Chapter 23
Zuko glanced around the large audience chamber, slowly filling with the ministers of his cabinet and various other advisors. Dressed in full Fire Lord regalia, he was sitting at the end of a long table in a slightly elevated position, befitting of his status. A smaller chair had been provided for Katara to sit to his right, and she had taken her seat looking excited, but also a little nervous. Zuko was having a hard time avoiding staring at her, as on this occasion her considerable beauty was further enhanced by the dress she wore. The tailor had done a brilliant job on a very short notice, and Zuko fully appreciated the result, making a mental note to give the man a raise.
The dress Katara wore was a modified version of the traditional garb of a royal consort. The lower part of the dress was the finest crimson, but the upper part featured ribbons of sapphire blue woven in amidst the red, almost like splashes of ocean waves amidst a raging inferno. The traditional golden embroidery was replaced with sapphire blue as well, and Katara had chosen a tantalizingly low neckline for the dress to put her mother's necklace on an even more prominent display. All in all, she was a sight to behold, and already causing a stir amongst the gathered ministers and advisors.
The sole Kyoshi bodyguard present had taken her spot to his left, standing still as a statue. Ty Lee played the role on this occasion as her girlfriend was probably busy dodging the frustrating attempts by Katara's brother Sokka to win her back. At least Ty Lee did not appear bothered at all by the situation, usually just laughing the whole thing off.
When it seemed that everyone had finally arrived, Zuko decided not to waste any more time, rising from his seat and towering above the others. "Before we begin today's meeting, I have an introduction to make... although it shouldn't be necessary, since her accomplishments should be common knowledge," Zuko spoke, bowing lightly at Katara. "Today we will be accompanied by Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. She is here in the capacity of the royal consort."
Murmurs of confusion and uncertainty almost instantly floated from the crowd. "But she is a foreigner! And a woman!" the elderly treasurer exclaimed, looking deeply unsettled.
"Your powers of perception continue to astound me, treasurer," Zuko replied, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "She is indeed a woman, but no longer merely a foreigner, if the meaning of a royal consort somehow escapes you."
"This is still most unorthodox, Lord Zuko!" the war minister spoke up, a pudgy middle-aged man with known weakness of overindulging in too many fire-cakes on top of a wholesome dinner. "You never saw fit to involve your previous consort, Lady Mai, in these gatherings!"
"Lady Mai had no interest in them, nor do I believe she had anything worthwhile to contribute," Zuko frowned. "I have a reason to believe that Lady Katara will be able to offer beneficial insights, especially once she is brought more up to date with our current situation. Now, does anyone have particularly strong feelings against her presence, or may we continue?" he asked in a stern voice, noticing that Katara had slightly shrunken in her seat, her confidence taking a knock from the frosty reception, even though Zuko had warned her about such a possibility.
Fortunately, nobody raised any further objections, mostly out of fear of angering him, but to Zuko it was a good sign. He finally had the respect of his ministers and advisors, and it had only taken three painfully long years. "Right," he nodded mostly to himself, casting his eyes around the room and only then noticing the sole empty seat. "Who is the absentee?" he demanded to know.
"Minister in charge of handling Avatar relations," one of the junior advisors helpfully explained.
"What, he didn't enjoy my gift basket?" Zuko rolled his eyes.
"I believe he quit citing impossible conditions to fulfill his duties," the same advisor explained again.
Zuko quickly glanced at Katara. She was looking back at him with a guilty expression in her eyes. "I will take on these responsibilities," she spoke with firm certainty in her voice. "This is my mess to fix, after all."
"Thank you, Katara," Zuko smiled at her. "There you go, she is already proving her worth," he turned to his ministers, some of them still appearing skeptical, but a few smiling and nodding at Katara. And quite a few were letting their eyes linger far too long on Katara, as far as Zuko was concerned.
The meeting then proceeded with the ministers and advisors all delivering their weekly reports. Zuko had already read the abridged versions of these reports and gave his prepared notes at the end of each report. It was all business as usual until it was time for one of his advisors to deliver his report on the situation on Kirachu Island.
"Lord Zuko, I have an update on the situation on Kirachu Island," the advisor began with a respectful bow. "As you and my esteemed colleagues may recall, we made a decision to secure the loyalty of the commander of the local garrison by enrolling his son in the Royal Academy of Sciences, even though he had failed his entrance tests. The commander was very happy about this favor and reassured us of his loyal service to the Fire Lord. However, there has since been a recent development, after I had already submitted my written report to you, my Lord."
"What is this development, out with it!" Zuko ordered. He didn't like sudden developments. No, sudden developments were universally bad developments.
"There was an accident during the maintenance of one of the airships," the advisor explained. "As I understand, one of the cannons was somehow still loaded, and the bomb exploded. It killed two soldiers and seriously wounded the garrison commander. It is unclear whether he will make a full recovery."
Zuko clenched his fists in anger. "Sabotage?"
"I have launched a full investigation, Lord Zuko, but sabotage is very likely," the advisor nodded. "We are aware that known sympathizers of Ukano made several attempts to meet with the commander after he promised to support us, and he rebuked all their attempts to communicate."
"Have you identified these sympathizers?" Zuko asked. The advisor nodded at him once more, sending him deep in thought. Was it time to finally start cracking down on Ukano and his fellow conspirators? Zuko could not decide. He still wasn't sure just how widely Ukano's net had spread. What if by moving too aggressively he would send his nation towards civil war? Then again, Ukano had gone as far as sabotaging a Fire Nation warship, which was either a bold or a desperate act. He glanced at Katara, looking for support if not outright advice, and found her deep in thought as well, but he drew strength from her mere presence nonetheless.
"Detain and interrogate them," Zuko finally decided. The boldness of his enemy demanded a firm reply, or else they would interpret his inaction as weakness. No. It would be my weakness, there's nothing to interpret. "Even if we don't learn anything, make sure they know that they are being watched. Perhaps it will spook some of them. In the meantime, continue your investigation. If we could tie one of these sympathizers to the sabotage, that would be the best outcome."
"We can always arrange such an outcome, my Lord," another advisor suggested. Zuko frowned at the suggestion. A brief look at Katara revealed her clear displeasure at this underhanded method as well, which to Zuko merely confirmed his already made decision.
"There is no need to resort to such machinations," Zuko shook his head, turning to the next advisor in line to deliver his far more boring and mundane report. Still, when it came to the matters of state, Zuko had grown to appreciate things being mundane and boring. It also meant that things were being stable. As a ruler, the last thing you wanted to hear about was a surprise.
For the next hour or so, more and more dry reports were delivered and Zuko forced himself to retain his interest through sheer force of will. When the turn to speak finally landed on the last speaker, his elderly treasurer, Zuko immediately snapped out of his mild stupor. He had read the report on the state of the treasury very carefully, and he had quite a few issues with said report. To say that the state of the treasury was alarming was an understatement, and it was seriously starting to worry Zuko.
"Lord Zuko, esteemed colleagues, Lady Katara," the treasurer began to speak in his slightly squeaky voice. "I'm afraid that I have no good news to deliver on the state of the treasury. Tax revenues are falling well short of what we projected."
"That's because your projections were too optimistic in regards to the colonies, I warned you of that before," Zuko frowned at the treasurer. The state of the former Fire Nation colonies in Earth Kingdom territory was still in flux. They were still packed with Fire Nation citizens, but with the colonies starting to firmly push for more and more autonomy, the citizens felt less and less inclined to send their hard-earned coins back to the Fire Nation capital, and tax revenue from the colonies was drying up quickly. "But never mind the colonies now, that's a topic for another time. I noticed something else in your report. We were supposed to have finalized the sale of eight airships to the Earth Kingdom, and it still hasn't happened. Can someone explain this delay?"
"The Earth Kingdom delegation that came to inspect the airships two weeks ago left without signing any binding documents," the Minister of Commerce explained with a sour expression on his face. "Even though they claimed to be satisfied with the airships…"
"I believe I can offer an explanation on why the Earth Kingdom is stalling," Zuko's Minister of Intelligence piped up, a small, wiry man with rat-like features who at first looked like his portrait should be placed in the dictionary section explaining the meaning of the word 'treasonous'. Fortunately for Zuko, he had learned that first appearances could be very deceptive, and the man was actually one of his most ardent supporters. "The Earth Kingdom are looking to start their own airship development program. To this end, they are trying to lure a famous inventor who is currently staying in Yu Dao. During the war, the Fire Nation had pressed this inventor into our service and many of his inventions are still in use and form the backbone of our own military. The hot air balloon is one such invention."
Zuko was about to reply, then noticing that Katara had started fidgeting in her seat, appearing a little nervous, almost as if wanting to speak up but not quite daring to do so. Uncertain of what was going on, Zuko turned to address the gathered advisors. "We need this sale to go through," he spoke firmly. "Which means, we can't let this inventor fall into the hands of Earth King Kuei and the Dai Li."
"The inventor himself is a citizen of the Earth Kingdom," the Minister of Intelligence added. "But my sources have informed me that he very much values his independence, and has so far resisted courtship from the Dai Li."
"They might just decide to snatch the inventor, once they get tired of trying to persuade him," another advisor suggested. "If we were to eliminate this man, the Earth Kingdom would be denied an asset." Zuko winced at the idea, glancing at Katara, who looked at the advisor in wide-eyed horror.
"Perhaps we can consider some less drastic solutions?" Zuko asked the advisors.
"We can always offer bribes to dissuade him from selling his secrets to the Earth Kingdom," another advisor suggested.
"Murder or bribery, how charming," Zuko sighed. This was shaping into one of those lesser evil choices again, and he really, really hated those. Unless… Katara's reaction caught his eye again, the young waterbender looked like she had plenty to say on the matter, but it seemed like she badly needed some encouragement to speak her mind, a little intimidated by the self-important and stuffy ministers and advisors. "Katara, don't hesitate to speak… I've got your back, you know that," he whispered to her, receiving a warm and relieved smile in response.
"My Lords, may I ask if this inventor is the same man who during the war found refuge at the Northern Air Temple together with his son and other Earth Kingdom survivors?" Katara finally spoke up, addressing the advisors. "His son's name is Teo and he is a paraplegic who flies a glider built for him by his father."
"I believe so, Lady Katara," the treasurer bowed at her, looking impressed. "I am curious about your insight, my Lady."
"I met this man and his son while accompanying the Avatar during the war," Katara explained. "In fact, we struck up friendship with his son. They aided us several times during the war, most crucially during the invasion on the Day of the Black Sun."
"Interesting," the treasurer mused, other advisors also nodding and exchanging whispers. "Perhaps you could help us formulate a different strategy, Lady Katara. It seems that you know this man better than any of us. How do we convince him not to side with the Earth Kingdom?"
"Well... I don't know if he would care for bribes," Katara shrugged. "He's an inventor. I think what Teo's father loves the most is the freedom and opportunity to create whatever strikes his fancy. Some of his ideas might backfire like the peanut sauce bombs, but some will turn out amazing."
"The Fire Nation is the most scientifically advanced nation in the world. The research facilities at our military complexes are second to none," burly man with a thick bushy beard, the Minister of Defense, spoke proudly. "Our engineers would be overjoyed to work alongside this wild Earth Kingdom genius."
"Of course, but I believe that Teo's father would be put off by the idea of working in a Fire Nation military complex," Katara frowned. "Nor would he be swayed by an invitation from a Fire Nation official. The increase of hostilities during Ozai's reign affected him badly."
"What if you wrote to him, instead?" Zuko asked suddenly, having listened to the conversation for a while. "He might not trust me or my cabinet, but he might be swayed by a personal letter from you."
Katara fell silent for a moment before responding. "That... might actually work," she eventually nodded. "In fact, I should write to both Teo and his father. If my letter to the inventor will not be convincing on its own, I think Teo would help me persuade his father."
"We need them to agree to a visit, and then we can put on the best Fire Nation hospitality for them," Zuko smiled at Katara. "We'll wine and dine them, and then tempt them with the best facilities an inventor could hope for."
"My Lord, turning this inventor into an ally would be a major coup for us," the treasurer nodded, actually looking happy and excited. Zuko hadn't been sure the man was even capable of such emotion, since the treasury had been in a downward slide since the first day of his reign. "The Dai Li would be greatly incensed by our actions, but the Earth Kingdom would have no alternative but to finalize the airship deal."
"It is settled then," Zuko rubbed his hands excitedly. This was going better than he had hoped. "Katara will write her letters to Teo and his father, and we will proceed from there," he said, quickly looking at Katara again. She was looking straight ahead at the advisors, but there was a gratifying, satisfied smile on her lips. "Was there anything else, treasurer?" he asked, but the man responded with a shake of the head. "In that case, I pronounce our meeting concluded. I will see you all in a week's time."
At his words of dismissal, the officials began to file out of the room one by one, eventually leaving Zuko alone with Katara, with only Ty Lee standing watchful in the shadows. "That... went well, didn't it?" Katara asked, looking hopeful. "More importantly, you didn't have to give an order to eliminate someone..."
"Yes, some of my advisors are... a little too quick to jump to that advice," Zuko winced. "It's technically a solution, but it takes a lot to convince me to resort to such means. That was the way of Sozin, Azulon and Ozai. I'm trying to find another way."
"And I am here to help you find that other way," Katara said, rising from her seat and coming over to him.
"You're off to a great start, Katara," Zuko smiled, also rising and taking her hands in his. "It's been only one meeting with these politicians, and I am already certain that in due time, you will make the greatest Fire Lady in all of history."
Katara responded by wrapping her arms around him and leaning in for a lingering kiss. "Just when I thought you have already reached your limits of flattery, you manage to find something even sweeter to say," she whispered, briefly pulling away, only to resume kissing him moments later.
As they eventually and reluctantly broke off their kissing, leaving the room accompanied by Ty Lee, Zuko could not be happier about how Katara's introduction to the court politics had unfolded. By proving her usefulness to the royal advisors and ministers, Katara had taken an important first step towards being accepted and embraced as the future Fire Lady. And for his part, Zuko could not stop himself from looking forward to this future more and more with every passing day.