"Look at my hands.

There are fifty four rocks on each of them. See how they fit together. See how they all fit perfectly into place, not bumping into each other, but providing support and structure. They move with my hand, with my bending, any possible way with only the slightest motion from me. These are organized stones.

But they are not the same stones every day. I might use them up in the act of restraining someone, in battle, or in some other manner. My job them would be to take earth from somewhere around me and make fifty four more stones. It is not the same earth, but that is not the point. I shape them and craft them until they fit perfectly as well, indistinguishable from any other day's stone.

Think of this city. Live here long enough and you will see millions of faces. Each face has a mind behind it, and each mind has a story behind it. Each person you meet is on their own adventure, a personal journey which you may never understand. But that is not the point. The faces will change, but there will always be merchants. There will always be refugees, artisans, noblemen, noblewomen, scholars, politicians, and royalty; there will always be power-hungry people. They are never the same people, but they always fit together into the same groups. They can be organized. And when something can be organized, it can be used. It can be controlled.

You will wear this city like a glove. The tiniest motion of your hand could send it spinning into chaos, but you will never do that; these are not boulders, but stones. The pieces must fit together or they lose their power. Be careful, be delicate, but detach yourself from sentimentality. One face is no more precious than one stone, and even the most powerful can be crushed to sand in an instant.

It is a subtle art, but you will learn it soon. Work with your partner, learn from him, and in time, you will truly know what it is to be a bender.

Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Then welcome to the Dai Li."