Chapter 55.4- And so the Dragons Danced

“Can we move on from the fasts and feasts? I’m sure we can flip a coin to decide between both at a later date” I cut in with an easy smirk. Some of the generals chuckled but the Lords, and definitely the Fire Sage looked far from amused. Toji gave me a look that said he wondered what kind of communicable idiocy I’d caught in my time in the Northern Water Tribe. I shrugged in his direction. Sure, I knew that the dance between feasts and fasts was something that was key to our shared birth fate of Agni-worship, but this was just ridiculous.

I allowed the cupbearer refill my glass and took another healthy gulp while I waited for someone to break the silence my intrusion had caused for a second or two, and then Toji stepped in, dependable and trustworthy as ever.

“We can deal with the particulars of the celebration at a later date, but we must first of deal with the guest list” Toji said. I sent him a thankful list even as my mind went over the problem he’d raised. The guest list.

“Myself and all the ranking Lords are within the palace and would want to stay until the Coronation is complete” Lord Kaizen said and I nodded. He had been one of those who had tried to have me killed, but beyond that tidbit, he was a nice enough man. If only Toji hadn’t gone ahead and promised them that they would keep their lives after they rolled on Matsuhito and came together to confess ‘his’ crimes and whatnot, as well as the increased taxes he’d been able to get. If I was being objective, it was a good deal. Hostages to ensure good behaviour in the short term. High taxes that would severely damage their chances of doing anything in the medium term.

In the long term? I’d be too entrenched for them to touch, or even to attempt to. It was a good plan that gave me the one thing I needed to get everything in order— time. So why did it piss me off so much? Grandfather. The only reason I’d even said yes was the voice in my head that sounded like him telling me that it was a great deal that turning my back on would be stupid beyond stupid.

I took another swig from the glass, emptying it in one go, before gesturing my assent when the cupbearer asked if I wanted more.

“Send an air ship to Ba Sing Se.” I cut in during a period of silence.

“Long Feng, the head of the Dai Li should be in attendance for the coronation. It would be a good way to show that I am not just the Lord of the Fire Nation anymore, but the Lord over a unified world” I said.

“Speaking of, I had an idea for a different title” Toji said, tossing a scroll in my direction.