The council meeting chamber was much more conservative than the one I had been in earlier.

This was the meeting place for small groups where most of the court posturing took a backseat to actually resolving a situation. I had been in this room maybe a handful of times since I started taking active interest in the politics of the nation.

Turns out Father didn’t want dissenters in his inner circle, who would have thought?

As I walked through the doors I saw Father up on the dias, naturally apart from the others as Fire Lord. Besides him there was a Colonel from what looked like one of the Southern fleets and General Shinu at the low table and an open place where I was clearly intended to sit.

“You joined us at last, Azura.” Father commented disapprovingly as I took my seat.

I paid no attention to the rebuke. Even if I ran the entire way over he would have just made a comment about me being disheveled or something similar.

“Apologies Father. I was in the front gardens when the message came. Although I wasn’t told the purpose for the meeting or why my presence was required?”

Father motioned for General Shinu to begin. I guess he didn’t feel like making a production of chastising me since there were so few people here. Even the initial barb seemed more for form than him actually trying to find fault with me.

The general stood and started pointing out different positional markers for our garrisons and fleet deployments in the south.

“We just received a black level message from our southern territories. Recently the remnants of the Southern Water Tribe have stepped up their harassment raids on the colonies and patrols here, here, and here.” He said pointing at each location in turn.

“While they are an annoyance they normally fail to cause any major damage before they are driven off, but two weeks ago several infiltrators snuck into one of the larger trade hubs, Danyuan. From there, they incited an unrest from the populous which resulted in a brief rebellion from the locals. It was suppressed by a fleet patrol in the area but several instigators escaped in the confusion.”

“I see.” Well, I saw the reason this was a concern. I still had no idea what Father wanted me here for.

“The instigators have not made any over moves since, but from the increasing disruption throughout the city they are clearly coordinating with each other.” General Shinu continued nodding at the so-far silent Colonel off to the side, “The Colonel has more details but it's clear this is a problem.”

Taking the motion as permission the Colonel began to speak, “Our reports say there have been multiple acts of sabotage among the garrison. Armor coated with dung, ship parts damaged, lone soldiers ambushed and beaten, and the governor was just exposed for having several affairs with local women, married women, whose husbands happened to be owners of several trade caravans. Morale is at a low point and if nothing is done we will need to forcibly suppress the population.”

“That… certainly seems like a problem.” I cringed internally at how hesitant I sounded. Showing any perceived weakness in front of Father was a bad idea. Especially when I couldn’t get a read on his goal. “Though I’m not certain how I can help.”

“You can ‘help’ by ridding the area of these saboteurs.” Father finally spoke. “Danyuan will endure, but these pests have made themselves too irritating to ignore. You will represent my will and root them out until they are not an issue anymore.”

My eyes widened. He couldn’t be saying what I think he was saying.

“You mean, you want me to lead the hunt for the saboteurs?”

“Yes. The 201 recon division will be under your command. I do not expect you to return until this matter is dealt with.

Spirits, he actually was.

Father left shortly after that. I was left behind to coordinate with General Shinu about introducing me to the captains of the three ships I now controlled.

Details were laid out, plans were made, and after another hour the meeting broke up entirely. I started walking back to my estate in a daze. All those long nights planning, all those meetings securing alliances, and Father pulls this?

I needed to make it home before my composure cracked.

Walking through the entrance to my estate I waved a hand at one of the maids. She quickly scurried over and fell in step behind me.

“Start preparing my traveling clothes and other things for a trip to the colonies. It seems I will be spending quite some time abroad.”

The maid went to fulfill my order and I fought both the feelings saying that invoked and keeping my face straight until I was away from prying eyes.

Quick steps carried me through the estate until I reached my private bedroom. None of the servants entered this room without my permission and I wouldn’t be bothered while I was inside. I threw open the doors and hurried inside.

Finally. I was alone and-

“Hello Sister.”

A muscle in my cheek twitched. Correction, Azula was on one of the lounge chairs with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around them.

“Azula, what are you doing here.”

Her eyes twitched at the tone of my voice, but she remained impassive otherwise.

“I heard from Father that you were being sent to the colonies. Something about dealing with rebels. I thought you would be upset so I decided to pay a visit.” She gave a small shrug. “And it’s not like the servants could really stop a princess from going where she pleases.”

“Hmm. Well yes, once the details are finalised I will depart for Danyuan. From there, I will have to get more information from the locals.”

Azula set her chin down on her knees in a pout. “It’s not fair. Zuzu gets banished and Uncle leaves, now you are leaving and I’m stuck in the Academy for another year.”

“I’m sure you will survive.” I said dryly.

With a dramatic sigh, Azula stretched out over the lounge chair. “Can’t you take me with you? The Academy is so boring! We hardly ever do anything fun.”

“You’re there to learn the basics of how to behave as a noble, not have fun.” I raised an eyebrow at her. “And no, I’m not taking my twelve year old sister into a city filled with insurgents. You will just have to suffer through the Academy like I did.”

I walked over to a shelf and started making my way through the books and scrolls there. The trip there would take a few days so best take some reading material to entertain myself.

“Tch, fine. Go off to the colonies and play with your toy soldiers. Father will have all the idiots straightened out before you get back.”

I turned to see Azula storming out of the room with a scowl. She always did have issues with people not paying attention to her.

That random thought was the one that cracked my composure.

My shoulders started shaking with the effort to not make a sound until I’d let Azula get far enough away to not hear.

The exact same day I managed to collapse the power base of one of the higher ranking officials in the capital Father took the first chance to send me as far away from the officials scrambling for new alliances.

I saw the stacks of notes with detailed plans outlined that were now completely useless. Only the spirits knew how many hours I had spent tweaking little details trying to get the most out of each one that now served little purpose. I bit down on a knuckle to try and keep the emotions roiling inside of me under control but it was a losing battle.

A strangled sound clawed its way out of my throat.

It was just so absolutely….

Perfect.

I burst out laughing.

I couldn’t help it any longer. Father decided to do me such a large favor by removing me from the Capital and even gave me a military force? How could I not be ecstatic?

I had spent months trying to figure out how to get a foot into the military, but besides Uncle Iroh’s group not many in the Capital were willing to swear service to an unfavored princess when it would mean the end of any advancement in their career. Even Uncle’s circle only listened to my ideas out of respect for him, not out of any true loyalty to me even if I was slowly working on that.

Now Father just handed me a fresh opportunity to start laying the foundation for a faction that was truly my own.

Political allies helped get your point across, but without military might to enforce those points they were just as smoke. It might deter those similarly without power, but the foolish, brave, or more powerful would just brush past it.

My laughter died down into soft chuckles.

I bet Father thought removing me would prevent me from pulling the now unattached officials into my sphere of influence, but I never planned on approaching any of them in person.

Not only were they beneath such an effort, doing so would ensure someone else felt slighted I did not visit them in person or before the other party. Now I had the excuse to work through intermediaries since I wouldn’t be in the Capital at the time.

True I would likely pull less of them to my side than if I handled each of them personally, but if I had to physically be here to ensure they were on my side they were useless for my plans.

I finally had myself back under control as the last bit of laughter slowly died out. The only thing I didn’t like was Father using Azula as a scout to judge my reaction. It seems he was starting to groom her as a useful tool.

I would have to be careful not to do anything to hurt her while I figured out how to lessen Father’s influence with her.

I pulled one of the rope bells to summon one of the maids. After directing her about what I needed packed I headed to the dining room. So many changes in one day, I think an early dinner was in order. I would probably spend the rest of the day investigating the captains serving under me, so keeping my energy up would be important.

Maybe see if the chef knew the recipe for Uncle’s favorite roast duck? I mused to myself as I hummed a little tune.