The History of Renko: Book 1 Emotions (Avatar, boyxboy)

Chapter 30: Politics and Growing Pains

That next morning, Kuzo stood in front of the curtains to the throne room. On the walls on either side hung portraits of the past Fire Lords depicting their greatest accomplishments. He walked past Sozin whose portrait displayed a comet arching in the sky above his head. Azulon, whose portrait displayed gates on either side of him, sculpted in the shape of dragons. Ozai's portrait was missing. It was a blank space between his father and his son Zuko. Zuko's depicted the formation of the United Republic and the first friendship between humans and dragons in one hundred years. Finally, Fire Lord Izumi stood out as the first woman monarch.

As a boy, Kuzo would walk down the hall and look at his ancestors. He wondered as to what his accomplishment might be. What defining event would shape his monarchy? This wasn't the time for that. He stood in front of the door dressed in his shining black and red war armor. Now, he needed to walk like a prince and talk like a prince. Now, he needed to do what he could to protect his nation. He pushed back the curtains and stepped inside.

The hall was a forest of pillars connecting the shiny marble floor to the ceiling high above. Down the center of the hall lay a wide orange and red rug with a rectangular stone table set close to the ground. Eight men and women sat around the table on their knees.

Against the far wall on a raised dais sat the ornate throne. There, sat the current Fire Lord, Tahno. His golden eyes twinkled from the light of the braziers burning on either side of him. His crown sat in a neat bun on the top of his head. A blue dragon sat curled like a snake behind him. Its scales sparkled and sent lights dancing around the room. Its massive mane rested on Tahno's left side.

"Ah, Prince Kuzo," Tahno said as Kuzo walked towards him. "I was very happy to hear that you arrived this morning. It was troubling to hear that the Prince and Avatar were attacked on Fire Nation territory."

"Hello father," Kuzo bowed when was in front of his father. He sat on Tahno's right side. The dragon blinked slowly at him. A sign of acknowledgement from it. "Yes, we were attacked. It actually has to do with why I came to your advisor meeting."

"Please, tell the ministers," Tahno spoke.

"My lords," Kuzo spoke from his seat next to his father. "As I'm sure you know, two great cities of the world have been attacked. The capital of the United Federation of Earth States, Zaofu, and the capital of the United Republic of Nations, Republic City. These two cities were attacked by the same organization, The Dark Hand. A rouge organization that wishes to rid the world of spirits."

"Prince Kuzo," a muscular man in a formal robe asked. "Why is the Dark Hand against the presence of spirits?"

"Excellent question Prime Minister. They are an anti-religious movement," Kuzo replied. "They believe that we are glorifying and celebrating the spirits."

"My Prince," a woman stood this time. She was ancient. "In what way do we specifically 'glorify the spirits'?"

"The short list," Kuzo began. "The Fire Lord is descendant from the Fire Sages. They are the traditional spiritual leaders of the nation and in fact, the Fire Lord will at times step in as spiritual advisors."

"I have a question," Tahno spoke up this time. "Neither the Earth States nor the United Republic has asked for aid. Also, our capital city has natural barriers that protect us more than the other cities. Why should be we be concerned?"

"Natural barriers didn't protect the Spirit Wilds," Kuzo spoke firmly. "They are going to attack two weeks from now on the Summer Solstice. That is the day of our Solstice festival."

"How do you know this?" Tahno asked.

"One of the assailants from yesterday gave me an ominous warning. She said that the Dark Hand will strike when 'our religion is on full display.'"