75. Short Tales - Rewarded Loyalty

Chapter 75: Short Tales - Rewarded Loyalty

The circular hall was full, every bench crowded with villagers, young and old, warriors and elders alike. Lanterns flickered against the carved wooden walls as a low murmur filled the space. The air was thick with unease.

Mayor Hanoo stood at the center, the scroll from the Crown Prince rolled tightly in his hand. Akari stood to his left, her jaw set. Suki was at her side, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

Hanoo raised the scroll high. The crowd fell silent.

"We have received a proposal," he began, his voice carrying over the quiet. "From the Fire Nation. From its Crown Prince."

He paused, glancing around the room. The tension was palpable.

"They call it a diplomatic alliance. They offer protection, attention, and... connection." His hand clenched. "But make no mistake, this is not a gift. It is a warning wrapped in ribbon."

He unrolled the scroll and read its contents in full. Murmurs broke out again, louder now.

"They want to claim our island," Akari added, her voice sharp. "Make no mistake. It may not be an invasion, but it is still a conquest."

Gasps. Cries of outrage. Then a strong voice rose from the crowd.

"We'll fight," said Hinaro, stepping forward. Her green-painted armor gleamed under the lanternlight. "If they think we'll offer ourselves like tokens at a card game, they're wrong."

Suki stepped beside her. "We've trained our whole lives. This island was founded by Avatar Kyoshi herself, we carry her legacy. I won't be sent off to a palace to be some prince's possession."

A few others cheered quietly. More followed, emboldened.

"We'll fight!" one of the younger warriors declared. "Let them come!"

But a cane struck the wooden floor. One of the village elders stood, gray-bearded and hollow-eyed.

"Young blood is hot," he said. "But do you understand what you speak of? Have you seen what the Fire Nation truly is?"

Others turned to listen.

"The boy who now calls himself Crown Prince, he came here not long ago. You remember him? The one who demanded the shrine of Kyoshi. Who raised his hand and summoned fire that could scorch the skies?"

Hanoo spoke again, quieter now. "You all felt it. That day he stood in the center of our town. He called forth a flame like a miniature sun. One that could have turned our homes, our families, our island to ash."

He looked to Suki. "You saw it too, didn't you?"

She nodded slowly. The fire hadn't been just power, it had been *controlled*. Intentional. That display had been a message: *I could, but I choose not to.*

Another elder leaned forward. "The prince may wear a velvet glove, but the iron fist is still there. If we refuse, we do so knowing what it may bring."

"I don't care," said Hinaro defiantly. "We can't live bowing to fear."

"Nor can we live with pride alone," said Hanoo. "This is not a decision for the few. The Fire Nation now sees us. We will not remain hidden. Whatever path we choose, we must all walk it together."

He looked around. "We vote at dawn. Until then, talk to your families. Weigh your hearts. We'll decide whether to resist, or respond."

---

[Aboard the Fire Nation Vessel]

The sun was halfway dipped behind the sea as the Fire Nation ship sat anchored just off the coast of Kyoshi Island. The metal hull shimmered orange in the late glow, its high walls casting long shadows over the waves. On the upper deck, the air was quiet except for the rhythmic clang of a maintenance crew tending to the rhino pens.

Lieutenant Commander Jee stood at the starboard rail, gazing at the island ahead, hands tucked behind his back. Footsteps approached from behind, measured and light.

"Looks like congratulations are in order," Kujan said with a crooked grin.

Jee returned it with a short chuckle. "Lieutenant Commander. Hah. Has a ring to it, doesn't it?"

"It does," Kujan agreed. "Warrant Officer sounds alright, too. Bit of a step up from Sergeant."

The two men clasped arms briefly, a shared moment of pride passing between them. Then they leaned against the railing, watching the shoreline flicker under torchlight.

"Guess the prince was right," Jee mused. "This trip might really be good for us."

Kujan smirked. "And here I thought he was just sending us off to get us out of the way."

Jee shrugged. "Maybe both. But if it ends with a command post and a woman from this island, I'll call it a win either way."

"Speaking of which..." Kujan glanced toward the lower deck, where several of the soldiers were relaxing after duty. "Who do you think's going to volunteer for this whole... arrangement?"

Jee ran a hand through his sideburns. "I already know I'm in. If this is how the prince wants to build his legacy, alliances through loyalty, I'm not about to pass on the offer."

Kujan grinned. "Same here. I heard one of the warriors already knocked Suki off her pedestal. That's the kind of strength I'd like by my side."

The two of them chuckled. Then their expressions turned thoughtful.

"Takiro?" Kujan offered. "He's good. Disciplined. Not bad looking either."

"Maybe," Jee said. "But I think he's still seeing that quartermaster from the northern fleet. Could be complicated."

"True. What about Doshin?"

Jee grimaced. "Terrible with women. Starts stammering if one looks him in the eye."

They kept listing names, Taro, Jinwa, Riku, debating each one like generals choosing champions. Some were dismissed quickly. Others lingered as possibilities. Eventually, their tone turned quiet again, the humor fading.

"I think the prince is planning something larger than just unions," Jee said. "This isn't just about diplomacy. He's building loyalty... long-term bonds."

Kujan nodded slowly. "He's making sure the people around him have roots where he plants his flag."

A gust of wind passed over the deck, flapping the Fire Nation banner overhead. The two men stood there in silence, watching the torches of Kyoshi Village in the distance.

"Let's see who steps forward," Jee said eventually. "The right kind of loyalty will show itself soon enough."

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