Chapter 36 – Training as an Assassin
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar – The Last Airbender
Few days ago in Ba Sing Se…
"What mess have he got himself into?" Iroh muttered, sipping his tea. But, even the tea couldn't calm his mind now that the grandson of his friends was in danger. And it was winter too, which meant he couldn't launch an assault any time soon. He couldn't senselessly send his men into death by ordering them to attack the wall of Ba Sing Se in this season. He had opted into defensive and he hated it. The Dragon of the West was known for his aggressiveness on the battlefield. And besides, as a young general under his father, whom he thought very highly of, he had learnt that offensive strategy was the more reliable tactic, faster and easier, at least. But, what could he do when he wasn't able to assume the offensive stance?
"Dad?" Lu Ten entered the tent. Iroh looked up to him, smiling weakly. Lu Ten, understanding the smile, grinned back and sat on the chair in front of his father. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, son", Iroh laughed a little; no point of worrying the young lieutenant, he thought. "I have just received news from the homeland."
"Is it about Lin?" Lu Ten beamed although Iroh sensed a tinge of jealousy in his smile. "I heard the rumor going around the camp. Is true, Dad?"
"The young Dragon of the Deep Forest", Iroh sighed. "Yes, it's true."
"Great", Lu Ten replied, snickering. Ever since they were kids, he and Lin had been what he referred to as 'friendly rivals' when it comes to firebending, both trying to outdo the other. And now, Lin had gone way ahead of him, he had to catch up somehow. Lu Ten was the son of the Dragon of the West, after all. he had an honor to retain. "The Dragon of the Deep Forest, huh?"
"Yes", Iroh sounded more solemn now. "What an ironic name."
Lu ten snorted his agreement. Yes, what an ironic name, he thought. And after a moment of total silence.
"Is the messenger still here?" Lu Ten asked. "I want to send a congratulation to Lin."
"No, the messenger has gone just few minutes ago", Iroh replied, noticing a disappointed look on his son's face. "But, don't worry. I have sent my own congratulation and added your name in it."
"What?" Lu Ten sounded even more disappointed. 'Added his name in it' meant 'P.S. Lu Ten said hi'. "Oh well, I have a better method of sending a congratulation, anyway."
"Really?" Iroh sounded interested. "How?"
"By conquering this blasted city of course", Lu Ten said, full of conviction. He then pulled out from his pocket a sooty white armband. "And by tying this armband on highest point of the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace. I won't lose to him."
"Hmm", Iroh smiled. It was a good thing, the rivalry between the two, he thought. At least, the competition brought both Lin and Lu Ten even closer to each other instead of tearing them apart like what usually happened to friends-turned-rivals. Oh! He forgot about something.
"Here", Iroh pulled from his pocket a small scroll. "It came with the letter from the Imperial City. It is addressed to you personally."
Lu Ten took the scroll, unrolled it, and beamed as he noticed the handwriting; it was from Lin!
"What does it mean, anyway?" Iroh asked, unable to contain his curiosity. "I couldn't make a word of it."
"Dad, I'm old enough for privacy, don't you think?" Lu Ten stabbed a sharp stare at the general, looking clearly annoyed. "You have to stop going through my things."
"Oh, son", Iroh laughed. "You are at the age when I must go through your things, if you know what I mean…"
"Dad! Ugh!" Lu Ten sounded disgusted, casting a horrified look at Iroh who laughed even harder and exited the tent to read the letter from Lin in peace. He entered his own tent, closed the tent's mouth. Silent as he read the coded letter. Then, he rubbed his eyes, thinking that he had misread something. He read again and paused a little after he finished, scrutinizing on the codes he and Lin had developed together when they were little. And he read the letter again, more slowly and carefully this time. And then, it was heard throughout the whole camp…
"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!"
"So, students", Lin said, rather smugly if I may add, crossing his arms in what he thought to be a sifu-like manner (he was imitating Kaji). "First of all, let me see what both of you can do."
"No", a curt short answer came from both Zuko and Azula.
"Hey, I'm your teacher", Lin narrowed his eyes, his brow twitched. "Show some respect."
"Before that, tell us about the deals", Zuko replied, Azula nodded in agreement.
"What deals?" Lin asked.
"The deals you have with Fire Lord Azulon, duh", Azula retorted.
"How'd you guys know about it?" Lin asked again. Shouldn't it be a classified information, how did they— but, on second thought, Lin didn't want to know how both royalties knew about the deals.
"What do you know about it?" Lin decided to play safe; who knows, he might be able to wiggle his way out.
"There are three agreements", Zuko answered.
"And they are top secret", Azula added.
"What else?" Lin baited, there was little chance he could get away…
"You're going to tell us about it", both kids replied in unison.
"Why?" Lin asked curtly.
"Because… we're your friends", Zuko grinned. Not too effective.
"Please…" Azula added sweetly.
"…"
Maybe Lin did have a soft spot for Azula. Sighing submissively, he nodded, drawing a wide grin from both kids. Now, to rephrase the proposals in a way that it wouldn't be too informative.
----
The three proposals had been delivered. And now, 'yes' or 'no'? Definitely 'yes, 'no' would mean their deaths. Lin glanced at Ursa who glared at Ozai from the corner of her eyes every now and then. Lin felt a bit betrayed but it seemed like Ursa didn't know anything about proposals or about the groups of people surrounding the room from all side. It made him felt a little better, somehow. Lin realized that he was losing ground; by refusing the proposals before he even let the Royal Family to offer them would be a disgrace for the Fire Lord and it would mean his and his father's death, listening to it but refusing would also mean their deaths. They had no choice but to accept…
But, Lin had to win some grounds!
"I have three conditions, one for each proposal, Your Majesty", Lin addressed the Fire Lord himself, bowing and noticing a death glare coming from Ozai's direction.
"Of course", Azulon replied, not noticing his son's twitch. "Let's hear it."
----
"Well", Lin said, Azula and Zuko listening intently. "The first agreement was that I'll be your firebending teacher. But…"
----
"About the first proposal, it would be a great honor to receive such privilege", Lin said humbly. "But, I have an obligation to my family regarding the art of firebending—"
"Yes, of course", Azulon impatiently cut in. "I know, you will not be obliged to teach the secret art of your family. Before you start teaching, you will be trained in the Raging Phoenix style of firebending. Our head instructor will see to it that you will be trained properly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty", Lin bowed again.
----
"What!!!" Azula and Zuko exclaimed, clearly disappointed. When they heard that Lin would be their personal firebending tutor, they had imagined that they would learn the, to use Zuko's description, 'super cool, butt-kicking' Celestial Dragon style. Both of them did wonder of how their grandfather managed to convince the Lin Family to allow this, perhaps an imperial decree and being a Fire Lord didn't hurt, either. But, their dream was shattered by this development.
"Sorry, guys", Lin grinned. "Some secrets are to be carried to the grave."
And since both Zuko and Azula seemed to be too disappointed to say anything else, Lin decided to worm his way out.
"Okay, so the first lesson is—"
"Not yet", Azula cut in, casting a sharp glare at the ponytailed instructor. "What about the other agreements?"
----
"And about the second agreement", Lin said, calm and steady. He needed help! "I assume General Iroh knows about the existence of the Secret Royal Squad of Espionage and Assassination, no?"
"He does", Ozai answered this time, probably tired of being ignored by Lin. But, Lin ignored him anyway, still addressing the Fire Lord himself.
"Then, my next request is to have General Iroh to personally pick the members of the multi-task team that I am about to lead in the future", Lin said to the Fire Lord, anticipating a fire blast or something; the request was a bit too bold coming from an eleven year old kid. "And I believe that it will also be better if I start my training after General Iroh return from—"
"No", Azulon interrupted again; his voice was cold, ironic, since Lin felt the fire around his throne got a bit hotter. "We can't wait that long. I will send my personal envoy to Ba Sing Se, bearing a letter of your request for his recommendation. You will begin your training after we receive a reply from Iroh."
Not too favorable, Lin thought. At least he'd have a royal supporter close at hand if something went wrong had he waited for Iroh to return. He had to think of something…
"Whoever General Iroh chooses for me will be my instructors then, Your Majesty?" Lin made it as if this point was clear and he merely wanted to make sure, he had to win more grounds.
"Of course."
----
"The second agreement", Lin hesitated. "Hmm… I'm gonna have to kill you if I tell you."
Or rather, the man who is watching us will kill all of us if I tell you, he rephrased in his mind, defending his conscience from Zuko and Azula's disappointed groan, more specifically from Azula's cute pleading look. The thought about the content of the third agreement only made it worse…
----
"And about the third proposal", Lin started, pausing a little as he noticed Ursa twitching on the spot, focusing all her attention to him. "Before that, may I know the reason behind this arrangement?"
"You have a potential to be a great man one day", it was Ozai who provided the answer, he looked smug for some reason. "And also the fact that you have a good relationship with my daughter. I believe that there is no one else worthy of my daughter's hand in marriage."
And emphasis on 'my', Jiang and Azulon might not notice it but Lin and Ursa did. While Lin successfully hid any sign of curiosity, Ursa cast an obvious nasty glare at Ozai.
"Princess Azula is a good friend", Lin answered stiffly. "While I am grateful that you think so highly of me, I can't help but doubt if I am really worthy of such honor."
"Of course you are", Ozai smirked, not smiled, and slyly too. "I can't think of any other candidate for my (another emphasis!) daughter's future husband than you. Don't you agree, dear wife?"
Was it merely an emphasis or venom he sensed in 'dear wife'? Lin asked himself. Judging from yet another stabbing glare Ursa cast on Ozai and her curt 'yes, dear husband', it was venom.
"Thank you, Your Highnesses", Lin humbly bowed, sensing another wave of heat emanating from his father but it seemed like this one was caused by anger. "In that case, my request was to keep this engagement a secret. Nobody but the five of us shall know about this."
"What about Azula", Ozai drawled, he understood the reasoning behind the previous two conditions but this one… he didn't get it.
"It will be my concern", Lin answered, receiving another deathly glare from Ozai. Well, it was a bold statement, the condition made it as if Lin held more authority in this matter than Ozai as Azula's father and even the Fire Lord Himslef. "I must ask all of you to not say anything to anyone regarding this matter. I will be the one who have the right to talk about this matter to whoever I wish and Princess Azula will know of this matter from me and me alone in time of my choosing, of course."
----
Lin still shuddered when he thought about it. It still amazed him that he hadn't been killed yet after proposing such thing; by making a notion that he had the right to inform anyone he chose about the engagement while Azulon and Ozai didn't, he subtly established a notion that he had leverage on both royalties. But, since Azulon and Ozai had been able to not only swallow their pride, which was very impressive, but also fulfill their other promises, Lin realized that the engagement was important for them. But, why? What did they hope to achieve from this engagement?
"And the third agreement?" Azula asked, hoping that she would hear something interesting at last.
"Well, Princess", Lin snickered, patting the girl's head. "If I tell you, I'm afraid that you're going to kill me."
When he said 'you', he was addressing both Zuko and Azula, of course. On the outside, at least. Inside, he was referring exclusively to the princess who, like her brother, goaded him to say some more specific information about the agreements. Everything won't be the same again, will it? Lin asked no one in particular. Yes, everything wouldn't be the same again.
Later that evening, Lin was sitting in his room, a rather spacious room, a bit smaller than his 'heir of the family' room in the Estate but somewhat bigger that his old room. He was sitting on his bed, reading a letter that came with three scrolls, a reply from General Iroh. Shortly after offering the three proposals, Fire Lord Azulon sent a team of imperial messenger to the Iroh's camp outside Ba Sing Se. And about a week later, the reply from General Iroh arrived at the Imperial Palace. Lin couldn't help but being amazed by the efficiency of the imperial messenger, he suspected that the messengers were probably consisted of the secret squad.
The reply from General Iroh himself consisted of two letters and three scrolls. One of the letters was for Azulon, stating that appointing Lin as an Imperial Firebending Instructor was a wise decision but recruiting him into the Secret Royal Squad of Espionage and Assassination was not prudent. Iroh didn't say anything about Lin and Azula's engagement because he didn't know anything about it, of course. Not yet, at least, because with the letter from Azulon, Lin also had sent a personal letter to Lu Ten: personal to the level that nobody but Lu Ten could understand the content of the letter.
Most parents could be a bit, to use a more common but rather rude term, 'nosy' when it comes to the affairs of their young children. Iroh and Umma had been the examples of such parents. When Lu Ten and Lin were kids, they sometimes sent letters to each other via messenger hawk, discussing things like firebending or the next pranks they would pull the next time they met. It wouldn't be much of a problem if Umma and Iroh hadn't always tried to hijack the content of the letters the two kids sent to each other and certainly wouldn't be a problem if Umma hadn't intercepted a letter bearing a blueprint of, according to Lin who was interrogated later, the ink ball booby trap version 5.3; this incident had forced Umma and Iroh to be more vigilant.
So, to counter this problem, Lin and Lu Ten had developed a method to code their letter. What's the code again? Subject, predicate, object, time, place, Lin reminded himself, thinking back on the letter he had written for Lu Ten, trying to recall the letter word by word.
Dear Lu Ten,
Regarding the present for your father's next birthday.
I have a good suggestion: tea. I heard that the Earth Kingdom has a wide variety of tea. Certainly finding some for the infamous General Iroh the Royal Tea Lover won't be too difficult.
Married couples in the town of Gaipan run a tea shop. I believe they also sell tea leaves, try jasmine or oolong. They're good. Everything's fine here. I live in the palace now, ask your dad why.
Azula and Zuko said hi.
That's all.
P.S. say hi to your dad for me.
Yep, nothing was wrong with the letter. Subject, predicate, object in this particular letter and a 'say hi' to General Iroh. The code was on every first word or phrase of the paragraphs after the first one: I, a married couple, and Azula; I, marry, Azula; I will marry Azula, and Lu Ten was allowed to 'say hi' to Iroh, Lu Ten was asked to tell Iroh about it. General Iroh would know what to do, pondered Lin. Although, Lu Ten might be screaming around, horrified by the idea after he read the letter.
And there were the three scrolls too. Lin, however, opened the letter first. In the letter, Iroh said that on each of the scrolls, a profile of an assassin was put on in such a way that 'even a kid like you can understand', as Iroh wrote on the letter. There's also a congratulation for Lin being a Dragon, a warm hello for everyone, and a 'P.S. Lu Ten said hi'. Lin, understanding the message, unrolled the first scroll. A small portrait of a woman was drawn on top of her complete profile. He unrolled the second one, which contained a portrait and profile of a young man who looked almost identical to the first woman, and the third one, showing a portrait of a burly man, too.
The first scroll, a woman with pale skin and piercing amber eyes. Her face looked intimidating, authoritative, stiff, and humorless. Below the picture…
Name: Bara
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Division: Genbu
Particular skills: above average medical skills
Biography:
Born the first child into a simple family of farmers. Both parents were killed in an accident when she was thirteen. Has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. The first younger brother is also a member of the Secret Royal Squad of Espionage and Assassination. She joined the army at the age fourteen due to financial difficulty in his family, drafted into the medic squad of the 255th Battalion under General Shu, promoted into the rank of captain four years later and recruited by my battalion. Her medical skill was astounding even though it is nowhere near you grandmother's (I hope she's doing well, say hi to her for me). At the age eighteen was injured in battle and was sent home for recuperation. A month later, she was framed for desertion and was imprisoned in the Imperial City Prison Tower. Her name was cleared a month after and she joined the Secret Squad of Espionage and Assassination.
P.S. don't ever call her a 'tomboy'!!
Interesting… Lin couldn't sense any code within the profile but since Iroh had never used codes to communicate with him and he had never explained any clue for breaking the codes, Lin wasn't really sure. He decided to read the next scroll, maybe there was a clue there. A face of a young man, a teenager, looked identical with the Bara except for his less commanding and authoritative air. This must be Bara's brother, Lin guessed.
Name: Taka
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Division: Suzaku
Particular skills: an excellent tracker
Biography:
Born a second child into a simple famer family. Both parents died when he was eight. His sister is also a member of the Secret Royal Squad of Espionage and Assassination. Learnt the way of the bow since childhood. Worked as a hunter while his older sister served with the army. His skill with bows is one of a kind and with his skill, he managed to feed his younger siblings while his older sister was away. Was offered a place in the Yu Yan Archer unit under Colonel Bujing when he was twelve but refused, resulted in him being imprisoned for 'insulting a military officer'. Released two years later after agreeing to join the Secret Royal Squad of Espionage and Assassination. Completed his training in just two years, a record. Served under Admiral Jeong Jeong once (how's the old fart, say hi to him for me although I am sure that he's doing just fine).
Lin was beginning to see something here, but he wasn't sure. Shrugging, he unrolled the third scroll. A tanned man with burly beard and brown hair looked back stiffly. His face looked like it was carved of stone: hard, unmoving, uncaring, stubborn, gloom. His eyes were green, though. Unusual, thought Lin. Most Fire Nation has amber eyes, some black or gray, like his mother, but never green. His curiosity was answered by the man's profile.
Name: Iwa (aka Rocky)
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Division: Seiryu
Particular skills: excellent hand-to-hand combatant, earthbending
Biography:
Born from a mixed ancestry. Father is a retired travelling merchant, mother was an Earth Nation herbalist. His father met his mother when he was traveling to the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom. They got married and returned to the Fire Nation town of Nishi. Mother didn't survive childbirth. Raised as a merchant by his father, worked as a store clerk in his father's store. Accidentally killed a mugger with his earthbending when he was thirteen. Released from prison after father paid a bail and compensation to the magistrate. Approached by Imperial Agents and recruited into the Secret Squad of Espionage and Assassination two months later.
Yes, Lin could see the code now. In the letter, General Iroh had also said that the three assassins had worked for him before in several occasions separately and that they could be trusted. Everything's connected. Now, Lin was sure of what Iroh was trying to tell him. But, if that was true, that would mean Lin had to be extra careful from now on until he could finish the mission Iroh entrusted to him. Yes, the message also came with an instruction, a little errand for Lin. not now, though, not yet. Lin had to finish his training first, to learn everything that is to the art of espionage and assassination.
But, that wasn't all. Iroh said something about saying hi to Umma and Jeong Jeong, so causally. Iroh was trying to say that Umma's death and Jeong Jeong's desertion was still unknown to the soldier fighting in the front. But, Iroh was sure that Jeong Jeong was doing fine… didn't mean that Jeong Jeong had contacted Iroh after his disappearance? But, more importantly, how did Iroh know about Umma's death? Or, did he? Could it be that Jeong Jeong somehow caught wind of his wife's death and told Iroh about the news? His grandfather knew about his grandmother's death but still couldn't be found or even visited Umma's grave; it somehow made Lin angry…
"Give me strength", Lin prayed to the spirits, to the setting sun outside. With that, he rolled the scrolls and the letter and stashed them under his bed. As he got up, he caught the glimpse of the three items on the opposite wall of his bed, gleaming under the evening's orange ray: a scroll hanging on the wall and two golden slabs inside a display case beneath it. The three items of a Dragon, the proofs of his identity as the Dragon of the Deep Forest.
On the wall was a piece of caligraphy scroll, made from the finest materials, and on it was the words '深林太龍' (The Dragon of the Deep Forest), written vertically down by a master calligrapher using the finest brush and ink of the best quality. On the display case, which was thoughtfully provided by Ursa, lay the other two objects: a golden placard, two centimeters thick, thirty centimeters long and fifteen centimeters wide, two dragons were engraved on the long side of the placard, arched their neck at the top corner of the golden slab and at the top side, framing the middle part. The two dragons faced each other and opened their mouth, a Fire Nation insignia in between; it was as if the two dragons were breathing fire in the shape of the insignia, the words '深林太龍' (The Dragon of the Deep Forest) were engraved in the middle, the placard was also made of the purest of gold and crafted by a master craftsman. The last was an emblem, round with eight centimeters diameter, the two dragons were engraved on the side of the emblem, forming a circle this time, and also breathing the Fire Nation Insignia, on the middle the words '深林太龍' (The Dragon of the Deep Forest) were also engraved vertically, on the other side of the coin was a plain Fire Nation Insignia.
Lin sighed at them. He didn't actually dislike being a Dragon, he just thought that trinket were meaningless. They were valuable, of course; Lin was told just one of them could be sold for money enough to save ten villages from famine. It was just that the items were nothing but decorative. Well, maybe the emblem was an exception. Being a Dragon, Lin automatically had the influence of a mid rank officer in the military. The emblem could be useful, Lin thought. Oh well, now's not the time to think about it, Lin shrugged again. Steeling himself, he walked out of the room and paced toward the dining room. He would need a dinner. After all, he didn't have a clue of whatever life had in store for him tonight.
As per Ozai's instruction, Lin was told to head to the south wing of the Imperial Palace after dinner. As Lin walked down the dark corridor leading to the south wing, a part of the palace reserved for Fire Lord's elite guards, he noticed that there was another man stalking him from the shadow. It seemed like Azulon had sent another spy although Ozai didn't show any sin of suspicion when he talked to Lin earlier. It either because Ozai didn't know about the spy Jiang and Lin fought and killed in the forest or because Ozai was a good actor. Either way, they sent another spy on Lin, kinda made him suspicious of why it was just one person like before.
It didn't matter now. What matter was entering the room, that room, ten meters ahead. Inside the room, Lin's new instructors would be waiting. What would he learn from them, some killing techniques? Being a Byakko, being a spy, Lin guessed that the skill he would need to hone would revolve around stealth, infiltration, and perhaps a bit hand-to-hand combat. Maybe he would learn the more effective ways to kill a person with his bare hands. But, Lin sighed, it would be more useful if they could teach him how to kill a person like how Jiang killed that spy in the forest. It seemed like Jiang had taken so many lives that he couldn't feel the disgust and guilt anymore. And Lin shuddered at the thought, praying to the spirits that he wouldn't be required to kill someone as part of his training.
As he opened the door, he was greeted by what looked like a giant training hall. the empty room was completely dark, the only illumination came from the moon outside the windows, the room itself was as big as, if not bigger than, the Lin Estate's main hall. Here and there, training posts stood silently and neatly, almost like a formation of soldiers; it somehow made the tatami floored, black painted room eerie.
"Welcome", the cold female voice made Lin leaped forward to a safer distance and turned around with his stance ready. But, it wasn't enemy who greeted him; it was a female of her early twenties, two males stood behind him. Bara, Taka, and Iwa must have been really good to just appear out of nowhere without Lin realizing it. Or could it be that it was Lin who let his guard down? Maybe. Lin's attention was a bit absorbed by the room and its many training posts, he must do something about it, pondered Lin. He could have been dead by now if those three were here to kill him.
"Do you know why you're here?" Bara asked, her voice remained cold, distant, and emotionless… empty and dark like the night.
"To train", Lin answered.
"Good", Bara replied, still expressionless. "Get ready, then!"
And without warning, the three assassins lunged forward. Each pulled out their daggers, ready to slit the boy's throat. As Taka and Iwa fanned out to attack Lin's from two sides, Bara stayed in her course, punching a vicious fire ball at Lin, who was gawking at the sudden violence. The training had begun, it seemed…
Author's note:
1. Bara means 'rose' in Japanese. Coincidentally, it means 'ember' in Indonesian. It is a reference to her being a female firebender.
2. Taka means 'eagle' in Japanese. Reference to him being an archer.
3. Iwa means 'stone' in Japanese, without doubt because he was an earthbender. The name is courtesy to hpswst101.
More about Iroh's secret message will be revealed in later chapters.
Have a nice day!!!!