Episode 19: Stars and Sand

 The group has traveled into the Si Wong Desert. They sit with a sand tribe mendicant named Kusuri, who tells them that Si Wong Rock, like many things, has tales of its origins and told by the stars and dunes. It is also the refuge for many of the Sandbenders and their tribes. 

The companions explain how they ended up in the desert, and their goals with Amu and seeing Enji. Kusuri says that they have met Enji before, as he wandered looking for groups to join his found family. He escorts the group to Rakim's tribe at Si Wong Rock, where the companions begin to prepare for meeting Enji. Taqqiq pleas that in his understanding of the unification, the dao fei could help the sand tribes. Rakim explains many of the older, conservative members have already joined a tribe under Tellah, a former criminal and idealistic man.

Po begins to train with the sandbenders, seeking to broaden his understanding of earthbending and the Kingdom he hopes to one day unite. Taqqiq joins Po hunting with the sandbenders, where they befriend the huntmaster Bo Fong. They run into a detachment of Tallah's tribe, and Taqqiq does his best to keep it as amicable as possible. He offers to talk to Tallah and see if he can present some options to peaceful coexistence with the other tribes like Rakim's.

Taqqiq dines with Tallah and tries to explain the benefits of uniting the different tribes together. Tallah says that was what Enji had promised -- that the dao fei, driven and scattered by Kyoshi, would be able to come together in one homeland -- a place called Hei Yi. Taqqiq tries to explain that maybe Enji isn't looking to serve any others but his own needs.

Meanwhile, Kensaya and Mayu join Amu with Rakim going over Amu's star charts and the desert maps - they determine that Enji should appear in a hollow valley known as the Sandshark's Maw. Kusuri says it is a cursed place with sand-tribe blood and that Rakim should not venture there. Po returns and explains the encounter with Tallah's group and that Taqqiq went with them. The companions rest with Rakim's tribe before setting out the next day. 

Po and Mayu go hunting again with the tribesmen, where Po recalls his growing up in the comfort and seclusion of his royal lineage. He contrasts that to what he's seen and learned with the common villagers and peoples within the Earth Kingdom, hoping to empower them when he has an opportunity to make a difference on the throne.

The companions prepare to set out for the Sandshark's Maw, led by Bo Fong. They go to Tallah's tribal headquarters to pick up Taqqiq, where Tallah attempts to sway Mayu from his hesitancy embracing his destiny. Mayu remains steadfast, and the companions are emboldened to better understand Enji's purposes.

Bo Fong leads them to the Sandshark's Maw, but says superstition prevents him from exploring -- there's bad energy there. The group descends and awaits Enji's return. It happens later at night, the same as Mayu's, in a flash of light as he steps from his travels in the Spirit World.