Chapter 4: Nyla
Next morning Toph woke with a shudder. She felt a cold something slipped down her forehead to cheek, then to her neck. Someone was kneeling down beside her. It was Katara. She was checking Toph's condition with hands covered in gleaming water gloves. Toph felt a second presence, Zuko.
"How is she?" He asked Katara.
"Normal." Toph heard Katara say. The sleep had actually done the trick. She was good to go. She had regained her full strength though her face was a bit too puffy. Katara's got one firm hand. She opened her eyes and sat up.
"How do you feel?" Katara asked in a cold tone. "Better." Toph said in a small voice. No matter how much of a hard head she was, Toph hated it when Katara act cold like this.
Aang approached them with a bowl of steaming soup. He did not talk to Toph. He simply handed the bowl to Katara and walked away. Great! Aang too is mad, thought her. Toph couldn't understand why they all go berserk like this. It's not like she can't handle been by herself.
Katara pushed the bowl to Toph's hands and stood up. "Drink it. It's some medical remedy." She said walking away. Toph stared.
"Drink it." Zuko said. "Then we have news for you and a plan."
Zuko's voice sounded confident and determined. Toph drank the stinking soup in one gulp. It burnt down her throat warming her up. She broke in to a coughing fit. "blarrgg di- disgusting-" She spluttered dropping the bowl down. Toph felt Katara turn and Aang taking few steps towards her. Zuko hastily help her with some water.
"You have news?" She asked slowly drinking the water. "Like what?"
"There were few cases of kidnapping in the fire nation. Children of wealthy families got kidnapped and they asked various resources from the families." Zuko said as Toph listened intently.
"They?" She asked.
"My officials confirmed them to be the Dai-Lee." Zuko said slowly. Toph stood up abruptly. She was glaring at Zuko. "The Dai-Lee?" She breathed. Her fists balled. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Zuko replied. "After Azula banished them, they needed to reform their former glory. As per my officials, they are collecting resources and kidnapping is the method of doing so."
"The kids?" Toph asked hesitantly as if she did not want to hear the answer. "Are they…?"
"We found the kids safe and sound. Some were beaten but all-in-all they were OK" Zuko assured. Toph still winced. "We were closed to catch them but suddenly they disappear. No cases were reported for about a year. They might have decided to lay low for a while."
Toph said nothing. She just stared at Zuko wanting for more information.
"Prithvi's case is so similar to their style. May be they moved to the earth kingdom."
"My mom said the guards captured the imposter. I'll make him talk." Toph said stepping down the saddle.
"That's not the way they operate Toph. Trust me; he'll die before he talks." Zuko assured.
"Then how do I find them?" Toph asked packing her bag and straightening up.
"It's 'We,' not 'You' Toph." Zuko said getting up as well. His voice was a bit cold this time.
"No Zuko, I would not risk it. If they find out I seek the help of the water ambassador, the avatar and the fire lord, they'll just kill him and run away." Toph said. Her voice was in between desperation and anxiety.
Katara grunted angrily, a strong gust of wind swept that campsite said Aang was angry as well at what he just heard. Zuko placed a firm but tender hand on Toph's shoulder. "You are not seeking help of three diplomats. You are just relying on three of your friends for once." He said squeezing her shoulder gently. "Trust me; it's the best and safest way to get Prithvi back."
He did not wait for an answer from Toph. He took her hand in to a firm grip and dragged her to the other two.
"Aang give us your bison whistle so that you'll know where we are. And send this scroll using a messenger hawk." He handed over a scroll to Aang which had the fire nation royal seal on it.
"What's that?" Toph asked abruptly. "Who are you sending scrolls to?"
"To the commander of my best spies." Zuko answered.
"But-" Toph started. "Don't worry. Everything is under control." Zuko said cutting her short. Then he turned to Katara "Go to the Bei-Fong state and see what you can do for Lao. Lay low. Don't get noticed. I'll go with Toph and work on our plan as we discussed."
Katara nodded and climbed on Appa. Aang threw Zuko the bison whistle and took Appa's reigns. Without a word to Toph they took off.
"Great!" Toph sighed. "They are beyond mad."
"We all are." Zuko said. "What did you expect?"
Toph did not answer. She stayed silent 'looking' up at the sky.
"Let's move" Zuko said leading the way.
"What's you plan?" Toph asked catching up with him. "Where are we heading?"
"Remember Joon and Nyla?" Zuko said glancing down at Toph. Her eyes gleamed as she broke in to a smile after a long while.
"You know Sparky; you are smarter than you look!"She said beaming. "I have a smell sample as well."
Zuko's lips curled in to a smile. He was revealed to see the old witty mouthed Toph. Her suffocating self had started to worry him. So within few hours they found their way to the small pub full of thugs and low lives hung out gambling.
There sat Joon, playing cards with three men. Zuko and Toph approached her. Both of them kept their hoods up covering their looks.
"We need your assistance." Zuko told Joon placing a small bag of gold in front of her. She hastily took hold of the gold and stood up. "Drinks on me!" Joon shouted leading Toph and Zuko out of the pub. As soon as they got out, Zuko and Toph lowered their hoods. Joon smirked.
"Well well well! If it isn't the hot-head fire lord and our little metal bending master!" She bowed low faking respect. "How may I be your assistance, your highnesses?"
"We need to borough your animal." Zuko said at which Joon frowned.
"You know Nyla isn't the right guide for a romantic ride." She said shaking her head. "And what happened to your last girl friend? You know the Sweet Water Ambassador?"
Zuko blushed but Toph stomped her foot firmly on ground making the earth under Joon's feet tremble.
"We don't have time to mess around. We need to find someone." She said hotly. "I promise I'll get Nyla back to you safe and sound."
Joon, who yelped jumping aside, heard the demand as well as the desperation in the girl's voice.
"Please!" Toph added uncharacteristically. Zuko stared. Joon nodded. "Sheesh OK! Calm down. You can take her but under one condition."
"What?" Zuko asked. "Name it."
"Treat her with respect and don't starve her." Joon said as Toph and Zuko shared a look. "She is gentle and sensitive, you know!"
Zuko nodded as he tried hard not to laugh. "Keep this between us. Someone's life is on line." He told her.
"When you find whoever you look for, set her free. She'll know where to find me." Joon finished.
"Thank you very much." Toph said bowing. Zuko gave Joon another sack of gold and she took them to Nyla, the giant sent-seeker who lay sleeping.
"Ny-laa!" Joon soothed. The animal twitched at her owner's voice. "I want you to go with the fire lord and lady Bei-Fong. Help them find who they looking for. OK?"
Nyla let out a low growl of agreement. "Now that's my goody good girl!" Joon snuggled the giant beast as it was a cat-rabbit.
Toph dig her bag and got out the terracotta plate with Prithivi's foot print on it. She stretched her hand towards the beast to smell. Nyla inhaled and stood up. Zuko got on to its saddle and Toph sat behind him taking a firm hold to his shoulders. Nyla snuggled her big ugly head in to Joons hair once more and started following the scent given to her, sniffling madly.
