บท 29: Loyalty
Kaiya sat at her modest desk, the gentle glow of a single oil lamp casting faint ripples of light across the weathered surface. The chamber's walls bore little ornamentation beyond a few slender cracks tracing through old plaster. Somewhere in the shadows, squirrel-mice skittered, their small claws tapping against wood. One ventured onto the desk's edge, whiskers twitching curiously as Kaiya conjured a delicate flame in her palm. Her golden eyes hovered over that flicker, though her mind strayed far beyond its warmth.
The door eased open, and Joo Dee entered with measured steps, closing it quietly behind her. Her gaze fell upon Kaiya's weary posture, noting the subtle tension in her shoulders.
"Kaiya," she began softly, taking a step closer. "Your mother come today. Big day! You not happy?"
The flame in Kaiya's hand ebbed until it vanished entirely. She inhaled slowly before meeting Joo Dee's gaze. When she spoke, her voice was cool and carefully measured, each word chosen with deliberate precision.
"Happy? I suppose I should be," she said, her tone carrying a certain cultured reserve. "Yet it has been so long since we shared anything resembling normalcy. Before my mentorship with Azula, before this entire enterprise, we knew who we were to each other. Now... I am not certain my mother will recognize me, nor I her. It has only been a handful of months, yet it feels as though years have passed."
Joo Dee ventured a comforting hand to Kaiya's shoulder, her accent gentle but distinct.
"Mother and daughter see face again, all bad things melt away. Only love stay. No need worry."
Kaiya inclined her head, acknowledging Joo Dee's sentiment, though her eyes remained shadowed with uncertainty.
Joo Dee produced a slender envelope from her sleeve and offered it to Kaiya.
"Letter for you," she said, a hint of curiosity edging her words. "Very rare. Nobody know you… important."
Kaiya accepted the letter, her brow arching slightly as she examined it.
"Not royal correspondence, nor from Azula or Lord Ozai..." she murmured, turning it over. Recognizing the handwriting, her voice softened. "Rina and Lina."
With careful fingers, she broke the seal and began to read aloud. Her voice grew taut as she continued.
"They report a formidable earthbender attacking near the colonial town—described as a one-man army liberating villages. No one can stand against this foe. The lieutenant refuses to withdraw, fearful of disgrace, and Rina and Lina remain steadfast beside him. If nothing is done by tomorrow, the town will fall."
Kaiya's hand shook slightly, a rare sign of distress slipping through her poised exterior. Joo Dee's eyes widened.
"You tell them run," Joo Dee urged, voice rising with concern. "Leave town now! Better live."
Kaiya shook her head, her tone calm yet firm, as though explaining an ancient custom to a confused guest.
"You misunderstand Fire Nation ways, Joo Dee. To abandon their post would be a dishonor more grievous than death itself. If they fight and perish, at least they retain dignity. To flee would stain their names beyond redemption."
Joo Dee pressed her lips together.
"Then tell Azula, tell Ozai. They strong, do something."
Kaiya exhaled slowly, eyes drifting to a distant point on the cracked wall.
"They are wholly occupied with preparations for the comet, only a week away. A small colonial town concerns them not. If I petition them now, I reveal a weakness, a needless diversion, and jeopardize my position here."
Joo Dee stepped back, agitated.
"Then what you do, Kaiya? You cannot just let this be."
Kaiya's gaze fell back to the letter. Her voice grew thoughtful, as if weighing each syllable.
"They call the attacker a one-man army. The mightiest earthbender I know, King Bumi of Omashu, would have been named outright, not described so vaguely. If not Bumi…" Her brow furrowed, mind alight with possibilities.
Joo Dee ventured a guess.
"Maybe Toph? Girl who travel with Avatar. Blind, strong. She bend metal. She escape cell. Could that be her?"
Kaiya frowned, considering.
"If it were Toph, perhaps they are too embarrassed to admit they are losing to a mere child. Such a confession would wound their pride."
She rose, smoothing her robes as resolution tightened her features.
"I cannot tarry. If I delay, the town falls, and Rina and Lina perish for nothing. I must handle this personally."
Joo Dee's expression twisted with worry.
"But your mother! She arrive soon. If you leave now, you abandon Ba Sing Se. Ozai not like this. Could anger him. Risk everything."
Kaiya's jaw set, her words poised and even.
"Yes, it is a risk. But Ozai respects results and decisive action. Should he question my initiative, I will speak to Azula directly. She herself veered from the script and seized Ba Sing Se when the opportunity arose. Time is a cruel master, and we cannot wait on formalities when lives hang in the balance. One must act swiftly rather than await permission."
Joo Dee's throat tightened as she fetched a cloak, draping it over Kaiya's shoulders. She offered a small satchel.
"Water, food. Take. Please be careful."
Kaiya inclined her head gratefully.
"Your kindness does not go unnoted, Joo Dee."
Outside the palace gates, an ostrich horse awaited, stamping its feet against the cobblestone. Kaiya mounted smoothly, her posture regal despite the urgency. Joo Dee lingered behind, hands folded, anxiety plain in her eyes.
"Good luck," she managed softly.
Kaiya urged the ostrich horse forward, disappearing into the pale horizon. In her wake, Joo Dee stood alone in the quiet courtyard, caught between admiration and fear for the woman who bore both strength and grace, and who would not abandon those who needed her.
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