Whispers of the Blue Flame

Chapter One: Of Assassins & Penance

At times like this, he thought he would be better off dead. As the body lay charred beyond recognition, Zuko grimaced; he knew he'd overdone it the moment he sent the blast of flames at the assassin. He watched as the Imperial Guards investigated his extravagant red and gold-gilded bedroom while the assassin's body was taken away by servants. That's the fifth one this year, he contemplated. These attacks are becoming more frequent. This isn't good.

He sighed and surveyed the carnage: the glass of his balcony doors sprawled shattered on the marble floor, his bed was undone from his hasty exit, and now the ornate red and gold room needed to be aired out from all the smolder in the air. Since the beginning of his rule, Zuko had faced opposition, but lately, it seemed to have increased exponentially. An assassination attempt here and there would be easy to deal with, but this was getting tiresome.

"Fire Lord Zuko, it would be best if you vacated the premises while we investigate this latest attack," cautioned Midori, the head of the Imperial Bodyguards. "It's not safe for you here."

"I think concern for my safety went out the window the moment that assassin burst into the room," Zuko remarked.

"Even so, sire, I advise you to move to one of the secret chambers in the palace for the time being." She inched closer to Zuko and murmured, "I suspect this was coordinated by a member of the Royal Guard."

To be honest, this did not surprise Zuko at all. He had long suspected a mole in his midst but hadn't thought they would be so brazen with their attacks. He had grown accustomed to having his life threatened, but he sensed this was different. Lately, the air around the palace was tense; his advisors and councilmen made their dislike of the young monarch known, and civilians rampaged in the streets regularly. He understood why—he had made radical political changes recently. As Fire Lord, he was paying reparations to the nations affected by the Fire Nation's actions, prosecuting those who had committed war crimes in the name of the nation, and demilitarizing the country. All this made the inexperienced Fire Lord unpopular with the nobility and some common folk who only knew a life where the Fire Nation reigned supreme.

"Midori, color me shocked," he mocked. "You think I didn't consider the possibility that only someone with an astute knowledge of the layout of the palace and my schedule could know when to launch an attack on my life? It might be someone who interacts with me regularly. I suggest you not question my intelligence."

The guard's cheeks flushed lightly at the reprimand. "I meant no disrespect, sire. I am just concerned for your safety. My duty is to serve you."

Zuko knew he was being unfairly harsh and chose to placate her. "I know, Midori, you only wish the best for me. How about this: for the rest of the day, I will be flanked by your most trustworthy guards at all times. Would that satisfy you?"

"It certainly would, Fire Lord Zuko."

"Excellent. Now, go inform the servants to prepare the washroom. Even with this minor incident this fine morning, today is a big day. Dignitaries from the Southern Water Tribe will be arriving."

"Yes, sire."

As Midori walked away, Zuko tried to look at the day ahead with a bit of positivity. This had become a regular occurrence for him: trying to be optimistic but only being met with disappointment. He was isolated in the Fire Nation, with no friends among his advisers. Uncle Iroh was under surveillance in Ba Sing Se for his actions during the six-hundred-day siege of the city. His sister was unwell, and his father was a rallying point for those who did not support his rule. 

What hurt him the most, though, was that even after five years as Fire Lord, his mother was still missing. He had sent countless search parties, but even the best bounty hunters could not locate her. It saddened him to think of her. At times, he lay awake at night wondering if she did not want to be found by him, if she even missed him, or if she had written him and his sister off after escaping his father Ozai's clutches.