The Highest Bidder
Chapter Nine: A Lesson from the Dragon of the West
The lieutenant of the ship, Lt. Jee, was the ranked officer above me, but the officer below Zuko. Although I was named Captain, Prince Zuko treated me with special treatment; in other words, Lt. Jee was the fourth person to learn of the change of course in the journey (by definition, the order was Zuko, Iroh, me, then Lt. Jee). General Iroh was more or less Zuko's advisor in his mission, and although Zuko abided by his uncle's proposals about 76% of the time, it was Iroh's advise that kept the crew from killing Zuko (and possibly me as well).
Although I was shocked to learn that Prince Zuko had any emotional attachment to me at all, it didn't change my view on him. Even to this day, although my feelings for him are still within rekindling range (and this might be the only time that he learns about it), I admire his courage and bravery, his aggression and brooding demeanor; and if, I should be so bold to admit it to a jury of everyone, I might have enjoyed flaring his temper a little if I wanted him to feel a little more than just irritated. Zuko's ambition was focused on catching the Avatar, and I considered the entire mission to be literally out of focus; however, I decided that it was quite an honor to serve the Fire Lord's son…Even if it meant enduring his moodiness on the ship.
General Iroh had tried to persuade Zuko to continue to mentor me through disarming Firebenders (should I be attacked by a rival's Fire Nation navy) but Zuko refused to be humiliated again before a crew. Well, that's not what Zuko said; more or less, it was what Iroh had told me after he came from back from Zuko's quarters.
On a peaceful afternoon, General Iroh proposed to get back on the bow of the ship, and he offered me a place on the side of the railing to sit. General Iroh believed that although I traveled with a group of Firebenders, it was wise for me to understand how they brought about their power, much like how Zuko and the rest of them knew about mine. General Iroh wanted me to have a fair field advantage in case there was a mutiny on board, or—if it should happen—that we became separated and I was captured by Zuko's rival—I would have a fighting chance. Looking back, I imagine that General Iroh considered me to be 'Zuko's girlfriend'; either that or he treated me like his own daughter.
"Fire," began Iroh calmly as he handed me a cup of Ginseng tea, "is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force, which is tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires. However, the recently militaristic Fire Nation twisted this into Firebending being fueled by rage, hate, and anger."
"So you agree that it's all about breath control, Mm?" I asked with a curious smile.
"That's what it's all been about, my dear," he drawled. "As I tell Zuko several times during his training sessions, Firebending should draw power from the sun and the breath, for the first human Firebenders derived their Firebending techniques from the dragons."
He smiled deviously at me for a minute.
"You might think you have Zuko figured out, Captain; however, his power is not just powered by his anger. Just as your mind is more stable when you have had a good night's rest, our capabilities are enhanced when we're in a warmer climate."
"How warm?" I asked curiously. "If I set Zuko in the balmy springs, would that make him feel better?"
He laughed.
"Try the equator."
He gave me an amused smile when I said nothing in return. When I did, all I came out with was,
"You're kidding…aren't you?"
"No, Mura, I'm serious. Why else do you think we're flourishing in the summer time? Firebenders rise with the sun; Waterbenders rise with the moon. A Waterbender's skills are enhanced especially during a full moon; it's also the right time for a very extraordinary Waterbender to Bloodbend."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, Mura, did you think that you were the only one who could move bodies at will?"
I stared at him.
"You're serious…"
"Bloodbending is a very macabre ability for the naturally peaceful Water Tribe members of the Northern and Southern borders, Mura; but it's been done, and there are only a select few who could testify to being a victim." Iroh said gravely.
I felt the initial reaction to gag. I requested for Iroh to move on before I became seasick with the tide.
"Firebenders struggle during the extreme cold," Iroh continued. "As we near icy waters, it will be a harder demonstration for those less equally skilled in mastering the art of Firebending. A few soldiers aboard will be weakened by the cold. You could use this to the best of your ability."
"That doesn't exactly help me on this ship, General Iroh," I said with little joy. "Half of these men have mastered their skill in breath of fire."
"You won't have to worry about that; you've beaten Zuko when he was Firebending. Mura, when you fight, you don't depend on defense or offense. According to you and my nephew, when you're threatened, the mind reacts accordingly. I imagine that when you do fight my nephew, you've grown accustomed to his fighting style that your defenses automatically predict to what he's going to do.
"The Firebending style is ninety-five offenses and five percent defense. As are many Firebenders, the art of our bending is very confrontational. Aggression and continuous assault increase the victory of a battle, but there is a lack of defense in the form. The nature of the fight consumes a vast amount of energy, leaving the bender considerably tired in a prolonged battle.
"Zuko had been training you for 24 hours yesterday. He hasn't mastered control, so he cannot fight all day long. Even during my siege of Ba Sing Se, six-hundred days of fighting can really tire a man."
He sipped his tea.
"Poor breath control and the complete lack of control all together can seriously damper a Firebender's spirit and his ability. Just as I instruct Zuko, true Firebending power comes not from the physical size and strength of a man, but rather from the very control of one's breath. Firebender discipline stresses self-restraint and breath control as a means of directing and containing the fire manifested. Poor breath control means dangerously poor control of any fire generated. That's why you often see Zuko meditating, as well as me."
"And the lack of discipline?" I inquired casually.
"Poor self-control," he said with a sigh. "Though anger and rage can amplify the power of Firebending, it can lead to dangerous explosions or wildfires and can also cause any nearby flames to burn out of control. A wild temper in a Firebender is extremely dangerous," Iroh explained. He gazed at me considerately. "I know that you antagonize my nephew to get a rise from him, but it influences the other soldiers that they can do the same."
He patted my arm.
"You might have to be the voice of the crew if Zuko refuses to listen to me."
I shook my head out right.
"That isn't my place." I said. "He's over me, and Lt. Jee needs to be the one who speaks to Prince Zuko if there is a problem on board."
"But he trusts you," Iroh said gently. "I have seen him speak to you on occasion when it isn't business-related. Even if you're a criminal in the Fire Nation, here on Earth Kingdom waters, you're one of his better skilled companions. My nephew is a very temperamental man, but he has his values in order. He cares for his family; just as I am sure that he cares for you."
"Prince Zuko is interested in capturing the Avatar," I said nervously. "He's not interested in fashioning a date."
If the audience is still with me, I have to add to this little scene that when General Iroh and I spoke about Zuko, it was of the quietest situations where no one else could hear. The memory is still a tad bittersweet, owing to the fact that Fire Lord Zuko is married to a woman named Mai. However, I cannot blame him: she's very beautiful, even if her personality is "just a big blah". If you ask Fire Lord Zuko about the nature of our relationship on our journey, he wouldn't deny that there was possible romance. In a relative stance, we shared the same ideals and ambitions; and although we often clashed, it would have been different if we got along so well. Our impatience for the other might have drawn us together as loyal partners. However, this story isn't about my relationship with Zuko.
Up until now, I have given detailed descriptions of a few examples of my days of what it was like to serve Prince Zuko during his search for the Avatar. I want you to know that Prince Zuko was not a cruel boy. This does not mean that he was incapable of cruelty.
This story, after all, revolves around my treason against the Fire Nation and the three other nations that coincided in my betrayal, even if I believe that all was in my good favor or that I had my companions' best interest at heart. As I've been told as you certainly have heard as well: the path of righteousness is wrought with good intentions.
I will describe the first encounter of the Avatar in the next chapter.