The Origin of Roh-Shan

Rebel Meeting 2

"May I please have everyone's attention?" A woman in a black robe with purple trim stood at the front of a packed crowd. Their whispered conversations ceased instantly, and a hush fell over the room. They rose from their seats. It was a seedy basement-level bar with a stage for small jazz bands and dances, usually as a cover-up for some more illegal dealings in the back. The room was packed.

Although her posture was strong and confident, her face gave away a much more somber mood. "By the order of the Black Iris, Greater Ren Haru Chapter, I hereby call this meeting to order." She gave a three-tone-whistle.

The crowd clapped once, perfectly in unison.

She bowed to them, and they sat down. She took another moment to gather her composure. "It is with great sorrow that I assume the position of Chief, of the Black Iris Ren Haru Chapter. I know you're all aware of what took place the other night, the attack on our innocent people, and while we continue to mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters, and pray for the healing of others, I want to make it clear that we will not be silenced, and we will not go down without a fight."

A small ripple of approval coursed through the crowd. Some sat in wheelchairs, casts around their arms or legs, bandaged heads, and evident burns.

"As you well know, drumming up attention to our injustices has been futile, and our struggle has been overshadowed by the death of Mayor Odei." She scanned the room. "While the Black Iris leadership never ordered, authorized, or heard word about an attack on the mayor, given that solely the mayor perished in the fire is in line with the Black Iris principle. Strike not first,"

"But in return." The whole room automatically recited.

"And given the plethora of injustices, decades of selfishness and suffering Mayor Odei has brought on the people of Ren Haru and surrounding rural districts, I'd say he's most definitely struck first, wouldn't you?"

"Yes!" A few voices shouted, while others mumbled hushed agreements. Nobody disagreed.

"That being said," She paused to bring the room back down. "if that attack was carried out by one of our members, the Black Iris leadership needs to know about it. We as an organization take responsibility for any act against the ruling class carried out by our members, so long as it's in line with our principles. If you carried out the attack or know who did, you may require protection that Leadership can provide. Now I ask you please, will whomever had any part in the attack on the mayor, please step forward now."

Everyone held their breaths for a tense few seconds and not a single sound was heard, as though the air had been sucked out of the room. Nobody stepped forward, nobody moved a muscle.

"Please, there is nothing to fear. If you know who may have done it, or know anything about the attack, please raise your hand now."

Again, nothing, but this time the silence was a little more comfortable since she wasn't asking people to directly admit to murder.

Finally, one loud voice from the side of the room piped up, "I don't think anyone here knows how to make green fire."

A number of people around him muttered in agreement, and everyone turned back to the Chief, waiting for her to react.

"I understand. That was going to be my next question, does anyone know anything that might cause green fire?"

"That one firebender girl." The same guy from before said.

"Who?" Another person asked.

Someone else answered, "Heard around town that there's a girl who bends green fire naturally, like, she can't make orange fire. And that's the only place anyone's ever seen green fire. I ain't never seen it before, I know that much."