Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
A hurried, breathless courier was the reason Zhao was awoken abruptly two hours before dawn. He gathered his shoulder-length hair into a haphazard topknot and put on a red silk robe above his black sleeping trousers. Taking one last second to rub the sleep from his eyes, he followed the demure servant girl down from his personal quarters to the first level of his sophisticated estate. He saw the exhausted boy leaning against the wall, clutching a hand and a crumpled letter to his chest.
Zhao merely relieved the boy of his letter and glanced at the name and briefly scanned over the contents. He stopped the serving girl before she left. "Get this boy something to eat and some of General Iroh's finest tea, and make sure he gets some rest before he leaves." She nodded to him and moved closer to the messenger. "Boy,"
The messenger, gasping for breath, looked up and attempted to show respect to his superior. "Yes, sir?" He managed, seeing spots, and was quite sure he was hallucinating (Captain Zhao was not a man known for his kindness, but then again, this boy had never worked for him). It was not commonplace for royalty to use runners to send letters, but the urgency that bid his master to send him on foot had made the boy sprint the entire way to his destination.
"You were right to make great haste. Take as long as you need before returning home. I thank you." Zhao started up the grand staircase of his home. "You will receive full payment when I am not driven by such vital matters." His steps turning into running strides as he rushed back to his quarters.
Captain Zhao left his topknot as it was, for he had more important things to do than fix his hair. He traded his robe and sleeping trousers for his captain's uniform. He decided against armor for it would take too much time and shoved his feet into the same shoes he had worn the day before. He was slipping on his ornamental wrist guards as he walked out of his quarters.
"You!" He caught the attention of the passing servant.
"Captain, what do you need?" He asked humbly, bowing in respect.
"Find me an ostrich horse or whatever animal can be prepped the quickest. I have dire need to visit General Iroh, and time is of the essence. Go!" Zhao snapped, his patience on edge. He was normally civil with his servants, but now was not the time. His mind was not on his manners.
Zhao slowed his pace as he went down to the first level once again as he was engrossed in the contents of the letter. The Dragon of the West seal had been the first thing to catch his notice, and that had worried him. Why would Iroh send him a letter so early in the morning? What could possibly prompt such a rude thing?
The letter was hastily written, without the customary pleasantries.
Captain Zhao,
I have great need to see you regarding the matter we spoke of yesterday. My nephew and I leave in two weeks or we will be executed. I request your insight on this troubling matter. My apologies for the early hour; I will have tea waiting for you.
-Iroh
Zhao read over the words once more, and then burned the letter. He had worked in deceit and deception for too long to make such a novice's mistake; one did not leave incriminating evidence lying around. He was sure Iroh was aware of this, given the length of the letter and the simplicity of the message. He took a deep breath to focus himself once more.
It had become his morning ritual over the years, passed down to him from his father, to meditate and to take stock of who he was and what his plans for the day and for the rest of his life were. There had been many mornings, especially during active duty, where he could not so indulge himself, but his head felt as though it was filled with sand. He could not form a coherent thought. He stifled a yawn and pushed himself to think on Iroh's situation and what he could possibly do to help the older man to prepare.
"Captain!" One of his stable hands called to him. "An ostrich horse is waiting for you."
Zhao followed the hand out to the stable, thanking him shortly as he mounted the ostrich horse. He patted the animal's neck, and then nudged it forward with his heels, urging it to its quickest speed.
Zhao was now the master of his family's estate that was perched atop a cliff. Where the cliff met the sea, waves pounded the rocks mercilessly, creating a beautiful soundtrack for life along with the musical score of nature. He preferred the seclusion, away from the noisy and crowded city, though he was within a respectful distance from the capital so he might commute everyday to serve the Fire Lord. It was a scant two miles, and that was close enough for Zhao's tastes, but two miles was a long way for a small boy carrying a message. He sighed, dread filling his stomach as he thought of what Ozai had in store for his relatives.
Zhao took a breath and ignited his fist as he left the warm glow his estate would give off in the early morning, a sign that the people in his employ had much to do to keep the house running. He did not require much as a master, though he did keep small farms as a method of extra income to support his two younger, unmarried sisters. His servants were hard workers and served him faithfully, waking up before dawn to prepare everything for him and his family.
He sighed. The only downside to the privacy he relished in was that rumors shot around every time he arrived, unscheduled. He wondered what it would be this time… a treasonous affair with one of Ozai's concubines? Perhaps he would be courting Princess Azula for marriage the moment she turned sixteen.
Zhao's ostrich horse sped through the winding streets of the Fire capital as his adrenaline rushed and his heart pounded in his chest. He regained enough composure to shout orders at the stable hands who walked out to take his steed when he arrived at the palace. He gave the beast an affectionate pat on the side before striding arrogantly into the palace, towards Iroh's chambers. He made sure to stand tall and scorn the servants that walked passed him. The younger ones bowed their heads in shame; the older ones, who had known him since he first walked the halls of the palace with his father, managed to retain their dignity, attempting to remember the times Zhao had been a peaceable individual.
Zhao was faced with five guards in front of the General's door, the customary nighttime guard for a high-ranking individual. Though he was only a captain, Zhao had eighty guards split between himself and his two sisters. His ceremonial guard for public appearances consisted of fifteen Firebenders, though he was a master himself. He nodded to the guards as they stepped aside.
Zhao knocked gently on the door. A haggard and worried Iroh opened it immediately. He ushered the officer in and then closed the door. Iroh quietly led Zhao into the next room, a small area that Iroh had dedicated just to the serving and drinking of tea.
As promised, Zhao sat in front of a steaming cup and then faced the old man. "Why did you call me over, General?" He inquired, fighting to remain composed and not show his own fear and worry. "I was concerned at the speed your messenger came to my home." He raised the white teacup to his lips and sipped. "Ah, red tangerine, an interesting choice." He lifted an eyebrow as the General sat across from him, his face downcast.
There had only been two times Zhao had ever glimpsed General Iroh so world-weary and melancholy, the first of which had been when Iroh's wife died as result of an Earth Kingdom attack on their summer home near a small seaport that had once belonged to the Earth Kingdom. Iroh had been in the Fire Nation, attending to some matters for his brother. He had been absolutely crushed and beyond help for almost a year. He slowly recovered, and all seemed well again in the Fire Nation.
Then Lu Ten, Iroh's son, had been killed in Ba Sing Se. Zhao closed his eyes at the very memory. That had been a dark time for anyone who knew the General. He had been devastated, depressed and angry. Despite his anger, however, he simply stopped. He couldn't fight. He couldn't kill more sons, brothers and fathers. The siege on the Earth Kingdom city stopped and Iroh returned home.
Iroh's heavy sigh brought Zhao back to the present. "We leave in two weeks, Zuko and I. The Fire Lord doesn't care what Zuko's condition is, and we only have that time to round up a crew and find a ship or we will both be killed." He explained quietly. "I need your help, Zhao."
Zhao immediately nodded. "Of course I will aid you, General Iroh. I will speak to the others later this morning, but if none of them are willing, then you have both a crew of my personal men. I have the perfect ship in mind." He didn't smile. The situation was too dire, though the mood in the spicy room lifted considerably.
Iroh bowed his head. "Thank you, Zhao. I will not forget it."
"You would do well to." Zhao returned sternly. "I would not ask any repayment from you. It is my honor to help you in any way I can."
Iroh bowed his head once more, and they fell silence, each drinking their tea and sampling some dry cakes on the plate between them.
"Where is the prince?" Zhao asked quietly. He wasn't sure what bid him to speak quietly; loudness before dawn seemed inappropriate. He didn't wish to be overheard by anyone who might be listening, and neither did he want to disrespect the General by any uncouth behavior.
The old general put down his teacup, relaxing on the soft cushion upon which he sat. "He's sleeping in the next room. When he woke up last night, he refused medicine until he was away from his old room. He was stuck somewhere between dreams and the living world. I think he saw phantoms of the Fire Lord in the shadows." He shook his head sadly.
Zhao nodded, hesitating before asking his next question. Iroh sighed, guessing what he was thinking. "It is not life-threatening, but it will scar, even with a physician cleaning it meticulously." Iroh paused. "Do you really intend to put him on the throne? He is so young. I worry for him."
"I know." Zhao drained the last of his tea from his cup. "It will be years before we have the correct circumstances. Our Fire Lord is most wary of assassination attempts and any sign of misconduct on the part of his officers and advisors. I am certain, however, that we will be successful." The captain slowly stood and bowed. "Might I see the prince before I leave to meet with Lieutenant Ji?"
"Of course. I will stay here." Iroh nodded in return to Zhao's bow.
Zhao left the room, his footsteps soundless on the cold stone. Even with the soft, grayish blue light casting shadows across the floor, it was nearly pitch black in the sleeping chamber. Zhao bent a small glow into the palm of his hand, holding it aloft like a candle.
The prince's face was deadly pale, a white bandage wrapped around his head so that he could use his uninjured eye. His eyelid was closed, but he tossed slightly, indicating fitful sleep. Zhao did not want to begin to imagine what terrible dreams visited the poor prince in his tortured sleep. On the large bed, Zuko appeared even more of a child. There were red blankets tucked along his slender body that had not yet been hardened into that of a man. There were great promises in his strong jaw and sharp nose, but he was still too much of a boy to have such a heavy bandage that couldn't heal the true wound that had torn his heart asunder.
Zhao stood at the side of the bed, merely watching his prince's sleeping face for a few moments. He bent down and clasped the boy's hand and gave it an almost paternal squeeze. Zuko murmured incoherently and Zhao smirked, giving the boy's cheek a small pat.
"I will serve you well, prince Zuko. You will not see my works for several years, but all I will do will be done in your name." Zhao vowed, before leaving the room. He bowed once more to Iroh. "I go to speak with Lieutenant Ji. Your nephew is well and sleeping."
"Thank you, Zhao." Iroh smiled. "I look forward to sharing tea with you once more before I go, if that is not against your tastes."
Zhao chuckled as he reached for the door. "Of course not. I will call on you tomorrow." He closed the door, heading once more for the main level and the stables. He needed to speak with Ji on the matter of a crew, and the assassination of a certain Fire Lord…
XXX
Zhao took the reins of his ostrich horse rudely from a young who was in the process of brushing the proud male down. He flicked a silver coin over his shoulder and mounted his ostrich horse. He looked around the awakening city and, for a moment, imagined what it would be like without Ozai's oppression. There wouldn't be so many ragamuffins dotting the sides of the streets, and there wouldn't be so many orphans stealing from shopkeepers that were already poor enough because parents had been killed from the war or the mysterious illness that had spread like wildfire a few years previous. He felt slightly encouraged, if not for the image in his head of Zuko lying limp in his uncle's bed.
Zhao urged the ostrich horse out of the city and down a cobbled pathway towards the houses and estates of many rich Fire Nation nobles.
Lieutenant Ji had inherited his family home, much like Zhao had, except he was the oldest of four boys. The second oldest was currently leading a platoon in the Earth Kingdom, and the younger two were not old enough to join the military or to take up an occupation. Ji lived with his young brothers and his aging mother in their estate, but was accepted as the head of the household. Not to mention his wife, Xiang, had left her father and joined him in his home. Despite the large amount of people constantly in the mansion, it was a warm atmosphere and Zhao always enjoyed visiting their home, even if he had to keep up his pretenses.
It was only a few minutes before the proud house that Zhao remembered came into view and he forced himself to remain calm. It was always rather nerve-wracking to intend to conspire against the powerful Fire Lord. He handed his ostrich horse off once more and was led into Ji's home.
"Captain Zhao,"
Zhao looked up as he heard his name called and watched as Xiang, Ji's beautiful wife, gracefully walked towards him, a gracious smile on her face. She swept into a simple curtsy, having been informed of his arrival from her husband.
"You are welcome in our home." She greeted him. "Come, my husband awaits you in the dining hall."
Zhao bowed in return. "Thank you, my lady. You are certainly looking well; it seems to me that you only become more beautiful as the days pass." He complimented her.
Xiang smiled, thanking him as she opened the door to the dining hall, where Ji was seated with tea in front of him and a light meal set out on the table. The lieutenant looked up and pushed himself to his feet. Ji and Zhao exchanged a bow, before Ji placed a hand on the older man's shoulder.
"Come, Captain Zhao. Please sit and eat. The others will be here soon, I am sure." The lieutenant welcomed his superior officer, before turning to his wife. "Xiang, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Anything, my lord." She smiled as Ji took her hand and kissed the back of it, keeping her fingers in his grasp.
"When the others come, I would ask you to remain here." Zhao raised an eyebrow. Women were not privy to the affairs of men, by rule of Fire Nation society. However, Fire Lords weren't meant to be conspired against. The captain supposed he could let this small offense pass. "I have need of your support."
"Of course, my lord." Xiang smiled. "Unless our guest has any qualms with such an arrangement?"
Zhao poured himself a cup of the available jasmine tea. "I have none." He answered simply, taking a deep draught of the delicious liquid. "I find that you, Xiang, have intelligence that far surpasses that of some men."
Ji smirked. "I would warn Captain Zhao not to attempt to steal Lieutenant Ji's wife."
"Captain Zhao would remind Lieutenant Ji that Xiang also has superior looks to some men, especially Lieutenant Ji." The older man responded delicately, a smirk playing at his lips as Xiang chuckled and left the room, ready to meet their other guests.
Zhao turned to face his host, carefully thinking over what he wanted to ask Ji personally before any of the others arrived. To ask Ji to leave his wife and home… it was unfair. He might as well do it himself, except Ozai would find that suspicious. A proud Fire Nation captain who adored killing and pillaging innocents would never associate with a fat, old general and an upstart, traitorous and now-banished prince. However, a young, impressionable lieutenant looking to make his mark might. He shook his head, turning back to his tea.
"What is on your mind, Zhao?" Ji asked, crossing his arms over his chest and surveying his guest.
The captain sighed, glancing up at Ji for a moment before taking a bite into a soft roll. He chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed. "I could not ask such a thing from you, though it is a task I would only ask of you." He heated up his tea to his preferred temperature. "Have you heard the news?"
"No, I have not." Ji shook his head, suddenly becoming very interested.
Zhao stood up. He did not like to sit in the presence of his host, though Ji would not mind, as Zhao was very hungry. "The Fire Lord is…" He was cut off by Xiang's appearance.
"My lord, Captain Zhao, the others have arrived." She bowed politely and then went to her husband's side. In a show of unseemly public affection, Ji took her hand, interlacing their fingers.
"Captain, if you are not already familiar with our fellows, this is Chenglei, Fang, Guiren, Shirong, Zhong, and Longwei." Ji pointed to each man in turn. "Chenglei, Fang and Guiren are men underneath my command, but are each trustworthy and brave in their own right."
"Zhong and Longwei are captains, equal to your rank, Zhao." Ji continued on. "Shirong is…"
"Yes, I am familiar with all of the Fire Lord's High Scholars. It is good to see you, Shirong." Zhao inclined his head to the wiry man with spectacles perched on the end of his beak-like nose. The academic bowed in respect.
Lieutenant Ji turned to the table. "Shall we eat and talk of our plans?"
The eight men sat down on the cushions and served themselves. The mood was tense and silent as they broke into the sumptuous meal. Ji absentmindedly ate, his mind obviously elsewhere, as his wife held his hand gently. Being the youngest present, and the host, he was understandably awkward. His face was pale and the hand that held his chopsticks seemed to shake.
Zhao met his eyes when Ji finally emerged from whatever thoughts had taken him from the room. "Gentleman, my lady," He inclined his head to Xiang. "We have a grievous purpose that brings us here. Let us abandon normal court ceremony and speak frankly." He met Ji's eyes again and the younger man seemed infinitely grateful for Zhao to have taken the leadership role. "We are here to plan the assassination of Fire Lord Ozai." He let the statement hang ominously in the air.
"How shall it be done?" Chenglei asked quietly as he moved his noodles around in his bowl, his appetite gone from fear of being discovered. He was the son of one of Ozai's closest advisors, and felt guilt that he was rebelling against his father, though he knew it was necessary. He did not want to be found out, or he would be ruined. Well, if he weren't killed, he would definitely be ruined. If they were found out, their deaths would come within moments.
"A knife, while he sleeps." Guiren suggested, a violent glint in his dark eyes.
Zhong shifted uncomfortably. "No, that would be too bloody. Something more inconspicuous. Poison, perhaps. A trusted servant could do this." He offered. He was reluctant to think of killing the man he had for so long served. It was a wonder he was even a soldier, for he did not enjoy killing, but he was the sixth child of a cobbler. There was nothing else he could do.
"Poisons are easily discovered. There is nothing we could get that would kill him swiftly enough. You know how suspicious substances are so controlled." Shirong shook his head. "An Agni Kai? If one of us had enough skill, then the power to dictate who we want on the throne would be ours." He pointed out in his reedy voice.
Longwei nodded. "Yes, one of us shall challenge him. I am willing." He spoke powerfully, his youthful eyes shining with earnestness. He needed to see change or his heart would give out. He could not see people living under such arrogant oppression. There was no limit to what Ozai could and would do to make sure all knew he was lord.
Fang chuckled. "Longwei, no, none of us want to see you burnt to a crisp. I don't believe outright violence is the key, at least not in a public setting. I would rather like to know what Captain Zhao has to say." He turned his eyes to the older man who looked up upon hearing his name. "They say your skill in strategy is unmatched, sir. Tell us; how would you kill a Fire Lord?"
Zhao smirked at Fang's question. "I do not plan on killing a Fire Lord, honorable Fang. I plan on killing an arrogant, evil man. Fire Lord only brings him more guards and more expensive clothing that will be bloodied when he is dead." He answered, somewhat condescendingly. "In any case, I say it has to be done early in the morning or late at night. The Fire Lord usually is accompanied by fewer advisors at that time." He looked to Shirong for confirmation, and the Scholar nodded. "We meet him and say we have a pressing matter that we need attended to. Promptly, we sink our blades into his back. If we Firebend, we are at a loss, for his skill surpasses ours."
"But what of the matter of a successor? With the Agni Kai yesterday, I doubt we shall have a Crown Prince for much longer." Zhong held a cup of tea in his hands, savoring the warmth.
Zhao sighed. "This is where I must ask many of you to sacrifice." He rubbed his chin in thought. "General Iroh and Prince Zuko are leaving in two weeks. They need a crew and a ship. I am providing the ship, but the crew remains a question. I must ask one or some of you to accompany them." He paused to gather his thoughts. "This must be done so they will have news of the Fire Nation through letters from those of us at home. The prince and General will need to have friends surrounding them."
"I shall go immediately." Longwei bowed his head to Zhao. "It would be an honor."
"And where Longwei goes, I must follow. It is the burden of such a friendship." Zhong shook his head wearily, causing Longwei to chuckle. The two had been friends since infancy and had since done everything together.
"Very well." Zhao nodded. The fact they were both captains was not an issue; they were friends and would not betray each other to be the sole power. There was some hope left for the Fire Nation after all.
Guiren looked to his brother, Fang, for confirmation. "I shall go." Guiren stated.
"Longwei, Zhong, I trust you will volunteer your men to this?" Zhao asked the two captains.
Longwei smirked, obviously in good humor. "My crew shares my heart on this matter, so they will follow me."
Ji had been silent throughout the entire conversation, having nothing to add to it. He was intelligent, but strategy was not his strongpoint. He was a military man, more than capable of thinking on his feet. Zhao could predict events hours, days, months or years a head. Ji was the man to serve under in a dangerous situation. He turned to look at his wife, his eyes seeking hers.
Xiang met her husband's eyes and knew what he wished to do. She stroked his hand and nodded, tears welling in her eyes. She did not want him to go, and he understood that, by the way he touched her cheek gently. But they both knew it was something he needed to do for himself. She nodded once more, and then Ji looked up to face Zhao.
"Zhao, I would also go with Captains Zhong and Longwei." He announced, squeezing his wife's hand.
Zhao watched the interaction between a husband and a wife and it grieved him that they would be apart, especially since it was Ji, his good friend. But their separation would be worth it. He nodded. "Then we have a full crew." He transitioned back to the main topic. "Shall we take my plan to heart and work out the details as we meet over the next weeks and months?" He received a general consensus. "Then we shall call this meeting adjourned, and you are free to return to your homes. Speak of this to no one or you condemn us all to our deaths." He warned them solemnly.
"But, sir," Fang suddenly asked. "Who shall be Fire Lord when Ozai is dead? Azula is very much his spawn."
Ji spoke up, "Azula is Ozai's child as Zuko is his mother's. He shall be Fire Lord."
The other men talked amongst themselves, but could find no fault in the prince becoming Fire Lord if they could manage to end the current one's life. The talk turned to lighter things, and the meal went on.
Zhao stood up an hour later and then bowed to his host and hostess. "I beg your pardon, but I have pressing matters waiting for me at home. Come to my estate in a week. We shall have dinner and continue our discussion. I will invite Iroh so he might be privy to our enterprise."
Thus began the dangerous mission of the conspirators: end the Fire Lord's life.