."
"Can't we cover the Fire Nation fight instead?" protested Ryker.
"That's another time," Darner replied. "So their current leader is a she-wolf named Treebranch. She was mates with Flyingbird, who ran off to join the Fire Nation. However, from what I understand, Treebranch became angry at her mate's betrayal and killed him."
"Wow," said Sirius.
"Anyways, further from the Tribe of Flying Birds is none other than the Water Tribe, also known as the place I was born and raised. I can tell you a lot about that place. It's in an icy climate, and right next to Mt. Upepo. Their leader was a hawk named Waterstreak. Very kind and intelligent bird. However, when the Firebenders took over his nephew, Firetalon, attempted to kill him. Waterstreak was under so much stress and fear that it kind of took over his mind and he refused to talk. Waterstreak died of starvation, and his second-in-command, Bluefall, took over the position as leader. They came along late to help the Fire Nation and they managed to help us take down the Firebenders. They were also the first place to be conquered by the Firebenders in the beginnings of the Fire Nation's control," Darner said.
Liberty's head was buzzing with new information. They expect us to memorize this? she thought to herself in frustration.
"At the very edge of the land, surrounded by foliage despite being next to a desert, is the Earth Kingdom," Darner continued. "The Earth Kingdom is the most populated place in the land, next to the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation kept most of their control over it and plenty of animals grew loyal to them, including their leader, a cougar named Dusk. Dusk however, died when the Earth Kingdom fled the Firebenders in an earthquake." The raccoon then turned to Ryker. "Your mother can tell you all about the Earth Kingdom. She was raised there."
"Yeah," Ryker nodded.
"Now, to the..." Darner thought for a moment, then said, "east of the Earth Kingdom is the Air Temples. The Air Temples are full of - you guessed it - Airbenders. But they're quite unlike us. The Airbenders there refuse to fight and instead spend their day meditating."
"Laaaame," sang Ryker.
"Hey, that's their way of life," Sirius insisted.
"A lame way of life," retorted Ryker.
"Continue, Darner," growled Stone, glaring at Ryker.
"Their leader is a fox named Meteor. Since the Air Temples are kind of...cut off, I guess, from the rest of us, we don't know much about them currently. As far as I know, Meteor is still their leader," Darner nodded. "Now, the Fire--"
Suddenly, the bushes rustled. Everyone turned towards them and Liberty watched as a deer-like creature came through. He had black horns and dark, creamy fur, with a white underbelly and muzzle. "You gotta help me," he insisted. "These earthquakes, and the Bending--"
"Tell me who you are right now. I won't hesitate to kill you," promised Stone with a growl.
"Peace, Stone," insisted Darner. He turned towards the ungulate. "Who are you?"
"Adamu," the ungulate replied. "I've been traveling ever since I can remember, but it's difficult these days. What with all these problems with the world. So I need you to take me in."
"Why do loners always seek us out?" hissed Stone in frustration.
"I thought you Bending Tower types were supposed to take in loners gratefully," sniffed Adamu.
"Not all of the time," Stone replied through gritted teeth.
"Of course we'll take you in," Darner stepped up to his mate's side, throwing her a look. "We have a travelers' room and everything."
"Well, can you still do Bending here? I hope so."
As Adamu walked off for The Bending Tower, the group exchanged looks. What does he mean? Liberty wondered.

Author's Note:
Short and lame chapter, I know. ^^;
Please check out my new stories if you haven't already. Thank chu. :3

QOTD: What is your favorite place in the land?
AOTD: I personally loved the Earth Kingdom.