"So you see, my Lord, I think that the amount of chickens he's giving me in return is not the same worth as my cow!" The farmer to his feet explained. Zuko raised one eyebrow, leaned back and rubbed his temple. He was sick of all the people complaining to him. Not that he disliked his post as Firelord; he just sometimes wished for the old times to return, where he'd travelled with the Gaang and enjoyed his nomad lifestyle.
"You shall have two chicken more, not four, and have that as a set trading price for the future." He finally decreed and the farmer backed away, nodding gratefully. When he'd left the throne roome, Zuko sighed.
"How many more?" He asked Suki, who hadn't only taken her post as his bodyguard permanently but had in term developed into one of his most trusted advisors. Especially when it came to Earth Kingdom - Fire Nation matters.
"Just one." She answered him. She was dressed in fulll Kiyoshi attire, as every Friday, when official audiences were held. Zuko also wore his most formal dress, as well as his fire emblem. His hair had grown long enough to be pulled up into a bun, but he still prefered to wear it open most times. Of course that was only when he had the leisure to do so.
"Alright, let them in." He stated, gave a wave with his hand and his footmen opened the door. The person who came in was different from what he'd expected. It was a rather small figure, covered in a brown hood so that he couldn't make out their face. The person came forward and bowed their had slightly.
"My Lord."
Zuko could make out definitely female voice. He was a little irritated by the lack of respect that this woman was showing by not bowing to him in the proper manner, but then again he was too tired to complain.
"State your affairs." He said in a cold, official tone. "And remove that hood. I prefer to know the looks of the people I converse with."
"As you wish." The stranger answered, removed the hood and looked up. Zuko was gazing at one of the most fascinating faces he'd ever seen. Her features were definitely those of the fire nation with the familiar skin tone and the gleaming golden eyes. Her nose was slender and her lips rosy. But the most dazzling feature to her was her bright red hair. She wore it short and lit by the setting sund that streamed through the throne room windows it seemed as if her whole head was on fire. Zuko caught himself staring and cleared his throat.
"So, who are you?" He asked, trying to conceal his embarassment under a demanding tone.
"My name." the woman said "is Asahi. And I've come to represent the Sun Warrior Tribe as their officially recognised head and princess."
He could hear Suki suck in her breath beside him. The woman'S tone did have a royal and proud ring to it and never once did her gaze sway from his eyes. All the while she seemed to hold something hidden under her cloak.
"Princess?" Zuko asked, irritated "I've seen the sun warriors and the last I checked their head was an elderly man."
"Whereas that is true, I assure you I'm here now as the exact same person that I state to be." The woman, Asahi, stated.
"And how do you intend to prove that?" Zuko squinted his eyes in suspicion.
"I have brought something with me that will lead you without a doubt of my position." She explained.
"A present?" He asked.
"Not really, no. It is more of an assignment, an order, so you will." She said, her eyes clear as day.
"Who in the world has the insolence to give me orders?" This woman was getting on his nerves. Not only was he extremely suspicious towards her, but she had displayed so little courtesy that it bothered even him.
"The masters." All of a sudden, her stern gaze went soft. "Ran and Shaw."
Zuko's eyes widened in astonishment. The dragon masters?! How could that be? And how in the world would they give him an assignment.
"...what?" Was all he came to say.
"I have here with me a token of their appreciation as well as a test of your skills as a proper Firelord." She said, then held up a large egg, the size of a human newborn. But that was not the oddest feature of the egg. It was gleaming in red and yellow colours as if it were made out of glowing ember.
"Wow..." Sukis voice at his side trailed off.
"This" Asahi said "is a dragon's egg. It has been laid by the masters and was entrusted to you. Your assignment is to raise this baby dragon under my care and to become a splendid partner to it." She finished. The whole room had fell into utter silence. Zuko slowly got up from his thrown and descended towards Asahi.
"But..." Zuko stammered "An egg...? The dragons..."
"Will get another chance with you and me, yes." She finished his sentence, then glance back at the egg. Her expression was that of motherly love.
"With you? Why with you?" Zuko asked. In the face of this enormous duty he did not care for formalities any longer. She looked up and, for the first time, smiled.
"Because I, Zuko, am special." She said in a low voice.
"Who are you really?" He asked. She didn't answer him immediately, but gestured him to come over and take the dragon's egg. He did and almost dropped it in surprise. It felt warm and what was more, it was pulsating. He stared at Asahi.
"I am the last of the Dragonlords." She answered him, smiling mysteriously. Then she raised her hand to her mouth and blew over it. Suddenly, a crowd of butterfly-shaped flames were erupting from her palm and filling the room, tinting it in orange light. Zuko flinched when one of the butterflies was landing on his cheek, ecpecting the sharp pain of a burn, but instead feeling nothing.
Not only did this girl claim to be the princess of the Sun Warriors and a Dragonlord, she also carried around a dragon's egg and was able to bend fire that held no heat. She took a step towards him, put a hand on the egg and then flashed him with the warmest of smiles.
"With the two of us working together we can make the dragons return to their old glory."