A/N. I'm quite pleased with this chapter!
"Eight thousand, right?" On Ji sighed, as she watched the smoke rise from the trees a mile from the walls. The governor had the town officials to come and watch as he would talk with the commander, a certain Piandao. In private, Kantuno had insisted that the clan of the Shu Jing could not muster more than a thousand soldiers… But the fires in the wood indicated far more than a few hundred soldiers.
"More or less." Her father spoke beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
On Ji was still unsure what to feel now. Yesterday evening… Well, it had been an eye opener. Katara had not been honest with her. The governor had said that the Avatar was not fighting because the princess held his wife. She had not told her that they had been married. And if she lied about that, what else had she lied about?
Because, let's face it… How could anyone believe what she had told her? The stories… They were so different from what On Ji had learned at school and here in Kirashi. The war had been to help the people of the Earth Kingdom… But what Katara had told her was everything but good…
She had painted a rather vivid image of a burning wasteland, left whenever Fire Nation soldiers came somewhere… And On Ji believed that something had happened to the woman when she was younger. She had been rather emotional when On Ji had tried to defend the actions, talking about how she had seen it for herself… It was not like I wanted to see that when I was eight.
It sounded a lot like Katara had seen the horrors of war from a very young age… And On Ji suspected it had to do something with the girl's mother. Katara never mentioned her living back at the South Pole, like the grandmother she liked to talk about… She had only mentioned her mother in fleeting moments, like when the Avatar had gotten the necklace Katara wore back from the traitor…
On Ji didn't know what to believe anymore. Clearly, both sides were lying. The governor was only giving limited information about what was happening outside, and that little information was clouded by his own opinion. But Katara was also lying… In her stories, the Avatar had seemed… human. So very human. And so kind and gentle. With his own fair share of sorrow… But he had not become bitter as one might expect from all that had happened to him.
And yet, yesterday, the governor had said that the Avatar had nearly blown up the harbour of the capital when he had learned about Katara's disappearance. That didn't sound like a nice and gentle person. That sounded a lot like what they had taught her at school. That the Avatar was a spirit, come to earth to exact revenge upon those he thought might have wronged him.
So no, she didn't know whom to believe anymore. Maybe she would do better to trust neither…
"There." Her father pointed to the trees. They were standing close to the governor, just outside of the gate. Agni… Just the idea of being on the other side of the walls made her fill with anguish, as she knew that she would have to go back behind them after this discussion… And from the forest, one lone figure began to walk towards the town. One… And the governor had come with a whole delegation. And guards.
And yet, this one person walked up to them as if he had a whole army behind his back… Which, technically, was true. But it still took bravery to come alone. And not for the first time, On Ji realized that underneath all the bravado and confidence, Kantuno was just a scarred, weak man.
"Piandao?" Her father asked the governor, who nodded curtly. It took a few minutes, but when the man began to approach enough for On Ji to see his face, she was surprised to see that he looked… normal. No great monster or even an evil gaze. Just a man, around sixty years old, with greying temples and lines on his face. He was wearing simple brown breeches and a dark red tunic, with a simple sword hanging from his belt. He didn't look impressive… But from the tone the governor had spoken in the night before when learning whom the commander was… On Ji supposed that he was dangerous.
"That is the leader of the Shu Jing clan?" She whispered to her father. She had never met leaders of any clan… But she had always thought they would look… more like nobles, and less like peasants who had been given a sword.
"Apparently. He is quite respected in most circles. After having been sacked from his job educating the royal children in the art of war, he became a bit of a hermit at his castle. For him to take up active service once more… Well, it makes it clear who deserves the most respect." Her father's tone was bitter at the last part of his sentence, and On Ji understood why.
The moment the governor had announced that the princess had, apparently, taken the Avatar's wife as a hostage to make sure he wouldn't fight her, her parents had been horrified by such low tactics. And even though she knew that the governor was lying… or, that he had been lied to… She could only agree with her parents. The Traitor was no good either… But at least, he didn't stoop that low to win this fight. At least… he fought with… honor.
The man approached and stopped just a few paces from where their group was standing in front of the northern gate. On Ji saw the man's eyes look at them, a small frown on his face, and then, without a word, he began to look at the walls and the towers on either side of the gate.
He was studying them… And judging their strength probably, asking himself how many catapult it would take, and how much time, to make a breach. After a minute or two of silence, he sighed and turned his attention to them.
"Kantuno, I hope you are doing well?" The man spoke in a gentle voice, which surprised her. How was such a man so calm while he was standing in front of armed guards, towers with archers, and firebenders?
"What are you doing here?" The governor asked instead of answering the question, which, to On Ji, seemed to be a mistake. Why not answer and show you didn't fear his carefree attitude?
"Fire Lord Zuko instructed me to pacify the Eastern Archipelago in his name. As a good Fire Nation citizen, I am obeying the orders of my sovereign." The man unbuckled his sword belt and put the sheathed sword in front of him, leaning on it as if it was a cane.
"We need pacifying? It seems to me that the only one breaking the peace on Kirashi is you, with your army." The governor retorted, and On Ji had to agree with that sentiment. Who was this Piandao to make their lives infinitely more complicated?
"You are right." The man in front of them nodded, sounded tired, "I do break the peace here. And there is no reason for bloodshed today, or any other day. Our nation has already bled enough."
On Ji tried to hide her curiosity at those words. That didn't sound much like a bloodthirsty man, come to their town to paint it red with theirs…
"Tell that to the Traitor. He has begun the bloodletting once again, when there was no need." Kantuno spoke irritably, not at all in the same correct, controlled tone Piandao was using.
"No need? His sister is trying, actively, to keep the Fire Nation in a war we had lost a hundred years ago, when the blood streamed down the Air Temples." The older man in front of them suddenly sounded icy cold, "No need, when your princess has committed crime after crime? Agni, Kantuno… See her for what she is. A blood-thirsty tyrant, just like her father."
"And the Traitor isn't? Stories from before his betrayal said he was just like his father!" Yeah… On Ji had seen those announcements, even hung them up. Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation, had sounded… great. He was compared to Lord Ozai in every way, the perfect successor… The one who had stopped the Avatar…
"Lord Zuko is not ideal." Piandao admitted, surprising not just On Ji, but also the others. Never… Never had someone dared to speak like that about a living Fire Lord. Sure, they thought it… but in official meetings, or even speaking to anyone higher up in the hierarchy, there was one clear rule.
Don't criticize the Fire Lord.
"But at least, he knows it. Exile has softened him enough to be thoughtful, and hardship has taught him the valuable trait of respect. Respect where respect is earned. Reports I received just last night from his uncle, the Prince Iroh, said the young Fire Lord is digging trenches, along with his soldiers. Does that sound like the Princess Azula?"
"Lies, as always. You may try to sweeten your traitor, but he is still a usurper in the eyes of the people." The governor retorted, but On Ji didn't agree. What Piandao was describing was exactly how Katara had depicted the traitor. Absurd, but trying his best. Those had been her words. And digging trenches with the peasants? That sounded absurd enough.
"You may believe that, but it is the truth. But we haven't come here to talk about trenches at Fire Fountain… We are here to discuss those that are being dug right outside your walls." Piandao still leaned on the sword.
"You can't take the town. We have a garrison of two thousand soldiers, trained in the art of war. What do you have? The few levies the Shu Jing has! I don't believe you have eight thousand, as your message said." Kantuno spoke with a hard edge in his voice. Two thousand? On Ji knew they were supposed to have two thousand… But Lord Ozai had taken soldiers from the garrisons to bolster the attack on the Earth Kingdom. They had, at most, fifteen hundred capable soldiers.
"The levies of Shu Jing are at home, Lord Governor. These eight thousand are a part of the home army." Piandao answered with a calm voice.
"Green boys and old men you mean."
"Green boys and old men who have taken the Eastern Archipelago without bloodshed."
"As if I believe that lie."
"I negotiated with the clans Kantuno. Instead of fighting my soldiers, they chose to keep their heads and lands. They were wise, refusing any more destruction." Piandao waved a hand over his shoulder, and, glancing towards the tree line, On Ji saw that there were people just behind it, looking at the meeting. Hundreds… And hundreds of people. Letting her eyes go from the left to the right, she realized that eight thousand soldiers had not been a lie. And now, from the trees, a small group appeared. Around a dozen people, but they were too far away to be recognizable.
"Those are the sons and daughters of the clans between here and Fire Fountain. All have submitted… Only your island holds out. Please, surrender it, and I'll just ask for one hostage to ensure your good behaviour. He or she will be treated with honour, and I will personally ensure their safety." The older man continued, but he straightened and took the sheathed sword back into his hand.
"There are only ten clans on the islands here. There are twelve people. You took more hostages from some." The governor sounded disgusted.
Ten clans… And, if the reports were to be believed, the Traitor had only the support of five clans. And if ten had joined him, or at least, had taken away their support for the princess… That meant that the scales were now hugely in favour of the traitor.
"Indeed, the other two are there to guard them." For the first time, On Ji heard the irritation in Piandao's voice. So… apparently, that had not been the plan. Two had joined the hostages… But before she could comprehend the situation, the governor spoke for her.
"Let me see them. Proof to me that those are the children of the nobles." Yeah… There was a reason why Piandao had kept them away. Away from their eyes, just far enough to make sure they wouldn't be able to recognize them.
"Alright." The soft hesitation was not very clear, but it was present. Piandao lifted a hand, waving towards the group. Slowly, the dozen people began to walk. The Fire Nation girl could feel her father's hand on her shoulder, indicating that she shouldn't do anything.
On Ji thought about it. If they wanted to keep war away from Kirashi, the best course of action would be to surrender meekly to this man, right? If ten clans had withdrawn their support from the princess, she would never have enough soldiers to even hope to fight against her brother. And with Fire Fountain besieged, and Kirashi suffering the prospect of a siege… Her support was all but gone.
And all the governor had to do if this commander spoke the truth… Was surrender a hostage. A child of his…
And he only had one… Hide.
And if Hide was a hostage… no marriage could take place! Agni, if only the governor accepted! And if this war took a little while, with Hide a hostage of the enemy… Oh, that would be good! Glancing towards her… Well, the governor's son, she nearly smiled. But not in a nice way.
"Hide." The governor turned around, to his son, "Get back in the town. Prepare the guards of the gate, they are to open the gate only for me, understood? No one gets out, or in, without my direct order."
On Ji saw the moment of confusion on his face, before he nodded and ran back to the gate, entering it through the wicket, the small door inside the great gates. Turning to her father, the Fire Nation girl saw that the frown that had already been present had deepened into an irritated look.
"What is it?" She whispered, confused by her father's expression.
"He is afraid. Piandao offered an honourable way out of a siege. All he had to do is surrender one hostage."
On Ji realized what that meant. The governor didn't plan on giving Hide as a hostage. Meaning that he didn't plan on surrendering… How was it that he got to decide what was best for the town, and the island as a whole?
Because Lord Ozai had named him the governor. And that meant that he acted on behalf of the Fire Lord… But so did Piandao. Agni.
"Governor Kantuno?" The older commander in front of them spoke up, "Let me present to you the sons and daughters of the clans."
The group that had joined them looked… Weird. All the people were around her own age, give or take five years. The youngest looked like he was thirteen, while the oldest was at most twenty-two. But all had one thing in common. They looked at them in pure contempt, as if they weren't good enough to remove the dust from their expensive leather boots.
All but two.
On Ji couldn't see them well, as they were standing at the back, as guards would do… But one looked tiny compared the other, who appeared to be a tall, broad young man who face was hidden by a hat. Frowning, she thought it weird for them to stand with the noble hostages. But then again, guards were probably needed to keep this lot safe.
"It seems to me that you are in a weak position." Kantuno spoke as soon as he had let his eyes rove over the group, "You are isolated in enemy territory, hoping I will surrender and give you a base of operation."
"I have a base of operation. It is called at the frontline, with my soldiers." Piandao answered without a single hesitation, clearly meaning every word, and On Ji respected him at that moment. Hide had run away to cower behind the town wall, which the governor clearly planned on doing too… But this man had no such fears.
"Does that feed your useless soldiers?" The governor retorted.
"No, it doesn't. But neither would your food stores I imagine."
"They are full."
That was a lie. On Ji knew that the food stores were far from full… Even though the harvest was in, it had not been a good year, the crops withering away in the unusual hot weather these last few months…
"Lord Governor, there is no hope for you. I give you until this evening to agree to the following terms: Open your gates and give me one hostage to ensure your loyalty. After that, I will go, you have my word. No one will die, and your city will be spared." Piandao sighed.
"And if I do not?" The governor asked, crossing his arms and trying to sound confident.
The older commander in front of them just unsheathed his sword, pointing the long piece of steel right towards the governor. Then, he dipped it, letting the tip rest on the earth.
"I will breach the walls. And when I have done that, I'll give you another chance. If you don't take it, I will batter down the towers, one by one. Then, I'll give you one last chance. If you still refuse, I will raze the town to the ground."
"Kill the population, of course."
"No. No, I'm not that cruel, and neither is Lord Zuko. The population will be compensated for their losses, except you. Because, you see… We realize that the population is not at fault." Piandao sighed, "Until sundown, Lord Governor. I hope you will listen to reason. Have a good day."
With that the man waved at the group of hostages, who followed him meekly as he crossed the mile of open ground, his back turned to the walls, clearly not fearing an archer or firebender.
All except two.
The two people who had accompanied the hostages. They had followed the group for a few steps, until the man stopped and turned around, looking up. The shadow of the hat, which had hidden his face, suddenly was lifted, and On Ji saw the man's face, just for a moment.
And she felt as if all the air in her lungs stopped turning, ice cold.
The stranger had a long face, a nose that turned slightly upwards and wide, startling grey eyes.
Grey eyes she had seen only once before… When the stranger had come to her school, with the weirdest ideas of freedom and equality… His outrage as she had told him the rules in the classes, the rules she had been subjected to her whole life. His quiet compassion as she had explained what Hide, her parents and the governor wanted for her…
The soft gentle touch as he has invited her to dance, the words that had made her open up and try things she had never thought possible, such as dance… Him darting through that cave, at one moment clapping his hands in the rhythm of the music. She had been too far away at that moment, but she could have sworn that he had been singing.
And then, how that man had walked to the woman who now was inside her home. How he had looked at her, like there was nothing else in the world worth living for. And how he had danced with the woman… with Katara.
Only now, the soft, laughing silver eyes were not so joyous. The face was drawn, clearly unshaven, and his eyes burned with something On Ji couldn't explain. It looked like a mixture of despair, rage and something more… Something so old and so archaic that no one in their right mind would be able to explain it.
Kuzon.
Or, as she now knew… the Avatar.
The man turned back around, as the small figure beside him took his arm and seemed to drag him away... Toph… The girl Katara had told her about. The girl able to bend earth, metal and sand… A true force of nature, and one without rules.
They had sent two of their best fighters… To Kirashi. And clearly the Avatar had not heeded the warnings of the Princess, otherwise he would not be here… he had not revealed himself, clearly intending on staying hidden. But if he was here… He would have good reason.
To get his wife back.
Fear gripped her heart. Perhaps the Avatar was not yet sure that Katara was inside, otherwise their town walls would already be a pile of rubble. But what was for certain was that whatever the woman at her home had told her, the Avatar had not gotten the memo. That was not a gentle, kind man. Those eyes had spoken more than enough, and just the small flash she had seen was enough to know. He would burn down whatever stood in his way, just to get to Katara.
Turning to her father, she opened her mouth to warn him, but stopped herself. For the moment, the Avatar had not realized where his wife was… And if she told her father who Sapphire exactly was… Well, then, she would have to explain why she had kept it a secret. Meaning that she would have to explain her desire to escape the town, and all the duties her parents tried to impose on her…
Agni, she was in trouble.
"Come on dear… Let's get back. Now, we will have to convince that… Our governor… to actually do the right thing." Her father sighed, turning back towards the town with the rest of the group. As On Ji followed them, she felt herself fall between both camps. How was she supposed to actually support on or the other?
On the one side, there was the governor, Kirashi, her parents… And Hide. Even if the idea of marrying that brute made her skin crawl… It was still home. Home as she had always known it. But on the other, there was Katara, giving her a way out, if only they could find it.
But both parties had lied to her. The Fire Nation clearly was lying to its citizens to keep them in line, and Azula's faction seemed to do that far more than the traitor… But then, there was Katara, who had failed to mention she was married to the Avatar. And said Avatar was now at the siege camp, probably judging how many minutes it would take him to destroy the town…
The gates were opened as they neared them, and On Ji looked over her shoulder, only to see that the two people had disappeared into the trees, so she quickly retreated behind the safety of the walls… The first time in more than two months she had actually been capable of seeing the other side of those damned walls, and now, she was fleeing behind them. As if the Avatar would break a sweat, breaching those walls. It was no more than a sand castle for that man… Easy to crush underneath a foot.
As the gates were closed behind them, the group of officials and guards began to disperse slowly, each one discussing what had happened. She saw her own father march towards the governor, clearly intended on trying to convince him… to do the right thing…
What it was now, On Ji couldn't even guess.
"Well?" A voice broke off her own rambling, and, looking to the right form where the noise had come from, she saw the startling blue eyes of Katara.
"Oh… Ehm…" Agni, what was she supposed to say?
Before yesterday's dinner, she would have said Your Aang is outside! Break down that gate in whatever way you want! Let's get out of here for Agni's sake… But now? Now that she knew the waterbender had lied, hidden secrets? And after having seen said Avatar? No. No… She couldn't do that to her town.
"Piandao has given until this evening for the town to surrender." Yes… Agni, that was their only chance. If they surrender, and the man kept his word, they would only have to give him Hide! That was all! The thousands of soldiers, the Avatar and all her own problems would disappear in one fell swoop. The town gates would be opened once more, and Katara could leave!
"Who was with him? They wouldn't let me on the walls to watch!" Katara asked, and the woman took her arm, nearly shaking her back and forth to get her answer.
"No one! He came alone!" On Ji yanked her arm out of the grip of the waterbender.
"Oh… yeah, that sounds like Piandao. I told you about him, the master who taught my brother." Katara explained. Agni… That man had been the teacher of Sokka?
"He showed us some hostages from the clans. Apparently, the Eastern Archipelago is under the traitor's control." On Ji explained, choosing that waiting to see what the governor would decide was the best course of action. Katara didn't need to know the Avatar was here… for the moment. Because On Ji would prefer for both to be far away from her home when they learned they had been twenty feet away from each other. More or less.
"Zuko has control over the islands?" That hope in that kind voice… On Ji steeled herself. This was exactly what the waterbender was capable of. Sweet, gentle and kind… Only to fill her head with lies and hopes. No one who would have seen the Avatar like she had seen him just moments ago would be able to call him kind.
"Yes. But they need Kirashi, that is why they are here."
"But that is good! We sneak out of here in the dead of the night…"
"We would have to get past the guards, and then cross open terrain between two enemies! They will kill us from both sides!" On Ji bit back, more forcefully than necessary, "You don't get it! We are even more trapped than before! Instead of just the walls and guards, we now have to deal with a full-fledged siege! You said the Avatar and the Traitor were kind! But how is this kind? This is cruel!"
The waterbender seemed slightly taken aback by the outburst, but quickly recovered from the mild shock.
"On Ji, the people in front of the town are my friends! I agree with you that Zuko and Aang should have been more… patient. But that bitch lied to them, and I explained to you that when it comes to me… Aang has nothing left, except me. Please understand that."
Oh, On Ji understood that. She only feared what might just happen when the most powerful man on earth would learn that the only thing left to him was inside this town.
Answers:
McChartney: Szeto killed Koh so he could hide away without the others Spirits being able to find him. That Avatar was known to work only for the Fire Nation, being somesort of Prime Minister during his time as Avatar. I don't think all Avatars are good, because some have clearly done bad stuff, maybe not intentionally, but still.
Guest: Thanks a lot! I hope you enjoyed this one!
Jjsmith103: Exactly, Szeto is clearly not doing this for just the fun of it, and he has been messing with the right people, notably Aang. He was against helping Aang during his fight with Ozai… So who knows what he is up to! (Well, I do, but I won't tell you yet lol)