Chapter 27.3- And so the Dragons Danced

“I doubt a humble mayor from Gaoling would matter much for such a purpose. Especially since I peacefully surrendered the city to you and have ceded all administrative authorities to you upon your arrival at the city as I have no doubt you have reported back to your people. The hawks fly quite brilliantly I must say. Such proud creatures.”

“And yet, five men made an attempt on my life two days ago on your orders” He accused. Kinvara was no stranger to this game. Deny, deny, and deny some more.

“What men? Why have I not heard of this? I am so sorry for the attack, General. I do hope you managed to avoid any harm from such dishonourable traitors. Rest assured, I gave no such orders and will in fact work with you most ardently to see these miserable rogues and their sponsors brought to justice” He said instantly.

“And yet I find myself staring at one of those very sponsors”

“”I assure you that you are mistaken, General. I would never attempt such. Did I not peacefully resign my positions to your rule and that of the fire Nation? There is none in this city more loyal than I, I assure you.” He did his best to make sure no tells gave away his dishonesty even as he knew that he was done for. This was probably the last performance of his life, and for some reason the knowledge of that fact made him feel even more secure. He would die when this was done, for sure. But let none say he went without note. He’d perform so ardently that every man would doubt his guilt in the end.

“You’re lying. You know you’re lying. I know you’re lying. The question you should probably be asking is why I have not killed you” The General said, lifting the heat of the building with his accursed fire bending. Kinvara could see no outward signs of it but he was no fool. The day had been pleasantly chill before his arrival, and now Kinvara was struggling to get cool air through his clothes and into the sweaty form beneath them.

“I am no fool, General. Kill me now and you will never have Goaling. These people are my people. Their problems, my problems. They bent the knee to you because I told them to. You did not conquer this city, Thunderer. Sure, you have the military force to handle the city, but do you have the time.” He pressed, relishing in the way the boy’s eyes shifted. He was disciplined for one so young, but a player of the great game he was not. Kinvara lived, breathed, and shat the game. He knew right then and there that his suspicions were valid.

“Time? I have all the time in the world. I have this city. I can deal with this city as I wish. Let your people rise. They will rise, and they will burn in short order” He riposted, but his heart wasn’t in the threat. It was almost painfully obvious.

“Really? And then when are you going to get around to Ba Sing Se” He sang the last three words of the sentence, making sure the threat landed just the way he wanted it to. Of course, that proved to be a mistake. Kinvara had relaxed into the situation. He saw a verbal spar and began to feel at home. He forgot the first rule of the game-Know your enemy. His seat went fling out from under him and before he could process that, a hand had grabbed a hold of his head and slammed it into the table. Whatever temptation he felt to move dried up quickly as he felt the heat pressing down on his eyeball.

A/N; Shori plays, or gets played