Rewrite, Rewind
Chapter 29
One year, seven months into the attack on Ba Sing Se
"It's been a week since they made an attempt to get behind our retreating forces," Hai He said as leaned back in her seat in the genera's tent. She wasn't the only one in the tent, several high-ranking officials were in the tent to go over battle plans and strategies. She just happened to be the only one leaning back in her chair and not looking at the map like everyone else.
"And what are you doing here anyways?" She turned her eyes from the tent ceiling to the scowling commander. "This is a meeting for the commanders of each division to strategies against the earth kingdom—"
"Oh I'm sorry, I hadn't known I wasn't a part of the military forces," Hai He interrupted sarcastically. "But do go on with what you were saying. Something about leading two hundred of our soldiers into their tombs, right?"
"The south inventory will not die," The man rolled his eyes at her. "Something you don't know about, civilian—" Hai He turned big eyes towards Iroh, pointing at herself and mouthing the word 'civilian' in surprise. Iroh just leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes and took a big sip of his tea. "—is that there are valuable supplies in that direction. It is also one of Ba Sing Se's storage units. We'll use those supplies and weaken the military forces of the city at the same time."
"Oh and what about the river there?" Hai He asked, "if I were an earth bender I'd just flip or slant the earth plate our soldiers would be standing on and send them into the river. Then I would seal off all exits and top the river with earth so the soldiers couldn't get out."
"Thus forcing our men to drown," Iroh continued where Hai He left off.
"Correct," Hai He nodded at Iroh in agreement.
"Are you an earth bender?" the commander sneered at her.
"If I were, you'd have a pretty little throne to accompany your pyre," Hai He retorted with a smirk. Iroh choked on his tea.
"Please, let us focus on the task at hand," Iroh interrupted whatever come-back the commander had. "Now Lady Hai He does have a point about the attack last week. It dose concern me that they would chose then to attack us."
"We chose the date spontaneously, only half the people in this room knew about it," Hai He frowned in thought.
"Are you suggesting a traitor?" The commander asked
"I wasn't but you do have a point," Hai He replied, "but that would mean someone in this room…"
"Tch, how impudent," the commander scoffed at her. "How dare you indicate that one of us would dare to betray our nation!"
"Perhaps not the nation," the new voice startled many in the room and they all turned towards the new voice, dropping into defensive stances at the masked figure standing on the edge of the tent. "Just the royal family."
"Sister!" Hai He shouted in joy, leaping from her seat to dash towards the masked woman. "What are you doing here?! You never leave master's side!" almost all the leaders in the room settled back down in their seats, shaking their heads and huffing agitated sighs. Only one commander remained standing, frowning at his fellow commanders and glaring at the masked woman and bender-less civilian at the entrance to the tent.
"Master has sent word to Prince Iroh," the masked woman replied, setting a fond hand atop Hai He's head.
"Who are you?" the same commander giving Hai He trouble snarled the demand.
"She is La," Iroh introduced the masked woman, "it's been many years since we last met."
"The assassination attempt on the royal twins," 'La' agreed with a nod of her head.
"La is father's head of security. If she is here, something urgent has happened back home," Iroh stood from his chair with a hard expression on his normally smiling face, "do I need to return?"
"No Prince Iroh," La answered firmly. She dug in her back pocket and produced a small slip of paper, she walked around the large table holding the map of Ba Sing Se, and carefully handed the small paper over to Iroh. Iroh took the paper and slipped it into a pocket on the inside of his sleeve, and bowed respectfully towards La. She returned the respectful bow, spun on her heal, and marched back to where Hai He was standing at the entrance, looking worried at the masked figure.
"One more thing Prince Iroh," La stopped beside her sister, turning to look over her shoulder at the group. "Hai He is being recalled to the palace on family affairs. Wu Huo will be replacing her."
"For how long?" Lu Ten asked, straightening in his seat.
"Until this fight is over," La ordered, lifting a black bundle and handing it over to Hai He, who swayed beneath its weight.
"I…I understand," Hai He bowed to her sister, clutching the large bundle to her chest.
"The rest of Wu Huo's things are in your tent already." La said, setting her hand on her sister's head once more. "do make it quick. I'll be leaving at dusk." La left and everyone stared at Hai He, wondering what she was going to do next. Would she finish the meeting with them, or leave to prepare for her departure.
"Lady Hai He," Iroh called gently
"Why are you still here civilian?"
"Commander Zhao," Iroh hissed at the rude commander
"She was just ordered to leave." Zhao retorted stubbornly. "That's another reason why she has no right to be here."
"Lady Hai He has been protecting Prince Lu Ten since they were children," one of the commanders finally stood up, snarling back at Zhao like an angry panther. "She is also a commander, of the medical unite. So every excuse you've made to kick her out of this meeting is pointless."
"Commanders, General Iroh," Hai He's voice was the softest any of them had ever heard it, she turned bowed deeply to them. "If it is alright with you, may I finish this meeting with you? This way my report to Fire Lord Azulon will be more accurate."
"Since you will be reporting directly to father upon return, I see no reason to force you to leave," Iroh smiled and waved a hand at her previous seat. "please take a seat Lady Hai He, and this time don't be afraid to speak up."
"Thank you General Iroh."
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