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Chapter Text

Sweat gleamed atop his forehead as he pushed the coal loaded cart down the tracks and to the boiler furnace. After which, he and a fellow squad member began shoveling the fuel into the open hatch.

"Private Lu Ten!" The familiar voice of lieutenant Chan grabbed his attention.

"Sir!" With quick movements expected of a trained private, Lu Ten dropped his shovel and cupped his hands in salute to his superior.

Stoic as ever, lieutenant Chan relayed his orders, "Captain Mao has given orders for you to be escorted to the deck immediately!"

"Yes sir!" Lu Ten nodded to his fellows and began walking behind the lieutenant as they ascended the ship. They moved in a brisk but careful pace through the pipe covered gangways beneath the deck. Passing by rushing soldiers whom were either relaying orders or transporting the injured.

Several times they had to stop and make way for sprinting engineers, physicians and trollies carrying medical equipment or stretchers with injured men and women.

The atmosphere throughout the ship was tense as if a great battle had occurred. In a way the fleet did 'fight' against a terrible opponent not too long ago, one most men didn't survive.

However, as he walked through the ship and caught the eye of many, he believed it wasn't the the injuries, ship damage or pending humiliation they'd receive upon reaching home that weighed heavily most men's minds. Instead it was likely due to the weakening of: 'That which all fire nationals held most dear.'

Lu Ten clenched his hands at the thought. 'Even I..... Tsk!'

Soon they reached the upper layers of the ship. By this time, frigid wind from outside was beginning to overpower the heat pumped through the various pipes of the ship.

As he stepped out onto the deck, he couldn't help but think how wrong everything felt. The air was far too icey and windy for summer weather.

'Did we get thrown off course?' Lu Ten could see his breath as he exhaled.

Soon they crossed the deck and approached Captain Mao whom stood at the forecastle of the ship facing the sea with two lightly armoured guards on either side of him.

Being this far out on deck. Lu Ten could see the other black steel warships sailing in a tight formation, while the majestic royal flagship sailed up ahead.

Their ship was almost at the centre of the formation well protected from the choppy waves; on his father's orders no doubt.

"Captain Mao sir! The private has been escorted as commanded!"

Lieutenant Chan and Lu Ten saluted the man. As a private, Lu Ten made sure to bow a bit, as was required of a soldier of his rank when facing such a high ranking officer.

Still facing the sea, Captain Mao's hard but calm voice said. "Very well lieutenant, you are dismissed."

"Sir!" Chan shouted and marched off, leaving Lu Ten, the Captain and his guards alone in silence.

'Mao Saowon, of the Saowon clan....'

Lu ten stared at the man's red, scale-armoured back in thought. This was his second time seeing the captain up close, though he'd seen the man's more higher ranking cousin in the imperial court many times.

The Saowon noble clan was one of the few who still had some self-autonomy of their island and some sway in court..... at least as much as one could in the autocracy that was the Fire Nation.

'The Saowon Clan is currently a staunch supporter of uncle's political wing. Why father would let these weasels partake in this glorious war is lost to me.' He had to force himself not to sneer with disdain, not letting a bit of it show on his face as he waited.

The man was making a power move by sending for him with an escort and making him wait while he gazed at the royal sloop sailing ahead.

"Private Lu Ten." Seemingly bored of his power play, Captain Mao turned to look at him with hard amber eyes. Observing him up and down critically.

"........In light of the recent storm and certain phenomena, General Iroh has summoned all Captains to his flagship to discuss the situation.

He's also...... requested your presence as well." Lu ten could easily register the disdain in the man's voice as he made no motion to hide it.

He didn't make the anger in his heart show, instead, he put it into his voice as he saluted, "Yes sir!"

"Hmmm, unfortunately, we must leave immediately. I'm afraid you won't be able to pamper yourself in a princely manner before we leave. I'm truly sorry." Captain Mao smiled a little then.

Lu ten could imagine his hands, clothing and face were covered in coal marks. He wasn't even in uniform! To meet a General in such a state would be in some cases, disrespectful and in others embarrassing for a noble or in his case, a prince.

However Captain Mao and those with his mentality didn't really understand himself or his father.

"It is of no concern Captain!" He wondered why Mao was suddenly so hostile. Of course, the man had been targeting him from the very moment he stepped upon the ship.

However, it was in rather subtle ways such as designating his squad's quarters closer to the noisy boiler room and most recently, assigning them with boiler duty. He was sure the Captain had much more planned for him if their journey wasn't interrupted.

'But to play these games after everything that's happened? What's his aim?' Lu Ten could help but wonder as he fell in line with the captain and his guards as they made their way to the side of the sip. There, a Steel pilot ladder was already unfurled and a small steam paddler was already deployed and ready for travel. It was obvious the captian did everything on purpose.

They descended into the vehicle and soon the little vessel was off towards the behemoth that was the General's flagship.

A veritable monstrosity of black steel, bloody crimson banners and golden edges floating atop the waves. His father wished to have a simple empire-class ship.

Firelord Azulon wouldn't have it. Instead, his grandfather commissioned an custom empire-class royal sloop, equipped with the latest artillery weaponry, and steam systems.

The Western Dragon! That was the name his grandfather bestowed upon the vessel himself.

Not only was the beast fast, she was also extremely maneuverable for her size. These traits were likely the reason it was among the least damaged of the surrounding ships.

Lu ten looked around and his face couldn't help but grow pale. 'Is this all there is to the royal fleet!?' He remembered the massive force of 35 ships from the palace before they departed. But from what he could see now, it would be a miracle if there was a score of ships left!

He could barely snap out of his stupor as they reached the side of the ship and ascended the steel pilot ladders.

The royal colours of crimson and gold were painted on the black iron deck. A massive flag with the National emblem fluttering in the cold air.

Royal guards received them and guided the two up the steps and through elaborate gangways inside the ship until they approached a massive door with the royal emblem upon it. A three-tongued golden flame on a field of red.

'This must be father's war council chambers....' Lu Ten figured.

Both he and Captain Mao walked slowly and purposely towards the large mat where the general sat at the head with his legs crossed.

The massive mat displayed a detailed map of the world at its center. In fact, the entire room was covered in large maps of the Earth kingdom; Ba Sing Se in particular.

As they neared, the assembled men turned to look at them. Both Private and Lieutenant cupped their fists in salute. As military etiquette dictated, Captain Mao introduced himself first.

"General Iroh, Admiral Feng, my fellow Captains and acting Captains, I greet you and apologize for my tardiness." The members of the table nodded.

"Private Lu Ten salutes the General, Admiral and Captains!"

"Sit." Was the only word his father said.

Both of them went their respective seats. Captain Mao found an empty space among the Captains and sat on his knees, Lu Ten took the empty left hand position directly beside his father. He sat in the lotus position as royalty always did in a formal setting no matter the rank.

Though he would've liked to stand as a military officer of his rank usually would, he knew his heavy political position wouldn't allow it nor would his father.

The General's amber eyes passed over everyone in the room before he began to speak.

"Now that everyone's here, lets begin. Admiral Feng if you would."

Admiral Feng slowly rose to his feet and began speaking, "General, according to the records complied from each ship Captain, we have lost over 90% of our fleet and troops in the storm.

Our troops, ship crew, war-beasts, food storages, fuel, supplies, and weapons are either lost to the sea, injured, damaged and or destroyed."

Lu ten swallowed discretely and tried not to look too pale. To hear this extent of damages and loss to not just this fleet and army but the fire nation as a whole.

"Excluding small steam paddlers, we have 8 Warships in total. Five of which are empire class and three smaller Frigates. There are also 4 civilian merchant ships remaining." Admiral Feng paused.

The only sound Lu Ten could hear around the room was the occasional blast of steam.

'To think there'd be such losses to the civilians as well....' He felt his breath hitch.

Though it was to be expected, civilian ships were far smaller and less durable.

"Continue Admiral." The General's face was hard, but his voice was steady as a rock.

"According to the finalized head count reports sent in by each of the captains, there are 21,578 troops. Most of whom are uninjured. 456 injured with 32 fatalities, most of these were deaths were those rescued from the sea." Admiral Feng continued calmly, but Lu Ten could see the way the middle-aged man gripped the paper.

"What of the crewmen and civilian population?" His father asked

"........Most of those on the surviving ships are safe General. They're shaken up but since they were inside the warship formation and most of them were bellow deck as the storm raged, a majority survived with small injuries.

We are still counting up the loss of livestock and goods at the moment." Captain Lee, spoke up.

"In total, how many people are alive?" the General asked after a short pause, his face the grimmest Lu Ten had ever seen since his mother's death.

"28,507 people, including, troops, ship crewmen, supporting staff and civilians." Admiral Feng replied.

The meeting carried on with the admiral giving his father the complied data collected from the remnants of the fleet.

The more Lu Ten heard, he couldn't help but think, 'Spirits help us all....'

Chapter Text

General Iroh gazed at the men assembled before him. It took all the self-control he developed over his fifty-odd years of life to not make his confusion, sadness and disappointment show externally.

This campaign was to be the final blow to the Earth kingdom. The sacking of Ba Sing Se would bring the opposition to its knees! With this victory for the Fire Nation in his name, a smooth and stable ascension would follow.

He would be secured enough for the political and societal reforms he planned to put into effect the very moment the five-pronged Firelord's hair piece was placed into his top knot.

But before he could even touch land, a great storm whipped up out of nowhere; threating to consume his grand army and himself.

His invincible fleet was smashed and his men were drowned. What would he tell their families? What would he tell his father and the High General?

'Was this the doing of the spirits?' He wondered.

Was his prophetic dream all those years ago wrong?

'I saw myself fighting at a great wall....... I was able to beat back my enemies and was victorious........... I was certain-'

"General?" Iroh snapped out of his stupor and looked to his Commander.

"Apologies Commander Shu, you were telling me of the Ship's extensive damages."

"Uh....Yes, General, I was referring to Azulon's fury being in critical condition and the most devastated of all empire classes. We must dock and make repairs as soon as possible." The Commander looked genuinely surprised he was following at all.

"Will she be able to make it to the Crescent islands at least?"

"Yes General. She is a hardy beast but only bin capable hands. If captain Uzure was given command, I'm sure she'll last a day or two at most. No offence to you acting captain Chikan."

"None taken Commander." Captain Chikan nodded in agreement with Shu's suggestion. He was a younger, less experienced man compared to the previous Captain Zulmo who was currently unconscious die to his injuries.

From what Iroh had heard and seen, the young man was a competent Lieutenant and was a perfect replacement. However, he was still too green to manage a damaged empire class warship.

There was a pause as he looked around the room. He could feel the tension and unease from them.

'Well..... There's no use putting it off further....'

"Now that I've heard everything about the fleet, tell me of this....... Firebending Phenomenon." He leaned forward and stared at all the men present.

Immediately, all their eyes seemed to be overcome with shadow.

"General...... the reports started similarly on all ships. The Firebending crewmen in the boiler room were the first to notice.

After the storm, whenever they went to ignite or blast more fire into the furnaces, their flames seemed to be weaker, it took more effort to achieve normal levels of flame intensity and for some...... the ability has gone completely......" Admiral Feng made no effort to hide the tremor in his voice as he read the report.

Iroh began stroking his beard to relieve the built up stress within himself.

"What about you all?" His heart quivered as Admiral Feng, Commander Shu Captain Tokom, Chikan, Uzure, Lee, Yumao and his own son nodded.

"Y....You too Lu?" He asked, hoping his eyes were deceiving him.

"Yes father." With that, Iroh almost ripped his goatee from his face. He could only close his eyes and collect a calming breath.

When he opened them he could see them all staring at him.

"General..... what about you?" Commander Shu asked.

Too tired to formulate a response, Iroh held up his palm and summoned a massive ball of fire that illuminated the entire room. "I'm completely unaffected." He while sustaining the stout flame.

All the others looked at him with relief, reverence and awe. "As expected of the Dragon of the west!" Admiral Feng shouted.

"Now that everything has been discussed, I'll pass down my orders now." He said, dispelling the fire and darkening the room.

The men sat straight to receive their orders. "Admiral, I want this fleet turned around and on its way to Crescent Island post haste!"

"Yes General!"

"I also want an emergency rescue team out searching the Mo Ce and Boiling Seas any of our troops. You will be giving them the coordinates on the possible locations they may be found."

"It will be done!" Admiral Feng nodded.

"Good, Captain Uzure, I herby assign you to the temporary position of Captain of Azulon's fury until she docks in the safety of Crescent island. I entrust her crewmen, troops and auxiliary staff to you."

"As You command General!" The old Captain Uzure cupped his fist in deference.

"Commander Shu, see to it that a detailed account of the situation is sent to the nearest communication towers and a suitable replacement is made for Captain Uzure."

"It will be done General!"

"Captains, have your navigators calculate all possible coordinates where our troops and remnants of or fleet may still be adrift and send them to Admiral Feng. Be sure to pay close attention to the firebenders of your respective ships and have the physicians note any abnormalities!

"I will be sending a Dragon hawk to Bhati island and the Fire sage temples myself and have them brought to our aid as soon as possible! You are dismissed!"

"Understood!" The Admiral, Commander and Captains shouted in unison.

The men got up slowly, and left the room, seemingly leaving Iroh and his son together.

"Leave us." Iroh waved his hand.

Silently the hidden and exposed guards slinked away. When he was certain of their privacy, Iroh got to his feet, his son soon followed. The two embraced each other.

"Are you alright son?" Iroh asked softly as he stared up into his son's eyes.

"I am, Father!" Lu Ten nodded with a firm look on his face.

"After that storm raged, I regretted allowing you to serve on that ship."

"I'm fine father." Lu Ten said again. But Iroh could see pass his words.

"You aren't, your bending.....What of it?"

He looked up at his son who put some distance between them and summoned a ball of flame in his palm. It was weaker, comparable to back when he was around twelve years old.

"And your lightning bending?"

"I haven't tried." Lu Ten had a stiff look on his face.

"Then we'll test it out after you clean yourself up." He said as he wiped the coal stains he gained from their embrace off his cheek.

His son released a mousey chuckle at that. Iroh could tell his son was putting on a brave face, he was still frightened over his diminished Firebending.

"Don't fret, I'll drag fire sage shyu's wrinkled, red hide from the fire temple to treat you if I have to." Iroh smiled and patted Lu Ten's in an attempt to sooth his heir's fears.

He turned away from his son and looked up at a rather detailed map of Ba Sing Se. He didn't wish for him to see the doubt on his face.

"Go, I expect you on the deck in an hour." He said not looking back. His mind was abuzz with thoughts and he barely heard his son leave.

'Should I take him to Sun warrior island to meet the masters? Is he ready?' Iroh wasn't sure.

"Haaah....... I need some tea...... a large pot of tea....."

--------------------

Later that day, Iroh stood to the side and watched his bare-chested son moving through each fire kata and displaying various basic firebending techniques.

With each one Lu Ten performed, he seemed to grow unusually weary. By the end of the performance, his son began making the signature forms of the lightning generation technique.

Iroh's eyes narrowed as he focused on the small arcs of lightning crawlling along his son's fingers and snaking through the air.

'Too small.' He noted.

The lightning arcs were far too small compared to what his son had performed even upon his first attempts at the art years ago.

Lu Ten seemed to share the same sentiment as he began working through more circular motions to strengthen the technique. However, based on his son's sweat covered body and tight face, he was reaching his limit.

'His stamina has dropped by a half.......' Iroh noted as Lu Ten directed the skinny, orange bolt to the grey skies. It barely reached 20 meters and sputtered off with a zap and not with the loud crackle as was usual.

Lu ten fell to the cold deck, his chest heaving in exhaustion. Iroh rushed over, waving away the royal guards.

He grasped Lu Ten's sweaty shoulder and looked down at his son who in turn, looked up at him with clear fear.

"What's happening to me father?" Iroh got to a knee and gripped his son's shoulder tighter.

"We'll fix this son. I promise you." Lu Ten looked at him and smiled, though his eyes were filled with dying hope as he nodded.

Prince Lu Ten is a man just entering manhood at nineteenth summer solstices old, but all Iroh saw in that moment was his 10 year old son looking up at him as he told him of his mother's death.

In that moment, he decided to take his son to the Sun warriors as soon as possible. 'Perhaps the Sun Chief could help him? Or the Sun shamans. If not them then, the dragon masters.

Iroh exhaled a foggy breath. 'What is this strange condition? To affect so many firebenders.....even my son who is of royal blood.....'

Many thoughts raced through his mind.

'Was it caused by the storm?'

'Was this the spirit's doing?'

'Is this an isolated phenomenon of the remnant fleet? Was all the fire nation affected? All benders perhaps? Will this condition progress until no one is able to use Firebending?'

Frigid winds blew over them, making even Iroh shiver and bringing him a bit of clarity.

"Come son; let's get you in some clothes." He said as a particularly cold gust of wind washed over the deck.

'What's with this weather!?' Yet another thing on his list to worry about.

'Could the sun be weakening, hence causing a drop in firebending ability?' He doubted it. If that was the case then he'd be affected too.

As he helped his son to his feet, Iroh could hear the Admiral calling out to him as he ran up to them. Before he could turn to look at the men, Iroh noticed something shocking.

'Is that......a mountain?'

"G..... General! We've spotted land!" Admiral Shu huffed.

"I can see that." Iroh said as he and his son looked at the jagged mountain peaks jabbing at the sky in the distance.

They were still far out from the land, but they could see the mountainous terrain from afar.

"That isn't Crescent island! We shouldn't even be there for an other hour at least!" Lu Ten said, his worry about his diminished abilities forgotten for the moment.

Iroh looked at the snowy peaks of the landmass soaring up at the uncharacteristically grey skies, he felt the frigid swirling winds and the steady uneasiness he's been feeling ever since the storm's passing and thought:

'I'll need a bigger tea pot......'

Chapter Text

Yisha constantly adjusted the bundle of papers and apparatus in her ink-stained grasp as she was escorted by royal attendants throughout the gangways of the western dragon towards the great war chamber of the crowned prince Iroh.

Armoured guards opened up the elegant double doors and ushered her inside. As she expected, she was the the last one to respond to the General's summons. She recognized quite a few faces, the General, the Prince, the Commander, Admiral and Captain. Chang her ship's captain. By their similar uniforms she could tell seven other men were captains as well, there was also a merchant by the looks of it.

"Acting head Navigator Yisha, it's good to see you've finally arrived." The General welcomed her.

The balding General that was the Crowned Prince was quite short, one could see it even as they sat, yet the man's sharp amber eyes and broad-shouldered form of thick muscles was enough to exhibit the man's might.

'This man is the Dragon of the West...slayer of the last dragon.'

While she was well versed in referring to military personnel as highly ranked as Admiral, she would have to tread lightly before the General, especially with the information she was about to present.

"I greet the esteemed General, Admiral, Commander, Captains and...uh private. I apologize for my tardiness. My fellow navigators and I have been running through various calculations to better ascertain our position." Yisha cupped her fist in a proper fire nation salute.

"It's a small matter. Correct information is paramount, especially at this time. I only wish for you to tell me what you've discovered and the identity of the island we've spotted." The General waved her apology away and jumped into the matter at hand.

"Of course General, please give me a moment to set up." Yisha adjusted her glasses and began arranging her lecture apparatus; fumbling with the papers and maps.

"Help her." General iroh motioned to a guard standing close by.

With the guard's help she was able to set up a labelled and graticulated map showing the North and South Western hemisphere of the known world and even a gas lamp to illuminate it.

"Before the storm, the fleet was 10 degrees North of the equator and 25 degrees West of the prime meridian, precisely in the middle of the Mo Ce sea.

"During the storm our navigation dials weren't working properly for some reason and were just spinning erratically." Yisha paused and looked at each individual to ensure they followed.

"We weren't sure they were still working after the storm as the compass readings in particular were off. Even after taking other variables into account, we noticed the the measurements to be ludicrous.

"As the situation was dire and we were being pressured to report the coordinates, we had to make certain...educated guesses as to our location."

"So you reported false information to the admiral and had us all sailing blind?!" Commander Shu shouted at her.

"In simple terms yes. The method is known as Dead Reckoning. We use the initial position, wind speed, the vehicle's speed, direction, and how long velocity has been maintained; to determine a vessel's new position.

"The method is not precise and may throw a vehicle off by a few degrees at most. With the situation being dire and the Admiral's orders; my colleagues and I did the best we could." Her explanation silenced the Commander.

"So what you're saying now is that you have no clue where we are." The General looked at her with a grim face, though for some reason, she didn't feel as if the prince was directing anger towards her.

"If I may General." Yisha looked to the merchant who spoke up. The man was dressed in expensive silk robes of gold and crimson.

'The failed Sage Uzo...' Kaijin recognized him.

This man was famous in the higher classes of society. Born to a declining noble family and sent to Bhanti island at young age. Uzo was said to be a talented firebender and proficient in the flame scriptures.

He caught the eyes of the fire sages and was late invited to train on Crescent moon island to become a fully realized fire sage.

The main reason he ended up in the Fire nation gossip circles was due to reports off his illicit relationship with two fire priestesses.

The disgraced fire acolyte was then thrown off the island, after which, he was said to have travelled the world and somehow built up a successful merchant fleet, selling goods from kyoshi island all the way to Ba Sing Se's North Eastern coasts something very few Fire Nation merchants could do.

"The method she mentioned is a rather sound one which my navigators have used many a time whenever we were caught in bad situations. I'm sure her figures and those of my crewmen would align if compared. Even if her figures were incorrect, it still stands that such an island shouldn't have shown up in our horizon."

"Hmm..." the General nodded and rubbed his pepper and salt coloured beard.

"I might also add, General, while trying to ascertain our position I found that my figures for the Magnetic declination and Solar declination kept coming back wildly off. "

"Even when taking variables such as deviation and wave drift into account." She paused and looked around the room fairly certain none other than possibly Uzo and the Admiral would know of what she spoke.

"To clarify, Magnetic declination is the deviation of a compass from true north. Solar declination is the day-by-day variation of the angle between the world-sun line and the world's equatorial plane. "

"Both are extremely vital to navigation, I discovered not too long ago that both of these figures have changed from the norm. While they do change deepening on position and time of year, these figures are too ludicrous." Yisha couldn't help but sigh as she could see the puzzled looks on the military men's faces.

"What I'm saying gentlemen, is according to my calculations, we are here." She pointed at the ocean in the North Western part of the map.

"T...the world edge ocean?" Prince Lu Ten asked with a trembling voice.

She nodded in response.

"This is our position if I used the mathematical adjustments I made by measuring the sun's angle. However, if I plug the previous measurements into the equation... those we originally had before the storm, we would be somewhere between here and here." She drew her pointer from the coasts of the fire islands, through the Mo Ce sea and all the way down to Whale tale island.

She felt some guilty satisfaction as the men began to understand her more clearly.

"But even with the fierce wind speeds and tidal strength of the previous storm; we shouldn't be anywhere near the world's edge ocean. Not just that gentlemen, according to my calculations, it is now early winter." She could see the jumping of eyebrows all around the room.

"Impossible! It's summer!" Admiral Feng shouted as the other men began chattering.

The General didn't speak and merely raised his hand to silence the room.

"...Are you certain of this?" General Iroh leaned forward and locked eyes with her.

"Yes General. My calculations were sound and prudent despite the situation. I've double checked and compared them with my colleagues."

The Dragon slayer seemed to peer deep into her soul for an eternity before relenting his gaze and closing his eyes for a moment. The room remained silent as the general was obviously deep in thought.

When he finally opened them his eyes seemed to glow even in the well lit space. "Then I'll pass down my orders now."

He turned to look at guard standing beside him. "Sentinel Po, go to the pilothouse and ensure all personnel know their findings are confidential."

"Sir!" The heavily armoured soldier saluted and marched off, his black and crimson steel armour clanking as he went.

"Do you have all your calculations with you navigator?" the General locked eyes with her again.

"Yes general." She said, now a little worried.

"Good, Mr Uzo, you will send word to your crewmen and command your navigators to board the western dragon. They will do their own calculations and compare them with those of the Head Navigator and her colleagues. Their findings will also be under heavy confidentiality."

"I will see to it General." The merchant priest nodded.

"Navigator Yisha. Do what you can to further ascertain our position using whatever means you can. Let me know of any resources you may need. You are dismissed." He said to her.

"I will general" She assured.

The sun was almost down so she would have to wait until nightfall to use the stars or moon. If the skies were clear enough that is.

As she was escorted out, she felt a foreboding feeling. Actually, Yisha hoped her calculations were wrong and she was going mad. If she wasn't ...then she didn't know how to tell the general they were possibly in another world entirely.

(-)

Writing the chapter was both difficult and fun. My basic navigation research for this chapter gave me a whole new perspective on how brilliant and resourceful the individuals who contributed to the development of modern navigation were and a fresh sense of respect for the ancient people who sailed the seas without any modern technology or techniques.

Chapter Text

Hey guys! Back again with this week's installment! Remember to like and share your thoughts on the chapter!

(-)

Silence reigned after the bespectacled navigator left the room. It seemed fate or the spirits had it out for him. He just couldn't get a break from the constant surprises and calamities. First it was the monstrous storm, the deaths and damages which ensued as a result. Then came the news of his fleet's decimation after which he needed to ponder the tragedy of the Firebending reduction that has yet to be solved.

In a way, it would be good if they were simply lost. That would be the most natural thing to occur since the sudden appearance of that dreaded Storm. While the acting head navigator didn't say it explicitly, he could piece her words together. There was a good possibility they weren't just lost, they were likely in a whole different world!

Imagine just appearing in a different world!

It was more reasonable if the storm whisked them away to a different sea than another world. However, it seemed the most probable outcome wasn't the case Though he didn't know much about navigation, he certainly knew there were no islands in the World Edge ocean. Ancient folklore claimed the landmasses there were carried away by waves and washed off the edge.

Fire Nation Geographers disproved those old tales decades ago with the now accepted: 'Globe Theory' upon which all current navigation relied.

Though no one had truly circled the world due to the great war. He was fairly certain there were no islands in an ocean so well travelled. The ancient air nomads would have already flown there and marked the land in one of their ancient scrolls.

'The Air Nomads were the first topographers and cartographers after all.....'

'Could it be possible the storm had taken us to the spirit world?' Iroh thought with equal parts apprehension, fear and excitement. The spirit world was one only the avatar and the most spiritual of Air Nomads could travel.

'No... if that was the case then there wouldn't be cases of diminished bending but full blown bending loss. Even I would have lost my own...' He dismissed the thought as he looked up at the assembled men around him. They all looked back at him, awaiting orders.

'I can not succumb to confusion or speculation even under these queer circumstances. Something must be done... a decision must be made. But... if I'm not prudent and careful, then full panic and chaos could ensue. Not to mention potential dangers out there in the unknown...'

He thought of the destruction of his fleet, the hundreds of thousands who died... He thought of their families, the financial and demoralizing effect the loss of almost 50 ships would have on the nation. He thought of all the men and women still alive and under his guidance right now.

He straightened his back and addressed the assembly. "Captain Uzure, how's the condition of Azulon's fury?"

"She's holding up with the rudimentary repairs made, however water still leaks in at this very moment. She's in dire need of repair. The engineers have given her about 36 hours of safe sea faring travel at most." The elder man stroked his beardless chin.

"Which means she needs to dock anytime now........" Iroh trailed off in thought for a moment.

"Captains! I have a assignment for you. Each of you to arrange a military firebending examination upon your return to your ships. Tell the troops it is an investigation into their military capabilities so that they may be better diagnosed by the Fire Sages. You will be using the Sozin Military standard. Take note of every soldier that is able to match half of these requirements."

"Yes General!" They shouted.

Iroh had been disillusioned with the hundred year war for decades now. He was certainly very much against many of his grandfather's policies. Particularly the military standards and firebending techniques he issued to the troops. Firebending was originally a art. One of power, life and vitality.

But his grandfather plucked the more artistic forms of firebending; instead choosing to distribute straightforward and aggressive forms. His polices were ruthlessly effective and managed to capitalize on the destructive and simplistic nature of firebending, ones which troops could learn easily as well as being powerful enough to be viable on the battlefield.

Though Iroh didn't see eye to eye with his grandfather's policies, he couldn't deny the practically in a military sense. When at war, the best weapon was one which could be mass-producible, cost-effective and time efficient.

Firelord Sozin went one step further; having troops use their abilities in various climates, altitudes and at different times of the day. All to determine what firebending forms and techniques were most powerful regardless of terrain, climate or celestial positioning.

"Commander, I want you to prepare the necessary equipment and logistics to field a force of 2600 soldiers at maximum. A quarter of which will be Firebending infantry, another will be Firebending cavalry, the other 650 troops will be infantry Pikemen, while the final quarter will be non-bending cavalry." Iroh locked eyes with the man.

"This operation will primarily be aimed at securing a decent area for Fire Nation occupation with a secondary objective of light exploration. After the completion of these objectives, they must immediately communicate with Azulon's fury, allowing the damaged ship and her cargo to safely dock. After which we will all disembark."

"It will be done General. What of possible hostile intelligent inhabitants?" The Commander asked.

"If there are any natives, we will try to communicate...if we can. In the case where our men are attacked, they are to retaliate and put down any resistance.

"Securing the area is paramount, there must be no failure." Iroh wouldn't have any of his people dying uselessly. Not after so many have already.

As they dove into the more minute details of the upcoming operation, the sun had unknowingly set.

Their discussion was cut short as an attendant burst into the room huffing and puffing. The guards were about to manhandle the man, however Iroh waved them away and signaled the man to approach. The man, obviously still exhausted bowed deeply and said, "G- general! You're wanted at the deck!"

"Wanted! Who dares to summon the General in such a manner?! At such a time?!" Admiral Feng shouted.

"H- head Navigator Yisha!"

Iroh nodded grimly, he had a feeling he knew what he was being summoned for. They'd lost track of time and it seems it was already nighttime.

"We'll finish this meeting after a short remission..... it was time for a break anyway." He stood up and marched outside the room with his royal guards.

He could hear the shuffling of feet as the men behind him scramble to their feet and tried to catch up. His son was first to fall in step with him while the others trailed behind. He could've sent them away, but he wasn't thinking about them at the moment, even if he was, he had a feeling most of them had similar fears as he.

Iroh could see it in the eyes of the attendants and troops as they passed him with ashen or confused faces. By the time he neared the exit to the deck, he could see it!

Moonlight! Actual moonlight! The lunar cycle ended days before the set out!

By the time he and his storm council reached outside, the deck was full of gawking troops, physicians, engineers and staff all looking upwards. The sky was partially clear with some clouds.

The air remained frigid and biting; not something you'd expect to feel in spring or summer even if they were west of the western air temple.

He looked upwards to the half-moon and unfamiliar stars. His eyes scanned them over and over again, he tried finding Szteo's scroll, Kyoshi's boot, the Coiling Dragon-Tiger or even the Snake-Turtle constellation, none of them were present.

Only a single thought ran through his mind at that moment, it was so strong, he didn't even realize he vocalized it. "There isn't enough tea on these ships for this situation."

"Perhaps Purple Plum wine would help your highness?" he heard the voice of Navigator Yisha beside him suddenly.

"Possibly our entire stock of Ash Banana and Red Sorghum liquor........" He mumbled without looking at her.

_______

Lu ten had to fight off a yawn the next morning as he stood in formation with his fellow privates. They were being briefed on their imminent operation by their superior officer.

"- you will disembark and secure the area! Any resistance; animal or otherwise will be put down with extreme prejudice!"

"Sir yes Sir!" Lu Ten and the fellow troops saluted.

"Dismissed!" Lu Ten and the others marched away in formation to be armoured. They were to in formation and prepared to disembark by twelve hundred when the sun is at its peak.

As he marched to the armoury he couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his palms. This was to be his first engagement on the field. At first he believed it would be at the walls of Ba Sing Se, but it seemed the spirits had other plans for him.

Before he could join the crowed line at the armoury, he caught a familiar face in his periphery coming up to him.

"Prince Lu Ten, I'm here to escort you to your personal armory chambers."

"Attendant Lou." He recognized his father's faithful attendant.

He followed the man down the steel gangways. He often wished to blend further into the army and to be treated as an ordinary soldier, however, he knew this was the most he would receive, even his father who was far more liberal in this manner found certain things unbecoming of a Prince.

Upon his entry to the room, he didn't find a room packed with royal attendants. Instead there was just his father sharpening a crimson steel Jian, his Jian to be precise.

"You didn't think I'd send you off without seeing you did you?" He smiled at his father's antics.

His father and the attendant worked efficiently; securing the various pieces of armour onto his body with precise knots and buckles. All while his father continued to lecture him of the dangers of battle.

Lu ten nodded and replied with platitudes, this was his first battle he was nervous, but he didn't want to worry his father. He was a man who'd seen 19 summers, younger men saw battle before him and every heir to the Fire Nation had participated in the hundred year war.

His father and his grandfather before him. He couldn't falter or back down from his duty.

By the time he was fully armored, the voice of Lieutenant Gin, the Commander of this impending operation, boomed from the brass voice pipes. "All troops, report to the deck!"

Lu Ten raised an eyebrow at the General, "Aren't you going to suit up as well father?"

His father shook his head. "I'm not even supposed to be here..." Lu Ten chuckled. He could already see his father sneaking onto the flagship after the engagement and acting as if he didn't leave.

"Well I'm off father." Lu ten sheathed his crimson Jian and slid the grim face visor into place, almost feeling as if he was heading off to school back in his early days in the royal academy for boys.

His father looked up at him, he didn't hug him as expected. Instead he saluted him. In turn, Lu Ten smiled and saluted his father before grabbing him in a hug. He could feel his surprise, but his father didn't resist and melted into the embrace.

They fell apart; Lu Ten nodded to attendant Lou, turned and left.

Chapter Text

Chieftain Toredill of the Styval tribe didn't believe the goat herding boy when he ran to his tent a day ago and spoke of strange black mountains appearing out at sea.

The tale was fantastical! Pitch black hills bellowing black smoke magically appearing out in the sea? What a poor jape!

He made to have the boy flogged and thrown out of his tent, but others came to him reporting the same. He wondered if they swallowed wild herbs and went mad.

With no choice, he decided to go himself and see. He rode his prized unicorn upon the hill overlooking the shores of crab claw point. That's when he saw them. His people had spoken true!

Far out on the horizon a group of smoking Mountain ranges or floating spires black as Wightsbane appeared out in the shivering sea!

His clan, the styvals of crab claw point had always guarded the coast, fished and traded with passing ships. In ancient times his ancestors would build great vessels to aid house Magnar in raiding and trade. That was until the Starks smashed them and killed their most talented sea-vessel builders.

Now, when long winters came and the waters were too rough to fish from land, he and his people could only hope for ships to come to them for trade or to be smashed against the stoney ashore, where they may scavenge the dead.

He sent a rider to kingshouse with word of the strange appearances and prayed beneath the heart tree at night.

He even summoned a woods witch to him so that she would divine the mysteries of the ominous spires. Possibly she could make sense of omen and deliver the words and blessings of the old gods onto him.

That night, under cover of moonlight, the witch sacrificed one of his precious goats at the roots of the heart tree. She peered into the eyes of the weeping face carved into the tree's trunk and drank the goat's blood with herbs and spices.

The witch danced and said only a word before collapsing dead.

'Eldr'!

He'd later came to know the word was old tongue for fire. The passing of the hag was no good omen at all.

So chieftain Toredill rallied his men, set up watch and waited to see what would happen to the mountains.

That's how he ended up at the shores of Crab claw point yet again. This time mustering a force Nine-hundred strong. All able bodied men and women in the village to hold a vigil as the pregnant women and children stayed further away.

It was around noon when he noticed it. One of the smoking mountains seemed to grow larger. He soon realized it was coming closer to the shore!

In no time, the thing was upon them. It was massive! He didn't know what sorcery kept such a terrible thing afloat! The massive mountain was undaunted by the rough waves and sliced through them like Wightsbane through goat fat.

"Ready!" He shouted at the men lined before him. They drew their bows and aimed them high.

Before the thing got into range, aloud crash was made from behind it as if something fell into the sea.

The sound seemed to set the men off and they began firing without his command. He could do little as the men fired away at looming thing. He couldn't find his voice to admonish them.

They paused for a moment as the thing seemed to cease it's approach. Now that it stopped, he could more calmly behold the thing in all it's peculiar glory.

As Toredill beheld the thing, he realized it was actually a vessel!

'A Ship!' How such a vessel could be made, how it stayed a float was lost to him. He knew the vessel was made of something heavy as the few arrows that managed to land any hits bounced off.

Just as he let his guard down, the strange vessel released a hiss and then the front end of the ship fell, slamming into the rocky earth and sending vibrations through the ground. It was as if a ball of thunder had fallen to from the skies!

He heard screams from both the men before him and the hiding people behind him.

"Loose!" he shouted at the men while notching a wightsbane-tipped arrow as well.

The men began firing even as steam poured forth from the strange ship.

Massive beasts descended from it, roaring as they charged. Some of his bravest men surged forward! What mad courage fueled them he didn't know. Some turned and ran.

As for him? What did he do? Nothing actually. For some reason couldn't dig up the pluck to attack or retreat. He could only watch as the hulking armored beasts trampled his men.

He could see them clearly now, the figures of men sat atop the monstrous beasts. They were clad in black and crimson armor.

Before he could ride forward to aid the few brave souls who charged the beasts and the devils riding them, he watched as one of the riders gathered fire in his palm and threw it at the closest of his men!

The man was knocked back, falling to the ground while grasping at his pink and soldering face! Soon all the mounted warriors were hurling flames at his men!

He heard shouting from the direction of the cured vessel. He looked to it and saw a stream of black and red pouring from it's blighted maw.

'We're fucked!'

He made his decision in that moment. With a kick of his feet, and a tug of his reins, he turned his unicorn around and rode off before the charging hulks could meet him! The chief felt heat tickle his neck briefly then.

He passed his village, barely glancing his wife and children as he urged the mount to go faster. In that moment his wasn't the chieftain of the ancient Styval clan, he wasn't the back-breaker as he claimed to be, he wasn't a father or husband. He was a man who wished to live!

'Fire wights! Daemons from the sea here to burn the world to ash!'

He rode his unicorn into the mountains. 'Lord Magnar! I hav'ta warn Lord Magnar!' These thoughts rung between his ears as he sped into the rocky path.

Lieutenant Gin descended Sozin's Fist's with his arms folded behind his back. Lately, his mood had been rather poor; the frigid weather did not contribute much in improving to it.

He scanned the area, the rocky shore, crashing waves, daunting Mountain range in the distance and finally the 'settlement'. It was a ramshackle thing of rough and tumble tents that seemed to be made of animalskin and sticks.

As he entered the 'village' proper; it was the smell of the place that hit him first. It stank of unwashed bodies, goat urine, rotten fish and excrement!

He couldn't help but hold his fist to his nose to stifle the scent. This was far worse than any earth kingdom hovel he'd ever been stationed in.

And those were many.

He watched as his soldiers gathered the... inhabitants of this damned island in chains at the center of their settlement. They were odd to say they least, aside from the smell of these... people, if one could even call them that.

They looked like nothing he'd ever seen. From the savage WaterTribe oafs he read about in the academy to the barbaric Earth Kingdom denizens he fought, none looked so... strange.

'I bet even those dead Air Nomads, with their shaved heads and tribal tattoos wouldn't look so inhuman.'

They were hairy, possessing far more than anyone he'd seen before. The men in particular had great bushes of hair on their faces! Unlike the sleek and straight hair of his people, these fellows sported bushy and untamed locks. Then there was the pale and milky skin, broad faces, large bodies, long noses and...

'The colour of their hair.'

He'd never seen such hair colours before, some had red others even had yellow hair! Was it dye? That didn't seem to be the case.

'What type of creatures are they? This truly is another world! Are they spirits?' He heard they looked unnatural. But if that was the case, then the people of old were rather foolish to worship these... ugly and savage beings.

The tall and robust creatures looked up at him with fear as they were rounded up. Some of them even deigned to speak! It was a most ugly thing. A garble of sounds with no trace of intellect.

'Even the uncultured savages of the other nations had the barest minimum of sentience to form actual words.

"Lieutenant!" A soldier ran up to him while panting.

"What is it private? Have you forgotten we have limited time to secure the area?"

"N- no Lieutenant! We are trying but we're experiencing difficulties with the umm... Private Lu Ten!"

Lieutenant Gin almost grabbed his face. He had great reverence for the Firelord and nobility in extension, but he couldn't spend his precious time babysitting one.

"What are those issues?" He asked.

"... He has made a royal declaration!" The private's face mirrored his own in shock!

A royal declaration! This is no simple matter! Reneging on such a decree was grounds for execution!

"What is it!?" He almost slapped the man for pausing.

"H- He's not allowing anyone to cut down the trees with the crying faces sir!"

Lieutenant Gin was stumped.

"The Trees with the what?"

Chapter Text

Iroh rubbed his bearded chin in thought while observing the tree before him, he'd never seen anything like it. Ashy-white bark, blood red leaves and most strange of all, an almost horrific face that seemed to grow from the trunk; silently weeping blood coloured tears of sap.

The tree was certainly off putting to look at. It was something he'd place in the spirit world rather than on some strange island.

"This is but one of many of these trees father." Lu ten said from behind him.

Iroh could feel the eyes of his son on the tree as well.

"All of them have these........... faces?" he asked as he focused on the strange feeling he felt from the tree.

"All the ones I've seen. "

"Hmmm." He hummed in reply.

Yes, the tree looked disturbing but he could feel the spirituality coming from it. It was faint and subtle, like most spiritual things..... however, it certainly was there.

"Are these trees spirits, father?" Lu Ten asked.

"Is that why you used your Royal position to order everyone not to harm these trees?" He asked while looking up as the wind shook the leaves.

"Partially... I'm getting a strange feeling from them... I also had a feeling you wouldn't want them cut down."

Iroh allowed a smile to slip onto his face as he turned around.

"You made the correct decision. I'm glad you used your power rightly." He patted his son's shoulder before turning around he felt almost mesmerized the longer he stayed.

"I don't know if they are spirits themselves. But they're certainly spiritual. The feeling they give me, reminds me of a place I visited long ago..." He reached out to touch the bone-white bark.

"The great forest with the massive spirit tree?" Lu Ten asked.

Iroh almost chuckled. He told his son of his marooning inside strange swamp within the southwestern region of the Earth Kingdom many years ago. 'To think he remembered....'

"Yes that one adventure I had within the Great Swamp."

He was glad his son stopped the cutting down of such trees. He didn't know what would befall them if he hadn't. The fire nation had lost it spirituality long ago.

When exactly? He didn't know.

When his grandfather struck down the last Air Nomad and ended the millennia long avatar cycle? When he militarized the nation and corrupted the fire sages? When he slaughter the southern water tribe?

His Grandfather, Father and even himself would bring the world to ruin and imbalance if the wars and genocides continued. This was why he wished to conquer Ba Sing Se.

With the prestige gained from that battle, he'd been uncontested when he began his Earth Kingdom colonial restoration efforts after his ascension to Firelord.

'Perhaps I was too hasty, could it be the spirits thought I would upset the balance of the world further if I did take the city? ...'

His fleet was possibly in this situation due to an angered spirit. If they angered anymore...

"Come son, we both have much to do." He said as they walked from the tree and back to base with his royal guards and attendants.

It didn't take long to reach what was the village. The tents of the natives had been taken down to make way for the larger, more sturdier crimson tents were erected; and of course each of them were embezzled with the fire nation sigil were . In the efficient manner his people were known for, the fledgling base was well on its way to completion.

"Go report to your commanding officer. I'm sure you're wanted for some form of manual labour." He sent his son off to his tasks and grifted over to a rather large tent. Multiple tables dominated the space. upon them were the bodies of the inhabitants who tried to charge his men.

Medical Pratitoners of various levels moved around the tables, examining the burnt or slashed bodies.

"Ah! General! Please, come in I have much to show you!" Iroh nodded to the man who came up to him. It was the Head Physician of the Prancing Dragon.

They walked over to the body of a rather large specimen. The body had some burn marks and and slashes, but it was mostly intact.

When Lieutenant Gin sent a Dragon-Hawk informing him of the inhabitants, he wondered if the man was purely being derogatory.

Discrimination against other nations and peoples is heavily encouraged within the Fire nation and he knew some citizens seemed to think the people of other nations as less than human. But when he actually saw these people, he really wondered if they were human.

He never seen anyone on his travels to look in such a way. The strangely coloured hair, the facial structure, the hairiness... it was quite odd to look at. But he could tell these were people in the end. They weren't spirits that was for certain.

"Physician Xing, what have you discovered?"

"Quite a bit General! I've truly never seen something such as this before. when I first looked at these individuals, I assumed they were suffering from some strange disease possibly due to inbreeding." Xing's gloved hand moved the singed hair from what appeared to be a man.

"These people have facial features which may be strange to us but in reality seem to be just the general phenotype of those living here and not due to diseases or bloodline abnormalities." The physician traced a finger down the man's jutting forehead.

"The common facial features of these natives are more pronounced three-dimensionality with larger, more deeply set eyes, greater anterior projection of the brow, nose, maxilla, and chin than those of our lands. For the most part, the proportions of their bodies and faces are symmetrical."

Iroh remained silent as the man's attention turned from the face to the body. "The bodies of the males are far more larger and hairier than the female natives and us. Though it seems the hair of these people are far more wavy or curly than the straight hair of our people."

Iroh looked at the red coloured hair covering the large man's chest. "It seems they tend to have more varied hair colour as well."

"Not to mention their large bodies...... General, if these people were brought back to the Royal University, they'd open new discussions on the nature of human beings and our adaptability to the environment!"

Iroh nodded, while he was fascinated by the features of these people, he felt the conversation was moving away from his main concern.

"From the reports I've received, it seems there are no benders in the group."

"Ah Yes! that is so..... Our preliminary examinations aren't too deep yet but I believe these people have rather malformed Chi points."

"Hmm? How so?" Iroh asked.

"Where a nonbender such as myself my have similar chi points such as benders, my own are usually atrophied and thin. the chi points for these natives are in different places from ours and they seem to lack certain chi points all together!" The physician was rather excited.

"Continue your research and write up a report. I'll review it another time." Iroh decided he heard enough and left, barely hearing the words of affirmative from the man as he got back to obsessing over the native corpses.

He didn't have to walk far to reach another tent. Similarly to the previous one, it also had large tables. However, instead of dead bodies, these tables were filled with item of interest taken from the village.

Various weapons, such as arrows, spears and clubs. All of which were made using stone, wood or obsidian. Not one weapon was made with metals.

There were also the clothing and accessories of the dead; all of which seemed to be made of animal hides, bones and teeth of sea creatures.

"I must say general..... in all my travels, I've seen such intriguing, yet mundane things." Iroh regarded the merchant Uzo as he rubbed the animal hide between his fingers.

"At first glance, the belongings of these natives seem normal, yet whenever I take a closer look, they keep shocking me.

"What do you mean?"

"Take this primitive cloak for example." The man held the tanned piece of clothing to him.

"The fur is too long to be from a Tiger-Seal, but its too short to be from a tiger-gorilla ...... but it has similar stripes with them though the thick black fur has white stripes." The man scrunched his face up in confusion.

"Couldn't it just be from an arctic Tiger-Orca?" Iroh asked.

"No the fur is too thick and rough." The merchant placed the the skin down and grabbed the twisted horn and held it aloft.

"Look at this horn"

"...Isn't that the tusk of a Dolphin-Narwal?" Iroh asked, he wasn't as well learned in beast hides as the man but he knew his way around animals.

"That's what I thought as well! Looks are extremely deceiving. It even has the same yellowish colouration, but look closely at the base."

Iroh leaned forward and noticed the edges of the supposed tooth. It was there he could see the tell tale signs of a growth plates; something teeth didn't have.

"You see it don't you. But what I've noticed in another less damaged one is that the connection was made to the base of whatever animal's skull it was connected to."

"Or observe this!" He placed the horn and excitedly ran over to an old wooden box. Slowly, he opened it and removed piece of animal-skin which was covered in marks, it looked to be a relic.

The Bhanti islander carefully unveiled the cloth, tracing his fingers over the strange markings that looked to be a primitive language of sorts. "I have never seen such symbols before. But it isn't the writing that has most intrigued me. Look at this skin, it's seal skin."

"Yes, Seals are a strange animal but they live in the northern and southern water tribes." Iroh recognized the odd creature's skin, it was one of the few animals with singular traits.

"They do, but this one has no spots on it." There are no seals without spots in either polar hemispheres!" The man was almost hysterical at this point.

"We truly are in strange lands." Iroh shook his head.

"I'll leave you to your work." He said as the man turned away to pick up another bone to examine.

Iroh walked to a rather large area, one under heavy guard and fenced. This was the space housing the natives of this land. There were various tents set up to isolate and process these people.

This method was made specifically for conquered peoples. It involved separating men and women. The army carried out light physical checks on each individual and created some form of documentation for them as well.

The process was moving quite slow from what he could see. He couldn't do much about it. They were understaffed and his own people needed to be settled as well.

He entered the area and immediately the smell of unwashed bodies hit him. He passed through the stench and entered a rather large tent.

There he saw a thin, lanky young man approach him.

"Mr Xiao, how goes the communication efforts?"

"I'm ashamed to say it's been rather slow, General. I've studied the different accents and common vernacular of different nations. Never have I seen such a difference in language before. I could write a massive case study on this new language." The man seemed just as perplexed as Uzo was with the animals and artifacts of these strange lands.

"While the meaning of their words remains incomprehensible to us, I can say, the language, whatever it is has intelligence to it and is fairly complex. It is wildly different to ours, but there is structure to it."

"I bet the demeanor of these people make it hard for you as well." Iroh said as he watched the timid people being herded around.

"That is the case. They seem most fearful of us." Mr Xiao sighed.

'We must find a way to make common ground and communicate with these people.' Iroh thought as he watched the chained people herded around like circus animals. He couldn't do mush for the situation. There was still a security and orderly risk.

'The elderly and children at least don't need to be chained. Not since they're all non-benders....'

He truly had his work set out for him. From managing a military base on some frozen island, ensuring the protection and survival of his people and trying to prevent the whole remanent fleet from collapsing.

Chapter Text

Bleached human bones jingled in the snowy wind whilst suspended from the equally white branches of a massive Weirwood tree.

Directly beneath the tree kneeled several Skagosi. All cloaked in rough-spun furs while possessing matted, dirty hair. The only one standing was an elderly woman with a face covered in ritualistic tattoos and markings. She held her arms aloft before the tree as if to embrace it.

Chanting loudly in old tongue without stop; she was seemingly heedless of the chilly wind. By the time she finished there was a light gathering of snow upon those not directly underneath the protection of the tree.

"Bring the offering!" She shouted as she retrieved a jagged Wightsbane knife from a pouch on her waist.

A group of large men hauled over a sickly man to her. The poor fellow in their grasp was wretched. Naked and exposed to the chill and ice of winter, covered in bruises and missing his left leg at the knee.

"Tsk!" The old witch hissed in anger.

'I told those fools not to start eatin' til after the old gods 'ave their due!' She was livid when the fellows from the tribe chopped off the offering's leg to eat.

They'd caught the man on the path from Crab Claw Point riding a sickly unicorn. The lad was easy pickings and the beast fed the tribe well for weeks.

It was a good thing she demanded the man be kept for sacrifice, if not then they wouldn't have found out about the black mountains and the fire wights.

The witch walked with the men as they positioned the offering over to the thick roots of the holy tree. Yet again she mumbled prayers in old tongue; asking the old gods for forgiveness and their blessings in the battles of the future.

She grabbed his yellow hair with her gnarled fingers and pulled his head back- exposing his dirty neck and bobbing adam's apple.

The black blade cut through the offering's throat as it would through goat fat. A pop and bubbling gurgle escaped the man's throat as air and blood sprayed from the opening.

It rained upon the snow - covered roots of the tree in a continuous stream until it trickled out from the offering. The snow melted away and if one looked closely, they could see the thin wisps of steam rising from the ground.

A great wind picked up as the bones and red leaves of the weirwood shook more violently. The old witch grin at the sight.

"The old gods are sated!" She shouted to the rabble gathered around.

The witch took an emptied skull and threw a few pieces of rune covered finger bones. She shook them around and observed them closely.

"Wot'd ya see witch. Wot'd the bones say?" The giant chieftain of their tribe asked.

See turned to look up at him with a gummy smile. "The old gods ave giv'n us their favour!"

(-)

Ulf watched the men and beasts walking unknowing of his presence. He'd never seen anyone like them, clad in strange wares and riding even stranger beasts. According to the man they caught the strangers seemed appear on giant ships weeks ago.

The captive didn't know much, only that fire daemons were near. From what he saw, these were no wights, nay, they were men which means they were made of meat!

It made no difference in the end. The gods were on his side.

'All o' them 'ill roas' up nice an gud...' He licked his chaffed lips.

The winter gone was too harsh. Sickness and hunger served to kill many of his tribe. Now winter was yet upon them and they had nothing to survive upon.

They picked through all the wild game in the area and now they could only try to raid and pillage other groups. The only problem with that was his group wasn't big enough to do without restraint. The Styvals of crab claw point were far too big and too powerful to attack all at once, they could only watch and pick off any stragglers and hunters who wondered off too far.

His stomach twisted at the thought of the last meal they had. The offering from the Styvals and his weak unicorn were a good respite. But now there was nothing but broken bones.

It was time for some fresh meat.

He turned and carefully sneaked away, his group had been watching the men for some time now and learned their patterns. He would return to his tribe and gather the men.

'Time ta hunt!'

He reached made his way over to the small hide out and gathered the men.

Ulf opened a leather pouch and removed bits of strong heart mushrooms mixed with hensbane stems and stuffed them into his mouth.

Many of his other mates began doing the same.

When he first ate the herb, he got such a surge, he thought the old gods had blessed him. Now whenever he went on a raid, he would make sure to eat them.

His sight was cleared and focused and his strength doubled!

He looked around at the assembled men, some clutching clubs, spears and slings, all were red with power and rage. He took up his own stone axe and commanded them to move.

()

"Haaaaahh." Jozo sighed as he emptied his swollen bladder against a tree.

He righted his armour afterwards and made his way over to the small camp his squad had set up.

"When will this shift be over?" He asked.

"Soon, it's almost midday." Gizo his fellow private replied to him while holding his sun dial up.

"This damned island has nothing but Ice, snow, creepy trees and black dirt!" He grumbled. They'd been on perimeter scouting for weeks now, it was strange, they'd not even seen a scurrying critter or hear a bird's song.

'That's if this spirit-forsaken place even had birds.'

"Don't forget the native savages." Squad commander Tora added.

They all chuckled at that. As if those frightened dullards herded together back at the base could do anything.

"Lieutenant, I heard top brass are planning expeditions further inland soon. That true?" He asked.

The squad leader nodded. "I'm sure you'll be briefed on it soon. We'll be babysitting civilans and geographers."

'That'll be a pain...' He was about to speak when suddenly, he heard a whoosh sound, then a squad mate's unprotected face bloomed in blood.

"Enemy attack!" He shouted over the screams of natives emerging from the forest.

With no time to think, he grabbed the hilt of his sword and unsheathed it, just in time to slash at a barbaric man. He was too late as his swipe missed. The giant brute on the other hand, managed to glance his head with a wooden club.

"Urg!" The blow glancing and was softened by his helm, still it caused him to see stars in his right eye.

Recovering quickly, he quickly swung again! His weapon sliced through the furs of the hairy native, and made a deep gash on the beast's chest.

The attack didn't make the man pause. Instead the man began swinging at him more fiercely! He moved out of reach and defended himself as the the sound of fire blasts and the smell of burnt flesh tickled his nose.

The man advanced on him, pressing his attack with swing after swing of the club, constantly aiming to bash his head in. Jozo wouldn't allow the savage to do so.

The massive man seemed endlessly mighty to be swinging around a club and roaring that long. But the brute was slow, clumsy and predictable. Even more so than the tanned brutes of the Earth Kingdom.

That was his advantage. Jozo maintained a good distance, made sure the giant couldn't close said distance and punished the beast severely each time he opened his guard.

It didn't take long for the beast of a man to be covered in lacerations and bleeding heavily, yet it took quite a while to take the man down. With each strike landed; the savage would howl and swing even more fiercely...as if powered by some strange force. Jozo finally succeeded in slaying the brute with a well placed slash to the inner thigh, severing a major artery.

By the time he was finshed with the stubborn brute, the other barbarians were either fleeing into the hills or being finnshed off.

Though he was exhausted, Jozo and a few of his squad mates made to mount their ostrich-horses to give chase, but were restrained by Lieutenant Tora's orders. "No! Let them go! We can't split our forces!"

"Gather the wonunded and prepare for a retreat to the base!" The Lieutenant barked.

'Damned Savages!' Joza raged as blood trickled down his forehead and into his eye.

(-)

Hours later, Physician Xing held a flaming finger to the beared face of the new specimens that was carried in.

"Hmmm... abnormal pupil and capillary dialation... severe dental decay..."

There was a litany of evidence to support the theory of these new intakes being under the influence of some drugs. They had herbs and mushrooms in their possession.

From what he could see, they were under the influence of some unknown concoction. The symptoms exhibited were similar to that of Hemp-Poppy sap ingestion.

This was a indigenous plant to the Earth Kingdom Xu Dai mountains. When ingested by humans the chemical compounds caused peripheral inhibition and central stimulation, hallucinations, dilated pupils, narcosis, restlessness, and flushed skin as a result of increased heart rates.

Physiologically, the men of this savage group were of the same... Race as the natives. With heavy jaws and brows, wide eyes, coloured hair, large hairy bodies and tall statures.

Though the indiviuals who attacked the scouting team seem to be in far worse shape than the coastal natives of the land. Upon examination, these men were malnourished, dehydrated, poisoned from drug useage and broken from exposeure.

Many of them were missing toes, fingers and ears from what seemed to be frost bite.

'Just how rough is the envioronment out there?...' He pondered.

In his early years treating of people in the colonies, he had seen the most gruesome and grevious injures and conditions due to war, starvation and just deplorable living conditions. The Earth Kingdom territory is just too expansive and centralization non-exsistent. Most citizens live off the land with little to no aid from the government.

'But this... Is a step above that.' He marveled at the state of the natives and potential hostilites of the land.

However, it wasn't all grimm. Though he was stranded on some cold, rocky island in another world, he enjoyed the new discoveries he has encountered so far. The natives and their strange features, the animal life (limited as they were) and the flora though he was no botanist.

However, with the sight of these men he could help but wonder about the dangers here, ones that couldn't be nessecerily fought with fire and steel.

Head Physician Xing could only hope to examine the men and figure out the ways best in which to kill them. There was promise in the medical applications of the native herbs and plants of the island. It would all serve the Fire Nation well.

Chapter Text

He massaged his cramped hand, leaned back into his seat and looked the scroll before him. It was a draft for a new military operation.

With the discovery of hostile forces hiding in the mountains and forests, the security of the base was at risk. There was no way he would allow his people to be ravaged by wild men from the hills.

These individuals are to be rooted out at all costs!

'Haaah.' Iroh sighed and blew fire into his palms to warm up.

Further exploratory expeditions inland will be heavily impeded with the presence of these mountain men. It would be an uphill battle to root them out using regular Fire Nation tactics.

His troops didn't know the land, they were too few, there wasn't enough war supplies for a full mobilization and worst of all; the firebending forces were all significantly weaker in this new world and climate.

The mountain savages held field advantage, they were larger and according to the physicians, consuming powerful drugs to augment their already powerful physiques.

No, they couldn't fight these individuals like soldiers on a battlefield or they would lose. Instead, the troops needed to fight using anti-guerilla warfare tactics developed by the late General Bai Luo to root out Earth Kingdom forces from the more mountainous regions of the country.

Iroh made several adjustments to tailor the stratagem for this particular situation. They were not in the sweltering hills of the Jai Cao mountain range, fighting Earthbending mountain bandits.

For this situation he would need to create a new regiment of soldiers, they would range beyond the base and any fortifications established in the future. They would be vital in gathering information on the movements of natives, their potential attacks, and would be the frontline offensive on this new frontier.

These ranging campaigns would be carried out along side the Exploratory Expeditions. It will no doubt be dangerous, however for the campaign to work, exploration and charting of the surrounding lands were vital.

It was imperative that information was gathered about this new land. Unfortunately interrogation efforts of the native people have been slow and tedious even after more than a month of occupation. The people seemed to have a great amount of fear for them.

He couldn't tell if it was the difference in his people's physical features, their technology or their Firebending ability that frightened them so. In a way it could be all three.

Hence it was up to them navigate the hostile land. This was a new world after all, who knew what was out there to be found?

Not just that, there was also the need for securing water sources, finding land to farm, fuel sources, animals and crops to domesticate. Preliminary geological survey reports told his researchers that the island seemed to be volcanic in origin.

If that was the case then, it was likely they would be able harness the geothermal power of the island or construct buildings around hot springs. He had no idea how long they would be trapped in this world or if they could even go back.

Iroh stamped the paper and signaled the royal attendant to collect the lengthy scroll. Carefully and skillfully, the attendant collected the scroll sealed with his red, royal sigil. Not that of a general but a member of the royal household.

In the current times what his people needed now was leadership of the royal family. He eyed the stack of scrolls to his left. He'd spent most of his day reading reports, writing up orders and approving requests.

'It's about time for a tea break.' He stretched.

However as soon as he was about to order his attendants to gather the materials his head attendant entered his tent and bowed. "Your highness, it's time for your meeting."

"What!?" He looked at the elegant mechanical clock to his right and noticed it was time indeed.

"Ah... It seems so indeed."

At the same time, another attendant walked in and announced the arrival of his subordinates.

"Tell them to wait a moment." He said to the woman who bowed and walked out.

"Attendant Lou, I'll be taking a short latrine break, in that time, prepare the meeting space and gather my tea equipment, it seems I'll be serving my subordinates some tea." Iroh nodded to his faithful old friend who bowed and retreated.

With that settled, he got to his feet and left via a rear exit to relieve his bladder. By the time his subordinates entered, he was already enjoying his cup of lade tea.

The assembled men and women saluted and took their places below the raised platform where he sat as royal decorum dictated.

"It's good to see everyone here. Let's enjoy some tea while we have this meeting." He said as attendant began laying out trays of tea before the assembled group.

He felt no small amount of pride as he saw quite a few bobbing adam's apples in anticipation as the fragrance of his tea diffused inside the tent.

If he didn't have the weight and responsibility of his whole nation upon his shoulders, he would have considered opening a tea shop...

(-)

Aoza Lee adgusted his clothing and fixed his glasses to his face. Many other colleges passed him in the shared space. He already had breakfast and now it was time to get to work.

Never had he thought he would end up in another world when he set sail upon the crimson tide a month ago. Though the event could be regarded as fantastical it was equally terrifying and crushing.

It was only the public and official speech of the Crowned Prince that held the population's moral intact and reminded them that those with the blood of the Fire Islands stood up to adversity and struggles.

He wondered about his family and their circumatsnces. He was from a poor background and long dreamed of being an official of the Fire Nation court. Though he had naught the funds to persue the profession. Instead he entered the Fire army to gain military benifts.

It was a sure fire plan, the state provided free university education to military officers. He entered the army as an infantryman and pursued his degree in political science. Though he majored in politics, he did a minor in language.

This was how he ended up here: 'Temporarily discharged from his position as a infantryman until further notice.' Now charged with making sense of the 'bar bar' language of the savage natives.

"Ready for another day lee?" The soft voice of his collague rung in his ears.

She chuckled as he turned to her with a grimace.

"Others complain about the appearance of the natives or their clothing, but to me it's the smell that bothers me most." He said while looking at her.

"Uhg don't remind me! I'm not even near the internment zone and I can smell the stench!" They both laughed at that.

He was enamoured by her pitch black hair and small smile. Formerly Private Uzime, was in a similar situation to himself. She too came from a poor background as well and joined the military to elevate her status as citizen born of the colonies.

Unlike himself, she was a bender and one of the few female officers who went out to war in the current era.

"I wonder why they don't like washing though. I've heard of some Earth kingdom people not washing but that's a rumour as you've said. But why do these people have to play into styreotypes of savages not washing?" He pulled his clothes closer to avoid the bitting cold.

She placed a finger to her chin in thought. "Well it think it has to do with their technological and physical limitations."

"While mainlanders like you don't experience much cold on the Fire islands, in many northern earth kingdom territories, there are long, bitter winters.

As a result, the culture of Earth Kingdom peasants is to shy away from bathing due to the many ancient folk tales of winter plagues and people dying if they drank or bathed in cold times as Earth kingdom citizens could'nt heat their water as readily as they can now with technology. Let's not even get into the absence of political centralization.

Medical knowledge was also lacking as well." It was times such as these he rememberd she was a history major.

"It'll take a while to remove their fear of us much less their fear of water." He spoke up.

"You're lucky. You're with the observation team. I actually have to get close to them." He continued as they navigated the rough walkways of the settlement.

She giggled sweetly and looked at him playfully. He could feel his cheeks burning despite the cold, he always admired her black eyes. It was unique among most people of the mainland who had amber, tawny or golden eyes.

"Speaking of... How goes the linguistic progress?" She asked.

"W-well.. uh... my method is working out a little bit. I'm working with some of the children and trying to identify basic nouns. It's going to be a pain to make common ground with more abstract things though..." He quickly gathering himself.

"Well then keep at it! Let's meet at lunch!" she said as they reached the internment area and needed to head to their respective districts.

"Yeah, lunch..." He waved her direction and smiled.

Aoza didn't know how long he stood there, it took an icy draft carrying the stench of unwashed bodies to his face to break him out of his stupor.

"Ugh!"

Chapter Text

Dolaf woke at the crack of dawn just before the cries of the invader's strange bird would begin. They were odd things; with white feathers, wings and tails, the body of a bird with the head, ears, and snout of a boar.

They also seemed to have a red comb-like flaps on their heads, bony legs, and clawed feet. These creatures which appeared to be some cross between a boar and a bird laid eggs as well!

He slowly wiggled his way out of the warm cot and got up. The tent was packed with his sleeping clansmen as well; so he moved carefully and tipped over to another small cot.

'Why this 'ave git go an' sleep so far!?' He grabbed his shoulder and shook his brother wake.

"Isald! Get up!" He whispered as loudly as he could.

Thankfully after a bit of shaking, the boy woke up. "Get up now! We gotta go now... an' don' make much noise!"

His brother got up quickly and after making sure he had the small wooden plank the firemen loved so much, they left the giant tent.

The crisp morning air welcomed them, Dolaf took a deep breath and smelled the smoke of firewood being burned and food being prepared.

If he just went by smell alone, much had changed since 2 moons ago, but his sight truly displayed the fact. In the distance and nearby, all he could see were the massive red tents made from wonderous materials.

To think these tents didn't leak when rain began to fall!? Only the chieftain had the rare tent made of waterproof otterskin.

Not just that, the tents kept the cold out far better than any tanned hide!

'Could it be a Fire spell of the Firemen?' He wouldn't be surprised if that were the case!

Moons ago, when the Firemen rode from their great black ships, he was at the shores armed and ready to fight them with chief Toredill.

But as his older brother and father ran up to the giant mounts of the firemen and were trampled and implaed respectively his courage wavered, he felt as if it was the times of old when the wights and their dead army invaded the lands of men thousands of years ago.

But this time, instead of icy daemons, they would have to fight those of fire and ash. Instead of being trampled and gutted by the horns of the terrible mounts or getting cut down or blasted with fire, he grabbed his younger brother's hand and ran.

They headed for the edge of the village and planned to escape into the wildlands; only to be surrounded before crossing the treeline. He thought for sure he would die right then.

He was certain they were to be slaughtered and raised again to do the biddings of the fire daemons.

He remembered hearing the sound of his brother dropping his wooden club a little bit after he did, they fell to their knees awaiting their grim fates.

However, that wasn't what happened, instead they were shackled and brought back to the clan. Then herded with the others and lead to the centre of the clan's grounds. His brother cried all that time, praying to the old gods for strength and mercy.

Many, assumed they were to be sacrificed in some dark ritual... but a small sliver of hope was birthed into him. From where he got it? He didn't know.

He didn't think they were to become the walking dead or feed for the Firemen's beasts. Dolaf made up his mind to do whatever the invaders wished- that way he wouldn't end up like his father or older brother.

From then on he had the strangest experience of his life. He was brought before the strange Firemen. They spoke to him in their strange tongue and examined him.

Though he didn't understand their words, he paid attention to their gestures and followed their directions. In time, his shakles were removed, he was given a small wooden plank which was covered in strange markings.

No longer was he herded together with those who were to fearful or antagonistic towards the firemen. Instead, he could roam about amongst them and enter certain places as long as he flashed the plank he had.

In time, he realized the invaders weren't Fire wights as chief Toredill said.

Instead it seemed they were a group of powerful Fire Mages. Unlike the woods witches who had to kill goats and swallow herbs these firemen could make balls of flames in their palms and throw it at your head!

He lead his brother over to a wooden structure that was built up in the enclosure. He smiled as he saw it was clear.

Dolaf's gut rumbled. The sweet scent of food grew stronger, the closer they got to the structure.

Inside, he recognized the familiar face of the cook who was a Fireman. He wore the common red garb that all firemen seemed to like, had strong forearms and a rather large belly.

The man looked at him, spoke in his inchomprehensible tongue and smiled in such a way that his eyes seemed to close.

That was another strange thing about these firemen invaders, they looked so very different from his people. For one, most of them seemed rather short. He stood on par with grown men and as a boy on the cusp of manhood.

They had less hair than his people and whatever hair they did grow looked thin and very straight. Unlike his own people, they all had straight pitch black hair, small orange or yellow eyes and spoke in a way which confused the ear.

He flashed his board at the man and elbowed his brother to do the same. With that, the Fireman lifted the wooden cover off the large pot behind himself, grabed a clay bowl and began scooping out the fluffy white food the firemen called koomen or something.

His stomach rumbled as the man walked around the stall sharing out different things into small bowls before placing them onto small trays.

When he finished both their trays, he looked at them and nodded to their right.

'Oh!' He almost slapped himself, before pulling his brother along to the small stall set up off to the side. There was water and a glob of something that looked like animal fat, but was harder.

"Look Isald! Ya do it like this!" He instructed his brother on how to wet the slippery blob and rub their hands together and make bubbles, before washing them off.

He didn't understand why the firemen forced them to do this every morning with their hands, but he did like the feeling afterwards.

They collected their trays and sat at one of the many tables littered through the area and began eating.

"Gotta eat fast an' leave. Still got lots to teach ya and we got lots o' work to get done!"

Dolaf carefully showed his brother how scoop the hot, white seeds from the bowl and how to eat them. He still couldn't eat with the strange sticks the Firemen used though.

He saw his brother's face light up as the flavours burst on his tongue. This wasn't his first time eating the soft seeds but he couldn't help but moan at the taste of them every time.

The fluffy seeds were so soft and flavorful! Better than anything hed eaten before. And that was just the seeds. He took some of the sauses and showed his brother how to pour it over the seeds.

He then did the same for his own and threw a handfull into his mouth. The flavor was even better!

He had to stop and show his brother many times how to eat the the thing and not get burned over the course of the meal.

After finishing the bowls, he reached for the clay cup of steming herb-water on his tray. He heard from others that the Firemen boiled water with their herbs and dropped shards of rock into the potion.

He took a sip of his own and hummed. Originally he wast too keen on the drink but over time he grew to love it. The potion did well to warm him up first thing in the morn. His brother seemed too wary to drink, so he took his as well.

In the end they finished their food and dropped off their tray at the washing area, where he saw a Fasha; the mother of one of his friends who died fighting the firemen.

"Ye two'r smar', got up 'fore the rush." He smiled and left the trays with her.

"Come Isald, we got work t' do."

They walked up to the wooden gates of the enclosure and showed the slabs to the black armoured Firemen who stood guard.

The men waved them through, allowing he and his brother to move freely amongst the Firemen, through what was once their clan grounds.

Dolaf kept his brother close as the boy was still very fearful of the invaders. They navigated the almost unrecognizable village. If it wasn't for the heart trees that served as landmarks and the sounds and smells of the sea, he wouldn't even know he was in the same village of old.

The sea of red tents and new wodden structures replaced the original beastskin tents. Dirt paths were carved out by sheer number of animal and human feet who walked on them.

He watched his brother out the corner of his eye. Islad looked at each Fireman they passed. He remembered doing the same back then.

He would note how some of them wore armor and others walked in layers and layers of clothes that looked smooth and flowing like their hair. He couldn't imagine what beast it was made from.

'Who knows... the Firemen maybe called 'em up with their magics.' He thought as he lead this brother through the sea of crimson tents and to the edge of the village. Once there they approached another sectioned off area.

This place was once just flat land now turned into a herding area for the strange animals of the firemen.

They flashed their wooden planks again at the guards and enetered the area. There were a series of wooden buildings made by the invaders to house their animals.

"This' where we work." He said to his brother.

Dolaf watched as his brother's eyes scanned the strange structures. He chuckled internally.

'Can't wait till ye get a look inside!'

For the most of the day, he showed his brother everything he needed to do. From changing into their 'workgarb', to picking up the Boar-Bird eggs to shoveling up the log-like shit of the Boar-Auroch, sweeping up the pellet-like shit of the Boar-Stag and feeding the Goat-like boars with the fluffy fur.

The strange creatures ate anything they were given! The Firemen supplied meaty shlop and leftovers to their magick beasts- even the ones that resembled sheep.

His brother had been just as surprized and fearful as he was back when he first saw these creatures. He didn't know what the Firemen planned to do with the people of his clan but he knew for certain they wouldn't be eaten by them.

Not when they showed such care and protection over these animals. The invaders slept in tents- just as he did. Yet their beasts slept in well constructed buildings and were kept warm constantly.

Chapter Text

Lord Varamyr, head of house Magnar, rode upon his massive, shaggy, white unicorn through brokewight town; just outside kingshouse castle. He felt a surge of power as he and his large rentinue rode up to the imposing castle walls.

At the head of his retinue, Lord Magnar's graceful steed trotted through the thick wodden gates and into the stone castle proper. It was the pride of his family as one of the few stronghlods of skagos. The ancestral castle and seat of power of House Magnar which served as the the seat of the Great Stone Kings for generations.

According to ancient lore, Kingshouse was a stronghold built due to the combined efforts of the Children of the Forest and giants. With the looming wall being crafted by the Giants and the castle towers by the Children themselves! It was later taken by the First Men ancestors of the Magnar line during the War of Children.

During the events of Long Night, the fortress repelled one thousand charges by the Others and their thralls.

His great ancestor, Osric Stoneborn rallied the cowering men and held the line against the Great Others for sometime. Through his valiant opposition, not a single Wight entered the keep, however, despite the strength of the castle, the men inside eventually succumbed to cold and starvation.

There was only one survivor, his great ancestor. It is said in the tales that when he felt he could bear the pain of hunger no longer, he charged out amidst the horde, armed with only a single black cave-stone dagger, battled the wights and broke their resolve by slaying a commander in single combat just outside the castle.

That was how cave-stone and the town outside the castle gained their names of Wightsbane and brokewight respectively.

After the battle, Osric rallied the giants, children, and surviving First Men of the land as his warriors and drove the Wights and their walking dead off the island. So valiant was he, that the masses crowned him as the King of Stone and Sea.

King Osric Stoneborn was said to have sired a son upon each of his three wives- each a woman of either the first men, giants and children of the forest. From their union came three Stoneborn sons.

Osric Stane, with the blood of giants, Osric Crowl, with the blood of the First Men, and Osric Magnar, with the blood of the Children. When the great Stoneborn died, his sons entered into a decade long war, after which his ancestor, Osric Magnar emerged as his successor, ruling from Kingshouse.

That was until the vile Starks and their weapons of iron and steel subjugated the Stoneborn millennia afterwards. The King Magnar at the time knelt to a Stark King at the gates of Kingshouse, and gave up his crown.

But even now, his house was still the greatest of all sakgos. All subsequent rebellions against the Starks were headed by House Magnar.

He sighed in exhaustion as he dismounted from his unicorn and handed the steed off to the stable boy who came up to him.

Varamyr crossed the courtyard and was greeted by the assembled men and women of his household.

"Lord Magnar, kingshouse is yers." His beautiful wife Igla stepped forward.

His eyes roamed over her. It had been weeks since he left to the mountain clans to broker alliences, attend weddings and claim his lordly right. While he enjoyed the weddings and particularly the pleasures First Night, his wife was still the most beautiful in all skagos with her strong figure and red hair. He stepped forward and embraced her before giving her a long kiss. He could feel the small bump from her belly.

'With child yet again...' He was glad to know his seed was taking root, however that meant she wouldn't be able to service him to the fullest extent in the future. Though it would be moons before it would be unsafe for her to do her wifely duties.

He moved from her to his son and ruffled the lad's hair, the boy had grown since he was gone.

He then grabbed up his little daughters and showered them with kisses. They giggled as his beard scrathed their faces.

"I hunger! Lets eat!" He shouted as they entered the castle.

'It's good ta' be lord.' He thought.

(-)

Later on that day, he sat in the great halls of his castle as petty chieftains and lowly smallfolk wondered in, telling him of their woes. It was tedious work but eventually he settled the issues one after the other.

It was then that a thin man wormed his way into the hall. The fellow looked wild and haggard. His face pale, his beard scraggy and tangled.

'Who let this creature into my halls?'

"L-lord Magnar!" The man shouted with his scratchy voice.

"Doom has landed on the land! I'm Chieftain Toredill of the styval clan! My people were butchered by Fire Wights and their foul creatures!"

Varamyr looked at the man. What jape was this? A chieftain? Looking like a broken mountain berserker? Beset by fire wights to boot? He almost laughed if the man wasn't wasting his time and defiling his halls with his presence

But before he could have the man thrown out and lashed, the wizened fellow began speaking.

"They came from black vessels and hurled fire at my people! I got out by the grace o' the gods to make it here to ye. I beg ye to gather yer men and charge against the great Others." The skinny man pleaded with him.

"Fire Wights? Are you mad? Did ya eat mad herbs in hunger?" He was ready to throw the mad man from his halls. Winters were always hard in these lands and many died with every one that came. Even after the passing of winter and into spring, many starved and some would go to any lengths to sate their hunger.

Some became wild men and attacked travellers or small villages to feast on their fellows. Some ate wild herbs and shrubs that sprouted underneath rocks or snow patches, succoming to poison and madness.

"M-My lord do ye not remember me? I was 'ere fer the summer festivals and ye was the one ta watch over my wedding two winters past!"

Varamyr thought the man a fool, even if he was who he said he was, there was no way he could remember the faces of every petty chieftain the met.

This man had no banners or riders with him. He seemed to be nothing but a raving fool- a mad fool!

It was then he looked closely at the man's face as he spoke of his wedding. It was gaunt and bearded but it had a certain look, as if the man hadn't shat in years. He loved that look, it was the look of some men who he wedded and then bedded their wives.

There were not many who would refute a lord's claim to first night, the few who did in ages past were put to the sword as dictated by the traditons of their people and laws of his house. Most accepted and felt honour to gift their wives over, but there was a small few who nought the courage to stop him, but felt wronged. They'd have stiff or sour expressions on their faces as he led their wives away.

The man's face looked so now, he could faintly remember but it was coming back to him. Of all the chieftains there was one who had a most amusing face when he took the man's wife to ravage.

"Ah! It's you!" He finally recognized the man!

The stuffed expression on the man's face faded to show a hopeful look, if he didn't want to get the whole thing over with, he'd have acted as if he didnt know the man for longer- the previous look on his face was too good to gander at.

"So ye claim a group of Fire Daemons set upon yer people, what proof do ye have? Ye want me to gather all my host and ride out on yer order with nothin' to show for it?"

A twisted look appeared on the man's face again, "I stand 'ere before ya Lord Magnar. As ye said, ya remember me a chieftian Why would I come to ya now looking like a mountain berserker? Without any o' my tribe?"

Varamyr had no words to refute the man. He didn't like the way the man spoke to him, but looking at how mad this cheif looked, the man seemed to have dashed away his fears long ago.

He couldn't brush off the man's claims too quickly now. This chieftain could be mad, but he knew the legends of old were true. If the there were truly Wights and the walking dead, he would need to defend his lands, much like the Stone kings of old.

He turned to one of the servants. "Take yer best unicorn, ride to Lowhenge an' fetch the white witch Ygga! Tell her I need 'er council now!"

The servant nodded and ran off.

"The witch'll be 'ere by noon or so. When she's 'ere you'll tell her of yer woes, while we wait, tell me of wot happen'in yer clan." Varamyr watched the man's gaunt face regain a bit of colour.

"T-t thank you milord!" He waved the man's thanks away.

"My lord, two moons ago, one o' my goat boys ran into my tent, telling me of strange, black hills on the sea..." The Stone lord shifted in this wooden throne as the man spun his tale.

After hearing the man, Varamyr left the hall for a break, leaving behind instructions for someone to house the mad chief and feed him some gruel.

On the other hand, he left to eat a heafty meal of mutton stew with rough bread and black beer. As he ate he recalled the fantastical tale he just heard. Fire wielding Wights descending from great black vessels, riding massive beasts...

Was the Long Night upon them yet again? After thousands of years? There were no Giants or Children of the forest left on the island anymore, what little of their blood still flowing through his veins was too weak. Would men alone be able to stop this threat?

As he said, by noon, he was informed the Woods Witch appeared upon her bony unicorn inside the walls of kingshouse keep. He sent for the mad chief the witch and the elders to meet him in the Great hall.

Chapter Text

They stood beneath the bloody leaves of the ancient weirwood tree as Ygga the witch shook a link of rune covered animal bones and drank her fill goat's blood. The old woman was an ugly thing, hunched and wrinkly, her face windswept from years mountain drafts, her mouth blackened by rot.

she spoke loudly in old tongue and prayed to the old gods.

Jaroll thought the witch mad. He believed in the old Gods and feared their power like any other, but he didn't believe one bit in some blood guzzling old hag from the mountains.

Witches weren't looked fondly upon in the lands of house Magnar and for good reason too, all they ever asked for was goat whenever they carried out a 'divinaton', one'd think since they always needed goats to cast their spells or commune with the gods, they'd raise their own.

But this was the old way. Even the elders didn't push back when they heard the tales of the mad chieftain. Even now he could hear their fierce whisperings as the ritual went on.

As for the mad man who came stumbling into his Lord's halls crying of Fire Daemons, he was locked on the witch with an intense gaze. If Jaroll didn't know any better, he'd assume the man wanted to shag the old bat.

In truth, the man was possibly watching to see if the witch would fall ill. The mad man claimed that when he called upon his own woods witch, the woman had danced and keeled over, only muttering the word 'Fire' in old tongue before dying.

This witch waved off his warnings, claiming she was much stronger than his henge witch.

Jaroll didn't qiute believe in the madness of Fire Wights. As a boy, he heard of the tales of Long Night when the world was covered in darkness and a long winter reigned. One where men would be born, grow old and die without ever seeing the sun. The White Wights and their dead thralls warred against the living in their attempt to maintain an endless era of frost and death.

'Wights o' ice and snow come with the dark and cold. Why would Wights o' Fire and smoke be comin' for the land at the of turn o' winter?'

His train of thought was broken as the witch stopped her mad dance. He was a little ways away from her but he could see her staring at the face of the weirwood tree tears streaming down her face. She whispered to the tree as if sharing a secret.

She then turned to Lord Magnar who stood not far away.

"What did ya see Ygga? What wisdom 'ave the old gods giv'n you?" Jaroll listened carefully to hear what shite the witch was planning to say.

Ygga opened her arms wide as if to hug the world and shouted: "I 'ave seen the invaders who 'ave descended onto these lands! They're no Daemons but men! But not men like us, they wear black an' crimson armour, ride strange beasts an' dabble in powerful magicks! They'll roam these lands like direwolves and seek to claim it as their own!"

The assembled crowd of elders whispered around him. The lord Magnar's face was a storm!

"It is as I said! We mus' gather and chase these monsters from our land Lord Magnar!" Jaroll stepped closer to the tree, he wished to grab the mad chief who just dared to command the lord and bash his teeth in.

Thankfully he didn't have to since the Lord turned and with a swing, slapped the man off his feet. "No!"

The fallen man grabbed his red and swollen face. "B-but lord mag-."

"Shout yer mouth! Speak again and I'll take yer tongue!" Varamyr cut the mad man off.

"The fool did speak out of place Lord but something must be done." Spoke one the wizened elders standing nearby.

"This is good! They may be powerful in magicks, but they are still men. If we bring the full might of kingshouse upon em', we may banish these foul invaders before they spread!" Another added.

It didn't take much for others to nod and made sounds of approval.

'Look at 'em harp' Jaroll tsked.

He didn't like these dried up old cods. In times they acted as if they ruled before the Lord himself. But if these rumours were true... It would be the best to do something.

He looked to the Lord as the group's hawking died down.

"These are men yes, but we don' know 'em. We mus' first learn of these men and their magicks. Then we attack!" The Lord said.

'As expected of Lord Varamyr.' He thought as the old fools made sounds of agreement.

"Jaroll!" The Lord turned to him.

"Lord Magnar!" He answered and approached his lord, the older man's green eyed gaze was full of strength and power.

"Gather 20 of yer best riders, take the witch and Tordill. Have him lead ye to his clan in secret. You will watch these invaders from the bushes an' find out anything ye can! Yer to leave in the morn at first light!"

"Aye m'lord!" He stood at attention, already thinking of the men he would need to take on the journey.

"Ygga! Ye will try't learn of their strange magicjs, see wot weakness they 'ave." Jaroll could see the witch wasn't pleased but she was not foolish enough to say it.

(-)

Later that day, he made his way home. It was getting dark as it usually did in winter or just after it. Thankfully the fires of the castle kept the place well lit.

He had just finished reporting to Lord Varamyr on the future ranging.

As a master at arms, his home was inside the castle walls close to his lord where he could protect him from harm, it didn't take long to reach his home.

He opened the door to see his wife rocking their child to sleep.

They didn't say anything for risk of waking the babe. He just moved to the fire and sat, warming himself. His thoughts on the task that lay ahead in the morn.

What would they find at the blighted clan of the mad man? Would there be a scorched ruin? If the goat blood guzzling witch spoke true, the men they were to watch were powerful in magicks. Would they find a village of burnt weirwood and men being thrown into fires to power dark rituals?

He must have fell asleep as he opened his eyes to the smell of stew and his wife's touch.

"Jenga" He looked at her and rubbed her arm.

"Heard there'r invaders at crab claw point." She said.

"Mmm, if the words of a mad, old witch and a wild man are true. Lord's sendin' me down there in the morn to watch 'em." She nodded at his words and moved to grab the pot by the fireplace, but he grabbed her before she could.

"Be gone a long time. Best to get a taste before I go." He said to and watched as her pale face redden.

"The food?" she motioned with her head to the pot by the hearth.

"Later." He pulled her to him and stood with her in his arms.

"The boy's sleep'n." He asked looking at the cot futher of in the room.

"Mus' be... had a long day in the stables." She smiled at him.

(-)

The next day he inhaled the food before him at the table. The sun hadn't risen yet, and wouldn't for an hour or two he reckoned.

Jenga walked about with the babe at her teat. It was it the one who woke him. The babe had strong howlers on her, but that was a good thing. They lost many a child in the winter. Wouldn't do no good to grumble les' the gods take back their blessings. This babe was strong.

"Eat faster boy! You'll be the one tending to my mount!" He looked at his oldest boy, Rokar. He would soon be a boy no longer at two and ten. Soon he would need to head out on his own.

"Hmmm!" The boy hummed into his gruel. Jaroll was rather proud of his son, he wasn't a warrior like himself, but he was growing to be a fine lad. With eyes as green and fierce as Lord Magnar's the boy would go far.

It didn't take long for them to finish eating and head out. He left his boy to tend to the stables for the journey. He would make sure to gather his men and have them riding out by first light.

It didn't take long to find them. By the time he reached inside the courtyard at kingshouse, his lord, the mad man, the witch and the unicorns were all gathered and ready for their depature.

"May the Gods be with ye." His lordship said to them before they rode from the castle.

Jaroll hardened his face as he spured his steed forward. It would be a long, dangerous journey through the bitter chill of winter. They would need to watch out for berserker attacks, snow storms and wild beasts, but in half a moon they would be near crab claw point and see exactly what was to be found there.

Chapter Text

He observed from his elevated position atop as the masses of Firebending units went through the last of their Fire katas for the afternoon. Each form was simple but effective; bereft of restraint or spirituality.

How he hated the sight of it. Ever since he descended the steps of the Sun warrior temple, after his tutelage under the Firebending Dragon masters Ran and Shaw.

Oh he knew how twisted his current civilization was. He knew it ever since he joined the order of the White Lotus. Before that fateful day he was blind to the many sins of his forefathers. The White Lotus revealed the hidden histories of the past to him.

Only then was he was able to observe the sheer perversion of the art that was Firebending at the hands of his Grandfather: Fire Lord Sozin.

His Grandfather created the Sozin military standard Firebending Techniques- an abomiable, but brutally effective form which was able to be taught to conscripted citizenry easily. It was said his grandfather experimented endlessly to pick the forms most suitable in any environment and under any conditions be it weather, altitude or celestial.

Iroh once held pride and reverence of Sozin's actions. It was true that even now, in this dire situation, the technique was still the most effective. But he ached to see it. The element of the Soul, Warmth and Life, warped into a weapon of destruction and misery.

All in an effort to expand and grow beyond their means. It was hubris at the highest level. His grandfather deemed it right to upset the balance of the world, steering the fire nation and its people from their deep spiritual roots and connection to the world.

With the genocide of the Air nomads and the possible permanent death of the Avatar, there was no one to fix the imbalances of the world. As the heir to the throne and kin to the man who brought about such imbalances, it was his duty to fix them.

This was why he lead the final engagement to conquer the earth kingdom capital as he dreamt of decades ago.

He knew firsthand how much influence and power he would gain after the sacking. His father already favoured him and his position as heir was cemented long ago. With the submission of Ba Sing Ce, the fire nation's ministers and officers would also be on his side.

The little political plots of Ozai would wither and die before becoming monstrous. He loved his little brother, but his plots with nobles and officials were slowly undoing all the previous efforts Firelords of the past put in to finally transition the Fire Nation from a feudal society to an absolute monarchy.

His political favour giving and promises to the few nobles with any sense of autonomy within the Fire Islands were disturbing and enraged their father to no end. If Ozai continued his regressive plots- Azulon would have to step in...

He would have to see his little brother possibly exiled or even executed; continuing the trend of Fire Nation royalty spilling the blood of their own kin... He wouldn't allow it.

But once he gained enough support in the capital; he would reign in the officials, nobles and ministers. Nothing would stop him from enacting his plans for the restoration of the various nation States the Fire Nation had butchered.

At least that was what he believed before the storm appeared and threw him into a whole different world entirely.

In a ironic way, he still had to use the very systems his grandfather and father had used in his previous and current battles. He planned to have this Isle under Fire nation rule. After a brief sint of conciliation his rangers would be deployed to aid in the exploration of the land and the removal of any opposition. With the Isle secured and his people safe, he would establish developmental projects to ensure futher security and order amongst the remenats of the Fire Nation army.

It was then and only then would they begin exploration of the surrounding seas in search for a path back home.

It's possible by that time he would be met with Fire Lord Ozai and not Azulon. He always knew his brother wished to be Fire lord, why else would he so desperately do such vile acts? It was the tragic destiny of the Royal family since antiquity, whole generations of royals had been slaughtered or brutalized whenever a new Fire lord ascended the throne.

Siblings would be pitted against each other and only the strongest and most rutheless would enventually win. His relationship with his brother was such until he saw through the madness of it.

'He must be jumping with joy at this very moment...' Iroh had a random thought that maybe his brother had managed to summon some ancient power to banish him from the world. The thought was both ridiculous and absurd.

But as he pondered on his surly brother's actions his thoughts eventually moved to his beloved nephew.

'Zuko...'

"Your highness. The preparations have been made and Mr. Uzo has arrived." An attendant approached and broke his line of thought.

"Ah, I'll be there soon." He said as he took one more look at the men below before heading inside to clean up.

(-)

Surrounded by his royal attendants, Iroh made his way to the dining chambers. There he saw the merchant Uzo seated and already eating.

"Good Afternoon my Prince! I do hope you don't mind me starting before you, I am quite famished." Iroh could barely hold back a chuckle.

By the rules of royal decorum established by Fire lord Sozin, even in this relatively informal meeting, the man was displaying the height of disrespect and insubordination, but iroh knew the man enough to know he was simply being himself.

Iroh rather enjoyed engaging with people in this way, when people could open their hearts, be themselves and enjoy life. While he could certainly maneuver himself well in political situations and culture, he didn't like to do so.

"No worries, I'm sure you'll be well fed enough to humour me in a game of Pai Sho later on, hmm?" Iroh asked amussed as the man took a deep drink of his sugar-rice Sake in distress.

"I'm an avid player of the game myself, but I must say you outdo me in every way my prince."

Iroh sat on the soft, warm mat around the table and began sampling the food, from steamed dumplings to fried bean-rice. It was then he saw a pecular fish in the spread. It looked like a flying salmon, only it lacked wings.

It was then he noticed the seafood on the table seemed rather strange. Some of it looked familiar, but most of the fishes in particular seemed...off.

"I see you've noticed your Highness." Iroh looked up to the man as he took a bite of octopus.

"This must be to fruits of your labour I assume?" Iroh remembered ordering the man to use his smaller sea vessels to fish in to surrounding seas to supplement the diet of the colony and provide relief from the small number of livestock they had.

"It is my Prince. I must say, my captains claim they've never seen such abundance of sea life before. These waters may be quite cold and unforgiving, but they're teeming with life it seems." Iroh listened to the man as he took a bite of the strange fish.

The taste was alright but wasn't as flavourful as he knew flying salmon to be.

'Just like the...goat.' He contemplated internally. When one ate a goat-pig, you'd expect the taste and texture of pig and goat to blend and offer the natural taste.

"These single trait animals seem to also only have a single taste to them as well. But they are palpable enough." Uzo sighed in lament. It was rather strange to only taste and feel the signature flavor and texture of a animal.

"No matter, we aren't running low on grains yet, but it will be awhile before we even have land for cultivation yet. Though I do hope your men didn't travel out too far." Iroh took a sip of warmed sake.

"Of course not your Highness. The nearby waters are enough. Almost overabundant with seafood."

"Hmm." Iroh nodded. He didn't want to lose anymore people carelessly. Not to metion the potential dangers they may face in this world. Things seemed rather mundane now, but he wouldn't take any risks...

(-)

From his craggy vintage point, Lieutenant Zujok watched the approaching rabble of massive horned goats and their riders. His telescope served well in focusing on the individuals closely. His men further up the path have been tracking the group for days now before sending word of this group's final destination by Dragon-Hawk. It was just about time to ambush them.

This wouldn't be the first time the natives had approached, but this was the first time hed seen them approach in such a serective manner in such numbers, eclipsing even the best barbarian tribes so far. It wasn't as if the previous natives weren't cautious but this group went as far as to dismount from their goats to get closer.

'Scouts...' He thought.

They were both very similar. He was one of the few sorry souls tasked with scouting duty. It was a pain most of the time as he was left scurrying around the rocky and cold wilderness, oft exposed to the whims of this new land's horrible weather.

When he marched onto the Fury, in the capital he thought he would gain glory at Ba Sing Ce's walls. He believed he would watch as the defiant walls of the earth kingdom's great capital fall and march beyond them. If not, then hed die doing so.

Yet here he was on a rocky, cold and untamed island, scouting the perimeter of the base. It was a mostly boring and tedious job-but now, with these sneaky natives he was finally about to get some action!

It wouldn't be enough to work his frustration off but it would count for something.

Zujok watched as they walked into position; unknowing of the trap they'd rat-weaseled into. His men were already moving to surround the group.

Top brass already passed down the order for there to be as few native casualties as possible. Apparently, a team of wise guys were in the works to making sense of the awful garble the natives spoke. But that wasn't his concern.

Chapter Text

The Crab Chief knew something was amiss by the time they got within a league of his homeland. The journey wasn't without its own perils and tribulations much like his own escape to kingshouse, there were many unexpected issues: a unicorn twisted a leg, the old witch fell and broke an arm and worst of all, the attack on their group by a pack of berserkers.

Despite their superior numbers and equipment, mountain berserkers were no jape. They were mad creatures driven to the insanity by winter starvation and frost. They were those fallen souls who gave into hunger and were willing to commit any deed to fill themselves.

It was they who almost killed him on his escape to kingshouse moons ago. If he hadn't been set upon and had to leave his poor unicorn behind to the brutes, he would've made it to Lord Magnar's seat of power earlier.

Despite all the trials they encountered on their secret journey, it was when they neared his homeland he felt off. At the time he wondered if he was just afraid to get close to the place. Frightful of what horrors lay beyond the treeline.

'Surely crab claw point was now a massive ritual ground? A place filled with death, fire and ash.' He agonized over what his wife and children endured since the vile Fire witches took his home.

Was it their spirts haunting him as he got close?

Was it the spirits of the dead men he failed?

He couldn't tell. He wished to inform Varamyr's men of his unease, but he didn't bother. The warriors of kingshouse were divided into two groups. Those who believed him and those who didn't.

Even the fellows who thought his words true made it clear they had little respect for a craven who fled his homeland. As for the those who didn't? They thought him a mad fool. In the end he was barely trusted to lead the group to their destination.

'They won't listen ta me.' Tordill huffed.

Mad man they called him. Who wouldn't go mad at the sight he bore witness to? Who wouldn't tear their hair out in wonder at what became of their family?

Maybe if the damned men had listened or the witch had done her part they wouldn't be chained and surrounded at the feet of the Fire ritualists.

Earlier they'd gotten close to the village to the point where he could see the expanded treeline and the cursed wooden wall the invaders had erected. Their leader: Jaroll, decided to step up camp for the night about 500 paces away to avoid being discovered by any guards.

They hid in bushes and suffered the cold; not daring to light a fire - lest the Fire ritualists see or sense the flames.

In the end it was all for nothing. The Fire men descended in the dead of nightfall, he should have expected it. Damn it he should have expected it!

Before the watchers could warn everyone aleep, fire and the screeches of monsterous beasts were upon them. They all jumped up to face the invaders but it was too late.

Like a fish in the sea, a weighted net was thrown over him. He crumpled and fell in a heap. From the shouting and struggling he heard at the time, he wasn't alone.

Tordill was then beaten until soft and bruised before being bound with metal.

Metal!

The extremely rare and valuable material in the land used as bindings. As a boy, he heard retellings of the wars between the starks of old, he was told they brought castle forged metal swords and wore plate armour into battle against the Skagosi who used wood and stone.

Of course this was the only way the Starks could win against the men of Skagos in each of their people's engagements.

Only a few great Chiefs wielded metal swords into battle, and only the three lordly houses of the land possessed enough iron and steel swords to arm their most loyal men. Even then, they were armed with these weapons on only the most dire of occasions.

Even now, of the 20 armed men of this failed mission, only five carried bronze weapons with Jarrol himself wielding an iron sword. Too bad the fools didn't even get to use them.

"Uuhgg!" He and his fellows where herded together and forced to their knees as the sound of more riders grew louder.

The strangest thing to him was the sounds weren't the hoove trots of a unicorn but something else. The strange creature approached, but it was too dark to truly see it. He could tell was it wasn't one of the monstrous lizards they rode when the first invaded his land. No, he'd remember the heavy footfalls of those beasts till the end of his days.

He heard the creature walking in his direction before stopping a few places away. Its rider dismounted, the frozen snow squeaked as the person approached.

In an instant, a ball of flame erupted in the outstreched palm of the man, illuminating both his face and that of his mount.

They all shouted In surprise, though he mostly did at the sight of the strange creature the man rode. It had an elongated head with a broad, curved beak and a thick neck!

His eyes roamed over the monstrous forms of the thing. The shadowy figure of its body was shaped like a bird. The the better illuminated head seemed to be covered by coarse brown mane of feathers.

"B-by the Gods!" Tordill heard Jaroll shout at the sight of the vile witches. The man always seemed to believe he was lying or simply mad. If the situation wasn't so dire, he would have felt some satisfaction.

The armoured fire man's face was covered in the horrible skull helm, hiding his features. Though he did seemed to look them over. Then he began to speak.

In the tales of old, the White Wights were said to sound like the cracking of ice. He wondered on many occasions since the invasion; how the Fire men would sound, like the crackling of fire?

But no, it seemed the witch was right about one thing... these invaders were no daemons, they spoke a strange and foreign tongue but it wasn't monstrous as their magic or beasts.

The men began grabbing them and moving them towards his home. Toredill wondered what fresh horrors he would find there. Would he see the ground covered in blood? Bodies hanging from racks?

What of his wife and children? Were they eaten? Sacrificed to whatever dark gods these Fire men drew their power from?

Surely these Fire men needed to pay a great prices for their accursed powers with how readily they summoned it.

The walk was slow and horrible in the darkness with only torchlight and magic flame to lead the way. Soon though he could see towering walls and towers of wood with great fires burning atop them.

Their captors called up to the men on the walls and the massive gates were open up to them. As they entered the area proper, Tordill noticed it was much brighter inside. With roaring flame light allowing him to see massive crimson tents and wooden structures. It didn't stink of blood and he heard no screams, only the chatter of the invaders and crickets.

They were led through the area and down a wide path. The futher in they went, the more he wondered how this was his home. It was unrecognizable!

He looked around desperate to see a familiar face. But were ever he looked he only saw the strange forms of the Fire men in their strange garments walking about.

'So that's it then.. they were killed.' He shook with tears as the Fire men shoved them all in a tent and bound them tightly together. What would ensue was likely some ritual to either prepare them for sacrifice or the stew cauldron.

More Fire men approached, looking their bodies over and tending to their wounds.

'So we are to be kept alive for now...' He closed his eyes in prayer. If he was to be killed he would only hope to ask the countless gods of the forest to have mercy on his soul and to curse the wickef Fire men and their evil gods for all time.

(-)

The next day, Dolaf strolled though the area of the Fire men, he was being led to a rather large and elaborate tent by one of the armoured guards.

He was a little worried. Just a few moments ago he was tending to the animals only to be called away by a guard. The Fire men opened the tent for him and lead him inside.

There he saw a number of people most he didn't recognize except the Fire man shawo (xiao) and a short Fire man who seemed to be the leader of the Fire men.

Who he didn't expect to see was chieftain Tordill, battered and brusied kneeling at their feet.

"Ah dolahu comu." Dolaf walked over to the man as commanded, the invaders spoke strangely but he was getting better at understanding them.

He nodded in difference to the Fire men.

The short Fire man babbled and waved his arm to the group.

'He's askin' me if I know any of these fellows.' Dolaf nodded and pointed to his wildlooking chief.

"This was the chief." He pointed out the only person he recognized among the prisoners.

Before anyone could say anything, chief Tordill began shouting at him, "Goat boy?! Ye live!? Did they not sacrifice ye?!"

He looked aroud the room, mostly at the Fire men, he responded when shawo urged him to go on.

Dolaf told the chief of his current life and what happened after the invaders sacked the village. The man seemed to disbelieve him, bent on the notion that they were sacrificed to dark Gods.

"Lies! Where's everyone then!!? How could ya be colluding with these evil invaders? Did ye turn from the gods?!" His chief showered him with questions and threats.

By the time he finished answering the near mad man, his throat was dry. He was relieved when he was told he could leave and was escorted back to his work.

While he didn't have to courage to say it to the chief ...he didn't fancy being called a traitor. Even though he fled from the battle, the chief ran away too. Even the great chief was brought low by the Fire men, he could only do what he had to so that he could survive.

Chapter Text

"ARH!"

The beastly man lunged at him aiming his obsidian tipped spear at his chest. The giant of a man was covered with burn wounds and cuts yet he lived and fought with increasing tenacity. Lu Ten dodged and swung his bloody Jian at the man. It dug into the man's neck, cutting through the hairy beard and into the soft flesh.

His blade caught the feral native in the perfect place; the thick furs and leathers worn by the mountain barbarians were at time troublesome, however fur and leather offered little protection above the neck.

Hot blood gushed out from the man's neck, splattering his hand and scale armoured chest. Lu ten's mind raced, he could feel the sensation of his blade slicing through flesh, it was nothing like practice dummies of hay and wood.

The beastly man fell to his knees heavily onto the rocky terrain, clutching his throat in some futile attempt to stem the spilling crimson life liquid. Lu Ten didn't let up he stood over the man raised his Jian, adjusted the angle and brought it down with purpose and weight onto the man's nape.

He could feel it for a few seconds, the bone of the man's spine, even his fingers as his sword lopped off the brute's head.

The hot blood on his fingers contrasted well with the chilly air.

He whipped his head around, constantly looking for any more enemies in his surroundings.

"All clear!" Juzo a fellow private of his shouted.

"Good, we'll enter the cave as soon after a brief rest." Lieutenant Rasao his commanding officer ordered.

"Is anyone injured enough to need first aid?" He asked.

Lu ten looked himself over as the others did. Aside from feeling tired and high from adrenaline, he didn't seem to have any injuries.Though it was hard to tell with amount of the hormones he was sure filled his entire being.

After thoroughly checking himself, Lu Ten walked over to a large rock and sat. Though he remained vigilant, eyes scanning the area. Looking from the treeline, over the dead forms of fallen barbarians and settling on a cave in the distance.

His father was right, no amount of training or warnings could prepare a man for a true battle of life and death. No military instructor could fully explain the feeling of cutting through a man. No mock fire battles could prepare one for the sounds a man makes when his face was blasted with fire or the stench of burnt hair and charred flesh .

This island was where he first blooded himself. Previously he expected to have done so in the Earth Kingdom at the Great wall.

His first engagement wasn't the invasion of the island. No, by the time the Firebending infantrymen disembarked the ship, the defensive lines of the natives had already broken and majority of the inhabitants were either surrendering or fleeing.

At that time he was certain these people weren't Earth Kingdom citizens. From what his father and other military men had told him, stubbornness and defiance was engrained within each denizen of the massive Kingdom. These people broke and scattered too easily.

His actual first battle as soldier of the Fire army took place as his squadron made their rounds of the base's perimeter days after the invasion. They were looking into some suspected sightings of people in the area. His squad had been attacked suddenly, one of his squad mates took an arrow to the eye before loud shouts broke out from the foliage.

He killed his first man that day with a fire blast to face and a slash to the jugular. He'd later go on to burn and cut down three more by then end of the battle.

'By now the count is what? 19? No 20..' He considered as he felt the sticky blood drying on his fingers.

'I should clean that.' He learned many things no royal trainer or even uncle Piandao could teach him. Sure, he was cautioned of what could happen on the battlefield.

The spray of blood, dirt or other irritants getting into one's eyes. But hearing and experiencing are very different.

He now knew exactly how to slash a man in such a way it sprayed away from his face. Blood had a tendency to get on the face and into the eyes, especially when fighting against towering enemies.

He knew to quickly finish off his enemy even if he knew they were dying. On a battlefield variables and hesitation would be costly. He knew well not to make that mistake again.

It was weeks ago when he killed his first woman. He slashed her across the chest, cutting through the burnt fur and bone. He knew the by the feel of the sword and the gasp she made that the wound was fatal, he'd cut through her left clavicle and logded his weapon in her ribcage. He hesitated for just a moment, hoping for her to die before retrieving his weapon from her torso in an attempt to cause her less pain.

But she was rather tenacious, if it wasn't for his armour and general position, her obsidian blade would have plunged into his neck and slashed his arteries.

"Lu Ten?" A shadow loomed over him, he recognized the voice.

He looked up at the man holding a canister of water to him.

"Thirsty?" The man shook the metal container.

Lu Ten grabbed the water, removed the skull visor plate from his face and began drinking from it with gusto. He expected to hear laughter, but as he looked up he saw Kizan looking to the cave before to them.

It was a jagged, dark hole jutting from the mountainside.

"Damn barbarians..." Kizan cursed.

"What do you think we'll find in there?" He asked, though almost dreadfully certain what to expect by now.

"Likely more bones..." Lu Ten answered, knowing full well exactly what type of bones they would find.

'Likely with butchering and human bite marks on them.' He thought to himself.

"Haaah, these people are something else." Kizan said as he took a seat beside him.

"These lands are harsh, and they seem rather primitive." He said still gazing at the cave.

"I don't think most crops grow well in this terrain and cold" He kicked a black stone away from himself.

"Sure but... To hunt others for food...It's insane." Kizan shook his head.

Lu ten couldn't blame him. Every one had grown up with spooky stories of man eating spirits. He heard crewmen whispering of men being forced to eat their dead crew mates after being stranded in the harsh icy tundra of the south pole after Waterbenders froze their ships.

He even watched plays recounting the ancient petty dynasties of the pre-Earth Kingdom kings and warlords who claimed to eat the flesh of their fallen enemies to gain their strength and intimidate others.

But to be attacked by barbarians as prey and to see the human remains scattered in their camps and caves after defeating them really shocked the base when word got back to the base.

This would be a problem for inland exploration and habitation. A culling was needed to minimize risks when the exploration teams marched in force to map the island, not to mention the safety of the workers who would be needed to clear and expand the paths to allow secure travel.

It was for this reason he and his squad were out roaming the lands near the settlement. The New created 'Fire Ranger' regiment was a resounding success. They specialized in mounted combat and raid tactics inside enemy territory.

They and their mounts were equipped in scale armour from the Fire Island warlord era. It was a variation from the Sei'Naka clan's Dragon scale pattern- able to withstand the blunt and piercing attacks of the native club and spear users though it was much heavier and a little restrictive.

Most of their battle tactics were taken directly from the famed rough rhinos who his father held much respect for. Though none of the famed group were present, their tracking and assault methods were taught to every ranger- with the most accomplished of them becoming Squad Commanders.

They would first identify or discover traces of barbarians, then they would track them down and assault them brutally from atop fast moving Mongoose-Lizards using crossbow bolts and arrows.

They would trace any stragglers back to their dens and finish them off, by cutting them down, burning them within their dens or simply bringing the cave structures they lived within down upon their head using blasting jelly.

This particular group was quite large and very illusive. It's been days since they were on their tails and finally it was coming to an end.

"Alright let's move! Get into formation!" The Lieutenant's voice broke his musings. It was time to check the cave.

Deep within himself, Lu Ten knew for all the terror and rush he felt in battle, he never felt more nervous than stepping into a cave on these strange lands.

'Oh what fresh new horrors await...' He thought as they marched up to the mouth of the cave.

(-)

The rangers made their way up the craggy path and stood at the mouth of the cave armed with long pikes and loaded crossbows. It was large enough for eight men to walk inside shoulder to shoulder. The lieutenant lit up a fire cracker and threw it inside. The explosive went off popping and lighting up, the sound echoing off the walls. The Fire cracker method was a rather good one when used on the savages as they didn't know what it was and would shout and give themselves away. This was vital in ensuring they weren't ambushed inside.

After a few moments of no response, a few torches were lit up and the rangers advanced cautiously with their weapons ready. Warm air assaulted them immediately upon stepping inside. The smell of sulfur was heavy; it mixed well with the other smells of decay and urine, creating a nauseating perfume.

The smell caused the faces of the rangers to set even more firmly than before. They were very familiar with this smell. It was the stench most of the caves they examined had. What they would routinely find were the bones of the dead or in worst cases human carcasses strung up to dry or pitted on sticks to be eaten. It was a sight that gave many of them nightmares.

The light illuminated their path as they travelled about fifteen meters in, reveling fresh horrors in broken bones scattered about. A skull there and a rib here. All grim stuff, that was until the fire light caught the flash of skin!

The ranger focused on the form his fellows ready to spring into action. However instead of a savage waiting to rush them, they saw a bound figure on a animal skin rug. They leaned in to get a better look at the figure.

"A girl?" one of them asked. Looking at the beardless unconscious face.

The girl's face was brutish much like those of all the natives they encounted so far but it was undeniably a female. She was alive too, as they traced their eyes over her form they could see the pinkish hue on her skin and the angry red brusing on her face.

This was new in all the reports of raids on the savage caves none of them had live captives- live ones at least. But it didn't take long for them to notice why exactly this girl was. Her body was bare of cloth but covered in bruises, palmprints. She was bound in such a way that would allow... easy access.

They all scrunched up their faces in revultion. 'These savages... They truly knew no bounds!'

They all stood there for a moment unsure of what to do. The lieutenant worked his thoughts on what to do, did they leave her to die? End her themselves? No that wouldn't do. These savages were alien to them but they did show the capacity to be civilized to an extent at least for what he'd seen in the likes of the coastal natives.

'She could be interrogated for information.' He reasoned to himself.

"We're taking her back to the outpost." The lieutenant made his orders known.

He could tell the men were hesitant, who would want to touch or get close to this... native.

But just as he was about to order someone, Private Lu Ten walked out briskly and began wrap her up within the smelly fur coat the savages had laid out on the floor. Following his lead another two walked over to her and began to help. The native was certainly a female, but seemed to be just as large as they were.

The men will have quite a hard time shuffling her out.

Chapter Text

As she gained consciousness, it wasn't the fresh smell of air or the strange chatter that was odd to her, no it was the binds on her body that set her off. She was still trapped but the way she was bound was different. No longer was she tied up in that disgraceful position with rough ropes rubbing her skin raw. Instead, her hands and feet were bound to whatever she was laying on.

'A woolen cot.' She guessed due to the softness of it.

However, if this was the case then that would open up another host of issues. Wool is rather expensive and only a select few in these lands had any to spare for themselves much less a prisoner.

Gilla pulled at the binds holding her down without opening her eyes. she balled her fist as she tested the strength of her restrictions. They were firm and she knew she wouldn't be able to break free with her strength alone.

'Leather.' She recognized the material wrapped around her wrists and feet.

Slowly, she took in her environment, allowing her senses to inform her of her surroundings. She didn't know how long she'd been unconscious. Her mind had retreated into itself after the first dozen times she'd been taken by the mountain berserkers.

In some attempt to separate her mind from her body... to be somewhere else. But now for some reason she allowed herself to feel again.

Why? She couldn't really tell.

Was it the way she was bound?

The warmth of crackling of the fire near her?

The smell of fresh air?

The feeling of healing wounds and a clean body?

It could've been one of these things or all of them. What she did know, was she was no longer in the grasp of her tormentors. They could no longer harm her... at least for now.

So, she opened her eyes. Instead of seeing the rocky formations of the cave she was taken to, she saw what could only be a tent. Its design was not of that of any Stoneborn. Not her tribe, or any others she had been in.

It was an impossibly deep red colour and had supporting beams made of impossibly cut wood. Gilla turned her head to get a better look of the place. She could recognize many things inside but also was stumped at many other trinkets lining the space.

The most intriguing thing she could see was the metal thing in the middle of the room. It looked like a stool made of metal but had a covering over it that formed a tube which went up to the top of the tent. Inside the thing was burning wood, though she couldn't even smell the smoke.

Strange...

Soon she heard the unintelligible chatter again. It was like nothing she ever heard, though she could tell it was the voices of men. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a tent flap being opened and she snapped her head in the direction; briefly regretting the decision as the light assaulted her eyes.

Gilla was shocked at the sight of what she saw however. There, at the entrance stood a woman or what she assumed to be a woman, dressed in thick red garb and carrying a bucket. The woman stood frozen as they locked eyes. It seemed she wasn't expecting her to be awake.

Before Gilla could say anything, the woman set down the bucket, turned and left. Gilla herself was appalled. She'd never seen someone like that woman before. She tried to remember the woman's features, straight pitch-black hair, fiery yellow eyes that looked as if she was constantly squinting. It was like nothing she'd ever seen!

While Gilla thought back on the brief appearance of the strange woman, the tent was once again breeched. She turned to look at the person, hoping to get another gander at the strange lady. Instead, she saw a regular Stoneborn girl like herself.

The girl seemed to be a little younger than her, sporting brown hair and wrapped in the finest furs she'd ever seen. That was saying something since she'd been to kingshouse Castle and looked upon the Lords and chieftains before.

The girl spoke to her but she didn't register it. She was too busy looking at the chubby and clean face the girl had and marveling at the well-kept hair on the girl's head.

In time she began focusing on the girl's words. She introduced herself as Branna of crab claw point.

Crab claw point? She was familiar with that place. Before the mountain berserkers raided her tribe and took her, a few Magnar men stayed with them. Aside from eating their stock of food and taking their supplies in the name of Lord Magnar, they told stories of vile Fire ritualist invaders taking over that area.

"Yer from that cursed place? Am I to be sacrificed?" she asked without any fear.

Had it been before her kidnapping she would've raged and fought to be free, she would've felt fear and anger... but now nothing was more terrible than that dark, dank place she was tormented in for gods knows how long. At this point, anything was better than that.

The girl- Branna did something not many people did in winter, she smiled. The girl shook her head and explained to her of just what happened to her tribe and just who the invaders were. In truth, she could hardly believe her. Branna spoke of strange beasts, great vessels and men of fire. She spoke of how her people aren't being cut open for rituals but were well take care of and fed.

If anything was the truth, it was the well-fed part, as the girl was plump in the face and bright eyed.

Branna told her of the Fire men who slayed the mountain berserkers, saved her and even showed her a strange wooden plank with even stranger markings on it. Gilla listened closely and asked questions at times.

So tied up in the conversation were they that she barely noticed the loud grumble of her stomach.

"Hungry are ye?" Branna asked.

"I'll get ye some light stew." The girl got up and left Gilla to her lonesome before coming back with a bowl of stew.

The girl propped her up and fed her. Slowly, as they both knew what would happen if one ate large amounts of food after a long period of starvation.

As she was fed, Gilla was told how to act around the fire men and about their ways. Apparently, Branna could speak a little with the invaders and was to be the one to care for her until she was healed. She was overwhelmed with her sudden change in circumstances. One moment she was in a dark cave with a dirty rag stuffed in her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue and the next she was laying on a soft woolen cot being fed and housed by witch invaders. She was still bound and held in captivity but somehow, she felt... safe.

(-)

The days passed with more surprises for Gilla. The fire witches interacted with her more. They tended to her wounds and at times spoke to her through Branna. It was a strange experience to walk among them outside her tent.

They removed her restraints after sometime and allowed her to roam about, though she was followed constantly by Branna. She secretly watched as they went about in their well-made furs, bots and gloves. She noticed their general discomfort and annoyance to the cold, judging by the scowl many of them carried on their faces- which were usually red from the frosty winds. They erected wooden structures such as walls and what could only be watchtowers. They herded and tended to strange beasts and casually use fire magic to warm themselves.

It was... fantastical.

"Do they know they build on the lands of the Grucvik tribe?" She asked her constant companion as they strolled through walk ways of the burgeoning settlement.

"The Grucvik tribe?" the girl mimicked her words in confusion.

If Gilla wasn't so busy watching a group of fire men dumping what she learned to be invaluable salt on the walkways she would have sighed.

Though the girl seemed to know of the magical invaders, she lacked any form of knowledge about the surrounding lands. Though that was to be expected. Branna was but a regular tribesman of the Styval tribe. Where as she was a daughter to a chief.

She knew the lands well and could easily tell they were on the lands of another tribe. Just as she was about to tell the girl more, the sounds and sight of riders alerted her. They made way for the massive lizard steeds of the armoured group which rode through.

She paused to watch them ride by. These were the warriors who were said to have killed her captors and saved her. Fierce they were indeed. Each of them clad head to toe in strange metal scale armour- even their fantastical steeds were covered in leather and metal plates...

Their faces were hidden behind ominous skull-like helms. Gilla often saw them ridding through the settlement sometimes covered in blood. All carried various assortments of weapons... some familiar and others, rather foreign. She wished she'd been awake at the time they saved her. She wished to know her saviors, but it wasn't to be. She could only hope to be allowed to go back to her tribe. To see if they survived the raid and to possibly broker peace with these invaders. They were too great and terrible.

(-)

Commander Mung sat with Captain Oraso and the head interpreter Kaiyo.

"So now we possibly have three large native settlements to find and contend with?" He questioned.

"That seems to be the case Commander, if the native girls are to be believed, there is yet another undiscovered tribe somewhere in this region." The captain pointed to the largely uncharted map on the floor before them.

Commander Mung nodded.

'And we are currently in the territory of one of these tribes...' He lamented, inwardly cursing the tenacity of the natives, the Sozin damned island was a barren wasteland of stone and ice. They were stranded in these lands for months now and somehow the winter seemed to have no end.

"Do our charts of these lands support these claims?" He wouldn't just go off the words of two half savage girls.

"They do Commander, our forces have even seen evidence of activity in these regions and they appear to be very different than those of the mountain raiders as well. It seems these tribes are similar to the costal tribe our forces first engaged than the savage roving bands."' His captain added.

Mung couldn't help but wish that wasn't the case. If he had his way, they'd have broken and battered all these natives indiscriminately. To him they were all the same: tall, hairy, brutes who need to be exterminated or brought to heel with force and fire.

However... the missive he received from the Crown Prince himself by Dragon-hawk, explicitly stated that he needed to establish some sort of peaceful relations with these people if possible. He couldn't understand the thoughts of the prince. Why not just brutalize the natives as they did before- their forces are already well adjusted to the fighting abilities of these non-bending savages. It would be too easy.

But who was he to question the absolute words of royalty? The crown prince- formally General Iroh was of the same bloodline as Firelord Sozin the great and Azulon the gallant. The man was a powerhouse in Firebending and tactical might in his own right. That was why he had no fear marching into battle under the orders of the crown prince.

Who knew what machinations the prince had secretly? The Firelord and in extension- the royal family was insurmountable after all.

"Oraso, prepare the girl for a journey back to her home tribe. Kaiyo, keep extracting information from the girl in the meantime. We... must prepare for a... diplomatic meeting with her people."

The two nodded in acknowledgement though they seemed just as uncomfortable as he was.

'Diplomacy.... What a distasteful and foreign word...'  

Chapter Text

The Lobster lord smiled as he observed the Crowl men riding into the castle atop great Unicorn steeds, waving their banners of red and black. The buggers have finally arrived after months of sending riders between their castles. Varamyr eyed his Stonebrother as he dismounted his brown, shaggy steed and handed it off to a stable boy. The red headed man then walked up to him and his family and bent the knee.

"House Crowl greets ye Lord Magnar!" He said with his down.

"Rise, rise!" Varamyr laughed. House Crowl was historically his house's staunchest allies and vassals. Though not entirely through basic trust, their houses regularly intermarried and traded with each other over the years.

At his words, Dormyr Crowl rose.

"How goes yer travels? Hope the snows weren' too bad!" He jested.

"Not bad my lord. The path ta yer lands hav' always been smooth!" Lord Crowl replied; his words heavily tinted with old tongue accents.

"I wish ta wish ya well on yer rise as the lord of Deepdown. Lord Baldar will rest easy knowing ya rule in his steed." He said to the man.

"I thank ye lord magnar." His stonebrother smiled behind his braided beard.

"Sister!" Dormyr shouted and grabbed his wife in a hug.

"The gods have blessed ye!" He rubbed her shoulders and began speaking in old tongue to her, marveling over her swollen stomach before moving to her children, greeting each.

After bread and salt was exchanged, Varamyr invited the man inside.

They had much to discuss after all...

(-)

Inside kingshouse's meal hall, there was much food to be eaten, far more than had graced the tables in his previous visits. Dormyr noticed his lord seemed to care little for the expense and risks of eating so lavishly in and uncertain winter time such as this. Large amounts of mutton, black rye bread and beer filled the table. His liege lord even ordered the servants to carry out a much-prized bottle of wine from the east!

Real eastern wine! This was a commodity not tasted by many much less seen! As kingshouse faced the east and sported one of the calmest ports, house magnar was blessed with a majority of trade between the lands of the east. This was why house magnar was the most powerful of the island- though they'd never admit it.

His house no longer had a port as the wolves smashed and burned it to the ground ages ago. Since then, there had been no attempts to make another on the stormy and rocky coast in his lands both due to fear of the wolves and the weather.

'Theses invader fire Maegi must be a great threat.' He thought while tearing into a goat leg.

For almost three moons now, Deepdown's been plagued with riders from lord Magnar with tales of fire and ash on their tongues; crying of strange fiery invaders and their monstrous beasts.

"So, my lord, these invaders, they are fire ritualists aye?" He asked.

"Mmm, powerful ones at that. Most riders I sent ta their claimed lands haven't returned without being captured. Since the last moon's turn they can't even get near 2 leagues of the accursed place. The fire men 'ave been patrolling the road, settin' up camps." Varamyr ripped a large piece of meat from a roasted goat rib.

"Hav' they sent anyone?" He asked.

He was very curious of these Fire men. They brought uncertainty to their already uncertain and harsh lands, war seems to be on the horizon. How brutal would it be?

"Nay." the lord shook his head.

"Instead, the bastards keep sendin' they're damned abominations ta my city." Varamyr said, clutching his wooden spoon so tightly it may snap.

"Abominations?" Dormyr struggled with the word.

"Aye, most of the riders were caught by the fire witches with their terrible creatures. But the fire men let 'em loose after half a moon. These riders brought with 'em strange animals, twisted things of metal." The lord answered.

Dormyr sat up at this, he wondered how powerful these invaders were to conjure these strange creatures and tools. How foul would their magics be?

"Not jus' 'em, but the traitorous fools who 'ave started tradin' with 'em! They bring these strange things into my castle, MY CASTLE an' try to trade 'em! Who knows what foul magics are upon 'em?!" The Lord was now shouting.

His sister and her pups were eating away, staying out of the conversation.

"In fact, I'll show ye some of 'em!" The man shouted, Dormyr swallowed in surprise.

"Ye didn't destroy 'em all milord?" He asked in surprise the way Varamyr seemed to rage over the invaders, he'd thought his stonebrother and lord would cast every accursed item into the sea.

"Nay, I made sure to have the elders and hedge witches place first men sealin' runes on 'em and had 'em before the great tree." Varamyr said.

They discussed more and by the the time the feast was over and Dormyr had to rush to the latrines. Afterwards, they went outside the castle and entered the sacred ground beneath the ancient god tree of the magnar lands- said to be planted by the wife of the great ancestor: Osric Stoneborn. This particular wife was said to be a child of the forest. The first of those blessed by the gods.

It is said she planted the great tree to guard against any resurgence of Wights and their dead slaves.

At the roots of the holy tree, he could see some strange things bound in goat skin, black or shiny metal bent in different shapes, cloth made of unseen materials and a curious thing that looked to be made of leather. All of these things were covered in runes of the first men. While he didn't know exactly what each rune meant, he recognized a few sealing runes.

"This thing is said ta be used to boil water. For what reason I don't know, could be for some strange ritual." Varamyr pointed to the strange rounded tool, with a flat bottom and a pointed opening at one end. It was a strange thing. To think there were ways to bend and twist metal in such a way?

"An' that is said to be made from one of their strange beasts hide. The feel is like nothin' even the elders have felt." Varamyr motioned to a wrapped cloth.

"What's that?" He pointed to a strange tool made of leather and possibly wood.

"I didn't know at first, but then a fool rode in on a unicorn with it strapped on its back. They seem ta be some clothin' for the beast or some magic tool ta control their vile beasts." Lord spat.

"This may be shockin', but wait 'til I show ya one of their twisted creatures!" The head of house magnar was about to lead him away when shouts came from behind them.

"Lord magnar! Lord magnar!" A man was heard shouting before he even reached the gates.

"What is it!" He shouted at the man.

The servant looked weary and tired, "M- my lord! Banners have been spotted in brokewight town!"

"What banners! Is the Stanes? Those fools?" Lord Varamyr asked with disdain.

"Nay my lord, they're comin' from the accursed lands! It's the banners of the Fire men!"

"What!?" They both shouted in shock.

(-)

Jaroll didn't know what to think anymore, his days in the clutches of the Fire men were uncertain. He didn't know what was to happen to him when he was taken and brought inside their stronghold. His time spent in the tents of the fire men taught him many things about them. They fed him far better than expected and with seafood he'd never eaten. They didn't torture him or mutilate his body.

Now he was on the back of his unicorn and heading to his lord. They released him, with company of course, but they really did release him whole and healthy. Finally, after what must have been three moons at least, he would return to Lord Magnar. He would tell his lord of what he saw and experienced.

That way should they do battle, his lord would know they had no chance at all.

He didn't wish for the Fire men and his lord to come to blows now that he had been among them. Not from some sense of attachment, but genuine fear. These fire men were truly powerful mages, they rode strange and powerful beasts and wore metal armour and wielded weapons made of metal too. Just as the mad chief had said.

It would take nothing short of a unification of the whole island to push these invaders out. Even then it would be a stretch, fighting against these witches with just their weapons wouldn't be easy. Maybe back in the days of the Stone rebellions or the ancient glory days, when the Stoneborn reeved along the shores of the bay of seals and beyond with weapons of iron and steel taken from raided lands.

Now most of these weapons were lost to the snows of time and rot.

Weapons weren't the only issue he saw. On the way to kingshouse, they stopped at small camps made along the way. There he saw fellow Stoneborn trading with the Fire men, taking their plentiful dried and salted fish and even metal tools for furs... Some even worked for the fire men! The road they travelled upon was being widened with the snows and trees being cleared. Many of those he saw working with the fire men were Stoneborn. They cut wood, shoveled snow and hauled stones under the supervision of the invaders... willingly!

Each camp he passed through seemed the same. By the time he neared the towering black walls of kingshouse castle, he felt not the relief of being with his family or near his lord. He didn't know what to tell his lord upon his return.

(-)

"Again, you underestimate the subtle powers of the White lotus my son, you will pay dearly for that." Iroh said as he placed the white lotus piece in position to block the advance of Lu Ten's Dragon piece. The two sat inside the newly constructed office of Longsheng outpost. The office was rather luxurious by the standards of their current state. The office's floor was equipped with the ondol heating system which originated in the northern Earth Kingdom.

Iroh scanned his son's face as he furrowed his brows while contemplating his next move. This was the first time he'd seen his son in months, and what a change he'd seen in him! The greenhorn had become a true soldier, where before he could see the vestiges of youth and boyhood on his son, now he truly seemed to be a man grown.

He still had the facial shape of his mother, but his amber eyes were those of the royal family- full of flame and power. Iroh remembered first locking eyes with his son, he could see it immediately- the hardness of a blooded soldier, the eyes of a killer.

The crisp sound of a Pai Sho piece sounded as Lu Ten moved his Jasmine piece forward, intercepting his knotweed piece.

"Father, you sent lieutenant Fushi to the native ruler's stronghold?" Lu Ten looked up from the board.

"Hmmm." Iroh made a hummed and nodded.

He could see his son was baffled at his decision, though the prince was developing quickly, he wasn't up to par with schemes. Iroh partly blamed himself for that. When his son was young, he was mostly engaged in battles to further the war efforts or had begun his spiritual journey. While these journeys molded the man he would become, they prevented him from being with his family enough. Even if he managed to slip pieces of wisdom to his son, he couldn't train him fully in the arts of politics... he would be sure to rectify that.

"You don't think he's the right man for the mission?" Iroh asked while claiming his son's Red Lily piece. He what his son thought but refused to vocalize.

"Yes father." Lu Ten said as he moved his yellow duckweed piece out of range.

"Fushi's one of captain Mao's supporters and in extension uncle Ozai's. We both know how those who gather around uncle thinks... wouldn't it be better to send a more trustworthy person... someone with a more extended world view? I know he isn't the diplomat and isn't to engage in any discussions, however..." Lu Ten didn't need to finish his words.

"Yes, there were many others I could've chosen- without the mental rot of superiority those in Ozai's circle seem to have. There is a possibility the man may cause the negotiations to fail, however, this wouldn't be too bad."

Iroh moved his Chrysanthemum piece forward to further cripple his son's forces.

Lu Ten didn't respond immediately. Iroh could see his son was trying to think and let him do so in peace.

"By sending Fushi there, the possibility of conflict is higher, if the man was captured or killed it would work out in our favour and if the negotiations succeeded, it would also benefit us as well." Lu Ten said slowly

Iroh smiled, "Correct, there are times when you need to play risky pieces to win the game."

The game ended then as Iroh moved his White Jade piece to claim Lu Ten's Golden cherry blossom tile.

Chapter Text

He shifted in his saddle from atop is ostrich- horse as he rode ahead of the group and looked at the surprisingly large fort in the distance. To think there were natives who’d live behind stone walls?

‘Ugly stone walls but stone none the less…’

'Damn, this cold... They want me to go on this suicide mission? Hippo-bullshit!' He thought as he pulled his crimson fur-lined coat closer to his exposed neck. As an esteemed denizen of the fire islands, he wasn’t used to this type of harsh weather.

'Damn the prince, damn the admiral, damn the captain!' He raged internally while imagining himself raining a litany of curses at the bastards who assigned him with the mission to parley with savages. He didn't know why the prince would rather try to communicate with savages when more appealing actions could be taken.

So what if their teams were finding and interacting with supposedly less savage native tribes? They were all one in the same in his mind. The natives were all ugly, gigantic, unwashed brutes. Barely human- if even that.

These man shaped beasts were known cannibals! Who's to say they would be capable of any higher thought? Wouldn’t these savage overlords just attack their group even if they had natives with them?

'If only it were Prince Ozai, we would've brought these creatures to heel and put them to work.' He thought.

He was of the mind that the fire nation was supreme to any other civilization, all others were to bow and submit themselves to their rule or be broken against their weapons and burn to ash by their fire.

'What good will courting with man-eating brutes do!?' He wished to shout in the face of the balding prince.

However, he had no choice in the matter. If only for his own safety, he needed to ensure at least some peace with the savages, the admiral made sure he knew the importance of this suicide mission to the crown prince and the potential for failure. He was not only responsible for the lives of all the men under him but the civilian diplomats and interpretation teams.

Captain Mao already warned them all to be careful after they were found to be stranded in some strange world. The orders and mission given to them by prince Ozai… the rightful heir, were now uncertain. The situation they were in was dire... trapped on an unknown island in some strange land, it would be too dangerous to attempt anything that would anger Iroh.

They were cut off from the prince and any political aid he may send. His current situation was a reflection of that. Why was he of all military personnel sent to commune with the savages? He had no tolerance for the poor and reviled foreigners, especially these man-eating barbarians.

'Yet here I am.' He glowered as his forces entered the sprawling village just outside the primitive Fortress. It was an ugly, smelly place not too different to the coastal village they first disembarked to find. The village was much larger and filled with rough spun huts and tents. His armoured fist smoked as the gazes of the ugly natives turned to them.

Though they weren’t given any trouble as they rode through. The natives had the sense to look fearful and shy away from his vanguard forces. Soon, the procession passed through the primitive village and approached the pitch lack stone walls of the fort.

“It seems they've spotted us." Fushi narrowed his eyes at the movement atop the fort’s battlement in the distance. The massive wooden gates were being closed.

He spun his Ostrich-Horse to address the civilians who finally caught up. "You there, tell the barbarian to get ready to meet his masters and explain why we are here."

The man didn't say a word to him but did as he was told, rattling off in the savage tongue as he conversed with the natives all while the group kept a slow, but steady pace towards the native fort.

Fushi swallowed to calm his nervousness and gripped the reigns of his steed tighter as steam seeped from his fingers. He focused his eyes on the stout black walls, eyeing the now visible murder holes of the castle walls. Now that he could see the individual cuts of stone in the walls, he idly wondered how the barbarians were able to move these massive stones to build the castle walls.

There were no earthbenders or benders here at all, they certainly had nought the minds to build the most primitive of cranes and construction tools. He cast these thoughts aside as they finally arrived within shooting and shouting distance at the gates.

(-)

"Who goes there!" Jaroll recognized the voice of one of his friends shout down to him. He almost teared up at the sound of a familiar voice but also felt dread at the conversation and meeting to come.

'If we even make far enough for a meeting to happen and they don' jus’ rain arrows down on us.' He lamented.

One of the invaders who barely learned his language began conversing with his fellows in their native tongue briefly before motioning to him.

"Answer them. Tell them we come here place, having things and to speak to your leader." The man told him in his broken and heavily accented common tongue.

He could hear the men behind him gripping their weapons. He knew he needed to calm the situation down and try to ensure peace. He couldn’t allow them to break out into conflict without him even getting to talk with his lord.

He looked up at the gates and locked eyes with his friend who had a shocked look on his face. "It's me Threnn. It's Jaroll, I come with these fire men. They are ‘ere in peace, bearing gifts and with hopes of speaking with Lord magnar!"

Threnn looked at him wide eyed for a moment before turning away.... Possibly relaying his message and receiving orders.

The wait was tense and dragged on for what seemed like an age. He could see men taking up positions on the walls and could already imagine them doing so inside them.

He exhaled as he heard the men call for the gates to be open.

As he urged his unicorn onwards through the castle walls, Jaroll was, for once uncertain of what would greet him. He scanned the large court yard, it didn't change much in the few moons since he’d been gone- of course not taking the legion of guards and men at arms lining the courtyard- many of whom he was familiar with. They were all now aiming their weapons in his direction.

He could see the line of bowmen ready to draw their weapons. With only a single word, he and his... companions be pelted with arrows, though he doubted the fire men and their armour would be in danger, he knew he was likely to be killed in the cross fire. His eyes scanned the area, over each face. He couldn't see his family though that was a given as all the servants and smallfolk were hiding away.

He could barely see his lord at the back with his sword drawn and surrounded by guards, strangely he even saw his own Stonebrother standing guard as well.

He and his fellows stopped in the middle of the courtyard, few paces away from his lord who walked from the back of the assortment. Jaroll gracefully dismounted his steed- the new seat the fire men placed on his unicorn was rather helpful in this.

"I greet you milord." He said from his kneeling position as he eyed the man's feet.

A long pause ensued before Lord varamyr spoke up.

"What is this Jaroll?!" He all but shouted.

"Ye bring these… witches into my castle, ‘ave ye been seduced by their magics?!"

"No milord I woul-" His words were cut off.

"Then what is this!" Varamyr pointed at the still mounted and armoured Fire men a few paces away.

"I gave ye orders ta watch the invaders! Not ta bring them back here!" Lord magnar was shouting now, spittle flying from his mouth and falling on jaroll’s face.

"F- forgive me m’lord, we were captured an’ held for some time. The Fire men wished to come here ta meet ye. I saw it as my only chance ta come back an’ report to you. I swear ta the gods." He said his voice trembling.

The lord didn't say anymore for a time.

"Ah damn it all." His lord cursed as he looked at the still mounted fire men all but a few paces away.

"…Get the bread and salt an’ offer it to the witches. I hope these invaders know of guest right." He heard lord Varamyr say to a man who ran off.

The lord then fired off a barrage of orders to either settle the fire men or securing the castle.

"An’ ye!" He knew the lord was speaking to him.

"Come with me to my chambers, if ye haven't forsaken the laws of the gods and men ye will tell me everything you saw in the camp of these invaders."

"Aye m’lord!” He swallowed in grim anticipation for what he was tell the Lord magnar.

Chapter Text

Dormyr observed the lord magnar as he fired off questions at his wayward master of arms. From what he could tell, the man had been sent to spy on the invaders and didn't return moons ago. He, along with his retinue were presumed dead.

"What happened ta the mad man and the witch!?" Varamyr shouted at the man.

"M’lord… the old witch died of sickness when we were being held and the mad chief refused to return." Dormyr scanned every inch of the man’s face as he answered the questions.

For one kept in captivity, the man seemed remarkably healthy. He wasn't maimed, marked, skinny or pale. In fact, he looked just as healthy and fat as they did.

"M’lord, I saw many things in the lands of the fire men..." Dormyr listened closely as the man recounted his stay at the invader's base and camps.

He heard the man speak of being captured and looked over by strange fire physicians, whom he believed at the time to be fire witches preparing him for sacrifice. The man spoke of how they were kept in strange tents that seemed to lock in heat and fight against the rain and wind.

He spoke of being taken outside and witnessing the strange buildings of the fire men; seeing strange beasts being pulling carts and carrying goods. He claimed to see the red garbed fire men and the stone born population of crab claw point.

"What! Ye mean they were willingly working for the fire men? Walking amongst them!?" varamyr cut the man off.

"Aye m’lord. They cut wood, smashed stone, fetched water an’ tended to the animals of the fire men." The man answered.

"How? Why? Were they under threat of death? Did the fire men use some dark ritual?" The lobster lord asked.

"Not that I know of m’lord. They seemed willing to serve. Not just Stoneborn in Styval lands, even as I was brought out of the fire men's stronghold an’ taken ‘ere, all along the way I saw stone born working with an’ for the fire men. They traded with ‘em an’ some even spoke together." Sweat could be seen on the lord's face even as the time was so chilly and they were not very close to the fire place.

"Is this the same for chief Isegg?" Varamyr asked almost hesitantly. Dormyr focused as well. The Stoneborn who rode with the fire men to kingshouse weren’t just released master of arms and his retinue. There was also the chief Isegg of the Magnul tribe- one of the oldest supporters of the magnar line.

"Aye lord Magnar, the fire men stopped in his tribe and he greeted them and offered shelter to ‘em. Chief Isegg and his retinue traveled together with us." Dormyr knew that the situation was a bit unfavourable.

'These outsiders were somehow wining over the proud stoneborn they met with. If this continued to happen then who knows what would happen!?' He could tell the lord was thinking the same thing as he.

The man was eventually dismissed and the others who went with him were brought in one by one to tell their versions of their experience, the reports matched.

“Damn it! Bring in isegg!" A servant ran out of the room as the lord screamed at him.

The chief just barely stepped into the room before Lord Varamyr was shouting at him. "Isegg! You mingle with outsiders?! You grant ‘em shelter and break bread with ‘em!? Fire Maegi who invade the lands of your lord and travel with them here?! Do plan to rebell?"

To his credit, older man was rather composed in the face of the enraged lord. Chief Isegg possessed a powerful build with stout limbs. It made sense as the Magnuls were said to be part giant. Though the man was too stout in Dormyr’s opinion. It was well into winter… even a well-known and powerful tribe such as the Magnuls should be starved for food. The man’s beard was well kept and twisted into a single braid which was bound with a polished metal band. He was cloaked in well-made furs and with a single look downwards-Dormyr noticed the fine leather boots the man sported.

‘Gods…’ He was beginning to see the increasing danger of these invaders.

"M’lord I do no such thing. I swear it on my family line. I was wary o’ the fire men at first as yer men stopped by an’ warned us of ‘em, but then my tribe was attacked an’ my daughter was stolen by the White bone mountain men. She was taken as a prize and was ta be eaten. It was the fire men who slayed the White bone men and brought me my daughter." The chief explained.

Dormyr was shocked at the news of the slaughter of the White bone raiders. They were an ancient scourge of the northern region. Many Magnar lords lost their lives and kin to them. No stone lord of house magnar had been able to root them out for ages.

Seeing as the lord didn't comment, Chief Isegg continued, "m’lord, my tribe was in a bad place this winter, ye know this. I sent riders ‘ere to ye about it. We were stavin’ and dyin’ to the cold, most did in a long winter such as this. When we began trade with the fire men and they gave us wonderous things, food from the seas no elder had seen an’ finely made furs."

"I owe a great debt to the fire men; this is why I am here to speak on their behalf for peac-."

"Out! Get out! Traitorous bastard!" The lord magnar shouted at the chief.

Immediately the man was ceased and dragged out by the lord's presence by the guards.

"Those fire men! They must be wiped from my lands!" The lord roared and paced the room like a trapped lobster in a trap.

Dormyr knew the situation was certainly volatile. If the fire men were allowed to carry on as they did, the land would be turned over to them without them needing to lift a single one of their swords or throwing and single flame.

"My lord... though I do agree with ye that these fire men need ta be handled and if possible, removed... We must act slowly and with as much cunning as they do." He said hesitantly.

The lord spun around to him; his eyes were still enraged but there was calculation in them so he carried on.

"We may better know of their magics and learn ta counter ‘em. If we’re lucky we may even be able ta trade steel swords and armour from them... and in time we may even be able to learn how to make castle forged steel ourselves..." He could see the lord was listening to his words and calming down.

"Aye... that could work... It is winter an’ the seas are the calmest at this time. Soon the smugglers an’ sailors from the east will come ta trade before winter. We may get their help in rootin' out these invaders before comes..." Dormyr smiled as he watched the lord of house magnar thought up a plan of action, thinking of many ways to fuck over the fire men.

His father once warned him of the lord of Magnar's cunning, he was glad to see it in action.

(-)

He poked the suspicious grey meat in the clay bowl before him. He didn't eat, not because he fretted the lord to poison him- the superstitious natives of the island held certain customs highly. The custom of visitor law was held particularly in esteem.

No, it was the unsavoriness of the food that put him off. The clay bowl held thick mutton stew that had little seasoning. The goat meat of this world was a gamey and pungent meat kind compared to the Pig-goat his was used to. It could be prepared well; however, it required the proper seasonings that would blend well with the taste. Sadly… this island’s climate didn’t allow for much spice plants to thrive.

As a citizen of the Fire nation who grew up on the fire islands before being relocated to the colonies, Zun was used to spicy and flavourful food. Many joked that Fire lord Sozin sought to conquer the world, not to share their prosperity to the rest of the world, but for the unique seasonings the other lands could provide. That saying was picken shit of course. The vision of the supreme leader was greater than mere seasoning and spices.

He turned his eyes from the grey meat to the black bread to the side. It looked awful, though that would be a given, these lands were rough and harsh. The land itself wasn't fit for farming rice or wheat and the natives were too technologically backwards to change it. If that wasn't bad enough, the cold and dreary weather made things so much harsher. With no benders to aid in any way… It was a wonder they even built the fort he sat within now.

The building fortress, just that. It had nothing in the way for comfort or pleasure to the eyes. Just black stone, soot and grime. The fire places weren't maintained correctly damning them to keep the windows open to prevent air poisoning and smoke.

He looked to his companions, who seemed just as miserable as he, though squad leader Fushi looked even more so as he stood guard.

He wanted to sigh as he thought of the man. Zun didn't know what the crown prince was thinking when he assigned the man to his team. This man was haughty and derogatory, even more so than was necessary.

Zun always found such people stupid. He was of the mind that yes, the fire nation and its people were superior to all others, their domination and wealth in the face of disasters were a testament to that. Why did one need to scream it to the world? Why not display such superiority through your own actions?

He just hoped the man would stay out of the coming conversations, it’s hard enough with the language barrier and mistrust of the natives. It would make his job so much easier if the man did his job and stood guard silently. If that didn’t work, then there was a possibility they may die here or be captured… though he was prepared for that outcome.

Chapter Text

His feet where uncomfortable in his new, fur lined leather boots, but that was to be expected when one only wore roughly worked pelts as foot coverings for most of his life. He was grateful for them despite his discomfort.

As they not only looked pleasing, they also protected his toes from the cold and kept jagged and sharp stones from shredding his feet as he lumbered down the mountain tugging his tribe's only unicorn.

"When'll we be there?" He turned his gaze to Trunn. She'd been to the fire men's camp before and told him many things about them-aside from his Pa of course.

"Not long now... 'bout half a day." She replied while tugging her stubborn goat along, almost stumbling into Gravik who had a wild, wiggling sow tied to his back.

'We woulda been there if it wasn' for the beasts.' He taught as the bleat of goats and squeal of wild hogs washed over him from all sides.

"If we were headed ta kingshouse it would've been longer. Couldn't 'ave carried so many o' these things either. Not with the old paths and berserkers muckin' about." Trunn added as if noticing his displeasure.

He turned to look at her again, "Can the fire men really make magic paths?" He'd heard much of the fire men in the past moons, it was hard to believe at times... even for a young lad like himself.

Before Gran tumbled down a cliff and bashed her head against a boulder, she told him stories of the long night, the wights and their walking dead. These fire men were different from the fantastical giants and green children which no one has seen for ages.

"Aye... never seen nothin' smoother..." Trunn said over a grunt as she tugged the unruly ram. It seems the beast would rather carry people on its back, not heavy blocks of cheese strapped to its sides. Godir hoped the animal held out until they reached the fire men and they didn't have to stop again. It would be a shame if a blizzard or a hailstorm picked up again.

He couldn't wait to see the Fire men in all their glory. Just moons ago his tribe's local hunting ground was running low on game. His Pa and the other hunters feared going down the mountain as there was a powerful berserker band roaming near their lands and scaring away the critters.

Just like the wights, Godir learned tales of those who reaved through the lands and raided clans. His mother had died to a raid when he was but a babe. These berserkers were the worst kind according to is pa. Where some tribes turned to reaving due to starvation, these fellows relished feeding on their fellow man. Gran said they loved the hunting and killing anybody they came across.

His tribe knew the horrors of the wild men well. So no one was willing to leave on their own. They couldn't form a big group either, as the tribe would be left with only the old and children like himself.

But as the winter stretched on. If they didn't get supplies and goods from kingshouse then their tribe would wither before spring. His father always said: 'If a man didn't eat, then he couldn't keep warm. If he couldn't keep warm then the shivers would seep into his bones an' then he'd die from 'em or be too weak to fight if the wild men came.'

His father and some others banned together and decided to head down the mountain with some of their saved-up furs and cheese the wild men be damned. He remembered crying as his father left. He wondered if he'd ever see his father again. In the time his father was gone Godir could do nothing other than starve with the rest of the tribe and pray to the old gods for his safe return.

Though he had nothing to sacrifice beneath a heart tree, it seemed the gods were merciful and half a moon later, Godir saw his father and the group trudging through the snow. They went down the mountain, and traded with other tribes and even in brokewight town- just outside of kingshouse, unmolested with no sighting of the wild men.

That night was festive, with there being salted meat and black rye bread. There was even more joyful news, chief Shagga told everyone of the markedly low number of berserker tribe raids!

And so, his father and the others again prepared to go down the mountain again. They returned quickly, this time bringing stories of fire daemons invading the island and butchering the people along the coasts! Just as the cannibal reavers seemed vanish another set of grumpkins appeared.

Now he had to worry about fire daemons riding half rotten unicorns to drag him from his cot. He could only hope the lords of kingshouse could drive them back as they did ages ago.

Chief Shagga once proposed moving the tribe near kingshouse so that they could hide behind the walls of kingshouse should any danger come. Godir thought it a good idea as he remembered his father saying the walls of the castle were tall, made of good mountain stone and built by giants themselves!

But the game was showing up in the lands again and to leave would mean death for many. It was decided they wouldn't leave.

After that, everything returned to normal for a time. His tribe's hunters did nothing but hunt and dry furs for the next trade trip down the mountain. He even helped his father hunt as they had no more fear of the wild men emerging from the trees. In no time, his father left again, with a larger force now as their tribe gathered with the next tribe over just in case they met the fire daemons along the way.

This time, his father took almost an entire moon to return and when he did, he and the others brought wonders with them. The most wonderous of the items being a shiny metal band! They somehow met the invaders after descending. But his pa said they weren't fire daemons like he heard from kingshouse but men who wielded great magic.

His father told him about the encounter in their cot that night. They were just off the mountain when they noticed the path which stretched south to kingshouse was strangely flat and fitted with bits of stone.

Having no choice, they continued down the disturbed path in an attempt to meet up with a nearby tribe. His pa told him of how fast they were able to travel along this new pathway. However, soon they heard screeches of strange creatures quickly oncoming!

Before they could muster any defensive actions, the Fire men rode down the road. His father and the others were shocked at the sight of them and their steeds. Strange men in scale armour, riding large, two-legged creatures which seemed to be giant birds!

Just as they planned to launch an attack, a fellow Stoneborn emerged from among them. He talked with them and calmed the situation to a point. They were taken to a wooden holdfast where with the aid of the fellow Stoneborn, they traded with the Fire men. Where they were given the metal band as a peace gift.

Godir was astonished! To give away metal! A material that didn't shatter like stone or wightsbane when struck, but was almost as sharp. It was something which couldn't be burned or broken like wood and shimmered in the light. If only the band was a spear tip or knife- they would be like the great chiefs and lords who wielded metal weapons themselves!

-Though his pa said the metal band was different than the weapons lords carry around.

The last journey was a moon ago, his father told him that he heard it was the fire men who rid of the wild men and they were even welcome inside the walls of kingshouse.

'I can't wait ta meet 'em!' It was his singular thought ever since his father returned all those moons ago...

(-)

They reached the miraculous stone path a little after half a day. The entire journey from there was exciting to him. The path was wide and had no jagged stones sticking out of the snow. In fact, there was only a light covering of snow covering the path, as somehow it was piled up in mounds at the sides of the road.

Everywhere he looked he could see stoneborn like his tribe carrying wares and heading north. The trees were cleared- making visibility along the pathway easy! He even spotted the famed red tents of the foreigners erected along the cleared treeline!

It didn't take long for him to see a Fire man. In fact, it was a group of them- all bedecked in scaly metal armor riding armoured giant birds too! It was just as they said!

He couldn't get a long gander at them as his tribe continued along the path until they made it to the wooden fort of the fire men. This was the trade centre of the fire men, where both their peoples could mingle! There he saw the Fire men garbed in impossibly well-tailored red pelts, with their short stature, squinty eyes, straight black hair, yellow or orange eyes and beardless faces.

Aside from that the place was filled with life and movement! Wooden stalls were set up, beasts were bleating from their cages, his fellow Stoneborn haggled away with each other over what to offer up to the fire men for barter! He even saw men chasing a clucking bird with a hog's head! He was struggling to take it all in!

"Stick close ta me boy." Godir was surprised! He didn't even realize his tribe had split up and he was being led through the fort by his father. He could only stare wide eyed at the sights, took in the foreign smells and try not to get distracted by the noise.

It didn't take long for his Pa to stop a certain stall. This particular one smelled strange. He couldn't pick out what it was. At the front, there were two men, one Stoneborn and the other a fire man. His pa began talking with the Stoneborn man. He didn't know how his father understood the strange sounding man, while the fire man sat behind him twirling his thin, string like beard hair which grew on his top lip.

They argued over the furs tied to the unicorn. His pa was given a task to get some strange food from the fire men in exchange for furs. After some time, his father and the man came to an agreement, he wasn't focused on the details as his eyes were focused on a strange device in the stall.

The man turned to the shorter fire man and began talking to him in a strange tongue. When the fire man got up, Godir was surprised to see the man was just as tall as himself. He didn't have much time to look at the man as he had to help his pa in unloading the fur from the unicorn.

The fire man's face scrunched up as the piles of furs were placed on the stall's counter. He even grabbed his nose and began speaking to the Stoneborn man in a rushed voice. Godir could barely pick out individual sounds from the fire man's speech and it seemed even the Stoneborn fellow was stumped.

Eventually, the pelts were gathered and placed upon the strange device by his fellow Stoneborn. The fire man opened a box and began removing piles of flattened...things.

Godir didn't recognize what they were however, he could tell the ever-present smell originated from them. The man began to place these flattened slabs on the other disk-like end of the device and with each piece, the other end of the device- the one with the pelts began to rise by some means of magic until the pelt and the slab disks evened out. The two men behind the counter wrapped them in rough pieces of cloth and handed them off to his father.

It was a small challenge to reload the unicorn and secure it. He couldn't wait to ask what the thing they bartered so much pelt for was.

"Come boy." His father called him as they led the unicorn off to meet up with the others. They would erect a tent near the trade centre for the night and head back up the mountain the next day should the weather allow it. They didn't have to worry about the wild men attacking them as the fire men would protect them and keep the peace.

Chapter Text

Further inland, just below the ever present and looming mountain range of Skagos grew thick, ancient forests populated by dozens of different species of evergreens or Weirwood which were centuries old. A distinct marker of this, being the dense population of weirwood trees bearing faces.

It is well known that the illusive children of the forest would only select the oldest of weirwoods to carve faces into. As such, it could be inferred that these great trees stretching into the looming ranges stood there for thousands of years, overseeing the endless march of time and history.

They withstood the harsh winds of winter, fierce storms and other natural disasters. These formidable green sentinels, stubbornly dug themselves into the rocky, ice-caked earth of Skagos, invincible against both the natural elements and man.

...Until they weren't.

Where these verdant behemoths of nature stood firm against the torments and challenges of nature and primitive Skagosi... they couldn't fare well against the invading force of the fire nation. Along the banks of a great river... unfrozen even in the years-long winter were abandoned wooden huts where river tribes once lived until recently. Where are they now?

At the roots of these great trees, armed with axes which were not of stone or rare bronze, but metal- steel to be precise.

They had only a single goal: bringing the millennia old trees down. To do so with the greatest ease and efficiency they weren't only equipped with axes in their arsenal, but massive, almost comical jagged-toothed saws, wrought iron wedges and hammers- all tools to aid the powerful skagosi in felling the great trees in numbers they wouldn't be able to before.

The smaller host of fire nationals did their part as well, be it the surveyors and their ilk who would make precise calculations as to how and where trees would fall or the other important administrative staff who would direct the masses, organize work shifts, maintain order, dispense food and payment.

It was the likes of which Skagos had never seen. Of course, wildlife was greatly affected, the birds and small critters who made these trees their homes where directly at risk.

Unfortunately for them, none of these great tresses were to be spared in this mass slaughter, except of course... the eerie Weirwood due to the reverence of the Skagosi and the decrees of the Fire nationals. As a result, the only creatures who would be surely spared from the machinations of man were those who relied on the Weirwood.

So it was no wonder a great owl, perched atop one of the Weirwood tree branches was able to remain within close proximity of the logging undisturbed.

The predatory avian was able to eat well in the past few days as the creatures it fed upon were displaced from their homes. However, the bird did much more than take advantage of the situation. It also observed the men below with a... unnatural severity.

Not that the working men would know. They were too busy hacking away at and dodging the falling corpses of trees or preparing them to be hauled away. They were much too busy to take note as the bird watched them while they slept in their camps at night and as they used various methods to transport the felled trees down to the riverbank, the bird watched.

It's large eyes scanning their tools and activities. In time the great bird of prey took flight and flew down the inclined forests, its large wings cloaked in brown, black and white feathers allowing it to silently soar above the great river where large barges were being stacked with plies of wood and sent down the river.

At some points where the banks of the river thickened all that could be seen atop the waters were the vessels of various sizes transporting felled logs downstream.

The bird followed this journey- taking note of how some of the larger barges were pulled not by the current of the river or men, but strange crafts of metal. These metal vessels which somehow floated atop the stream, lured the barges along with ease all while belching black ash and smoke into the air.

In no time, the barges arrived at their destination, a strange place which could also be called a giant craft by itself. A veritable wooden fort with massive wheels which turned with the current of the river. It was there the bird landed. It would enter this great craft as the logs would be downloaded from the barges by yet again more Skagosi, loaded and hauled inside the fort by great and otherworldly beasts.

The bird watched from its perch atop one of the many wooden beams of the fort as the logs were sorted and sawed into smaller pieces by the foreign men, seemingly by magic. However, it was obvious to the bird that the strange saws were somehow powered by the turning wheels.

The creature left after some time to watch as the processed and treated beams, boards and laminated plies were again sorted, packed and sent down the river. However, not all the logs stopped at the wooden fort-craft. Some continued down the river, sometimes along with the freshly worked wood.

Eventually, the barges made their way to the coast where yet another fortress of crafts were. However, this fort was unlike the previous one. The air above this one was choked with thick black or white smoke and heat.

The bird couldn't get too close lest it wish to be caught in the choking plumes ascending to the sky. It would only take an unfortunate gust to engulf it. At time loud eruptions and explosions would shake even the flying avian to its hollow bones.

No... it wouldn't dare to land.

So, the bird took off, following the barges bearing the processed wood to the coast where an impossible settlement was caught in activity. It was like nothing the bird had ever seen.

Unlike most of its kind who stuck to the forestry, it had been all over Skagos and the surrounding islands, it witnessed the great fortified cave of Deepdown and perched atop the walls of kingshouse. This settlement was not at all like them. It had a certain order to it- with paved roads stretching about it from the craggy coast to the wooden walls hugging the ascending mountain range.

The bird saw black and white smoke rising into the air- nothing like the previous fort which mostly belched black smoke that dyed the snow before it even had a chance to touch the earth. This smoke was whiter and more subdued. It ascended from strangely built homes and constructs.

The bird watched as red clothed figures strolled through the settlement- thousands of them! It was as if a sizable settlement with a population similar to brokewight town and kingshouse castle had just sprung up on the island in a matter of moons... which it did.

The bird flapped its wings lightly but mostly rode the air currents; as it glided east to the coastline where the monstrous mounds of black metal vessels bobbed atop the choppy waves as if they didn't weigh thousand of stones. The bird eyed one particular vessel, unlike the others, this one was beached- clinging to the jagged shore of the island.

The bird could see small figures milling about constantly- some atop the beached vessel and some at its sides. From the bird's view, it looked as if ravenous ants were surrounding the carcass of a small critter. And similarly to ants, the figures seemed to be picking the thing to pieces. Though it could tell the ones actually on the vessel were red cloaked.

The bird didn't dare get too close- weary of whatever magic kept the other vessels afloat. But even from the distance it could still see well with its massive eyes.

The red garbed invaders used strange and familiar tools to dismantle the great vessel, these pieces would be loaded on a strange arm-like construct which hung in the air and could move from the vessel to the beach.

Through some magic, the invaders would use ropes and levers to make the construct lower the pieces on to either wagons or the ground, where they would they be surely hauled off to a ritual site by either the strange beasts of the invaders or the powerful Skagosi using wheel burrows. The bird screeched and rode the winds higher once again. This time heading inland to the west.

After almost a moon of staying away to watch the fire nation invaders it was time to return home. The large pupils of the great owl shifted slightly, in a subtle way on one wouldn't notice even if the bird was looking right at them.

(-)

Across the Skagsosi mountain range in the north west was a great stone fort which stood on a hill overlooking the western coasts. There were only three strongholds on the island of Skagos to correspond with the three noble houses and the three great regions within their dominion. The Magnars claimed all the lands of east of the great mountain range and ruled from Kingshouse.

The famed castle was constructed along the eastern shore, tucked away in a natural port. The Crowls of Deepdown ruled not from a castle but a fortified cave which opened from the south-western mountain ranges.

Which meant this simple stone fort belonged to the final Skagosi noble line: house Stane of driftwood hall. Deep within this fort sat a young girl in her middling teenage years- a young woman by Skagosi standards.

Sweat beaded atop her pale brow before running down into her dark eyebrows which channeled it away from her unnaturally milky, white- pupilless eyes to her temple.

With a great heave she gasped straightened- her brilliant emerald pupils suddenly appearing. The girl shuddered and gasped atop a stripped pelt of shadow cat origin.

"Lady Halga! Are ye alrigh'? Please m'lady, don't stonechange fer the rest o' the day! No more I say!" A wizened old woman grasped the girl's shoulder.

The girl- Halga nodded without any of her usual pushback which caused the old woman to have a dual expression of puzzlement and relief.

"Are ye ready ta tell me what all the fuss is about? Wot did ye see m'lady? Do the lobsters speak true? Are there fire ritualists in the north?" The shriveled old woman bombarded Halga with a load of questions as she handed the girl a warmed waterskin and rag, however Lady Halga didn't answer immediately, instead she took the waterskin and chugged it until it was empty.

"Aye." She said as she mopped up the sweat and spilled water from her face and neck.

"I've seen the fire ritualists and so much more."

Halga slowly stood up with the help of the old woman. As they limped from the chamber, the first men runic tattoos decorating her face tightened as she was locked in thought. She would have to tell father and have him assemble his elders and the chiefs in a great council to discuss her findings at length.   

Chapter Text

Halga was anxious. It showed as she poked at the meal before her. It was a finely fired, clay bowl of stew, the meat tasted like nothing she'd ever eaten before. There were hints of hog, but there was also an underlying wisp of lamb in it as well. The way the dish was prepared was also foreign, however the taste was delicious.

Unfortunately... no matter how good the food tasted, it couldn't calm her worries. She was inside the fortress of the fire men for over a week now and there was no one of importance she could talk to. She came to the fire men to treat with their lord but she was not able to do even now. Not due to a lack of her trying per say.

This delegatory mission of hers was hard fought. She managed to convince her father to gather the elders and summon his chiefs so that she could tell them of what she saw from her companion's eyes.

It wasn't very hard, as the peoples of her land were far more connected and closer when compared to the south and east. With them all gathered she went on to tell them a censored version, with the rest being beyond what her father deemed necessary for their ears.

Assuring them that the invaders were not as the riders from kingshouse claimed was easy. All Halga needed to do was to describe the great and magical feats of craftsmanship her companion had seen and the lack of blood sacrifices. The Fire men had no dependency on sacrificial rituals... at least none she'd seen.

She told them of how she saw them working with their fellow skagosi and not using them as ingredients as the Magnars claimed. That was even easier for the elders and chiefs to believe.

The Magnars to the east couldn't be trusted. If they took the word of the lobsters, they would've been hostile and highly vigilant of these foreigners which would eventually force them all in an unwinnable war.

That got the attention of all the old men and women of the council. The notion of a a potential war with this new invasive force was present ever since lord Magnar's first rider came to them. They were even to inform the Night's watch, as the black brothers were set to visit their harbour any day now.

Her reports proposed the possibility for peace, trade and so much more...

They needed someone to treat with these Fire witches and establish relations with them. She proposed that only someone of noble birth would suffice- namely herself.

This was where she received some pushback. The elders and her father seemed to believe her memory to be lax as they all chose to 'remind' her of her status as heir.

It took a while to convince them all, but she just stated the facts of the situation. She was the only noble in good enough physical shape to traverse their rough lands and through the mountain pass.

Only she could easily slip through magnar land without being found out and she was the only one with any sense of familiarity with the flame witches.

The old coots did relent... after a lengthy stretch of time in which they all offered up their best warriors to guard her on her mission. And so, a week later, Halga; her retinue of ten warriors and fifteen decoys to distract the Magnars rode from Driftwood Hall.

They got through the Claw Mountain pass by paying the hefty toll placed the peoples of her region by the lobsters, crept into brokewight town where they rested from a blizzard and trekked northward to the fortress of the fire men-what the natives were now calling Smoky shore.

On the way, they saw many things. The paths were far more trafficked- in a way which was very unnatural for skagos, especially in winter. They would meet tribes going up and down the path between kingshouse and smoky shore; all with goods and beasts for barter.

This surprised her until a force of strangely armoured men rode past them on equally strange beasts. From conversations she had with natives, she learned the fire men had somehow achieved the impossible and brought the berserkers to heel!

While driftwood lands weren't plagued with the scum of the island to a similar extent when compared to the Magnars- they still weren't able to wipe them all out, even with her family's historical use of skinchanging to weed the bastards out!

When her retinue finally rode up to the massive wooden fortress gates, waving the banner of her houses... Halga and her retinue were all numb to the massive changes these invaders had brought to the land. She realized at then that she'd seen but a small portion of what these foreigners were up to.

She did many things in her stay, talk with any natives she could, tried to enter certain areas only to be blocked by crimson, scale-armoured guards, even after she presented the wooden board with the strange runes to them. It was rather strange as some of the native Stoneborn of smoky shore were able to do so unimpeded.

Bolrand- her sworn shield was offended on her behalf. She had to threaten the man so that he wouldn't cause a disaster by fighting the fire men. Though she was internally put off. Why would these foreigners give special treatment the common Stoneborn and not a noble?

One thing she took a habit to doing was seeing the wares of the fire men. Oh, they had a great many of them.

She'd sometimes go down to the shore to watch as a smaller, sail-less ship which seemed to be made of stone of all things, emptying load after load of sea food.

Sometimes she'd watch the fire men and native stoneborn tend to the strange creatures in their pens.

At times she'd observe the wagons and carts being pulled by monstrous creatures off to another area where steam and smoke billowed endlessly. Everything was so much more different and personal when she viewed it from her own eyes.

The more she saw the more she wished to talk to the leader of these people.

There was much to be gained from them.

The Stanes of Driftwood Hall were an ancient and proud house, just as Magnars. They deserved to be as they weren't the Crowls who bent to the wills of the Magnars. Her house still retained its power and defiance in the face of the green Lobsters who claimed to be of the blood of the children.

They saw themselves as the great lords of all Skagos and used their positions to suppress the other houses. The Magnars were one of the few houses that could trade with the east. They were protected by the massive mountain range that overlooked the island and guarded their Claw Mountain's pass with vigilance.

House Stane still held their dignity due to the limited trade with the black brothers to the west and any smuggler brave enough to visit the cannibal harbour of Skagos.

These Fire men would be the key to changing the tides of power on the island and she wouldn't allow the chance to slip by. Not after seeing them through her companion's eyes or her own.

She looked to the metal brazier in the room and marveled at the lack of smoke in the room. She'd seen a brazier before, it wasn't like this one however, as it could only be used outdoors. She relished the warmth it provided and wondered at how the room managed to keep the warmth in.

Then came a knock.

"M'lady... the fire men are here... they wish ta see ye." Bolrand's voice seeped in from outside.

She sat up and placed the dish down. 'Could it finally be time?'

It took a little time to put herself together and gather he things, even with help from her companions. When she was finished and presentable; Halga looked as fierce as noble warrior of Skagos should with her well-tailored furs and the war bow strapped to her back.

'If only I had my quiver...'

Outside she could briefly saw the red cloaked figure of a diminutive fire man with a smoky shore native woman. The man himself was wearing strange, clear crystals on his face while the Stoneborn woman wore was draped in well-made garb that looked even better than her own as a noble... this was a common sight nowadays...

"I greet ye M'lady Stane, the fire men wish to see ye now." The woman went on to introduce herself as Herwyn daughter of Dinsy and the fire man beside her as Wang Lee.

Aside from filing away the Fire man's name, halga wondered about they way the common woman introduced herself. It was unusual for individuals to do so. The woman didn't appear to be in relation to a chief. How important is this Dinsy? She couldn't be bothered to think more on it; only relieved to finally end the waiting.

As she stepped into the cold winds proper, her companion landed on her shoulder.

The fire man was slightly taken aback by the bird which came out of nowhere but that was to be expected of those who didn't know the old god's blessing of Skinchanging.

Without further hiccups, they made their way through the paved streets of the Fire men atop provided unicorns. While the Fire man and his companion rode atop their bird mounts. As they travelled, halga noted the sounds of the settlement which never ceased to amaze her, from the chatter of people to the cries of strange beasts and of course, the bellowing of the magic crafts and booms which would travel from the distant mountains.

Eventually, they were stopped outside the gates of a large, fortified, wooden structure built in the distinct style of the fire men with curved roofs and clay tiled rooftops.

It was a magnificent building was somehow painted in red- where the fire men found so much red dye was lost to her. The structure was obviously a newly constructed one when compared to the rest. It was situated in a highly defensive position at the far end of the settlement, with the looming mountain range behind it, high woodened walls and watch towers at each corner.

It was heavily guarded a well, with a special group of armed warriors clad in black and red armour scale armour and enclosed helms which resembled skulls.

'A lord's castle...' She wondered jut how the fire men managed to build in such a short time and to do it so well.

It wasn't her first time seeing this place. Her companion had flown over the place once however, she knew not to risk her friend's life by entering the shooting range of the towers.

'This is where I'll meet the Lord o' the Fire men.' Their escort was checked over by the grim-looking guards before being let in. There was a little issue she faced though. According to the smoky shore native, the guards wouldn't allow her companion to be let in as well. She didn't defy their instructions.

Halga commanded her friend to fly off. While she entered the building. It would do her well to have eyes outside.

Her entire retinue was allowed through the gates and into the wide courtyard where they were led inside the foreign building. Instantly, she could tell the difference in temperature there was an unnatural amount of heat inside.

"Ye do well ta remove yer cloak m'lady Stane." The smoky shore woman advised.

She wished to present herself in full Stoneborn noble fashion, however the heat wasn't letting up. It made Halga uncomfortable. Never before had she felt such heat even in the warmest of summers.

She just couldn't pin point where the heat assaulted her from, yet another testament of the magic of the fire men.

With no choice, both halga and her retinue removed their outer cloaks which were collected by waiting servants.

Afterwards, more fire men attendants came forward with covered platters that gleamed in the light.

These attendants were rather delicate, both the men and women were clean and smelled fresh; they were dressed in fine crimson and yellow robes which seemed to shine and catch the light!

'Gods.... Is magic second nature to these fire men? Did they command metal to be like cloth as well?'

A Fire woman came up to her and conversed with the Wang Lee fellow before turning to her. This woman was dressed even more lavishly when compared to the servants, as she was covered in even more queer ornaments and accessories in her hair, around her neck and ears. This woman bowed to her lightly and spoke in her strange tongue.

"M'lady, the fire men offer you stone right." Herwyn spoke up.

Halga was a bit surprised at that. It seems the fire men knew and held true to decency.

She watched as the platter was brought to her and opened to reveal the whitest and softest bread she'd ever seen alongside a pretty plate of crystal clear salt.

She took the bread, dipped it into the salt and bit into the soft and sweetest bread she ever had....     

Chapter Text

Halga and her retinue were led through the building by their Fire national escorts. Try as she might, she couldn't help herself from looking around.

The interior was as foreign as its inhabitants with strange furniture and more magical crafts. She noted light sources in particular didn't flicker like normal fire. Instead, there was a steady stream of yellow light all around them.

'Could this be where the heat's comin' from?' She thought as they were led further inside the building.

In time, they stood outside the queer sliding doors which the Fire men seemed to like. It was decorated with a large three tongued flame and guarded by notably taller guards in full scale armour.

The lady Pao Lee spoke briefly with the guards before they slid the doors open to reveal a large hall. Upon entering, Halga's eyes swept the place; the walls were covered in strange, yet advanced paintings and the tangled runic script of the fire men.

Aside from that there was an elevated platform, at the base of this platform stood fire men servants in their shiny metallic garbs.

Finally, atop the platform halga saw what could only be the leader of the fire men. He wasn't what she expected. The man seated in the lotus position above her was of a diminutive stature even amongst his foreign subjects. She could tell even from her position.

'This balding elder is the lord o' the fire men?' Halga was well cultured by her father and life to know that appearances were not to be entirely taken into account when forming an opinion. However, she had unconsciously cultivated a larger-than-life figure within her own mind.

She imagined a large man wreathed in flame and pulsing with magic. Instead this lord a balding man with streaks of grey running through his top-knotted hair and beard.

He was garbed in a shimmering, crimson robe which had beautiful yellow patterns flowing about it. His body was stout but not fat. His face was kind, like that of a genial elder. However, as she finally locked eyes with the man, she could sense it.

Danger!

The eyes of the man were like nothing Halga had ever seen! While many of the fire men seemed to have yellow or orange eyes, this lord had bright amber orbs which flickered as if there was a hidden flame within them. There was a hardness to them which showed the man was no dandy.

She caught herself staring and quickly bowed her head in a way which would show difference but was also not too submissive. The fire men and smoky shore natives were different.

They were prostrating themselves in a way which was excessive in her opinion. Where the great and small chiefs would take a knee to her father, the fire men were on both knees with their heads to the floor.

The lord waved his hand and spoke- to which the prostrating group got to their feet.

The lady Pao Lee stepped forwards and spoke to the lord while making gestures towards her; halga even thought she heard her name being called.

'I'm being announced...' She figured.

The lord atop the platform began to speak to her in fire tongue and just as she wondered how she was to communicate with the lord, Herwyn spoke up.

"The Ouji-sama greets ye Lady Driftwood. I will be speaking in Ouji-sama's stead."

'Ouji... suma? Is that the name of this lord?' Despite her confusion about the lord's name, Halga nodded.

The lord spoke again, which lead to Herwyn also speaking after him though she could tell the girl was struggling at times.

"Ouji-Sama welcomes ye ta the G-governance hall, he hopes ye won't mind me speaking in his place."

"A... tell him it is no matter. I extend greetings from my house." She stammered out, not used to this type of communication.

She waited as the girl turned to the fire man Wang Lee and spoke to him in noticeably broken and sluggish fire tongue, after which, the man then began speaking to the lord.

Eventually, Herwyn interpreted the words of the lord yet again: "Ouji-Sama asks why you've come M'lady."

"Er...tell him I came 'ere ta secure trade and good relations with the Fire men in the name o' my father Igor Stane, Lord of Driftwood Hall." She told the girl who then relayed her words up the chain.

However, she didn't wait for a reply and pressed on. "I also come bearing gifts ta present."

She slowly and deliberately reached for the wrapped gift in her furs and presented them.

As the gift was taken from her palms, halga spoke again, "This gift is a ancient treasure won by my house in battle with the wolves."

She watched as her words were relayed to the man, almost wishing she never pushed so hard to come here herself...

(-)

It felt like ages before the tedious exchange was complete and Halga was able to leave. She was asked many things about the lands of her people and Her mind had been stretched taut from constantly having to pick and choose each word and phrase. Even herwyn seemed tired which would be understandable as she was the middleman in the whole affair.

She exhaled secretly as they were marched through the halls of the building once again. She hoped the true meaning of her words were expressed by the girl in full. The more she saw of the fire men, the more she wished to establish good relations with them. It wouldn't do for that to be hindered by poor communication.

To be certain of this, halga planned to remain amongst the fire men as long as they would allow it. This was how she ended up agreeing to staying inside this magical building-despite its uncomfortable heat. And so, the noble lady, her sworn shields and her companions were given close accommodation inside.

Her dwelling area was pleasant despite the foreignness of it. The walls were still covered with plaques of Fire men runes and paintings of an obviously foreign land. They did provide her with certain comforts as there was a large, raised cot made of polished wood and spun wool.

Halga didn't spend much time surveying the room, instead she immediately walked over to the window and opened it, allowing crip air to flow into the room.

"Hahhh..." She sighed in pleasure as the wind washed over her.

And judging by the sounds of her companions, they did too.

"Lady Halga, these fire men sure are strange." Herly said while eyeing one of the magical lamps jutting from the wall.

"That they are." She agreed.

"Start searchin' the room, see if ye can find where the Gods damned heat's comin' from." She ordered them before looking out the open window.

She gazed briefly at the dusky skies before her eyes turned milky white as she reached out to her most trusted companion...

(-)

Councilwoman Aizane adjusted the hair framing her face as she sat around the large polished table. She prepared herself mentally as her fellow council members took their seats.

In the time they were getting settled, she managed to arrange the sheets of parchment she would be presenting to the council.

It was a rather prompt meeting with the information coming from the prince's office just a day ago. She was becoming used to these types of meetings, the chaos of their predicament of being stranded on a barren, cold wasteland in another world made sure of that. In order to manage the base effectively, they worked tirelessly with the prince to construct the current colonial governance from the ground up.

The three-part governing system made up of the governor, his council and the general assembly, with the governor as head.

This governor exercised both civilian and military control in the name of the Fire Nation central government. He was answerable only to the Fire Lord or the Royal Family, though this was no longer the case as the current governor was a member of the imperial family and the colony was worlds apart from his majesty Azulon.

Effectively, the crown prince was the sole ruler on the island with full authority.

As his council members, they were tasked with keeping track of legislation, policies and finances in accordance with the prince's will. This was easier said than done as the legals systems they created was mostly adapted from the standard colonial system developed by Fire Lord Sozin and his council even before the beginning of the hundred-year war.

Where a normal fire nation colony could rely on military support, government funding and resources from the Fire islands, they could not. They had to survive and recover on their own; carving a place for themselves on a wild, rocky island.

She could understand the hesitance of the prince. In a situation such as this they need to remain prudent. They were effectively a splinter faction of the fire nation and if they were to survive into the future for generations to come; possibly re-connecting with the empire one day, they would need to practice extreme caution.

Especially in the disadvantageous cold environment they were in.

'Thank the spirts prince Iroh is with us.' She remembered thinking when the first lines of legislation were being written. What anarchy would follow if there was no member of the royal family to guide them? What would've happened if the prince wasn't with them and an ambitious traitor planned to rule? What chaos would follow if there were numerous factions springing up, all vying for power?

'It would have been the age of warlords all over again.' She thought.

'Only this time the people of the fire nation would have probably been wiped out in the end....' She banished the grim thought as the fellow council men and women looked at her.

"Good morning council members. I know this meeting was rather prompt and unplanned, however the prince wishes this to be addressed as soon as possible." She got up and walked over the board in the room.

"As I'm certain everyone knows, we have been in contact with a noble emissary hailing from the uncontacted northwestern regions of the island, which according to this map." She said while unfurling the aged map for all to see and taking up a ruler.

"Would be right in this region." She motioned the pointer around the western coastal area of the map though not actually touching it in fear of damaging the ancient thing.

She turned to see recognition on the faces of a few councilors. This particular area was marked as a potentially inhabited region to be contacted in the future by the initial surveyors who mapped the coasts from the sea.

"Our recent visitor claims they are from a noble ruling house of the island." She noticed a hand in the air.

"Ah yes, what is it Mr. Gin?"

"Noble house? As in settlement- a noble home?" He asked.

"Not quite, the directly translated word seems to be a title bearing similarity to the warlord clans of the ancient Fire islands or the petty king clans of the pre-unification earth kingdom. Though there may still be differences we have yet to decipher." She clarified before continuing.

"Of the three ruling clans, the 'Stanes' rule from the northwest their clan's sigil is of a leafless, brown tree on pale green. The Crowls rule from the southwest, their clan's sigil is a ply flame and black."

"Finally, the Magnars from the central east coast with their sigil of a green lobster clutching a spear." She pointed at the general area of each house on the island was the attendants passed around parchment with the sigils of each clan.

"The Stanes unlike the Magnars and Crowls are rather receptive to us. Though we haven't been able to decipher why just as yet. The prince believes we may will be able to ensure a suitable level of submission from this clan as soon as we discover their aim." Her eyes passed around and she could tell the members weren't pleased with the relationship they had with the natives of the land.

Personally, she wasn't either. How could she be? They were citizen of the greatest civilization the world had ever seen. It was their destiny to bring civility to the world and fulfil the noble goal of the imperial family in sharing the prosperity of the Fire Iles.

These were only her personal thoughts and beliefs as a civilian. How would the others feel? Many of whom were officers of the grand army! They were ready to fight and die in order to see the capital of the earth kingdom finally under Fire Nation rule.

Now they had to sit and talk with with savages who couldn't even bend...

"If the words of this noble woman are to be believed; the nobles of the land are all ruled over by some other more powerful 'house' from the mainland in the west." She pointed from the small island patches to the continent on the map.

"My fellow councilors... it seems this world has just gotten a bit bigger." She knew the assembled people were looking towards the western land mass and were just waiting for it to be addressed.

"There is some issue with our interpreters when identifying the name of this landmass and whatever nations can be found there. In face of these limitations, we will simply refer to this land as 'the west'.

"The ruling mainland clan which the nobles of the island owe allegiance to is referred to as the 'wolves' by the emissary. There also seems to be a fair amount of resentment for these 'wolves'. This may work out for us nicely." She smiled.

"In a few days the Stanes are planning to return to their lands. Prince Iroh believes it would further our relationship with this clan if we are to take them there by sea. A team is to be sent to Driftwood Hall. Not just to explore and trade... But to establish a point of contact between this western region." She could tell those present didn't like it. Neither did she.

However, none protested. They all knew what was at stake and what the prince's plans were. They didn't have the manpower, firepower, food or facilities to wage war against the entire island. Barbaric the natives were, they knew the inner layout of the land far more than the fire nation did.

With no support from back home, the cold climate, rough and unfamiliar terrain, they would bleed heavily if they were to battle the cannibals. Any unified resistance would be hard to counter.

"We will need to form a good relationship with these people, make contact with the mainland and encourage the resentment they feel towards the other clans- particularly the lobsters and the wolves. The prince wishes for this operation to be named: 'Fishing in turbulent waters." The assembled members nodded; some took notes.

Unified states were subject to infighting and lacked sufficient organizational structure to do much. If they nursed the resentment between the other houses, they could destabilize the region and swoop in after the powers have been crippled. This way they (the fisher men), could reap the greatest benefits at the lowest cost.

"We will need to arrange teams of explorers, military personnel, geologists and skilled interpreters in preparation for this voyage. Ladies and gentlemen... It seems we will have our work cut out for us." 

Chapter Text

Shoyo, chief of foundry operations shifted through the thick stacks of vellum parchment on her desk; stamping each with her official seal.

"Tsk!" she hissed as she had to re-stamp the document again. Her request for paper was denied by the officials as apparently, a majority of the sheets were lost on another ship during the storm that whisked them away to a frozen wasteland in another world. Whatever reserves left over were being hoarded by the higher ups until suitable a production chain was possible.

Hence, she was left with cheap and easily workable parchment made from treated animal skin.

"Haaaah..." She sighed while re-dipping her seal, it would take some time to get used to the low-quality writing material.

They did not have the chemical or mechanical industry to support the large-scale processing of paper despite having ample resources from the logging operations in the mountains upstream.

Her eyes scanned over a particularly troublesome request. With the depletion of their coal reserves, the sea vessels had taken up a massive chunk of the charcoal supplies; leaving little for the burgeoning plant.

Due to lack of materials and manpower, the foundry was not only responsible for processing ore, but also mining ore, refining blast powder and carbonizing wood to produce charcoal; most of these processes required charcoal as fuel or and ingredient.

However, they had to provide charcoal for the never-ending fuel voids that were the sea vessels as the charcoal burned much faster than coal. Shoyo could only comfort herself with the hopes of a coal quarry or mine being discovered soon.

'Heh... as if that's even possible....' She thought ruefully.

According to the geographers who extensively studied the surrounding soil and rock formations; it was highly unlikely for any such discoveries to be made even though the island was a volcanic in nature.

Unlike the prosperous Fire isles, this island lacked much, if any farmable land, the climate was barely habitable and unsuited for most crops. However, what the land lacked in habitability- it made up for in minerals. Each time mineralogists were sent out they found another deep vein of precious minerals.

Unlike the fire islands, these lands didn't seem to have coal, gold, iron, silver or platinum. Instead, there was copper, tin, lead and nickel. The copper and nickel veins were particularly extensive. Not to mention the ample basalt rock formations which would be indispensable for construction.

The higher ups were going crazy over the copper discoveries. While many people thought of iron as the fire nation's most valued metal- which was fair as it was the most consumed metal in the grand war effort. Copper and Nickel were one of the most important metals to the nation.

These metals were used almost as much as iron, with copper as a vital conductive material in electronics and wide-scale chemical uses. While Nickel alloys were is used for armour plating and in propeller shafts and turbine blades.

Limestone and quartz were also found in abundance near and at the shores and in time they would be good sources for cement and glass manufacturing in when enough manpower and infrastructure was available.

Her heart ached as she signed off on the charcoal requests, placed the parchment aside and began leafing through other reports. Each one she looked at gave her more headaches.

"Collapsed mineshafts..... explosion accidents.... Machine injuries...... all at high rates..." Shoyo whispered.

She was well aware that her position and that of hundreds of other officials and site managers would be lost in a regular situation. The numerous regulatory offices and administrators of the empire would be at her throat for numerous hazard and risk violations.

In normal situations the plant workers, equipment, materials and processes would be of high quality. Regulations would be placed on the machines and materials used while the workers would all be well trained in their tasks.

However, this was no longer a normal situation and many of the workers aren't educated or trained enough to meet imperial standards. She herself was a just an civilian who was traveling to the colonies to find work as a junior administrator in mining operations!

They had no choice but to use subpar equipment which was thrown together from the corpse of the damaged emperor class battleship: the Azulon. It was being cannibalized to create steam engines, furnaces and other vital tools that required highly treated steel. Even now, large portions of the ship was still being disassembled and reassembled into new machines.

"Haaah...." she clasped the bridge between her nose as she heard a knock at her room's door.

'This can't be good....' She looked up

"Enter!"

The door opened promptly, the frigid air of the wasteland they were stuck on poured in and blasted her. Even with the relatively higher temperatures of the plant, the air was still damnably cold.

She saw the face of the person who came inside and had to forcibly steel her expression so that he didn't notice here displeasure at the sight of him, she knew it wouldn't work so she turned her head to look at her documents.

"Chief." The man greeted.

"What is it now Tozai?" she tried to hide the mounting frustration in her voice. It wasn't his fault really, he was just the messenger, but his appearance usually heralded bad news.

"Ma'am, good news!" His voice sounded chirpy.

She looked up at him, his amber eyes shining with glee.

"I just received a Dragon-Hawk from the northern geology team! They've found a raw crystal vein in the north. The minerologists stationed there hasn't sent word yet but just by the looks of it diamonds and topaz have been spotted!"

She released a sigh, 'Well that's some good news.' It meant she would have more work in the future but at least there were no deaths or injuries.

She was about to say something else when a thunderous knock was heard.

"Chief!" she heard a familiar voice.

"Enter!"

The door opened and another came into her office, it was her junior officer, Ozo.

"Ma'am... The ... The crowned prince is here!" The man shouted.

"What!" she jumped to her feet.

'This is just great!' She felt a pulsing ache developing in the back of her head as she scrambled to meet the dragon of the west.

(-)

Moments later, she stood outside in the blasting chill, cupping her fists to the Crown Prince.

"Greetings your highness, I'm the chief of foundry operation, Shoyo. It is an honour to have you here." Her eyes couldn't help but roam over those he was with.

Apart from the prince and his royal guard, there was a mix of natives and fellow fire nationals. Though most of the natives stood apart.

They were even more strange looking compared to the regular natives. The fur wrapped group of four were all covered in primitive tattoos and were mostly ravern haired. A rather tall native woman stood at the forefront.

The wooly, black hair framing her face could do little to hide her chiseled jaw and jutting forehead. Her green eyes flittered about, though she held herself with poise, a one primitive but she was certainly different than the others.

'A chieftain? His wife, his daughter?c she wondered.

"Ah miss Shoya! You didn't have to come all the way here personally! I just requested and escort to show us around." His highness' amber eyes seemed to smile at her.

It was one of the first times she was this close to royalty. She didn't feel any oppressive aura or presence. The prince himself was rather amiable with his diminutive size, kind eyes and calm demeanor. This was not what one would expect from a hardened general and one of the most formidable fire benders in history.

"My prince, we didn't know you were coming.... I would've made preparations for you." She rushed to say.

"My visit is rather prompt. Don't worry, this isn't an inspection... I just wish to show around my guests. They are rather interested in the mines." The prince waved away her concerns.

"Ah! Where are my manners, these fine people are delegates from Driftbark in the west, this is Lady Stane and these are her faithful guards." The prince pointed out the natives.

"Greetings." She said in their direction but she could see they weren't paying attention to her. They were too busy looking around..

She didn't feel offended at all, it was only natural for uncivilized barbarians to be awed by just the ramshackle works of the fire nation.

"You may return to your duties miss Shoyo, I'm sure you're very busy. Just send an escort to explain the inner works of the plant." The prince dismissed her.

"Y-yes your highness. I'll do that right away." She did have a lot of work to do. Though she wouldn't mind showing the prince around, walking with savages wasn't very appealing. In her opinion, the natives were good for nothing more than heavy labour-worse than earth kingdom scum.

(-)

Ubba looked at the magical crafts surrounding them with awe. He was so enraptured that he didn't even care for the sweat the ran down his back.

He looked at the fire men running around doing various tasks. Shoveling charcoal into metal boxes, ferrying around rocks down the mountain side and tending to the large, monstrous beasts that bellowed loudly as they hauled wagons of material

He never believed the rider that came to driftwood hall on the orders of the magnars who claimed to be summoning his lord and lady to discuss threats fire witches on the island. He wondered at the time if lord magnar went mad or if it was some trap to bring his liege low.

The Magnars and the Sanes shared a bloody past and tense present. They claimed themselves overlordship of the lands due to their so-called blood of the children, yet the abhorred skinchanging and oppressed the woods witches in their lands.

They separated the denizens of the west with their claw pass and charged them heavy tolls whenever his lord wished to trade with the east. If I wasn't for their position on the island, house magnar would be no more.

However, the lobsters weren't lying or japing.

There were fire witches on the island, Igor consulted his woods witches and the young lady skinchanged and flew to the fire men's stronghold to confirm it.

He never doubted the lady but it was unbelievable when the lady spoke of magical crafts wrought in metal, strange beasts and red clad men warriors.

Now here he stood, looking at the marvels in the flesh. He watched as the magical crafts moved on their own- bellowing loudly and farting black smoke as they worked.

It was then he heard a shout and then a boom! He ducked as the earth beneath them shook with the sounds of distant tumbling.

Instinctively he drew his sword and moved to protect his lady. The fire men didn't draw their weapons but they did turn to them.

"Ubba, Sigfard, Rakka, Stva! Put yer feckin' weapons away!" The lady shouted at them.

"B-but M'lady!" He was reluctant. Whatever magic the fire men used must be terrible weapon! What else could make the ground shake in such a way?!

It was as if the gods had descended or thunder had fallen from the skies!

The small man which seemed to the lord of the fire men spoke to lady Halga in fire tongue before the smokey shore natives with them spoke in common.

"The booms are caused by black powder. It is somethin' used ta clear out stone and make way for digging."

'Black powder!? Just how much magic do these fire men have?!' He was deeply shocked and disturbed however, there was nothing he could do as his charge wished to continue further in. Ubba casted a prayer to the old gods for strength.

As they continued, he kept his eye out for sacrificial alters and blood but there was none to be seen, only heat, steam, smoke and bright liquid which poured from cauldrons!

When lady halga questioned them about what the hot liquid was, the herwyn girl spoke for the fire men, saying it was metal! The fire men somehow took the stones and turned them into liquid metal!

He wondered if this was how his castle forged sword was made.

The sword he wielded was passed down for generations within his tribe and was taken from the clutches of a stark bannerman in an ancient battle.

The stoneborn didn't know how to make the metal swords so each one was prized. He was the sworn shield of the Stanes of Driftwood Hall. If the fire men and the Stanes went to war he would stand and fight. But he truly hoped it wouldn't be the case.

'By the gods...' 

Chapter Text

Captain Jasai gazed out from his small bridge at the men loading the cargo and wrestling animals onto his ship. He didn't like where they were about to go. His ship was docked and left to rot after the 'spirit storm' as people called it, whisked them away to some cold island.

-Fuel supplies were too low and unstable they told him.

It was expected, after all his paddle ship was one of the smallest amongst the civilian ships and was a bit old. It didn't function quite as well as newer, more fuel-efficient steamers. He believed it to be left stranded for decades to come while he would need to seek work elsewhere.

Imagine his surprise when officials summoned him to the governor's office and appointed him a new mission that would be fully funded by the public assembly!?

He was ecstatic at the thought until he was informed just what his mission was. Old cap Jasai would not only be transporting natives to their lands, he would possibly be stationed there for some time ferrying people between the base and barbarian lands. Ther was even a possibility he would be in further contact with other native peoples from the newly discovered 'mainland'.

He almost refused. That would be dangerous work. What if the brutes became rowdy his ship while out at sea? Even though he was told there a team of guards assigned to his vessel for protection he wasn't fully on board with it. Even with protection, Jasai truly didn't wish to associate with natives.

His hesitance wasn't fully from a place of superiority as he didn't look down on others much as his other fie nation citizens did. Old Cap Jasai was well traveled and had seen many things while trading from place to place in between the earth kingdom and fire nation. A prejudiced merchant wouldn't make enough coin to remain in business for very long.

But these... Natives were something else. They looked so different, smelled funny and had strange tendances. If the leaked reports of cannibalism amongst the natives was bad enough, there was also rumours of spirit tree sacrifices and assaults on their own people!

Nevertheless, he relented and took the job. He was a seaman at heart and the few months of being away from the seas weighed on his mind.

"Heh! They look like mountain spirits from the plays." Kai-his lieutenant and nephew laughed.

"Hmm." He simply hummed in reply while observing the group of barbarians as they stumbled onto the deck, their eyes roaming.

He watched them from the safety of the bridge, eyeing their furs, their matted, coloured hair and tattooed faces.

"Must be the first they've been on a boat." Shei the navigator added.

"Not to mention a concrete boat. Must be magic to them." His nephew spoke up. He could tell the youth was fond of the girl but couldn't bring himself to tell the boy that the girl had eyes on another.

"Cap'n! The engine's ready and on standby!" Jasai heard the voice of his ship's engineer from the boiler room below though the brass sound pipes.

"Good! Stay on standby for my orders!" He shouted back.

It was then he noticed the officer coming towards the bridge. The man was surly one with rough features and had the bearings of a seasoned soldier. That was good in Jasai's opinion.

'He'll keep the savages in line.' He thought as the man knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

The man opened the door, letting in the frigid air in for a moment before closing it before looking at him. "Boarding will be finished soon, walk me through the journey again."

He wanted to sigh. The man was firm and reliable but he really loved rehearing things.

"We will depart from the port, travel north turn west then stick along the coasts while travelling south until we spot the supposed docks of the natives." He explained with as little sea jargon as possible.

The man nodded. "Do you remember the emergency instructions in the event of an attack?" Jasai gazed at the man with deadpan eyes. They went over this but the man continued to drone about it over and over.

"Yes, Yes, seal ourselves inside the bridge and arm ourselves with the provided crossbows." He waved the man away. Jasai welcomed the protection and security... however he didn't wish to be revised of simple instructions.

And... he was a bit anxious to sail the seas once again.

Just in time a shout came from the brass pipe.

"Captain! The boarding is complete! On your orders!" A crew man shouted.

"Well then I'll leave you to it captain." The military man said before leaving. His nephew followed the man outside to command the deckhands and relay messages to him.

The bridge spurned into action as he communicated with the men of the engine room.

(-)

The journey was surprisingly smooth, with the natives being too awed to do much else and them sticking close to the shores. The little Unagi travelled smoothly with no complaints from the boiler room.

Jasai was originally a little worried as the old ship would have to switch to charcoal. The engineers warned him that there were potential issues with the fast burning, high temperature material could damage the furnace. Potential harmful gases where also a risk. Thankfully, it seems the modifications to the furnace grates and smokebox made mitigated these concerns.

There was a little danger though. The damned seas near the island were rough and unrelenting, however, for an experienced man such as himself who managed to keep his ship from going under during the spirit storm- this was nothing much.

Thankfully, they weren't bound by the whims of wind and sails. If that was the case, they couldn't have stuck close to the shores as they did for fear of the ship being thrown along the craggy coastline.

Soon enough, the supposed harbour they were to dock in appeared. It jutted from the rocky coastline crudely. He could tell, even from a distance that it was extremely primitive and assumed it would be barely maintained.

As the little unagi got closer, Jasai realized his assumptions were correct and he would need to command from the deck himself in order to ensure the ship could be safely moored in joke of a harbour along the coasts. If the rudder and propeller was damaged, his poor old girl would be scrapped like the mighty Azulon.

He swapped places with kai and stood outside in the lightly snowing air, braving the biting winds. The eyes of the natives were upon him but he didn't pay them much mind as the deck was heavily guarded.

He managed to coordinate with his nephew and the men below deck while successfully pulling into the 'harbour'. From his position, he could see the huts lining the shore and fur wrapped fisher folk who looked up at him in awe and fear? He couldn't really tell with the light snow. The old captain hoped they wouldn't pepper the vessel with arrows as he heard the natives of the smoky shore did when the first warship sail to the coast.

That worry intensified when he heard loud shouts below the ship, even over the howling winds and the crashing waves. He minded the small row boats and commanded his men to angle the ship, while one of the natives – a woman leaned over the deck and shouted at the people below.

Jasai barely managed to notice a massive bird take flight from her shoulder He hoped it would deliver a message that they weren't to be attacked.

(-)

Halga shouted at the people below and felt relief as they recognized her from the distance.

She hadn't planned to return by sea as her people weren't capable of it after the starks burned their ships and killed their ship builders all those years ago. Never had she expected to travel by sea before. It was a lifechanging experience to her. She saw why her ancestors took to the seas in the past. To ride the waves and feel the salty winds on her face was simply breathtaking!

To think the fire men would allow her to ride on their magical ship! The fire men was certainly great craftsmen and could construct many wonders which didn't need magic... however she was sure the stone vessel was magical. How could a heavy, stone ship float on the seas?! Without a sail or oarsmen as well?! Only magic could allow for such a thing to happen!

Be it the vessels of night's watch or the sailors from the east, all of them had intricate sails, oars and crewmen who would run about their vessels to pull ropes however, that wasn't the case with the fire men and their magical ships.

The ship pulled in without issue, the loud sound of an anchor plunging into the waves was heard and a tether was thrown by her men. A heavy, wooden gangway was lowered, allowing her to disembark just in time to meet the men at arms who rode from their garrisons. The fire men who followed her off the great vessel were being regarded with wary eyes by the fisher folk and warriors.

"Lady Stane!"

She recognized the man.

"Troddar!" she clasped his arm with her own. She was happy to see him as it meant her decoys returned safely from magnar lands.

"These... these are the fire men?" He asked gazed at the foreigners and their ship.

"Aye Troddar, they are as great as I said." She said as more fire men began descending the ship.

"Are the others alright?" she asked though she noticed the man could barely pay any attention to her, his eyes lingering on the shorter fire men.

"...Aye milady."

"That's good. Now, let's welcome these foreigners. They have travelled far an' bear many gifts for our people, they come in peace." Halga patted the man's shoulder.

She felt strange internally though. For the first time in her life, she felt a small measure of shame as the rough spun huts of her people spread out before her. They couldn't be compared to the neat and orderly home and buildings of the fire men- even Driftwood Hall fortress couldn't compare...

Chapter Text

The sounds of the near-constantly creaking ship assaulted those below deck as the old vessel sailed through the waters of the bay of seals. The horrid howls of seals on the rocky beaches were now well behind them along with their pungent musk.

Seated atop an empty barrel, Brodd eyed the parchment in his hand lazily. This was the best time to check over the stock reports yet again before the ship entered choppier waters near the cursed isle of Skagos.

'30 stones of grain, 55 stones of cheese, 50 barrels of bitter ale, 70 stones of seal skins and 40 stones of salt beef.' He read internally. It wasn't a large list of items and he'd certainly memorized it by now, however, it gave him something to do and keep his mind occupied.

The storm crow had long sailed from the Eastwatch port headed for their first and final visit to the blighted isle of Skagos for the year at least.

They'd made similar trade visits to the main island just as winter set for the past two years. This visit would normally only be done during the winter years as in any other time, it was suicide to even sail near the isle due to powerful sea currents and turbulent waves.

Brodd extinguished the whale blubber candle and rose to his feet. The old floor boards creaked beneath his feet as he wordlessly avoided his fellows and ascended from the bowels of the ship to be greeted with the overpowering smell of salt and water on the deck.

He watched his fellow brothers tending to sails or rowing as Captain Lurs Fisher barked orders at them.

He brushed a few salt grains from his fur lined, black cloak and looked out to the sea.

"Heh, capt'n fishie always gets his drawers in a knot when we head out ta see the skags ehy!?" Ryler, his fellow black brother threw an arm around his neck roughly.

"Aye." He nodded not in the mood to say more. While it was rather safe in the winter, the waters around Skagos were always traitorous.

"No more o' those sour cunts 'til the gods bless us with a 'nother winter! I hate sailin' there, always wondern' if the ship will crash 'gainst the shores an' the buggers will come out and eat us!"

Brodd nodded as his only reply.

"Wot's with ye mate? Ye been down all day." The man looked at him with confusion.

"It's nothin' he said while folding his arms as he leaded against ship's mast.

"I'll get yah some ale, that'll mellow ye out." Ryler shuffled off, expertly moving about the shifting vessel.

A small chortle rumbled inside his throat at that. 'All ye know to do is drink an' moan about how ye miss cunny.'

Brodd had a lot on his mind. Today was an... anniversary of sorts.

'Seven years....' He released a breath.

It's been almost a decade since he's been a brother of the night's watch.

How? Why? What caused him to take the black?

Was he a man who looked up to the watch and wished to live his life killing wildlings and freezing his balls off at the wall?

No. he looked up to watch in his youth, but after his first experience with a woman, there was no way he would willingly leave the pleasures of a free man.

Did he commit a heinous crime? Rape? Murder? Poach in the lands of a lord?

Nay

He did something far, far worse, being born a bastard.

Brodd snow remembered the life he had in Iron castle; the ancestral seat of house Ironsmith. Though he also remembered his life before the castle, the hunger, the hard work.

Before the day armed men with ironsmith banner came to his mother and carted him off to the castle. He grew up as a simple bastard of a disgraced miller's daughter. However, as noble bastard things changed. Sure, his elder, trueborn sisters scorned and reviled him as him a common mongrel. But, as his elderly father was a widower without a male heir, Brodd snow had a chance to one day become Brodd Ironsmith, lord of Iron castle.

Despite the estranged relationship he had with his noble sire and siblings, Brodd was content. He- a bastard was living inside a castle eating as lavishly as a northerner could. He was taught by a Maester and a Master at arms to use a quill and sword, was sheltered from the cold by thick stones of castle and warmed by a hearth with ample fire wood with attentive servants.

As his father grew even greyer with age and weak from his days fighting the war of the nine penny kings, Brodd truly felt his day would come to ascend to lordhood, marry a lady of the north and live the life of a noble.

Imagine his surprise when his elderly father married the daughter of his master at arms. Brodd was rightly very worried.

He reassured himself of his old man's infirmity and withered vitality. On the night of the wedding where the bedding was to happen, he prayed to the gods and hoped the old lord wouldn't be able rise to the occasion and take the girl's maiden head much less seeding the girl.

The gods didn't answer his plea and in the end his hopes were dashed. By a moon's turn after the wedding, Maester roote confirmed the girl's pregnancy and in the moons to come the girls belly swelled and she grew great with child. It was his worst nightmare.

'Why'd the old fool 'ave to do this now?!' He thought every time he looked at the girl. He even had doubts about the girl's possible fidelity.

Could the wench have given herself to another and planned to sire a bastard that wasn't even his father's. Though he had his concerns, brodd didn't dare bring them up to his father.

He comforted himself with the possibility that the little thing in her belly could die upon its birth or be a girl and possibly the wench with it. The birthing bed was... dangerous after all.

In the end it seemed the old gods resented him.

A trueborn boy was born moons later. Fat and hale, ready to take the lordship that was within his grasp.

He thought about sneaking into the whelp's room and ending the bugger. But he knew he would be the first to be suspected. As he noticed that since the boy was born, he wasn't given the child to hold even once and was never left with the child unsupervised.

Even if he had the chance could he have done it? The consequences of kinslaying were harsh. The old legends say the gods punished them specially. There was nothing he could do!

Then it happened.

One morn he was summoned to his lord father's solar. They had a long discussion-the longest they ever had. In the end, Brodd snow entered as the prospective lord of Iron castle; heir apparent and left a black brother bound for a life of service at the wall.

The barest blessing he had was the dignity of riding there without being bound in shackles.

And so here he was, a black brother of the steward order. His literacy and knack for numbers and sums added him well in carrying out his tasks and kept him away from the dangers of ranging.

Every year He thought about his 'brother' in Iron Castle. The boy should be around eight name days old by now. His father- the old goat should be dead by now as well. He couldn't help but hope the boy caught a fever this winter and died.

He took a long deep breath of the salty, frigid air. The boat was making good speed as the coming winter winds howled and was caught by the sails and smiled. He would never share these dark thoughts with anyone, he knew what they would say or think. They would see it as proof of his bastard nature.

'Where's that fool with the ale?' He turned to look behind himself.

"I reckon he's down there drinkin' it all." He mumbled to himself.

(-)

Captain Lurs couldn't believe what he was seeing as the ship neared the craggy Skagosi island. As they approached the island, a first he saw the snow-capped peaks of the cannibal island which made it a beacon of sorts. As the Storm crow steadily approached the island's chaotic waves, he began barking orders at the oarsmen and seamen in preparation, only to look out and glance a very large thing bobbing atop coastal waters of the desolate Skagosi harbour.

'A ship?' He wondered.

It certainly appeared to be a sea vessel but no matter how he closely he peered at it, he couldn't spot the vital sections which any sea vessel of that size would need- the sails. Before becoming a watcher on the wall, he was smuggler that plied his trade along the blackwater. He'd seen many varieties of ships in his old life. From the Westerosi cog, Braavosi trading galleas , to the massive swan ships of the summer isles.

As a brother of the night's watch, he'd seen the large yet slender war galleys of slavers and carracks of smuggler ships. All had sails and mot had oars, yet as they got even closer, he still couldn't see any sails, only a bulky collum which couldn't have a mast.

"Capt'n! There's a vessel in the harbour! Should I call the men to arms?" Dovan asked.

"No, but be ready." He shook his head at his firstmate, whatever the thing was, it was no slaver ship or smuggler ship.

By now the men on deck could see the vessel. However, he wouldn't allow them to keep gendering at the thing like men enraptured by lusty merfolk and have them crash into the rocky shoreline.

So he stood up and began barking to the men tending to the sails, calling each of their name and insulting all of their mothers to get their attentions and remind them of their duties. As the momentarily, the strange vessel moored in the harbour faded from his mind as he commanded the ship's men while they wrestled with the sea and air currents.

He commanded the anchor to drop as they slowly pulled into the berth next to the damned vessel. By this all the brothers could have a gander at the vessel.

"By the seven! What is that?" Dovan's voice cut over the rabble the others were making.

He didn't respond, couldn't respond. Who knew what the thing was. It had the ship of a sea vessel, however, it didn't look to be made of wood, instead he could barely believe his eyes at the sight.

'Stone?!' He was appalled at the sight. Lurs walked over to the edge of the ship and leaned over it to somehow see the individual lumber but only saw the smooth-looking grey hull. It wasn't possible! Stone would be too heavy to float!

His mind ran a mile a minute. Forget the impossibility of the vessel floating; how was stone able to be cut in such a perfect manner!? Even if it wasn't and the thing was made of cut stone like a stone keep, how were the individual cuts of stone fitted so well as to not leave crannies?! Not to mention the wind needed to move the damned thing, yet it lacked sails!

Eventually, he collected himself. Instead of just guessing about the origin of this ship, he could question the Skags. With that decision, Lurs surd the gawking crew into action. In no time, they were descending the gangplank onto the creaking docks.

This was one of the few times he ever walked on the lands of the Skagosi since becoming the captain of the storm crow. As he walked onto the shore proper, he noticed certain differences.

There were quite a few wooden structures erected along the shoreline which hadn't been there before. The shacks were well made and seemed fresh. There were also many racks covered with disemboweled fish.

He then noticed the skags themselves; they crowded the shacks and racks. Some scaled and gutted fish, while others salted and hung them on the racks. He could hear the bleating of goats as the Skagosi seemed to be... bartering fish? Lurs was so captivated by the mystery of the ship that he almost didn't notice the natives.

The Skagosi weren't every good at sailing or fishing as they couldn't build anything better than crude, leaky fishing canoes.

'How'd they get so much fish...' He wondered idly, barely noticing the Skagosi as they approached.

They weren't alone, amongst them stood strange men in crimson furs and scaly armour. They were shorter than the towering Skagosi- which was typical. The Skagosi were said to be half giants with their hairy bodies, square teeth, sloping foreheads and jutting jawbones. But many of these foreigners were even shorter than his men.

Clearly these were foreigners. 'They must've come here on the stone ship!'

He heard a commotion from the ship and turned to see figures standing atop the deck of the stone vessel. Lurs couldn't focus on the stone ship as he heard the squeak of snow as someone approached him.

He and his brother's hands fell onto their sword hilts as they regarded the Skagosi and foreigners who were now a few paces away. They didn't come forward and kept their hands to their sides. Lurs noticed that these Skagosi were cloaked in well stitched furs; far better than he'd seen from the island's savage lords.

The crimson wrapped foreigners were all armed from what he could see; especially the few who wore dreadful helms, though none of them were gripping their hilts. He was starting to want some answers at this point. Just as he was about to demand some, one of the Skagosi raised his massive hands and spoke.

"Peace. We greet ye in peace." The man spoke in the piggish accent of the Stoneborn.

"Yer from the night's watch aye? Why are ye grippin' yer weapons?" The man accused.

Lurs frowned before replying, though his hand didn't leave his sword's hilt. "Aye, we are brothers of the night's watch. Who are these men and who's vessel is that?" He nodded his head in the direction of the stone vessel behind him.

The large Skagosi man seemed to smile- though it was hard to be sure with the thick beard he sported.

"These are the Fire men they came ta our lands on their stone ship." The man opened his hand and gestured to the shorter foreigners who stood stoically in the lightly falling snow.

"The who? Fire men?" Lurs was thoroughly confused.

Chapter Text

Ilga glanced at her husband as he stabbed the pinkish white meat on his plate and brought it to his mouth. Aside from his furious chewing there wasn't much sound in the dining hall of kingshouse castle.

For good reason too, her lord husband Varamyr Magnar was troubled and in a foul mood as of late. Any servants or guards who so much as stepped out of line was harshly punished by being whipped but the lord himself. He would vent his pent-up frustrations upon them as he couldn't do much to those who caused his restlessness and spoiled mood.

The Fire men invaders were like a splint in the ass, one too deep to dig out. That was what her husband said about them anyway.

She brought a piece of meat to her mouth, chewing on the pinkish-white flesh. She could taste the strong heady flavor of hog but also the taste of chicken brought from the across the seas.

The beast which the meat came from was like none she'd ever seen, having a boar's head and the body of a fowl. They were first brought to the castle by traders and look the land by storm. Though they looked strange, they were remarkable, having both the traits of a hog and chicken. They laid frequent eggs which could be eaten or left to develop. Unlike the fowl from across the seas, they didn't take ages to mature and the meat was fatty and softer than the gamey regular fowl. The boar headed fowls could eat anything, from usual food wastes to human excrement easily.

As a consequence, meat and eggs were quickly becoming more popular even for the commonfolk.

Aside from the animals, the fire men brought gifts and trinkets they never seen, even the passing eastern ships or smugglers couldn't compare when it came to novelty.

"Wantin' ta stay in my home! My home!" Varamyr slammed his fist down on the table, spilling the clear strong drink the fire men also gifted them.

"Informers the lot o' them!" Her husband hissed, though she felt he was more agonized over the spilled drink. Apparently, it was a sweet wine-far better than the black beer stout or sour wines brought from across the seas. This caused lord magnar- who was already fond of wines and stouts to often sink deep within his cups. Especially after he would gorge himself on the strong smelling, clear wine which different from the sweet one. This particular wine was more a magical potion than beverage as the it was said to burn like fire and warm the body to the point where the face is reddened without truly burning the one who drank it.

Varamyr's current gripe with the foreigners began days ago as a delegation of them arrived at kingshouse wishing to stay within the castle walls long term as opposed to just coming to trade or converse. Lord magnar wouldn't allow it; fearing the fire men were sent to eye their defenses and funnel their findings back to their base.

Ilga didn't see them being informants, they could already learn everything they could from trading with the other stone born. She was certain he knew this as well. He was possibly more wary of the growing influence of the foreigners. As the moons passed, the fear and caution of the invaders which was tenderly cultivated within the hearts of the populus by Varamyr and his elders was quickly being lessened as word spread of their deeds and trade.

She sipped her drink, savouring the thickness and creaminess of the milk. It was another product from the fire men. Gods only knew what animal they possessed but whatever it the beast was- it made better milk than any goat or unicorn. Ilga, who had her babe not so long ago needed milk and meat as it was best for a recovering woman.

While the fire men were an issue and a threat to the island. She hoped they didn't go to war just yet. This winter was a long one and it wouldn't break for years afterwards. The trade brought in by the invaders was vital as winter dragged on. Though it could be this trade which brought her husband such woe and frustration. Even now, the food they all ate mostly came from the smokey shore- the fire men's base. Their table was covered in seafood, cheese and wines which came directly from the invaders...

(-)

Later that day, Varamyr paced inside his solar like a skittering lobster caught in a trap.

The sailors from afar didn't come to trade like he hoped. Instead, he was forced to trade with the fire men. With every cursed thing of theirs which entered his castle, Varamyr could see their influence growing. They were slowly poaching his chieftains and commonfolk with luxuries and sweet words.

Mere moons ago, when the Stane delegates came to answer his summons, he thought they would send someone of importance. Instead, he was forced to great sons and grandsons of western chieftains. Weeks after sending them away and commanding them to make 'lord' Igor know he was requested at kingshouse, Varamyr heard of the Stanes being sighted inside the fort of the fire men for some time.

He couldn't believe it.

'Those traitors!' They sneaked behind his back and use decoys to treat with the witches.

'What foulness are they cooking up together? Did they swear fealty? Did they plan to intermarry?' He agonized over the possible alliances between house Stane and the invaders.

That was to be expected of them. They were always the most rebellious of the houses under his rule. Unlike the Crowls who ruled further inland along the mountain range, the Stanes ruled near the coast and had a working port, fishermen and trade with the nights watch. His couldn't rule over them the same way as he did with the Crowls by clamping the Claw Mountain pass.

He wasn't the only lord magnar to struggle with the stanes. For generations.... even when his ancestors wore crown atop their heads, the stanes rebelled and saw themselves as greater. The buggers were able to stand against his family's designs to reign supreme over the island through the trade across the sea and the claw mountain pass.

He really wished to do something about the fire men, ward them away, drive them off his island, take their weapons and learn the secrets to make metal for themselves. He could do none of those, not yet, not while the winter raged. Though he loathed to admit it, they needed to fire men at the moment. He remembered when he thought the fire men were less a threat than the wights after knowing they were men of flesh and blood.

But nay... He had a feeling they were far greater than the pale walkers and their undead. Something must be done! He would not allow them to plant themselves inside his castle!

'I'll send my own informants.' He mused.

The fire men were famous for exchanging work for goods. The fire men had the proud Stoneborn digging up the earth and carrying logs. He would send his own men in. They would work for the fire men and bring the secrets of their techniques. Then they'd bring them back to kingshouse and into his hands.

(-)

Commander Urrigon Greatpyke's eyes surveyed the objects laid out atop the cleared table before him. Particularly, three bottles of liquid. Of the three bottles, there were two clear ones and another which looked similar to Dornish red but with purple undertones. Though the contents of the bottles were astonishing in taste and flavour, it was the bottles themselves which drew in his wonder.

They were made of the clearest glass he'd ever seen in his sixty-seven years of life. He silently grasped the neck of one of these bottles and held it close to his eyes. Urrigon noted the strange and alien markings on the surface of the container. The foreignness of their origin aside, he was left baffled at how the gifted glassworkers were able to shape glass into these symbols.

"By the Gods old and new!" He looked up at the exclaiming maester Dannis who lifted a bottle up to the light to get a better view.

"So clear! I'd never thought it possible for glass to be this clear!" The maester waved his hand behind the bottle and cooed in wonder. Urrigon was a stoic man, bit if he wasn't just as shocked and marveled at the clear sight of the man's hand, he would've chuckled at the reactions of the enraptured maester.

He placed the bottle back in its previous place with great care- it wouldn't do to break such a work of art. His eyes passed over the other objects brought back from the terrible Isle of Skagos. There were bronze braziers, rings, and other trinkets and a wooden box with what appeared to be eggs inside it.

He reached into it and removed a particularly large, pink egg with mud brown patches covering it. It looked like a chicken egg, though the unusual weight and colouring contested his assumptions. He reached for another- this one a black egg with white patches.

"These are the eggs of the strange creature with the Pig's head and chicken's body?" He finally asked Captain Fisher who'd been standing silently near the table.

"Aye commander, ain't never seen nothin' like it."

"And these Fire men, where'd they claim they're from? Why are they living amongst the Skagosi?" He returned the eggs to the crate and turned to face the captain.

"They claimed their ships were damaged during a voyage and stumbled upon the island."

"Did they tell you where they were from?" He asked with hopes of piecing the mystery of these new peoples on Skagos together.

The man's face morphed into one of confusion with a hint of frustration. "The Skagosi who spoke in their places claimed they're from the 'Burning Isles'... well that was the closest way they could interpret it."

'Burning Isles...' Urrigon ran his hand through his beard in thought.

He didn't even waste his time trying to thick about where this place may be. It was obviously a lie. He though about how his men described these people: narrow eyes, flat faces and pale skin. These people appeared to be sailors from Yiti or Leng, the markings on the bottles gave them away as well. Not to mention the chicken eggs. Not many people knew, but the chickens of today originated in the forests of Yiti. They were introduced to the west by the famed Sea Snake after his great eastern voyage to the distant land.

Though there was a problem. The yitish weren't known for their Stone ships, masterful Glassworks or wearing red garbs. They were known for their fine silks and fragrant Tea. The yistish have little interest in the west and only a few would ever travel this far west.

'Who are you people...' He resolved to sending a missive to Castle Black about this development. 

Chapter Text

There was something different about the atmosphere at Smoky Shore. The shore itself was lined with fire nation vessels. Most of the population; be they workers fire rangers, traders or geologists, withdrew from further inland and gathered behind the wooden walls of the developing fire nation settlement.

On the outside looking in, one would assume the worst, with the retraction of fire nationals from all but the most critical of posts.

However, the ornate, decorative red and golden cloths wrapped around posts and buildings belied something else. There was a celebratory ambience behind the walls of the base which was never there before.

What was being celebrated on such a large scale?

What else could it be but the new years festival? This day marked an entire year in the calendars of their original world. This Foreign world's new year had come and gone three months ago if the calculations of the navigators were to be believed.

The Fire nation denizens had forgone celebrating that day as it had no significance, though it was to be marked and used to compare with those of the homeland.

For now, there were three celebrations to be held in paramount above others in the fire national calendar: Grand unification day, New year's Anniversary and the day of Disembarkation. This was to ensure they never forgot their national roots despite their mystical exile from their world.

The silk banners and celebratory cloth hanging about were originally to be used during the victory celebrations when the walls of Ba Sing Se fell, but now, they were being used for a different purpose.

The people of the fire nation were out in the cold wrapped in thick, fur lined, crimson cloaks over their layers, unpon layers of inner clothes.

They crowded the streets; braving the chill and falling snow- intent on not allowing the detestable weather to dampen their moods.

Various food and item stalls sprung up over-night; ready to take advantage of the festival crowds. They sold freshly prepared seafood such as Sushi, roasted squid, and crab hotpot. Some stalls offered milk-based beverages as alcoholic beverages were in short supply.

Many stood at stalls playing traditional games of the fire nation. They lit up firecrackers, small fireworks and crimson lanterns. There was even a dancing Fire Dragon frolicking through the streets. The fire nationals spared no effort in celebrating this day despite the lack of many traditional items, they used whatever they could.

If one were look closely in the sea of red, orange and yellow colours, they would spot a few Stoneborn natives. In fact, the only child to be found in the base were Skagosi children. They were left to their own devices and were allowed to roam freely in authorized zones.

The Skagosi tentatively mingled about and took in the sights. None of them experienced such a festival before and were shocked by the loud pops of fire crackers and the vibrant lights of the small fireworks.

The festivities were so great that even the most xenophobic Fire nationals weren't bothered with the presence of the Skagosi. As the only children present were Stoneborn, many were showered with free food, toys and games as the fire nationals were in such fine moods.

The venders weren't the only one to come out in full as underneath any given Weirwood tree; masked men dressed in sagely robes could be seen giving sermons to any and all who would listen.

Quite a few people were drawn to these queer individuals who seemed to spring up out of nowhere wearing ornately painted traditional masks in the likeness of Fire Spirits.

These men called themselves the new fire sages. Claiming to be servants of the great Fire Spirit: Agni. Some freely handed out delicately polished, wooden figurines made in the likeness of various lesser fire spirits and of Agni, to any who would take them. Some offered mystical paintings of the Fire Isles with countless frolicking Fire Spirts and Dragons roaming the land amongst man. Others preached the contents of the sacred burning scrolls.

All blessed any who would seek Agni's favour. Many were opposed or apathetic to these religious men and their sermons a few even questioned the legality of their activities as Fire lord Sozin banned public sermons and the distribution of religious items years ago. It took only a single flash of the Crown Prince's royal seal or approaching royal guards to silence them.

A few stuck around and listened to the preaching sages and quite a few of them collected the free religious items: even if they didn't care much for the words, the paintings and figurines were apart of their culture and tradition.

(-)

The festivities would slowly transition to the Pinning Ceremony which served to celebrate the Fire Nation soldiers who risked the life and limb in the harsh Skagosi wilderness protecting the citizens from wild beasts and men alike. Such an events would be headed by the governor in the case of a colony. But it was the Crown Prince Iroh who held the position who stood atop the raised platform.

"My good citizens of the Fire Nation, we are here to celebrate and elevate these brave souls who ensured the safety and well-being of the people with their lives on the line!" Iroh began as the people clapped.

"Behind stand the men and women who fought valiantly against the many unexpected dangers of these foreign lands and prevailed in spite of it. They held the line and protected this base with their all. Even so, there are some amongst these brave and honourable souls who stood out and achieved great feats! It is my pleasure to elevate these gallant individuals!"

The crowd cheered as many men and women were brought forward and raised from their previous ranks. Many of these soldiers were family, friends and comrades to those below.

But the loudest cheer came when a lone figure came forward.

Prince Lu Ten stepped forward dressed in a lieutenant's buttoned uniform. He was well groomed with a clean-shaven face, prominent sideburns and neatly bound topknot. His face was stoic as he looked forward and awaited his medal of rank.

"Lieutenant Lu ten has already been raised from the rank of private on the battlefield but it is now his time to be truly and officially pinned for his service." Iroh said as the crowd rose in cheer.

"His quick decisiveness was key in saving his fellow Squad members during a seemingly hopeless mission to escape the encirclement of a troublesome savage war band. Lieutenant Lu Ten led his fellow squad members to victory and ensured the safety of his injured superior.

"If that wasn't all, he was instrumental in opening up peaceful relations with the Stoneborn by putting aside any prejudices he may have to aid their captured kin. His efforts, opened up avenues for trade and prevented unnecessary bloodshed!" The prince stood stoic as his father spoke of his accomplishments.

"It is my honour to pin the golden flame of upon his chest." The Crown Prince raised the gold plated, single-tongued flame medal and pinned it on the uniform of the lieutenant.

The two saluted and bowed before each other as the crowd erupted in cheer.

The prince would give one more speech that day. This speech was in celebration of the new year and complementing the resilience of the Fire Nation's people to weather any storm and situation.

The prince spoke of their collective and proud heritage. He compared them to their ancestors. Those who persevered through strife and calamities on the unstable fire islands which would unpredictably erupt in flames and lava, be rocked with quakes or being smashed and submerged in tsunami waves.

However, the ceremony didn't close with the prince. Instead, he welcomed another individual to the stage.

A man dressed in red, sagely robes ascended and bowed to the prince before standing shoulder to shoulder with him. The prince left the stage as the man introduced himself as the High Sage of the Revitalized Fire Temple.

Unlike the other sages, he wore no mask. Instead, the sported a shaved head with the beginnings of a sloping beard. It had been customary for fire sages to welcome the new year before and even during Fire lord Sozin's early reign but the practice had fallen off by Azulon's regime.

He was an odd sight as his shaved head was exposed to the cold air and tattooed with crimson ink. The tattooed Sage Takuan gave a sermon to the crowd; preaching about the combined Fire Spirits of the fire islands who are all parts of the single Greater Spiritual being: Agni.

He spoke of how the essences of these spirits burned within all their souls and would be the spiritual bridge back to their world and homeland. Some found solace in the Sage's words and hoped to be reunited with the family and friends they left behind in their own world.

Finally, the Sage prayed for the health and wellness of the people, especially the many expecting couples who would usher in the next generation.

With that, the new year's celebration closed of with a unexpected hailstorm which prevented the Grand firework display.

(-)

Days later, Iroh sat in the gardens of the Governor's office. He sat directly underneath a giant weirwood tree, sipping at his tea. Across from him sat the middle-aged Admiral Feng who had a dreamy expression and he lowered his tea cup.

"Your highness, the tea is immaculate as usual." Feng genuinely complimented the prince.

Iroh nodded and smiled in pride. He didn't like to toot his own horn but he really out did himself this time.

"Who knew the leaves of these trees would make such wonderful tea?" The man wondered.

Iroh suppressed a chuckle he remembered scaring his royal attendants when they found him boiling the dried leaves from the tree. Many cautioned him that the leaves may be poisonous or somehow dangerous, of course he'd already checked with the chemists and physicians- none found any trace. Though they also claimed there may be poisons or compounds unknown to them in this new world.

The tree was spiritual, why would a spiritual tree be poisonous?

He was a man to follow his gut. The gut was said to be the point of spiritual energy of the body. Why would tea made from a spiritual tree harm him?

The dried leaves plucked from the tree smelled deeply herbal. When properly prepared, produced a sweet smelling slightly bitter tasting red coloured tea. Though he had to admit they were in a sense lesser than true tea plants and herbs.

The taste was mostly due to his mastery in tea brewing. However, there were some unexpected and unexplainable benefits to the drink.

Just a sip would calm his mind and nerves and for just a moment, it drove away the bone scraping cold or rather, made it more tolerable?

"Now then, what can we expect in future with regards to the island west of here?" Iroh eyed the Admiral.

"My men are still putting together an exploration team there." The admiral lowered his empty cup.

Ever since the docking of the fleet on the island, he didn't have much to do. Most of his activities involved bugging fellows from the construction department to get around to building a true port and arranging fishing excursions.

"I hear there are some ghastly tales of the place." Feng added.

"Nasty business. It is said that ages ago there were people living on the island. The Skagosi were said to have endured a bitter winter and needed... sustenance. At the time they still had the facilities and knowledge to build primitive sea vessels and they sailed to the island where it is said they feasted upon their male neighbours and carried off the women."

"Is there any evidence for this?" Iroh asked.

"No, aside from the lack of inhabitation. It is also close enough that a stubborn enough group could have made primitive rafts and sailed there in calmer waters." Feng replied.

"We will never truly know until we get our men on the island." The admiral nodded at the prince's words.

"What of the delegation to the Main land? How is your preparation going?"

"Everything is sorted my prince, the interpreter, anthropology, military, emissary and geological teams are fully assembled and ready to depart a few days from now."

"The peoples of the main land are said to be far more advanced than the natives of this island. They should be easier to deal and trade with. But make sure your men are prudent and ready for any situation." The crown prince looked him directly in the eyes.

"Of course, your highness."

Chapter Text

It was a normal day for those who lived along the bay, fisherfolk plied their trade in their small boats near the real deal covered bay. Black brothers of the steward order cleared snow from pathways or tended to wide-hoofed mules.

Meanwhile brothers of the builder order maintained the planks at the port, repaired the crumbling infrastructure or the sea vessels in service to the night's watch. The harmonious day would've continued without issues until a peculiar vessel was spotted in the distance by a few fishermen.

It was shaped like a ship but then they saw no sails at all. As the vessel approached, they could see black smoke sputtering into the sky from a singular pillar which definitely wasn't a mast.

The first to see this strange vessel quickly rushed to report the sightings to those ashore and in no time at all word spread until Commander Urrigon, who sat pouring over reports was disturbed from his task.

"Commander! Commander!" A black brother pounded his fist on the wooden doors causing the commander and the accompanying maester to jump a little.

"What is it!" He shouted back only to hear muffled shouting from behind the door.

"Open the bloody door fool!"

"A strange ship was sighted out at sea. It could be the burning men from Skagos!" The brother gasped out.

'They're here then....' If these Foreigners were as strange as he knew them to be, they needed to be ready for anything.

Thankfully, the Yitish men told them they would come so he made preparations should any violence happen.

Urrigon rose from his seat and began barking orders at the man. "Send for the first steward and first ranger!"

"Maester Holt! Send word to castle black now!" The grey wrapped man nodded and stalked off, his chains jingling as he went.

Urrigon walked over to the window and fought against the wind to open it before taking a look outside, only to notice the strange ship smoothly pulling into the bay and nearing the port!

'Damn it! How can a damned sail-less stone ship move so quickly!' He thew on his thick, black coat and briskly ran out the door and down the steps.

Outside, the men of the nights watch looked on in wonder, fear and surprise as the vessel cruised into the bay. They could see it clearly now; a gargantuan slab of grey stone which was impossibly shaped like a sea vessel. No men were manning the sails as there were no sails to be manned, instead there was but a the single, bulky, spire-like tower, vomiting black smog skywards.

'How can this... thing move?' Some thought.

'Could there be men rowing beneath the deck?' A few dullards wondered.

The smarter black brothers knew that couldn't be the case. There were no holes for the oars.

'How could a boat of stone be made? How could it float and sail even if one could be made?!'

The impossible ship aligned itself near the port and docked in record time. This allowed the gathered brothers to see men staring back at them from the ship's deck; all cloaked in crimson.

Soon, a gangplank was lowered and the foreigners began to descend the ship. At the sight of this, many of the rattled stewards and builders didn't know what to do and just eyed the strangers.

The more martially inclined rangers drew their weapons but didn't rush forward. The men from the impossible vessel gathered into a defensive array but didn't advance. The fellows of eastwatch eyed the men who stood at the front of the formation. These soldiers were clad in black, scale armour lined with red and black fur. Their faces were hidden behind helms shaped in the visage of a skull helms.

Silence ensued with only the howling wind and crashing seas prevailing. Soon enough, the sound of charging steeds broke the silence and caused the crowd to look behind them to see a robust contingent of armed rangers barreling towards the shore; First ranger Cotter Pyke leading the charge.

The rangers rode through the parted crowd and dismounted their steeds. Slowly, they marched up to the foreigners at the docks with the black banners of the watch fluttering in the salty air and their hands on their pommels.

As a response to this the scale armoured men separated and a less armoured group stepped forwards carrying their own banners of a black, tri-tongued flame on a field of red. At the front was a short man cloaked in crimson and orange garb. His orange eyes looked at the brothers of the night's watch from behind thick rimmed glasses. Just behind him stood a massive man cloaked in brown, well put together furs and thick leather.

The towering man in the brown was a 'Skag' to any who saw him. Possessing a large with heavy jaw bones, sloping brows and covered in hair.

"These men are from the Fire kingdom! They come'n peace ta treat with the brothers o' the night's watch!" The skagosi shouted; his voice loud and tinged with the unique accent of the Stoneborn.

The small first ranger eyed the group briefly, his ugly, pockmarked face set in a stoic expression, "The Commander's been expecting you."

"We'll guide you to him." He nodded to the foreigners.

(-)

The journey to the castle was a strange affair, the rangers led the foreigners hailing from a supposed 'Fire kingdom', while the Fire Nationals and Sakgosi alike tried and failed not to gawk at the sights. The seals, the people, the strange steeds and greatest of them all the giant icy structure rising to the heavens.

Even the stoic guards couldn't help but look up at the structure.

'This must be the wall...' They thought collectively.

In preparation of this very visit, all of them were briefed on what little the natives knew about the mainland, this order of night's watch and the towering wall of ice they guarded.

Skagosi natives claimed the massive wall was built by the progenitor of the clan who conquered them. Apparently, the wall was erected as a bulwark against a great evil.

The men of the Night's Watch spent their lives manning this great wall and ensuring the horrors on the other side stayed there.

It must be said the Fire Nationals at the time weren't impressed. Walls and their defenders were a sore spot for them and none believed the mainlanders- advanced or not- could build great enough to impress them without Earth or Waterbenders.

The natives were backwards and frightful folk susceptible to mystical lore and fantasy. They were certain of this when the natives claimed this first 'Wolf lord' was aided by giants and wood spirits of all things in the construction of the wall.

However, even the most skeptical amongst them had to concede as wall's shadow covered them completely as they approached the foot of the icy-blue structure. They eyed the wooden and stone buildings built atop the snowy, blue-tinted cuts of icy slabs.

'It truly looks as if giants cut and placed these stones.'

Soon enough they, were led into the stone fort's courtyard that also served as a training yard by the training tools scattered about. At the foot of the fort's entrance stood a group of black cloaked individuals.

The remnant fleet's delegation was escorted up to them. The more observative bunch among the delegation noted the features of the mainlanders. They were indeed similar to the Stone Island natives in some places but differed in others.

They seemed much more... human as their facial features- though foreign- were much more refined in comparison. A few of them were an inch or so taller than average but nothing compared to the towering Stone Islanders.

The fire national delegates stopped a few paces away as a few men came forward holding trays of bread and salt. Already well acquainted with the practice, they nodded to the mainlanders and took part in the ceremony. In a way it seemed as if a lot of the tension dissolved at that moment on both sides.

A burly man with a deep voice spoke up, "Welcome to Eastwatch strangers. I am the Commander Urrigon."

The shorter Fire National spoke up in response. "Greetings commander. My name is Aoza Lee, come in the name of our leader, Prince Iroh of the Fire kingdom. It is his wish to meet and establish trade and good relations with you." The Yitish-looking man was barely understandable as he spoke with a thick accent and pronounced a few words incorrectly.

Fortunately, Urrigon was a former smuggler who encountered quite a few foreigners in his time so he faired a bit better than others who listened in.

"Well then, come in, it seems we have lots to discuss." The Commander led the way inside, under the gaze of the still gawking brothers.

(-)

"So, your people were caught in a storm? Where were you sailing from?" Urrigon questioned the man seated across from him.

"We... sailing from the capital of our... burning islands before the storm took we on the Mo Ce waters. After we come upon the Stone Island and had no choice but to land to make repair..." The yitish foreigner replied in a tedious manner of someone wholly unfamiliar with common tongue.

Aside from the confusing manner of speech, the commander was baffled by the locations named by the man.

'Mo Ce waters? Burning islands?' He wondered if these foreigners were truthful or just poor at lying. Not storm could fling Yitish sailors from the Summer or Jade seas this far north.

He wished to consult Maester Holt but the old man was off fetching a map.

"Do you know you are living in the lands of House Stark? I don't think Lord Stark would take lightly to unknown trespassers even if you're stranded as you claim."

The man nodded and replied, "In time our... leader will send men to... treat with the wolf lords as we do you. Will take some time, we do not wish... to upset any other and we do not even know how to get there." The man adjusted the framed, polished clear-glass on his face.

Just in time the maester rushed in with a wrapped scroll which he hung up and unfurled to reveal world map.

Commander Urrigon closely observed the face of the claimed 'burning islander' only to see what seemed to be genuine bewilderment on the man's face. Unless the man was a convincing mummer, he was rather astounded and it took some time for him to recollect himself.

"Afraid we not see land masses like this before." The stranger said, still eying the map as a bit of sweat trickling down his brow despite his face being red from the cold. 

Chapter Text

Lord commander Qorgyle eyed the stained parchment in his hands, finding the contents hard to believe. It was a follow up missive from commander Urrigon. It was the third and latest to come in after the previous one where the foreigners had suddenly shown themselves.

Honestly, if he didn't personally know Urrigon from his days ranging or recognize maester holt's writing by now, he would've wondered if a learned wildling had broken into the castle, written a silly letter of Grumpkins and Snarks and sent it to waste his time.

That was much more believable than the current correspondence he was having with Eastwatch-by-the-sea.

As he massaged his beard and wondered what to do in response to the message; his ears picked up on the familiar clinks and shuffling coming from outside the room.

"Enter." He invited him in without waiting for maester to knock.

The door was opened and in came a black brother escorting his elderly charge. If he wasn't so shocked by what was happening at the eastern shore, he would've marveled at how old the almost completely blind maester was.

"So you're finally ready to tell me what's been eating at you." The old man spoke as the room was cleared.

He nodded instinctually. "I've been receiving troubling missives from Eastwatch. I can't make sense of them, or rather, I struggle to believe them."

The old man stared at him, though Qorgyle was certain the learned man could barely see his figure at the moment.

"What could you have heard to trouble you so Tremond?"

"Almost a moon ago, Urrigon sent brothers to Skagos to trade for furs. When the men came back, they told wild tales of a sail-less stone ship in the Skagosi docks and Yitish men garbed in crimson furs among the Skagosi." He paused in hopes the maester had something to say.

"Sail-less Stone ships? Floating and cruising atop the seas?"

Qorgyle almost chuckled, the old man heard so much outlandish things but pondered on the sailing ability of the ship. "The Captain of the storm crow claimed he spoke with Skagosi and was told these Fire or Burning men came to the island moons ago. The few which were seen are guests of house Stane. The majority of them apparently reside somewhere along the northeastern shores of the island."

"Did they speak with these 'burning' men?" The Maester asked.

"Yes, though they claim the speech of the strangers was rough and conversation was tedious even with a native speaking for them."

"How do we know they are Yitish? Did they say they were from Yiti?"

"Not at all. For all the matter they could be from Leng or further east. When questioned on what they were doing on the island, the foreigners claimed they were seeking asylum from some storm that blew them of course."

"What's more the brothers claimed these men rode atop large birds, traded strange wares and creatures with the Skagosi." Tremond Qorgyle added.

There was a pause as the Maester contemplated before speaking. "I find it hard to believe these people are from Yiti or even neighbouring nations. The peoples of the distant East are rarely seen in the West much less near the shivering sea.

"The Yitish in particular dislike traveling too far from their golden empire. It seems these individuals are of a different group entirely. Of course, they could be lying about their origins, however there are no known lands in the world where creatures and crafts you described exist."

"Haah..." He nodded and sighed.

"If that's the case then perhaps this most recent missive on the claims of these strangers is true." Qorgyle caught himself almost offering the missive to the nearly blind old man.

"Hmm? How so?" If the aged maester noticed the embarrassing gesture with what little eyesight he still possessed, he didn't show it.

"These... 'Burning men' are now claiming to be unfamiliar with all the landmasses, seas and peoples of the world. When shown maps of both the east and west, they claimed to be clueless. They claim no knowledge of the Jade or Summer seas and no allegiance to Yiti or Leng." The Commander looked up from the missive as the Maester digested his words.

"It seems we have quite the mystery on our hands Lord commander. " The shrunken Targaryen said in the end.

"That we do... I'm afraid it'll continue to be that way until they arrive and we can get a measure of them ourselves." Tremond dropped the report onto his desk.

Aemon perked up at his words. "Oh, they plan to travel to castle black?"

"Aye. Apparently, they wish to speak with both Lord Stark and myself."

"That would make sense, they are living in his territory after all. Have you written to Winterfell?"

Qorgyle shook his head redundantly, "No, not until I've seen these strangers in the flesh."

(-)

Weeks later, across the sea, attendants made the final adjustments as the council members strolled in and took their seats. All were dressed in exquisite silk robes as they had no fear of the bitter chill which prevailed just outside the building.

Not with the pressurized steam being circulated throughout the building.

"All rise for the prince!" The royal announcer heralded the prince's approach.

The council members quickly rose to their feet as the dragon of the west entered the council chambers and ascended the royal dais; sitting only after the prince settled in his seat.

"Well then, let's start this meeting off with the reports of the recent islet and coastal expeditions." The prince smiled as he looked around the room.

Admiral Feng sat up straight and raised a stack of papers to his face. "On February 17th the Sea Serpent, sailed between the islands of Skagos and Skane."

Iroh nodded; he long wished to know what lay on the island with such a dark gloomy folklore around it. The island that had so much infamy among the stone born who claimed their ancestors sailed across the seas and committed unspeakable acts upon the native population who were wiped out.

"As there was no port for the ship to pull into, the ship anchored near the shore and smaller vessels shipped exploratory personnel to the island. The first individuals were military personnel of course. They secured the area and set up preliminary facilities for which the other teams would come along."

"As the island isn't very large and relatively flat, it only took a few days for the men to scout the island's perimeter on Komodo-Dragonback. The scouts reported nothing but tumbled stones, thick vegetation and small creatures."

"Was there any evidence of the great attack the natives claimed there was?" Iroh raised his eyebrows.

"Not any that our researchers could find your highness." This time it was head geologist Wong Tu who spoke up. A skinny old man with long, grey eyebrows.

"Our geological teams did find evidence of brief human habitation due to stone and bronze tools. However, they have not found any evidence of civilization as of yet. There are no human burial sites or remains which would indicate a great battle and 'feast' occurred. It could be the case where a great battle and raid occurred on the island and the marches of time and decay has wiped away all traces."

'Hmm... it's possible the island was an outpost of some kind during the sailing days of the natives.' Iroh thought.

"What else was found?" A council member asked. It was a rather anticlimactic end to the eerie tale.

"Aside from tumbled stones and vegetation, our people have found large limestone deposits along the coastline. Unlike the volcanic main island, Skane seems to be primarily made up of sedimentary rock. Our geologist teams believe the island could serve well for quartz and limestone quarries." The old man Wong concluded his report.

"What of the coastal reports from the land beyond the Ice wall?" Iroh moved on as the matter was now settled.

"Well, my prince, this place is much more interesting." The admiral retrieved another stack of paper.

"On march 5th, the Black Eagle-Mamba pulled into the dilapidated port of the place known as hardhouse by the natives." The admiral smiled as he could barely detect the spike in the Crown prince's interest it was yet another piece of folklore about a hunted place.

Similarly to Skane, there were eerie stories of the coastal region. Apparently, it was once a place where people lived but then mysteriously, the population was butchered and the land was scorched. The natives claimed their ancestors saw light in the distance and believed the sun was also rising from the north.

"Our men had no problem landing and scouting the general area. The coast of hardhouse seems to be a natural harbour of sorts. There, the preliminary reports stated of there being nothing but overgrown wilderness and otherworldly wildlife, however later geological and biological inspection reports found remnants of homes, humans and animals." Admiral Feng paused for dramatic effect.

"-as of the time of the last report, our people have found substantial evidence of long-term human habitation in the form of wooden tools, clay pottery, human and beastly remains along with signs of burial grounds." Old man Feng finished.

"... Hmmm, it is rather amusing that there is more evidence of human habitation in the place judged to be wiped out far longer ago than Skane." Iroh hummed.

"That is to be expected your highness, judging from the evidence on hand, it's likely that there were many more people inhabiting the region for a longer time period in what seems to be a small town before whatever ruination befell it. The people of the main land are far more advanced than the natives as well." Wong Tu added.

"Has there been any clues which hint to what this catastrophe may be?" Iroh wouldn't allow his people to be endangered due to the unknown. They would need to be prepared for any hostilities; be they mystical or natural.

"Ah yes my prince, though research is still ongoing, our geologists are almost a hundred precent sure about what tragedy fell upon the original inhabitants." Wong Tu spoke up while leafing through sheets of paper.

"In fact, the disaster which struck the town is rather familiar to our people..." All the council members sat up and in interest.

"The ruined town is located beneath a great cliff pocketed with cave mouths and vents... Volcanic vents." The eyebrows of the councilmembers rose at the old geologist's words. Even those hailing from the colonies knew of the struggles and trials which would periodically plague their ancestors.

"Ongoing research has allowed my teams to be fairly certain the town was engulfed in volcanic gases and ash due to spontaneous volcanic activity at the time." A somber air covered the rom as their internal theories were confirmed.

In ages past, ghost towns were a rather common occurrence on the fire island archipelago. Spontaneous volcanic activity would lead to islands being buried beneath ash and lava over night with the inhabitants being too weak or unconscious to save themselves due to chocking fumes and smoke. Traders would leave their home island to market their wares on another; only to return to smoking volcanic slag.

"Hmmm... this is good news; the chemical and industrial departments will be glad to hear of this." Iroh commented; breaking through the gloom.

The councilmembers all nodded in response while some took notes. The fire nation denizens were resourceful as ever, they would harness the heat and gases and use them to benefit their people.

"Be sure all safety precautions are being taken." Iroh looked to Admiral Feng.

"Of course, your highness, all landbound personnel have been outfitted with gas masks and are on high alert."

"What are the resources in this area?" A heavy-set councilwoman asked.

"There is an extensive forest spreading for miles along the north-western shores and wildlife is plentiful. The waters along the coasts are similarly teeming with aquatic life. Further inland exploration is required to be certain, but we are likely to find untouched veins of valuable metals and minerals."

"We may not ability to claim the coastal area as readily as Skane and the other inlets surrounding Skagos, I can see the area being a great place of resources for the development of our people on the future your highness. The entire northern region beyond the icy walls is free for the taking." The councilmembers were all but salivating over the possibilities.

"Yes, that is true, however we will have to be mindful of the risks. Similarly to this land there are roving barbarian and savage tribes squatting in the wilderness along with otherworldly creatures we haven't encountered so far." Iroh interjected to lower their boiling excitement to a simmer. There were more treasures and resources a hand for exploitation, however they needed to move slowly and carefully.

"On a different note. What of our men on the mainland?" Another councilmember asked.

"Not much since they departed East-look for Castle Dark. The Dragon-hawkery's expecting a missive of their arrival any day now."

The much-anticipated native contact was about to occur. So far, their interactions with mainlanders have been good. And judging by the expansive and mindboggling world map they received courtesy of the Night's watch; it was paramount it stayed that way... at least for now. The plan to achieve this was to slowly introduce themselves to the native powers.

For now, the Fire nation remnant fleet would only sail at or beyond the wall until then. The Night's watch was perfect for this as they were claimed to be a neutral force on the continent.

The meeting moved on from the new lands and to internal affairs. The relations with the natives of Skagos was going well aside from the other two noble clans and their respective regions.

A member of the public relations department informed the council of the various spies they found to be lurking around. These 'spies' are believed to be from Maganr or Crowl origins.

A few of the fire nation council members laughed at the pitiful attempt. If it was one thing the fire nation was good at, it was protecting their technological secrets and rooting out spies. Firebending wasn't the only thing which made the fire nation a world superpower.

While the noble clans wasted their time and efforts trying to figure them out. The fire nation was sowing seeds of discontent around. They had discovered a dastardly practice the lords of the islands would do.

"It is called First night or One night when translated directly to our language. It is where a noble clan leader is entitled to another man's wife upon the first night of their marriage." Many of the assembled council members scrunched their faces up at the barbaric practice.

How unreasonable! The time a newly wedded couple would spend together was sacred! None could imagine this most cherished time being soured by the fresh horror of another inserting themselves.

"And the people go along with this?" Iroh asked.

"This is where our operatives have found potential for discontent my prince. While many didn't speak out, quite a few people are discontent. The practice is said to be one which the lord lobster over-indulges in."

Iroh smiled thinly at the councilman's words.

Chapter Text

The red faced Aoza Lee hefted the reigns of his ostrich-horse in the correct direction as the assortment of beasts marched through the six to seven-inch-deep snow.

The journey to the headquarters of the Night's watch order was... arduous to say the least. The 'road' which was claimed to supposedly connected the two branches of the order was mostly covered from the near-continuous snowfall of the mainland. The vague path itself was winding and uneven.

Even the faithful and steady ostrich-horse; a war beast used both by the fire nation and the earth kingdom forces due to its suitability in a wide range of climates and topography, struggled with the terrain. His groin and back ached and strained as his steed struggled to tread the land.

As if that wasn't all, he was freezing despite the layered heavy coat he wore. The light bouts of hail and heavy snowfall didn't help. Comparatively, his fellow Fire nationals were doing much better; though not in the same class as their Night's watch escorts or Stone islanders.

"You don't look so good Mr. Lee. Try loosening up your waist and back and give the ostrich-horse a little freedom manoeuvre." Lieutenant Min Seok advised from his own steed.

"Ugh, I'll be fine." He grunted while attempting to follow the advice of the concerned man.

"That's it, allow your body to follow the undulations of the animal to reduce the shock."

"Hmph!" Aoza grunted while forcing his body to relax. Though the military man's advice was valuable and helpful; it would take weeks at least until he could actually become accustomed to riding on ostrich-horseback.

He was an infantryman during his service and he originally had no intention of rising up the ranks or taking a more martial role in the war since he only entered the fire army for the military benefits.

Aside from civilians like himself, this delegate convoy was populated by either veterans who were once stationed in the Earth kingdom hinterlands or trained and blooded Fire Rangers.

All of whom were better accustomed to the bitter climate and rough mainland. While Lee himself was once a member of the fire army, he was better suited in scholarly pursuits than martial ones.

"You're improving well, but if things continue like this we'll have to stop and allow you civilians to rest." Min Seok mumbled- no doubt eyeing the others who were struggling as well.

Aoza shook his head. There would been no more stops... not when the mainland escorts claimed they were already so close to their destination. This Sozin-damned journey was already horribly sluggish and overextended.

Honestly, the massive wall of ice and snow served to be the only marvelous thing which kept the trip somewhat bearable. The looming white structure reminded more him of the fabled icy wall of the Northern Water Tribe isolationists than the dusty walls of Ba Sing Se.

Though he wondered just how many skilled Waterbenders would be needed to erect such a lofty structure over such a wide area of land.

It was a marvel of engineering and construction, something only possible with the application of advanced mathematics, efforts of countless individuals and machines pared with insurmountable determination over a significant amount of time without the use of bending.

He found it hard to believe that this wonder was erected by the natives. Judging by what he's seen of them so far.

The order which manned the wall was more advanced than the stone islanders yes; but they utilized fairly primitive methods of construction. For example, the 'castle' he left at the coast was poorly maintained and crumbling.

The natives offered a fantastical story of the wall's construction. They attributed the icy structure's creation to an ancient, talented builder who was aided by wood spirits, giants and their colossal, furry steeds of all things.

'A wall, designed by a man countless millennia ago. A structure which doesn't need to be repaired or maintained? If these people possess such knowledge of construction, how are they so backwards?'

He didn't wish to jump to conclusions but he was fairly certain these people were far behind even compared to the Earth kingdom in most fields. He would have to make sure to send word back to the prince about this after a bout of thorough investigation.

"Castle black's just up ahead." He heard one of the black clothed men riding just ahead of their team.

'They're wary of us...' He locked eyes with Min Seok.

This suspicion of them began few days ago. While travelling the black brothers found evidence of mainland savages known as wildlings. These men were much like the berserkers on stone island but were more numerous and dangerous as they were sometimes armed with metal weapons. So formidable these savages were that if left unchecked, they would become a threat to the southern lands.

When they made camp in the evening, their escorts warned them of potential barbarian attacks. In light of this, the fire nation soldiers volunteered to help with the watch and possible defense of the camp through the night.

As expected, they were attacked in the dark by these savages and during the ensuing battle, Firebending was used to dispatch the enemy assailants, by shooting blasts to burn and frighten them.

The strategy worked far too well as even though they frightened the savages, they also served to frighten their escorts and incite suspicion. After the battle's conclusion the black brothers treated the fire nationals as if they were primed barrels of blasting jelly.

Where they once regarded them with curious eyes, they now looked at them with unsettled expressions and even fear. Thankfully, they were nearing the end of this dreadful journey.

It took a while for him to see the outline of the castle in the distance. Though that was mostly his own experience as he wasn't wearing his glasses due to them constantly getting foggy or blocked with snow and his breath.

But now it wouldn't hurt to wear them after they dismounted. Though he couldn't see well, he did note the prevailing brown colour before him. He could barely make out the rope and cages of primitive elevators which seemed to serve the purpose of ferrying men atop the wall.

As they approached, he noticed there was no wall of any kind similar to that of Eastwatch. One would expect a 'castle' to be surrounded with defensive fortifications. This 'fortress' was only defendable from the north.

How peculiar...

(-)

Lord Commander Qorgyle gazed at the strange men riding even stranger beasts into the courtyard. The latest reports from Eastwatch, informed him much of what to expect from these men of the 'Fire/Burning kingdom.'

But seeing them in the flesh was far different. It was a spectacle to behold as the mystery men with Yitish features rode in tandem with the ever-elusive Skagosi.

Apart from the towering Stoneborn in brown and black, the foreigners all wore well-made crimson heavy coats only the rich and lordly would wear. The accompanying armoured forces were covered head to toe in dark scale armor and draped in crimson furs.

And the things they rode... 'By the gods old and new, truly giant birds?' Qorgyle had to keep his surprise hidden, even as the Skagosi settled their single-horned steads. It was possibly the first time the beasts left the island.

The trainees paused their tasks to watch as the foreigners dismounted and approached the Lord commander under the guidance of their Eastwatch escorts.

"Lord commander!" The brothers from the coast saluted to him in greeting. He nodded at them. Though he noticed something dark in their expressions. He would have to ask later in a more... private setting.

Instead, the commander focused on the stranger at the forefront of the foreigners- the leader of the group. The man was on the shorter side as most of the fire men were. He recognized this foreigner as the leader by the strange device framing his face. According to maester holt, it was a too which served to aid the man's vision.

"Welcome to Castle Black. I am Lord Commander Qorgyle." He greeted the foreigners before introducing them to his attendants in the form of Maester Aemon, Allon the First builder, Donnel hill the first steward and First ranger Mathar Mugg.

"Greetings Lord Commander! I am Aoza Lee of the Fire kingdom..." Qorgyle listened to the heavily accented man as he went on with his greeting and introduction of his foreign and Skagosi fellows.

Afterwards, the head steward brought a platter of salt and bread forward and presented it to them.

After the group ate the salted bread, he bade the group in; briefly hearing the enraged shouts of trainers spurring the still gawking trainees to get back to work.

"I'm sure you wish to rest up before we discuss anything. My men will take you to your accommodations." He signaled the Eastwatch brothers over while the strangers were lead away.

They wordlessly navigated the castle until they reached his solar.

"What do you have to say." He asked them while taking a seat.

"Lord Commander! These... Yitish men are vile Maegi!" The foremost brother shouted.

"Maegi you say? Maester holt reported the foreigners claimed their sail-less stone ship's function wasn't due to magic."

"That mus' be a lie Lord commander! How could a stone vessel float, much less sail without a canvas? These men used fire magic! Saw it with me own two eyes!" The brother was backed up by his fellows who nodded along.

"How did you see this? Under what circumstances?" Maester Aemon spoke up.

"A few nights ago, maester. Our group was set upon by a pack o' wildlings. Some o' the foreigners flung balls o' fire from their palms, and a few o' them covered their blades fire!" Aemon listened to the report with a serene look of contemplation on his face.

"Commander! We must drive these vile maegi and their Magicks out! The are an afront to the seven!" Another brother shouted before the maester could speak.

Qorgyle frowned and sternly regarded the man so that he would shut up and allow the learned man to speak.

"...These strangers claim to originate from a 'Kingdom of Fire.' In your travels with them, did they leave any hints of where this could be?" Internally, qorgyle was shocked the maester didn't ask or say anything about the magic.

"No- no maester, my men and I stopped interacting with them closely after they used their spells." The brothers seemed to have lost their fervour for a moment.

"You did keep a close eye on them, yes?" the old Targaryen questioned.

"Of course maester! We didn't know what they could do-" The man began anew.

But the maester cut him off, "Did you see them burn anything in sacrifice?"

The brother shook his head, his face pale.

"Hmmm." The maester's almost blind eyes glazed over in thought.

"They also collectively wear red clothes as well?"

"Aye maester. These Maegi, they mostly clothe themselves in reds and orange." The man nodded.

Qorgyle and the brothers waited with bated breath; wondering where the maester's questions would lead.

"...I never managed to forge my Valyrian steel link at the citadel, however, from what little I know, the most skilled of those who claim to be pyromancers reside in the far eastern Essosi city of Asshai. They are the followers of R'hllor: the lord of light.

"I briefly studied this religion during my visits to a small wharfside temple in old town during my younger years. His followers are said to wear red and light flames.

"The religion is a fairly popular one in the free cities. They are said to draw their powers of fire magic from this god by making sacrifices to him."

"So they are followers of a mad God!" The black brothers began whispering to each other

"Their banners are of a black flame on a red field, correct?" Aemon didn't acknowledge their claims.

"Aye maester! Is that the banner of this god?"

"No, it is not. The symbol of the R'hllori faith is that of a fiery heart. These foreigners do not seem to be followers of the Red God." Maester Aemon concluded.

"These strangers, Maegi or not are under guest right and have done no harm or broken any of our laws. We will watch them closely. But we will take no action against them." Qorgyle spoke firmly as he regarded the brothers.

"But, comma-"

"You will not take any action against these men! That's an order! The men's protest withered with qorgyle's official command.

"You've travelled far, go rest up." He bade them leave.

As the door closed behind the brothers, Qorgyle pinched the ridge between his brows and sighed.

"I'm getting too old for this..."

Chapter Text

His body shivered and shook akin to a leaf caught in wind as he pulled his clothes over his body, silently cursing himself for being adamant in washing off the days of travel. Aoza quickly dressed inside his poorly insulated room.

'Did they give me this room out of spite!?' He wondered briefly before dismissing the thought.

'It's likely, this entire castle's decrepit.' From what he could see, every room in this deary place was likely the same- dark and drafty due to withered brick and poorly sealed windows.

One couldn't just chalk it up to the primitive mortar and construction practices of the mainlanders. The building was just too old and damaged.

He winced as a particularly cold draft of wind washed over his body after slipping into the room through a crack in the wall. Honestly, this castle black or dark was much like the castle at the eastern coasts, he was just hoping it would be grander as a headquarters. Something one would expect from the ones who claimed to be protecting the rest of the mainland from roving band of savages and nightmares beyond the massive wall.

He envisioned the headquarters of this order would be similarly magnificent in comparison to the wall, but from what he could see the place was in dire need of repair and funds.

Even he, a scholarly man could pick put the feebleness of the order. How would they get attacked by barbarians south of the wall? Why would the path connecting Eastwatch to Castle Black be allowed to be obstructed by snow? The wall was such a massive structure which covered an extended distance; the force needed to effectively patrol both sides needs to be massive. Yet from the abandoned forts he'd seen during the journey, the main deficiency of the organization was manpower.

'Just how many savages have slipped through with these brothers being left unawares?' He wondered while polishing his smudged spectacles with shaking hands.

'How could the mainland powers allow this order to fall into disrepair? Why is this place so improperly manned?' Folktales of evil ice spirits aside, the situation between the barbarian and civil mainlanders was rather similar to the many barbarian clan and petty bandit king raids on the more civil domains of the ancient, decentralized Earth kingdom.

It would take some time to subtly uncover questions and report back to base. He was charged with three objectives while on the mainland. He was to quickly improve his ability to speak the local language, from that, he'd analyze their culture and document it for future interaction.

He was eager to do so...but first dinner.

He took a moment to gather his things and adjust the heavy cloak over his body before leaving the room. Aoza nodded to the guards outside and they all began walking through the empty halls of the chilly castle black. It didn't take long to reach the mess hall full of dining black clothed men.

The room was poorly lit-the entire castle was. The few tallow candles struggled to brighten the place with the constant wind which seeped in through the walls and windows. It didn't help much with the dark attire of the occupants either. With each flicker of the candle's flames, deeper and deeper shadows seemed to be casted inside the space.

The sounds of eating paused as the men noticed their entrance. He was a poor excuse for military man, however, even he could sense the tension in the room. The men were looking at the with fleeting or suspicious glances.

Thankfully, this didn't last long and soon they went back to their meals, Aoza and his retinue was escorted down the mess hall to the high wooden table near the lord commander and his elderly scholar.

They shared a greeting nod at each before he took a seat before a steaming clay bowl of grey mystery stew.

'Ugh.' He loathed to eat it. He was a Fire Islander, spices and herbs were in everything he consumed since a young age! With the constant stream of herbs and seasonings from the colonies, fire islanders like himself were used to and explosion of flavours with every bite!

However, since the damnable storm, his meal satisfaction took a nose dive. What's worse, it likely will continue to do so until more spices could be sourced somewhere in this new world. Those newly sourced spices would have to hold them over until greenhouse facilities were constructed. Perhaps then, there would be enough spices available to season their food in true fire nation fashion.

Resisting the urge to clamp his nostrils, Aoza spooned the mystery stew into his mouth and took a few cautionary slurps. It wasn't awful, just criminally under seasoned and very dull.

'it's warm though.' He could get comfort with that.

Dinner passed quickly and quietly with a little tension in the air. Though it lessened as the men trickled out after finishing their meals. In no time, the gloomy hall was populated by the Lord Commander, a few armed men, the wizened scholar and themselves.

With the meal concluded, they were led to what he assumed to be the lord commander's office. It was a dull linking place as any other in the building; sparsely furnished and bereft of any grandiose ornaments.

"Well, let's hear it. What brings you to our shores? What is the purpose of your people's presence here?" The stern-looking man asked as he took a seat while motioning him to do so in the seat directly in front of his simple desk.

Lee pondered the questions as he settled into the uncomfortable, but firm chair.

He ignored the crackle from the little fireplace in the corner and ruminated over the individual words so that he could fully interpret them before responding. "By the will of His highness: Prince Iroh, we come to your shores in peace lord commander. As I'm sure you already know, our ships encountered a terrible storm during a voyage. By the time we recovered ourselves, we were in what your people called the.... Shaking sea? As the storm damaged our ships, we had to seek refuge on the stone islands." Lee replied- or at least what he hoped the man could understand from his reply. While he wished to speak eloquently, the language was too new and his vocabulary was too limited. He watched as the black cloaked man across from him frowned and massaged his grey beard in thought.

"How long do you plan to stay? I'm sure you already know the lands you inhabit belong to house Stark." The man asked.

Aoza made sure to ruminate over the words before replying: "We intend to remain until repairs can be made to our damaged ships so that we can safely return to our lands."

"Where exactly would that be? Your people seem to be rather adept in maritime travel and vessels. Could your people not return with the ships you do have for aid?" The maester spoke up for the first time.

He took an extended period to answer that particular question despite already understanding what was asked. 'This is it.'

"Well, that's the issue... our maps are... very different from yours. I've brought one personally, as the map would be too heavy to send by bird." He dug into his clothes and removed a sheathed scroll.

Slowly, he removed it from its casing and handed it to his accompanying attendants, who then presented it to the man.

The Lord commander handled the scroll gingerly. Lee assumed this was because he was unfamiliar with it.

'The natives of the mainland bind their words in thick booklets....' While it was becoming more and more common for leaves of paper to be bound, especially in universities, most still preferred to use the scroll. Actually, this particular scroll was to be sold as merchandise and was one of the few deemed to be suitable for gifting to the mainlanders.

The man across from him scanned the scroll's surface, though lee doubted he could see much with the rooms poor lighting.

Still, he could tell the man was a bit shocked due to his slightly widened eyes and the extended time he took to gander at the map.

"As you can see commander, our maps of the known world are very different." He added as the silence dragged on.

"... That they are..." The man said after some time.

Lee cleared his throat to get the man's attention after assembling a response to his second question.

"Our prince wishes to correspond with the wolves in time. We hope you may be able to aid us in this."

The lord commander did eventually decode his words and nodded. Soon the moved on to discussing trade possibilities and even the overlord of the region. Like all the natives, they had a peculiar name: Stark. It seems they mis-interpreted the words of the Stone islanders. While this house Stark did take a giant species of singular attribute wolf as their symbol, they weren't actually named wolves. By the end of it all, Aoza was mentally burnt out and exhausted.

So much so, that he didn't even sweat it when the lord commander said: "I've heard of the supposed abilities. I'd like to see them myself."

After getting the gist of what the man was saying, he looked at Lieutenant Min Seok and nodded; they'd prepared for this after all.

The lieutenant stepped forward and raised is right hand; small tongues of flame sprouted above his palm.

Lee eyed the face of the Lord commander as Min Seok willed the flames to dance around each other.

To his credit, the lord commander didn't jump or scream as most natives had at the first sight of Firebending. The only thing different in the man's expression was the widening of his eyes.

(-)

The next day, Lee strolled through the cold halls of castle black with a much-diminished retinue. Most of the men were busy guarding their rooms or tending to the beasts. He on the other hand had another task.

He swallowed a yawn; still exhausted from the journey and questioning of the leader of the night's watch. After seeing the flames, he began asking various questions which lee wasn't sure he would ever understand until he was better at speaking the local tongue.

'What was a Red God?' He shook his head to clear the stray thoughts. As a fidgety brother of the night's watch led his group up the winding steps of the castle where the smell of grain and bird excrement increased in intensity before peaking as they stepped into what appeared to be a rookery.

The room was lined with hanging, black iron cages. The hunched and withered scholar- Aemon stood throwing grain into to cages as the strange creatures cawed in delight. Aoza fought the cringe coming to his face. It seems the longer he stayed on the mainland, the more he would encounter more strange creatures.

The cawing birds looked so similar to the Raven-Eagle native to his homeland however, these freaky avians lacked the distinct, white Eagle heads, instead possessing pitch black heads with thinner beaks. They were a little small when compared to normal Raven-eagles too.

"Hmmm? What is it?" Lee raised an eyebrow as the man seemed to be aware of their presence while facing away from them. There was no way the man should've heard their approach over the loud cries of the freaky birds he fed.

The brother walked up to the old man and spoke to him. As he was not close enough, he couldn't hear what was being said.

The old man nodded and turned around- his bright yet unfocused eyes were trained upon them. Strangely, Lee had a feeling as if the shrunken man wasn't staring right at him, but through him. Aoza took a brief look at the chain which hung around the maester's thin, fleshless neck. It was made of various metals and seemed to a serve as an official motif of the scholarly order.

He greeted them-though Aoza didn't know what the words meant.

"To what do I owe the pleasure for this visit?"

Aoza nodded to the man adjacent to him before saying: "Greeting maester, as a gesture of good will from my people to yours, we wish to gift you with this Dragon-Hawk so that our peoples will be able to communicate."

The attendant unveiled the thing he carried to reveal a regal avian preening its vibrant reddish-brown feathers within its bronze cage. As if annoyed with the caws of the native birds, the messenger hawk let out a loud screech- silencing them for a moment.

The maester raised his brows at the sound before smiling warmly and saying: "What a feisty fellow."

Lee spent the majority of the morning informing the maester on the particular specifications and needs of the hawk.

By midday, he was led into a vast chamber by the elderly man and his escort. This one was lined with shelves of bound parchment the mainlanders referred to as ... books. The old maester gently instructed a black brother to gather a few of these books and placed them on display for him to gander at.

Some of the books looked aged and tattered while some were in better shape. All of them a testament of the mainlanders' civility. He opened one of the books and eyed the strange text within. These books were key in his mission. They would be invaluable in his learning of the native language and culture of the mainland.

Of course, he'd seen a little of these books and their alien characters before however, he didn't get nearly enough time to analyze them. 'To think there could be a script so different from ours!'

It was rather dazzling as his eyes tried to make sense of the characters. He resorted to asking the polite old man for aid.

Slowly, but surely, Aoza was becoming rather fond of this aemon. The man was patient and helpful. He had an air about him which was grandfatherly and scholarly at the same time. Communication between them was choppy and halting, yet the maester didn't seem to mind. The day wore on this way, with Aoza even sending for writing material so that he could take notes.

"I must say, you have a very impressive collection here." He complimented the rows of books.

"This collection is diminutive when compared to the citadel but I thank you. It is rather unfortunate that, I am no longer able to read them." The old man remarked

"Could you tell me of your symptoms? You may have similar problems I do." He conveyed.

"Ah yes. I did hear of the glass device which aids your sight. I fear even such a device may not help. This vision of mine has been darkening for some time now. Around ten years ago. All I see now are fleeting shapes and silhouettes." Lee didn't know much about vision loss apart from his own affliction. To him, the old man's eyes looked normal- vibrant in fact.

"If that's the case, I'm afraid you cannot be treated in the same way I was. These devices help in correcting sight through bending light. Your affliction may be beyond whatever help my people's physicians could offer." He found it unfortunate. For a scholar to lose their sight... it's akin to torture.

'Mayhaps one of the physicians could take a look at him one day... who knows.'

Chapter Text

Maester Walys descended the rookery with purpose, his heavy chain of office jingled with each step and soon he stood outside. The northern chill soaked him to the bone as he navigated the castle grounds.

The sounds of the distant clangs of metal from the training yard almost managed to cover up by the gaggle of voices and general movements around him.

The castle was alive despite the weather. Servants scurried quickly about; intent on completing their tasks. Guards stood at their posts while patrol men no doubt moved along the battlements.

Not one to be distracted, walys braved the icy breeze as he made his way over to the great tower, nodding to others he passed momentarily. All while clutching an extremely important missive to his chest.

It didn't take long for him to reach the great tower and he sighed as he stepped into the heated halls of the great tower. As a man who lived most of his life in the south, it took quite a while to get used to the climate of the north where winters tended to cling much longer than any southerner was used to.

The worst winters in the reach were nothing when compared to the autumn snows of the north. He still wore many layers under his grey cloaks in an attempt to ward off the cold.

Fortunately, the marvel of the Winterfell's heated walls was a great reprieve. As a boy, he remembered reading of the fabled castle's heating and wondering just how bran the builder crafted such a wonder.

To have the waters of an underground hot spring channeling through the walls of the castle like arteries of a man was... impossible with current means of masonry. Even to this day; the mechanisms by which the first men used to construct the castle during the age of heroes is still heavily debated at the citadel.

He pondered this as he strolled through the ancient halls of the fortress before scaling the winding steps of the tower. His destination?

The tower's pinnacle- Lord Rickard's solar.

Walys huffed before nodding to the two stoic men who faithfully guarded the door.

"Enter." He heard the gruff voice of lord stark after he knocked.

The maester stepped inside to see his Lord facing towards the window with his arms folded behind him. Walys smiled as even from this height, he could hear the jubilant voice of the lord's sons training below.

"Lord Stark."

"What is it maester walys?"

"My lord, a missive from Castle Black." Rickard's back straightened at the news.

He turned slowly and stared at him with icy blue orbs, his face set firmly. Walys walked over to him and handed him the missive. Lord Rickard didn't waste any time opening it up. His eyes scrutinized the parchment carefully; as if re-reading each word on the page before moving on.

Maester walys observed his expressions secretly, looking as the lines on his face deepened and thinned at times. His Lord's face cycled through a plethora of expressions only to settle on one of frustrated bewilderment.

He wordlessly handed the page to walys before taking a seat behind the ancient ironwood desk. The stout maester wasted in reading the sheet of parchment. The more he read the more he found each word more preposterous than the last. This wasn't the first missive he'd read in regards to this situation.

The very first of these came in around two weeks ago. Lord Commander Qorgyle wished to inform winterfell of strangers encountered on Skagos by brothers of the night's watch. Another came in the very next week claiming these strangers visited Eastwatch-by-the-sea; on a sail-less, stone ship no-less!

But he and lord stark were beginning to wonder if the lord commander had lost his mind. They discussed the contents of the missive and sent a raven back, politely expressing their doubts and concerns.

This missive was the third and most outlandish of the lot. The lord commander was now reporting the arrival of these 'Fire men' who rode into the castle grounds upon giant birds.

'This... this is madness!' Walys couldn't finish the missive. It seems the lord commander may have lost his wits!

He looked up from the parchment to see Lord Stark leaned over the desk; his fingers interlocked before his stoic countenance. His blue orbs seemed to be searching for something beyond the physical realm.

"-Lord Stark, I fear Lord commander Qorgyle's mind has been addled by the cold or stresses of his post. Something must be don-" Rickard cut him off with a raised hand before he could finish his sentence.

"I don't think Tremond has fallen into lunacy. I've shared the battlefield with that man. There's no way for such a man be broken so easily."

It was at these times he remembered that Lord Stark was a martial through and through. He was a wise lord and level-headed, however at times he would attribute martial strength to mental will. But that was alright. He was a maester of the citadel, it was his duty to the realm to advise his lord whenever he fell short.

"My Lord! Yitish-looking strangers squatting on Skagos of all places? Sailing the seas upon stone ships? Gant birds?... large enough to carry a man? None of these things are possible." Walys felt the chains around his neck jingle as he spoke firmly.

As a response, Lord stark eased back into his seat and combed his fingers through his great beard.

"Lord Stark, I recommend sending a contingent of men to the Wall to ascertain the Lord Commander's sanity and ensure the Night's Watch is being led with the wisdom and sobriety we expect from our brothers in black."

There was a pause after he said his piece and he was afraid rickard was about to dismiss his advice, however to his relief, lord stark nodded wordlessly.

"Maester, please instruct Vayon to prepare a contingent of men for the journey to the Wall. We must see to it that the Lord Commander's words are not mere fancy, and our brothers in black are not in peril. Have Vayon ready a suitable force to depart at dawn." Lord Stark instructed.

Walys bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the order before he turned to leave.

"Also, dispatch a raven to Eastwatch with a missive of inquiry regarding these... 'fire men'. After you've done that, finish reading the missive in your possession and follow the instructions contained in it. When you've completed these tasks, commit it to the flames."

He was confused but complied to the lord's words.

"By your leave my lord. I shall see to it." He bowed again and strolled out to carry out his orders.

(-)

After the maester left. Lord Stark eased back in his chair; his hand reached up to massage. 'Fire men...'

He wondered just how long it would take for walys to read the reports of these strangers and their use of fire magic. He'll likely be seeing the maester again soon. However, he wasn't in the mood to deal with the maester's skepticism.

If it were anyone else who sent those missives, he would've thought them mad. In fact, he briefly considered the possibility of a rouge brother of the night's watch somehow managing to write babble upon a page before send sending it down to winterfell as a jape.

But he recognized the lord commander's hand writing better than most. They both served upon the battlefield in the step stones and have been in close correspondence since then. Years ago, there was a short resurgence of wildling attacks south of the wall. There was a genuine concern of another 'king beyond the wall' emerging. With the watch as diminished as it was, such an event would be catastrophic.

He even took the matter to the newly crowned, king Aerys, believing that for once the north could have aid from the south. All he got for his efforts was a winded oration on how the king planned to build a second wall further north to push the wildlings back and gain more lands for the kingdom. No plans or funds to aid the night's watch or armed forces to fill in the gaps.

Rickard left the capital feeling a fool.

The issue was only solved due to his he close correspondence and cooperation with the lord commander. The possible scare of another 'king beyond the wall' was averted without fanfare.

Rickard didn't believe the men of the night's watch would allow the lord commander to go mad and keep his post. The watch wasn't like the south with sycophants and lickspittles. It was depleted yes, but there were still some competent men in high enough positions to take control.

Maester Aemon's words would've been a soothing balm to the situation and would've convinced or quiet Walys. Unfortunately, his ailment prevented such a thing.

He reached over to the metal pitcher atop his desk and poured himself a cup of bitter ale before sipping the drink. As he savoured its bitter flavour, Rickard considered many things. Not just the 'fire men' of the 'burning islands', but also those further south.

Aside from Robert Baratheon's letters to lyanna, Ned also brought news from the south during his brief visit from the Eyrie. Rather worrying accounts of the king's recent courtly activities. They were even more outlandish than before...

Gone were Aery's lurid japes upon his hand's lady wife and scandalous tales regarding the noble women in the red keep.

Now there were tales of violent outbursts, unnatural bouts of crying and laughing... and even darker rumours of supposed 'traitors' being burnt alive with wildfire as punishment for slights and crimes great, small or none-existent.

What would the king think when he eventually learns of these Maegi who are said to control fire with but a thought?

His fellow lords and informants have also confirmed these tales. The king was going mad and war was brewing in the south. He didn't know when or how, but eventually, the seven kingdoms would be plunged into chaos.

He was truly beginning to second guess his moves to involve the north in southern affairs. The north had been cut off from the rest of the realm since the conquest, they braved winters and wilding invasions alone. There was a millennium strong will in the north.

The north unified and managed to continuously beat back the invasions of the Andals; being the last kingdom still ruled by the first men and the old gods.

He believed the connections with the south would aid the north and grow the power of house stark and the north as a whole. There was even a potential for more...

With the introduction of this new force however, complications may arise and the faint embers may become raging fires.

'"Haaah." He rubbed his forehead.

(-)

The Great Hall of Winterfell was warm and lively, the fire crackling in the hearth as the Stark family gathered for the evening supper. Lyanna, her hair shining like gold in the firelight, laughed and chatted with her brother Branndon, their banter easy and familiar. Benjen, ever the quiet one, listened intently, a small smile on his bruised face from the yard.

But at the head of the table, Rickard Stark's expression was somber. His eyes gazed into the flames.

"Father, what troubles you?" Lyanna asked, her voice gentle, as she reached out to touch his hand.

Rickard's gaze snapped back to the present, his eyes focusing on his children. "Nothing, child. Merely the burdens of lordship."

Branndon, ever the cheerful one, grinned. "Come, Father, let us speak of something more pleasant! You should've seen Benjen in the yard today! He was knocked on his arse!"

Rickard's expression remained stern, but a small nod acknowledged his son's attempt to lift his spirits. "Oh, was he now?" Benjen looked away in embarrassment as his father's focus fell upon him.

"From what I've seen, Benjen's taking his lumps well. Far better than you did when you were his age." The family collectively chuckled at brandon's expense.

Supper continued, the conversation light and lively, but Rickard's thoughts remained shrouded in concern, his mind ever turned to the uncertain future of the Seven Kingdoms.

He needed to secure a betrothal for his last son. With lyanna and Brandon sorted, he needed his other sons to be apparently wed. He hoped Eddard would've found himself one in the vale but it seems he would have to arrange something personally. As for Benjen, a good northern marriage would be enough. 

Chapter Text

Chief Lokoll tugged at the reins of his unicorn as he and his retinue approached the fortified walls of smoky shore. He craned his neck to properly observe the massive wooden structure which surrounded the Fire men's settlement in all its glory.

The walls of the fort rose like a blaze from the rugged soil, their wooden planks somehow dyed to a deep red. The walls themselves were sturdy, reinforced with black iron bands and studded with sharpened stakes, their tops adorned with a fringe of sharpened spikes. Watchtowers stood at regular intervals, their windows were nothing but narrow arrow slits that seemed to gaze out like the eyes of a formidable beast.

"By the Gods..." He whispered under his breath. This stronghold was just as impregnable as kingshouse- if not more with the fire men's magic.

Lokoll and his men slowed their steeds to a low trot as they approached the edges of a ditch which surrounded the walls, its bottom studded with fire-hardened wooden spikes, making any forceful approach or escape a perilous endeavor. Thankfully it seemed the fire men recognized his banners and lowered a sturdy wooden platform for him to safely cross.

His kin's banner was simple. Just a single first men rune which meant strength. As a chieftain of a rather sizable tribe, he was granted the rights to have one. It was nothing compared to the black flame which was emblazoned on the gates before him.

Their slow amble halted before it as the scale-armoured fire men looked them over. No words were exchanged as the walls opened up; allowing them to enter without issue. After moons of peaceful interaction between his people and the foreigners, he was permitted entry into the famed smoky shore!

Originally, the stronghold of the fire men was said to be filled with red tents and rocky pathways. What Lokoll saw instead was a wide, paved road, lined with unique buildings and tiled roofs.

His senses were overwhelmed immediately as Red cloaked figures bustled about to and fro. The faint smell of meat and smoke danced on the wind while resounding clangs of metal were accompanied by distant booms.

The commotion almost caused the unicorns to rile up. Fortunately, they had an easier time wrangling the beasts without being thrown off due to the special riding craft the fire men supplied.

As he dismounted, a small contingent of brown and red figures approached his retinue- it was a mix of Stoneborn and Fire men.

"Welcome ta Smoky Shore Chief lokoll! Been waitin' fer ye ta show." The foremost man spoke.

A bit flustered by the sudden appearance of these people, Lokoll nodded and offered words in greeting.

"Ye been havin' trouble wit yer unicorns." The man who seemed to be an original native of crab claw point looked at their unsettled steeds.

"Aye... they ain't use' ta all this fuss." He nodded to the clamouring ahead.

The man nodded in acknowledgement before signaling to one of his Stoneborn fellows who came forward with strange, leather devices. The man explained that these were to be strapped upon the heads of the unicorns to calm them down.

He was puzzled and skeptical but allowed it. Who knows what enchantments the fire men have placed upon it?

Just as he said, the unicorns quieted down and followed them without acting up. This was even after the natives led them through the active crowd.

They stuck close to their escorts until they were taken to a stable where the beasts were taken and tended to. From how full the facilities were, Lokoll could infer that he was one of the- if not the last to arrive.

Soon, they were guided from the stables and onto the streets again. Lokoll tried his best to take everything in. He noted how his fur-lined, leather boots would clack upon the ground despite the lightly falling snow. He guessed that could be attributed to the servants who would routinely shovel up the snow and salted the main road and branching streets.

The main road was expansive and could fit about ten men on unicornback comfortably. There was an orderliness to the settlement despite the commotion. It was nothing like kingshouse castle or brokewight town. Even the fire men's trade centre couldn't compare.

He also started to notice something. For some reason, the deeper he went into the settlement, the warmer it seemed to get.

'The chill's got less power in the lands o' the fire men.' He was told of this wonderous and magical effect but now he experienced it personally. These were men of fire. It would make sense they would hate the cold to the point where they didn't mind using magical means to chase it away.

"This's where ye and yer men'll stay 'til the feasts Chief Lokoll." The man led them into a large building and ushered them in.

"A-aye." He acknowledged as heat assaulted them from all sides.

"Ye can take off yer outerwear and footwear."

He followed the man's advice as the heat seemed to swim around his head and neck, making sweat form atop his forehead and trickle down his temple. As his bare feet touched the floor, he felt warmth underneath them like never before, it almost caused him to jump.

Heat? From the ground itself!?

If the smoky shore native noticed his flustered state, he didn't say. Instead, the man led them through the building and instructed them on how to use the facilities.

As soon as the natives left, Lokoll fell to one knee, peeled back the floor mats and felt the wooden floorboards underneath. His men followed suit and began chittering in wonder of the fire men's display of magic

Everyone knew the coolest part of a room was the ground or floor. But somehow, heat seemed to seep up from the soft floorings of the building. The fire men were truly gifted in the ways of magic. The way the displayed their power in such small ways made him wish to never face them on the battlefield.

(-)

Later that evening, Lokoll gazed at the assembled chieftains sitting within the well-lit and heated great halls of the fire men with awe. What a sight it was. Prior to the coming of the Fire men; such an assembly of chiefs would've been impossible in winter. Even if lord magnar had ordered them down to kingshouse under threat of death.

No man who wished to live another day would make such a journey.

And for good reason. These lands were subjected to frequent and heavy snowstorms which tended to block pathways. The ones which weren't were plagued with roving bands of wild men. The force required to clear the paths and stave off wild men would need to be massive. There were a few tribes with sufficient forces to do so- including his own, however, such an act would leave the tribe undermanned and vulnerable. It was likely that when they returned there would be nothing but pools of blood and scattered tents- if even that.

But with the coming of the fire men, things changed. They traded work for food or land rights. They offered protection by rooting out the wild men tribes while clearing and expanding the roadways between lands.

"Ah Lokoll!" He heard a familiar voice call out to him before a heavy arm was thrown over his shoulder.

"Heh! Thought ye wouldn't make it!" Norrad, chief of the Black lake tribe grinned at him; food already tangled in his beard.

Many other tribal chiefs at the tables laughed, some holding up mugs to him in greeting.

"Wouldn't miss a feast like this fer the world!" He chuckled as he looked around at the men stuffing their faces. They stuffed their faces with cheese, fish, clams, crab, squid, and octopus, downing it all with thick milk or black beer. The sods were vigorous too. The servants could barely keep up.

He swallowed a glob of spittle as the smells enticed his nose; causing saliva to build up in his mouth.

"Come take a seat! Grab a leg!"Kormak- chief of the Pale stones welcomed him as he approached the long tables.

Lokoll wasted no time ripping a leg from a giant crab splayed out on the table and a cup of thick milk before feasting with the others.

Even as his indulged in the feast, in the back of his mind he couldn't help but wonder at how shockingly the massive amount of food vanished before his eyes. He was certain the other chiefs were just as thankful as he that the festivities weren't at their expense. Never had any of them been fed so well by their good ole 'lord' magnar.

Though he didn't forget the reason they were all present. The purpose of this gathering was to straighten their trade deals. Lokoll couldn't understand why though. Trade with the fire men was fruitful.

Especially from his people.

The trade fort of the fire men was built upon his lands. With just the charter payments in trade goods he was able to ensure his entire tribe's survival should the winter last another year!

The whole tribe! Even the young ones!

This was uncommon even for a great tribe like his. But now, everything was different. He was dressed not in ratty hide, but treated leather and furs which were lined with an inner layer of wool. His wife wore jewelry of metal and his brood were well fed.

All of this because of the trade with the fire men. What was there to change?

He looked to the head of the table where some chiefs were trying desperately to get close to. There sat one of the fire men; garbed in thick furs, dyed red. His hair silky hair was styled in a strange manner and his facial features were so soft he almost looked like a woman. He had a small smile upon his face as he conversed with the natives of smoky shore who sat closest to him.

The man held up a white plate filled with clear liquid. It seemed to be some signal as the smoky shore natives began clamouring for silence.

"Hear me, great chiefs! Gather 'round, mighty warriors! Hall master Zu Lun bids ye welcome ta this grand feast! Eat, drink an' make merry!" One of the Stoneborn spoke in place of the fire men.

"We discuss trade bonds wit the fire men on the morrow! Fer now, feast!"

And feast they did. Lokoll didn't ever remember eating so much.

(-)

The next day when he woke up, Lokoll rushed to the privy and released a load he never knew he could. Everything in the fire men's camp was so... wonderous and comfortable. They weren't just surviving, they were living in luxuries he reckoned even the lords of house Magnar, Stane and Crowl didn't.

In no time a hearty course of eggs, warmed milk, cheese and blood sausage was delivered to his quarters. He scarfed down the food with gusto. After breaking their fast, he and his men were all led to a gated, ornate building; fashioned in the curved manner of the foreigners.

Inside its wide courtyard, he saw many of his fellow chiefs from before and greeted them by nodding. While they did show themselves, it took some time for all the chieftains to be marshaled- likely delayed by early morning purging.

Soon, a Stoneborn attendant emerged from the building it was the same man from before with the pompous speech.

"Good morn Great Chiefs! Today, we parlay on trade wit the fire men!" The man beckoned them in.

Each chief chose their most trusted and skilled warrior to follow them inside where they would discuss issues regarding the exchange of goods and labour. Or so he thought.

"These." The fire man paused to look each chief in the eye while shaking a jingling line of oddly-shaped pieces of copper.

"Are fire kingdom pieces. In future, will give them to workers you send as due." Lokoll struggled to understand the fire man through his broken and thick twang.

There was uncertain murmuring among his fellow chiefs as servants passed through and gave each of them one of these 'pieces'. Lokoll marveled at the sight a feel of the cool material with the sigil of the fire men somehow imprinted upon it as if it were cut out.

Though, as awed as he was, he couldn't help thinking: 'What are we to do wit pieces o' copper metal?'

"Don' fret chiefs, these pieces will be meted out ta labourers fer their work an' then are ta be traded fer different goods of similar worth..." The stoneborn of smoke shore explained to them at length and answered all their questions.

It took some time to grasp the concept but even after he finally did somewhat, lokoll was still confused about the need of a switch. Sure there were growing issues but was there a need?

"This is how the fire men an' even the Greenlanders do things. The fire men are gettin' ready ta treat with 'em soon."

He bristled at that the man's explanation. The fire men were about to parley with the soft Greenlanders?

'Bah! Those soft fackers don' deserve it.' He despised conquers across the sea like any red blooded stoneborn should. And for good reason too, many Skagosi tribes were wiped out and butchered by the wolves over the years.

Even in current times, the wolves demanded heavy tribute every year, forcing house magnar to squeeze the tribes dry. Many rebellions had been fought to free themselves of this burden the wolves placed upon them to no avail. No matter how strong and hardy the Stoneborn are, they stood no chance against castle forged steel swords and arrows. Their weapons would shatter against the armour of the Greenlanders.

The Skagosi had no way of defeating them... unless.

He looked at the armaments of the Fire warriors who guarded the room with envy. 

Chapter Text

Zu Lun shifted in his seat to a more comfortable position; trying not to scowl the assembled men before him. With the trade discussions out of the way he moved on to his final objective.

He would treat with these... 'great stone Chiefs of the island'.

'Little more than regular barbarians.' He tried not to turn his nose up in scorn. These men were smelly, rough and coarse, half the time he barely understood what they were saying despite being one of the best speakers of the native 'Bar Bar' language as the boys have taken to calling it.

They bore the scars of their land and ignorance, all were missing fingers, ears or noses- when asked about the missing appendages, most spun tall tales of losing them in valiant battle.

However, due to extensive medical examination of these barbaric people, he knew better. The true culprit of the limb or digit loss was frost bite and poor medical care.

He despised interacting with the savages as if they were on the same level, he was a civilized man, a cultured man of the fire nation. However, he had come to understand the necessity of cordial discourse with these... people, his superiors made sure of that.

These savages were very tamable, remarkably so. They were good for hard labour and with some patience could be given complex tasks. Unlike the tanned brutes of the Earth kingdom, they weren't stubborn and unappreciative of the fire nation's gifts.

In a way, he believed it to be the harshness of the land. These people were living in hovels, holes and tents for homes. For sustenance, they dug up bitter tubers and scavenged small animals. Some had even resorted to cannibalism in an attempt to meek out an existence. They marveled at sea food despite living on an island and wondered at the domestication of animals as if it was some magical art.

No matter how primitive and backwards the brutes of the Earth kingdom were, they at least could find food for themselves. Even the most backwater hill tribe in the Earth kingdom could boast in the faces of these stone island giants.

"Drink friends! To trade! To partnership!" He held his sake saucer aloft in the manner the savages seemed to prefer.

"Aye!" They shouted in unison.

Zu Lun almost lost his composure as a droplet of spit flew from one of the heavily bearded men and landed in his eye.

He barely managed to swallow his disgust and anger. It took all his self-control not to sear the flesh from the brute's bones. In an attempt to contain his rage, Zu Lun balled his fist underneath the table while utilizing his breathing technique. However, if one looked closely at his sake saucer, they would see steam rising from it.

His smokey shore native interpreter began speaking in his stead, as if picked up on his mood.

"I know some of ye want'd ta see the prince o' the fire men. And ye will one day. He's off preparin' ta meet wit with the greenlanders."

'As if you beasts are good enough to occupy prince iroh's time...' Zu Lun sneered internally as he wiped his eye with a cloth.

A savage seated near him scoffed. "Bah... damn those Greenlanders!"

Other Stone islanders seemed to approve as they added their own thoughts about the mainlanders in a wave of expletives Zu Lun had not yet added to his vocabulary.

"What they ever don' fer us but suck us dry?" A Stone chief shouted.

From what he heard, the native islanders hated and despised the mainlanders. This hatred was reciprocated. Allegedly, the mainlanders gave the stone islanders derogatory names.

It was evident they didn't care much for the island judging by the state of it. Though he did hear the mainland powers had vast lands to rule already. With their lower technological level, it would be hard to do much even if they cared.

'Conquers in name alone.' He smiled.

These western conquers didn't or couldn't return to the island and establish order onto the savages.

'Likely savages themselves. Just ones with the ability to sail.' He reckoned.

This situation would serve to aid their efforts in securing themselves on the stone islands. Perhaps one day in the distant future, they would make contact with the motherland and begin spreading the greatness of their country to this world.

Such was the benevolence of the Fire lord and his royal line who wished to end the suffering of the whole world by bringing civilization to it. The Fire Lord wished to care for people of the other nations with tenderness and immaculate governance.

The fools of the Earth kingdom and the Water tribes were not smart enough to see this vision. Nor was the avatar and just look what happened to him.

Zu Lun leaned over to his Skagosi interpreter and whispered to him.

"Ahem! Lord Zu Lun wishes ta understan' our ways more. The fire men are findin' the custom o' stone right strange." The hall quieted down and the faces of the assembled savages took on frowns.

Zu Lun mimicked a concerned face. "Ah, didn't mean disrespect to chiefs." He lied.

The closest brute near him shook his head and spoke up. "Stone right is a old lore o' our ancestors: the first men."

Zu Lun nodded. "Stone islander hold this lore close. Even after wolves ban it."

There was a pause in the room as his words reached their ears. All their eyes were locked upon his form as if he'd grown a second head.

"Wot lord Zu Lun!?" His interpreter turned and looked at him with shock as he wasn't informed.

He morphed his face into that of bewilderment- making it seem as if he wasn't upending their whole world at the moment.

"Yes, wolves from West banish stone right lore many years past." He repeated himself; relishing their expressions.

He could feel the tension building in the room. No, it wasn't building... it was simmering. Not too dissimilar to a pot of turtle-duck stew.

And like turtle-duck stew if one didn't check on it, the tension boiled over as the great chiefs shouted and cursed. Zu Lun, the instigator raised his sake saucer to his face to keep his smile hidden.

He didn't pity them in the slightest. Even if they were savage men with barbaric practices, how could such a cuckold custom exist? To actually have a law which gave a lord rights to the wife of another man upon their sacred wedding night!? How the men or women allowed such a travesty to be birthed was lost not only on him but all his fellow fire nationals.

'Truly barbaric...'

It took some time to calm the rowdy brutes. With both his and his interpreter's maximum efforts to so.

"... Stone Islander friends not hold this ritual true?" The instigator asked with a confused face.

His question wasn't answered, instead a burly chief who was younger than the others slammed his fists upon the table and stood.

"We mus' ride ta kingshouse now!"

"Aye! Varamyr must know the change in the laws!" Another shouted in agreement.

Internally, Zu Lun brushed over the disrespect the filth had shown him by ignoring his question. He was too occupied with mocking them. Weren't they the ones who took pride in not following the laws and rule of the damned wolves?

Externally, he shook his head while adapting an uncertain look on his face.

"Do not think that will do good friends." He conveyed a remorseful tone.

"Lord Varamer already know this. The night watch and Stane clan tell us of this. Stane clan do not do it."

The chiefs shared looks of bewilderment and constipation at his words.

'Heh, just how many of your bearded, ugly wives did the lords of the land take over the past three centuries?'

While he couldn't express just how long this practice was outlawed due to vocabulary limitations. He could infer that each of them must've been cuckolded for nothing.

'The rightful punishment for ignorance.' His sneer almost showed on his face.

"Then! We take this ta the wolves! House Magnar mus' pay fer this! You'd help us right!?" The younger chief spoke up, causing the other chiefs to mumble and join in

'Hypocrites!' Zu Lun wished to shout in their faces. Instead, he shook his head.

'Now it's time to add more fuel...'

"Stone island friends know wolves not care for island. Wolves may even take much offering from Magnar and friends to keep Stone right."

He almost felt sorry for the chiefs as they came to realize their heavy tributes to the Magnars may have been financing the cuckold law all these years. Of course it wasn't true. The Stone islanders have never paid tribute to the mainlanders. But they didn't need to know that. The Magnar clan had been juicing their subjects for centuries and laying the blame at the feet of the absent overlords in the west.

"...and should wolves not know, Magnar may not stop. As Stone Island friends say, wolves not care for island." He wore a sad face.

"How could lord Magnar do this!" Another cried.

"Ta work wit the wolves an suck us dry just ta-!" Another slammed his wooden goblet to the floor.

Zu Lun observed the situation with fascination. These... people prided themselves on their semi-independence from their overlords. But as realization hit them, they began to see their generational long suffering was for naught.

They were under the impression that house stark was the cause of their misery and hardship. But now...

"Aye! Can't expec' much from 'lord' magnar! We all know the lobster! Last time I wos there ta speak fer the fire men the bastard had me thrown from his halls!" A grizzled and older chief spoke up. His face was red- at least what Zu Lun could see from his bushy mug. He couldn't be sure but he wondered if the man was grinding his teeth under the great tangled mess the stone islanders grew upon their faces.

After the revelation, the meeting's atmosphere was tainted and rather dreary. Zu Lun welcomed it. The brutes were in a tough situation. They led hard, short lives which would usually end violently. Clearly they needed a guiding hand, they needed to understand how their lives will improve once they were being ruled by their betters.

'They'll soon learn...' He thought before calling off the meeting. He'd achieved more than enough.

The Chiefs shuffled out of the hall, back to their warm rooms to enjoy their final day of fire nation heating and the standard lifestyle of a fire nation citizen before going back to their cold tents and caves.

His thoughts were validated later on that day, the young chief requested an audience.

'So soon?' He almost laughed.

"What is it islander friend?" He smiled after lowering his cup of spirit tree tea.

"I know ye fire men will bring war ta the Magnars of kingshouse one day. If not then they'll bring it ta ye. I only wish ta join ye when ye march."

He put on an appalled face. "No Understand. Stone Chief owe allegiance to Magnar clan, no?"

"Magnars don' deserve our allegiance. They never helped us in our times of need. Only taken our wives an' food in taxes. Kingshouse castle can burn wit 'em in it fer all I care." The man looked resolute.

'Fruits are sprouting.' He forced away the grin which was slowly forming on his face.

"Will give no pledge stone island friend, but will try."

He could practically see his promotion calling out to him on the horizon!