After the battle between The Blind Bandit and the unknown kid, I handed the prize money over to the winner's weird-looking friend and walked back towards my office as the watchers filed out of the venue.
'Although I took a little lose this time, that brat shouldn't be back next week so I can go back to earning my fortune hehe...' Just as I was enjoying my success, one of my fighters came to me with a dark face and at once, I knew something was up.
After a few minutes he finished up with the explanation "Boss, The Boulder was standing right near the ring so The boulder was able to see that the brat took a dive without being hit by the boy...The Boulder thinks they planned to steal from us I mean, steal from you...."
"Fuc*Ing S%IT, nobody cheats Xin Fu"...In my rage, I broke the entire adjacent wall with my fist and was about to order my men to gather but just then a petite-looking silhouette covered the entrance casting a shadow over me, and The Boulder.
"Patreons are asked to leave the arena once the matches are over, please retreat at once Miss"... Switching directly to a business-like persona, I smiled gently moving towards what I can now make out as a beautiful girl in her teens. But, before I could say the next sentence the girl spoke in an unexpectedly firm tone...
"The Sunset in the eastern sky was beautiful this evening wouldn't you agree?"
I was immediately startled, and with a look of realization, I responded gently "The sun sets in the West ma'am, but everyone makes that mistake once or twice"...
I looked at The Boulder and motioned him to leave us alone and oblivious to the current atmosphere, he left whistling.
"Come with me"...I say, leading what I now know to be a Fire Nation liaison to my office for my annual debriefing. I was a little happy now since this meant I could get some money to recuperate my losses this evening.
............
Once in the office, I looked at the informant Xin Fu as he went behind his desk and sat down. He seemed jumpy like he hasn't done this before, ' he should have been doing this for years based on the information, why is he so nervous?' I thought as a sat down in the chair facing the desk.
With a newfound vigilance, I started to question "is there any important information ready to be reported?"
"No, there have been no movements in Gaoling city of note since the last time I reported; no large troop movements or anything of the sort. However, about half a year back, the city government began to lay new restrictions on merchant caravans headed to Ba Sing Se."
"And these restrictions? I need specifics...."
"Well, from what I know, after some high-class looking earthbenders came by, they delivered documents outlining new information transmission laws. Simply put, if you enter Ba Sing Se, merchants are not allowed to speak of events outside the walls. To be specific there is one topic that is absolutely not allowed to be discussed in any form or fashion..."
"And? What is the topic one cannot discuss?"...
"You mean you don't know? I figured the Fire Nation would have that covered in their intelligence network...I mean, it's The Capital of your biggest enemy...yeah....you should know that no?"
"An informant's job is to simply inform, not to be nosey"...
..............
As we talked I began to get more and more suspicious. Every informant I've met before, or I should say that the previous Xin Fu has met before, has been a military man who's at least over thirty years old. Moreover, she seems new to meeting informants and also very jumpy like she thinks I might do something to her...
'She must be crazy to think that with the Fire Nation at her back that I would...ever..try....'
As I think more and more I come to realize that this isn't right...
' Is she a spy from the earth kingdom? No, she wouldn't know the passphrases...Someone unaffiliated with their spy network but needed local information for something? Unlikely, anyone who has access to informants' identities will be higher-ups and she isn't old enough for that...a rogue?'
'Hmm...yes, that would be the most likely scenario. A rogue who has recently turned-coat and needs information about the area to which she will flee. Probably got my information from a higher-up before leaving...'
I realize that I may be sitting apart from a literal pot of gold considering the award for returning a traitor to the Fire Nation. However, I need to be sure before making my move...
"Ms, are you a traitor running to the earth kingdom to hide?" I asked bluntly on purpose, I want to see her reaction and I wasn't disappointed.
Her eyes widened as her body stiffened and that was all the answer I needed to act...