26 Zar'un

"A siege?" I asked, still looking at the letter. "Of Ba-Sing-Se?"

The Fire Nation lieutenant nodded. "Yes. It began 3 months ago. General Iroh has laid siege to the city. No food is going in or out as well as any manpower."

"So, it's all going to his siege camp I imagine."

"Yes. The men require food if they are to remain healthy to invade the city."

I read the paper over again, still baffled, still feeling as though I had been punched in the gut. "So, this is where my food is going?"

The man looked surprised. "I'm sorry. Your food?"

"The farms on the eastern outskirts of the city. They were under my protection, bringing food into this city. Is this why my city is starving?"

"Sir, this is Ba-Sing-Se, the Earth Kingdom Cap- "

"I know exactly what it is and I do know that it's never been taken before. I know of General Iroh's reputation, but tell me, lieutenant, how exactly does the Dragon of the West plan on bringing down the great walls of Ba-Sing-Se?"

"It's-It's not for me to say."

I sighed, planting the paper on my desk in front of me. "I see. Tell me then. I could've been given this exact news and had even more of my questions answered by a messenger hawk, so why send you?

The man sighed. So, this is where the real news begins. "General Iroh has instructed me to gather able-bodies soldiers from your garrison to assist in the siege."

I sat down at my desk and placed a hand on the part of my head that was suffering from more pain than usual at this moment. "I can give you the men from Outpost 'Sing-Watch', but beyond that-"

"General Iroh requests three quarters of your garrison"

The pain shot back and I stood up in unison, sending my chair crashing to the hard metal floor. "You're insane."

"I've been instructed to assume command of your garrison and send three quarters to General Iroh for siege instructions."

"So, what you mean to tell me is that you come into my city, intend to take control of my garrison, and send my men to die on the walls of the Earth Kingdom city that's never been conquered."

"It's the heir to the throne's orders!"

"Fuck the bloody throne. Does the throne know that we are starving because he's throwing blood bags against a stone wall for the 7th time in our campaign, hoping to achieve different results?"

"This conquest is the plan of Fire Lord Azulon himself!"

"I can give you my 30 men from 'Sing-Watch'. Beyond that, you're on your bloody own. I'll bring it to General Iroh's attention that he isn't the only Fire Nation force within a thousand miles of the wall. I'll send the men along this afternoon."

"I can bring the men and relay your message to General Iroh."

"No need. I'll send a hawk to do the job."

"My lord, I'm perfectly capable of delivering a message."

"You're perfectly capable of doing whatever your leash-holder tells you too just as we all are. I'd prefer to talk to your owner directly rather than having his pet translate for me. As for my men, I have full confidence that they can read a map on their own. And in regard to my garrison, you're welcome to grab a spare uniform, but as long as my garrison is within these walls, they're under my command and none others save for the Fire Lord. Is that understood?"

He wasn't happy. I could see that. He missed a promotion and a chance for power and recognition. I didn't care. If he wanted power, he would earn it, not have it handed to him on a silver platter. "Is that understood?" I repeated.

He sighed and looked up. "Sir. Yes. Sir."

Normally, the answer would have been a reassurance, but the way he spoke it made me feel as if I had one more item on a list of things to watch out for.