Book I, Act IX: Burning Bridges, Chapter VI

Edited by: Bieverdog AO3: GalavantingGoose

Book I, Imbalance

Act IX: Burning Bridges

Music: Sold Your Soul - Wolf's Rain OST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBjN1Nr39So&list=PLAB666F2B78E38C9A&index=8

Chapter VI

It had been a busy month for the Fire Lord, and one not devoid of danger at that. As predicted, the terrorists stationed in the Fire Nation staged another attack, injuring two palace guards. They didn't make it far, but it pushed him to paranoid precautions. He was barely getting any sleep at night, waking up at the slightest noise. But during the day, under the constant watch of his guards, he could look back and relax, thinking that the worst had passed.

But he knew it would just be a minor relief before he had yet another crisis. Even now, he still had the problem of where to put the citizens of Yu Dao. It had been troublesome enough to find a suitable place for the Kujiraminato colonists, for it had to meet most of their previous trades. Suitable port areas were scarce in the Fire Nation. Fortunately, Yu Dao wouldn't be much of a problem, for they had already scouted a town amongst the mountains. The area wouldn't be as fertile, but he believed it would be able to provide a living space for them.

But as of late, he had found he couldn't calm his mind and take advantage of the respite to relax. Instead, he could only think of what else had to be done. More importantly, he had been going back and forth with the new Imperial Secretary. Honestly, it had made him even more worried, for before he had never seen his succession as a real issue. But having seen it play out had become a living nightmare. It was for that very reason he had decided to follow Fang's advice about the promotions. The reason why–Colonel Mak had returned from the Earth Kingdom. He wished things wouldn't have to be as ceremonial; but for his elevation to General to have any semblance of seriousness, his merits would have to be exalted. A banquet had been prepared for the occasion, and the invitations had gone out to the military brass and important government officials.

He and Mai were on their way to the event, but she continued to look at him worriedly with a raised eyebrow. "Zuko, you're acting weirder than normal around me. What is it? I hope this doesn't have to do with security issues. Guards at my house are off limits; you know that."

He scratched his neck. "Uh, um… It's probably nothing. This promotion thing has me all worked up. Just ignore it."

She looked at him flatly. "Zuko, don't try to hide anything; I can tell."

He stopped. "I'm not hiding anything."

There was a sharp glint in her eye. "Okay, let me guess, then. You've been acting like this since your last council meeting. Can't look me in the eyes, slightly flinched when I kissed you; and you're twiddling your thumbs anytime I approach you. So, either I'm talking to an eight-year-old, or…" She let out a tired sigh. "I wish my dad didn't talk about these things too… They are forcing you to marry. Not necessarily me, I imagine; but I'm guessing you'd pick me if they pressed the issue."

Zuko stared, aghast. "That's oddly accurate for a guess…"

"That's because it isn't one. Ever since you took the throne, my father has been asking me daily if you've proposed. He's already getting nervous that it's been almost a year without an offer. Even pushed me to take advantage of the situation."

"...And… What did you say?"

She shrugged minutely. "What else would I say? We like each other, we're dating; If things work out, yeah sure, eventually. But I don't want it to be stiff like my parents always expected. 'Sign this, bow here. 'In two years' time, you may hold hands with your betrothed.' Yuck."

"Yeah, I never liked that kind of stuff, but… what do you mean if things work out… I think we're doing fine…"

"Well… could be worse, but still… I love you, and I care about you. If I had to choose right now, I'd rather marry you than some noble I don't know from the other side of the island."

"Sounds very… convincing."

She smiled, pushing him teasingly. "Oh, don't be jealous, I only have eyes for you; but the keyword is 'choose'. If my parents get over-involved, and the nobility starts gossiping about my choices, and your advisors start pestering me about my 'duty to the nation', then I might back out. So, promise me this stays low-key for as long as possible."

"I promise, just… keep me updated for any talk I guess…"

Mai shrugged. "Won't be so hard. That's the only thing my father talks about lately, that and telling me to put in a good word so he gets named to some position. Same old, same old."

"I'll… see what I can do then."

"Just ignore that last part; he didn't even deserve to be made governor. You don't need more people like him in the government."

Zuko raised an eyebrow, curious. "What does he think of Fang?"

Mai looked up in thought. "The colonial? Zuko, what do you think? The usual: scoffing, occasional outbursts. Think of it as the general opinion of the local aristocracy. To have someone born in the colonies rank higher than them hurts their fragile egos. He even thought he wouldn't last long or would be incompetent due to his blood being tainted by Earth Kingdom soil. Sometimes, it's hard not to laugh at the stupid things he says. If I had my way, I wouldn't even invite him to the wedding."

"I just hope that I'm doing the right thing. People will have to learn how to live with the colonials here. They are as much citizens of the Fire Nation as those born here. Lots of things need to change; and somehow, it feels like I'm not even doing enough."

"So it's been with every ruler. Just think for a little bit, ask a few people, come to a decision, and do it. If it fails, try again. Don't forget–you are the Fire Lord, and they have to do whatever you say. Don't let their pouting change your mind."

Zuko stopped in front of the doors to the hall as Mai looked at him. He took her a few steps back, almost whispering to her.

"It's not pouting I'm worried about. The other day… Fang made one point clear: I have no heir."

"Zuko…"

"No, listen… I've almost died three times now. Would have been a fourth and fifth had it not been prevented. Now, pretend for a second I die here. Now who would rule the Fire Nation?"

She counted off on her fingers. "Let's see, Iroh's currently on the other side of the world, Azula is mentally unfit… I guess a rival clan or the military."

"Which rival clan, Mai? There's no more heirs from my family, no one left. If they were ones before, my great grandfather made sure they didn't exist."

"He missed a nomad; maybe he missed a branch of the tree."

He shook his head. "If he did, no one would know. The archives holding our family information were either altered or coincidentally say all others died out..."

"Have you tried Ba Sing Se? Omashu? I'm sure there's some dusty genealogy scroll tucked away somewhere."

"They probably have some records prior to the war; but if there were any modern family lines, he would have erased them. If I find someone else, I would have to prove their claim legitimate. If I fail to do so, they'll just be deposed as soon as I die. And do you think they'll wait until my uncle hears the news so he has time to come from Ba Sing Se? The nation will be plunged into chaos, like the times before the Fire Lord: the Clan Wars. An all-out bloodbath for naked power…"

Mai looked at him flatly. "Zuko, don't be ridiculous. No noble family holds enough power; this isn't the old times. Currently, your family holds most of the political, economic, and military power, even more so after Sozin… What are they–"

He looked away, his eyes full of fear. "You just said so yourself: we've accumulated so much power through the years that if suddenly no one can inherit it, others will take it for themselves. You think it will be orderly? That they'll ask nicely? Under my father, they learned there's only one way to get ahead: by stepping over someone, most of the time their dead body."

"...Have you thought of anything?"

Zuko nodded tentatively. "I've been speaking to Fang. He had some ideas. I… There's a few things that can be done. They would be provisional solutions, but it would give enough time for my successor to get things in order."

"A regency?"

"If all fails... But if I die, my death should remain secret as long as possible–at least, long enough for my uncle to be in the Capital. There has to be someone with him to make sure he gets here if it happened. The soldiers won't know a thing; they'd just be told it's urgent. We could maybe secure passage with the embassy so they keep things hushed in the Earth Kingdom."

"If someone discovers I'm dead, the regent would act. Though, it's the part I'm most concerned about. Whoever takes that power would hold almost, if not the same, authority as I do. It needs to be someone incorruptible–someone I can trust–with enough political connections to be able to hold on to power."

Mai narrowed her eyes in thought for a moment. "Piandao?"

"Perhaps. I've thought of him. Fang suggested Mak. He will have more influence now, and his actions have earned him the loyalty of some in the army. Either way, the regent has to scare others enough to render any opposition powerless. If all goes well, my Uncle would take the throne and all should be fine."

"That's a big 'if'."

He sighed. "It's the best we've got for now, at least until I find someone else or have a child of my own."

"Don't forget about your friends–about me. You can count on us, Zuko; you don't have to carry this burden all on yourself."

"I know… That's why I am telling you. I thought you should know… in case anything happens."

"It's fine. Now…" She smirked. "...let's get this thing over with."

Zuko nodded, they entered the room, and the guards announced their arrival. All present stopped and bowed to him. He still hadn't gotten used to it. They were directed to their table in the center of the room. Mai had to sit further away to his left to avoid potential scandal. The officers (mostly generals, admirals, and the like) sat at tables in rows before him. In front of him, a red carpet had been laid out where Mak and other officers to be decorated would make their entrance.

He could feel their collective covert glares. He knew he had willingly brought himself to the lion's den, but he wagered that his gambit would work.

The Fire Lord lifted a hand, and the drums rolled for the officers to march towards him. They did so all in their gala uniforms, covered in awards and medals, along with the finery that entailed their rank. The generals all bowed as stiffly as possible. The colonel entered alone, stepping to the fore and bowing as well. As Zuko stood looking over him, Fang recited the oath. He handed three of them medals. Mak would come last.

"Do you swear to command the Fire Lord's armies and fulfill his will?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to fulfill your orders to the utmost of your capacity?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to answer with your life if you fail to uphold your duties?"

"I swear." With that, the secretary took a step back, bowing to Zuko.

"It is my will to award you the rank of General of the Empire. Rise, General Mak."

With a glow in his eyes, the general made the flame. "I shall always follow your every command, Fire Lord."

He placed a hand on his shoulder. "Everyone here has heard of the merits of General Mak. If it weren't for him, the lives of many of our citizens in the colonies would have been lost. I'm proud to be able to count him as one of our generals. You are all worthy of the honor you have earned. Your service will never be forgotten; your deeds will live on through the centuries. You will be remembered as heroes of The Fire Nation. Tonight, I'll toast in your honor. Here's to the heroes."

As Zuko went back to his seat and the new general to his, Mai leaned towards him and whispered, "Getting better at it; they even seemed to like it."

"Practice makes perfect." He smiled.

"Even sounding like Azula now, without the threatening part." Zuko frowned, looking down, and Mai was quick to reply, "I'm sorry..."

"...It's okay. there's something I didn't mention."

"What is it?"

"I'm planning on visiting."

She bit her lip. "Zuko… You know what? I get it, but it's just that… What if she tries to do something to you?"

"It's been enough time already, I got some reports… Apparently, she is getting better; her condition has stabilized. Mak told me when he last saw her, she was acting differently. Maybe the therapy did help."

"You know this could all be a play to her right? Besides, I wonder what 'getting better' means for Azula…There's just too much going on for you to endanger yourself with her."

Zuko waved it off. "I won't be endangered; I'll have my personal guard with me. Everything will be fine. If she is feeling better now, perhaps she could return to the capital. You won't talk me out of this Mai, I just need to see for myself."

"Fine, just be careful, please? When are you scheduled to go?"

"I'll depart next week. I shouldn't take long to get there: a day by airship at most."

She was annoyed. "A week from now? And you thought it was worth mentioning now?"

"What else was I going to do? You'd've tried to talk me out of it the moment you heard of it."

Mai took a deep breath then looked at him. "Fine… I think I've had enough of this party. What do you say we go?"

Zuko got up and discretely, held her hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Let me guess. More work?"

"Unfortunately, yes…"

Mai sighed, "Goodnight, Zuko."

His new room wasn't very accommodating. The nicest thing about it was the huge balcony with a view from the very top of the palace. Other than that, it wasn't comfortable at all. Its security had been further increased with the installation of steel doors and reinforced walls. It was like a luxurious prison to him. His bed was lonely in the middle of the room, on a pedestal to top it off. Did they want him to sleep at all?

A few guards at his old room would have sufficed in his opinion; this was outdoing it by a lot.

Nevertheless, he bade the soldiers goodnight and went straight for his desk. Sorting out documents for the next day had become part of his daily routine. Mainly tedious stuff: endless ledgers of tax reports and funds that needed approval but were nevertheless necessary.

He opened the balcony to let in the cool breeze of the night, for the palace could get hot during summer. Hours passed until he managed to sweep through the last page of papers. Exhausted, he plummeted to his bed, falling asleep the moment he hit the silk blankets.