Book 2: Earth

Chapter 23- The Crimson Lances

The sky was blood red above the colony of Yu Dao that night and Prince Zhenjin watched from the ramparts of the city walls, overlooking the rest of the colony. As befitting of a city that was soon to be under attack, the soldiers and civilians were making themselves busy, stockpiling supplies as well as sharpening weapons and preparing the catapults and ballista towers for the oncoming assault. It would be a shame if all that work were to come to nothing, he thought.

Which was why meeting him at the ramparts tonight, was the officer he had requested specifically. The Colonial Militia leader, Kori , whom the governor had named commander of the colonial army, along with the Captain of his personal Yu Yan archer battalion.

Both soldiers eyed each other uneasily, wondering about the purpose of this meeting, but they decided against speaking out first, bowing in deference to Zhenjin.

"My Prince. You summoned us?" The Yuyan Captain began briskly, straight to the point.

Zhenjin nodded, eyeing both of them closely. He had to play his cards wisely here. The story of his uncle, Prince Zuko was well versed in his head at this moment. How he had spoken out of turn against a well-respected General and was punished with exile and disgrace. That was fine and all. Sometimes generals needed to be put in their places. His uncle's mistake was not speaking out of turn, it was speaking out of turn without the power to back it up that cost him. His dishonor was known throughout the nation, and was an example Zhenjin would avoid. His failure was stupid, worse yet, it was unforgivable.

He smiled. The thought of such a fate falling on him was laughable at best. Yet here, he was not just speaking out against General Vachir. He would replace him.

"How many campaigns have we fought together captain?" Zhenjin asked rather casually, his face a stern mask as he continued gazing over the city.

The Archer replied firmly, without hesitation. "Five sir. Counting the last one against the Sun Warriors." Kori meanwhile, simply raised an eyebrow in confusion. In her eyes, the Prince didn't request her presence to simply discuss old war stories, something was up.

"Then, can I count on your loyalty? For whatever may happen next."

"Sir?" The Yuyan archer asked rather gruffly.

"Just that." The young prince replied. "I need to know that I can depend on you and your men for the coming battle, no matter what happens."

The Captain watched the youth in silent contemplation. Even when hunting the Blue Spirit, the young prince had a certain casualness to him that seemed to flow well with his subordinates, but here, he was emitting a presence that seemed to remind him of Lady Azula, honed, calculated and deadly. The prince suddenly seemed less like an upstart youth and more the man who had almost casually ordered the extermination of the Sun Warrior tribe without a second thought. It was as if the very answer he gave now would decide his fate going forward.

Any lesser man would bristle under such a choice, but a man didn't become an officer of the elite Yuyan archers without having the resolve to face a challenge head on. After what seemed like an eternity, the Captain bowed his head low.

"Of course my prince, You can always depend on me and my men."

"Forgive my intrusion Prince Zhenjin, but what is this about?" Kori asked, not quite sure where this entire tirade was going.

The Prince relaxed slightly after the Captain's answer. Now, it was time for the easier part of the conversation.

"General Vachir is ordering the army to withdraw." Zhenjin said bluntly, "He is giving his men orders to gather any supplies that the army could carry, while leaving the rest to burn with the city."