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Burn the World Down by Infonticus
Cartoons » Avatar: Last Airbender Rated: M, English, Adventure & Fantasy, Words: 395k+, Favs: 5k+, Follows: 6k+, Published: Jan 30, 2023 Updated: Mar 13
2,585Chapter 8: A Trail of Rumours and Mystical Elixers
Chapter 8: A Trail of Rumours and Mystical Elixirs
[The wilderness in the North-Western Earth Kingdom]
Zuko had been having a bad week, so this was a welcome change for him. It even almost managed to put a smile on his face.
Almost.
"You! How could you, you monster!?" The waterbender girl in her usual blue garments angrily shouted at him as she lay helpless on the dirt road. "Even I didn't think you'd stoop this low!"
On this nameless dirt path through an evergreen forest, the merc's massive Shirshu mount had used its venomous tongue to paralyze the two Southern Water Tribe peasants and send both of them face first onto the ground.
Zuko will admit that he had doubts about the blind giant anteater-wolf-mole's ability to actually track someone from scent alone. 'My Shirshu can smell a rat over a continent' its owner had claimed. It had seemed like a mountainous boast at the time, but now Zuko was inclined to believe it. The mercenary, June, didn't look like much with her slender frame and maroon riding leathers. With her long black hair, hazel eyes and fairly attractive features, she looked more like your average minor Earth Kingdom nobility than a bounty hunter. But now that she led him straight to the Avatar's little group? She might actually be worth the steep price tag for her services...
"So, this is your girlfriend..." June ribbed with her usual dry tone and caustic wit. "Huh, no wonder she left. She's way too pretty for you."
Zuko just ignored her in favour of walking over to where the waterbender girl lay on the dirt. "Where is he?! Where is the Avatar?!"
"Get away from my sister!" the annoying boomerang boy with the ponytail angrily shouted out, "Don't you dare take another step closer to Katara! We've heard what you've been doing down south!"
"Down south- No..."
Eyes wide, jaw dropped in shock. Zuko staggered back a step in mortification...
"Yeah! Even we've caught wind of it!" this 'Katara' agreed- staring at him with judging blue eyes, "We heard all about your evil, disgusting deeds you've been doing all over the Earth Kingdom-!"
"THAT WASN'T ME!" Zuko shouted as the frustration came boiling and quieted the two paralyzed water tribe peasants. His fists would have torn out his hair by the roots if he hadn't shaved it off by now, "I've absolutely had it with people thinking I'm some raping, pillaging barbarian. I'm getting enough suspicious side eyes back at base already! I keep telling you all: That wasn't me! The rumours are getting me mixed up with another Fire Nation warrior! The guy you want is Captain Khan! He's the one who took Omashu! He's the one collecting concubines! He's the one enslaving Earth Kingdom citizens and laying waste to Earth Kingdom villages, not me! I just want the Avatar!"
But despite his very true outburst, the two water tribe peasants just aimed skeptical looks at him. Two pairs of matching blue eyes narrowing in distrust.
"You tried to burn down Kyoshi Island!" the waterbender girl accused and correctly too. "So, the rumours don't seem far off from what you normally do!"
"Yeah!" Her brother agreed- still lying on the ground as well, "Everyone's been talking about a 'scarred ugly bastard' doing those horrible things and you're the only scarred ugly bastard we know!"
Forget firebending, Zuko was about to strangle both of them with his bare hands.
"Relax, tribers, he's telling the truth." June languidly said- a smirk on her painted lips saying that she was enjoying Zuko's frustration. "The rumours are getting things mixed up The Giant and his Horde is still a week or two down south. Prince Pipsqueak here couldn't threaten his way out of a kindergarten."
"And how would you know?" Sokka asked. "Who are you even, lady?"
"Name's June. I'm a bounty hunter." She replied, casually checking her black-painted nails, "Telling people apart is what I do, because part of the job description is not beating up and hog-tying the wrong person."
"So, he hasn't been enslaving and violating women left and right?"
June burst out laughing- her long raven black hair rippling past her shoulders with every shake.
"Angry boy here? Interested in women?! That's rich! He's too uptight for that, you have got nothing to worry about." She chuckled before looking over to the pony-tailed boy, "...but your brother might."
"I knew it!" Sokka gasped in sudden panic, "So, the things that they say about the Fire Nation Army are true! Actually... No, please! I'll admit that your ponytail looks good on you, but I like girls!"
"WILL ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!" Zuko shouted at their faces before adding, "And for the record, I like girls too!"
"Really?" June raised a graceful but skeptical eyebrow, "Because you've been riding behind me in the saddle- practically dry-humping me all morning... and not once did I feel anything poke my back."
"That's because I was focused on the mission!" He growled back, "And besides, old ladies don't interest me."
That wiped the smirk off her face- turning it into a fierce glower instead. "Who are you calling an old lady, you punk?!"
"If I may!" His uncle Iroh interjected- placing his fat bulk between the two of them before giving June a sweet smile, "What my nephew means to say is that he has a girl his age that he's already interested in. So please forgive him, he is much too young and naive in the ways of romance to appreciate the appeal of a woman who is mid-blossom to her full beauty."
"Are you saying that I'm not beautiful already, fatso?"
"No." His uncle just smiled serenely, "I'm saying that you'll become even more beautiful."
June huffed, "...Be grateful that your uncle is good at flattery."
"I think you're really pretty too, can you let us go now?" added Sokka.
"ENOUGH!" Zuko shouted at them all, "Just tell me where the Avatar is!"
"Keep your topknot on..." June waved off dismissively as her Shirshu started sniffing around the water tribe girl's pack, "Nyla is picking up another scent, might be your bald monk friend."
Zuko nodded grimly- his scar itching in anticipation for the final showdown.
"Finally..." He muttered. With both of the Avatar's friends paralyzed, and June and her great mount on his side, he had that airbender cornered now. He was going to capture the Avatar this time around, slap him in chains, ferry him back to the Fire Nation and regain his honour.
He was going to win.
(The morning after)
He didn't.
Zuko ground his teeth, doing his best to hide his limp as he made his way through the Fire Nation port. He took a beating yesterday at that abbey, all because the water tribe girl dumped pots of perfumes on the Shirshu and drove it feral. And in the end, the Avatar slipped away, June was left unpaid and he himself was left with a lot of bruises. It was a big loss for everyone involved and they all walked away from that debacle unhappy and empty-handed...
"This perfume is really nice." His uncle commented with a happy sigh- admiring the way the morning sun struck the small glass bottle that he swiped from the abbey, "The citrus scent mixes especially well with the scent of Jasmine tea. It's like I'm a walking Jasmine teapot! I should buy some more before we leave."
... Except his uncle of course. But he was always happy like a fool.
"I hope your sources are correct, Uncle." Zuko just sighed as they headed for Commander Zhao's tent. "I don't want to walk over to the other end of the port and breathe the same air as Zhao for nothing."
"Oh, it was big news, Prince Zuko!" Iroh smiled, "It was practically the talk of every Pai Sho table in port! The first scouts of the infantry divisions from the southern front finally arrived to regroup with us. I'm sure they have a lot of stories to tell."
"Well, I want to be there when they do their first retelling. Maybe I'll finally get some straight answers about this 'Captain Khan' so that I can find a way to clear my name and regain my honour... again."
His uncle just laughed and slapped his back- right on one of Zuko's bruises, "Oh, it's just a misunderstanding. Your good name will be cleared up before you know it!"
"It better be..."
They arrived at the command tent without much fanfare. The two guards silently held the tent door open for them as they passed. There the 'illustrious' Commander Zhao stood alone - his middle-aged face scrunched up in deep concentration as he leaned over a map of the Northern Water Tribe domain of all things.
"Prince Zuko, General Iroh..." he greeted- looking up from his map, "I don't recall inviting anyone to this debrief."
"I hope that's not a problem, Zhao." Iroh firmly replied- looking the younger officer right in the eyes. Zuko just puzzled at how his usually happy-go-lucky uncle was staring down Zhao with such an intense expression... but before he could comment on it, Zhao backed down.
"Very well, how can I refuse the Dragon of the West?" Zhao sighed before glancing to Zuko's scarred eye, "And I suppose our beloved Prince has been thoroughly taught to keep quiet in military gatherings."
Zuko just pushed that unsubtle jab aside as he bowed, "Commander Zhao-"
"Ah ah ah. It's Admiral Zhao now." he tutted with the satisfied smug smile of someone who hasn't gotten tired of rubbing his new promotion in everyone's faces. "After all, the Firelord has recognised my martial talents and correctly judged that my stellar service merited a promotion. To refuse to acknowledge my proper rank is to question him."
"Admiral Zhao." Zuko forced out as if it was broken glass in his mouth. "Thank you for letting me attend this debrief."
"Oh, you're very welcome." He replied in an overly gracious tone, "I suppose I can't blame you... after all, we're all eager to hear about the exploits of Captain Khan and the 41st Division. The Rising Flame of the southern front. The Despoiler of Omashu. The-"
''The Giant and his Horde." Zuko finished.
Admiral Zhao nodded with a frown, "Such an unflattering moniker for a proud Fire Nation hero. Our enemies have such disappointingly limited imaginations. I can only hope they'll think of something better for me. Yes, a much better name indeed..."
Zuko's eyes narrowed in suspicion. His own interest in Khan was to clear his name, but the Admiral's intentions weren't as apparent. He and his uncle followed the admiral to the other room, warmly lit and adorned with red flags of the Fire Nation. A fine wooden table with a lavish tea set waited for them at the centre of the room. It was also where the commanding officer of the scouts sat: The Fire Nation soldier with a black eyepatch nervously looked up at them with his one good eye, and immediately shot up from his seat to salute.
"Admiral Zhao, sir! First Sergeant Yan, 26th Infantry Division, ready and-"
"At ease, first sergeant." Zhao dismissed with a wave as he sat down at the table- gesturing to Zuko and Iroh to do the same, "This isn't the official debrief. Call it a... dress rehearsal, yes. So, sit down, drink some tea... Relax. I'm sure you have a lot to tell us."
Zuko kept silent about how this 'debrief' was already starting to feel like an interrogation even before the first question was asked.
"Permission to speak freely, admiral, sir?" The 1SG gulped as he sat back down. Admiral Zhao poured them all a cup of tea from his fine white porcelain teapot with blue sparrowkeets.
"Granted. We are here to listen to your account after all."
"This is about the Giant, isn't it?"
"Captain Khan, yes." Zhao nodded, his voice dispensing the oily tone for something more direct. More impatient. "Rumours surround him like scorpion-bees around honey. I only want to thresh truth from useless fiction... and you, first sergeant, can start by telling me how your unit met up with the 41st Division."
First Sergeant Yan nodded- cradling his cup.
"It was a week ago." He spoke- staring into his tea, "My unit was on combat patrol around the former town of Gaipan looking for insurgents calling themselves the 'Freedom Fighters.' They had been ambushing troops, cutting off our supply lines and generally hindering Fire Nation operations in the area for months then. We had a run in with them about a month or two back, when they were aiding the Avatar... Right before the Freedom Fighters washed Gaipan off the map by destroying the dam. Naturally, we were looking to put a stop to them. But in our patrol, we found that the Freedom Fighters were long gone, instead, we found an Earth Kingdom battalion."
"The Earth Kingdom is conducting a counterattack?" Admiral Zhao said in mild alarm, "Why was I not informed of this?!"
"Because the Earth Kingdom battalion wasn't counter-attacking, sir." the first sergeant shook his head, "They were fleeing."
"Fleeing from the 41st Division." Iroh solemnly whispered as if saying a prayer to the dead.
"Yes." First Sergeant Yan whispered back, just as solemnly. "They must have been on a forced march from how disordered and haggard they looked. Poor fools have likely been marching for a whole day. And my unit was close enough to witness the 41st Division arrive."
"I assume they were easy prey for the 41st Division?" Zhao supposed- leaning forward in interest, "Are the rumours of their combat prowess true or do they win by trickery?"
"No trickery, sir... We saw them charge through from the treeline on the swiftest Ostrich-horses I've ever seen and scythed straight through the Earth Kingdom ranks with guandao glaives. Half of the battalion must have fallen to that first charge, and the 41st Division's infantry made the second half wish they died with the first. The strength of arms that these soldiers had was unnatural... I witnessed a 41st Division soldier almost cleave an armoured man in half with a single stroke of his dao sword. Another thrust his spear clean through three men. Another tore a man's head off with her bare hands and used it to bludgeon another to death. They didn't fight like any Fire Nation soldier our academies have trained, sir. They were... they were more like demons from the Underworld. Vengeful. Ferocious. Hungry."
"Ah, I see..." Zhao nodded- pressing his lips as he took a mental note, "So, the rumour about the 41st's freakish strength is confirmed to be true then. Interesting."
"Most of the rumours surrounding the Horde are true, sir." The eyepatched first sergeant muttered, "When the battle- the slaughter- was over, my unit joined them in their journey north to regroup here. And it was during that time my unit and I had spent marching with the victorious 41st Division that unnerved me the most... It was a horror to behold."
Admiral Zhao just sneered, "Are you un-manned by the realities of waging war, First Sergeant?"
"N-no, Admiral! It's just- There is war, and there is... whatever it is the 41st Division is waging. The Fire Nation army took prisoners of war, but we did not enslave entire villages worth of people then burn their homes to ashes right before their very eyes. We did not divvy up families like chattel, or hold public executions for rebels where Ostrich-horses feasted on them while still alive. The brutality of it was beyond anything I've witnessed in my seven years serving in the army."
Zuko held back a shiver as he listened to the first sergeant's account. This was no way to wage war. Sozin had started the Great War to share the prosperity of the Fire Nation with the rest of the world... This barbarism was far beyond what was necessary to wage an honourable war. This Khan person seemed every bit as vile as the rumours suggest.
"So, the rumour about Ostrich-Horses eating human flesh was no exaggeration either. Very interesting." Zuko heard Zhao calmly say as if he was checking off a grocery shopping list. And the older man's nonchalance towards it was the final straw for him: Zuko spoke up.
"Aren't you bothered by this?!" he demanded.
"Bothered by what exactly?" Zhao raised a bored grey eyebrow.
"Didn't you hear what the first sergeant just described? Slavery, public torture, flesh-eating Ostrich-horses... this isn't the conduct of a disciplined Fire Nation Division or any Fire Nation Division in fact. This is the work of savage barbarians!"
"Ah, I understand now." Admiral Zhao just smiled a patronising smirk. "It must look so wasteful and pointless from where you're standing at the bottom of the chain of command, but I assure you that the 41st Division has proven the merit of their methods. Captain Khan has a gift for turning enemy assets obedient- and more consequently- productive. How are you liking this table you're sitting at, Prince Zuko?"
"What does a table have to do with anything?!"
"It's a gift from Captain Khan- came with the last caravan." the sly admiral said with a smile, sliding his hand over the smooth surface of the table, "Hand-carved walnut wood, very fine. And my new tea set that you're drinking from? The work of a famed Gao-Ling potter."
Zuko watched as his uncle put down his teacup- for once having his appetite for tea extinguished at the thought of countless people being slaughtered for that particular tea set.
"Both would fit very nicely on my flagship, wouldn't you say?" Admiral Zhao smiled, "But I digress. Khan's largesse extends to more than just trinkets, you may have noticed that our supply depots and commissaries are overflowing with supplies at the moment. Most of it, also from caravans that the 41st Division have sent back. Combine that with the fall of Omashu, the Fire Nation's offensive for Ba Sing Se is revitalised stronger than it has been for years. Rest assured, Fire Nation Command feels that the good Captain has earned the privilege of some strategic flexibility. In fact... I have a letter from the Fire Lord himself that promotes him to the rank of Commander once he arrives here."
"That's it?" Zuko banged his fist on the table, "That violent thug gets to do whatever he wants and even gets a promotion because he bribed you?!"
'While I, your Crown Prince, gets to wander around on an old ship with minimal support from the army?' was left unsaid... Zuko didn't have it in him to admit it. Not even to himself.
The admiral just frowned- eyeing the spot on the table where Zuko had banged his fist, "Bribe is such an ugly word... and besides, Captain Khan has been actively aiding the war effort- which is in direct contrast to your attempts to capture the Avatar. Remind me again, Prince Zuko: When was the last time that you can claim that your misadventures around the Four Nations had helped the Fire Nation as a whole? One particular rumour is that Khan is the Prince of the Fire Nation, with how much he has helped the Fire Nation, it makes one wonder if he is more fitting of the title after all..."
"YOU-"
Before Zuko could tell the admiral exactly what he thought of those rumours, he felt someone kick his feet from under him- sending him sitting back down on the chair.
"So, that is your interest in the captain, Admiral Zhao?" His uncle Iroh noted with an innocent smile. "You want him for your invasion of the North Pole."
Grumbling silently, Zuko settled for parroting the statement, "What? An invasion of the Northern Water Tribe?"
"I'm surprised that you haven't heard, Prince Zuko. But your uncle is correct..." Admiral Zhao just said to him before looking in his uncle's direction, "I suppose you of all people would know the value and rarity of talented young officers, General Iroh. I need the best of the best for my invasion of the Northern Water Tribe to be as smooth as possible. Because when the history books tell of my exploits, I want them to read that my enemies were powerless against my forces, and that neither my victory nor my greatness was ever in question. So, it is unconscionable that a stupid oaf- I mean... a hardworking hippo-cow like General Tuan has command of him. But given that Khan had executed the general's favoured cousin, I am certain that the good captain would be amenable for a transfer."
Zuko heard his uncle sigh.
"However, you are not the only one in Fire Nation Command who wants him under their command." Iroh observed. But Zuko still couldn't figure out why anyone would want that barbarian in Fire Nation clothing as part of their forces.
"No, I'm not..." Admiral Zhao confirmed, "Which brings us back to our good eyepatched friend First Sergeant Yan... I have received reports of the 41st with his latest movements. He and the 41st Division had adopted a needlessly zigzag pattern in their advance. I have received no reports about military gains in the area, so I know that it's a private endeavour by Captain Khan. First Sergeant... What is he doing? What is he after? What does he want that I can give him that other generals and admirals cannot?"
The answer was very unexpected.
"Old women." Yan said with dead seriousness, "He's after old women."
"First Sergeant, I don't tolerate smart-" Zhao said in a warning tone, and the 1SG's lone eye widened as he realised what he said- waving his hands.
"I'm sorry, sir! I may have worded it incorrectly! He's been searching for medicine women, town Herbalists, and wizened old hags living in shacks in the woods. Each of them, the Giant would treat within his tent."
"What is he searching for?"
"I do not know, sir..."
"First Sergeant, need I remind you of the consequences of lying to a superior officer?"
With a defeated sigh, the eyepatched first sergeant reached into his pouch and placed a metal can no larger than a small scroll on the table.
"He seeks the elixir of life, admiral." was the simple answer.
"And within this can is a liquid is Captain Khan's unsuccessful attempt at synthesising it. It does not grant eternal life as the Giant had wanted, but instead, he claims that it increases a man's chi three-fold, erases fear from his heart and all but gives him wings. He distributes it to his forces and was generous enough to gift some to my unit as well. I had partaken in it once before battle, and I can attest to its effectiveness. The raging river of power that it grants you so eagerly... it is enough to drive lesser men mad. I was one such lesser men, and the things I did..."
But despite the first sergeant's warnings, Zuko watched a twinkle of greed come to Zhao's eyes, and the admiral swiped the metal can from the table- holding it up like some artefact of great power... right before he tilted the can upside down over his mouth and gulped down its contents.
"No... Not the whole can at once!" the first sergeant whimpered.
The can was dropped- clattering to the table as Zuko, Iroh and the first sergeant could only stare in horror.
"R-AAAAAAAGGHHHHH!"
Admiral Zhao roared, veins bulging on his neck, his fists clenched white and his amber eyes, "S-such POWER. Ahahahahahaha! So, this is the source of the 41st Division's battlefield prowess! Was this what our ancestors felt when Sozin's Comet burned the sky? YES, I UNDERSTAND THEM NOW! I feel like I could tear down the walls of Ba Sing Se on my own! No, fly right over the walls on wings of fire and burn the entire city to cinders!"
"Admiral! We heard a shout!" The admiral's bodyguards shouted as they rushed in to see their CO's visage, "Are you... alright... sir?"
"Enemies! I need enemies!" Admiral Zhao growled to the horrified guards, "Gather up the troops, we are sparring! GO!"
They scrambled out, and Zuko almost followed them.
"Ahahaha!" Zhao laughed again, his clenched fists ablaze and his amber eyes almost glowing, "More than just a cunning commander, who would have guessed that Khan was also an accomplished alchemist? Truly, he is truly an officer of many, many talents... Yes, now I want him more than ever. He will be mine to command, and the Avatar will fall before my might."
Those words shocked the fear straight off Zuko, and a realisation filled him instead. That's right... whoever had more of such an elixir was going to have an undeniable advantage in this race to capture the Avatar. How much easier would it be to catch that airbender if they had even a fraction the power of the fabled Sozin's comet in a single can?
"What is the name of this wondrous elixir, first sergeant?" Zuko politely asked, earning him a strange look from his uncle. He might actually need his uncle's help for this.
"I must know as well." Zhao agreed- sipping the last drops from the can.
With all the attention back on him, First Sergeant Yan just bowed his head low in defeat... and quietly whispered out a name.
"Yes..." Admiral Zhao grinned- as he tore the empty can in half and licked the insides, "A fitting name for such a fearsome elixir. Just as Khan has claimed, it feels like it has granted me wings to fly on. I need more of it. More of this..."
"Red Bull."
(Meanwhile) [The Abbey]
For wanting you and your juice badly...
{Admiral Zhao} Reputation : 10 - 15
{Zuko} Reputation : -50 - -45
"What in the goddamn...?" I muttered as I looked up from what I was working on- scanning the green tree-lined horizon to the west. I hope Admiral Zhao is at least genderbent in this universe. The thought of a middle-aged man lusting after me was... Ugh. Why was everyone higher up in the Fire Nation chain of command acting so strange? A mystery that I'll likely have to solve later.
"Now, where was I? Oh, right... Extortion." I muttered to myself before leaning my seven-foot-tall armoured bulk closer to my latest victim. My green eyes looking through the slit of my skull-faced helm as I pressed her up against the stone wall of her home, "Your order will surrender its secrets to me!"
My deep voice boomed loudly enough to rattle bones, but the woman in brown and white robes stayed defiant.
"No, we will not betray the trust that was invested to us by the Avatar!" she shrieked in religious fervour. It was at that point that Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors caught up. Their slender frames in armoured green kimono and riding atop their Ostrich-horse mounts as they trotted up the dirt path and onto the courtyard with me.
"We can't be your bodyguards effectively if you keep running ahead, Khan." Suki sighed, "And I see you're at it again- harassing old ladies. Nuns at that."
I glanced at the nun that I was manhandling then back at Suki. "It's not my fault that they have the most knowledge ready to be recorded in books, but refuse to do so."
"What do they have this time?" Suki just shook her head, "An herb catalogue? Another secret family recipe for giant sea crab jambalaya?"
"Formulas for organic perfumes. This abbey is well-known in upper circles for them."
"They make what?!"
The other, less-tomboyish Kyoshi Warriors were immediately off their mounts- rushing into the abbey as their excited shouts. Already sniffing at the large pots of organic perfumes that the nuns of the abbey kept.
"I call dibs!"
"Double Dibs! I'm going to find the perfect scent and smell like royalty!"
"You can't just swab perfume over a pile of Ostrich-horse droppings and think it'll smell nice."
"Like you're one to talk, Miss My-Kimono-has-pit-stains."
"I do not! Take that back!"
"Ugh..." Suki groaned as she too dismounted to chase after her sisters, "Alright, girls, you all are getting extra catty! That's enough Red Bull rations for you all today!"
More nuns began to stream out of the surrounding structures to see what's going on. An even older woman with a stern, wrinkled face wearing the fanciest habit stepped up to me. Most likely the abbess- the head nun of this convent.
"Wait, you're not here to demand the location of the Avatar? Or to violate us?" she asked in complete confusion, "You're after our perfume recipes?"
"Yes, to the last question. And no, to everything else." I confirmed- looking at the robed nuns that were gathering behind their abbess. I spoke to them all, "You're all lucky that I've gotten over people who have the wrong assumption of me. Your purities are safe... the only question is whether virgins like you will die today because you refused to give those perfume recipes to me."
"Have you no shame?!" one of their nuns shrieked in outrage, "Those recipes are our order's well-kept secrets! It is only through them that this convent has been able to endure for so long and help those in need! And now, you're robbing it! You brutish thug! We will never share them, not to you!"
"That's very defiant for someone in your situation, let's see how long that lasts if I start feeding you all, one by one, to the Ostrich-Horses. So, will I hear some polite words of cooperation or shall we begin a feast for Ostrich-Horses?"
As one, the nuns' eyes were drawn to the Ostrich-Horses... who were eyeing her and her sisters back like dangled pieces of meat. These powerful creatures, sensing the impending feast ahead, ruffled their brown feathers as they began stalking closer on taloned feet. All the unquenchable stamina and appetite of horses, all the raw strength of Australian Emus...
"HONK!"
... and all the unfathomable evil of the Canadian Geese.
"We will cooperate, O' honoured one! A-anything you wish!" The abbess immediately folded and bowed deeply. From her sleeve, she pulled out a small notebook. "Here, these are my personal notes of our formulas to you."
I waved off the Ostrich-horses as I accepted the notebook.
"Private notes of the abbess?" I muttered as I excitedly flipped through it, reading through it as fast as I could before I found my prize: XP.
Skill Level up: [Herbalism]! Lvl 9 - Lvl 10
Herbalism Level 10 Reached - New Skill Perks Unlocked!
[Herbalism] Lvl 10 - Expert
The skill that encompasses identifying, harvesting and processing natural ingredients to create consumables items of various applications. Some less legal than others.
At higher levels, [Herbalism] offers more than just vinegars for cuts and poultices for bruises. Potions, poisons, draughts and philters of every colour and every purpose... You would be a potter where the entire living world would be your clay- molding flesh and vine to create pulsing wonders. Brewing complex tinctures that would make mortal flesh impenetrable to fire and steel, or to sprout entire forests from nothing but arid sands, or even allow death to be cheated in myriad ways. Because Life was always meant to be guided by one force or another, and yours would be the hands that gently- or not so gently- nudges it in whichever direction you so wish.
Level 5 - Apprentice Skill Perk
Weed Secrets (Active): And the weed whisper 'ayy lmao' Three times a day, double your Intelligence and Spirit bonuses when identifying unknown mixtures or organic matter- as well as divining which consumables of [Common] quality and below can be made from them.
Level 10 - Expert Skill Perk
Medic! (Passive): Actual medical license not included. When you personally apply healing consumables which you have personally made to other entities, the treated wound heals at a faster rate. Scales with your [Herbalism] skill.
+ R +
A very welcome perk, and possibly one of the more valuable ones in the long run.
It did come at the caveat that I needed to apply the healing items myself for it to work, and that meant more of my precious time was being expended. But compared to the trouble of training replacement soldiers, this was well worth it. Managing troop casualties had always been top priority; because even with my [Trainer] skill, replacement soldiers for my 41st Division took weeks to train up from normal Fire Nation Infantry. This [Medic!] perk also means that the 41st Division could recover faster after each battle and allow us to attack again while our own enemies are still recovering. All in all, the strategic and tactical advantages granted by this perk were so versatile and powerful that it was game changing.
"You have what you want, O' Giant..." one of the younger nuns interrupted my thoughts with her pleading, "We beg of you, please leave us be. We are but a peaceful convent, and have seen too much war in so many days."
"No."
The notebook clapped shut in my large armoured hand.
"You joined this war the moment you aided a Water Tribe soldier and nursed him to health. Then you picked your side when you housed him as he coordinated with his allies to strike against the Fire Nation. Thanks to your actions, he has relayed information to his leader that they can strike with impunity at the Fire Nation's eastern fleets. Those Fire Nation sailors lost to sea are now partly your doing."
Gasps of shock flitted amongst the gathered nuns as they looked genuinely surprised by that information. I wasn't. The 'Let's help everyone' types were always blissfully unaware of the consequences of saving the wrong person at the wrong time. And now, they weren't good Samaritans, but actual collaborators behind enemy lines.
"... What will you do to us?" the same young nun murmured, fearful eyes looking up at me.
"I already placed a construction order for an abbey to be built for your convent at Yellow Palace, and you will be relocating your order there. This might be a world-shattering revelation to you, but you can actually live a religious isolationist lifestyle AND still be within an hour's walk from civilization. That access to infrastructure will allow you to actually eat well every day instead of depending on unreliable logistics due to your insistence to reside in the middle of nowhere. More importantly, it will also allow you to expand your perfume manufacturing operations."
"But-" the abbess tried to protest. I cut her off.
"I wasn't asking." My voice rumbled, as I swept my gaze at them through my skull-faced helmet, "You have until tomorrow morning to load up all your important relics and personal effects onto the caravans before my men burn this convent to the ground. Whether you are still inside when that occurs is completely up to you."
Seeing that I was serious, the nuns hurried away to gather their things, leaving just me and the abbess. She looked up to me, her wrinkled eyes curiously peering at the eye slits of my helmet as if taking my measure.
"I do not know if you are a cruel man for burning down our place of worship which has stood for so long, or a kind one for not only sparing people who have aided your enemies, but also readily supplying a new abbey."
"Yes, yes." I dismissed, "Hold your morals up against me and realise that I've outgrown such things."
"Hah!" The old woman let out a laugh before smiling wistfully, "But... I suppose you would be right in that, as is often the case with great men so much larger than life. We cannot thank you, not for this, O' Giant. But we will pray for you..."
"That reminds me. I have one more question to ask... Do you know this person?"
From my Inventory, I pulled out a rough drawing of June and her Shrishu that I had sketched from memory. And from the way the abbess' eyes lit up in recognition, I knew she did.
(An hour later)
The 41st Division began arriving soon after.
The division's standard operating procedure was to loot everything we could, but since the nuns were effectively VIPs to be escorted to Yellow Palace, I had them scouting and surveying the surrounding lands- noting down approaches and lines of retreat. The hard-learned wisdom of Chinggis in action once again. Nevertheless, it was straightforward enough to tell them to come back and burn the place down to the ground tomorrow noon, and to hire the few civilian merchants in tow to transport the nuns.
Luxury goods to trade were always a boon for any growing settlement, but the nuns' organic perfumes with their low production costs, small volume and high selling price made them the perfect export item. Moreover, they had the added benefit of already being well-known throughout the Four Nations. A nice expansive customer base all ready to be profited from. Earth Kingdom Command were fools to leave them unguarded... alongside all the other old ladies that I had sent to my town.
In the meantime, however...
"Khan, you have a letter." Our newest addition, Yor Briar, called my attention. Dressed in a red Fire Nation cloak and her face hidden in the shadows of her hood, she blended in with the rest of the 41st Division as her womanly frame approached me, her red eyes behind spectacles looking at me. This unstoppable assassin with speed and strength that matched or even surpassed mine, and I made her my secretary...
"It bore the seal of Fire Nation Command and arrived via falcon right after you left... urgent, but not mission critical. Fire Nation protocols dictate that you have about half a day more to respond for it to be considered to be a prompt reply."
... and she was surprisingly good at her job too. Or perhaps not too surprising since she was used to infiltrations. I wasn't particularly worried about her blabbing Fire Nation secrets. Her organisation likely had other infiltrators in better positions than just the secretary of an Infantry Division captain.
"Very well." I nodded, "Tell me the gist of it."
"Admiral Zhao of the 1st Fire Nation Armada is ordering you and the entire 41st Division to report to Pohuai Port where he awaits your arrival within a fortnight. He has information from the Fire Lord that must be relayed to you in person."
"Hmmm... in person? Possibly a promotion." I speculated. "Going from corporal to captain was certainly a small enough promotion to do by letter. But Captain to Commander might require a higher ranking officer to do it in person... or it could be something else entirely; it looks like we'll have to see for ourselves. How generous of him to give us two whole weeks- he must be underestimating our marching speed. And- is that perfume you're wearing?"
Her business-like demeanor evaporated as she blushed.
"Oh, you noticed that huh?" Yor murmured, red eyes looking at anywhere except me. "Suki and the others handed me a bottle earlier. It- it doesn't smell bad on me, does it?"
Sliding off my helmet, I leaned over her shoulder and activated [Weed Secrets] to identify whatever she was wearing.
(Uncommon) The Abbey's Rose prick Perfume
Ingredients: Rose de Mai, Northern Rose, Ba Sing Se Pepper.
"It's excellent actually." I commented, "A graceful and elegant floral note, with a sharp prick of spice at the end. Evoking an image of a bouquet of roses, thorns and all. Fits a very beautiful and deadly assassin like you perfectly."
"B-beautiful?" She sputtered, eyes wide as her blush turned nuclear red, "Ah... thank you, that's... you're... uuuuuu..."
For saying that she smells nice and looks beautiful...
{Yor Briar} Reputation : 35 - 38
Yes, just butter her up, Khan. Don't fall for the moe girl act. She's a super assassin adept at manipulating people and had actually come close to killing me once already... I really should have watched the anime. I don't know enough of her character to know how to deal with her, and now I'm just picking the safe option every time because I am still uncertain how fragile our alliance was. A good Reputation with her could only help me in the long run; and by that, I mean perhaps she'll like me enough to not stab me in the back by the end of this.
"Where are Suki and the others? It's been an hour." I brought up, glancing up to the sky where the sun was climbing high.
"Um... I think they're still browsing fragrances?"
"Bah, women and their shopping. We have places to be..." I muttered before pointing at a random 41st soldier passing by, "You! Find the Kyoshi Warriors and tell them to report to me immediately."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Khan..." Yor muttered as she looked at me expectantly with those red eyes. "How soon can we get that tracker to find Anya?"
"Right now, actually." I readily informed her, the sound of rattling chains clinking out as I inspected my (Exquisite) [Steel Meteor Hammer] for the upcoming side trip, "The abbess said that our tracking specialist we need was actually here yesterday, and gave us her general direction."
That revelation made her raise a graceful eyebrow in surprise.
"This is progressing a lot faster than I thought it would." Yor murmured, "Wait... so, we have actually been looking for this specialist all this time?"
"Yes." I nodded, "Remember that fortune teller at Makapu village? The herbalist in the Taku ruins? And now the Mother Superior of this abbey? Our tracker has been to those locations and talked to those people recently. We'll find her soon."
"I didn't expect you to be so dedicated, but..." Yor smiled brightly. "Thank you! I appreciate it!"
For actively keeping your promise...
{Yor Briar} Reputation : 38 - 48
It was then that Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors arrived- their Ostrich-Horses galloping closer before stopping in a neat line in front of us. With painted faces and armoured green kimonos, they crisply saluted in unison.
"What do you need of us, Khan?" Suki asked, and her sisters added.
"Yeah, we can stay for a little while longer and pick out some scents."
"Not to mention one of those abbey sisters looked like she wanted to get on her knees and start worshipping you."
"She wished that she could do a better job than we do."
"But seriously, Khan, you can get a lot of leverage gifting the right perfumes to the right military spouses."
"Yeah, they're really good."
"I'll keep that in mind, but right now, we're moving out." my deep voice rumbled out the command. "The abbess has supplied us with the general location of that tracker. But we need to act on this information fast because our target is on a fast mount herself and could leave at any time."
"Wait! I'm coming along!" Yor called out just as we turned to leave. Her slender frame sitting atop an Ostrich-Horse mount as she caught up to us.
"But aren't you supposed to be in hiding?" asked Suki.
Yor's red eyes just hardened into twin shards of ruby, "This tracker is our best hope for finding my daughter, I must be an active part of this."
"I'll be commanding everyone's attention anyway." I said- throwing on a heavy brown cloak to hide the Fire Nation colours of my armour, "Let's move. I'll brief you on the way there."
"Understood." Suki nodded, her red hair bobbing before she looked over to her sisters. "As One!"
"As one!"
(Later)
We rode westwards for most of the afternoon, as if trying to beat the setting sun to the horizon.
Over grassy hills, across burbling brooks and through sleepy forests... the wild untamed lands of the world of Avatar passed us by. More scenic than the badlands and towering mountain ranges of western Earth Kingdom, the northwest was more lush in its greenery and its wildlife. Birds sang as they flew overhead, and a plethora of hybrid creatures stared at us from the foliage... the 41st Division wasn't going to go hungry if we ever took this route. Such a rich land to forage and plunder if not for the fact that this was technically Fire Nation occupied territories. So, we simply rode on by as we made our way to our destination.
Well, the ladies rode. I ran alongside them.
[Lvl 2] Power Move (Passive): You don't 'run.' You kick the ground until it takes you where you want to go. On top of your Dexterity, add (50%) Strength to your running speed and jumping height.
[Lvl 2] Relentless (Passive): Be the Party Animal as told in the legends. You no longer require sleep, and all physical fatigue gain is now reduced by (50%).
Through a combination of perks alongside my sizable Constitution stat, I was able to easily stride apace the Ostrich-horses. Eventually, just as the sun touched the horizon, we reached our destination: A large three-story-tall structure of wood and brick nestled on the riverside. It would have been a grand structure if not for how run down it looked: Boarded up windows, gaping holes in the wooden walls and the drunks currently puking or pissing against its exterior walls.
"That's a bar and inn?" Suki puzzled as she laid blue eyes on it. "It's almost as large as your Immigration centre back in Yellow Palace, and definitely larger than anything we have on Kyoshi Island!"
"I don't think that comparison is fair when it's being puked on at the moment, Suki."
"Yeah, I can almost smell the vomit and booze from here."
"You gotta wonder who would build a bar that big only to just let it fall to ruin."
"It must have been the summer home of some Earth Kingdom noble before being abandoned." I explained to the Kyoshi Warriors, "You see a lot of these around. From what I recall from those architectural books I used to design Yellow Palace, this was built around 85-75 years ago... back when the initial major counterattacks of Earth Kingdom proved successful, and Earth Kingdom nobles were fighting each other over reclaimed lands. The impatient fools."
"Khan... that big animal bandaged up and sleeping in the stable beside the inn?" Suki pointed out, "That's the Shirshu, right?"
"So, this 'June' mercenary must definitely be inside." Yor observed.
"Yes." I confirmed with a nod- putting up my cloak's hood to cover my helmet and turning to look at the Kyoshi Warriors, "Ladies, are you clear on the plan?"
"We'll scale up to the roof, sneak in through the windows and keep to the shadows of the rafters." Suki recited as she handed out cans of Red Bull to the Kyoshi Warriors, "If trouble starts, we drop down and start separating heads from shoulders while you grab the mercenary."
"And I'll come with you." Yor continued- also pulling up her cloak's hood, "And if trouble starts... I kill everyone inside."
"And remember, we need her expertise: We need her alive."
Nods all around, everyone on the same page, we made our move. The Kyoshi Warriors burst into a sprint- dashing quietly through the trees. Meanwhile, Yor and I casually just walked up to the front door. Just two figures in cloaks, one of a slender woman and the other of a giant. On our own, we would have raised eyebrows. Together, we garnered stares. But while everyone was staring at our approach, the Kyoshi Warriors scaled the walls unseen and slipped through the windows.
With girls in position, I pushed open the wooden front door and walked into a real hive of scum and villainy. Sour-faced old men cradling their drinks, mercenary outfits huddled together in the corners with their matching uniforms and...
... every eyeball in the rickety bar was suddenly aimed in my direction. As well as a few crossbows.
As if some poisoned crossbows were enough to scare me. More important than the minor threat however was our target was in sight and sitting at the table in the centre of the inn. A thin woman dressed in red and black riding leathers, long raven black hair tied in a topknot by a skull hair tie, and coal black eyes staring at us as she swirled a wooden mug in a slender hand. Yor and I fearlessly walked over to her, and crossbow trigger fingers tensed over so slightly.
"Two new arrivals just the day after me an angry boy parted ways...Let me guess he sent you?" June asked- subtly shifting her body towards what I assumed was a weapon underneath the table.
"No, he didn't." I answered- pulling back my hood to reveal my skull-faced helmet. Some of the men took a step back in fear. They knew what I did to my enemies. After all, I actively made it a goal to cultivate such an aura of ruthlessness and invincibility. Everytime someone thought that Khan the Giant wasn't one you wanted to fight and simply ran away, that won me a small victory without ever lifting a finger.
"A giant with the skull helm... the Fire Nation Giant himself, of course." June groaned to herself. Her slender body shifted again, hand off the weapon and brought it up to rub her temples instead, "I guess it was too much to hope that it was some kids sitting on each others' shoulders in a cloak... Put those crossbows down, boys, you won't so much as tickle him with those crossbows."
Her hired goons complied, and the conversation was a lot less tense now without weapons being pointed. But they still didn't disperse, simply watching us talk.
"If Angry Boy didn't set you up for this then why are you here?" June asked- staring at me, "Am I wanted by the Fire Nation now?"
"As far as I'm concerned? No, you're not." I answered, "I'm looking to hire you."
"Not interested." she immediately dismissed- taking a gulp from her drink, "I have a new policy now: No Fire Nation gigs. You're never good for your gold."
"Ah." My voice rumbled in understanding, "Zuko was so angry about his quarry slipping away that he didn't pay you."
"Mhm, just stomped away like a kid in a tantrum. His Uncle Lazy was nice, but not forthcoming with anything... monetary."
"I'm not him. Because I actually know how to speak your language."
"Oh, really?" She hummed, her voice going low and husky as she leaned closer and emphasized the swell of her breasts in those tight black leathers, "Talk dirty to me then, big guy."
From my Inventory, I pulled out a small chest the size of a toolbox- royal blue and lined with polished brass- and placed it on the wooden table. And with an almost casual gesture, I flipped it open to show the glittering stack of golden yuanbao, little boat-shaped ingots of gold. The hungry mutterings of greed from the crowd rose so suddenly that I almost signalled for the Kyoshi Warriors to start opening throats. Meanwhile, June's dark eyes widened ever so slightly- a slender finger picking up a yuanbao before stroking it with her thumb to feel the gold.
I had her attention before, but now I had her interest.
"Half now, half once we have our target." I offered. Doing business in the open and in plain sight... not ideal, but I needed June feeling at ease instead of feeling cornered. The hunt for Yor's daughter may take a few weeks, maybe a whole month. Having her willingly take this job was ideal, and a well-paid mercenary was a productive mercenary who was also less likely to desert.
"Hmmm... Forget it, it isn't worth the headache." She said- flinging the gold piece back to the chest like a booger.
"I see..." I muttered in faux sorrow as I hid the chest back under my cloak, and that's when I knew that I had her. Because despite her apparent disinterest, her black eyes widened almost imperceptibly at all that money disappearing from view. She was definitely interested in taking the job- we were only haggling on the price for her services.
"Would this alleviate the headache?" I asked innocently as I put the chest back on the table with its twin sister in tow, just as heavy from golden yuanbaos.
June's eyes lit up again while the people around us whimpered at the sight. The gold reflecting light onto their awed and drooling faces.
"Well now... who are you searching for that's worth so much money...?" June wondered- tearing her eyes from the beautiful sight to smile a sly smile at me. "Double it again."
"Unfortunately for you, that's all I have on me." I lied, and I knew that we were moving on to the discussion of what services she'd be willing to provide.
"Well, that's too ba-"
Yor exploded into movement. Within a fraction of a breath, the thick wooden table suddenly creaked as June's face was slammed onto its surface, and a lustrous brass-plated stiletto knife hovered over her eyeball. Yor's blood red eyes almost glowed as she looked down on the mercenary.
"We're searching for my daughter." She growled like a vengeful demon- inching that dagger tip closer to June's eye, almost scratching the surface, "And you are going to help."
"No! Don't-" I tried to calm her down, but the panic in the room was already rising as the people seemed to recognise who Yor was.
"You! You're the Thorn Princess?!" June squealed in fear as she recognised Yor as well- her hands trying in vain to budge Yor's stony grasp of certain death, "Wait! I'll help! I'll even do it for free! Giant, help! Call her off!"
The name 'Thorn Princess' seemed to be incredibly infamous in the criminal underworld, because the mercs that were supposed to be protecting June just began backing away. Their eyes wide in fear and awe at the legendary assassin. But I had other things to worry about... Because assaulting June was the signal. The Kyoshi Warriors dropped down in a circle around me and Yor. Their razor sharp [Relic]-quality Katanas gleaming under the torchlight, and painted faces peering over opened war fans. The crowd around us almost stumbled back at their unexpected appearance- leaving themselves wide open for attack.
"Sisters..." Suki's voice was low and threatening, "AS ON-"
"Stop! No separating heads from shoulders!" I bellowed, a bit too slowly. And the [As One!] perk was likely the only reason why the other mercs surrounding us didn't lose their heads. Meanwhile, the Kyoshi Warriors just groaned in disappointment.
"Aww... but our entrance was sooo cool, and I even did the voice!"
"Can someone please do something stupid? Please? Anyone?"
"..."
"This is lame."
"So lame. I wanted to get the high score this time."
"Nuh-uh, I was going to get the high score."
"Pfft. Not with that entrance pose... Crane Stance, really?"
"Hey! It's good to revisit the classics every once in a while!"
"Kyoshi Warriors, escort June here to her Shirshu." I sighed, "I have to speak with the Thorn Princess privately."
I placed a hand on Yor's shoulder. She continued to stare down at June for a little longer before complying- taking her stiletto knife away from the merc's face before following me. We headed for the door while the Kyoshi Warriors helped June up to her feet and through the door leading to the stables. The moon was up as Yor and I exited the premises. I still needed her help to remove my [Marked for Death] perk, but she wasn't making it easy.
"I know it wasn't part of the plan..." Yor preempted with a frown, "But she wasn't agreeing. I had to make her agree!"
"She already agreed. What you heard was us haggling in double-speak." I told her, "And now, we're on a time limit. We'll need to move quickly, because the Garden will no doubt hear of this incident soon."
"W-w-w-whaaaat? She was?!" Yor cried out, as she grabbed my cloak and looked up at me with shocked red eyes. I merely sighed in exasperation. Her acting like an airhead was truly impeccable. I don't know what her angle was deliberately making finding her child harder... If it was even her child. Oh well, I needed her help with erasing the [Marked for Death] perk either way, and there was nothing I could do but play along.
"Yes."
"Oh...I'm sorry." She wilted- her pink lips tightened to a thin line, " It's just... whenever it comes to Anya, I just get so worried and I- mmmm..."
"We'll continue forward and find her." I reassured her just as the Kyoshi Warriors walked up with June and her Shirshu in tow. The mercenary bearing the hesitant posture and expression of a prisoner of war. Not good.
"I'll help you track whoever you need." She spoke in a subdued tone, bowing her head.
Companion acquired: June
* Raise Reputation with Suki to unlock the recruitment of {Shirshu Trackers}. *
+ R +
"Don't look so glum." I said to her before I took out that blue chest, dropped half of the gleaming Yuanbaos into a cloth purse and tossed it to her. She caught it with a look of surprise as I looked her in the eye. "As offered, half now and half when we find her."
A thoughtful look passed her features as she appreciated the weight of the gold in her hand, "I guess we have a deal. Not like I can refuse anymore, but I'll admit this is better than getting nothing... You're not half bad, Giant."
"Hah!" My deep voice loosed a bark of laughter. "Impress me with your proficiency and maybe I'll toss in the second chest as a job well done."
Lips painted dark red quirked in an amused smirk as she eyed me. "Deal."
For paying for her services fairly...
{June} Reputation : -10 - 15
+ R +
From my Inventory, I pulled out Anya's hairpieces and handed them to the bounty hunter. "I believe you require something that the target held or wore?"
"Yes, these'll do the job." June said, accepting the little hair cones and holding them up to her great mount's flared nose. It sniffed at it in quick succession, before whipping its head this way and that trying to catch the scent, and before finally tilted its head up high and sniffed the air.
"Oh no..." She groaned.
"What? Is something wrong with your Shirshu?" Suki asked.
"Nothing wrong with my Shirshu." June sighed- rubbing her temples, "That's just what Nyla does when the scent reaches across an ocean, and the only thing West of here is..."
"The Fire Nation homeland." I finished for her. One of the Kyoshi Warriors let out a long, low whistle.
"Are Fire Nation soldiers allowed to go home just like that, Khan?"
"I don't think I've ever heard of Fire Nation soldiers just going back home."
"That would have been very welcome, but..."
"Always felt like they live here in the Earth Kingdom now."
"Yeah. Same here. I think we've seen some Fire Nation soldiers grow old here."
However, that wasn't the problem for me. This was only a distraction from my main goal.
Quest:
THE JOURNEY FOR INTELLIGENCE
Main Objective: Impress {Wan Shi Tong} with (614/100) books for his library.
Reward: Removal of the [Dull Mind] perk
Optional Objective: Impress {Wan Shi Tong} with (11.2/20) books you authored yourself
Reward: [Able Mind]
+ R +
I thought it over, staring at the abbess' personal notebook on their organic perfume mixing operations.
I had more than enough books and almost enough self-authored books to take to Wan Shi Tong now. I may have cheated a bit by authoring two cookbooks, but since they were obscure knowledge of dying traditional recipes, I'm certain a bookworm like Wan will appreciate them all the same. Regardless of the quality of the books' contents, I should be heading back to Yellow Palace down south and preparing to make excursions into the Si Wong desert. The library still had to be found after all, it wasn't something that you can casually ask directions for.
No... now that I think about it. Actually, there was one person who I could ask about its location: Admiral Zhao.
If I recall correctly, I was in the point of the timeline where the admiral should be beginning to organise the invasion fleet for the Northern water Tribe. Of which, I'd no doubt be recruited to participate in, so I'll likely be summoned back to the homeland anyway.
Was this fate?
Yor's daughter Anya, the mustering armada for the Northern Water Tribe siege, Admiral Zhao's knowledge of the Spirit Library's Location... All my roads seem to lead back to the Fire Islands.
"We're going to the Fire Islands." I announced it to the group.
Reputation & Obedience check succeeded!
100/75 Reputation Required with {Suki & the Kyoshi Warriors}
100/100 Obedience Required with {Suki & the Kyoshi Warriors}
"Wait till the girls back home hear about this." Suki murmured. "We're going to be the first Kyoshi Warriors to set foot on the Fire Islands in more than a hundred years..."
"Yes." my deep voice agreed, "Let's do our best not to stand out, we don't want things getting... interesting."
(Meanwhile) [Fire Lord Ozai's Palace]
"A truly interesting proposal... However, is this truly the time for this, Azula?"
Her father's impatient and demanding growl struck fear in her. Kneeling on the floor, Azula actually felt sweat drip down the side of face- tracing her slender jawline before dropping to the wooden floor of the War Council Chamber.
She had been... grounded for lack of a better term. When once she would have been able to leave with impunity the palace pursue her own agendas, she had been cooped up in the palace all this time by order of her own father. And the palace guards rightfully feared her father more than her. Like some lowly peasant girl stuck doing chores around the home while she's grounded, she too had been stuck with the inglorious tedium of handling internal affairs until she regained her father's trust. But now...
...Now was her chance!
Azula licked her dry lips as she bowed her head lower and spoke up.
"With all the heroes of the Fire Nation already gathering for the impending invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. With the whole of the Fire Nation still basking in your flawless victory at Omashu. With your enemies still reeling from the mighty blows your armies have dealt. This is the perfect time for a grand military parade, my Firelord!"
This was her plan to get back on her father's good graces... and further her own military accomplishments in the process.
"You speak the truth..." Her father considered- staring down at her from behind the curtain of flames. "The opportunity is present, but are the benefits worth this... distraction?"
"Yes, my Firelord!" Azula eagerly replied. "A rousing display will galvanise the nation. Turn the sparks of victory into a raging fire of support for you! We will squeeze every ounce of effort from the peasants, and grant you more resources to prepare for the inevitable assault on Ba Sing Se. Army recruitment, light and heavy industry productions... They will all see a rise as everyone is inspired to toil harder. One great push towards your inevitable victory at Ba Sing Se!"
"Very well... You have one chance, Azula. Do not fail me."
"I will not, Father."
Her father's anger for her flub was still raging, and there was nothing she could say that could change his mind. But therein lies the beauty of her plan.
She can't change his mind, but she had been to enough War Council meetings to know that Firelord Ozai still listens to high ranking officers who have value in his eyes. Gather them up in one place and extract enough glowing recommendations from them, and her father will do more than just unground her. He'll place her at the head of the armada to take the Northern Water Tribe before anyone knows it. An entire nation to fall... Now, that was a much greater military accomplishment than just Omashu.
And who better to present to lead the parade of gushing testimonials of her than the man of the hour, Commander Khan himself?
She'll wrap him around her little finger, then bring him before her father... Her not-so-little sockpuppet to speak through.
'Giant... you will make for a nice tall stepping stone for me.'
[A few kilometres northwest of Port Pohuai]
For making her look forward to meeting you...
{Azula} Reputation : -50 - -45
I'll be honest. That's even more worrying...
AN:
From this chapter onwards, I'll explicitly indicate... in the ANs during which episode of the series a chapter happens. For the sake of clarity. For example...
This chapter occurs over the course of two episodes... (ATLA Book 1, Episode 15 - Bato of the Water Tribe) and (ATLA Book 1, Episode 16 - The Deserter). Both of which take place after (The Fortuneteller) and right before (The Northern Air Temple).
If this was a Mount and Blade campaign... Zuko would be the high honour, low renown claimant who is useless in wartime, Zhao would be low honour, high renown vassal who had somehow managed to butter up all the right people to become marshall... and Khan would be the amoral calculating murderhobo MC that every MnB veteran plays as.
Yor's perfume is Tom Ford's Rose Prick... Rose de Mai, Bulgarian Rose, Sichuan Pepper. One of my friends is a fragrance nut.
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