Chapter 2

Shopping with the General

Zack

"Have I told you how many times I don't like this?" I asked the short, stout man who was leading me through a very seedy part of the empire.

"Yes you have," Iroh said while running his hand over his gray beard as he peered down the cluttered street.

Thieves with sticky fingers were sneaking behind anyone who looked like they were consumed with their own thoughts, and pick pocketing them. Pirates were advertising their foreign and most definitely stolen goods, and almost everyone was sharpening or showing off a sword of some sort.

I reached for the buster sword on my back, fingers wrapping around the handle so I was prepared for any foe. It wasn't my safety as much as it was my employers that I was worried about. I had been working for Iroh as his personal guard since my mentor died two years ago. People thought I wasn't up for it, being only sixteen. And they were right; I wasn't ready to protect royalty. Luckily Iroh could take care of himself easily and rarely needed my assistance.

Iroh held out his hand to stop me, I looked up and in the crowd saw a cloaked figure leaning against the wall. Although I couldn't see their face, but I somehow knew they were waiting for us.

"This is where we part ways," Iroh said, keeping his eyes on the cloaked figure.

I looked down at him shocked, "S-sir, no this is not a good idea! Do you even know who that is?"

"I'll be fine; you go and buy those items I requested. Wait for me here when you're done" he said before heading towards the cloaked stranger and ignoring my question.

Reluctantly I went to complete the shopping list. I pulled out the piece of paper that said I needed to buy a weeks' worth of food and supplies, and traveling clothes. This was no easy task, and I nearly got pick pocketed twice. Eventually I managed to gather everything and meet back up with Iroh.

"So who was that guy?" I asked, looking over Iroh's shoulder to find the cloaked figure gone.

"Ah, I see you picked up everything. Very good. Let's go have some tea before we depart." Iroh turned and headed for a little tea shop called "The Lotus Petal".