========= 71 - End of the World War ==========
To trust a country whose ancestors had committed genocide against an entire people, to let their representatives into their city and even sit them next to them, was a strangely risky move. Many would simply not have dared to do so, let alone the country of fire itself, which sent its own princess to the North... but everything fell into place when we remembered the Chief's speech - they had been negotiating the meeting for more than a day.
Both nations confirmed the status of their states and stopped the war, while the others transferred part of their funds, apparently as a ransom, and shook hands. In civilised countries, this is called the conclusion of a peace treaty. Next came trade relations and an alliance treaty, and it seems that Arnuq wanted to conclude the latter between all of us.
First things first... I doubted that anyone could give Azule orders. She made such crazy and cunning moves from a political point of view, risking her life as if her actions had not been agreed with anyone. In the canon, she captured Ba Sing Se, the strongest city in the world, with only two friends; she attacked Aang from behind and almost killed him; she pursued him across the world and fought against all adversities like a real shark stalker.
In reality, this shows how much strength is valued in the Fire Nation, how hard it is to achieve, and how devilishly good Azula is at it. She has three open chakras, which is very good for her age. Was she hunting me? Well, I don't know about that personally, but she was definitely plotting against me, so what is she up to now?
Sitting calmly at the common table and smiling at this drawn-out joke, I realised that everything had gone awry. First, they exposed Tai Lee, which was very inappropriate — manipulation, pressure on the family, and everything else could have put the girl in a difficult position. Someone might even have thought of burning down the circus; such a precedent had almost happened in the canon. After meeting Zuko, we naturally thought about her wearing makeup more often or a deep hood, but surrounded by what we thought were allies, such things were out of the question. And it didn't make sense. She couldn't hide here.
And then something worse happened. That beast took her eyes off him and focused on Aang, very predatory, stalker-like, smiling. Damn Arnuq, he revealed the true Avatar to the enemy nation. If his previous moves could still be justified, then this one... well, how could this idiot know that I was considered the Avatar? They didn't even mention my name; in the North, I'm a complete nobody.
Before the situation got much worse, I had to do something. I got to my feet and immediately stopped Zuko, who was trying to jump up, his hands ablaze with fierce flames. The others, of course, except for Airo and Tai Li, who was frozen in shock, knew nothing about this woman, and their reaction was non-existent. The responsibility for the situation was entirely mine.
I couldn't let them hurt Aang or think that the danger had subsided. I had to use my terrible reputation as a bargaining chip.
Top*
I stepped into the middle of the square, surrounded by all the tables. My deliberately friendly face, which had endeared me to the people, was replaced by an expression that had once frightened everyone away. Arnuk, who didn't understand the situation, tried to find out what was going on, but Azula had already taken the bait. She blinked her eyes enchantedly, showed interest and even curled her lips coquettishly as she headed towards me. She stopped a metre away, while our gazes pressed down and tore apart the positive and cheerful atmosphere.
Despite the fact that I was significantly taller and looking down on her, the girl didn't seem vulnerable in the slightest, her regal demeanour more than matching my fierce appearance.
"Dagoth, don't kill her," Airo warned tensely, to which I merely waved my hand lazily.
"Yeah, that's what real family support means," the fire princess said in a simple voice. "Brother, uncle, missing friend, and everyone around the Sand Mage and the Avatar. Everyone's here, like a bouquet of gifts. Although it's a little unexpected.
It seems that the situation has really changed, and she will most likely reconsider her plans. Perhaps she will declare war on Sever again and begin a siege, but first she will use the girl as a cover. Or maybe, in an attempt to deceive us, she will try to get closer to us. But if she's really as smart as I thought, she'll realise that the situation has gotten worse. The Sandbender and the Avatar turned out to be different people, which means the danger is twice as great.
"I thought you were participating in the failed siege of Omasu, Princess Azula," he finally spoke. "Apparently, it's difficult to capture territory without General Shu?
"General Shu was an unremarkable military commander who was even bad at controlling heat. Without him, the army loses nothing," but she was just deliberately belittling my achievements, trying to make me vulnerable. "But why discuss failed soldiers when we're discussing peace today? By the way, what is your real name? Hiding your identity when you're so powerful seems like... weakness.
The girl held out her hand to me, mimicking some kind of official meeting. Well, it was really her, but there was no sign of peace. I felt that I couldn't show weakness or vulnerability, and I certainly shouldn't touch such a "hot" girl.
"Dagoth," she nodded calmly, even after I looked dryly at her outstretched hand. When those around us realised that the situation had not escalated, Arnuk, who was looking at us strangely, invited everyone to sit down. Azula and her friend, Mei, chose a place directly opposite the Avatar's table. I don't really remember the rest of the meeting, as watching Azula took up most of my attention.
I only noticed the general details: Pakku, the member of the order, performed a water show with his students, demonstrating excellent control and fluidity of technique — this man would be teaching Aang. During this event, Katara and her brother tried to understand the situation, and then the latter tried to chat up the Northern Princess. Yes, he finally found a girl with whom he could exchange words, and who remained in the same place as in the canon.
By the way, during the feast, the princesses even exchanged a few words:
"How do you like our reception? I hope you enjoy the Northern customs and architecture," said Yui, the white-haired girl who exuded strength of spirit and looked very naive against the backdrop of the precocious Azula. They were literally polar opposites.
"I... - she paused for a second, as if sincerely trying to come up with a positive answer," - I like the efficiency of your buildings. Ice and water, everything around can be used for defence and reconstruction. You are as strong here as the Earthbenders in their stone citadels.
"Yes. There's a lot of snow and ice here," Mei added irritably.
Yui was embarrassed by such a compliment, and sincerely so. One might have thought that they had also communicated with Ty Lee, but on that front there was absolute silence. They just glanced at each other, as if such a meeting had been such a shock to the friends that they couldn't open their mouths. The real communication and negotiations were to begin later, behind the scenes, so that the uninitiated would not know about the situation. We all had dinner, Aang talked with the Chief, and after a couple of hours, people began to disperse. Not everyone, though; most of the group remained in the same place and, as the Chief had promised, we were to discuss peace.
The tables were pushed together to form a single space.
"Chief Arnuk, I'd be happy to talk about peace, but I'm not sure I'm ready... I just thought I'd be learning the ways of the waterbenders here," Aang said. He didn't understand what decisions needed to be made and ran away from responsibility until the very last moment.
"The war will end just like that... it's hard for me to accept," Sokka clenched his fists, clearly not expecting such an end to the conflict. Even Katara was beside herself.
"There's nothing to negotiate here, it's a trap!" Zuko declared bluntly, much to his sister's delight.
"You have to trust your family, Zuzu. If you don't believe me, then maybe your father's words will convince you? She stood up and placed an unopened scroll in the centre of the table. For some reason, Airon and Zuko were genuinely surprised by its appearance, apparently recognising the seal. Taking it in their hands, breaking the wax seal and reading it, they were even more astonished.
"Is this true? Are they bringing me and my uncle back from exile?
"Father has decided to negotiate; things cannot continue this way. Besides, he has great respect for the Sandbender, but now I am at a loss," she said sincerely, though rather artificially, spreading her arms wide. "The letter says to call the Avatar, that is, Aang, not Dagot. What should I do?
"If we can end the war now, I'll go!" Aang declared sharply. The first glimmers of confidence appeared, as if he didn't like the alternatives. But the boy quickly fell silent as soon as I put my hand on his shoulder.
"No way. Aang is busy developing himself, and besides, he is responsible for the spirit world, not for making treaties with different nations. He simply has no reason to communicate with Oza," Airo smiled immediately, thinking I was very clever. "If you want to discuss something with him, decide now, in the North. But going to the Fire Lord...
And that's when I paused for a second. Maybe I should go myself? Yes, it's dangerous, but I already had some chances, and besides, while I'm away from the Avatar, I can keep an eye on Azula, and Aang will be free to travel and continue his development. Or should I not do anything stupid and accept the fact that this is a trap? Take Azula and use her in negotiations. Would Ozai go mad over that?
Why would they want peace... well, if you think about it, it's obvious. The eclipse is coming soon, and I have the date written down somewhere from the library. And then there's Comet Sozin. It's in their interest to wait and actually form an alliance, so they can repeat the situation with the nomads. Attack when they're at their strongest. Although, again, who other than Severus would make peace with the enemy?
"Choose:
1 - Peace Treaty (You understand that it is in the Fire Nation's best interest to temporarily halt its expansion. If you assist them, the Fire Lord will guarantee peace and keep only the territories he has already captured. Warning: Aang may slow down his development if you do not convince him. Peace will be guaranteed to be broken shortly before the arrival of Sozin's comet.
2 - Preventive war (The enemy cannot advance, but they are preparing flying machines and gathering strength. You can capture the princess, destroy/capture the airship production and send a coalition of air bombers to the Fire Nation during a solar eclipse. Surprise the Fire Lord with your knowledge of his plans and your own cruelty. No compromises.
3 - Earthbender (This option can be combined with the first one. Go to the capital of the Fire Nation instead of Aang and conclude an official peace on behalf of King Bumi. Note that thanks to Zuko, you have the opportunity to convince Ozai to continue the war, but you will have to make some difficult decisions. You will part ways with Aang)
4 - Unaccounted Factor (This option can be combined with the first and second. Regardless of the outcome, the main advantage will go to whoever controls Ba Sing Se. The Fire Lord will try to secretly or openly take control of the city, depending on your decision. If he succeeds, it will be impossible to achieve a truce. Destroy the secret government in an impregnable fortress and gain support during the establishment of universal peace.
There were many details, and literally every option was appealing. Even the second one — to immediately prepare for conflict, which Ozai obviously did not expect. It might seem unnecessary to bring things to war when everything could be resolved peacefully, but the quote about a series of difficult decisions convinced me otherwise. It won't be any easier, especially if we part ways with Aang. Who will follow his philosophy? Who will teach earthbending? Who will prevent him from meeting Roku?!
Although I could think of something. I had been preparing Toph in advance; she is also a member of the Lotus, but I didn't think she would actually be useful right now. And watching over Aang... we can do that through Ty Lee. I trusted her, and besides, if we create a strong bond between us, I'll literally be able to know her state of mind, maybe even see through her eyes — at least, that's how it worked with Aphra. But the philosophy will be more difficult.
Right now, it's two against two: Kuruk and Yangchen are opposed to Kioshi and Roku's opinion, and it just so happens that we're in a place where Kuruk is deeply disliked, there are all kinds of bad rumours about him, and Aang could easily pick up on them. It wouldn't be difficult for the boy to start doubting one of his past lives, and then he would be less inclined to listen to what he says.
Every option seemed to lead to something bad... but peace is still more important to me. Too much depends on it.
"All right, Azula," I said, fixing my gaze on her and nodding. "Let's agree on peace. But I will go to the Fire Lord, not Aang.
She quickly agreed to everything. I think there was a reason for that.