"As to the exposure of children, let there be a law that no deformed child shall live."
- Aristotle, imagining his perfect Republic. Infanticide was widespread in all of Greece, done mostly by parents abandoning their new-born to the elements
"Very good, Prince Zuko," I said, observing his form. The exiled Prince was easily completing the air bending forms atop the steamers' iron deck. Many fire benders struggled with the more agile motions of that style as it required a great deal of flexibility, but despite being a teenager already the exiled royal had no difficulty performing stretches I had practiced since childhood.
"When will I be able to bend lightning?" he bluntly demanded, causing Iuka and Kazu to chuckle and the rest of my men to smile. If only I would get actual uniforms from the Mainland. I never wanted these politically blind badger-moles to wear full facemasks as much as in this moment. Why not laugh at an emotionally unstable royal who also had the power of life and death over you?
Luckily, Iroh intervened before Zuko could clamour for another Agni Kai. "Lighting generation is an advanced technique. If done incorrectly, the consequences could be deadly," the old General warned.
"Indeed, it is no laughing matter," I said with a poignant look at my officers. "The training I am having you go through will assure your survival." It would also take literal years and give you enough time to get over puberty and your anger issues, I added in the privacy of my own mind.
"As if I have the time to care about my safety! With the Avatar on the loose, I need to be stronger now!" he screamed, the braziers on the ship's deck surging. "General, you swore to serve me in my duty," he said dangerously. "Tell me, what use is an air-bending form, when I cannot even bend air?"
Taking a sip of black tea, I quoted: "If you know yourself, but do not know your enemy, you will suffer a defeat for each victory. Know thy enemy like you know yourself, and you shall never suffer defeat."[1]
Finally placing down his White Lotus tile, Iroh nodded: "These are wise, and true words."
"They are not my own," I quickly interrupted, hoping no blush appeared on my face. For a people making their home on tropical islands, we fire nationals had far too pale a skin tone!
Smiling, the aged general spoke: "Yet we can agree on their truth. Captain Tyro, would you provide me with some sand?"
The earth bender, already used to his comrades being utilized as walking water fountains for Iroh's tea kettle, complied quickly. With a swift forward punch a band of coal separated from his wrist. Then, in a move he had invented himself he pulled the material apart, back to its original density.
It first expanded into a lump the size of a winged lemur, those delicious mountain rats. Then Tyro shifted his stance and the levitating rock softly sank onto the deck. Smoothly he spread his arms, turning the once uniform stone into coarse pebbles, then gravel until finally creating a smooth black sand, not unlike what you would find on a volcanic beach back home.
Lowering his arms, the captain spread the coarse, newly created black sand in a perfectly circular shape. With a simple hand movement, Tyro hardened the edges, creating a tiny sandbox.
"Excellent!" Iroh proclaimed with a smile on his face. "It seems I won't be needing this prop after all, with such a practical example in front of me." With a flick of his sleeve,[2] he burned the entire box. Honestly, it was a waste of perfectly good coal, but it succeeded in grabbing Zuko's attention.
He then asked Tyro: "I assume your stance originates from water bending?"
Incredible. With a mere look, the aged General had identified the origin of the technique. How many polar peasants must he have slain, to gain such familiarity?
"Indeed," said Tyro, mirroring Iroh's expression. "It is all thanks to our leader," giving me a nod, like the good subordinate he was. This was a perfect opportunity to raise my value in the Dragon's eyes: "I would say it is rather due to the tireless efforts of us all. My army developed these new techniques communally." Under my leadership, went unsaid but not unheard.
"You can say tirelessly again, ma'am," complained Iuka. "The amount of time I spent pouring over paper…"
"Was far less than our non-benders did," finished Tyro loyally.
"Like practicing a minor variation of the same move for hours during winter was much better," argued Kazu, joining Iuka's side. I did not take their complaints all too seriously. As soldiers, they should always prefer training to battle.
"Pah, you should have been there when our off-season camp was in Zhulu pass! Fire benders have no right to complain," responded the captain. Kazu had a knack for getting under the man's skin, so it was no surprise what happened next.
Throwing himself on his lover, the former prisoner theatrically exclaimed: "Oh rights, my precious rights! Once lost I thought when I was told this army had a complaint form, only to now learn it was all a vile trick!"
Chuckling, I interrupted his performance: "I always keep to my contractual agreements. Always."
My words brought mean smiles to my soldier's faces, the joke landing due to shared history. A smiling workplace was one of the signs that despite our nation's extreme demands towards my army I managed to create a non-abusive work environment.
"In fact, I am unsure if we received any forms at all. Commander Le Ren?"
Pushing up his glasses, my second considered for a moment: "Not actually developing the techniques, but at the start we did receive some complaints that too much focus was given to either earth or fire bending."
Most of my men grimaced at that, myself included. Even after seven years and more battles than I could count, there were still underlying tensions within my army. Iuka, as always, reacted particularly strongly: "Care to point out the perpetrators?"
"That would go against the very purpose of anonymizing these reports," pointed out Le Ren. "Additionally these complaints stopped years ago, after the first few victories." He spat out the last word like a curse, though I had long since gotten used to my right hand's peculiarities.
"The complaint itself is foolish. It is our General who decided which techniques are adapted, based on her strategic insight," praised Tyro, probably fishing for a bonus. The man sent back his entire salary to his wife and son, purchasing his personal supplies via hazard pay.
Noting that Prince Zuko has been getting redder the longer my men's byplay went on, I chose to bring the conversation back on topic. While Iroh was very casual with those of lower status and close to his ship's crew, the exiled Prince seemed stricter. His lack of leadership experience was telling. A workplace was more efficient if the employees were relaxed, which a commanding officer displayed via composure and a certain amount of calm. Unnecessarily stressing out your subordinates was inefficient!
Employee mistakes had to be punished, of course, or at least analysed and prevented in the future. A good superior retained some amount of separation from her men, but was still be part of their unit.
On the other hand, Prince Zuko was totally separate from his crew, which I just took as another sign that the actual, secret leader of this mission was General Iroh. The fact alone that they had not burned off the Avatar's limbs when he was captured had already convinced me of a hidden, diplomatic intent.
An intent the teenaged Prince seemed unsuited to carry out. Over the last week of living on the same ship the exile had proven he was brash, quick to anger and unbalanced. Honestly, I could hardly believe he and Azula were related. Really, the only thing speaking in his favour was his work ethic.
Ah well, hadn't that been Grantz's sole redeeming quality at the start? I was sure under Iroh's instruction he would become a productive member of society, sooner or later. For now, I should just finish justifying his training, and then pass the unpaid job of re-educating Zuko to his uncle. Truly, parenthood was an unjustifiable investment, one I would never be foolish enough to waste time and money on.
"Like Prince Zuko, Captain Tyro here first started his practice by learning the original, unaltered form, despite his earth bending being incompatible. As did every other earth bender in my army, who then each made minor, instinctual modifications to the technique. These variations were recorded, the most effective thought to everyone, after which the process repeated, sometimes hundreds of times," I explained. Developing the move Tyro had used had been especially frustrating. Of course, a master like him could already transform stone to sand, but not nearly as fluidly as a water bender. Additionally, the old technique also only allowed for either stone or sand to be created while the new one allowed everything from gravel to dust.
"I appreciate the work your men did, General," forced Zuko out. "Yet it seems as though the techniques I wish strengthen myself with are already developed. As is lightning bending, which my family created. So why should I waste time practicing moves I cannot use?!"
"The real question is, is your body developed enough for our techniques?" I countered, taking a sip. Iroh's black tea was excellent, he himself oxidizing the leaves[3].
In fact, the fire nation had a long history of producing this drink, which hardly surprised me. With fire at their literal fingertips, no destruction of property by Qin government officials was necessary to realize the delicious aroma of black tea. It just went to show that the market always found a way, even without government interference.[4]
Zuko didn't seem to consider my words and only grew more furious. With a placating handwave, I elaborated: "It is without question that you have mastered the basic moves of fire bending. However, the new techniques my army developed originate from the other elemental styles. By learning the basics of these styles, you will develop muscles and ingrain movements you have never used before."
"And, using a technique that does not allow for lightning generation under any circumstances is far safer too," added Iroh, whom I gave a grateful nod. The rest of my men flinched for some reason. Was a reminder of the dangers faced by lightning benders not a good way to convince an ambitious Prince that a technique was too advanced for him? His personal risk assessment should tell him to play it safe and keep practicing the air bender style. As a royal, he should have that much ability.
"Indeed. Actually summoning lightning is far too dangerous in your current state," I agreed with my friend. Zuko's increasingly reddening face was proof. If he could get this imbalanced for no reason at all, he would also be unable to keep the negative and positive energies separate.
Gritting his teeth, the exile spat out: "When exactly will I be ready then? We have already sighted and missed the Avatar thrice!"
Refilling our tea cups, Iroh took a considerate sip before explaining: "It was General Tan Ya's spy network that saw the Air Bison. You were not present, neither to shoot lightning nor fireballs."
Coughing, I corrected: "I prefer the term merchant contacts, affiliated with the market research division of my logistics department. My army's military intelligence is a separate organisation, and part of the regular soldiery. Most Earth Kingdom peasants react better to being asked questions over a cup of tea by a friendly merchant than under the rack!" I laughed, with my men joining in. Well, everyone but Le Gen, who always had been a bit particular.
"Regardless, as civilians, they had no chance to hold the most powerful bender in the world anyway. We will just need to wait for the Avatar to land someplace for a short while."
"And, pray tell, General, when do you expect that to happen," screamed the Prince at me.
"When the Avatar's food supply runs out. They won't be able to survive on jerky alone, and without fresh raw innards to eat, they would inevitably die of scurvy," I explained.
"Haha, the old classic then, ma'am?" asked Iuka, the rest of my men sharing her grin.
"No, no, we won't need to burn any fields," I responded with equal cheer, though unlike the war maniacs I was leading mine was put on. I could never endorse the destruction of private property, even if done myself for my own benefit. "Since it is the height of winter, they won't be able to forage in the empty forest. Frankly, the bison alone will be reason enough to land soon. I doubt an herbivore ate well on the South Pole."
"About that, General…" I sent a sharp glance towards my second's direction. He should know by now that he didn't need to beat around the bush with me. "Back when we were camping in the mountains and hunted bison, I had the foragers compile reports about their stamina, food requirements and nomadic patterns. Here it is," he said, handing me the report.
I sent him another glare, before handing the document to the Exiled Prince, who was the official leader of the expedition. It seemed Le Ren shared the political insensitivity of the rest of my army. A shame. Otherwise, his tactical genius and descent from a minor noble house should make his path to the rear easy. I hoped he would be able to accompany me to the Caldera, but I first would need to find some diplomat to coach him. Maybe I could even pfosh him off to Azula? His behaviour would ultimately reflect on me!
While Zuko read the paper, I thought of a hunting strategy I remembered from safaris in my first life. I ordered: "Send out those hunters again, though this time they should only capture rutting adults, alive. We will be laying a trap."
"I apologize, but I am afraid that won't be possible," responded Le Ren carefully, earning himself another nonverbal reprimand for his pointless hesitancy. "We pretty much hunted the animals to extinction during the fourth winter for their fur and meat."
"A shame," I said, imagining all the ways these creatures could have revolutionized transport. Sadly, all our attempts at domestication had failed, literally eating up too many resources. Namely valuable straw. Keeping our Ox-donkeys alive had been a priority over a risky investment, especially with our constant supply 'issues'.
"The world is lesser with them gone," Iroh lamented.
"Men gotta eat," shrugged Kazu irreligiously in response.
"If it makes you feel better, they tasted pretty shit," added Iuka, Iroh still looking saddened. Best not to tell him I prioritized hunting these animals because of their size.
"Regardless, we should simply wait till the Avatar lands, for information, supplies, or anything else not found on the north pole or gifted by an Airbender inheritance. The moment he appears we shall strike, in full force."
Just as I finished my sentence, a messenger approached from the side of the ship via jet stepping. It was Jin: "Ma'am, the Avatar was sighted enroute to Kyoshi by some fishermen three hours ago."
"Then gather the fleet and set course for Kyoshi at once! There is no land near for the bison to rest besides that island, and according to this report it'll soon be forced to rest." called the Prince triumphantly, rushing to the stern of the deck.
"Belay that order," I calmly stated, stopping the entire crew in its tracks. "Kyoshi island, is as the name suggests personal property of Blessed Kyoshi. Attacking it could have grave consequences."
The royal merely scoffed. "You will not keep me from my destiny!"
My superior was angry with me? Well there was only one thing to do.
Immediately apologize and backpaddle of course: "I would not dare!" I fell to my knees, again kowtowing. If this continued, I would either have to buy a kneeling mat or pester Azula for a noble title. Meeting royalty was quite annoying for a commoner.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Iroh send me an amused glance, before speaking to calm down his now-fuming nephew. I really did not understand teenagers. Why could they not all be like the Crown Princess?
"Prince Zuko, remember your history. There is a reason why Kyoshi Island has been spared."
Every veteran on deck, myself included, flinched. We had fought hundreds of battles, but rarely were we in this dangerous of a situation. It was an open secret why.
"So what if Kyoshi served our nation? She lived hundreds of years ago, and we have a new Avatar now, our enemy!" countered the Prince, the fury in his voice evident even as I kept my eyes fixed on the deck. Seemingly, the royal had not learned the secret before his exile. Shit.
Sighing, Iroh conceded Zuko's point. Figures that he didn't want to air such a shameful thing, especially in front of the crew. Who would be crewing the ship if we were all silenced?
Well, I was most unwilling to risk my life by telling him, but I was even more unwilling to face a force of nature like the Avatar as an enemy.
It was the duty of a commanding officer to accurately assess the potential dangers and rewards of an operation.
An amphibious landing on an island well known for its martial culture and also the current residence of the most powerful being on the planet was most certainly not safe nor without significant risks. A quick raid or two? Sure, my benders could blow up their village and extract themselves without ever even touching the island's ground.
Capturing the Avatar would require a far larger force than a mere strike team, not to mention that the walking natural disaster might simply decide to leave in the dead of night with his bison. To stop him, we would have to take control of every inch of the island, raze any forest that might serve as tree cover, and interrogate the locals about any grotto or cave. Only a full-scale invasion would suffice, but such would take long enough to provide the avatar with ample opportunity to escape. It would also inevitably require the presence of the commanding officer. My presence.
And I didn't want to go near the Avatar, ever, especially not when my only way of retreat was an ocean. Who is to say that monster wouldn't just decide to sink the entire island with an inescapable tsunami? It would not be the first time.
In fact, the very island the Prince wanted to attack was created in a single afternoon by Kyoshi, who pretty much created a new minor tectonic plate she then pushed a hundred kilometres from the coast. It would be madness to fight such a creature. From what Zuko reported, the Avatar was still committed to the pacifism and traditions of his predecessor. But if we had to burn his personal island just to flush him out it was doubtful a twelve-year-old raised amongst savages would remain committed to neutrality.
Frankly, it was simply impossible to conquer the entire island in time to prevent the Avatar from fleeing, and I was uncertain that we could even face him should he choose to fight. In other words, an assault like Zuko wanted was doomed to failure. Fire Lord Ozai was not one to tolerate failure and his descendant's constant emotional outbursts made it likely he'd inherited the trait.
Faced with my assured death and the death of my men compared to the possible death sentence I could receive for lese-majesty; my choice was obvious. "Of course prince Zuko, you are entirely correct. Much time has passed since the Era of Blessed Kyoshi. It is common knowledge that even bloodlines dilute over such a length of time."
I let my words sink in for a moment, desperately hoping that the exiled royal had picked up enough courtly doublespeak to realise at what I was hinting at. Already, I was putting myself at enormous risk.
"Then stop wasting time and have your men converge on the island!"
And once again I regretted that Azula's brother did not share her brilliance. It must be the way he was raised. My own brother turned out great under my guidance.
"Before you do, General, I have a question for your soldiers," requested Iroh, which I used as excuse to rise from my uncomfortable position to give him a nod of confirmation.
"Thank you." Turning to my soldiers, the Dragon of the West gave them an intense stare. "I wish to know how common this knowledge is."
After a moment of awkwardness Iuka stepped forward, demonstrating her usual disregard for her own safety. "Sir, most soldiers, officers especially, who are deployed anywhere near Kyoshi know."
It was unsurprising really since the South had always resisted the Fire Nation quite successfully. One reason for that was that we hadn't had any nearby port we could have used as a staging point, a role Kyoshi could have serve perfectly. Considering the many costly failed invasions, even NCOs would question high command's sanity. To keep the Southern forces from revolt, a secret once only known by nobles was shared decades ago.
"It's not only soldiers. Anybody on the Mainland has probably heard the rumour. It was my mum who told me," explained Kazu. That was unsurprising really, scandalous news about famous people had a tendency to spread.
"When my da found out I had been deployed near Kyoshi he told me to pick up a nice soft wife with royal blood," came from across the deck, the perpetrator wisely keeping out of sight. I did recognize the voice though, which meant Specialist Hou was in for both a reprimand for reporting false information and disrespecting royalty. I doubted the father of the elderly tribal was still alive, never mind informed about a Fire Nation political scandal four centuries old.
"It is… mentioned when the island is," admitted Le Ren. "However, none of us loyal citizens of the fire nation would ever intend to insult the Firelord. We make a clear distinction between the royal family of back then and the one after Firelord Sozin's coming."
"Blessed Kyoshi stopped the infanticide almost two centuries before him," Iroh spoke mildly, making the shocked gasps quite audible. Additionally, my Commander cringed, realising what he had indirectly suggested.
Dammit, I wanted Zuko to know, but not in a way that put everyone at risk! Would it have been so difficult for my 'friend' to grab his nephew for a private talk?
Seemingly noticing my thoughts, Iroh gave me a small smile before continuing in a clear voice that carried across the steamer. "While rare, occasionally non-benders are born into the royal family. Koko, the first governor of Kyoshi was one such case. Normally, she would have been turned to ash by her own mother, only, the Fire Lady of the time begged her friend, Avatar Kyoshi for help.[5] She negotiated an end to the practice.[6]"
The reactions on deck were as expected, mainly widespread fear and panic. None of my soldiers wanted to be drowned and disgraced, but the most extreme reaction did not come from them:
"So when father said I was lucky to be born…" Zuko whispered, his face ashen.
(AN: Cannon Zuko said this, while comparing himself to his sister, who is 'lucky' and a superior bender)
"Now my friend, what suggestion do you have?" asked Iroh, successfully drawing most stares away from his nephew.
I allowed a grin to settle on my face, my men visibly relaxing: "I have just the thing."
…
Sergeant Kazu, also known as 'that vile bastard' to most of the Earth Kingdom's nobility and a good friend to its daofai[7], sighed deeply. The reason was readily apparent, not only to him but also the rest of his men. What they faced was easily their most difficult mission yet, including that one time when they assassinated a local king over tea.
"Sir, please tell me again why I am currently facing a titanic sea dragon, unarmed at that," spoke Cadet Hina, and Kazu decided to treat the question as rhetorical.
"While you are at it, you can also tell me why our earth benders haven't vaporized the thing yet," asked her sister, not even bothering to address her superior correctly.
Sighing again, even louder this time, he explained to the ignorant peasants he has been landed with: "It is an important symbol to the local culture, an important part of the giant Coi eco-system, and most importantly for us, possibly a beloved pet of the Avatar." Educating one's subordinates is a troublesome, though necessary, part of the job. At least according to the General, and the Sergeant was not one to question her wisdom.
"I revise my question then," spoke Hine: "Why haven't we secretly poisoned that free roamer's food supply then? 'When the target is in emotional distress, negotiations become easier'," she quoted.
"Our general also said that diplomacy must always be attempted before souring relations," countered Hina, stabbing her sibling in the back. "More to the point, we don't have a convenient catspaw for us to do the souring. If a century old monster suddenly fell over and died, the Avatar would suspect the fleet."
Mhm, that was some level headed thinking. An important thing in an officer, for our division especially. Hina might well earn herself a recommendation, with a bit of time, thought the Seargent.
"Which means we will be going in hot! Brace yourselves." The moment Kazu grabbed a railing, the steamer sped forward. His subordinates, having reacted to the warning too late tumbled all over the deck. Grinning, the veteran made a mental note that he owed the captain a drink. Sea-faring was still new to the fire nation's strongest army, which the rest of the military exploited ruthlessly for some cheap laughs.
The black ship rushed forward in a straight line, half the fire benders on board feeding the engines. They wouldn't be able to keep that speed up for long, nor would they be able to halt in time. They did not intend to. Thousands of tons of steel parted the water's surface, passing by the giant sea serpent. The monster shot a great stream of water at them, but the Thundering Army had come prepared. Before the pressurized liquid could punch a hole through the hull, it was vaporized by dozens of fireballs, the veteran soldiers shooting the attack out of the air. A bit of water was harmless compared to the boulders they normally defended against.
Then, they had reached the shallows.
Kazu could hear the metal rip, the momentum turning the corals into knives. As had been expected, the ship would not survive the beaching. No matter, the cargo should be fine.
With a great lurch, the streamer impacted the sand, burring itself a dozen feet inland. Well, at least there was no chance of them tipping over.
As the landing ramp descended, the Sergeant ordered his men jubilantly: "Up you lazybones, we got a job to do!"
…
Sokka – Kyoshi Island
…
Sokka really hoped the makeup made him look feminine. A moment later he became aware of what he had just thought, causing him to cringe. Another moment later he regretted that too, as the eyes of the delegation turned towards him.
They were a strange bunch, self-proclaimed Fire Nation soldiers dressed in finery and adorned by jewellery. The man who led them, and Sokka had to check twice to be sure that it was a man, was stupidly pretty. Dressed in a red silk Yukata, he would easily pass as a high-class prostitute.
He definitely would fit the profession, grumbled Sokka internally. On the way to the village chief he had flirted with most of his 'honour guard', including Suki.
"Anything you want to say," he said in a deliberately high pitched voice, glaring at the 'diplomat'. He did not look much like a soldier, but he was still with the Fire Nation.
"No, no, I was merely astounded by your beauty my lady," the diplomat said smoothly, leaning forward a bit. Sokka was tempted to smack him with his fan. But the supposed sergeant hadn't done anything yet besides throwing money at any villager he passed. The chieftain's son knew well that that could have been spears instead. Antagonizing them would only turn their wrath against the innocent.
Sokka was unsure if Aang understood that. Their very presence endangered everyone on the island, which is why he suggested they run immediately. Aang had seen what the fire nation did, seen the ruins and skeletons. But the water tribal knew well that that was different from experiencing an attack, to witness the brutal deaths of your neighbours and family, yourself powerless to stop them even if you defeated the invaders.
Back then, had that Prince betrayed his word there would have been nothing he could have done. Sokka's tactical mind also insisted that even had Aang entered the Avatar state and fought, some bystanders would have inevitably died. Defending Kyoshi would bring similar suffering.
The boy from the southern water tribe knew well that no raid was survived without cost. He had lived it for years, seen his home decline with every soul lost. No matter how perfectly the warriors repelled them, no matter how many they took down for each of their own, someone always got to the civilians. To the chieftain's tent.
Fearing his expression would once again slip, Sokka pulled himself away from his dark thoughts, focusing on the conversation.
"And here we have twenty bundles of the finest silks, in traditional Kyoshi green. You will find it thrice as light as hemp and many times stronger."
"Doesn't matter," scoffed Suki, who unlike the rest of the Kyoshi warriors did not stand guard. She was seated below and to the right of the village chief, as defence of the settlement was her responsibility. Some part of Sokka was still shocked that the Head Warrior was a woman, but the many bruises beneath his dress were a constant reminder that it was a stupid part of himself.
"Tensile strength of the material does not matter when it can't stop a spear tip or fireball. Silk burns easily, unlike ironwood bark flax," advised Suki, the chief nodding in agreement.
"How right you are!" agreed the ambassador, surprisingly enough. Then he did something that made his allegiance clearer than any red robes. Grabbing the silk bundles, he burned them with a simple touch.
"I apologize for forgetting that I speak with fellow warriors! I do think the next gift will be received better."
As the ash maker spoke, his two subordinates carried a chest into the room. Sokka noted that they too were girls. How had grandma told the story? He was the frog in the well, he thought ruefully. Not that he had ever seen a frog.
With a might bang, the chest was set down at the foot of the chief's dais. From his post by the door Sokka couldn't see its contents, so the shocked gasps from Suki and the other elders surprised him.
"Yes indeed!" said the soldier jubilantly, taking out a knife and holding it in the air. There seemed to be an inscription on the blade, but Sokka was too far away and so couldn't read it.
"Exactly one hundred pearl daggers of the finest earth Kingdom steel, issued only to Captains and above" bragged the silky pansy, drawing another round of shocked gasps. The disguised water tribal was surprised too. If he remembered his father's lessons correctly, one hundred captains should lead around eighty thousand men. That were more people than lived on the entire South Pole!
"They are also good for a laugh," added the ambassador.
"You grabbed the one with the custom red hilt?" asked the woman to his left.
Smiling, he said: "Of course."
His grin was then mirrored by his subordinates, with the one standing to the right explaining: "We got that one of a particularly nasty fucker."
"I am sure you have all heard about Babo, the invulnerable. Turns out, if you shove a spear up his ass his unbreakable skin matters for shit," finished the other sister, equally vulgar.
Herself reaching into the box, she pulled out another blade, engraved with a single large golden character: Eyes.
"That one belonged to another memorable asshole," she said, flipping the pearl dagger without even looking. Sokka wished he could do something that cool. "See the symbol? The owner had quite a particular quirk, blinding any prisoner he got his hands on."
Suddenly, with a swift motion the woman buried the knife a few inches in the wooden floor, "Not anymore though since he now lacks both hands and eyes."
The three chuckled in unison. "He must be the only former owner still alive, not that a blind cripple could steal it back."
"Nah, he isn't the only one. Remember the Gourmet? Even after we fed him his own legs he still had quite a bit of spring."
"Hahaha, you think he managed to crawl out of the mountains?" asked the other sister.
Shrugging, their commander grabbed another dagger, with no notable feature Sokka could see from his perch.
"For most of them, we do not even remember their faces," he flashed the metal so it gleamed in a stary sunray before he too buried the weapon in the floorboards. Turning away to the chief, Sokka could hear the smile in the soldier's voice still: "You see, those who become our enemies are not in the habit of living for very long."
Also, this story has a Discord
[1] Not a direct quote, merely what I remembered from Sun Tzu
[2] Yes, this totally isn't a bending stance. However since Avatar is basically a western Wuxia I took this chance to include one of my favourite: 'I am a fucking master' moves
[3] For those who don't know (like me for a longas time), black tea is just green tea baked in a special way. They are the exact same plant. Hugely shocking and my mind is still a little blown
[4] Yes, this is a joke. (a very Tanya one) Regardless, Tanya is referring to the legend, according to which Black tea was created after a lot of green tea was sized from the British and burned. The aroma of the burning tea was supposedly so delicious, that the Qin officials couldn't help but drink the black (burned) leaves. In actuality, black tea is probably as old as regular green tea (it's the same plant duh) but only gained in popularity due to being exported to Europe, since it was less likely to spoil on sea voyages and you could pack more. Yes, I once went down a tea research rabbit hole. It's pretty interesting, and you wouldn't believe how many ancient trade routes exist because of a coffein addiction.
[5] Since it probably wont come up again, but I still want the readers to know the real history: Kyoshi intervened, against the wishes of the mother, which is also why she removed Koko from the royal court.
[6] The negotiation did involve the threat of an immortal assassin that will reappear later.
[7] Organised bandits, with an own honour code and culture. Avatar Kyoshi totally and permanently stamped them out, but the hundred years war and the two centuries without a useful avatar have revived them. It is just the natural consequence of a weak central authority, war and Avatar's geographic features. Also, the daofai do not share a universal code like in Kyoshis time. There are harbour gangs, groups affiliated with the Sand benders, noble catspaws, robber lords and privateers too. The term has simply evolved