The Tales of Istrak [Updated: 06/25/2011]

[Conzu]

In this thread I will post some of the background stories of Istrak's* life.


Family crest of the Huo clan, Istrak's family.



- Last childhood year in the Fire Nation
1 Prologue
1.1 Sparring session
1.2 An Uneasy Conversation
1.3 Dinner Time
1.4 Room Arrest







Istrak is my avren 2011 PIRP character.

[Conzu]

1. Last childhood year in the Fire Nation

1. Prologue

Spoiler: show

He knew it was a dream. Even asleep, he knew that the guards posted at the door would never have allowed the two strangers to enter his room. But knowing that it was only a dream could not quell the fear that gripped him at the men’s sudden appearance.

“You are Istrak son of Matsu, son of Kuzon of the Huo family?”
- “I am.”

For a long moment, the pair studied him in silence. Then one of them spoke, his voice neither a request or a command. “Good. For your own sake, come with us.”
Behind his father’s estate, a mountain he had never seen before had suddenly appeared. On the top of the mountain stood a round structure made of pure white marble which upper reaches kissed the sky.

Standing at the top of this tower, flanked by his two mysterious companions, he could see all of the Fire Nation and even further towards the Northern Water Tribe spread before him like a beautifully embroidered patchwork quilt. It was a panorama made up of swatches of color: shades of green, brow, blue and yellow dotted with thatched roofs and crisscrossed by a complex web of white-gravel roads.

Today, 400 years after the tribes of the fire islands first united under guidance of the fire sages and 263 years since Istrak’s family had joined the circles of structured Fire Nation nobility, the mighty empire was the most stable and prosperous in the world.

As he looked at the land, stretching from horizon to horizon, he could feel the burden of responsibility and tradition weigh heavily on his shoulders.

“A beautiful land,” one of his companions remarked.
The other pointed upward and said, “Look Istak!”
Istrak looked toward the sky – now a perfect, cloudless blue.

From the heart of the beautiful blue, flew a pure-white dove. As though impelled by some signal from within, he turned his head… just in time to see a large black dot rapidly descending. Soon enough it took the shape of a giant raven-eagle. With claws like swords, the raven-eagle seized the dove and held it tightly.
The dove screeched. A drop of blood dripped from its injured body and seeped into the peaceful earth.
Then all was silent.

The two men with him turned and walked away. As they departed, one of them called back over his shoulder, “You cannot say you were not warned, Istrak…”

Left alone, the eleven year old boy made his way down. For the first time he noticed that the steps of the white tower were made of black marble, and the tower itself had sprung from an empty patch of ground near the grave of Lin-ai, his grandmother from father’s side, which somehow started to shake a bit as smoke was coming from the ground.

For a moment he stood transfixed, trying in vain to absorb what had just happened. Then he awoke.
He found himself at his desk. Sitting quietly near him was Kazu, his mentor.
“I fell asleep,” Istrak said, trying to collect his thoughts.
“Only for a moment,” Kazu replied. “My lord studies too hard.”
“It is my duty, Kazu.”

Istrak’s eyes strayed to the window. Through the glass he could see the blue sky stretching into the distance. The dream remained fixed in his memory, powerful and alive.

1.1 Sparring session

Spoiler: show

“Keep up your balance, boy!”
Qin, the sword master, drew circles with his sword around the son of one the Fire Nation’s most prominent noblemen. In the last three minutes, Istrak had managed to stop that sword only once.
“Your sword – lift it higher! It is meant to protect you!”

Qin’s face already red face turned even more crimson with fury. “You’re not even trying, Istrak!”
“Yes, I am!” Istrak retorted, dropping one arm. “Focus on the positive Qin. I’m much better than I was five months ago, aren’t I?

“Yes, you’re better,” the master had to give in, wiping the sweat from his brows with his sleeve. “But you’re not good enough!”
“I am good enough!” Istrak declared. “And you know it as well as I do.”

Qin grimaced, “as long as someone, even if he’s the only one in the world, is able to thrust a sword into your chest without you fending him off, you are no good at all. He retreated a step. “Now I’m going to come at you from the side. Try and stop me!”

When Istrak just started his swordfight lessons, they had been fun. The steps he learned were more like a dance than a battle, and when he was told to ‘defend himself’ his teacher had made no real effort to point out that his defense was inadequate. And no one had seriously tried to ward off his sword when it was his turn to go on the offensive.

Everything changed when his father brought Qin to the estate’s grounds. The man was a demanding and merciless instructor. Time after time, his blunt practice-sword sent Istrak’s flying, leaving him defenseless. The scoldings that followed were extremely distasteful to the young noble…

“Istrak, are you with me?” He nodded, dragging his mind back to the present. An instant later, the master’s sword tip landed very close to his pupil’s throat.

“How is this possible?” Qin asked angrily. “How is this possible, when I’ve been teaching you for a year and a half? Even Hikei is a hundred times better than you are!”

Istrak drew a deep breath in an effort to hold back his rage. What did this have to do with his younger brother, how talented he may be? “And who had given this man permission to speak to hm in such a tone of contempt?

His anger provided him with a force he hardly recognized as his hand went to the butt of his practice sword. Years of fairly rigorous practice could suddenly been seen in the boy’s movements. The instructor responded willingly to his student’s challenge. He fought back using his superior height and long arms to attack as well as defend himself from Istrak – who, focused and alert, made maximum use of his agility and flexibility. Their weapons clashed. Drops of sweat were evident on the combatant’s foreheads.

The servants standing in a corner of the large hall now caused their chatter. The struggle taking place in the center of the arena was clearly more than just a fencing lesson, and they all turned to watch.

The instructor used the point of his sword; Istrak thrust it back with the side of his own blade and then.. without withdrawing his, he raised it to the swordmaster’s chin.

Qin froze at once. An instant later his fingers relaxed, and his sword clattered to the floor. “So, you can do it!” he whispered. The heavy lidded golden eyes sparkled as they peered into Istrak’s ones as his hand gently pushed aside the blade that rested against his neck.

The strange power inside Istrak slowly faded away and made place for a bad taste in his mouth. Turning sharply away, he lowered his sword and replaced it in its sheath.

“I am honored to tell you, young master – this is the first time in twenty years that anyone has succeeded in putting his blade to my neck!” There was a surprised not of admiration in the sword master’s voice. However it didn’t last long.

“Does my lord think we ought to start each of our lessons with a series of insults, just to summon up the stunning talent he displayed today?”

Istrak swallowed. “You are right. Perhaps the time has come to reassess our arrangement, master Qin,” he answered formally. The boy could hardly get the words out of his mouth. “I will give you my decision after I’ve spoken to His Excellency, my father.

Hide!”
A slender youth jumped to attention. “My lord?”
“Remove this protective garment!”
One of the higher ranking officials who sat at the edge of the training hall during Istrak’s lesson approached the center of the room. “Your lesson is not yet over, my lord.”

“Thank you,” Istrak snapped, “but I believe that the son of his Excellency, lord Matsu, by the laws of this country.. may decide when his lessons are over!” After this, the man retreated.

Istrak flexed his muscles, letting Hide, his personal servant, tend to the fastenings in the thick protective garment. His blood still boiled in his veins. A measure of calm returned only when he had left the hall and begun to make his way toward the royal archery range.

1.2 An uneasy conversation

Spoiler: show

The crossbow was one of Istrak’s favorite long range weapons. Each year competitions were held at the Fire Nation capital, inviting youths from every part of the country to prove their prowess with long ranged weapons, and so too this weapon. Istrak, by virtue of his noble position, was disqualified from participating in these contests. However, in training sessions he had several times demonstrated his ability to break the record set the previous year by a youth his own age. Though today, the same fury that had just won him a surprising victory now caused him to miss his mark on the large, distinct target erected a reasonable distance away. Or.. perhaps it wasn’t his anger, but the sound of a familiar footsteps.
“My lord?”

Kazu, stood at arm’s length from the young noble, gazing at him with mingled surprise and empathy. Six years earlier, Kazu had been appointed as his mentor.
Istrak however, did not respond.

“My lord, set down that bow!”
Reluctantly, Istrak restored the arrow to its quiver and allowed Hide to put away the bow.

“You are not permitted to enter the shooting area unless accompanied by four guards. You know that!”

Istrak liked Kazu, with his pale face and direct gaze, the man whom his father had often referred to as ‘the one who keeps the peace in our region.’ Sometimes Istrak thought that despite his mentor’s many fine qualities – or perhaps because of them – he would not understand what had caused him to storm out of the arena like a whirlwind.

“I know that Kazu,” he answered slowly.
“And you chose to disobey instructions?”
“I did not obey.” Istrak now studied the fine scratches that time had etched into the brown marble that bordered the estate’s courtyard.
“Why? What happened?”
The boy now lifted his eyes and glared into his tutor’s gentle golden ones.
“I’m sure you’ve already received a detailed report about what occurred. Why should I bother to repeat it?”

Kazu sighed deeply. “We’ve talked about this a number of times, Istrak.” His voice was tired as he launched into a well-rehearsed lecture. “Qin is the best swordsman we have. His excellency, your father wants to provide with the best possible training, so that you will be able to serve our firelord to the best of your ability and return home from the battlefield.. crowned with victory! Your brothers understand that. They –“

“Enough!” Istrak said, his tone sharp and commanding. “I’ve heard enough about my brothers for one day.”
Kazu’s face softened. His long fingers stroked his dark brown goatee. With a quiet smile, he replied, “I will do as you command, my lord.”

But Kazu’s answer did not make Istrak feel any better. It was an effort for him to force his lips into something that looked like a smile.

~~~

“My lord! Your sister, my lady Zehi is at the door,” one of the servants announced. “Shall I let her in?”
“Zehi? Yes, let her in. There’s no need to ask me that!”

Hide quickly gathered the small pieces of parchment on which the young noble had supposedly been composing an outline of his forthcoming address, but had instead been covered by doodles for the past half hour, and slipped them under the tablecloth.

Istrak went into a smaller, side room ignoring Hide’s small knowing smile.
“Zehi!”
“I hope I’m not disturbing you…” Zehi had already seated herself on one of the small sofas. “I just happened to be passing by, and having some free time…” she continued as Istrak’s brows snapped together in suspicion. No one in their family ever had ‘free time.’ And no one ‘just happened’ to be passing anywhere. Their days were extremely well planned.

“So, what do you want?” Istrak asked. He had pushed his sister, just two years younger than him, into another room and closed the door in Hide’s face.

“Just to talk to you. You’ve been so busy lately. I never see you!”
“If you’ll like,” Istrak said, trying to speak as casual as he could. “I’ll ask Kazu to set up a meeting for us every week or two.”

“A meeting! And should we prepare a summary of topics to be discusses as well? Istrak, you can’t be serious!”
Istrak merely shrugged. “That’s our life, Zehi.” He paused for a second. “Do you want something to drink?”
No answer.

“Zehi?” His sister’s eyes were fixed on a random spot on the wall. Sadness and anguish could be seen at the corners of her mouth. She seemed genuinely hurt this time. Had he gone too far?

“In just five days, you will turn twelve,” Zehi whispered. “In a few weeks you will be send to the Officer’s Academy and able to continue father’s heritage.”

“What are you saying, Zehi?” Istrak’s hand tightened anxiously around the silver goblet he was holding.
“I’m sure that mom and dad and, grandmother in the Spirit World, are happy to see the way you’ve grown. How you’ve begun to train yourself for nobility, to keep up our…” the girl’s slender white fingers played with the fringe of her dress as she spoke so maturely.

Even though they were still children, their strict upbringing and education had given them the privilege – or the burden – of being able to act like young adults at their young age.

“That’s not the reason you came here,” Istrak interrupted his sister.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a little impatient, my lord?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you cry too often, my lady Zehi?” Istrak retorted.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Yes, the maidservant tells me so at least once a week. So what?”
Istrak sat down facing his sister and held out the goblet of water. “It’s… hard for me to see you cry.”
“I’m sorry.”

“And don’t mention mom and dad in the same breath as grandma – may they be spared for life!”
“Istrak, enough!”

The boy took a deep breath. “Okay. I won’t say any more about it.”
Zehi’s eyes raced through the room, from one side to the other, looking for another topic to talk about. “When did you have those wall hangings changed? They’re nice.”

“Thanks,” he replied, though until that moment he had not noticed that anyone had changed them. He wondered when it had happened.

“What were you doing before I came here?” his sister continued the conversation.
Suddenly he remembered the doodles under the tablecloth. “Nothing special. I was just trying to work on something…” Dropping his eyes, he gazed at his fingertips. Zehi obviously had something on her mind but was afraid to bring it up. So, it was up to him to help her.

“Is something bothering you, Zehi? He asked finally, putting in a note of interest into his voice.
“Y-yes… very much so,” came the reply.

“Care to tell me about it? It is about the marrying partners, dad is looking for?” Actually he wasn’t supposed to talk about it. For Zehi had no idea that their father had taken Istrak into his confidence about the search for his eldest daughter.
“No,” Zehi’s voice was steady. “I trust on dad’s wisdom.”
“Then what is it?” Istrak asked.

Her life was so different from his own. She spent her time chatting and going on outings with her friends, performing assorted acts of charity, doing a bit of fine needlework and embroidery, learning how to cook, play with kids, etc. What could there possible be to trouble her in such a life?

“It’s not what is bothering me.. it’s ’who’ is bothering me,” she said fixing her amber gaze at him.
“Who, Zehi. Who?”

The girl studied her brother for a long time as an awkward silence fell in the room. “You.”
Istrak looked back at his sister through narrowed eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that, my lady,” he put his own goblet back on the table. “Do you want to explain?”

“It’s a long conversation,” Zehi answered. “And not an easy one.”

Istrak’s lips stretched into a smile. “I’m sure I’ve suffered through worse. Go ahead and tell me!”

1.3 Dinner Time

Spoiler: show

At the hour the noble family of the Huo clan was seated in the dining hall, the estate’s corridors were relatively empty. Only a few servants and guards in their leather uniforms and metallic armor were present. “Hurry, my lord,” Kazu urged as they raced through the long halls. “Your father won’t be pleased with you being late. Why did you do it?” The man looked worried.

Istrak swallowed. He didn’t know why he had done it. Except that riding in the pasture with a fresh win blowing in his face had been even more pleasant than usual. So pleasant that when Hide came to inform him that it was time to return to the estate, he had refused. Hide was powerless.

“You know that Hide was punished because of you, Istrak,” Kazu said.

Something which made Istrak stiffen. No, he hadn’t known that. It never occurred to him that Hide’s job description included seeing that the young noble adhered to his schedule. Istrak’s extra gallop had made the man derelict in his duties. Had he known that, he would certainly have kept his promise to hurry. Instead, he had prepared for the meal to the best of his ability… even more so.
He glanced at his mentor in remorse, “I didn’t think of that, Kazu."

“You didn’t think!” Kazu’s tone hovered between surprise and anger. It was clear to Istrak that, if it wasn’t for his own position, Kazu would’ve said it with a measure of contempt.

“Tell Hide that I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to him,” Istrak mumbled.
“Make it up to him? Really?” Kazu was slightly breathless with the quick pace of their walk. “How, exactly?”
Istrak briefly glanced over his shoulder to a pair of armed guards standing to the side. Why must Kazu rebuke him in public?’
“I’ll find a way,” he promised.

It was then that they reached the dining hall. It was a strange thing to see the large doors already closed, and to look at them from the other side .. for the first time in his life.

“Don’t say too much, Istrak. Just apologize and ask your father to forgive you and permit you to join them at the table.” This time Kazu was careful to keep his voice low. One of the servants now swung open the massive, beautifully decorated wooden doors. Kazu, face glowing in the torchlight that came from the dining room, pushed Istrak inside and watched how the doors were closed again.

The hall was not the largest in the estate. It was a family-sized room, as Istrak’s father used to say. Broad windows were set into two of the walls, with delicate draperies of ancient Fire Nation design cascading from them. On the two opposite walls hung crimson red tapestries, expertly woven, depicting famous scenes of their nation’s and family’s illustrious history.

In the center of the room stood a large dining table made of high quality polished wood. Ranged around the table were nine armchairs, eight of them seating members of the noble family – all of them shooting a look of reproach at Istrak, who crossed the room hesitantly.

“You are late, my son.” Matsu, Istrak’s father was a man of medium height who sported a long goatee and mustache. Slowly, with his characteristic calm, he lifted his eyes to Istrak’s face and held up his right hand.

“I am late, Father, and I’m sorry…” the words stuck in the boy’s throat but was finally able to say them and kissed his father’s hand. Though the words had an odd ring in his ears. “I know I disobeyed your wish and I regret that. I … I will accept – with love – any punishment I am given.”

The silence was deafening. Zehi stared at her hair falling down over her shoulder. The twins Hikei and Lin-ai stared in fascination at the globules of fat that had floated to the top of their soup bowls. Little On-Ji stared at her big brother in astonishment. While his two older brothers gazed in turn at Istrak’s flaming cheeks and at their father’s stern face. “Come here, my son.”

At this command, the boy drew closer to his father’s chair. His mother whispered something to her husband.
“You know that I love you, Istrak.”
“Yes, father.”

“You know that one day you are destined to become man of splendor. To become a respected nobleman yourself.”
“Yes, father.”
“You know that one day, you are destined to continue our family’s honor?”
“Yes, father.”
“There was no justification for your being late today.”
“That is true, father.”

“Do you know that it is my obligation to care for our nation, our family, the company and our honor? To care about the path our family follows for so many generations?”
“Yes, father.”

“Do you understand that a noble’s son who is incapable of obeying his father’s instructions, who follows instead the whims of his own heart, can never be a genuine nobleman, as our forefathers were before us?”
“I…” now Istrak began to feel even more uncomfortable. “I.. understand, father.”

The nobleman then rose from his chair with a sigh and gazed directly into his son’s eyes. A moment later, he slapped Istrak’s cheek… a stinging and mortifying blow. “I do this for your and our family’s sake,” his voice was without any emotion. “Your meal will be brought to your room. I will not study with you today.”

“I… understand, father” shocked by the slap, the boy couldn’t think of any clever answer.
“Leave.”

Istrak hesitated for a second, then bowed and left the room, walking backward. The last thing he saw before the doors swung shut was Zehi’s pain filled gaze.

1.4 Room arrest

Spoiler: show

Hide set down Istrak’s food, which he had carried up from the kitchen, on the table in his master’s room. Istrak however, didn’t even glance at the silver tray. “I don’t want to eat, Kazu,” he told his mentor, who was sitting across from him.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” the mentor replied coldly.
“Don’t you be angry at me, too!” Istrak sputtered back.
“I am not allowed to be angry at you, my lord.”
“But you are angry,” Istrak said.

Kazu blinked and sighed. “True, my lord. I will leave you alone now. A servant will come by later to accompany you to your next lesson. The guards that escorted us here will stand outside your door until then.”
“On my father’s orders?” the boy asked both astonished and ashamed.
“Yes, my lord. May Agni bless you.”

Two hours. Two whole hours went by. Hours in which Istrak was not obliged to carry out any specific task. Two hours that had everything in it that conformed to his dearest wish: being alone without anyone. There was no Kazu, any other noble or servant to remind him of his tasks. In fact, there were no obligations to fulfill at all.

But tonight, not surprisingly, Istrak found nothing joyful or exciting in the situation.
”It’s all Zehi’s fault!” he said through clenched teeth. “Zehi – not me!” His cheek still stung. “No one had ever slapped him before.

Zehi had infuriated him. For, her criticism had been so smug and condescending!

”Your voice is indifferent and your expression aloof,” she had told him that afternoon. ”You don’t look happy. And that bothers me, because you have no reason to be so bitter. You must learn to be happy,” she continued. It were only the good manners that Kazu had drilled into him that prevented him from offering his opinion of her criticism.

After all, he had all the reason to feel like he did! Because in a few days he would turn twelve. Which would mean that he would be send to the Fire Nation’s Royal Officer’s Academy. Just like his two older brother’s were before him.

Though, he had been happy today! Happy for ten minutes. While riding his eewl-hound and forgetting the challenges with which he contended daily in his role as a son to his father. And what did it bring? Two hours of imprisonment… with guards outside his door as if he were a criminal!

He dropped his head on his arms, grateful for the darkness that awaited him there, warm and enveloping. His thoughts raced through his head in confusion, but they all shared a single common thread… ‘anger’.

To be continued...