Avatar: The Book Of The Phoenix

The Feast

The air in the governor's mansion, now a boisterous den of revelry, was thick with the scent of strong liquor and the greasy aroma of roasted meat. Fire Nomads, faces flushed with drink and excitement, danced and caroused, their laughter echoing through the once-grand halls. Clan bards, their faces streaked with paint, strummed lutes and sang raucous songs of victory, their voices blending with the din of the celebration.

Rokkun, perched precariously on the governor's throne, surveyed the scene with a predatory glint in his eyes. Beside him sat Azula, her face a mask of polite indifference. The cacophony of the celebration grated on her nerves. Large social gatherings had never been her forte.

"Enjoying the festivities, Princess?" Rokkun asked, his voice a low rumble.

Azula forced a smile. "It's... lively."

"Indeed," Rokkun chuckled, "The Nomads have earned a night of revelry. After all, we've accomplished something truly remarkable."

Azula glanced at him, her eyes narrowed. "Conquering a defenseless city doesn't exactly strike me as a remarkable feat."

Rokkun raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would you suggest, Princess? A formal tea party with the Earth King?"

Azula remained silent, staring into her goblet. The thought of facing her brother on the battlefield, of spilling the blood of her own people, filled her with a strange sense of dread.

Rokkun, sensing her unease, leaned closer. "Don't worry, Princess. This will be... swift. A swift and decisive victory. We'll cripple Zuko's forces, break his spirit, and then... well, then we'll see what happens."

Azula looked at him, her eyes searching his. "And what happens then, Rokkun?"

He smiled, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Then, Princess, the Fire Nation will finally have a true leader. A leader worthy of the throne."

Azula remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Rokkun, sensing her hesitation, decided to change the subject. "Come, let us join the celebrations. You need to loosen up a bit, Princess. After all, tonight is a night for victory."

Azula reluctantly allowed him to pull her into the throng of revelers. She watched the Nomads dance and sing, their faces lit with a fervor that both terrified and intrigued her.

Nearby, Zenah, her cheeks flushed with drink, laughed and shook her head at Oghuz's bravado. Oghuz, his chest puffed out with pride, regaled a group of his men with tales of his exploits, exaggerating his kills in the battle for Bin-Er. "Fifty earthbenders," he boasted, "with my bare hands!" She slipped away from the boisterous group and made her way to Rokkun, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Enjoying the spoils of war, brother?" she teased, her voice husky.

Rokkun grinned, "Indeed, sister. Though I must admit, the entertainment could be improved." He gestured towards Oghuz, "Your admirer seems to be enjoying himself a bit too much."

Zenah giggled. "Oh, Oghuz. Always the braggart. Though I must admit, he is quite... impressive."

Rokkun raised an eyebrow. "Impressed, are you? Perhaps you should reward his bravery."

Zenah playfully swatted his arm. "You're just jealous, brother. You have a soft spot for the Fire Princess, I know it." Zenah snickered, closely watching Azula sip on her drink just a few feet away.

Rokkun chuckled, "Perhaps I do." He paused, his gaze hardening. "But that's a story for another time. Now, gather the clan. I have an announcement to make."

Zenah, intrigued, immediately set about gathering the revelers. Soon, the din subsided, and all eyes turned towards Rokkun. He jumped upon a table, his voice booming through the hall.

"My brothers and sisters!" he roared, "We have fought bravely, and we have won! Bin-Er is ours! But this is only the beginning!"

A wave of cheers erupted from the assembled Nomads.

"Many of you," Rokkun continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "fought alongside our ancestors, against that usurper, Zuko. You know, as well as I do, that he is not worthy of the Fire Lord's throne. He is weak, indecisive, a puppet of the Earth Kingdom!"

The crowd roared in agreement.

"But no longer!" Rokkun declared, raising his fist in the air. "The time has come to reclaim our birthright! The Fire Nation belongs to the Fire Nomads!"

Another wave of cheers erupted.

"But first," Rokkun continued, his eyes gleaming with ambition, "we must cripple Zuko's strength. We will strike at his heart, at the Earth Kingdom itself. We will sow chaos and destruction, weaken his grip on power. And then, when he is weakened, broken, we will descend upon the Fire Nation like a storm!"

The room erupted in a frenzy of cheers and shouts. This was what they had been waiting for, a chance to reclaim their lost glory, to rise from the ashes and seize their rightful place atop the world. The Fire Nomads, emboldened by their victory and fueled by Rokkun's charismatic leadership, were ready to unleash their fury upon the world.