Second Child Of Agni: Chapter 4 (Patreon)

Currently working on the outline for the final arc of A Devil In The Dungeon which is why there's been no updates. I should be done relatively soon and we'll be back to your regularly scheduled programming!

In the meantime, please enjoy!

To my pleasant surprise, Zuko managed to play the part of a perfect prince for the assembled council. As the war council dragged on, I noticed that he seemed to be listening with more than half an ear. He was actually paying attention to the proceedings, filling his mind with knowledge of the war effort and the goings on in the Earth Kingdom.

Maybe I had underestimated him. He was older than I was and with Iroh as his mentor, he would have at least some knowledge of how to behave himself.

Whether or not that knowledge would stick as the hours passed remained to be seen.

Since Iroh’s change of heart at Omashu, our efforts in wiping away the staunch resistance in the Earth Kingdom had seen middling progress. We weren’t stalling, per se, but every inch of ground was hard fought, and holding it was an exercise in and of itself. The people of the Earth Kingdom had grown up under constant threat from the Fire Nation, so there were no small number of rebel cells scattered throughout the colonies that we had to deal with on top of the forward line marching towards the heart of the nation.

I had found myself mostly in charge of such operations, alongside General Hao, of course. As my mentor, it was he who presented my plans to the war council and my father. Though, that was not to say I hadn’t earned my own measure of respect. I knew these men and even their families, had shared tea and strategies in the homes of more than a few. Many of them knew that my age was not even a consideration in these halls.

I could not say the same for Zuko, however. I noticed eyes sliding to the young prince more than once. They were wondering what he was doing here, but none of them would dare to voice it out loud.

Minutes turned to hours as we discussed the current state of affairs with our greatest enemy. We’d hit a wall on the western front: battalions headed by a great Earth Kingdom general had turned us away at every point and the whole offensive was beginning to stagger. We couldn’t divert attention without weakening other battalions and if we continued forward on other fronts, we risked an attack from behind our own lines.

It was a pretty pickle, and the main topic of today’s discussion.

“The largest of the Earth Kingdom’s forces are concentrated here,” General Bujing used a thin stick to point at a specific place on the map. “They are a dangerous battalion of earthbenders—fierce warriors, one and all. They've managed to stall us for weeks now, and if something doesn’t change, they’ll continue to do so.”

“Could we perhaps tire them out? Strike in other places to deny them the supplies needed to rest?” General Li suggested.

“Most of our forces are concentrated in that area just to keep the stalemate,” Hao chimed in. “We don’t have the manpower to divert attention like that and we won’t until more battalions arrive from the mainland.”

“Which is why I suggest a new tactic.” Bujing moved a piece on the board. I leaned forward in my seat, my eyes narrowing as the man smirked. “We’ll use the forty-first division.”

“That division is entirely new recruits.” Hao frowned. “How do you expect them to defeat a battalion that’s been giving us so much trouble?”

“I don’t.” Bujing’s smirk widened as he moved another piece on the board. “They’ll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat?”

I saw what was coming long before it happened. I heard Zuko inhale, felt his muscles tense in outrage. I turned, grabbing his hand, but by then he was already halfway out of his chair.

“How could you say that!?” He cried. Every single eye in the room turned to him but he seemed completely ignorant of what he had just done as he pointed to Bujing. “Those soldiers love and defend our nation, you can’t sacrifice them all just for a chance to attack the enemy!”

Silence followed his proclamation, so intense that I could practically feel it pressing against my skin. Just like the growing heat that was emanating from our father's burning throne.

Idiot I seethed, Absolute, irredeemable idiot.

I had maybe seconds before Ozai's rage made itself known. He wasn't going to let something like this go without punishment, and it would be harsh. Zuko was not Azula, and he was not me. Ozai held no favor for the boy; there was no room to wriggle out of the consequences. Not on his own.

For a single moment, I considered leaving the boy to stew in his foolishness. But the hand against mine was small and sweating and suddenly clenching back just as hard. Zuko seemed to realize he'd made a mistake. If only he'd realized before.

I released my brother's hand, and stood.

“My brother raises a valid concern, though perhaps his delivery leaves something to be desired.” I spoke into the silence. As eyes turned to me instead of my brother, I turned and bowed to Bujing. “I apologize for his outburst, General, but I believe you haven't fully considered the ramifications of your proposal.”

Bujing regarded me with narrowed eyes. “And how is that, Princess Tanya?”

His tone was displeased, but Ozai's throne simmered instead of flaring. Hopefully I'd be able to soothe flared tempers before they could burn out of control. “I merely ask you to look to the future. Have you considered what will happen after the forty-first is used as bait?”

Bujing frowned. “After?”

“Yes, think about it.” I all but pushed my brother back into a sitting position, taking the attention in his place. “Even in the event that your plan works perfectly, and reinforcements sweep in from the rear to crush the Earth Kingdom forces, what happens when those battalions arrive and find the broken bodies of their comrades scattered across the battlefield."

I gestured to the map. "Moreover, what happens to the survivors of the forty-first once they link back up with their saviors? Many of them will realize what has happened. They're young and patriotic, but that only goes so far when your own nation stabs you in the back.”

I watched as Bujing's jaw worked, color rising in his cheeks as he glanced around the table and found no allies. His pride demanded that he argue, but he was astute enough to recognize that pressing further would accomplish nothing.

“The princess... makes several points worth considering,” Bujing managed through what appeared to be a clenched jaw. “Perhaps my proposal was hasty in its construction.”

General Hao cleared his throat. “If I may, I believe the western front requires a more nuanced approach. Rather than sacrificing the forty-first, we might consider holding the line and using them to shore up our forces for the time. We have the benefit of…”

“That will be enough, General Hao.”

Ozai's words rendered the elder speechless, alongside everyone else in the room. I stiffened as the fire burning around his throne crackled in the hall. Ozai rarely spoke during these councils, preferring to let his generals debate and scheme before rendering his judgment. That he had chosen to speak now was not a good sign. Not for Bujing. Not for Zuko.

And certainly not for me.

“This council is adjourned.” Ozai said. “I will hear no more tonight.”

Bujing bowed immediately, as did the rest of the table, before the gathered generals rose as one and began to file out.

I rose from my seat, Zuko following a half-second later. I kept my expression carefully poised as I moved to follow the procession out of the room...

“Prince Zuko, Princess Tanya."

I stopped in my tracks alongside my brother. I closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply.

"Yes, Father?"

"You will see me in my throne room before morning court."

Of course.

“T-Tanya, let go of me!”

I ignored my brother’s whinging as I stalked down the hall. Though smaller, my grip on his wrist was unbreakable as iron. He let out small noises of discomfort and confusion but I ignored them all as I dragged him into a nearby room that I knew would be empty, shutting and locking the door behind me, before flicking my wrist to light a nearby candle.

As the flame flickered to life, I whirled on Zuko, staring him down as he stared at me warily in turn. He massaged his wrist with a pained expression. “What are you doing?”

“Have you lost all sense, brother?”

Zuko flinched, confusion flashing on his face as the question left my lips in a hiss. I’d never been anything but polite in front of him, so hearing me so fed up must have come as a shock. I imagined he was in for several during this conversation. “What?”

“You must have,” I continued. “if you thought what you did during that council was in any way acceptable. I knew that you’ve been lax on your studies, Zuko, but I thought you’d at least manage well enough to sit there and keep your mouth shut for four hours or so. Now I realize it was stupid of me for thinking that the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation would manage not to embarrass himself in front of the most esteemed men in his entire nation!”

“I–”

“No, be quiet.” I dragged a hand down my face, trying to get control of myself after the clusterfuck I had just taken part in. I could hear Zuko’s breathing, the sound of the gathered generals passing through the hall. They would gossip about this, doubtlessly. I imagined everyone in the palace would hear about it before the sun set, and maybe all of Caldera by the end of the week. If they were lucky.

“Do you understand what kind of mess you nearly tripped into back there? You cannot just speak your mind without due propriety in a setting like that, Zuko. The blatant disrespect alone—”

“He was suggesting that we sacrifice our people!” Zuko defended. “Our countrymen risk their lives for this nation; we can’t just throw them away. I thought you agreed with me!”

“There is a difference between bringing up the flaws in a plan in a respectful manner, and blurting out your unfiltered opinion like you’ve just learned how to form them!” I replied harshly. “Your heart may have been in the right place, but you couldn’t have reacted more childishly if you tried.” I crossed my arms, pinning him with my stare. “Interrupting a war council is already a serious offence, but doing so in the way that you did was a blatant act of disrespect to the presiding party. I don’t think I need to tell you who that is?”

From the draw of Zuko’s lips and the pallor of his expression, I knew she did not.

“You are lucky our father was feeling especially merciful today. I sighed, “As it stands, you’re still in hot water, and you’ve forced me to step into the pot with you. We’re both in trouble now.”

Ozai had not been happy with either of us, but my handling of the situation had mitigated the worse of it. Even so, we were still due to be punished; our father had made that extremely clear, though what punishment awaited us was still up in the air.

“I was just…” Zuko looked away, fists clenching at his sides. “I was just trying to look out for our countrymen. They don’t deserve that.”

My expression softened just a tad. “That’s all well and good, Zuko, but you don’t know nearly enough about how these things work to speak up on matters like you did. General Bujng’s proposal would have never gone through. It was poorly thought out, as I would have stated once I got the chance. This whole thing could have been avoided, but now we’ll both have to suffer the consequences of what happened there.”

To his credit, Zuko looked properly contrite. His eyes were downcast, and his lip was wobbling. A child playing at an adult’s game. The exact opposite of me. “...I’m sorry.”

I turned and unlocked the door. Snuffing the candle with a gesture, I opened it and strode out.

Iroh was standing in the hallway. His wizened face was twisted with concern and guilt. I paused just next to him, eyes sliding to meet his.

“Talk to him. I’m afraid I'm not… equipped to make him understand just how badly he screwed up in there.”

Iroh nodded and I left him there to deal with the mess. I had to figure out how I was going to salvage this situation, and worry after its consequences.

The very next morning, as the sun rose, I was called to the throne room.

I entered to find it completely empty, except for the Fire Lord himself propped up on his throne. A curtain of crackling fire divided the two of us, and I strode up to its edge, falling to one knee and bowing my head low. The heat washed over my face with each breath Ozai took, but they did not burn. He was displeased, but not furious.

“You’ve arrived, my daughter.” Ozai’s voice resonated above the flames, settling in my chest as a low rumble. It was designed to intimidate, that voice. Just as Azulon’s had been. My head lowered another fraction.

“As you commanded, Father.”

“Yes... You gave come a long way.” Ozai's voice was sweet as grenadine and just as sickening. His approval slid over my skin and left goosebumps that his fire refused to warm away. “Just like Azula, you've exceeded your brother in ways I never expected.”

I kept my head bowed. “Father, I apologize for Zuko’s behavior during the war council. I tried to stop him from attending at all, but he insisted and I lack the authority to forbid him outright. Had I known he would act as he did, I would have tried harder.”

Ozai’s flames rose an inch before settling.

“Your brother dishonored himself, speaking as he did,” Ozai growled. “Worse yet, he dishonored me. A prince who cannot control his tongue is one I have no business with. He will have to regain what he has lost, if he ever wishes to set foot within Caldera again.”

Ah, so it was banishment. A harsh punishment for a first infraction, but not beyond what I expected. Ozai was the epitome of narcissistic power, and Zuko had threatened his image in front of his most esteemed generals. I was honestly somewhat surprised that Zuko wasn’t facing down Bujing in an Agni Kai at this very moment.

“I see.” That was all I said. Ozai seemed pleased by that.

“There is another matter that requires attention,” Ozai continued, “As you know, rebels are threatening the prosperity of our colonies. They strike our supply lines, harass our garrisons, and sow dissent among the local populations. The commanders I've sent to quell them have been fools unworthy of the title, failures..”

I lifted my head just enough to see the silhouette of my father through the wall of flame. He raised a hand toward me. “Hao tells me that you've done well managing such things from here, but it is clear that well is not good enough. I wonder if you might be more effective in taking a personal role in things.”

I carefully concealed the panic that his words caused me. This bastard was trying to send me off to the war. I had spent a lifetime fighting in the trenches to earn myself a position overlooking it all, I'd not give up that same position to be sent back to the mud pit.

“I believe that I work best when all my resources are laid out before me.” I kept my voice as respectful as I possibly could, even though inside I wanted to curse him out for even suggesting such a thing. “The contacts I've cultivated find residence in Caldera, and General Hao is more a partner than a mentor for all the years we've been working together. The war effort would suffer if I were to simply leave it all behind.”

Ozai's flames flickered. “Are you refusing me, Daughter?”

My expression tightened, but I did not bow my head at the man's anger. “No, Father. I am merely suggesting—”

“From this day forth, you will be taking a more active role in the war effort,” Ozai commanded. “You will have two weeks to prepare, but once that time is up, you will be departing for the Earth Kingdom. And you will stay there until I see fit to call you home. Is that understood?”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from cursing. Of all the asinine...

I should have let Zuko face the consequences of his actions alone, I thought bitterly as I stood to have everything I worked for ripped away from me.

“Answer me.”

“...Yes, Father. I understand.” I bowed my head, resignation on my face and in my voice. “May I chose my attendants?”

“You may.”

“Then I'd best get started.” I said as I rose.

“You will have access to the resources of the colonial garrisons, but do not expect reinforcements from the mainland.” Ozai continued. “The war effort requires our forces elsewhere.”

In other words, you're on your own.

“Of course, Father. I won't disappoint you.”

“I know you won't. You are not your brother.”

I walked back to my room straight-faced and marching. Every servant that crossed my path ducked to the side, allowing me to walk all the way back to my room without interruption.

The door to my chambers shut with a soft click. I stood there for a moment, back pressed against the wood, staring at nothing. Then, I turned and punched the wall as hard as I could.

The royal palace was built with the help of the finest architects and masons in the history of Caldera. It had withstood rain, lightning, even the occasional earthquake when the nearby volcanoes decided to be a bit more active than usual.

All that was to say, my fist was hurt far more than the wall was.

I stared at the split skin on my knuckles, and the red smear I'd left behind on my bedroom wall. My fingers tingled and my wrist hurt like hell. I closed my hand and then opened it again, relishing the pain. It wasn't broken, but I'd be feeling that for a few days.

Good. That should prevent anymore outbursts like that.

I let the pain carry me to my desk and sat down carefully. My bleeding hand rested on the table's surface, crimson bleeding down my knuckles. I put a spare piece of parchment below my hand to soak it up, but didn't make any move to actually wrap it. The sting was refreshing, clarifying.

On a nearby shelf, the scented candle I'd lit earlier this morning stirred to life. It was nearly burned down to the base, the wick drowned in honey-scented wax, but the dregs of fire felt my anger. They fed on it. The smoldering flame rose and climbed higher than it had any right to. It licked at the air with hungry tongues, stretching toward the curtain that hung beside the window where the fabric singed, the edges curling black.

I watched it, momentarily imagining what might happen were I to let it burn and take everything with it.

It was a pretty thought, but not one that I entertained for long.

With an exhale, my rampant emotions were forced under lock and key. The flame shrank back down to a reasonable height, and I reached over with my uninjured hand to pinch out the singed curtain edge before it could catch properly. The fabric crumbled between my fingers, leaving a blackened smear on my fingertips.

I steepled my hands over my mouth, watching smoke curl from the snuffed candle. The pain in my knuckles throbbed in time with my heartbeat. My breath came out shaky, then steadier as I reasserted control.

Everything had been going so well, too.

And now it wasn't. All because my idiot brother couldn't keep his mouth shut for a few hours.

No. That wasn't entirely fair, and I knew it. Zuko had been the catalyst, but Ozai had been looking for an excuse. I'd been doing too well, garnering too much interest with the generals while staying well away from his own influence.

A daughter who was too useful in the heart of power was a daughter who might start to think she deserved more of it, and sending me away solved two problems at once. It got me out of Caldera where my influence might continue to grow, while at the same time appearing to outsiders as if I was being rewarded for my diligent work by being put over a situation most commanders would jump to take.

Say what you will about Ozai, but manipulation was certainly his strong suit. If only I wasn’t the one being forced to suffer its cruel whisper.