章 8: Faith in Question
A loud bang on the table stifled the debate.
"Those bastards!" Ebisu bellowed.
The hall is filled with many village leaders, representatives and elders of their own professions. Which is why the burly man can showcase his rage to all the senior attendees.
The fishermen and their work are the backbone of the island's economy. Their labor ensures the humble yet sustainable livelihood of the inhabitants. If there is even one tiny aspect that goes against their way of life, then almost all of them would be collectively offended.
Aside from the obligatory report on recent repelling of pirates, this meeting isn't just for the chiefs to discuss about mundane village life. After reminding everyone that the season for hunting Elephant-Koi is arriving soon, a recent news embroiled the whole room into a mix of concern and uncertainty.
A week ago, a sailboat from their island was out catching salmon. A crew of three brothers ventured to the wider sea, searching for bountiful schools of fish. But anecdote from the fishermen detailed that they were stopped by a grey colored vessel. Strangers consists of a wide range of ethnicity boarded the wooden boat and took the crew hostage. But the most offensive part is that all the salmon were stolen.
"We don't even know who they are, and those rude folks just boarded our boat and took the fish!" The oldest of the three brothers complained, demanding justice to their unfair treatment. This grievance is being seriously pondered by an elderly chief who moderates this meeting. Hakaru wrote down the whole conversation, recording it for future reference.
"What are we waiting for?" Ebisu asked the audience in a furious manner. "Let's go get them!"
Men and women echoed his sentiment, fully prepared to enact revenge on the thieves. They completely ignored the news that one of Akahana's daughters killed an Elephant-Koi. The issue of some outsider randomly attacking their own people takes much greater precedence.
The elderly foreman had a hard time quieting them down. After regaining their attention, he starts to bring these hotblooded people back to reality.
"Children, I understand your desire to address this unprovoked injustice against members of our people," the white bearded elder said in a frail voice. "But we must exercise caution and prudence. We do not even know who those assailants are or where they came from."
"They are obviously pirates!" One member of the audience cried. "Those thieves cannot rob here on land, so they must attack folks on sea where the Kyoshi Warriors cannot intervene!"
Many people quickly agreed to this reasonable assumption. Pirates that harass the Earth Kingdom coasts are often made up of a wide range of people from different ethnicity. Since the attacked fishermen also recounted similar facial features of the hijackers, then clearly it must be some rogue band of pirates.
But the chief moderating this meeting is still wary. He does not immediately jump to conclusions.
"Young ones, you said that the vessel those thieves are controlling are grey, why so?"
The oldest brother explained that the hijackers used a small ship without sails or paddles. The hulls are metal, and their crew have many Firebenders and Waterbenders.
But something also caught the interest of the gathered delegations. One of the brothers also mentioned that the thieves wore the same clothing. Strange coats with the dull color grey, all identical. It's as if those pirates are wearing some kind of uniform, a huge deviation from the regular rags.
Hakaru suddenly stopped writing when he heard this part of the conversation, realizing the implication of this superficial description.
The moderator of the meeting also did not miss the particular detail. He furthered questioned the three brothers.
"The clothing those strangers wore does seem to be a bit too refined for mere pirates, don't you all think?"
Ebisu, being the most vocal voice here, did not care about this pedantic detail. He vows to take care of those thieves no matter what clothing they wear.
Hakaru whispered something into the elder's ear, both confirming their own theories on those hijackers. The moderator then voiced his conclusion.
"I fear those thieves that took your fish are no ordinary thugs," the elder said in a solemn manner. "No seafaring bandits would dress like this. Since you three also stated that they do not appear to hail from one specific nation, then there is only one theory on their origins."
The audience fell silent, waiting for the elder to name a place.
"Republic City," he uttered in a frail manner.
All the rage and boiling blood turned into a crowd of confusion. Most people here expected that they will be embarking on a punitive trip to attack the base of some nearby band of pirates. Considering that Kyoshi Warriors have performed such deeds in the past, this is the expectation many harbors.
But now, the attendees are thrown into an awkward discussion, and the murmuring only gets louder. Most are stupefied by the notion that some people from Republic City would even need to steal their fish, a very petty act indeed. Even if this is true with the elder chief not being senile, are they seriously going to somehow launch punitive action against the thieves that came from that place?
"As if I care about the details!" Ebisu roared. "Even if the whole world even slightly disrespects one of my colleagues, then I would gladly fight them all!"
This time, not a single person shares his enthusiasm. If the people who wronged the three fishermen are mere pirates, then it would be easier to justify an armed response. But if the hijackers are people from the United Republic, a sovereign state formed by Avatar Aang and Firelord Zuko, then it changes many things.
"C-chief?" A member of the audience raised his arm, captivating the elder's attention. "Perhaps there might have some sort of misunderstanding. Why would people from the United Republic randomly confiscate the fish? It makes no sense."
A portion of the audience agreed with this more moderate view. But this is perceived as cowardice by some, drawing the ire of the three victims, who indignantly asserts that it was the people in grey clothing that intruded aggressively.
"How dare you!" Ebisu scathed at those who did not side with the three brothers. "You lot sell fish at Republic City, so don't think we are clueless on where your loyalty lies!"
"That is a groundless accusation!" The other fishers defended. "We are not even from the same village. You have no right to dictate our customers!"
The elder moderator and the scribe struggles to control the crowd. Ebisu pulled up his sleeves, preparing to use his fist to settle disputes. It seems that the opposing party also have no qualm either.
The burly man lunged at one of his opponents, who is also a muscular fisher. Before the situation loses control, an armored figure with long brown hair immediately jumped between the two. Unable to just sit idle and listen, she struck both larger men with well-placed punches below the neck, harmlessly knocking them back to respective sides of the room.
The entire meeting hall immediately ceased the quarrel, and the gathered leaders stared with widened eyes as someone stood in the middle their dispute.
"Insolence!" Akahana said in an authoritative manner, intimidating the troublemakers. Standing in the center of the hall, no one else dares to make another move. A lone devotee to Avatar Kyoshi is not to be trifled with.
"Head warrior." The elderly moderator addressed in a respectful tone, relived by her timely intervention. "Apologies for making you personally stopping the fight."
Hakaru also scribed this on the parchment, believing it might be useful for future reference.
Akahana looked around the room, seeing the faces of her own people, young and old. Although she is only attending this meeting to listen to mundane affairs, there are circumstances when intervening a potential brawl is necessary.
"You lot should have known better not to divide yourselves into petty factions!" She lectured fiercely. "The whole purpose of this gathering place is to devise a coordinated solution. If a minor disagreement can spiral into violence, then what is the point of this meeting? Both our pride and livelihood are equally important, and there is no need to sacrifice one for the other. If you are all real adults, then I suggest all to stay here and figure this out properly. But make no mistake, a transgression against one of my own cannot go unanswered. If my blades are needed to right a wrong, it does not matter where the instigators came from."
The attendees recomposed themselves after that quick speech. Of all the Kyoshi Warriors, Akahana is perhaps the most respected figure on this island. But that admiration is also balanced with the knowledge that she does not mind resolving certain problems with violence, something that she particularly excels in.
Ebisu sat down, acknowledging that he allowed rage to undermine his role as a village representative of fishers. It is an utter embarrassment that they even forced the head warrior herself to nullify a potential brawl.
As the meeting resumed in a peaceful manner, Akahana exchanged one look with Hakaru before heading for the exit. She is content with just watching the elders debate on topic related to civil matters, and now it's time to move on. Being a matron of a village not only involves training the younger generation in the ways of fighting, but her role also includes planning strategies, which cannot be accomplished in a room filled with people of other profession.
She slid the doors open and stepped out of the meeting hall. Akahana is accompanied by a few Kyoshi Warriors that function as bodyguards. It is more of a formality, since the woman they are protecting is more than capable of defending herself.
"Lady Akahana, how was the meeting?" One of them asked.
"Fruitless," the woman said with a hint of disappointment. "But nothing displeases me more than seeing people turning against their own."
The armed guards escorted her to another district of the temple. Along the way, Akahana caught glimpse of five individuals near a storeroom, two of them dueling with swords.
"Should I stop them?" One Kyoshi Warrior nearby asked.
"No, let them continue." Akahana watched from a distance, recognizing the faces of the two duelists. Being considered the strongest Kyoshi Warrior of the present, such identity will inevitably exert pressure upon her two daughters, especially the eldest Mayumi. Seeing the young swordswoman fight in a duel is rather refreshing from the busy schedule that stole much of the day.
Akahana sighed. "Youth is a great thing. But unguided means it is also dangerous."
They walked on, arriving at a large wooden tower guarded by multiple armed warriors. The women that accompanied Akahana stayed behind as she entered the building, marching to the second floor.
The matron arrived at two sentries guarding the entrance to the room. Recognizing the woman with long brown hair, they opened it without hesitation. Akahana strolled into this rather spacious section of the temple, being greeted with giant maps plastered across the walls. One section of the room is dedicated to a depiction of the world map, including all four nations. Since the partition of the Earth Kingdom, there are many states separated by drawn lines. But considering the never-ending shifting of borders between the belligerents, a map like this one may not be accurate. Whereas the depiction of their island is carved into a wooden model on a table, which is situated in the center of the room. A woman of equal rank is standing near it.
Her eye darted at Akahana.
"Looks like the red rose herself is finally here!" A deep feminine voice spoke in a joking manner. "I suppose there is only something of greater importance that could delay you."
Despite the additional red streaks across Oiwa's ferocious face paint, she can still appear rather amicable.
But Akahana did not immediately respond. She silently stared at the giant scar across Oiwa's missing eye, which the eyepatch couldn't even cover. Nothing can reverse that past tragedy.
"It has been a while, Oiwa," Akahana bowed in very formal manner, opposite to Oiwa's laxer attitude.
The one-eyed warrior sighed. She is a bit tired of her colleague for being so serious all the time. Everyone in this room is equally ranked. Even though Akahana is considered the strongest Kyoshi Warrior alive, their official ranks are exactly the same, so there is no need to even demonstrate formalities. Only some of the most exceptional fighters can ever become a matron of their village, so any etiquette between powerful women is arbitrary.
"Good old Akahana, being a tiger mum at home while acting like a little kitty outside," Oiwa jested.
"Let us get on with the official duty," Akahana said. "We are no longer impulsive youth blinded by our own inexperience."
"Well, you do still look like half your age."
Akahana ignored that. She and Oiwa arrived close to the table, examining the wooden depiction of Kyoshi Island. The brown-haired woman briefed the discussion held yesterday since the latter was not present. Pointing at small flags and wooden pieces on the table, a general tactic of defense is in the process of formulating. Every village and defensive structures are clearly outlined, giving Oiwa a good understanding on what is decided so far. A simple explanation would involve all the villagers to retreat inland, using the island's natural barriers as defense against a hypothetical powerful invading force. Traps and difficult terrain would be advantageous to the local defenders.
"The elders tasked us to develop a contingency plan," Akahana began. "It is a stratagem that will be applied during an attack of unprecedented level."
Oiwa scoffed at the idea, knowing that the people who proposed this definitely isn't from her village.
"I see some old geezers must have been quite scared in a recent pirate raid," Oiwa said in a lighthearted manner. "The ones in my place are more afraid of me than some unruly outsiders."
"We must not take this lightly," Akahana cautioned Oiwa's overconfidence. "The local defense is more than capable of repelling bands of marauders. Our individual settlements have sufficient resources and manpower to conduct a timely response to an unexpected raid. But that isn't enough for more potent threats."
Even the most dangerous pirates would not dare to intrude this place. The fools that even stepped onto here would have a hard time leaving. Or more precisely, they would not leave here in one piece. Which is why Oiwa has a hard time understanding Akahana's paranoia.
"If a coin can be earned for every pirate killed, then you and I would be the richest women in this region of the world," Oiwa joked.
"I believe their concerns are more than reasonable," Akahana disagreed respectfully. "The world is becoming more volatile as we speak. Wars are now prevalent across the mainland. And we cannot remain complacent. The island must prepare itself for the scenario that an invasion might occur."
"Invasion? That is a bit too much, even for you, Akahana." Oiwa voiced her own opinion on this matter. Despite being a mighty warrior in her own right, the one-eyed matron is not completely ignorant in the ways of politics. "The affairs of the mainland are not our own. Warlords sending their armies against each other does not affect here. Our people only need to maintain cordial relation with regional traders and those folks in Chin Village. So far, the threat of war reaching here is nothing but wishful thinking. The only danger I see are unruly bandits that decided to call the seas their new home, threatening our fishers and coastal villages."
Akahana acknowledged Oiwa's view. This notion is indeed very reasonable and logical at first glance.
Kyoshi Island is a rather special place. Or rather, there is nothing of great value that would incentivize an invasion. Gold? Silver? Metal ores? All these riches can be obtained elsewhere for much greater quantity. What about its natural resources? The soil is unsuitable to farm large amounts of wheat or rice. No one here even own livestock. The most impressive way of growing food are small vegetable gardens or foraging pods of soybeans in cracks of rocks.
What exactly does this place even have that can justify an invasion?
This island, remote and backwater, offers nothing of opulent importance. It has no strategic value. The humble locals barely know how to read and write. The most precious resource here are the meat of Elephant-Koi, which aristocrats across the world would simply buy it off from the fishers. Furthermore, for the entirety of the devastating Hundred Years War, Kyoshi Island was only attacked once. That was a special circumstance due to Avatar Aang's presence, which attracted a Fire Nation raid.
"Oiwa, there is no harm in preparing for the worst,' Akahana sighed. "Perhaps my blunt language isn't suitable to convince you and your warriors to agree with this plan. Speaking of which, where is Tomoe?"
"She is here this whole time," Oiwa blurted.
Akahana turned her head around as a third figure arrived at the table. She failed to even detect this person's presence. Tomoe appears just like any other Kyoshi Warrior. Her golden headdress is designed with the syllable of 千, representing the number of a thousand.
Without even introducing herself, Tomoe skipped the formalities and immediately spoke to Oiwa. With a gunbai fan in hand, she pointed at the map of the island, presenting a much more detailed explanation than what Akahana could provide. The tactical use of choke points can create multiple lines of defenses, making a siege very unbearable. Oiwa found herself nodding at the gentle spoken woman.
Aside from eliciting how the local defenders can slow down and subdue invaders by utilizing the environment, Tomoe also presented a much grander view of the current world. Between all three senior Kyoshi Warriors, she is the only one that doesn't emit the aura of a powerful warrior. Akahana and Oiwa are exceptionally skillful in slaying their foes, one is a ferocious tiger while the other is a vicious bear. But outside of violence, there is still a need for intelligence. Even the greatest Earth Kingdom armies during times of strife cannot win battles without a mind that exercises unparalleled foresight. Some of the most powerful warriors in history met unnecessary demise for not heeding suggestions from their advisors, a mistake they do not intend to repeat.
"We are living during a turbulent time," Tomoe said. "The fracture of the Earth Kingdom has unleashed more than what people have hoped for."
Following the last ruler's decision to dissolve the ruling monarchy and partitioning the provinces, the individual states now have free reign without the confines of a single banner.
A path to ruins guided by the folly and naive, and the rewards are ultimately a bloodbath of unprecedented level. War is sweet to those not acquainted with it. Although Kyoshi Island has luckily been spared from the carnage unleashed by this turmoil, there is absolutely no guarantee to prevent some nearby faction to launch an attack on this insignificant island. The ocean is a barrier of protection, but relying on this alone isn't prudent. Unlike during the days of their founder, Kyoshi Island no longer has a powerful force that can repel an army numbered in the thousands.
"The plan so far is to prepare our people for a potential attack of massive scale," Akahana looked at the little dots on the table, detailing points of evacuation. "A retreat inland allows us to fall back to a more defensible environment, turning nature itself into the fortress." Her hands pointed at the few ravines that most outsiders are not aware of. The use of traps and natural barriers would make any invading army lose countless people. But this isn't enough for one of member in this council.
Being the closest thing the Kyoshi Warriors have to a strategist, Tomoe approved this tactic. Drilling the island's population for a siege is prudent with all the civil wars on the mainland. But there is one problem.
"Then what?" Tomoe asked the simple yet difficult question, making the two other warriors raised their heads. "We can prepare ourselves to the fullest extent, training the people and stockpiling food. But even then, there is no guarantee. I have no doubt in the skill of our defenders, but enduring sieges are not beneficial."
There are no incentives to attack Kyoshi Island. No resources or strategic value even exist to motivate some warlord to come here. But that did not stop a certain someone from marching his army to a remote place like this one when the island is still part of the mainland.
"Chin the Conqueror," Tomoe went straight to the point. Fanning herself with the gunbai fan, she emphasized that nothing is certain in a world ridden with strife and violence. "Our predecessors fought under the leadership of an Avatar. They defeated an army that can make the grounds tremor with their numbers alone. That is only possible with the protection of a living deity."
The whole room went silent. Both Akahana and Oiwa pondered. They have long passed the days of an Avatar.
"Tomoe, your strategic concerns are wise, which is why I believe the next Avatar will be the key to secure our people's safety," Akahana said confidently. "So long as our people do not suffer from any attacks, the next Avatar will usher an era of peace and prosperity."
Oiwa nodded, siding with Akahana's belief in the return of the incarnate. Most people would naturally see light in a new Avatar that will bring peace to the lands.
Most people.
"And if they do not show up?" Tomoe's question silenced the other two. "Are you both seriously going to bet on a child to solve all our problems? Do not forget, our current predicament is precisely created by the previous Avatar's naivety and shortsightedness. A misguided fool undeserving of her place. Why should I depend on another one?"
There are rumors around the world that with the death of the previous Avatar, the cycle has been broken. It has been many years the world has progressed without a reigning incarnate. With the partition of the Earth Kingdom into countless entities, the continent is constantly painted with blood.
"Your hope into the Avatar are misplaced," Tomoe's words instantly spiked their ire. "She failed to stop the conflicts one after the other, fumbling many political tightropes and then continues without restraint. Why should I even try to depend on an ignorant child who is born lucky? The one that killed her have perhaps done us all a favor. Ending her have likely prevent more bloodshed across the lands. I am just surprised that she wasn't killed sooner."
"That is just sacrilege!" Oiwa roared. "How did someone like you even rose to this position?"
"How? Maybe I wasn't born lucky." Tomoe instantly riposted, citing that a Kyoshi Warrior must prove herself worthy to be a village matron, mostly through their personal skill as an excellent fighter and leader.
It was also a genuine question from Oiwa. Despite Tomoe's merit as a great Kyoshi Warrior, her unfavorable critique of the previous Avatar is more than bizarre. Devotees to Kyoshi would naturally be receptive to any incarnations that followed. Additionally, even mentioning the Avatar Killer is a great taboo.
Akahana raised an arm, calming the tension in the room.
"Then what do you suggest?" She challenged Tomoe in a calmer voice, albeit in a sterner fashion.
The strategist's response was outrageous, almost heretical as a devotee to Avatar Kyoshi.
"There are many paths our people may take, but the goal is to ensure that our way of life can be preserved," she said to ease their concerns. "So far, I foresee two possible stratagems."
The first option is the use of diplomacy, which can be an even more effective tool than swords and spears. Maintaining friendly relations with an outside force that is not hostile would be a key to stave off unwanted conflicts. Factoring Kyoshi Island's lack of strategic value and important resources, there should be no logical reason for some warlord to target this place. If there is a political faction that is likely to succeed in the wider conflict on the continent, it is more logical to establish cordial ties to maintain their island's independence, which is more realistic without an equalizing force like an Avatar defending this region.
"Hold on, why have you not considered the route of gaining allies to defeat this hypothetical enemy?" Oiwa demanded.
"I am working on the assumption that the Earth Kingdom may one day reunite itself," Tomoe clarified. "If that is the case, there are no such thing as allies."
Incorporating historical and cultural factors, they cannot depend on the other three nations. Inviting any other belligerents into a conflict with another Earth Kingdom state would be an act that may legitimize the opposing side, earning the hatred of countless. The scars of the Hundred Year War is fresh in the minds of everyone, regardless of nations. No one outside the continent is interested in embroiling themselves in the civil conflict between Earth Kingdom states.
"Those folks in Chin Village, what about them?" Akahana asked. "They may not be the friendliest people, but recent relations are at least manageable."
"Between us and them, they would certainly be the first ones to fall in the turmoil," Tomoe claimed. "There is no use in making them into an ally."
Oiwa chimed in again, demanding a second option, something simpler to understand. A grand amalgamation in Tomoe's mind is simply too convoluted for both her and Akahana to follow word to word.
"The second path assumes that an Avatar is discovered," Tomoe warned, narrowing her eyes. "To say this in the simplest form, Oiwa, we must take the Avatar for ourselves."
The other two woman is dumbfounded by this suggestion. This idea of seeing the Avatar as a political tool instead of a deity worthy for veneration is simply unfathomable.
"I do not trust the Avatar being used in the hands of other people," Tomoe elaborated. "Especially the likes of the powerful. Luckily, there is someone here who might have a chance to prevent the Avatar from falling into the wrong hands."
Oiwa and Tomoe stared at Akahana, who stood silently, pondering this wild suggestion.
The search for the Avatar across the Earth Kingdom has been fruitless. So far, the search is still being continued. But few members of the prestigious order of the White Lotus have been relentlessly looking for the next incarnate. Most already given up. With the countless conflicts waged across the now fractured continent, there is a possibly that the Earth Kingdom Avatar is already killed as a child, becoming another number in the endless pile of causalities.
Akahana is no longer vocal as before.
"You see why I placed more hope in my first stratagem?" Tomoe asked the brown-haired woman directly. "Instead of hopelessly waiting on an individual who may or may not be able to fulfill their duty, the use of careful diplomacy can benefit our people much more."
Hope is not in great supply when looking for an Avatar born into the Earth Kingdom. The process is simply too difficult, too time consuming. While most have forgo their infatuation with an Avatar that will resolve all their problems, there are still those who remember the heroic deeds performed by previous incarnations.
"No," Akahana is defiant to the notion of abandoning the Avatar's role as a keeper of peace. "Our founder experienced the same trials and tribulations. Without her, there would be no us, and no Kyoshi Island. Of all the people on this island, I should be the last one to lose faith in Kyoshi."
"Stubborn as always," Tomoe said under her breath.
The conclusion of this meeting did achieve its goal. The request for contingency plan to handle a large-scale attack is formulated. But there is still disagreement over strategic plans for the island's future, mainly related to the wider conflicts waged across the Earth Kingdom mainland.
A Kingdom long united must divide, must divided must unite. How can they adequately address an inevitable threat that rivals Chin the Conqueror's caliber? It is the issue of using the Avatar that divides this council of senior Kyoshi Warriors.
"Perhaps we may reconvene tomorrow," Oiwa suggested. As someone who prefers more simple discussions, her presence here is only to approve the plan of evacuation for their respective villages.
Just as Akahana and Oiwa are about to exit the meeting room, something captivated their collective attention, almost making them drew out their metal fans to kill a potential assassin.
It was a feathery creature that stumbled through the window. Oiwa picked it up and brought it to the table. It is a messenger hawk with brown colors, likely sent by someone within the Earth Kingdom.
"To this day, I still do not know how these birds recognize where they are going," Oiwa was not gentle in her handling, grabbing the wings. She unraveled the letter attached to the leg, giving it to Akahana after reading it herself.
The recipient of the letter read it intensely. After finishing the contents, her expression is a mixture of uncertainty and anticipation.
"Ba Sing Se is a long way from here," Oiwa said. "You would have a hard time convincing that Earthbending kid of yours."
"Bold of you to think that it would be my decision alone," Akahana retorted.
After the two headed out of the room, Tomoe remained behind, making one last round of analyzing the contingency plan. But she also walked to the end of the room, which depicts the map of the whole world, a land that still lives in the consequences of the Hundred Year War.
No matter how much the world has changed, the grand city of Ba Sing Se has always been there. Its walls have stood the test of time. So large it was built, all the world's map would depict it akin to mountains.
But that is no ordinary city. It is the historical capital of the entire Earth Kingdom, the seat of the sovereign and a powerful state by its own. There is a saying, to control Ba Sing Se is akin to controlling the whole Earth Kingdom. Even during times of civil wars, all warlords covet to be the one to sit on the throne of the monarch, legitimizing their own dynasty and gaining the mandate of heaven. Even someone as powerful as Chin the Conqueror failed to usurp the ruling powers behind those giant walls. If history is consistent, then a great power may once again emerge through Ba Sing Se.
"How interesting," Tomoe said to herself.
In a dog eat dog world, who would be the one to end this era of warlords across the mainland continent? An Avatar, or a single state?
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