Izan’s gaze swept through the tavern, resting on the faces of the customers. It didn’t escape his notice that the majority of them were gruff and broad-shouldered seamen. Some, judging by their earrings, bracers, and necklaces of animal bones, hailed from the Water tribes. But there were more locals, formerly citizens of the Earth Kingdom. 

Left from the doorway, slightly angled toward the corner, was a table occupied by off-duty soldiers from the Fire Nation. Unlike him, they wore dark crimson and black clothes, some of them even armor – the state of which betraying that they were all part of the local garrison. At the head of the table sat a woman whose laugh made the flames in the oil lamps dance. 

He made the link quickly. She was a firebender, one so extraordinarily gifted that they could set a tree ablaze with a sneeze. 
Izan folded his arms, leaning forward to study the group a bit better. The absence of their topknots, the Fire Nation hairstyle that symbolized one’s personal honour, spoke volumes about them. Their lack of care too. 
	
A man to the woman’s right with graying sideburns swept his arm around the waist of a waitress passing by. His chair creaked under his weight, wine spilling over his sleazy armour. The other soldiers laughed, no doubt at his poor attempts to seduce the girl. 

Her wide-eyed expression made the barkeep come over. He said something Izan couldn’t hear over the loud noise of conversation in the tavern. But the face of the soldier, twisting in a fit of anger, made the guess rather obvious. 

The soldier sprung to his feet, his chair falling over behind him. In an instant, it grew silent. 

[color=c4df9b]“Please, just leave her be. She’s my daughter. I’ll give you another round on the house.”[/color] The barkeep pleaded. 

“You think I care?!” The soldier spat. [color=red]“Everything in this forsaken city belongs to us now! You don’t like that? Then maybe you should’ve fought harder!” [/color]

Several of the men Izan had identified as water tribe rose to their feet. Instinctively, his hand shifted to the dagger hidden under his cloak. Things were taking a turn for the worst. 

[color=7ea7d8]“You may want to settle down, friend.”[/color] An older man who previously sat with the water tribe intervened. [color=7ea7d8]“If it truly is conflict you are looking for, I recommend traveling east.”[/color]

The light of the oil lams dimmed. [color=f26522]“I believe you are missing the point.”[/color] Slowly, the Fire Nation woman stood up. [color=f26522]“Like Xu-pa says, we conquered this place.”[/color] Her gaze moved over the tavern’s crowd. [color=f26522]“We lay down the law in this place.”[/color] She deliberately left another pause. [color=f26522]“Disobeying our will, resisting us, is seen as breaking the law. And you know what punishment follows.”[/color] She opened her hand to reveal a flickering ball of flame. [color=f26522]“You will be branded a criminal. And you will burn.”[/color] 
	
The barkeep took a step back, raising his hands. [color=c4df9b]“I… I did not mean to offend you or your company, Lady Maiko.”[/color]
Izan’s nails dug into the palms of his hands as he balled them into fists. [i]This[/i] was Guard-captain Maiko? The highest-ranking officer in the city, whom he was supposed to help? The incompetence of Governor Jong had angered him. But the corrupt nature of the high-ranking officers sent him reeling over the edge. He leaned into the positive jing, reaching the center of the action before he had even realized it. Briefly, he entertained the thought of challenging them to an Agni Kai one by one. But that would mean there was any semblance of honour to fight over. And that he would have to firebend. 

[color=crimson]“Captain Maiko.”[/color] He addressed her with an icy tone, pulling his hood back as he stepped forward. [color=crimson]“I believe that we should have a word.”[/color] His amber eyes shifted to her company. [color=crimson]“Alone.”[/color] 

Maiko pursed her lips. The flame in her hand faded. Before she could respond, Xu-pa stepped in to block his view. He was too close, forcing Izan to smell his breath. [color=red]“And who, by the Avater herself, do you think you are?!”[/color] He spat out the words and poked a finger at Izan’s chest. 

Izan sighed. He hadn’t wanted this to escalate any further than it already had. But the temper of a firebender was like the element itself, uncontrollable. 

Before anyone could tell what had had happened, Xu-pa stumbled back, roaring in pain. All seven Fire Nation soldiers shot up, blazing flames springing from some of their fists as they sought to incinerate him immediately. 

They were stopped at the last second by Maiko herself, who studied the thin dagger Izan held in his hand. 

Xu-pa, clutching his bleeding hand, stared at her. Furious. [color=red]“He cut off my finger! Why don’t you kill him!?” [/color]

[color=f26522]“Because, Xu-pa, he’s from the Fire Nation.”[/color] Maiko’s piercing gaze was fixed on Izan. Izan could’ve sworn she was suppressing a smile. 

Xu-pa was far less amused. “That’s not an excuse!” He shot a look at Izan again. [color=red]“You, you bastard... I challenge you to an Agni-kai.” [/color]

Maiko let out a low whistle. [color=f26522]“Are you sure about that? Do you not recognize him?”[/color] She chuckled. [color=f26522]“You’re looking at Captain Izan of the third legion. Better known as the Blade of Makapu”[/color]

[i]What a way to announce my presence.[/i] Izan thought. 

Xu-pa turned pale. [color=red]“Wait-“ [/color]

[color=crimson]“I accept.”[/color]

[color=red]“I meant no-“[/color]

[color=crimson]“Tomorrow at noon. Fortress gates.”[/color] Izan could almost see the beads of sweat forming on the man’s brow. 

[color=red]“Bu-“[/color]

[color=f26522]“You heard him.”[/color] Maiko interjected. [color=f26522]“Now leave us. We captains do indeed have business to discuss.” [/color]