The world was cruel and filled with danger. The strong survived. The weak did not. That was the cardinal law of survival. 

Tailin heeded that law well.

She was a water bender. However, she was different from her ilk. When bandits took her family, she tapped into a power that could bend another to her will. Unlike water, graceful and mindful, what she did back then was violent. Malicious. Dominating and breaking if the one she held chose to resist. She ensured the bandits' death wasn't fast nor painless. They took something valuable away from her that day and gave something valuable back to her in return. An eternal fury. A taste to the cardinal law that dominated life. 

The woman roaming the streets of the marketplace was a product of her cruel deeds. Choosing a life of violence as a mercenary, Tailin continued to build as terrible reputation as she could muster. She relished fear. Intimidation at the mere whisper of her name. It was a tempting draw for clients as well. She was never short on work, for her reputation was not only one of violence but of success. Losing was something she abhorred.

Trailing behind a politician that sought her out, he had hired Echo (Tailin's mercenary alias) for a handsome sum. Dressed in her typical [url=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/ninjagaiden/images/a/a0/Ninja-Gaiden-III-ninja-gaiden-24865115-640-480.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20110928011015]work disguise[/url], Tailin looked about the market place. There were many angles and assailant could come from. Any of the commoners milling about could be an assailant. She voiced her reservations to her client for coming to such an open area, but he disregarded her words. He came anyway. It was Tailin's job to make sure her client continued to draw breath. Whatever the reason he needed to hire her for, it was all moot. As long as she was paid. That's all that mattered. 

As they were about to head back to the client's estate, Tailin heard quick footsteps as someone landed on the ground. The politician was shouting while she already turned to face the masked assailant. Reaching out and feeling the water that flowed through another, Tailin chose the nearest commoner and forced him to collide with the assailant. 

Seeing the fire come towards her, Tailin reached out towards the water jugs from a nearby vendor. She felt the energy as she formed a water barrier that collided with the flame. When it was extinguished, she brought the water back. Forming a protective layer between her and the assailant, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A grin teared across her lips. The thrill of the fight bubbled within her.

Forming tiny shards of ice from a small portion of the water, she sent them screaming towards the assailant.