Izan ignored the painful blisters as he dragged his feet over the makeshift road, kicking up dust clouds as he marched along. The heavy armour that had been his saving grace in the battle three days ago, was now a curse that drenched him in sweat and burdened his every step. But Izan knew very well that rest without shade or water was no option. He glanced over his shoulder to check on the thirty-or-so soldiers that walked behind him. Their red and black armour, like his own, was smeared with dirt and dried blood. Some of them limping, others holding on to their broken spears as support. The only comforting thought was that the forces of the Earth Kingdom they had faced were in a similar state.

It had been almost three years since they had last been home. Three years, since the newly-ascended Fire Lord had united the islands and declared war upon the Earth Kingdom. While he had claimed his reasoning to be the abduction of his sister by Earth Prince Hao the Third, all of the minor lords knew that tension between the two nations had been brewing for a long time. It was why the call to arms came as no surprise. Yet he hadn't been ready for it. While he was technically a Lord, the rally had come so shortly after his father's passing that he had never gotten the chance to truly establish himself as one.

He locked eyes with Norio - a tall Fire bender who had served as one of his father's senior officers in the past. "You smell that?" Norio began with a sheepish grin. "That's gotta be the coast."

Izan nodded. "We're not that far away from Goju. We'll meet up with the local garrison there, and await our next orders."

"Goju?" Norio asked, his thick brow furrowing. "Last I heard that place was a warzone. For a city known for their dyes, they've been putting up quite a bit of resistance."

"That was three months ago. Earth-bending has been outlawed and the garrison has even issued a curfew." Izan explained. Access to information was one of the few things he appreciated about his rank and status. "If anything, it'll at least be better than camping by the road." He finally decided to add.

It took just a little over two hours before they reached the stone walls of Goju city. It had been an important trade city before the coming of the Fire Nation. It was nowadays a key harbour in the supply route that stretched further inland toward the frontlines. But the city had retained much of its character. Namely, the city-spanning fabric and dye market.

Even on a hot afternoon such as this, the market was wide awake. The shops were stuffed, manned by their owners, who shouted their prices like auctioneers. It was necessary too, for the street vendors obscured them from sight. Their stands narrowed the streets leading up to the market square, providing little leeway to the mass of people who were out and about in the heat. Only the vendors seemed blessed by patches of shade that kept them out of the harsh sunlight.

Izan didn't need to raise his voice to make the people move out of his way. He never did. Despite the state of them, the citizens of Fire Nation occupied cities knew better than to cross them. Yet he couldn't stop them from whispering as they passed through.

"Look, they must've been at Meijang."
"I heard that the Fire Nation is losing ground."
"It won't be long before they're gone here as well."

He could almost feel the unrest among his own men. It would only take one bad decision to create a street-wide conflict. Izan could hear Norio mutter under his breath to the men beside him."Move along. Give them no reason to spread rumours."

It was the rising tension that made him realize coming here was a mistake.

Milling about Goju, there was a murmur of activity about, so much so that even Pan was taken in by the talk. Fire Nation activity, rumors of ploys, and something about the Fire Lord's Firedillo being taken by the Earth King; now that, she found the most interesting topic of discussion. However, as curious as Firedillo heist might have been, she was more intent on this scroll she had just found. Her mentors had told her to stay out of the city, but she had never let that stop her before. If this city was gonna be burnt to the ground, she was going to get what she could and bail. The book shop was a little out of the way, at the outskirts of a market. The owner was a crone of a woman, eyeing everyone with an air of suspicion that made Pan ponder if she did something wrong. The scroll itself was weathered, had been out in the sun too much, and it's contents, some sort of Water Nation ritual dance, were starting to fade; perfect for her Southern Water Tribe collection. "What say I offer ye, three copper pieces?" She asked, holding up the scroll in one hand, her deft fingers wiggling out three coins that the she held, concealing a forth silver piece inside the pit of her thumb. She tried her best winning smile, and was met with the cold gaze of the crone. "No."

Pan blinked, her scalp growing more itchy under the wig of white hair she sported. She nodded, slowly, wiggling the forth piece out, as if trying to put on abit of a show. "What say, a silver and three coppers?" This time however, the crone scoffed, offering out and old and leathery hand to collect the coin. "Be off with yourself girl. This is not the day for antics." Rolling her new piece of work into her satchel, Pan's smile faded at the woman's words. Were things really that bad?

So deep in these thoughts, she turned to leave, nearly bumping into a young man with a stack of books, and nimbly squeezed between and the door frame. Stepping out into the market, she wondered if it would just be wise to leave now, maybe there was something truly about to go down in the city today. She'd rather not stretch her pacifist ideals this day. She just wanted some scrolls after all.

Sitting on a rooftop close to the entrance of the city, Balin casually chewed away on an apple as he watched the movements of the town below him. The awning above his head helped to shelter him from the blistering heat, though a smirk did appear as he watched the Fire Nation soldiers moving around the city in their heavy armour. "There's a joke in there somewhere." He muttered to himself as he sat back.

Though another sight caught his interest as he glanced over to the entrance of the city. People were moving out of the way for what seemed to be a group of soldiers battered from a fight. Taking another bite, Balin leaned forward to watch the soldiers as they limped their way through the market area towards the main garrison. They've been through hell. Wasn't too much of a surprise. He and some others knew that the fight would be a loss... but they still fought like hell as long as they could. The smile disappeared for a moment as he thought back on the battles. "To hell with it." He muttered, tossing the finished apple off before he hopped and swung down the rooftops towards the ground. It was time to get a closer look at the new arrivals.

Balin fluently weaved through the crowd, helping himself to another apple as he passed a stall. If he was lucky, they would visit the nearby tavern. Probably his best shot at finding out what was going on in the other reaches.

@Algarus @MightyHorus

Izan could feel the nervous and prying eyes of the people on him, despite their attempts to avoid his gaze. It made their march through the city nothing short of uncomfortable. Anyone could tell that the people of Goju city did not want them here. Even now, three months after stability had returned to the city, he could see the defiance in their faces. For some it was fear instead. Fear of punishment, or perhaps fear for the lives of the Earth-benders that had been taken from their families.

He detested it.

His father had taught him the importance of authority, discipline, and honour. The lords who ruled the islands of the Fire Nation were supposed to lead by example. If anything, they were supposed to be fair and just to those under them. Was it just or honourable to inflict fear upon the people? He thought not.


Relief washed over him when the inner walls of the city came in sight. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the decorated building of wood and stone that towered over the walls. Jigu Castle, Izan recalled. For a while, it had been the base of operations for the south-eastern war effort. After the front had moved up, however, it had become the residence of the Fire Nation-appointed governor.

Once they were no less than twenty-meters away, the five men who guarded the thick, wooden gate finally bothered to get up. Izan eyed them up and down as they approached. All of their sleazy, stained, and mismatched uniforms were adorned by red sashes, indicating their status as Fire Nation soldiers. The one in front, a sun-burnt man with scabs all over his bald head, was the only one not carrying a pike. A fire-bender, Izan guessed.

With an audible lack of interest, the bald soldier spoke up. "And you are?"
"Captain Izan. Third Legion." Izan said curtly.
That piqued his interest. "Third legion, eh? You look a little worse for wear." The bald soldier grinned, exposing a set of yellow teeth. "Heard some rumours about a defeat at the Meijang crossing," Izan's golden eyes narrowed into a glare that made him hesitate. "they... true?"
"That's not your concern," Izan glanced at the soldier's dull insignia. "Lieutenant." He spoke the last word with clear disdain. He knew of the poor reputation the coastal garrisons had. The Fire lord's priority was conquest, and therefore the frontline. It showed in the poor upkeep of the garrisons left behind. That was why these were usually made up of thugs, low-lives, and cheap mercenaries. Judging by their appearance, that was the case for Goju's garrison as well.
"Now let us through. I don't want to keep the governor waiting."

After parting with his men in the spacious servant building, Izan made his way through the courtyard to the castle's keep, where the governor had taken up residence. It was a massive building of dark wood and stone, with olive-green terracotta roof panels. Izan had taken a moment to wash up, and change his armour for a modest dark-red robe. The two guards stationed on both sides let him through without so much as a second thought. It truly made him wonder if all it took was some silk and the colour red to infiltrate the castle.

A castle which, inside, felt like an entirely different world. No expenses were spared in decorating the place, from the decorative carvings in the wooden furniture to the porcelain vases that housed exotic plants. The only form of conflict he found in the castle's halls, was the contrast between the red tapestries and green accents in the furniture and accessories. Then there were the overly eager servants. Men and women from Earth Kingdom descent, who made it seem as if their lives depended on keeping the porcelain stainless.

With his helmet under his arm, Izan continued to the audience chamber. The helmet bore the insignia of the third legion; a flame-like crown. It was the sole identification he had of his rank, and Izan had created a habit of bringing it along on meetings such as these. Considering how out-of-touch with reality the governor's castle seemed, it felt like the right call too. Entering the audience chamber, Izan sat down on the Zaisu positioned in front of the elevated platform that no doubt belonged to the governor. As far as first impressions did, Izan didn't hold the man with his luxurious tastes in high-regard.

After a long wait, someone accompanied by four servants finally shuffled into the room. A man in his mid-thirties, with a long well-kept moustache and hair tied in a knot on top of his head in typical Fire Nation style. His silky crimson robes adorned with gold were clearly supposed to make him appear grand and dignified. His slightly hunched posture and darting amber eyes, however, did not add to the pretence. The governor reminded Izan of a deer. Any sudden moves, and the man was guaranteed to jump up and flee.

Once the governor was seated, one of the servants directly behind him spoke up. "The Illustrious Governor Jong will now hear your request." Illustrious was quite an unfitting title for the man, or so Izan thought.
"I am Captain Izan of the Third Legion. We were told to regroup at Goju in the event of a loss at the Meijang crossing." He began calmly. "We will stay here until further orders are received from General Ozoru." He made sure to issue it as a statement, instead of a request. It was a not-so subtle way to undermine the governor's self-perceived power. "Be ready to accommodate for at least seven cohorts."
"W-w-wait." Governor Jong stuttered, his eyes bulging. "Seven cohorts?!"
"Goju can only accommodate the four cohorts sent to Meijang!" the servant snapped.
Izan's gaze slowly moved to her. "And yet those are General Ozoru's orders." When the servant looked as if she was going to protest again, Izan quickly continued. "The Fire lord wants Omashu to fall before winter. Therefore, crossing General Ozoru would mean crossing the Fire lord." Izan stopped there, letting the Fire lord's infamy for excessive violence do the rest.
After a moment of silence, Governor Jong admitted defeat. "The p-p-preparations will be m-m-made..."
Izan nodded. "Good. Then this concludes our meeting." Despite the hierarchy here in Goju, it was clear who had been in charge of the conversation. Perhaps that was why Governor Jong preferred not to show his face in public. Izan imagined that, upon hearing him, the people would rise up in an instant.

As he stood up, he saw Governor Jong pull the servant's sleeve in the corner of his eye. "Captain Izan. A final word please." Izan turned to face them once more. "Captain Maiko of the garrison could probably use your help." Probably being the key word, Izan thought. "She has been dealing with nightly... disappearances. So far, she has been unsuccessful. Perhaps you could aid her in solving these crimes during your stay." The servant glanced at the window, through which the day's final rays of sunlight shone. "You will probably find her in a tavern by this hour."
Izan made a short bow and directed his attention to the governor. "With all due respect, Governor Jong, that is your problem to solve. Mine is the siege of Omashu." With that, he left the silent and perplexed governor alone with his servants.

Yet the sight of dusk outside left him with mixed feelings. Discipline, honour, and justice. Those remained his values. If it was truly in his power to stop the disappearances, then could he sit idly by?

Izan let out a sigh. Not every choice was as easily made as this one.

---

Donning a dull green cloak over a ragged earthen-brown tunic, Izan made his way through the slithering streets of the city. He was not foolish enough to wear Fire Nation garments in the streets at night. A three-month occupation was not enough to stop Fire Nation citizens from being dragged into back alleys and be beaten or lynched. To prevent that from happening, the governor had issued a curfew. One that apparently began at midnight, and could easily be bypassed by bribing the right guards. Not that that was of his concern. No, all he cared about was meeting with this 'Captain Maiko'. First he planned to study her from a distance to gauge what kind of person she was. Then, he would make his decision.

Izan opened the door of the first tavern he'd try for the night. Immediately, he was greeted by the warmth and laughter of the crowd inside. A good starting point, or so he'd thought. Blending in, Izan weaved his way through the crowds to a table in the back. He had no intention of staying if this 'Maiko' wasn't present, which was why he withheld from signalling one of the girls serving drinks. At least until after he had studied the faces of the crowd. Usually, the captain ranks were given to capable Fire-benders. If that were the case, the golden-yellow eyes of the woman should give her away. If not, the accent or boasting most likely would. But finding those signs took time and patience.

And thanks to curfew, Izan did not know which of the two he was really lacking.

Winner, Iza! As the cheers and groans from the crowd verberated, The scruffy looking gentleman who had been considered the referee of the match held her hand high. As her arm was raised in victory, she clenched her sides as they exploded in pain from the sudden movement. Battered and bloodied, body covered in bruises, left eye swollen and blackened, and blood that was a mixture of hers and her opponent's stained her pants and her brazier, she tried to remain standing as her legs were well on their way to giving out. She was exhausted, but at least she would have enough to get a room somewhere before curfew and maybe even a hot meal. She managed to limp her way to the away from the makeshift arena to where she left her stuff doing her best not to lose what she had for lunch. She untied the wraps on her hands and put her hair up the best she could and struggled to pull her shirt over her head. Her head popped through the collar as she pulled her arms through the sleeveless holes tightening her belt around her waist and putting her wrist guards on.

(I hope you'll allow me to join, if not, I'll delete my post)

Walking the streets, Pan couldn't help but notice that the energy of this place was indeed changing, though perhaps now she was more acutely aware of pitfalls with others behaviors. Merchants seemed more guarded, mothers practically dragged their children along to where they were moving to, and men seemed to have a rigid posture, as if expecting something to happen. There was a nervous energy, where she had once mistaken it for a bustling energy. It was then she caught the sounds of people muttering on about a curfew, something that Pan had entirely forgotten about.

Eyeing the sky, she realized there was no way she'd be able to finish her list of things to do and get back to Yoma; the poor girl was probably worried sick, but the sky bison would have to wait. Right now, she needed to secure herself a place to stay for the evening, or risk being arrested; the thought itself was abhorrent to the Air Nomad. Though now, she was stuck trying to find a room for the night, and not knowing the city as well as she'd like, she found herself moving about, trying to find an open room to stay at.

Hands behind his back, Guhn and his winged lemur, Tatu, wandered the streets. Hungry, and in a state of absent mind, the Air Nomad found himself in the market place. Realising how hungry he was, Guhn began to browse the various stalls set up in the area with the hopes of finding some vegetarian dishes. It hadn't been long since he'd left the comforts of his home temple to explore the outside world, and he was learning a lot, specifically about the war between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation. However, Guhn's main concern was that vegetarianism was not as widespread as he'd initially thought.

"Who knew finding vegetarian food in other parts of the world would be so hard." Guhn sighed, scratching his nose with a bored expression. Tatu made his opinion known with a high pitched but short vocalisation. He was not happy. Reaching over his shoulder, Guhn scratched the top of the winged lemur's head "You eat fruit, plants and insects. I don't understand why you're the one that's annoyed." he argued, teasing his small companion.

Guhn noticed a shift in the energy of the townsman, as if a rain cloud had passed over. Curiosity wrinkled his forehead as he then saw a small crowd gather, without as much as a second thought, the Air Nomad moved toward the commotion. Gently pushing his way to the front, he witnessed a group of injured Fire Nation soldiers enter the city.

Severely out of the loop with the world's current events, he whispered to someone (@KinkyPrawn) on his left while his eyes remained locked on the soldiers "What happened there?" Guhn did hear an onlooker mention 'Meijang' though, they must have returned from a fight with the Earth Kingdom's military or something.

Manoeuvring through the streets of Goju, Balin needed some walking space to think. Sitting on a rooftop never solved anything before, and he wasn't in the mood to try and be an exception. Though he quickly came to a halt as the rest of the Fire Nation soldiers came through, each one looking worse for wear than the last. The fight must have been hard... though there was a sense of satisfaction as he stood with a small grin.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a stranger next to him. The man wasn't a local. The white hair and odd outfit was a dead giveaway. If he had to guess, the man looked like an Air Nomad... though those monks weren't exactly very adventurous as far as he remembered. "Fire Nation soldiers coming from Meijang. Think they saw their rears without a mirror by the look of it." He snorted as a smirk crept up. "Serves 'em right, but don't get caught saying that by 'em." He continued, looking at the man for a moment.

"You're not from around here, are you? Name's Balin." He introduced himself as he held a hand out for the man to shake. "You an Air Nomad? You folk don't tend to blow this far out." He snickered at his own terrible joke as he gave the man a light tap against the shoulder. "You need anything, friend, feel free to ask." He glanced back at the cohort of soldiers moving through towards the city's barracks. The thought of them using the same buildings he and his comrades called 'home' was sickening. A frown settled in as he looked back at the man. "I'd suggest you don't hang around here for too long. Those steam jockeys only bring bad news for anyone they meet." He spared one last glance before turning to leave. "I need a drink..." He grumbled to himself as he took one last bite of his apple and tossed the core into an alleyway.

@AfroBandit23 @Algarus @Hyyde322 @MightyHorus

Izan’s gaze swept through the tavern, resting on the faces of the customers. It didn’t escape his notice that the majority of them were gruff and broad-shouldered seamen. Some, judging by their earrings, bracers, and necklaces of animal bones, hailed from the Water tribes. But there were more locals, formerly citizens of the Earth Kingdom.

Left from the doorway, slightly angled toward the corner, was a table occupied by off-duty soldiers from the Fire Nation. Unlike him, they wore dark crimson and black clothes, some of them even armor – the state of which betraying that they were all part of the local garrison. At the head of the table sat a woman whose laugh made the flames in the oil lamps dance.

He made the link quickly. She was a firebender, one so extraordinarily gifted that they could set a tree ablaze with a sneeze.
Izan folded his arms, leaning forward to study the group a bit better. The absence of their topknots, the Fire Nation hairstyle that symbolized one’s personal honour, spoke volumes about them. Their lack of care too.

A man to the woman’s right with graying sideburns swept his arm around the waist of a waitress passing by. His chair creaked under his weight, wine spilling over his sleazy armour. The other soldiers laughed, no doubt at his poor attempts to seduce the girl.

Her wide-eyed expression made the barkeep come over. He said something Izan couldn’t hear over the loud noise of conversation in the tavern. But the face of the soldier, twisting in a fit of anger, made the guess rather obvious.

The soldier sprung to his feet, his chair falling over behind him. In an instant, it grew silent.

“Please, just leave her be. She’s my daughter. I’ll give you another round on the house.” The barkeep pleaded.

“You think I care?!” The soldier spat. “Everything in this forsaken city belongs to us now! You don’t like that? Then maybe you should’ve fought harder!”

Several of the men Izan had identified as water tribe rose to their feet. Instinctively, his hand shifted to the dagger hidden under his cloak. Things were taking a turn for the worst.

“You may want to settle down, friend.” An older man who previously sat with the water tribe intervened. “If it truly is conflict you are looking for, I recommend traveling east.”

The light of the oil lams dimmed. “I believe you are missing the point.” Slowly, the Fire Nation woman stood up. “Like Xu-pa says, we conquered this place.” Her gaze moved over the tavern’s crowd. “We lay down the law in this place.” She deliberately left another pause. “Disobeying our will, resisting us, is seen as breaking the law. And you know what punishment follows.” She opened her hand to reveal a flickering ball of flame. “You will be branded a criminal. And you will burn.”

The barkeep took a step back, raising his hands. “I… I did not mean to offend you or your company, Lady Maiko.”
Izan’s nails dug into the palms of his hands as he balled them into fists. This was Guard-captain Maiko? The highest-ranking officer in the city, whom he was supposed to help? The incompetence of Governor Jong had angered him. But the corrupt nature of the high-ranking officers sent him reeling over the edge. He leaned into the positive jing, reaching the center of the action before he had even realized it. Briefly, he entertained the thought of challenging them to an Agni Kai one by one. But that would mean there was any semblance of honour to fight over. And that he would have to firebend.

“Captain Maiko.” He addressed her with an icy tone, pulling his hood back as he stepped forward. “I believe that we should have a word.” His amber eyes shifted to her company. “Alone.”

Maiko pursed her lips. The flame in her hand faded. Before she could respond, Xu-pa stepped in to block his view. He was too close, forcing Izan to smell his breath. “And who, by the Avater herself, do you think you are?!” He spat out the words and poked a finger at Izan’s chest.

Izan sighed. He hadn’t wanted this to escalate any further than it already had. But the temper of a firebender was like the element itself, uncontrollable.

Before anyone could tell what had had happened, Xu-pa stumbled back, roaring in pain. All seven Fire Nation soldiers shot up, blazing flames springing from some of their fists as they sought to incinerate him immediately.

They were stopped at the last second by Maiko herself, who studied the thin dagger Izan held in his hand.

Xu-pa, clutching his bleeding hand, stared at her. Furious. “He cut off my finger! Why don’t you kill him!?”

“Because, Xu-pa, he’s from the Fire Nation.” Maiko’s piercing gaze was fixed on Izan. Izan could’ve sworn she was suppressing a smile.

Xu-pa was far less amused. “That’s not an excuse!” He shot a look at Izan again. “You, you bastard... I challenge you to an Agni-kai.”

Maiko let out a low whistle. “Are you sure about that? Do you not recognize him?” She chuckled. “You’re looking at Captain Izan of the third legion. Better known as the Blade of Makapu”

What a way to announce my presence. Izan thought.

Xu-pa turned pale. “Wait-“

“I accept.”

“I meant no-“

“Tomorrow at noon. Fortress gates.” Izan could almost see the beads of sweat forming on the man’s brow.

“Bu-“

“You heard him.” Maiko interjected. “Now leave us. We captains do indeed have business to discuss.”