Morning Glory

[prodigy]

[Near the River between New Ozai and Kei Lan]

Slender fingers twisted a bit of paper through the air, a bit of sacred paper from that morning’s early prayer to Agni, the patron goddess of the Fire Nation for her blessings and protection. The paper was crudely fashioned, no where near the silk-like quality of the sacred paper from the Fire Nation and it reminded the Princess once again that she was not back home among the splendor of the Royal City, Lun Yang. Her gilded nails sparkled in the sunlight which creeped through the canopy of leaves above them, casting the olive colored woods with pillars of gold. Her skin, soft and white as ivory blended with the bleached paper. Glimmers of sunlight, those illusionary sparkles, clung around the profile of her cheek, her lips, her eyelashes and the Princess opened her eyes. The brilliant yellow flashed as she gazed up to the sky and then lowered her gaze.

Azula often enjoyed the sun, its warmth and life bringing properties. It reminded her so much of fire, the powerful element that was coming to dominate the world. The Princess relaxed into her chair, a hand carved seat made of dark, Igni origin wood that had been named ‘Ebony’. The chair’s sides, stiff but curved were carved with flames along the side, brushes of gold leaf illuminating the inner flame. Woven mats were strung between the supporting braces, the cream colored mats supporting her weight while allowing her a comfortable way to relax low to the ground. She leaned against one of the corners, her elbow resting on the carved arm rest while her other hand lingered just off the edge. She was sitting low to the ground, her posture supported while her legs were stretched out infront of her, knees barely bent. Her hair was drawn up tightly, wrapped up into the traditional fan-shaped top knot and bound with the crimson enameled flame diadem.

Gold encircled her thin neck, her shoulders covered by that double collar. Azula stared out at the military encampment that she was watching over. Center at the encampment, the Royal Tent was to the Princess’s back with it’s high peaks supported by the poles and ropes. Flags of the crimson banners flew above her tent that she shared with her comrades, Mai and Ty Lee. Her lips were curled down into a moderate, look of disapproval. It had been days since they had chased the Avatar and his band towards the Si Wong Desert. Troops had been out scouring the forests and plains near the desert for any sign of him but none was to be found. Perhaps he had been a good little Avatar and gone into the desert to die? The princess could only hope as she awaited a status report on today’s morning hunt for the Avatar and for news of what was happening elsewhere in the Earth Kingdom; especially near the wall. Was the drill on the move?

[prodigy]

There was no word for what felt like hours. And indeed, it was hours. Perhaps days. The encampment was stable for now and unfortunately stationary. There was nothing for the Princess of the Fire Nation to tend to. She had reviewed the troops many times now and had taken to sadistically threatening one poor man whose boots were not shined to her liking but holding a sliver of blue fire right under his chin against that fleshy part of his jaw while he vigorously scrubbed his boots, which had been dipped into mud and then left to dry. All while the Princess was blocking his view of the boots. Until they sparkled. It was something but now again the Princess was growing weary and tired. The regiment she was traveling with had not seen any action for weeks. She had come back after driving the Avatar into the desert to reports that Zuko had gone there as well. They would perish together in the uncrossable Si Wong Desert. Meanwhile, she would lead the Fire Nation onto Victory with the drill.

It was the pride of Fire Nation Engineering. A massive train with a set of rotating blades at the front that funneled dirt, rock and used water into a slurry material that was then piped down the massive train to the rear where it was expelled. The giant train used steam and coal power and it could run over just about any flat terrain at amazing speeds for a machine its size. Now when it was boring a hole, it would run slower of course, but it could penetrate the greatest defense Ba Seng Sei had to offer: The walls.
Azula, now resting her fine jaw on the curve of her closed fist, began to smile oh so slightly as she imagined the scenario. First the outer wall. The Earth Kingdom’s best defenses were on the wall. Highly skilled Earth Benders called the Terra Team. They would try to keep the drill from making the wall, blocking it off with massive upheavals of earth. Not only would the drill be traveling with this regiment to defend it, with some of the finest war crawlers, but it would also be accompanied by Azula’s Royal Guard, the best Fire Benders under the sun. The Terra team would be easily defeated and any defenses they raise bored through. Into the agricultural ring they would spill, burning the fields as they went. It was summer.. the fields would be dry. Easy kindle The Princess thought with a smirk. They would pick off any more troops sent their way one by one until they reached the inner wall. They had to move quickly once in the agricultural zone; they would be vulnerable there. Unable to retreat. Yet, once they reached the inner wall, they would breech it and the entire regiment would pour into the city, taking it within a night if all went well. Maybe a few days.. but soon enough, Azula would lead a charge of war crawlers and mongoose dragons into the Inner Ring of Ba Seng Sei, to the Royal Palace.

And she would seat herself on the Badgermole throne of Ba Seng Sei; Queen of the Earth Kingdom in the name of Fire Lord Ozai.
Her daydreaming was interrupted. A shout came from the camp and Azula picked up her head. She perked, almost like a cat and lifted her chin. Golden eyes flashed, narrowed as she peered into the sea of tents. The Royal Tent was behind a fence of slung-chain, guards standing at every few feet around them. She was seated in front of it, with Mai and Ty lee at her side. A commander, A captain, approached quickly. The Captain of the regiment.. and perhaps soon a Major if all went well. She remained silent, but her eyes said spoke harshly. He was a tall, imposing man with a square jaw and a well trimmed goatess. He had narrow eyes and a roman nose; age began to manifest itself on his face in bags under his eyes and lines around his mouth on his leathery skin. The matte b lackfabric-covered plates of metal clanked softly as he moved. He approached the Princess, stopping to nod and acknowledge the two Royal Guards that stood at the ‘entrance’ to the ‘yard’ surrounding her personal tent. He knelt down on one knee to her, while the Princess sat up.
“The Drill has arrived, Princess. It is moving towards us and will be here before the evening.”

[prodigy]

"Very good." Azula murmured, she was pleased with the news that the massive drill was on the move. The fall of Ba Seng Sei was within her grasp; Father would be so pleased. She raised a hand and waved at him with straight fingers, dismissing the captain. She turned her eyes to the side, golden hues looking towards Mai on her right. She was expecting some sort of eye roll from the young noblewoman regard the silly Captain. Instead Mai's eyes were still forward, staring at the captain who was still knealt. He was still here?! She grit her teeth, but kept her painted lips in the bow-shaped curve as she glanced back to him. Angeling her gaze, the Princess stared down her pretty upturned nose with half-lidded eyes.
"Yes? What is it?" She spat towards him with impatience laced in her voice. Her hand that had been in the air, lazily resting on the point of her elbow with her fingers curled in on each other now lowered to rest in a authoritative position on the armrest of her chair. One leg lifted to cross over the other, the gentle movement of fabric the only immediate sound. Azula waited, letting the heaviness of her crown weigh down her brow as her eyes narrowed, long curled lashes soon hiding the sun-gold of her royal heritage.

The man hesitate, before quickly speaking because if he hesitate any longer, he would know the consequences. "Er... Your Highness.. the..8th Mobile Land Ship Team.. has succeed in.. capturing the resistance stronghold of Tachi Dai." Azula quirked an eyebrow. The Resistance.. the Rebellion. Silly little Earth Kingdom peasants with hoes and rakes who thought they could go against the might Fire Nation. She clenched a hand into a fist. They drove her mad.. They were receving funding and support, supplies.. from WITHIN the Fire Nation and yet her Father had yet to locate the bloody traitors! Her upper lip twitched. "And?!" She was growing impatient.

"..The rebels managed to destroy the town by setting fire to the coal mines that ran under it. Most of the city's population escaped with less than 50 captured." The captain explained hurriedly to her, keeping his head bowed and his helmet tucked under one arm. "Nearly every tank was damaged or destroyed and there was a heavy loss of life. They are retreating back to Pohaui Stronghold, Princess."

She pursed her lips, pressed them tightly into a line and leaned back against the slung canvas of the chair. One hand began to drill her fingers rhytmically upon the wooden slat of the arm rest. She closed her eyes for a moment, and without hesitation.. "Ready the Mongoose Lizards. The Drill is days away from Ba Seng Sei... I want to see these rebel scum."