Finally, almost back in a civilized city. No more sleeping in wagons, lackluster food, being forced to bathe in a river if one was lucky enough to be nearby… Thank Agni the earthbenders in my group made sure muddy roads weren't an issue or traveling would have been even worse.

"Oh, we're nearly there? Thank goodness, if I stuck in the inside of the carriage for much longer I would have gone insane!" Chi Song flopped dramatically on her side of the benches.

Sadly, I couldn't do the same. Even in private I had an image to uphold. It didn't mean I didn't want to though.

I did give my handmaiden a slight smile though. "So I shouldn't mention we will be skipping this city and continuing to our destination?"

Chi Song froze.

Eyes wide at the horrific possibility, her head slowly turned towards me. "No, please tell me that was just an evil, evil joke. I can't take another day in this stupid carriage!"

Before I could continue my joke, Zhu Wuneng slid back the divider between us and where he was sitting with the driver. "We're almost to the city of Bulan. We should be there in about an hour…two at most." And slid the divider shut again.

Chi Song's face went from horror, to betrayal, to resigned acceptance at being the victim of my sense of humor.

"That was just mean." She pouted.

"I have to have fun somehow." I chuckled. "Besides, if some light teasing is enough to get you this flustered, the nobles at the Royal court will eat you alive."

"Please, them I can handle." Chi Song scoffed. "Especially if they're like the other nobles that meet with dad. You are just terrifying. The fact you have a sense of humor makes it worse."

"Thanks for the compliment."

My handmaiden just sighed and started preparing for when we would arrive at the city, apparently deciding silence was easier than dealing with me for now.

-o-

To be honest I was rather looking forward to spending some time in Bulan. Unlike many of the cities I had stopped at so far this one was a key military stronghold as well as being an important port city. If I played my cards right I would be able to spread my influence to several areas simply by making some deals in the city.

It also had the benefit of not being remotely close to the border so there was little chance of suddenly being forced to plan against foriegn sabotage or an invading army. The worst I should have to deal with would be some political maneuvering and maybe a few bandits in the area.

Those were longer term advantages though. Personally, I was more interested in a long bath than advancing my plans at the moment.

The city itself was heavily influenced by Fire Nation architecture. The blocky, earth-colored buildings were replaced by much more pleasant ones in reds and blacks with the lighter colors used to highlight the differences in color rather than simply blending into the background. As we made our way through the streets I noticed the people seemed rather content as well. Unlike many of my destinations, this city didn't have some conflict or disaster brewing under the surface for me to take advantage of. But this time I didn't need it. Between the programs I had been establishing elsewhere and my victory at Anje, I had no need to convince people to put their trust in me. My reputation and position would get me a foot in the door without me needing to lift a finger.

"We're arriving." Zhu Wuneng called back as the carriage began to slow down. Finally! A few boring greetings I could mostly breeze through and then finally I could get a proper bath.

As befitting of a major port city, Bulan had an official greeting area for important visitors.

The walkway was lined with fully armored soldiers at attention and two elderly men waiting at the base of the stairs who immediately bowed as I took my first few steps off the carriage. A textbook demonstration of welcoming a member of the Royal Family.

Chi Song waited until I was fully on the ground before shutting the carriage door and falling in step behind me. If I wanted, it was entirely in my rights to make the old men wait until I bothered to allow them to rise. But I had more important things to get to so I simply walked up to them normally.

"Greetings and welcome to Bulan, Princess Azura." the one on the left said. "I am the governor of this city. If you have any requests, please let me know."

Yes, thank you." I said formally. "I've been on the road for some time now. Have a room and refreshments prepared for me and a place to rest for my servants. We can have a more lengthy greeting once I am rested."

I was already walking past them when the one on the right cleared his throat. "You may wish to adjust your plans, Princess. We have many things to discuss." He said in a tone many would not dare to use after being ordered by a member of the Royal Family.

I paused and turned my head towards the man. "Excuse me?" My own voice dangerously soft.

The man bowed his head in supplication but his attitude remained unchanged. "I am Chancellor Wufong. I was dispatched by your father, Fire Lord Ozai, after other officials raised concerns you were being too…enthusiastic…with your interpretations of the law."

Which means that someone had managed to tear my Father's attention away from war reports long enough to notice my actions. Or at the very least got his approval to start poking around my business.

"Is that so?"

"Your Father of course feels these are overreactions." Chancellor Wufong lied. "But he has ordered me to begin advising you on how to avoid ruffling the feathers of anyone else. I have a letter to prove it."

He presented me with a folded piece of parchment that I immediately handed off to Chi Song. It was likely genuine but I would read it later where it wouldn't be a concern if I lost control of my temper.

"He also had some other instructions for you as well. If you would follow me?" Then he wandered into the building without waiting for my answer.

-o-

I would have liked to say I blew off his implied order and went to go get my long awaited bath, but orders from my Father weren't so frivolously ignored, unfortunately.

So I sat at the head of the table, surrounded by Chi Song and Zhu Wuneng once he returned from dealing with the carriage, and waited impatiently for the Chancellor to get started.

"Ahem, as I was saying," the man began. "The Fire Lord has some matters he has entrusted to you. My role in this is to act as your advisor and guide you away from actions that would worry other officials."

"So you would dare to give me orders?"

"Of course not, my Lady. Your own authority is far above my own. I am simply a mouthpiece for the Fire Lord. In his wisdom, he has instructed me on which matters he deems inappropriate for the time being and what actions are to be taken at those times."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "I don't suppose you would be willing to give me a list of what my Father 'deems inappropriate', then? Afterall I can hardly avoid something without knowing what it is."

Chancellor Wufong gave me one of the most insincere smiles I had ever seen. "I can assure you I will bring them to your attention at the appropriate times, but I will make sure to provide you a list when I am able."

So somewhere around 'never'.

"Very well," I sighed. No point kicking an iron board over and over for no reason. "What is the Fire Lord so concerned about that he needs his daughter to handle personally instead of the officials whose job this should be?"

Oh, from the tightening of his eyes I had scored a hit I didn't mean to. "It seems," he hissed tightly. "That there is a band of pirates that have been making trade in the area significantly harder. The Fire Lord wants them dealt with."

I blinked.

Pirates? That's what had Father's beard in a knot?

"Alright then. Zhu Wuneng, go tell Sha Wujing I want a fleet prepared to hunt these pirates…"

"Ahem."

I turned back to the Chancellor. "Did you have something to say about my orders?"

He smiled 'apologetically'. "As it happens princess, according to Fire Nation law, only a member of the Navy can call for a fleet to be assembled. You do not have such a ranking."

I cupped my hands under my chin and leaned forward. "Let me get this straight. My Father wants me to deal with a group of pirates attacking our ships in the ocean. And you…are telling me he will not allow me to command the ships needed to do so?"

"Of course not, princess. I am just informing you of the legalities of the matter." Chancellor Wufong said smoothly. "If you require a fleet, perhaps you should schedule a meeting with the naval commander to discuss the issue?"

I slouched back as I figured out what this cretin's play was. He was going to interfere with every decision or order I made, hiding behind the law and Father's authority the entire time. While this would do little to personally affect me, beyond the frustration that is, it would massively slow me down unless I wanted this eel running back to my Father and likely being delayed even further when he summoned me back to the Capital to 'investigate any issues'.

Clever.

This could be a problem…