Chapter 27.1- And so the Dragons Danced

“You could just ignore it, you know? No need to act. Their plan failed, leave it at that” Amara was the first to speak after I briefed what had become my command team with Sung’s departure. They were basically the ones who had led the planning of Operation Firestorm that led to us taking Ba Sing Se with the notable additions of Toji and Maki who both got side looks but had nothing addressed to them. I was the leader now, and while these people were loyal to the Fire Nation just as I was, I could never avoid the risk that their primary loyalty had been to Sung, and not me. That was why I needed my friends around me. I could trust them, and they could trust me.

I gave Shin a significant look at the word that had just left the waterbendr’s mouth and I could practically feel the way he sighed internally. Afer questioning their motives and intentions, it was only normal for us to look into exactly how they had snuck in. And the fact that a member of my own army had spotted them making their way with me and not sounded the alarm was the kind of thing that had m feeling a bit unsafe in my position. Somewhat foolishly, I’d promised Shin not to act without thinking and giving him an opportunity to come to some defence for her. His arguments were good, not to disparage him or anything. He had made the very good point that she was a water bender healer that had saved the lives of dozens, perhaps hundreds within this very camp.

Losing her would lose me lives in both the short and long term. There was also the possibility of a mutiny, and I had heard the silent threat he’d made of joining the mutiny himself. It was not a threat that neither Toji nor I had appreciated, but one we had been forced to consider. In the end, she was too useful, had too much backing, and perhaps most importantly, I’d have to kill Admiral Rensuke’s son to get to her.

“Impossible. We will need to leave the city sooner or later, and leaving an enemy to our backs would be foolish” Shin shut down her idea and received a short nod from Toji that made him breathe easier than he had been.. If the situation had not been so serious, it would have been comedic. The way Toji had practically become considered as an extension of my will. If only they knew ho far that was from the truth. He obeyed when he wanted to, and threaded the line when he didn’t want to. It was why instead of partying with the others, he’d been scouting the territory even despite me ordering him to take the night. Of course, that had saved my life. A fact he never hesitated to remind me off.

“Colonel Shin is right, and even regardless of that, we must be seen doing something. The men witnessed some of the attack. Even strict information control hasn’t stopped word from spreading that the General was attacked by earth benders. Sooner or later, the more zealous of them will begin attacking the civilians to show their loyalty or whatever you men call it” Maki pointed out, and I nodded at her words. Something had to be done. And it had to be seen done.

“The Mayor has to go, that is beyond question. Now convince me on why Kue Beifong’s head should not join his” I said to the room, taking a page from Sung’s book and asking them to essentially play Devil’s advocate.

A/N’; Small steps, light steps