Whispers of the Blue Flame

Chapter Seven: Of Solutions & Dealings

"Sire, I'm afraid we have no proposal to present on that matter," Head Adviser Qahir uttered, his voice quivering. The wall of fire flared and crackled around the throne room in response.

"What did you just say?" Zuko inquired from behind the flames.

From the corner of his eye, Qahir watched his fellow advisers look down at the notes in front of them. He dared not look directly at the wall of fire concealing his Lord, fearing what he might see. Qahir had been involved in politics for as long as Ozai had ruled the Fire Nation. He remembered life under Ozai's rule; the man was cold and calculating, a hard-to-please tyrant whose temper flared unexpectedly. Though Fire Lord Zuko was nothing like his father, he bore an uncanny resemblance to him. Try as he might, to Qahir, Zuko would always be his father's son. They were both ambitious and demanding in their desires. Qahir couldn't help but fear Zuko would one day turn out like Ozai, despite his best efforts to better the world.

Wiping his sweaty palms on his robes, Qahir repeated himself. "Unfortunately, we have nothing to present on the matter of civil unrest and displeasure, my Lord."

A few moments of silence passed. Even though he couldn't see him, Qahir felt the cold, furious glare directed at him. His fellow advisers fidgeted on their cushions.

"Each time I come here, I am bombarded by your incompetence," Zuko reprimanded. "Our nation is crying out for help, and yet you, my advisers, bring me no solutions."

Zuko stood and parted the flames as he stepped down from the throne. He stalked over to where his advisers sat, clearly exasperated. He had been too lenient with his advisers for too long.

"Must I remind you that our duty is to serve the common people? We are nothing without them. Their concerns and pain are our concerns and pain. I have pardoned your insolence too many times. I demand better. This meeting is adjourned but make no mistake: I expect a proposal addressing the public's concerns promptly, or there will be consequences."

He waited for no reply and marched out of the throne room. He had given the advisers more than enough time to find a solution, but they continued to disappoint him. A whole moon cycle had passed since Katara took Bato's place as ambassador, and even in that time, his advisers had come up with nothing.

He headed to his office and, once there, contemplated his next steps. He couldn't rely on his advisers; they could very well be the ones plotting against him. The next best thing was to ask for help from the other nations, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Call it pride, but he knew his people wouldn't accept aid from former enemies. He wasn't sure if the other nations would even assist. His relationship with King Kuei and Chief Arnook was civil at best; they wouldn't help even if he asked. Aang, King Bumi, and Chief Hakoda would help if they could, but their people needed their assistance more.

He sighed despondently, wishing Uncle Iroh were Fire Lord. He truly believed the old man would know what to do; he always had the answers.

A knock came at the door. He beckoned for whoever it was to enter, and his guard came in. "Sire, Ambassador Katara requests an audience with you."

"Let her in."

The guard quickly left and returned with Katara, who held a basket in her arms. He then bowed to Zuko and exited the room.

"What are you doing here, Katara?" Zuko asked, rising from his seat and approaching her.

"I think you need a break after that meeting," she said.

"You heard about it?"

"You scared Qahir out of his wits. He was practically in tears when I found him walking to his office. He thinks you're going to fire him."