The emperor had to attend a war meeting, much to his chagrin. He wanted to do other things that day - play Pai Sho, play the tsungi horn, share tea - but he had obligations to fulfill. Unfortunately for him, the meetings were often long and dreadfully boring. What's more, there was no reason to have one in the first place. Ever since Emperor Iroh ascended to power, there had been an era of peace, and he wanted to keep it that way.
He took a seat in golden throne. Zhao, his adviser, stood at attention next to him. Before the throne, the other generals took their seats at a long, low lying table, where the map of China was lain flat on the surface for everyone to see.
The emperor perked up when he saw his son, Prince Lu Ten, walk into the room. He was dressed in his full general's uniform with the exception of his helmet, which he held in his hands. However, instead of his usual warm smile, he wore a stern expression on his face. As everyone settled down, he walked up to the throne and gave a respectful nod to his father. Then he turned to address the other generals.
"Recently, I've received some bad news: the Huns have crossed our northern border," he began.
The other generals murmured and whispered to each other, but it was Zhao who openly expressed the thoughts on everyone's minds. "Impossible! No one can get through the Great Wall!" he said.
Emperor Iroh scratched his beard. "Well as highly unlikely as it seems, I don't think it's impossible to get through a wall." He gave a broad smile. "If they weren't attacking us, I'd congratulate them! Getting past our boarders is quite a feat!"
About half of the generals groaned, while the other half - the half with the better sense of humor - chuckled. Prince Lu Ten, however, didn't seem to have heard his father at all. He shut his eyes tight and his face wrinkled with pained effort.
"Ozai is leading them," he said at last.
With those four words, everyone fell silent. The entire room seemed to grow a little more still, and a lot more cold. The prince looked up to his father and saw him staring straight ahead, as if deep in thought.
"Is there anything else we should know?" he asked, his voice was unusually quiet.
"Well, there is one rumor, one that hasn't been confirmed yet, but we believe that Azula is working with him."
Several generals gasped. "Hypocritical traitor," one of them muttered under his breath.
"And what about Zuko?"
"No one saw him during the attack in the north," he said with a helpless shrug. "For all we know, he could be missing."
The emperor closed his eyes and shook his head.
"We'll set up defenses around your palace immediately," the prince said.
"No!" Emperor Iroh said. He jumped out of his chair with the energy of someone far younger than him. "Send your troops to protect our people! Zhao!"
"Yes, your Highness."
"Deliver conscription notices throughout all the provinces. Call up reserves and as many new recruits as possible."
"Forgive me, your Majesty, but I believe our troops can stop him," one of the generals piped up.
"We shouldn't take any chances, general. A single grain of rice can tip the scale; one man or woman may be the difference between victory and defeat."
"One man, your Highness," Zhao said. Everyone looked at him. "Remember, women aren't allowed in the army, as decreed by your own father, the late Emperor Azulon."
All eyes turned to the emperor. "I'm fully aware of the law, Zhao," he said. "But as Emperor now, I believe that I may change that law whenever I wish, is that correct?"
"Yes, but you will need the Council's approval in order to create and execute a law. And I doubt that such law will be passed before the Huns invade the Imperial City. Besides, the last time a woman fought for this country, the throne nearly descended into chaos."
Emperor Iroh glowered at his adviser, who smirked, head held high. The generals murmured wearily amongst each other. Prince Lu Ten clenched his fists. His whole body became rigid. At last the emperor closed his eyes and sighed.
"Very well," he said. "What's more important, we need to prepare for Ozai's return."