Chapter 28: Fire Herald
"We've heard many stories from passing merchants of the Earth Kingdom," one of the girls said.
"So all your 'information' is based on sailors' tales from a hostile nation? Brilliant! I should ask around back home on the archipelago what people think of the Earth Kingdom," I scoffed. Though honestly, there was no need—every theater in the Fire Nation constantly staged plays about 'valiant defenders of the homeland versus treacherous pirates / vile earthbenders / the mad king of Omashu—pick your favorite.'
"B-but you started the Hundred Year War, invaded the Earth Kingdom's territory!"
"As if it were the first war in human history. During the time of your revered Kyoshi, if I remember correctly, the Earth Kingdom was nearly conquered by a man named Chin. His ideas were much the same—create a single empire uniting all nations. He was just killed before he could pull it off," I had prepared well for this visit and had even dug up a chronicle of those events in one of the colonial libraries.
"So everything just repeats itself. Different starting conditions, slightly different outcomes. What interests me more is what to do with you and your village now."
Right— 'conditional peace' had been established. Time to show the 'stick,' scare them a little, and then we'd see if it came to the "carrot."
"What do you mean?" the girl frowned.
"You see, when a representative of a nation's armed forces, resting on neutral territory, is attacked by the armed forces of that same territory with cries of 'die, Fire spy,' it usually means that said nation is no longer neutral—it's entering the war. With all the consequences that entails."
"B-but… we just…"
"Just what?" I cut her off sharply. "You were going to capture me—and then what? Slit my throat? Sell me off to some 'merchants'? A soldier of a nation that's honored your neutrality for generations?"
"Or did you just want to feel like 'mighty warriors'?"
"Well, congratulations. I could sail off right now, come back with a dozen ships—and then we'll play a real war. No concessions. Just burned villages, stray casualties among civilians, and all the other joys that come with it."
"You've been left alone only because the Fire Lord keeps the word his great-grandfather gave—but when we're struck, our people strike back!"
…Hm. Did I overdo it? Half of them already looked on the verge of tears
"W-wait… but we didn't want anything like that! We would've just expelled you from the island!" one of the girls tried to justify herself.
"That's what you're saying now. Earlier, you were charging at me yelling 'die,' which doesn't exactly match your version of 'expulsion.' And in any case, the fact of the attack doesn't go away. And that will have to be answered for."
"This was my initiative! My mistake. Take my life—but please, spare the others!"
Right… just what I needed—a bout of hysterics.
"Brave words. Very selfless. Perhaps you do have the spirit of warriors after all," I said. …Am I laying it on too thick? Judging by their faces, though, they were buying it.
"Let's do this. We'll go to your village now and resolve this misunderstanding—hopefully to everyone's satisfaction. I'm not a maniac; I have no desire to stage an occupation or start a small war here," I added.
The girls let out a collective sigh of relief, nodding almost in unison.
"Good. Then it's settled—lead the way. I'm not untying all of you, though. Suki will be enough."
And so we set off in a rather curious procession. In front, nine girls on "leashes," dressed in odd outfits. Behind them, a young man in a Fire Nation captain's uniform, and one more girl in strange attire. Yes, I imagine the locals would find the sight… quite something. Not bad. So long as it makes the right impression on the village elder.
***
Half an hour later. Kyoshi Island Village.
The elder was impressed. Just not quite the way I'd intended.
"Since when do Fire Nation warriors attack the people of Kyoshi Island?! You have broken your word!"
A sturdy old man with a shovel-like beard was practically spitting with rage.
"Easy, old man," I said. "If I'd wanted to attack, these 'villagers' would be dead, and Fire Nation troops would be marching into your village. Better answer me this—since when do your warriors attack peaceful travelers at rest?"
"Fire Nation warriors cannot be peaceful!"
Right… either he was hopelessly dense, or I was missing something. Though… the Kyoshi Warriors' traditions went back four centuries. The village was small, but clearly capable of fielding more than a dozen fighters—and all of them were young girls. So where was the older generation that came before them?
"For spirits' sake, old man—have you all gone rabid or something?" I snapped. "First you jump peaceful travelers, and then you blame them for it?!"
How else was I supposed to take his words?
"Do you charge Earth Kingdom folk with pitchforks too?"
Hearing a telltale rustle behind me, I drew my sword from its sheath.
"Call your people off. Spirits bear witness—I didn't start this, and I had no intention of harming you. But if you attack, I won't hold back."
Suki, fully aware that I was more than capable of turning this into a bloodbath, rushed to the old man and began whispering urgently in his ear. As she spoke, his expression shifted—from anger, to surprise, then indignation… and then something like fear crept in, mixed with disbelief.
(End of Chapter)
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