Chapter 44.3- And so the Dragons Danced

When the ships were spotted, they were like spots in the distance. Scouts had only been able to see their flags with a telescope. By the time everything is put together for Azula and I to arrive at the docks, we can see them with our naked eyes. They are about an hour out from making dock. But ahead of that, we have some men begin beating drums in a signal the any Son of Agni would recognise. It was a request for dialogue- a call to converse. From us, it was as much a trap as a question.

If Zuko was on those ships, he would not dare risk getting within my arm’s reach. His Uncle had been his better by all means, and the world now knew I was Iroh’s better. But he could also not send a lesser to meet us. It would be a stain on his honour- honour that could not take any more staining. So if he was there, our call would be ignored.

But then surely and clearly, we heard it. The answering call. We waited and then the ships, massive fire nation war ships, behemoths of steel and powered but enough coal to blot out the sky with their smoke, dropped their anchors and released smaller boats from their sides. On the boats, I could make out a few shapes, but no one distinctly recognisable.

It was not until they were almost at the beach that I saw him. By Agni himself, how long had it been since I saw him last. Years, at least. So many years. Was it a weakness that I wanted to run to him even now? Embrace the man that had insulted my friends and tossed his lot with Ozai? But the truth was that whatever anger I held towards him had faded from a burning rage hot enough to outshine the sun in its radiance into a collection of dying and dead embers. I missed him. I wasn’t angry about his words anymore. I just fucking missed him.

Stil, I held my position behind Azula- my Fire Lord and waited for them to beach and step on to the pier. It was a collection of old men, one and all. Old fucking men, each grayer than the last. It was like one of my grandfather’s tea parties again. They arrived towards us, and as one dropped to their knees in full bows. I noticed one was wearing the robes of a fire sage, if not the hat- fascinating. Those tended to be a package deal.

“All Hail Fire Lord Azula” They said, and she turned to me with a smirk on her face. These were not Zuko’s men. They were hers. And the world was just a little bit brighter for it.

“Rise, Sons of Agni, and take your place in my service” She said in her most imperious tone. I wondered what others saw when they looked at her.