97 AG
Dawn rose pale over the camp, a slow light stretching across the tide. The soldiers moved with quiet precision, their discipline showing in every restrained sound. Lin stepped into the command tent where her lieutenants stood gathered around the map, its surface crowded with inked lines and counters.
Kaida pointed toward Chin Village's outer wall. "We will strike from this front; with enough force to surprise them, we will draw them out to two sides."
Lieutenant Ruze added, "Additionally, the ship will bombard the city at a slow rate of fire. Even if it cannot hit accurately, the distraction will divide their earthbenders."
Lin listened in silence. Although their reasoning was solid, they were limited in their attacking options. They had done what she asked, and it seemed like a good plan, but it failed to account for the defenders not being threatened enough to leave their walls to face them. She traced the coastline with one metal finger, then marked a point behind the last rise before the city walls.
"The ship carries two trebuchets, does it not?" she said. "We will dismantle one and move it inland. One will strike the walls from here while the other attacks from the sea. Their earthbenders will be forced to split, and the defenders will stretch too thin to reinforce either side."
Aiku frowned. "That will take a day to prepare. It would delay the attack."
"I'm sure the colonel would protest, but I can handle it." Lin said simply. "I will not waste lives because he is impatient."
Zhou nodded after a pause. "We can protect the inland crew, while also preparing an ambush for their eventual attack. They have enough range that it will force them to act; otherwise they cannot stop the trebuchet from firing, the defenders would lose cohesion quickly."
"Exactly, you now see why this works." Lin said. "I want precision. Push those orders, lieutenant; communicate with the engineers. I want that trebuchet ready for tomorrow as soon as possible."
Her officers bowed and left to deliver orders. Lin lingered for a moment, her eyes on the map. The Fire Nation possessed more technological advancements than any other nation, yet still relied on weapons that strained like beasts of burden. She made a quiet note to herself: she would have to work with her family to evolve the artillery used by the army.
When she stepped outside, the coastal wind met her, carrying the scent of salt and burning coal. The encampment stretched below the ridge, a field of scarlet tents and smoke plumes. Her company was already stirring to life.
Men packed tools, hauled timber, and prepared sledges for the heavy load. Her company moved with that steady, disciplined rhythm she valued most, with efficiency and purpose. And all done trying to minimize their noise as much as possible.
Colonel Mongke stood near the edge of the training field, his broad frame outlined by the light of the setting sun. He was surrounded by a cluster of his Rough Rhinos, all in partial armor, their laughter coarse and confident.
Lin approached without hurry, her boots clicking softly against the wooden planks of the causeway leading down from her tent. He turned as she approached, a smirk forming almost before she spoke.
"Captain Lin." he said. "I see that your men are finally on the move. I assume you have an attack plan."
Lin's tone stayed even. "Yes, we do. We will attack the day after tomorrow; a delay is needed so that we can strip one of the weapons from our ship to use to besiege the walls."
"Every hour we wait gives them more chances to find us here and lose the element of surprise." he replied.
"That is true, but this is necessary, Colonel. It will give us the best chance of success in taking the town."
Mongke's grin widened slightly. "Sometimes simpler solutions are preferable, Captain. These are the ones I'm most familiar with: Storm the gate, ride through and leave ashes behind."
"With only a few able to follow you in?" Lin asked. "You are free to enjoy the fight, Colonel, but I prefer my soldiers alive when it ends. If they all rush after you, they will get caught up in the first volleys."
For a heartbeat he said nothing; then his smile sharpened. "You are a bold one for someone so young."
"I certainly can be, Colonel." Lin said. "If you find yourself idle, spar with me."
That drew surprise, then interest. "You think I'm idle?"
"I think you're restless." she replied.
He paused for a few seconds, the silence turning awkward. "Now?" he finally asked.
She considered him for a few seconds, then nodded once. "After the engineers finish their setup orders, I will meet you at the training field while they work."
Mongke studied her for a moment, the look in his eyes shifting from amusement to challenge.
"Excellent; I will be waiting for you." he said, clapping her shoulder with a heavy hand before turning back to his men. "Try not to overheat before we begin."
Lin didn't respond as she watched him leave, the red light of dusk cutting long shadows across the ground. The man was proud, loud, and dangerous in his confidence. Keeping him occupied for a night would be better than letting him interfere with the engineers' work.
As she walked back toward her company's camp, she passed the rows of tents where soldiers were cleaning weapons, polishing armor, or tending cookfires. They straightened when she passed, offering quick salutes that she acknowledged with a nod.
Her lieutenants were already issuing orders to move the siege components by nightfall, their voices calm but urgent. She stopped briefly beside one of the engineers' carts, where metal bolts and thick ropes were being sorted. The chief engineer looked up, his hands black with soot.
"It can be done by dawn, I believe." he said, anticipating her question. "If the ground holds through the night."
"Excellent. Carry on." Lin replied.
She glanced at the trebuchet's frame lying in the distance. It was an inelegant machine, heavy and crude, yet all that they had at the moment. If the Fire Nation truly wished to rule the world, it would need weapons that could match its ambition. They really needed better weapons to end the war; otherwise she feared they would have to endure a hundred more years.
As she walked away, the only few torches allowed began to light across the camp, their glow reflected faintly in the polished metal of her arms. She thought of the coming battle and hoped most of her soldiers would make it through in the end.
----0000----
The night settled cold and still, the wind rolling in from the sea, carrying the smell of salt and burned oil. Toma had finished overseeing the weapon drills before dawn and now watched the trebuchet's assembly taking shape at the edge of the field.
The engineers worked in silence, their hammers and saws striking cloth first to mute the sound a bit. They were illuminated only by moonlight, and the lieutenant wondered how they were not making mistakes in the dark.
His platoon stood nearby, divided into small training circles. He had ordered them to spar hand to hand to keep their focus sharp while the engineers did their work. They moved without noise, their blows measured and their footwork exact, something their captain would often praise.
He was making his rounds when a murmur rippled through the camp. The sound of laughter, followed by the sharp crack and thunder of flame, drew his attention toward the center of the training field.
Colonel Mongke stood there stripped of armor, the muscles of his arms glistening with sweat as he squared off against Captain Lin. Around them, the entirety of the Rhinos and a few soldiers from the company had gathered in a loose ring, watching in quiet fascination.
Toma stopped a few paces away, uncertain whether to stay or retreat. The colonel had a reputation from his time in Ba Sing Se for regularly challenging other fighters just to test their strength and he was rumoured to be a very proficient fighter. The idea that Captain Lin had agreed to spar with him seemed reckless, yet he could not look away.
Mongke advanced first, his blows direct and heavy, meant to overwhelm by sheer power. Lin met him in silence, her movements small and exact, stepping in just close enough to deflect and strike back. It looked almost effortless, her posture never breaking even when the colonel's strikes pushed her backward.
Her metal arms caught the light of his flames, each motion leaving a faint glimmer in the air. When Mongke tried to grab her shoulder, she slipped beneath his reach and drove her palm upward into his chest, the sound dull and solid. He stumbled but recovered quickly, a grin flashing across his face.
"That's all you've got, Captain?" he said, his voice carrying easily over the circle.
Lin's answer was quiet, but everyone heard it. "Come on, Colonel. You can be faster than that."
Laughter rippled through the soldiers, but Mongke's grin widened, clearly not roused by the remark. He spread his stance and drew a deep breath, the air shimmering with heat as fire gathered in his hands. Lin mirrored him, her own flames blooming pale orange, clashing in the middle.
A burst of flame came from Mongke, a sweeping arc meant to push her off balance. Lin cut through it with a narrow stream, splitting his flame apart. The clash ignited the air, the combined light washing over the crowd.
Then she stepped forward, the vents along her back releasing steam as she propelled herself low across the ground. Her fist met his flames and then carried on to his body, scattering fire in every direction with enough force to throw the colonel to the ground. He stood back up fast enough to know there wasn't enough damage to keep him down, but he had lost all smirk on his face.
Toma could feel the heat even from where he stood. He noticed how the soldiers around him stayed silently, watching in awe. It was rare to see their captain fight with such intent; she usually reserved her strength for the enemy, not for demonstrations.
When they broke apart again, both were breathing hard. Mongke's hair was singed at the edges, and Lin's arms glowed faintly reddish. For a moment, neither moved. Then Mongke laughed, a loud, genuine sound that cut through the tension.
"Not bad at all." he said. "I see now why they favored you on your promotion."
Lin straightened, lowering her arms. "You should save your strength for the wall, Colonel. The city will demand more from you than I have."
That drew another round of muted laughter. Mongke nodded, clearly pleased despite his loss.
"Perhaps it will," he said, wiping soot from his shoulder. "Until then, Captain, I'll stay out of your engineers' way."
She inclined her head slightly, the gesture formal but not cold. "That will help us both."
The crowd began to disperse, the soldiers returning to their duties with low conversation and the occasional grin. Toma lingered where he stood, the image of the fight burned into his mind: the sheer strength and heat of her flames, the precision of her attacks and a lesson that no matter the size, someone could be stronger.
He had always respected her command; her mind was sharp, and her insight into how to train, how to exercise, and how to order people into efficiency was always evident. But if you topped that with the strength and power she obviously had, then it added a lot of weight into everyone.
He turned back toward his men, still watching her from across the field. Lin spoke briefly with the engineers before walking away toward the ridge, her stride even and unhurried despite the exhaustion that must have lingered in her limbs.
He hoped, quietly, that he could one day match that strength and fight with the same composure she carried so easily. For now, he could only lead by her example and exercise to improve and reach that level eventually.
Toma adjusted his stance, folded his hands behind his back, and looked at the trebuchet rising against the dawn. It seemed they would be ready soon enough, so he quietly started walking to his tent. He needed to catch up on some sleep before their attack.
----0000----
Princess Azula couldn't hide the disappointment from her face. Her brother was sobbing and begging while bowing to her father. She wanted Zuko to fight and struggle for a bit, at the very least.
Oh, how she dreamed of being there herself. In his father's place, she was sure Zuko would try to put up a fight, and she would enjoy watching him realize he couldn't win, watching him fall to despair slowly.
"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!" Yes! Agni, yes!
As her brother's screams echoed through the hall, Azula's heart leapt with excitement. She gripped her sleeves, eyes wide with delight. It was beautiful! Oh, how she enjoyed watching his weakness laid bare for all to see.
Her brother kept thrashing in pain, his desperate cries committed to her memory, and she smiled, radiant, as her brother's suffering became her favorite melody. In the corner of her eye, she saw her uncle, his gaze turned away, and couldn't stop the giggle that slipped out.
----0000----
The morning sky was gray and thin, the kind of light that made steel look pale and the sea almost still. The air smelled faintly of ash and salt, and the camp was already alive with motion long before the sun cleared the horizon.
Lieutenant Aiku stood by the inland trebuchet, its frame now fully assembled and tested through the night. The engineers had done well, despite the conditions. They worked until their hands blistered, stopping only when the machine was finally ready to fire. The ropes were stretched taut, the counterweights filled and balanced, and the sling now held a boulder marked with black soot to help track its arc.
At his side, two soldiers prepared the flares to signal the rest of the company. He gave a short nod, and one of the soldiers handed him the first one.
"Captain Lin wants confirmation before we fire." Aiku said, his tone quiet but steady.
"Yes, sir." came the reply from the corporal. "She is already with the forward group."
Aiku looked toward the distant ridge where Lin and the others had taken position. From this height, he could see the faint glimmer of armor as her company crouched behind earthen mounds and half-built barricades. The Rhinos had already moved ahead, their heavier units waiting for the barrage to open the way.
He turned back toward the trebuchet. "Ready the first stone." he ordered.
Chains clinked, ropes tightened, and the heavy arm creaked under tension. The sound echoed through the field, deep and resonant, the voice of the machine coming alive as the soldiers moved quickly to comply.
Aiku raised the flare, struck the ignition against his vambrace, and fired it into the air. The red trail arced high above them, burning against the clouds before fading into smoke.
"Release!"
Two soldiers swung their hammers against the locking pin. The arm lurched upward with a loud snap, and the boulder soared in a slow, graceful curve before vanishing beyond the rise. A heartbeat later, a thunderous crack rolled back toward them. They couldn't really see the wall from their position so they had to wait for one of the forward units to confirm its trajectory.
"Direct hit." Came back the response from one of the runners. The engineers cheered, their smiles breaking through their fatigue.
"Good." Aiku replied. "Load again. Keep the pace steady, give it small aim corrections to hit different sections of the wall."
As the crew moved to reset the sling, they heard the distant sound of the horn from the Rhinos to signal their advance. Aiku was sure that it would be any moment now when they would be ordered to push forward.
The updates he was getting from the runners were giving him the picture of the battle. The defenders were reacting faster than expected. The earthbenders along Chin Village's wall were already forming ranks, raising barriers of stone in anticipation of further strikes.
The ship spotters were informing him of what was happening on their side of the battle; their strategy was working so far: their benders were splitting to defend both sides and minimize the damage from the trebuchets.
Using siege weapons for distractions was proving to be the right move in the end. They were falling into the pattern Lin had predicted, drawing too many to defend both sides, leaving them both weakened. The forward units were already throwing fireballs at the enemy to distract them from the heavy boulders flying towards their walls.
He gave a short signal to the communication runner. "Inform Captain Lin the enemy is splitting. The wall section facing the coast is drawing more defenders, so she can proceed."
The runner saluted and sprinted off down the slope. Aiku stayed by the machine, watching as yet another stone was loaded.
When it fired again, the projectile sailed with incredible speed through the air. The trebuchet's recoil sent a gust of dust into the air, stinging his eyes.
"Keep it going." he ordered, "I will move to defensive positions to assist the forward assault when needed."
As he moved further toward the village, he could see the battle in full. Firebenders were unleashing attacks from a distance, somehow arcing great fireballs toward the defenders. He would have to approach them to see how they managed that from their position.
In the distance, the Fire Nation vessel had responded to the signal. A fiery streak arced from its deck, a trail of smoke following the burning projectile as it crashed into the opposite section of the wall. That the ship was managing to hit its targets was incredible already.
His platoon followed behind, ready to assist the forward units if they needed to. One of them, a younger soldier barely as old as the captain, spoke quietly. "Sir, do you think they will surrender before we breach it?"
Aiku did not answer immediately. His eyes were on the horizon, where faint flashes of light marked the first return attacks, earthbenders hurling chunks of stone that landed well short of their position.
"If they are wise, they will." he said at last, "But I wouldn't expect wise people out of earth-kingdom soldiers."
He stepped forward as one of the runners came back with orders.
"Keep firing until Captain Lin fires her flare." he said. "And make sure every shot counts."
Moments later, a white flare burst from the ridge; it signaled that the forward companies were advancing.
Aiku raised his voice. "All units, ready! Flank formations! They are proceeding as expected, and they are about to attack us!"
He could already hear the distant roar of the Rough Rhinos' advance, the rhythmic pounding of their mounts echoing through the plain. The first stones of the counterattack were flying, and dust clouds rolled over the open field like waves.
The air grew hotter as Fire Nation benders joined the assault, hurling bursts of flame that arced across the horizon, meeting the earthbenders who had abandoned their positions to try to reach the trebuchet and stop its attack.
The forward assault companies let a few soldiers through on their charge, and it was time for Aiku's platoon to enter the battle.
"Attack! Without fear! For the Fire Nation!" he screamed.
----0000----
The ground trembled beneath her boots as the first wave advanced. The Rough Rhinos were already ahead, their heavy mounts tearing across the plain in a storm of fire and dust. Their formation was wide and uneven, built for speed rather than cohesion, and the thunder of hooves drowned the crackle of flames from the front lines.
Lin followed at a measured pace, her soldiers moving in disciplined ranks behind her. From her vantage point near the ridge, she could see the city walls clearly now, scorched and fractured under the bombardment. Sections had begun to crumble, and pillars of smoke rose from where the ship's fire had struck. She raised her hand and signaled the advance while also firing her flare to stop the trebuchets from attacking.
"Forward! Follow me in!"
The line surged into motion, firebenders in the first ranks hurling fireballs high into the air, arching them over their comrades to strike the defenders gathering along the breaches. The air grew heavy with heat and the sharp scent of scorched dust. Lin moved at the front, trying to keep pace to support the Rhinos.
She watched as Colonel Mongke's riders closed the distance to the city gates. She had to admit that each of them was a very competent fighter. Their mounts slammed through the half-broken barricades at the entrance. The gate itself shuddered under the impact, splintering outward. Mongke led the charge through it, roaring something that was lost to the thunder around them.
Lin frowned at their speed; the Rhinos were moving too fast, their support lines still lagging far behind. It was an act of reckless valor that could easily turn into a trap if the defenders closed around them. She quickened her pace, but even at full run her company would take too long to reach the gate in time.
"Clear the front!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the roar of fire. "Cover your captain!"
She exhaled deeply, channeling her breath down through her limbs. The vents on her back flared to life, ready to help her keep her body temperature from overheating. Heat flooded through the channels of her metal arms and legs until the edges glowed faintly red. Then she propelled herself forward, flames erupting from her feet as she crossed the ground flying at full speed.
The world narrowed into motion; wind rushed past her ears, and the rhythm of her movement became a steady pulse of power. She was moving faster than the mounts now, catching up fairly quickly, guided by her arms as she moved them to correct her direction.
When she reached the base of the wall, she turned her palms outward, unleashing a storm of flame and stopping herself from crashing into them completely. The nearest group of earthbenders faltered under the onslaught, their barriers cracking and scattering into shards of stone.
Lin closed the distance before they could recover, striking one across the chest with a precise blow that sent him sprawling. Another tried to raise a wall in front of her, but she drove her fist through it, the impact shattering the rock into fragments that burst outward like molten glass.
She heard the roar of the Rhinos ahead. Mongke's unit was already inside, driving deeper into the streets. Lin followed the path they had carved, pushing through the smoke and debris, fighting as she went deeper, attracting the attention of the recovering defenders. As the first soldiers of her company arrived, rallying to her, she began advancing again.
"Secure the gate!" she ordered over her shoulder. "Set the first line there. No one breaks formation!"
They moved with practiced coordination, bending the fires that still burned along the ground to form a curtain of heat across the sides of the gate. The defending soldiers tried to regroup inside the courtyard, but they were met by the combined assault of the Rhinos and Lin's firebenders.
Lin advanced through the haze, striking with precision and power. She focused on speed to be able to support the colonel as she made progress into the village, clearing space for her soldiers to hold ground, ensuring the formation never fractured.
"Captain!" someone called behind her. "The east tower still has defenders halting our advance!"
She considered his words for a moment. She was sure the Rhinos would now stop once they reached the center so that they could secure their holdings. She was also aware that the defenders would retreat close to the cliff now and were in no position to threaten the colonel.
"Then we bring it down." she replied finally, as she followed the soldier to where that tower was giving them trouble.
"I will cover you, destroy it!" she commanded.
The firebenders nearest to her nodded and ran to the base of the tower. As rocks flew to intercept them, Lin unleashed a fury of flames to destroy the attack. They then continuously attacked the tower, melting a chunk of its base and bending it sideways.
As it began to collapse, her soldiers moved away, black smoke covering their retreat. The fall of the tower filled the streets with a cloud of dust and debris. When the last resistance close to the walls fell, Lin finally allowed herself to stop. Her breath came steady despite the heat.
Around her, soldiers were shouting orders, collecting the wounded, and signaling to the engineers waiting outside the gate. Colonel Mongke emerged from the smoke a moment later, his armor blackened and one shoulder bleeding where an earthbender's rock had grazed him. He was grinning.
"Captain Lin." he said, voice booming with laughter, "I thought you'd miss the fight entirely."
"I was ensuring your flank was covered, Colonel. They could've had you surrounded if they were allowed to recover." she said, her tone even.
He laughed again, clapping his gauntlet against his chest. "Then you have my thanks. You saved us a longer day."
"Perhaps next time you'll wait for support." she replied.
"Perhaps." he said, though his grin suggested otherwise.
Lin turned away from him, scanning the burning skyline. The city's defenses were breaking, but there were still pockets of resistance within. The real work would begin now; clearing, securing, and establishing control.
She looked toward the horizon where the sun had just begun to rise over the distant sea. The light fell across the smoke like fire through glass, and for a brief moment she could almost imagine the heat as calm rather than chaos.
"Form secondary lines and follow me in." she ordered. "Begin sweep formations. I want this village secured by dusk."
Her soldiers moved to obey, their silhouettes cutting clean shapes against the burning streets. The battle for Chin Village was not yet done, but the outcome was already decided. Lin sighed and started walking toward her next targets.
----0000----
The courtyard was still, its tiled floor reflecting the faint light of the torches. Princess Azula moved through the sequence her instructor had taught her, each motion sharp and exact. The flames followed her hands without hesitation.
Thin ribbons of blue began appearing between the yellow and orange, coiling and striking with precision. When she finished, she drew a slow breath and lowered her stance, watching the last embers fade on the stone.
The servants had long since gone to their quarters, and the guards knew better than to interrupt her when she practiced. They just stood there motionlessly, watching her from a distance. Solitude made it easier to focus, easier to hear the rhythm of her breathing and the faint hiss of fire leaving her palms.
Her instructors said she was gifted, a prodigy, nothing like her now exiled brother. But Azula's talent would be nothing without hard work. She wanted to reach perfection, as her father demanded nothing less.
The princess was elated to be the heir and crown princess of the Fire Nation and devoted herself to the task of mastering firebending beyond her peers, to become the most powerful in Fire Nation's history.
She walked toward the small lake at the center of the courtyard, its water dark and still. Her reflection rippled across the surface, framed by the faint glow of torchlight. For a moment she imagined her mother standing behind her, that same disappointed look she always wore, the same woman who had branded her a monster years ago.
Tomorrow she would train again, harder and longer. She would perfect every form and technique, with the goal of becoming the most powerful Fire Lord the world has ever seen. Then no one would dare to call her a monster ever again.
She reached down, touched the water, and let a small flame bloom above her fingers. It hovered just above the surface, its reflection dancing across the ripples, making the reflection disappear.