Wandering Firebender

Ninety One: The Captain

"Know the way. Walk the way. Show the way."

Elio's footsteps were slow and heavy as he made his way towards Fire Lord Zuko's throne room, walking down the main corridor. His eyes stayed targeted on the door, never glancing aside at the murals or the dragon-themed architecture.

He sighed to himself before opening the door and walking inside. Fire Lord Zuko himself along with members of his council were sitting at the meeting table waiting for him. Elio approached and stood up straight at the edge of the table with his hands behind his back.

He was not looking forward to this conversation at all.

"Captain Chinen, do you know why you are here?" One of the older men at the table asked him.

"Yes, sir. You wish to hear my direct report regarding the incident just south of Omashu." Elio answered.

"I'm sure that the families of those that were lost would appreciate a full understanding of what happened as well. That is why we are here." Another council member spoke.

Elio's eyes narrowed for a moment but he said nothing in response.

"Elio, please, speak freely. Tell us what happened in full detail." Zuko invited him to speak.

"Where would you like me to begin?" Elio asked slowly.

"We will need the full context." A council member answered. Elio sighed and nodded.

"...King Bumi's reassurance led us to believe that we were finally in a position to discuss peace options with the kingdom of Omashu. King Bumi, as the Fire Lord knows, is a friend to us both. We did not receive the same hostility as we did during our last visit some 6 months ago.

"Tensions in the Earth Kingdom have not fully dissipated but it has dwindled some as we have made regular, non-threatening appearances throughout the country. King Bumi stated himself that the people are getting more used to the idea of an honored alliance with us." Elio described.

"Would you say that your guard was down, captain? Since you had been given such a sterling reassurance by the king of Omashu?" Another older member of the council asked him.

"I...perhaps. I had no reason to doubt him. He helped both myself and Zuko just before the end of the war. I have no reason to believe that he was behind the attack or even aware of it." Elio answered.

"Still, you felt confident, did you not? While we cannot say for certain at this time what the king's intentions were, there is something to be said about your mindset at the time. You were not at all concerned?" The council continued to question him.

"I am always cautious on an expedition regardless of what the goal or mission is. But if that's not the answer you're looking for then yes, my trust put me at ease." Elio said in answer to the council member that had spoken to him this way.

"Let's backtrack just one step, captain," Zuko spoke up now. "Where did the attack happen?"

"Outside the walls of Omashu. It was late at night while we were making our way back to the ship." Elio answered factually.

"It wasn't within the walls?" A member of the council asked.

"No. King Bumi offered us rooms for the night but we were under strict orders to begin our return as soon as possible so I declined that offer. As we approached the ship-"

"Fire Lord Zuko, if I may interject for a moment, it is entirely possible that the king of Omashu was pulling the strings on this attack. Had the captain accepted his offer, the team might have all been killed in their sleep." Elio was interrupted by this point being brought out by an older council member.