Chapter - 8

- Grandfather. I greeted Azulon. "You don't look well, you should get some rest."

- Heh-heh. I'll rest in the spirit world Zuko, you're the first person in the last month who has pointed out to me that I'm already a decrepit old man. The Master of Fire, who has been carrying the burden of power for many years, may enjoy it, crave it, and strive to keep it, but all this does not negate the fact of a heavy load.

"No one wants to test your anger, Grandfather. I sat down at the tea table and poured myself a glass of jasmine tea.

"Enough about me, enough about me. Better tell me how your business is going.

"Didn't you get Goro's reports?"

- I did. But you are the commander of the squad, and it is your direct duty to report on your actions. Azulon said more sternly.

"Ehh, that was predictable.... In general, the lands that I visited are quite free, except for parochial abuse of authority. No matter how you look at it, but all people who are endowed with power and lack of tight control, always start using it for their own benefit. Therefore, all sorts of local embezzlers, incompetent relatives or abuse of authority, were met here and there, but they do not require special attention from the Owner of the fire. But the granting of privileges to any rogue rabble, in exchange for the stupid terror of their own people, attracts attention.

"Hmm, go on." Azulon replied thoughtfully, having read Goro's reports describing his grandson's meticulous approach to various minor problems. Reading them, the Fire Master recalled his early years, when he heard or read about such minor troubles as theft, nepotism, or the use of resources for personal purposes. Therefore, Azulon believed that the grandson makes the same mistake of youth, but listening to his words, begins to doubt his own conclusions, and it is also difficult for him to associate his own grandson with a seven-year-old child.

- So let's start with the fact that I do not understand at all why in our country there is a hunt for magicians of other elements who are BORN, and in the future will be raised in our culture. I understand looking for saboteurs and enemies, but hunting for its own inhabitants, I do not understand. And it's not even that I think it's wild or wrong, it's also not logical at all. Tell me, Grandpa, which magicians are the best builders?

"Earth Mages, of course. Grandpa answered, looking at me carefully.

"And the only known healers?"

- Water.

- And here we are, with our own hands, depriving ourselves of the opportunity to get such people for our own country. Imagine how much easier it would be to build buildings, pave roads or mine ores, if we had our own earth mages, to talk about a personal group of healers, I think it is superfluous. Of course, here and now, we will not be able to get it, we will have to spend resources and time, some of which now seems more important to direct to the war, but I am sure that the investment will pay off this time, and these costs will not hit us so hard this time. Two, at most three schools, for training future magicians of other elements, will definitely not be able to do much harm, especially since I strongly doubt that we will recruit more than ten people.

- Hmm. - Deep thought grandfather, who was holding himself back from an outburst of anger, grandfather is still a racist....

"That's the first thing.

- There is also a second? Azulon asked in surprise.

- yes. And here we are talking about the so-called bounty hunters, gangs of robbers who organize terror in our lands with impunity, hiding behind the search for magicians of other elements, and the most disgusting thing is that the people who are obliged to monitor and maintain order, encourage this rags. I understand that before such people were engaged in the search for adult and hostile mages of other elements, but those days are over, now any sane mage of water or earth, it is better to bathe in a volcano than to go into the territory of the people of fire. Therefore, I propose to abolish the encouragement of such freaks, and make them answer according to the law, as well as to stop the persecution of their own residents, who did not get the magic of fire, instead, it is better to create schools where they would be taught the mastery of the elements, and instill loyalty and love for our country.

"I heard you, young Zuko."..

- Wait, Grandpa. I'm sorry to interrupt, but please don't answer now, think a little, weigh everything, and then say your verdict. It's late now, you've probably been busy all day, so you're very tired, plus the accumulated stress.... " I made the most innocent and worried eyes I could.

My grandson teaches me how to run a business. - Without much anger, said Azaloon, who gave me an incredible amount of indulgences, he probably saw in me the future of our dynasty. "Okay, I'll think about what you said. Do you have anything else to tell me, or should we just leave it at that?

"One more thing, I need a scroll of earth magic to teach my ward, and it would also be nice to provide a writing and reading teacher.

"And who is your ward?" My grandfather, who already knew the situation perfectly well, asked with a sly squint, recently the reports were extremely full of details.

"Earth Mage Tully, a twelve-year-old girl, saved her from the hunters, and decided to take her under his care, having a loyal earth mage is a promising idea. I said calmly.

"Hmm, that's right, what if I order her to be captured?" Azulon asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Anyone who tries to do this will die. Zuko answered, looking into his grandfather's eyes.

"What if Ursa and Azula are held hostage?" Azulon leaned forward a little more, but he leaned back sharply, his eyes wide in fear.

"ANYONE WHO THREATENS MY FAMILY WILL DISAPPEAR.

Clearly pronouncing every word, I replied, my whole body burning, and emitting lightning bolts that hit around, and it also seems that my hair stretched up, becoming blue-purple, because of the lightning bolts constantly running through it.

"Sorry, Grandpa, I lost my temper," I said with a smile on my face after I had completely extinguished the flames and lightning.

- Go ahead. "All that Azulon said to me, looking at me with a mixture of pride, fear, and admiration.

- See you soon. - I bowed slightly and left the room, in principle, everything went well, of course, it's a pity that it happened to my grandfather, but he should not have tried to put pressure on me. I will destroy the world, but I will never allow myself to be dictated to or threatened by my family, not even by other members of my family.

***

- Braaaatic. A black-haired whirlwind flew into me, making a grab, wrapping its arms and legs around me.

- I see someone missed you. - With a smile, he hugged his little sister, starting to stroke her head.

- Father, Mother. Did you have a good rest? I asked my parents as they approached.

- yes. Ozai replied glumly, his skin showing that he spent most of his time indoors rather than outdoors.

"Okay, but we missed you. Ursa replied with a smile, who was holding back a lot from repeating Azula's actions.

***

"Sir, I'm done. "After knocking on my door, Tally, who always comes to see me after class is over, and we usually go to practice magic together, or I take her to the library, where I tell her something or show her something. She was now dressed in a loose black and red uniform, with wide-legged trousers specially tailored for her. Tally wore her black hair in a bun, and good nutrition and the possibility of grooming made her pretty face even prettier, and her green eyes seemed to shine brighter.

When Tally came in, she was immediately noticed by both my guests, namely my mother and sister, who meticulously scanned the girl. And if the little sister simply because of childish jealousy, saw in the girl a potential threat, the deprivation of the attention of her brother, then Ursa was jealous as a mother, and looked also as if considering her a flirt who was going to take her son.

- Well done, come on in, I'll introduce you. This is Tally, my ward, a smart and diligent girl, my self-appointed bodyguard and earth mage, this beautiful and wise girl is my mother Ursa, and this little, cute prankster is my beloved sister Azula. I pictured the girls carefully exchanging glances, most of which were directed at Tally, who was carefully looking for a pattern on the floor. Well, I pulled on the cheek, red as a tomato, Azula, who was embarrassed by my compliment.

- Nice to meet you. Tally bowed.

"Don't try to burn a hole in Tully, I'll get to the point soon enough. Don't be shy, sit down.

***

"Son, don't you think your actions are too cruel?" My mother asked me with a strange note in her voice as I lay on her lap, getting stroked. On top of me lay a sleeping Azula, snoring sweetly in my side.

"Mom, there are only three types of people in the world: Family, Enemies, and the rest. In a family, you need to stick to each other, try to help and understand each other, always support and care, love and protect. You should always deal with your enemies in the same way and get rid of them. With the rest, you should behave in accordance with their influence on the first or second group, if they can or help the family, then respond in kind, if they threaten the family or help the enemies, then transfer them to the category of enemies. For me, there is nothing more important in the world than the family and its well-being, and the good of my family is directly related to the good of my country, so everyone who is its enemy should receive it accordingly. My people are the most important thing in my country, and my country ensures the well-being of my Family, you know? Ursa nodded uncertainly. "And so anyone who tries to harm my subjects is an enemy who tries to disrupt the well-being of my family, which means I won't hesitate." I'm not kind, and I'm not good, I'm VERY, VERY selfish, but know this, Mommy, I won't let ANYONE hurt you or Azula.

First I felt my mother's eyes get wet, then the moisture ran down her cheeks, then fell on my skin, then Ursa attacked me, pouring out tenderness and love.