As for the orders themselves, I was instructed to spend the next three months — while the cruiser underwent repairs and my own flotilla was assembled — "inspecting our colonies within the Earth Kingdom, while doing everything possible to strengthen the defenses of Fire Nation holdings and weaken enemy forces."
In other words, I was no longer a naval decoy duck. Now I was a land-based one.
I'd wager the "hunt for the Fire Herald" was about to flare up again with renewed intensity.
Well then. If surviving the first stage of dear Uncle Ozai's little trials had earned me the rank of commodore, maybe I'd get something out of the second stage too. Assuming I survived, of course. It was a hell of a lot easier to disappear at sea. But now, after the Herald's meteoric rise — and after all the trouble said Herald had already caused the dirt-diggers — they might genuinely send an army after me just to "mount the Fire Lord's favorite's head on a pike."
After finishing the documents, I summoned Tandao.
"Reporting as ordered!" the first mate declared… Former first mate.
"Tandao, I have several orders for you. First of all, my congratulations, Captain."
"Uh?" The sailor blinked in confusion.
"My apologies… it's an honor," he quickly recovered, offering the proper ceremonial bow. "What are your orders, Herald?"
"You are hereby assigned responsibility for overseeing repairs in the Yu Dao docks, as well as coordinating the group arriving to reinforce us."
"A group?" he repeated cautiously. "How large?"
"Large enough for a commodore's level of responsibility." I handed him the promotion order with a smug grin.
"Congratulations, sir," Tandao nodded.
"Thank you. That said, after we reach Yu Dao, we'll have to part ways for a while. I've received a new assignment and will be spending the next few months touring our colonies…" I smirked faintly. "And engaging in sabotage."
"Taking the boarding party with you?" the officer asked, immediately getting to the point.
"The Kyoshi Warriors? Absolutely. My little journey through the Earth Kingdom with them at my side should have a very useful effect on the locals." The sailor nodded knowingly. We'd discussed the entire political angle behind recruiting Suki and her girls long ago. "Along with them, maybe another five firebenders at most."
"Only twenty people? Isn't that too few, Commodore?"
"With my luck, even those twenty might turn out to be too many. If trouble catches up to me, it'll take an entire army with heavy equipment to fight it off. Fifty men I can spare from the ship without crippling operations won't change much. On the other hand, a small detachment attracts far less attention, can hide more easily, and is vastly more mobile. So at most, I'll add one or two guides from among the loyal locals — people familiar with logistics and the general situation on the ground. Which makes Yu Dao a very convenient stop in every respect."
"I understand, Commodore. In that case, all that remains is to wish you luck and a swift return."
"Without question, Captain. You and I still have plenty of opportunities ahead to unleash a 'storm of fury' on those dirt-diggers and their wooden tubs."
"I'll be looking forward to that day," the veteran snorted.
***
Near the coastline itself, I was intercepted by a personal hawk from my father. Old Chan's happiness practically radiated through every line of the letter. My esteemed parent thanked the Fire Spirits for blessing him with such a wonderful son, and generally conveyed that life was beautiful and amazing.
Alongside all the "joyful squealing" — insofar as such a phrase could even be applied to a battle admiral — my respected father also included a few genuinely interesting details.
First of all, the court apparently had no doubts that Fire Lord Ozai had gained another favorite in addition to Captain Zhao, and said captain was not especially pleased about that development. Given Zhao's status and certain connections, there was now a very real possibility that the entire Western Fleet command might dislike me and start putting obstacles in my path.
No, outright sabotage wasn't likely, but even the equivalent of an "Italian strike," where everything is technically done according to regulations and on time, yet somehow nothing actually functions properly, would already be unpleasant enough.
Granted, no one would push things too far. A Herald of the Fire Lord could remove heads first and ask questions later if people weren't doing their jobs properly. Still, smaller acts of spite were definitely possible.
Now for the juicy part. Having a son like me had brought Admiral Dad some very real dividends of his own. He'd suddenly acquired a great many "friends" who were more than willing to do him a favor or two "out of pure goodwill." And in turn, he could arrange a few favors for me as well.
For example, fifty elite riding lizards were already waiting for my detachment (Apparently Father was already aware of my upcoming "inspection tour.") on the outskirts of Yu Dao.
Hm. Transport like that changed the entire equation.
With the lizards, I could realistically take forty escorts along with a substantial supply load without sacrificing mobility. And forty armed warriors as the "retinue of the Fire Herald" looked far more impressive than a mere dozen "personal harem girls belonging to a spoiled rich brat."
Not that the second image wasn't useful too. I liked it when potential enemies misunderstood and underestimated me. But after everything that had happened at sea, the image of a pampered idiot probably wouldn't fool anyone except another idiot. Forty fighters, on the other hand, would add a lot more weight to my words.
All in all, many thanks to Father for the reptiles.
Though there was one part of his letter that started making me uneasy. For example, he passed along a "tea invitation" from the Ty family — seven daughters, ranging from fourteen-year-old Ty Lee to twenty-year-old Ty Won. There was also a similar invitation from governor Ukano, who, if memory served, had a daughter named Mai — another familiar face from canon, alongside Ty Lee, for that matter. And then another half-dozen names I recognized, all from influential families with daughters roughly my age.
After evaluating the situation, I came to a firm conclusion:
Unless absolutely necessary, I was staying the hell away from the capital.
(End of Chapter)
Even the smallest flame needs fuel to endure.
If you wish to see this story burn brighter, consider leaving a review, a comment, or offering your Power Stones.
🔥 Bonus chapter at 100 power stones.