Maybe I should listen to the mission reports in the meantime?
Yes, I think I'll do just that.
After informing everyone that I'd be gone for a few hours, I left our hosts' remarkably hospitable home, where, incidentally, they'd already started preparing guest rooms for us.
Yeah... the further this went, the less "combat" there seemed to be in my life and the more time I had to spend negotiating. Maybe I should swap my sword for one of those "lightsabers" some firebenders used in close combat and start conducting diplomacy on the "these aren't the droids you're looking for" principle?
Brrr. The things that pop into my head...
***
A Little Later. The Compound of the Fire Nation Warriors "Awaiting Their Ship."
"So, Lieutenant, what can you tell me? Has anything unusual happened since we last met?" I settled into a comfortable chair and began questioning the local senior officer while Blast amused himself with a "combat-readiness inspection by the Fire Herald himself."
"Nothing, my lord." The lieutenant spread his hands apologetically. "Just rumors, merchants' tales, and news about our Eastern Fleet conducting raids against pirates who've completely lost any sense of fear. They say they're planning to bring in some of the westerners that returned from the North Pole as well."
Hmm. Sensible, especially while they still hadn't appointed a new admiral. Anything to keep the soldiers busy, so long as they didn't get fu—hmm, worn out, as the saying went. Let them chase pirates, or relieve the guys from the Central Fleet on the "carousel" who were already fu—ahem, exhausted.
"Nothing at all on the Avatar?"
"No." The soldier shook his head. "We received the description by messenger hawk, but we haven't spotted either a flying bison or anyone matching it."
Damn it... So where the hell was that bastard? There was definitely no point in him heading north from Omashu. Going into the Great Desert on a half-roasted bison would be suicide, and even with a healthy one it would be risky. Kyoshi Island or the South Pole? Theoretically possible, if you ignored the fact that all he could really do there was lick his wounds, nothing more. But in practice...
Damn, if only I knew exactly how badly his primary means of transportation had been injured...
Ah, hell.
"I see. What about the city? How do the locals feel about us?" I changed the subject.
"At first, they were hostile and wary, but they've gotten somewhat used to us by now. The wariness hasn't gone anywhere, but the hostility has dropped considerably. Some people have even started showing us a certain amount of hospitality."
"Why? A couple of months is hardly enough time for relations to warm up 'just because.'"
"It's you, my lord."
"Me?"
"Rumors travel fast. Once word spread that a detachment from the Butcher's own retinue was in the city 'waiting for a ship,' the pirates—who have enough men to blockade the city, if not outright seize it—decided to keep at least a day's journey away. Not ideal either, but they can't cover an area that large, and our fleet hasn't exactly been sitting idle. They've been chasing pirates all across the southern waters. So the locals can still trade, even if there's some risk involved."
Hmm. And Lao had practically been tearing his hair out while telling us about "every third voyage running into trouble." Although... he was a merchant. Exaggerating for his own profit was practically part of the job description.
"Good. I'm pleased with your work, Lieutenant. Keep it up. If you hear anything about the Avatar, report it immediately, at any hour of the day or night. We'll be staying at Lao Beifong's estate for the next few days."
"It will be done, Herald!" The officer bowed.
That brought our conversation to an end, leaving me with plenty to think about. The fact that relations with the locals were improving was unquestionably excellent, but spirits damn it, where the hell had that flying asshole disappeared to? Could he really still be hiding in the swamp?
***
Meanwhile. The Fire Nation Princess.
"Well then, Master Lao, I believe these terms will suit us both." An hour and a half of negotiations, strangely enough, had neither tired her nor even irritated her. Her counterpart was remarkably good at sensing the mood of the person he was speaking with and did his best to adapt to her. Azula herself was somewhat surprised to discover that a kind word and a fireball could accomplish a little more than a fireball alone.
"Undoubtedly, Your Highness." The merchant nodded, discreetly wiping the sweat from his brow. The negotiation process had thoroughly exhausted him, which had allowed the princess to push through a couple of decisions in her favor.
"Excellent. Have your people prepare the documents in accordance with the terms we've agreed upon. I'll review them once more, and if everything is in order, I'll sign them and forward them to the capital."
"I believe we should be able to review the agreements tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, while they're being prepared, my home is your home, Your Highness. Rooms for you and your companions are already prepared."
"Until tomorrow, then, Master Lao. I'll take you up on your offer, but for now, I still have other matters to attend to." After exchanging the appropriate courtesies with the merchant, Azula rose to her feet.
She really did have matters to attend to.
She needed to speak with the Herald... about a great many things.
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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