>>5996178Your eyes are no longer narrowed, one of your eyebrow raises at the stupidity of this request. “Commander Zhao, what did you think the Fire Lord's intentions were when he banished Prince Zuko on this wild ostrich-horse chase? To *actually* find the avatar, who hasn't been seen for almost a hundred years? How did you make it to this rank without realizing this, really." You put a wayward hair behind your ear. “I’m only here to see if my dear Uncle has been up to anything, and you’re making that very job harder with all your meddling. Stop trying to play Pai Sho in the court, your pieces are rather shoddy.” You finish that sentence off with a taunting smirk.
Zhao bows slightly, showing humility, whether it is out of respect or fear, you couldn’t care less. “Princess, if I may bring to light some information for you.” He redresses himself. “Of course your royal father sent Prince Zuko on a wild ostrich-horse chase. All who know of his task know already that it is nigh impossible.”
He looks back to the flag of the Fire Nation. “He will never succeed, but all know it is impossible anyhow. That there is nothing to look for.” He looks back at you. “Since there is nothing to look for, according to your reports, then your father can consider your brother’s task to be concluded at his own convenience. He will not be brought back with a triumph, but he will be brought back with his honor recovered for undertaking this task for years on end, and with his position as heir restored.”
“Hmph.” You utter. “And why would he do that instead of keeping me, a firebending master, strategist and able politician, as his heir?”
“I think we both know the answer to that.” He swiftly replies.
Because you’re a woman. And no woman has ever ruled the Fire Nation in all of its history. You almost reflexively bite your lip in frustration, but stop yourself right before doing so.
Zhao continues. “I know I am only the commander of the southern ocean’s fleet, but my words are not mine, they come from the court itself, where many seek allies in this unstable political situation. There are many who hold on to the tradition that the Fire Lord should be a man no matter what, but there are other, more pragmatic viewpoints that understand your skills and abilities would be preferable to that of your whelp of a brother.”
“My father has the last word on who the heir is. You’d best stick that into your conniving heads.” You reply with venomous intent. “And he will choose me.”
Zhao takes his hands behind him. “Perhaps you should speak with your father and ask him what he thinks.”
You look down. As soon as he believed the Avatar actually appeared, Father called you back and sent you to help Zuko. And, according to him, you could not fail in this task. Perhaps it’s true then, perhaps he does want Zuko to become the heir again. If Zuko succeeds, Zhao’s political cronies would all fall back in line and forget their ideas of bringing you to the throne.