Another wonderful contribution by Mr. Sensfan90! Thank you very much Ser Sens! =)


(Dragonstone: 298 AC) Maege IV

Laying her quill back in its ink she let her latest letter for home dry. Her exams had passed without issue and by all accounts Azula had passed with ease as well. Mother and father had written to her ahead of time to wish them luck and deliver a few gifts for their first true celebration of the Fire Nation. Father in particular and commissioned a beautiful crimson mask with the fierceness of a mighty bear for her to wear. Polished and glossy it was both stunning and a tad frightening. Exactly how she wished for it to be when father first introduced the idea in Lyanna's Bay a few years ago. Despite her dreams he told her firmly but gently it would only be right to have it on Dragonstone.

Setting her red bear mask upon her desk she grabbed her favorite hair brush. With graduation of the year's cadets over it meant a more formal attire for the Fire Festival. As much as she wanted to keep her usual braid she knew mother and Aunt Lyanna would be cross with her for the evening. It was practical and simple but not becoming of a young lady of high birth. Taking a cue from what mother favored from her time on Bear Island she decided keeping it long and straight.

"Maege why the masks? Aren't the dresses and feasts enough?" Turning around she stopped for a moment to appreciate the grey wolf mask Azula had chosen. It had been a gift from grandmother from a masquerade at Winterfell many years ago. "Father says it's an ancient tradition of the Fire Nation, a reminder of the vast spirits that existed in their world. Apparently wearing the beak of a bird or the fury of a dragon was supposed to bless the wearer with their attributes. Thinking of becoming a Stark eh?"

"Oh Maege really? Like you have not thought of becoming a Lady of Winterfell at some point. What does mother say?"

"Mother thought it was just an excuse to dress up and have fun. It's why father combined it with the Harvest Feasts over the last few years. Apparently the one on Dragonstone is much much bigger." Azula smiled widely at the mention of the gathering back home along the Bay of Ice. The North greatly disapproved of opulence and excess when it came to food but for a few days every year that was ignored by nobles and smallfolk alike. Lemon cakes, rich stews and treats she never saw otherwise would fill her stomach to the brim!

"Do you think they will have Ice Syrup tonight?" Closing her eyes she almost imagined she could feel the sweetness on her tongue. Too long she had been separated from her favorite treat.

"I sure hope so, what's the point of a festival without pancakes and syrup? Aunt Lyanna promised me there would be a large shipment from Bear Island ready and waiting for us." She giggled at her sister's clapping before returning to her hair. The trees which made Ice Syrup were only found in the North and predominantly along the north western coast and Bear Island. The wealth it generated was one of the few reasons House Mormont maintained its status as a Noble house despite the climate and repeated attacks by pirates, wildlings and Ironborn. The Firelord had certainly eased the financial burden of their land but they still had their pride. Besides she knew from Lyanna's Bay that even the pureblooded of the Fire Nation could not get enough of the stuff.

"You ready to go?" Azula hopped to her feet without a reply, making for the door without a word. Clearly the thought of their favorite food was most important thing on her mind. Casually she closed the door and headed towards the main hall only to interrupted.

"Ah Lady Mormont, congratulations!" Surprised she almost bumped into the man, her classmate Aemon Li leaving from his own room. If memory served he was the son of some baker's daughter in Tally Hall and a minor engineer from the Fire Nation Navy. He had almost a dozen siblings in the academy, half of which were benders like him. Unlike the Baratheon children the Yi Tish features were far more pronounced on his face, though the green eyes was definitely from his mother. They never talked much but he was quite the hard worker.

"You as well, you made the top five did you not?"

"Indeed I did end up placing fourth, unfortunately Zhang Wei got every test answer perfect. I thought I had in him in combat by enough but the instructors disagreed and had him third."

"Not surprised, if I had parents like Zhang I would have amazing test scores too. Well that or die trying I suppose." Truly the boy had it difficult, a pureblood non bender his parents expected him to graduate the academy with honors. He wasn't the only one, the parents born and raised in the far off land were visibly disappointed when a half-blood or even full Westerosi outdid their children. Though she had no proof the teachers enforced that attitude it did seem the more Fire Nation blood you had the harsher the marks. The double standard worked in reverse too, those with Westerosi blood were rewarded at every step and used as an example for others to follow. Part of her understood it was all part of the fierce competition the Firelord wanted in her schools to encourage only the best. A more cynical part of her thought it was a hanging threat. If boys and girls born without the power and education of the Fire Nation were superior obviously the problem was with the parent not the child. Which would of course push them to ensure they were superior and begin the cycle again.

"Come now my father is just as hard on me for training, I'm sure Commander Xie had high expectations for you."

"Well he did for Azula, I have only one expectation while I am here. Don't tell me your mother wants all of you in the navy or guard and away from home?" Aemon scratched his head in embarrassment, obviously she had guessed right.

"Can you blame her? She hardly has enough time spend with her child before preparing for the next one. I mean I cannot complain, I would probably be some laborer in Tarly Hall or Sweetport Sound if she did not agree to bear father's children. She adores every minute we spend with her but she also knows what she signed up for." Her mind's eye noticed his flame burst brightly at the last remark but just as quickly it dispersed. Emotionally he did not like his mother's status but he could not deny the benefits. At least his father seemingly treated his spouse with respect, mother had long warned her sailor wives often led a harsh life. Month's spent overseeing the household and children alone had been known to end in tragedy or depression if they never returned. To say nothing of those who choose less honorable professions upon the sea.

"Fair enough, excited for the Festival?"

"Immensely, the only time of year we get Fire Flakes on Dragonstone and they are delicious." She hid her grimace at the thought, father loved the things but the rest of the family did not. She figured it was the Northern blood not liking the spiciness. Mother practically gagged when she had tried it. Father had looked rather sad when it happened right up until he realized it meant more for him. "The various shows are pretty fun too, though I gather a northern bear like yourself would enjoy some of them more." Eyeing a Wolf and Falcon from the end of the hall she knew that meant they showcased Robert's Rebellion. Outside of a few banners the various wars of Westeros were the only times you heard anything that was not a Stag or a Sun Dragon from the entertainers.

The Academy has been transformed seemingly overnight, gone were the cold regimented chairs and desks, replaced with colorful tables, booths and several banners she had never seen before. Judging by the Yi Tish looking men and women they were the previous Firelords. She could barely see over the taller children but more than one mummer's dragon was fighting a mighty stag or wolf on one of the many platforms that had been constructed. The only thing that had not changed were the instructors, ever vigilant over the students as they slowly trickled in. Soon the parents joined them, children giddy has they placed their masks on their heads naturally gravitating with their families. Before she knew it the whole room was drowned in a thousand conversations. She barely heard her soon to be former classmate approach them from behind.

"Lady Maege, Lady Azula an honor as always." The voice of Cadet Rina pierced the veil of the crowd, gone were the standard clothes of the academy, replaced with a true uniform of the Fire Nation. Befitting a soldier she wore no mask. "Your dress is quite lovely Lady Azula, though the red is quite the surprise." An unladylike snort escaped her sisters' lips at the comment flippantly pointing to her own emerald green gown.

"Father wanted us to honor both our heritage and the Firelord Cadet Rina, so he made sure mother supplied us with gowns of both colors. Since Maege finished ahead of me in the rankings she got to choose which one she wanted."

"Congratulations are in order then, you finished second and fifth in your age group did you not?" Part of her thought she did not deserve the second ranking, quite a few classmates had better marks in history and mathematics. Unfortunately for everyone else the combat scores formed a disproportionate part of the curriculum, she doubted she could have finished beyond the top five even if she was a simpleton. As Azula so eloquently put it, what use is there bringing a sword or torch to face a walking explosion?

"We did indeed Cadet Rina, or if I am not too bold Lady Rina?" The spark of inner fire was all she needed to know really but her mother has long taught her it pays to be polite.

"Very well Lady Maege and I thank you for your belief in my abilities. As of last night I graduated and am now officially a member of the Fire Nation and a Lady of the Court. Not that my family expected anything less." She smiled sadly at her tone but hugged her fiercely in congratulations. Of the older students Rina had been by far the most supportive and helpful with quite a bit of useful experience in all sections of the curriculum. Then again Rina's family was not only large but filled with a long history of loyal soldiers to the Fire Nation. Given the size of her particular graduating class anything less than the top five was unacceptable. Worse as a pureblood firebender she likely knew anything less would be corrected in the future…harshly. She was expected serve, to lead and to excel above all others. Still she was not one to judge the nobles of Dragonstone, father had similar expectations of herself and Azula even if they were several years away from the age of apprenticeship or military service/

"Oh come now Rina, I've sparred with a dozen of your classmates alongside Commander Chang, you earned your rank. If you're interested in serving in the Navy I am sure my father would be delighted to approve your transfer, he is always complaining about the lack of good officers." For a moment she caught herself, hoping her friend did not find it improper. She knew from the harsh stance Commander Chang took with Takkar that as a rule nepotism was looked upon harshly without merit. It still happened of course but almost never publicly. Thankfully Rina smiled and took it as the honest compliment it was, sparing her the embarrassment.

"That is quite gracious of you Lady Maege but I will go where the Firelord wishes me, besides let it not be said your father played favorites with his daughters!" With a wink she offered her arm as they made their way further into the crowds, a fire juggler enrapturing some of the younger children. Games and booths surrounded them on all sides of the hall, it was almost overwhelming. Before long her sister seemed to grow bored and tapped her mask impatiently, the wolf a stark contrast to the dragons, stags and flat colored choices of the majority in the hall.

"Lady Rina, what do think we should try first?"

"Oh yes, this would be your first Fire Festival on Dragonstone. Is Lyanna's Cove so different?"

"We have the mummers and music but none of the fire acts or the same food."

"What Azula means to say is the festival was a lot smaller and combined with the Harvest Feast."

"Harvest Feast?" Incredulous she looked hard into Rina's eyes but found no lies. Was Dragonsonte so remote they did not know of the Harvest Feast?"

"Well yes every year the members of the Seven Kingdoms, even the Ironborn celebrate the harvesting of the fields before another year of winter. Especially in the North it is a grand celebration in preparation for a harsh season. You've never heard of it?"

"Well textbooks speak of harvest festivals from the Fire Nation but I never thought about it in Westeros. All we've had is the Fire Festival, though Lord Stannis may simply have combined the two for simplicity." Rolling her eyes she had to admit that sounded likely if the stories of Lord Baratheon were true. Yet her father had done the same thing and he was not one for compromising when he did not have to. It had to be the Firelord then, but why?

"Well alright Lady Rina, hey what are those woman up to?" A large group of women had grouped together along one of the large tables, gossiping over some inane topic. Oddly they remained distant from their children and the other families as they settled in for the entertainment. If not for the sheer size she had no idea why Azula found them interesting.

"Oh them? A group of mother's escorting their children, Westerosi born if I am not mistaken." Credit to Rina for being polite about it but it was obvious they were the lowborn mothers bribed by the Firelord to grow the size of her people. Even after time had proven their ability to pass on firebending to the next generation they remained common born in the eyes of many. They offered no wealth or opportunity beyond their children and the more educated and highborn Westerosi kept themselves separate. It was less blatant back home due to overwhelming military population but it was still rather obvious in the many settlers which came from beyond the North. Mother had called it a golden cage, smallfolk could live a life they only dreamed of but they could never leave without their children.

Lost in her thoughts she walked right into a poor unsuspecting woman. Grabbing her arm to steady her swaying form she was interrupted before she could apologize. "Oh Lady Mormont forgive me I did not see you moving until it was too late. Please pass along a message of gratitude once again for your father's blessing." Slightly confused she nodded at the woman, her pale skin and eyes a telling sign of her northern heritage. It took a moment before she realized where she knew the accent from, definitely from Forrester lands. The name escaped her but then again her father regularly offered employment to the smallfolk of the North. A few however took a position within Dragonstone, all of which by marriage.

"Pay no mind, the Firelord in her charity has long offered jobs and lands for those who work for her. My father was simply doing as he was ordered. Forgive me if I am wrong but your accent, you are from Ironrath correct Lady...?"

"Alys, Lady Mormont and yes I am indeed. My brother fought for Lord Gregor when the squids rose in rebellion, whatever he did it was enough for your father to offer him a place in the flameguard. At first I thought he wanted me to come as a cook, imagine my surprise when a fire nation man wanted my hand." She smiled as her children waved from their seats in front of the mummer's show but it was wistful. Almost instinctively she knew what the young mother felt.

"You miss home do you not?"

"What? Why would you say that? Dragonstone and the Narrow Sea gave me a life I would never have had in the Wolfswood. My sons and daughter have their numbers and letters, I have silk and jewels in my home, not just wool and carved bone." Neither of them took her words as complete truth, an insult to the Firelord even indirectly was not tolerated on Dragonstone. However courtesy finds a way where a biting remark would meet a fierce blade.

"Oh I imagine the Firelord has been most gracious in supporting her people. But we are both of the First Men are we not? It can be trying at times, if you ever feel it is too much my room is open. It is rather small my lady but we even managed to plant a few Heart Trees in the garden along island coast. It can be overwhelming can it not?"

Alys looked at her for a moment before a bitter laugh escaped her. "Ha, that obvious is it? I wager a stag or two you feel it even more. Your father may have introduced blood of fire but your land and people are still the majority. My children only know the North from stories, what do they know of the Wolfswood, the Wall or the Great Barrows of the First Men?" Sighing she continued, "at least they don't worship the bloody Red God despite the efforts of the Red Priests. Still my husband treats me with respect and I have a home I could never have hoped for in Ironrath. I do miss my old friends, even the vastness of the North at times but no Lady Mormont I do not miss home." Deliberately Alys turned back towards her children and took a seat as the play began, their contentment and posture telling her all she needed to know about the woman's happiness in Dragonstone.

"I like your stories Maege, who cares what other people think?" Grinning brightly she turned around once more, Ty Lee fashioned immaculately in a deep red dress with a yellow shall. Was it excessively detailed and expensive for the festival? Yes. Was it worthy of the Firelord's daughter? Perfectly. A finely detailed yellow doe covered her friends face as she quickly moved towards her.

"I suppose I never took for granted how much the Fire Festival was for lack of a better word Northern back home. If not for the mummer's speaking of Robert's Rebellion and the Stepstones I could easily forget we are in Westeros."

"Lady Mai and mother like to remind people of where their blood comes from, of their rich history and culture." Her inner flame rumbled slightly with every last word, if nothing else tonight had taught her you could see sarcasm in someone's aura. Or maybe she simply knew her friend that well after several months spending so much time together.

"You dislike it then, I thought you loved reading about it?"

"I love when father and Maester Cressen teaches me about the history of House Baratheon and Durrandon. I love when mother takes the time to tell me about her own adventures in her homeland. But this? Too much mummery for my tastes, it gets old after a while. All for the glory of the Firelord and her Fire Nation."

"Enough depressing talk then, congratulations on finishing first in the class." Ty Lee flashed a grin, clearly proud of herself. Being the best technical to the best power fighter like her, their combat marks had been a close thing. However she simply did not have the same dedication for studying the fiery doe had. Something she figured was definitely inherited from her father as all the stories she heard of Ursa and Steffon spoke of remarkable diligence.

"Thank you Maege, though between my tutors and I it is hard to tell who is happier."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Mother may have chosen to be hands off with my training but I figure the tutors assume anything less than perfect will lead to a reprimand." Frowning she wondered why the Firelord simply did not oversee her training like Lady Ursa. Then again from what some of the older students had said that was exactly the problem, Ursa Baratheon had outclassed everyone so quickly most of the young cadets on Dragonstone feared even talking to her. To this day even some of the instructors whispered how dangerous she was before she even became a woman. Ty Lee by contrast was still an excellent student but not some massive direwolf surrounded by cattle. She treated a spar like practice and not a life or death battle. If not for her firebending she would not be much different from a popular young lady of a noble house surrounded by her vassals' children.

"Still finishing first is no small accomplishment and I have the best idea for a present." Taking her hand and ignoring the looks of some of the guards she practically dragged Ty Lee over to the green and red tapestries of House Mormont. A green bear for Bear Island and a red bear for Lyanna's Bay with a fire breathing bear in the background signifying the few students who had transferred from the northern academy. Sure enough the sweet smell of syrup filled the air. Lyanna bless her heart knew what she wanted immediately and before they sat down a plate was already ready for them.

"This my lady is Ice Syrup, a gift from the Old Gods!" Ty Lee with a bemused expression delicately cut a piece for herself before taking a bite. Her eyes widening she practically tore into the plate for a second bite all but ignoring the laughter at the table.

"Well Maege I think we have the approval of House Baratheon don't ya think?" Leaving Ty Lee to her sumptuous meal she silently thanked her aunt as a drink was poured for herself.

"Was there ever any doubt? Seriously though Aunt Lyanna how did your tests go?"

"Seventh, my grades were quite good but I to no one's surprise I am lacking in the combat department." The deadpan tone caused her to grimace, without the ability to bend Lyanna was ultimately a young girl and years away from her first moon's blood at that. Still for lacking the inner spark seventh out of sixty was nothing to be ashamed of, third if one discounted bending altogether. It probably would not be until the last year or so before graduation before she had any real chance of scoring high enough in the combat aspects to find a place in the navy or flame guard. However Lyanna may not want that at all, perhaps in time she would choose a learned profession, they had time. She was fifth daughter of her namesake so whatever opportunity she gained from the Academy was probably her best chance at a good life. Well besides a good marriage, her condition certainly had raised the prestige of House Mormont among the purebreds. Suddenly a group of boys chorused through the hall, she recognized more than a few of them.

"What's the cheering for anyway?"

Ty Lee perked up for a moment before motioning for a glass of her own. "A few of the older students are having a drink for Takkar. It seems he finished first once again. Judging by how loud they were it definitely was not a single mug."

"Of course he did, Ser Kai and Lady Ursa are away on business and orders from the Fire Lord herself, he has no competition besides perhaps Ser Seaworth with blade or Lady Rina at close range. While except for you Maege, you could probably blow him up him right now." The mental image appeared a bit too quick to be healthy but she shook her head.

"Don't joke about that Lyanna combustion is not something to be used on a whim. I sparred more than once with him, he deserves his praise. Besides Commander Chang surely beat it into him to never fight one such as myself head on unless coerced."

"Because you're too powerful?" Mormont pride bursting from her aunt's eyes she gently shook her head.

"Because history is full of men and women who killed a combustion bender only to die in a final blast. I am dangerous because of what I am Lyanna, as much as I disliked it before I needed to come here." Lyanna pouted as the mood suddenly became somber but the taste of sweet syrup on her tongue made the feeling disappear immediately. A small giggle escaped her as Ty Lee asked for seconds, a dedicated fan if there ever was one.

"Up for a game then Maege?"

"Oh ready to lose Azula?" She eyed some of the booths, wondering which challenge her sister would choose. Ignoring the card games and bobbing for fruits popular among the smallfolk she turned towards the few attractions fully manned by the flame guard. Would it be Hand of Fate? Around the World, Dragonsbane?

"Hand of Fate?"

"Oh going for the classics then? Sure two silvers say I win."

"Two silvers, I say a stag!" Rolling her eyes at hubris they got in line for the game. Two benders were given a single small flame and tasked with lighting two identical mazes of candles. It was a rather simple thing for any half way competent firebender. The difficulty lay in the rules, one could not go backwards and every candle you missed was a negative point. Whoever had the most alight at the end of the maze would win. The strategy however came into the two final rules. If the fire spilled onto the floor you would be disqualified and at least during school hours heavily reprimanded for the failure. And if one was too careful a fast player once finished could begin lighting their opponents' course, stealing points.

"Alright ladies, on my mark …..go!" Ignoring the small group of onlookers she focused on the small flame, carefully dancing it across her fingers. Despite already noticing Azula gathering a decent lead her lessons convined her to be slow and steady. One by one each candle came alive, nothing was left on the table. Her sister by contrast had already finished half the course with no care to the score of missed points. She smirked it seemed it would come down to speed versus skill.

"Running out of chances Maege!"

"Leaving too much on the field Azula!" Methodically she continued her movements, sparing not a single glance as her sister began to entering her own lane. She only stopped as she felt the her sister's own flame nearly engulf hers.

"Enough, the round has ended. Ladies please return to the entrance as we count." Both of them smiled, it had been close to the end and a quick glance made the winner a close thing. She noticed a few of their classmates had gathered to watch, Aemon, Ty Lee and Aunt Lyanna front and center.

"By a score of 23-22 Cadet Maege Mormont is the winner!" A few cheers could be heard but she simply smirked and held out a hand for sister to pay up. Ignoring mutterings of double or nothing she was surprised to hear a few of the older boys swearing behind them. Rather quickly Rina approached were with the look of a hunter who had just snagged her prey. A small pile of golden stags in her hands, someone had made a very good bet.

"Don't say I never had faith in you Maege, come on I got us some good seats for the play." Once again taking her friends arm she looked forward to it, the night had been wonderful so far.