Letters From the Front
By Father of War
Spring, Year 98 of the Fire Lord
Dear Aya,
I have arrived safely at my posting, as duty and honor demand. The journey was long but gave me time to reflect on the importance of our mission. You would be amazed by the precision of our naval fleet - even the Earth Kingdom locals stop to admire our ships' steel magnificence as we pass.
Captain Ming runs a disciplined unit, which I appreciate. Some of the other new recruits complain about the drills, but I remind them that discipline is what separates us from the chaos of the Earth Kingdom forces. Every morning we train in formation, our flames perfectly synchronized. It reminds me of when Father would take us to watch the military parades - remember how you used to stand on my shoulders to see over the crowd?
The camp engineers have outdone themselves with our fortifications. Everything is precise, ordered, exactly as it should be. Even the weather seems to respect Fire Nation efficiency - the sunset lines up perfectly with our main gate every evening. I've enclosed a pressed fire lily I found growing near the camp. The color reminded me of your festival dress.
Have you been keeping up with your studies? I expect detailed reports on your progress, young lady! And make sure you're helping Mother with the house - she works too hard, you know.
Your dutiful brother, Koji
P.S. The other soldiers were impressed that I knew how to make proper fire flakes. I didn't tell them it was your secret recipe!
Three days later
KOJI!
Your letter came today! I was watching at the window ALL morning for the messenger hawk and knocked over Mother's favorite vase when I saw it (don't worry, I fixed it with paste, she'll probably never notice).
You'll never believe what happened at school yesterday - Ming Su (you remember her, she has the crooked braids?) brought in a REAL Earth Kingdom crystal that glows in the dark! Teacher Lin confiscated it because we weren't paying attention to our history scrolls, but I saw where she put it in her desk. Maybe if I'm extra good this week she'll let me look at it again.
I'm practicing my characters EVERY night, even the hard ones with all the little hooks that you always said looked like angry bird feet. Mother says my brushwork is getting better, but she HAS to say that because she's my mother. Be honest - is my writing all crooked? I tried to make it extra neat for you.
Your fire flakes recipe is safe with me! Cross my heart! Though I did try teaching it to Lin Wei next door... but I mixed up the steps on purpose so hers came out all wrong. That's not really lying, is it?
Oh! And you'll never guess what Spark did! (That's what I named your messenger hawk because his feathers look like sparklers when he flies.) He stole a whole sweet bun right off Mr. Fu's cart in the market! Mr. Fu was so surprised he fell right into his own cabbage display! I know I shouldn't laugh but it was SO FUNNY.
Mother's calling me for dinner. We're having komodo chicken soup tonight. I'll save some for you in my special thinking-of-you way (that means I'll eat an extra bowl).
Write back soon soon SOON! Love love love, Your favorite sister in the whole wide world, Aya
P.S. The fire lily is BEAUTIFUL! I put it in my diary right next to your picture! P.P.S. Do they really have proper hot sauce at your camp? Because I could send some of Mother's special recipe... P.P.P.S. I miss you tons and tons and tons!
Two weeks later
Dear Aya,
Your letter brought much-needed cheer to our camp. The other soldiers gathered around when they heard me laughing - apparently, I've developed quite a serious reputation here. Lieutenant Sho actually asked if I was feeling ill because I was smiling so much! I had to read them the part about Spark and the sweet bun. Even Captain Ming cracked a smile, though she quickly covered it with a cough.
Your handwriting has improved considerably - Father would be proud. Though I notice you still dot your characters with little hearts, which I'm quite certain isn't proper form! Perhaps we can overlook this minor breach of protocol, as long as you promise to take your other studies seriously.
We've been conducting routine patrols of the surrounding area. The local villages are... adjusting to Fire Nation presence. Captain Ming says integration always takes time. Yesterday, we distributed rice and medical supplies to a nearby settlement. The children there reminded me of your class - they were fascinated by our armor, though their parents kept them at a distance. One little girl had a doll that looked just like the one you used to carry everywhere. Do you still have it?
Some of the newer recruits are struggling with homesickness. I've been teaching them your fire flake recipe (the real one) in the evenings. It helps lift their spirits, though no one makes them quite like you do. The taste of home is a powerful thing.
And yes, please send Mother's hot sauce! The camp food is nutritionally adequate but lacking in... character. I promise to share it fairly with my unit. (Though I may keep an extra portion for myself - rank has its privileges, after all!)
Your devoted brother, Koji
P.S. About Ming Su's crystal - remember what Father taught us about respecting other people's property. Though I must admit, I'm curious about its properties myself. Perhaps Teacher Lin would consider a supervised examination for educational purposes?
Seven days later
Dear Koji,
YOU SHARED MY FIRE FLAKE RECIPE? Well... I guess that's okay since they're our brave soldiers. But make sure they don't tell anyone else! It's still our special secret, right?
Mother's hot sauce is on the way! I helped her make it and only sneezed in it once. (That's a joke! I promise I didn't really sneeze in it!) I packed it super carefully in that special straw-wrap thing that Father taught us to make. Remember how we used to practice with his old scrolls until Mother caught us? My wrapping is MUCH better now!
You asked about my doll - I gave her to little Su Ming next door. Her father was taken away by some Fire Nation soldiers last week (not the nice ones like you, the scary ones), and she was crying all the time. I told her the doll has special brother-and-sister magic that helps you not feel so lonely. That made her smile a little bit. Was that okay? I think you'd have done the same thing.
School is different lately. Lots of empty seats. Teacher Lin doesn't talk about the war anymore, but sometimes she stares out the window for a really long time, especially when we hear the march music from the soldiers in town. Today she taught us a really old Earth Kingdom song about crystal caves and secret rivers. It was pretty, but she made us promise not to sing it outside of class. I don't understand why - it's just about caves?
Oh! We're learning about the great Fire Nation victories in history class! Is it true that Fire Lord Sozin had a dragon? That must have been SO amazing! Are there still dragons? Do you get to see any in the army? If you do, could you please please PLEASE get me a dragon scale?
Mother says I'm asking too many questions again. But how else am I supposed to learn things?
Your curious sister, Aya
P.S. I drew a picture of how I imagine your camp looks. I put lots of fire lilies everywhere because that would be pretty. Maybe you could plant some?
One month later
Dear Aya,
Forgive my delayed response. We've been... busy with our duties. The hot sauce arrived safely - you did an excellent job with the wrapping. Father would be proud of your technique. The entire unit sends their thanks, though several of the newer recruits weren't quite prepared for its strength! You should have seen Lieutenant Sho's face turn as red as his armor.
You did the right thing with your doll. Kindness is never wrong, little sister. Though... perhaps be careful about mentioning "brother-and-sister magic" to others. Some people might not understand.
About Su Ming's father - I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. The Fire Nation maintains detailed records of all investigations. I'm certain he'll be released once the proper authorities review his case. We have procedures for everything. Rules. Protocol. It's all very... orderly.
I need to tell you something. Yesterday, we encountered resistance from some Earth Kingdom forces. Nothing serious! Just... well, I saw my first real combat. It wasn't like the training drills. It wasn't like the stories. It was...
Never mind. You don't need to worry about such things. Tell me more about school instead. What else are you learning in history? Though perhaps you shouldn't mention that song to anyone else. Some people might misunderstand traditional Earth Kingdom music as... well, just keep it to yourself.
About the dragons - I'm afraid they're all gone now. Fire Lord Sozin's era was... different. But we have mechanical wonders now that would amaze you! Great iron ships that cut through the waves like knife through ash-banana bread, tanks that can climb the steepest mountains...
I have to go - night patrol duty calls. Stay safe, little sister. Keep Mother company.
Your brother, Koji
P.S. The fire lily drawing is beautiful, but we can't plant gardens here. We have to be ready to move at any time. Efficiency is crucial to victory.
Six days later
Dear Koji,
Your letter was different this time. Are you okay? You stopped in the middle of sentences a lot. Mother says sometimes people do that when they're trying not to say something. What aren't you telling me?
Things are strange here too. More soldiers came through the village yesterday. They posted new rules in the town square. No gatherings after sunset. No Earth Kingdom symbols. No traditional songs or stories. They took down old Mr. Wu's wind chimes because they said the crystals in them could be used for secret messages. They were just pretty bells that his grandmother gave him!
I got in trouble at school. We were studying Fire Nation history, about how Fire Lord Sozin helped the world by sharing our greatness. I asked why, if we're sharing greatness, did the soldiers take Mr. Wu's wind chimes? And why did they take Su Ming's father? Teacher Lin got very pale and said we should focus on our calligraphy practice.
Mother says I ask too many dangerous questions. But they don't feel dangerous, they just feel like normal questions. Like when you used to explain things to me about why the sky makes different colors at sunset, or how tsunami waves work. Remember how you never got angry at my questions? You always said curiosity was a gift from the spirits.
The market is different now. People don't talk as much. They just buy their things and hurry home. The fruit seller used to give me extra ash-bananas, but now she pretends not to know me when soldiers are around. Why would she do that? I'm still me.
Please tell me what's wrong. I'm not a baby anymore - I'm almost thirteen! You promised we'd always be honest with each other.
Your worried sister, Aya
P.S. I still practice your fire flake recipe sometimes, but it makes Mother cry now. I don't understand why.
Three months later
My dearest Aya,
Your last letter... spirits, how do I answer your questions? The same questions that keep me awake at night, staring at the camp ceiling, listening to the wind through empty villages.
We had another "victory" yesterday. That's what the official reports will call it. A village was harboring Earth Kingdom rebels - at least, that's what our intelligence claimed. We were ordered to make an example of them. Captain Ming objected, tried to suggest a more moderate approach. They replaced her this morning. Our new commander is... different. Efficient, they say. Dedicated to the cause.
There was a house, Aya. A family. They had wind chimes too, crystal ones that sang in the breeze. Like Mr. Wu's. They sang until the very end.
I keep thinking about Father's stories of the great Fire Nation victories. They never mentioned the smell of burning homes, or the way children scream when... No. No, I can't write that to you.
You asked for honesty. But how can I tell my precious sister that everything we were taught, everything we believed about bringing peace and civilization - it's all ash in my mouth now?
Lieutenant Sho says I shouldn't write such treasonous thoughts. He's right. Burn this letter after you read it.
Your brother who doesn't recognize himself anymore, Koji
Three weeks later
Dear Koji,
I didn't burn your letter. I know I should have, but I couldn't. Instead, I buried it under the cherry tree where we used to play. It felt right somehow, like planting a seed of truth.
More families disappeared from the village last night. Their houses are dark now. This morning, I saw someone had painted on the school wall: "The Earth endures." The soldiers made us all watch while they punished an old woman who wouldn't tell them who did it.
I understand now why Mother cries when I make fire flakes. Why Teacher Lin stares out the window. Why the fruit seller turns away.
You once told me that the Fire Nation was like a flame - bringing light to darkness. But flames don't just bring light, do they? They burn. They destroy. Is that what we are now?
I miss my big brother who taught me to count stars and catch crickets. Who protected me from monsters under the bed. But maybe the real monsters aren't under beds at all.
Please come home. Before you can't find your way back anymore.
Love always, Aya
One month later
[Written in shaky handwriting]
Aya,
We're moving into the mountains tomorrow. Heavy resistance expected. The new commander says no prisoners this time.
I look at my hands sometimes and wonder how they can look so clean when they feel so stained. Last night I dreamed of wind chimes. Of children's screams. Of Father's proud smile when I got my deployment orders. How did we get here?
If I don't make it back, know that you saved me. Your letters, your questions, your pure heart - they helped me see the truth. Too late, maybe, but still.
Don't let them make you hard. Don't let them convince you that cruelty is strength. The real strength is in your questions, in your kindness, in your ability to see right from wrong when the rest of us have gone blind.
I love you, little sister. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from this after all.
Koji
Six months later
Dear Koji,
The messenger hawks always return my letters now, but I keep writing. Maybe the spirits will carry my words to you somehow.
The cherry tree where I buried your letter is blooming. Pink petals fall like tears, or maybe like hope. I'm not sure which anymore.
Mother and I are leaving tomorrow. Ming Su's family sent word from Ba Sing Se - they'll help us get through the borders. Mother says it's not safe here anymore, not since they posted the new lists of "suspected rebel sympathizers" in the square. They put Teacher Lin's name on that list. She disappeared three days ago.
I'm taking your letters with me, even though Mother says it's dangerous. They're part of who we were, who you were before the war changed everything. Maybe someday I'll understand why it all happened. Maybe someday it will make sense.
The fruit seller finally spoke to me today. She slipped me an ash-banana and whispered that she always knew I was a good girl, that she was just scared. I told her about your fire flake recipe, the real one. It felt right to pass it on, like passing on a piece of the brother I knew.
They say the war is going badly for the Fire Nation now. That change is coming. That the Avatar has returned I don't know if that's good or bad anymore. I just know that somewhere in the mountains, my brother finally saw the truth, even if it cost him everything.
I'll keep asking questions, Koji. I promise. And I'll keep looking for wind chimes that sing in the breeze.
Your sister, always and forever, Aya
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Father of War