Epilogue 2: First Conflict of Loves
The moon shone high in the sky as a thin sliver, barely giving light to the palace corridors. All was mostly quiet. One soul could not sleep with the demons in his dreams. He crept quietly through the halls. He almost walked into a Dai Li agent who merely nodded to him in passing. This walk would not go unnoticed. Zuko sighed for his failure, the twenty-seventh failure to visit his uncle. He walked there anyways just to spite whoever was watching him. Two guards, Fire Nation guards, stood talking outside Iroh's cell. He pressed his back against a wall, not rounding the corner yet, wanting to eavesdrop on these guards. Maybe he can ascertain the status of his uncle.
"I can't believe General Iroh is a prisoner now. I member of the royal family… Fire Lord Ozai's own BROTHER!" declared one guard mystified.
These men will be executed. Zuko was sure of it. If Azula heard what they were saying, she would doubt their loyalty and they would be executed just to make an example of them. He needed to silence them, yet not give away his own traitorous heart.
The other guard concurred sadly, "I know. I served under his command during the first siege. He was a great leader and a great man ---"
Zuko took a deep breath reminding himself of his royal status and using it poisonously, "You don't know what you are talking about. General Iroh is a TRAITOR to his country!" he yelled at them with condemnation. They tried to plead forgiveness from him. Azula would never forgive them. At least he could save their lives, at the expense of his own pride and honor. "GET BACK TO WORK!" Zuko bellowed with a short blast of fire from his fist to emphasize his command. The guards jumped back warily and resumed their duty in silence. Zuko walked away with a mix of shame and relief. Would Uncle understand?
