Izan could feel the nervous and prying eyes of the people on him, despite their attempts to avoid his gaze. It made their march through the city nothing short of uncomfortable. Anyone could tell that the people of Goju city did not want them here. Even now, three months after stability had returned to the city, he could see the defiance in their faces. For some it was fear instead. Fear of punishment, or perhaps fear for the lives of the Earth-benders that had been taken from their families.

He detested it. 

His father had taught him the importance of authority, discipline, and honour. The lords who ruled the islands of the Fire Nation were supposed to lead by example. If anything, they were supposed to be fair and just to those under them. Was it just or honourable to inflict fear upon the people? He thought not.

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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WMQKsH9l.jpg[/img][/center]
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Relief washed over him when the inner walls of the city came in sight. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the decorated building of wood and stone that towered over the walls. Jigu Castle, Izan recalled. For a while, it had been the base of operations for the south-eastern war effort. After the front had moved up, however, it had become the residence of the Fire Nation-appointed governor. 

Once they were no less than twenty-meters away, the five men who guarded the thick, wooden gate finally bothered to get up. Izan eyed them up and down as they approached. All of their sleazy, stained, and mismatched uniforms were adorned by red sashes, indicating their status as Fire Nation soldiers. The one in front, a sun-burnt man with scabs all over his bald head, was the only one not carrying a pike. A fire-bender, Izan guessed. 

With an audible lack of interest, the bald soldier spoke up. [color=IndianRed]"And you are?"[/COLOR]
[COLOR=CRIMSON]"Captain Izan. Third Legion."[/COLOR] Izan said curtly. 
That piqued his interest. [COLOR=INDIANRED]"Third legion, eh? You look a little worse for wear."[/COLOR] The bald soldier grinned, exposing a set of yellow teeth. [COLOR=INDIANRED]"Heard some rumours about a defeat at the Meijang crossing,"[/COLOR] Izan's golden eyes narrowed into a glare that made him hesitate. [COLOR=Indianred]"they... true?"[/COLOR]
[COLOR=CRIMSON]"That's not your concern,"[/COLOR] Izan glanced at the soldier's dull insignia. [i][COLOR=CRIMSON]"Lieutenant."[/COLOR][/i] He spoke the last word with clear disdain. He knew of the poor reputation the coastal garrisons had. The Fire lord's priority was conquest, and therefore the frontline. It showed in the poor upkeep of the garrisons left behind. That was why these were usually made up of thugs, low-lives, and cheap mercenaries. Judging by their appearance, that was the case for Goju's garrison as well. 
[COLOR=CRIMSON]"Now let us through. I don't want to keep the governor waiting."[/COLOR] 

After parting with his men in the spacious servant building, Izan made his way through the courtyard to the castle's keep, where the governor had taken up residence. It was a massive building of dark wood and stone, with olive-green terracotta roof panels. Izan had taken a moment to wash up, and change his armour for a modest dark-red robe. The two guards stationed on both sides let him through without so much as a second thought. It truly made him wonder if all it took was some silk and the colour red to infiltrate the castle. 

A castle which, inside, felt like an entirely different world. No expenses were spared in decorating the place, from the decorative carvings in the wooden furniture to the porcelain vases that housed exotic plants. The only form of conflict he found in the castle's halls, was the contrast between the red tapestries and green accents in the furniture and accessories. Then there were the overly eager servants. Men and women from Earth Kingdom descent, who made it seem as if their lives depended on keeping the porcelain stainless. 

With his helmet under his arm, Izan continued to the audience chamber. The helmet bore the insignia of the third legion; a flame-like crown. It was the sole identification he had of his rank, and Izan had created a habit of bringing it along on meetings such as these. Considering how out-of-touch with reality the governor's castle seemed, it felt like the right call too. Entering the audience chamber, Izan sat down on the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaisu#:~:text=A%20zaisu%20(%E5%BA%A7%E6%A4%85%E5%AD%90,relaxing%20under%20heated%20kotatsu%20tables]Zaisu[/url] positioned in front of the elevated platform that no doubt belonged to the governor. As far as first impressions did, Izan didn't hold the man with his luxurious tastes in high-regard.

After a long wait, someone accompanied by four servants finally shuffled into the room. A man in his mid-thirties, with a long well-kept moustache and hair tied in a knot on top of his head in typical Fire Nation style. His silky crimson robes adorned with gold were clearly supposed to make him appear grand and dignified. His slightly hunched posture and darting amber eyes, however, did not add to the pretence. The governor reminded Izan of a deer. Any sudden moves, and the man was guaranteed to jump up and flee. 

Once the governor was seated, one of the servants directly behind him spoke up. [COLOR=palegoldenrod]"The Illustrious Governor Jong will now hear your request."[/COLOR] Illustrious was quite an unfitting title for the man, or so Izan thought. 
[COLOR=CRIMSON]"I am Captain Izan of the Third Legion. We were told to regroup at Goju in the event of a loss at the Meijang crossing."[/COLOR] He began calmly. [COLOR=CRIMSON]"We will stay here until further orders are received from General Ozoru."[/COLOR] He made sure to issue it as a statement, instead of a request. It was a not-so subtle way to undermine the governor's self-perceived power. [COLOR=CRIMSON]"Be ready to accommodate for at least seven cohorts."[/COLOR] 
[color=tomato]"W-w-wait."[/COLOR] Governor Jong stuttered, his eyes bulging. [COLOR=TOMATO]"[i]Seven[/i] cohorts?!"[/COLOR] 
[COLOR=palegoldenrod]"Goju can only accommodate the four cohorts sent to Meijang!"[/COLOR] the servant snapped. 
Izan's gaze slowly moved to her. [COLOR=crimson]"And yet those are General Ozoru's orders."[/COLOR] When the servant looked as if she was going to protest again, Izan quickly continued. [COLOR=CRIMSON]"The Fire lord wants Omashu to fall before winter. Therefore, crossing General Ozoru would mean crossing the Fire lord."[/COLOR] Izan stopped there, letting the Fire lord's infamy for excessive violence do the rest. 
After a moment of silence, Governor Jong admitted defeat. [COLOR=TOMATO]"The p-p-preparations will be m-m-made..."[/COLOR]
Izan nodded. [COLOR=CRIMSON]"Good. Then this concludes our meeting."[/COLOR] Despite the hierarchy here in Goju, it was clear who had been in charge of the conversation. Perhaps that was why Governor Jong preferred not to show his face in public. Izan imagined that, upon hearing him, the people would rise up in an instant. 

As he stood up, he saw Governor Jong pull the servant's sleeve in the corner of his eye. [COLOR=palegoldenrod]"Captain Izan. A final word please."[/COLOR] Izan turned to face them once more. [COLOR=PALEGOLDENROD]"Captain Maiko of the garrison could probably use your help."[/COLOR] [i]Probably being the key word[/i], Izan thought. [COLOR=PALEGOLDENROD]"She has been dealing with nightly... disappearances. So far, she has been unsuccessful. Perhaps you could aid her in solving these crimes during your stay."[/COLOR] The servant glanced at the window, through which the day's final rays of sunlight shone. [COLOR=PALEGOLDENROD]"You will probably find her in a tavern by this hour."[/COLOR]
Izan made a short bow and directed his attention to the governor. [COLOR=CRIMSON]"With all due respect, Governor Jong, that is your problem to solve. Mine is the siege of Omashu."[/COLOR] With that, he left the silent and perplexed governor alone with his servants. 
   
Yet the sight of dusk outside left him with mixed feelings. Discipline, honour, and justice. Those remained his values. If it was truly in his power to stop the disappearances, then could he sit idly by? 

Izan let out a sigh. Not every choice was as easily made as this one.

[hr]
Donning a dull green cloak over a ragged earthen-brown tunic, Izan made his way through the slithering streets of the city. He was not foolish enough to wear Fire Nation garments in the streets at night. A three-month occupation was not enough to stop Fire Nation citizens from being dragged into back alleys and be beaten or lynched. To prevent that from happening, the governor had issued a curfew. One that apparently began at midnight, and could easily be bypassed by bribing the right guards. Not that that was of his concern. No, all he cared about was meeting with this 'Captain Maiko'. First he planned to study her from a distance to gauge what kind of person she was. Then, he would make his decision. 

Izan opened the door of the first tavern he'd try for the night. Immediately, he was greeted by the warmth and laughter of the crowd inside. A good starting point, or so he'd thought. Blending in, Izan weaved his way through the crowds to a table in the back. He had no intention of staying if this 'Maiko' wasn't present, which was why he withheld from signalling one of the girls serving drinks. At least until after he had studied the faces of the crowd. Usually, the captain ranks were given to capable Fire-benders. If that were the case, the golden-yellow eyes of the woman should give her away. If not, the accent or boasting most likely would. But finding those signs took time and patience. 

And thanks to curfew, Izan did not know which of the two he was really lacking.