Chapter Four:

Enemies and Allies


"We cannot destroy kindred: our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break." -Marquise de Sévigné

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.


The last entry was written in a rather dazed confusion that seems to have lasted the last several days or so. In short, due to my own stupidity to be able to react properly I failed my own charge when he needed me. When that scrap of a boy sent that wave of water at me I had the distinct pleasure of hitting my head on the railing. I spent the next two days weaving in and out of consciousness with pounding headaches as we made way to the nearest Fire Nation port. Apparently the Avatar destroyed the front part of the ship by deflecting a fire blast that had been sent at him as he escaped on that strange animal. This is what Lord Iroh informed me of anyways, considering he walked out right as the Avatar was flying away with those Water Tribe peasants. My charge was not pleased with my state but he had more pressing matters on his mind so he payed little heed to my own failure. For that, I was thankful.

It still seems impossible that these events did occur. I was completely wrong for the Avatar is alive. Now…now all that must be done is for my charge to capture him and then we can go home. Things can at last be the way they were supposed to be. Any hope I'd had of going back to the Fire Nation, to live my life as I was trained too, was beginning to die. This has brought it back to me and I am determined that my charge should complete his quest. It is for his own good too of course for he is the rightful heir to the throne and belongs in the Fire Nation. The Avatar is the greatest threat to my country and yet he is a mere child. A child who managed to escape my charge and knock me out. It will not happen again. I will not allow it to.

I wrote earlier that we were on our way to a port. Today we docked there and these are the events that passed…


I walked behind my charge and Lord Iroh as they walked down the walkway to the sweet solid ground of the port. Many larger ships were in port besides ours, making the ship that had been home for the last two years look pathetic. I almost winced at the damage that had occurred on the front of the prow. Off in the distance there were a multitude of tents and buildings with the sound s of people and their affairs coming from them. The distinct sounds of soldiers barking orders and of men drilling revealed it to be a place of entirely military existence. Looked safe enough and from what I had been able to determine from the information I'd received from asking around with the crew. I kept a respectful distance from my charge as he spoke to his uncle quietly, "Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trial."

I gritted my teeth. Typical of him as always. My charge disclosed me from his plans and that could be dangerous for him. I would have to speak to him about this. We did not speak much aboard the ship. Our routine was I was there but did not speak and nor to him to me. We're comfortable with this pattern but it would have to change now because of the new complications.

"You mean the Avatar?" Lord Iroh asked loudly, which was not wise.

My charge turned around quickly to Lord Iroh. "Don't mention his name on these docks!" he ordered sharply. I recall thinking that the Avatar's name was Aang as he said that. The thought disappeared. "Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way."

My eyes were drawn to a man that approached us as my charge spoke. I opened my mouth to whisper a warning, but the man called out before I could. "Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" The man walked up with the style of confidence and rigid military training. His stiff military uniform revealed him to be of an officer position. He was taller than my charge and in his middle-years from my estimate. His eyes, almost dark amber, looked critically at all three of us. This man was calculating. Dangerous.

"Captain Zhao," my charge muttered with disdain. I could have sworn I could feel the enmity coming from my charge. This Captain Zhao I had heard of to be in control of this dock, wasn't he a commander? Other then that I knew little of him; he was a military officer trying to ascend through the ranks which he'd been doing quite well with. He desired power, that much could be apparent, probably was ambitious and ruthless as higher military tend to be. The fact that I did not know of a prior relation with my charge irritated to me. I was supposed to know things like this!

"It's Commander now," Zhao replied with a hint of smugness, "And General Iroh," he continued with a bow to Lord Iroh, "Great hero of our nation."

"Retired general," Lord Iroh corrected him quietly.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time," he said, but his eyes darted in my direction for only a moment. I did not miss the insult. Introductions are to be expected but as usual with my position it was not needed or expected. This Zhao had categorized me quickly enough and had given me the usual disdained, superiority look over glare. "What brings you to my harbor?" he asked.

"Our ship is being repaired," Lord Iroh answered with a gesture of his hand at the damaged ship behind us.

Zhao looked at the ship with hard eyes. This man was good, I realized, very good. "That's quite a bit of damage," he said with false concern.

"Yes…you wouldn't believe what happened," My charge said with hesitation. Inwardly I sighed. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."

I could only see the back of their heads but I was sure there was a look of annoyance on Lord Iroh's face. "Yes, I will do that. It was incredible." Lord Iroh exclaimed. He leaned over to his highnesses' ear and whispered, "What…did we crash or something?" I almost shook my head. So much for planning ahead with these two.

"Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom Ship!" my charge continued uncomfortably. His attempt to get his Uncle to cover for him was amusing to an extent for he was not a good liar.

"Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." Zhao responded with a overly honeyed voice, "Join me for a drink?" He smiled and leaned in to confront my charge in an apparent challenge. The man made it onto my list in that moment.

"Sorry, but we have to go." My charge said, barely making it polite. He turned to go but Lord Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. I could see the annoyance in my charge's eyes as he caught mine before he turned back to his Uncle.

"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect," Lord Iroh said sternly, "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite." My charge growled in frustration as they walked away and let a small amount of fire be released from his fists. He proceeded to follow him and I followed him as always.

We came to where all the tents were at and not surprising enough they were headed for the biggest one with a prominent Fire Nation symbol on top of it. If an assassin wanted to find the leader here and take him out, they'd have an extremely easy job of it. My charge and Lord Iroh walked into the tent and as I went to follow one of the massive two guards that stood at the entrance grabbed my arm. Usually I would make the man release me in a flash, but unfortunately here I could not. I raised cold eyes to look up at the even colder mask of the Fire Nation helmet that hid the man's face. "Release me," I hoped in what sounded threatening. I certainly didn't look it. I barely came to the man's shoulder.

"You may let her go," Zhao's oily voice commanded. I looked as the man watched the scene with amused eyes. He had not entered the tent yet, he'd been watching the whole time? The guard released my arm and I looked at the commander in a stony expression. "There's no need for you to go in," Zhao said with a look of pleasure, "You're only a bodyguard and who knows, you could be a threat to my person. Much better if you stay out here." I opened my mouth to protest but stopped as I saw another soldier appear behind him as he added with a purr, "And under guard."

He turned to the guard and ordered. "Make sure she goes back to the prince's ship and doesn't cause any…trouble." And with that he passed by me to enter the tent. His eyes were on mine the whole time and I knew I could do nothing. What was this man's plan? His motivation for this? The look in his eyes was one of pleasure of causing me anger and frustration. I was left to ponder this and confront my anger as he walked into the tent and I did not.

The guard that had been assigned to watch me approached me commandingly. He was not as tall as the other two who stood like status. He was in the typical dress and his face was hidden behind the skull face of his helmet. "Let's go," he said gruffly. His voice sounded young which I took note of.

Knowing there was nothing I could do I stalked off in the direction back to the shipyard. The soldier followed me practically at my heels. When we had nearly reached the ship I whirled around and asked, "You're not going to follow me on board are you?"

The soldier tilted his head. "I guess so."

I prevented myself from doing something rash. I walked up the ramp silently sulking. My charge would be free soon and if not….Besides, I did not want to go back on the ship so soon. We had just landed on wonderful, solid ground and here I was already getting back on the ship. The sun was warm on my back before I entered the darkness of the ship and I wondered how much hotter the soldier must be in that armor. I felt better.

It was ruined by the young soldier's voice, "What's your name?"

I turned to look with a frigid face at the soldier. "What business is it of yours? And who are you to socialize while on duty?" I asked with an authoritative tone. I continued to walk down the dimmed hallway, planning to go to the top deck. The soldier followed me silently till we had reached the deck. I walked towards the edge from where I could see the tent my charge was in. From here at least I could keep watch. I was disturbed yet again by the soldier's voice.

"Will you tell me your name?"

"Why do you want to know?" I demanded. I was not in a good mood and this soldier was only making my temper become shorter.

He came and stood beside me, looking out at where my eyes were concentrated. "Your prince will be alright," he said. Why was this soldier saying such thing? A poor attempt to comfort me…to socialize with me? "The commander will let them go soon."

Now this had caught my attention. Perhaps… "What is your commander like?"

"He's very…typical of military officers. I can't say much about him," the soldier said slowly. "I answered a question for you, so answer mine now."

I had not taken my eyes off of the blaring red tent in the distance. If I could get this man to shut up...Fine. "Nira."

The soldier did not respond. I turned my head to look at him. He was looking at me through the skull covering of his helmet. He seemed to pick his next words after careful consideration. "I am curious, that necklace you wear, how did you get it?"

I looked down at my necklace that I usually wore hidden underneath my clothes. I was mortified that I had shown it to the world and I quickly put it underneath my shirt. The necklaces itself is not unusual or bear any of my family markings, but I had received it from my mother as a young child. It was the only personal possession of value I owned and I had hidden it well over the years. It could only raise questions, unneeded ones, and attachments are not allowed, especially to kin. I gingerly answered, hoping it would close the subject. "I bought it."

The soldier lifted his hands to his helmet and lifted it from his face. Not a good decision on his part, against the rules for his kind. I was confronted by a young man of roughly twenty years. He had a serious expression but one that could easily laugh most of the time. He had the usual golden eyes, but his were light enough to almost be a hazel. His dark hair was bound in a top knot and his face was not to sharp. He wasn't remarkable yet somehow a chord was struck in my mind. There was something about him that I could not place. "Thank you for telling me your name," he said respectfully. "My name is Ryda and that necklace you were I recognize."

My first feeling was one of horror. How could this soldier recognize this? No one I knew of had seen it before. It had fallen out accidently today. Had he known me from before? Yet I had not always been the owner of this necklace for it was once my mother's as well. "Perhaps you are mistaken," I said lightly, "Were do you think you've seen it before?"

Ryda smiled gently with an old twinkle in his eyes, sparked by some kind of memory or feeling. "My cousin had a necklace exactly like that. She was one of my favorites when we were kids."

Then I knew…Ryda…I had had a cousin by that name once. He'd been one of my older cousins, but one that all of us had loved for he hadn't ignored us. The prankster in the family as I recalled vaguely. This was him? Not good, not good at all. I was caught but I still might be able to squirm my way out of this trap. It was probably his own idle curiosity but he could be interrogating me. Worse I would break the code by revealing anything to him. The cousin he'd known had died years ago. "Was?" I asked.

His smile saddened. "She died when she was a kid. Sad thing. How'd you get her necklace though?"

"I bought in the Fire Nation. Perhaps her parents sold it."

"They'd never do that," Ryda said surely, "Her father was not the same after her death."

"Now I have a question for you. Do you always socialize with people you should be guarding?"

Much to my surprise Ryda chuckled. "No, not usually."

"I am sorry your cousin died." I said before I knew it. I was not one to offer comfort or empathy. I am to be stoic. Emotionless.

Ryda's smile saddened. "Well, at least it still in the hands of someone who's Fire Nation."

Something had caught my attention about what he'd said before. 'Her father...was…' Past tense. Not now. Was. "You used 'was' about the girl's father, did something happen to him as well?" I inquired against my own better judgment.

Ryda's face became grave. "There's been a bit of sorrow on that side of family. The Suzuki family, have you heard of them?" I shook my head. "Thought not, we're only minor nobility."

"You're a noble?" I asked with pretend astonishment.

"Not much of one. To obscure," he said with a touch of a wry smile. "Her father was a good soldier. H was killed along with their only heir in a run in with some rebel earthbenders. Broke their mother's heart."

Something rose from my chest to my throat, making it difficult for me to speak. What was this? I shook it away. "How tragic," I replied unperturbed. "I think it best if we end our socializing now."

Ryda nodded and put his helmet back on. I trained my eyes back on the tent. 'You must forget your kin,' Keitaro's voice seemed to whisper in my mind. The image of my brother's empty face from my dream came to me uncalled. Child memories of a gurgling toddler and the father I had revered rose before I smashed them as I had to. Attachment is not allowed.


The sun passed over head for the next few hours as I waited on the deck. Ryda waited as well, occasionally shifting from foot to foot with impatience. When the sun was setting I was ready to burst from the ship to demand where my charge was when another soldier from the docks came. He reported of an Agni Kai that would be carried out within the next ten minutes between my charge and the commander. The commander, as he had graciously put it, would allow my presence there and that my guard was now relieved of duty. I had to go. I did not pay any heed to Ryda as I scurried to find my way to my charge. It was better if I never saw him again.

I was led to a simple building by my new guard that was towered with four watch towers at each corner that were lit. I entered through one large open gate. On the other side of the barren, dirt courtyard stood my charge. Ready to fight. Closer to me stood the commander, half-naked, as they do with the Agni Kai. My charge looked small compared to this man. They both knelt down as they prepared to fight. I could not believe my own charge's stupidity. He was in another Agni Kai and for what? I didn't know but it was probably some foolish offense for the hatred for this Zhao had been obvious. This is what happened when I was not around to protect him!

The sunset set behind me cast a harsh red light on them. Lord Iroh stood beside my charge and I read his lips as he spoke, "Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."

My charge raised himself determined to a stance. "I refuse to let him win." His wrap of the Agni Kai fell to the ground.

Commander Zhao stood up cockily and I heard him state, "This will be over quickly." As soon as this Agni Kai was over, he was mine, plain and simple for my charge would not lose to this jerk. I hoped so anyways. This man was a military officer with much more experience. A loud, deep gong wafted through the air.

They assumed their stances.

My charge shot the first blast which passed Zhao harmlessly. He fired again and again without hitting the commander. Zhao blocked them all with satisfaction on his face. My charge was frustrated and began to give in to his anger on the battlefield, his great weakness. He kept on sending fire with his hands and feet in vain to hit the commander. With apparent ease Zhao blocked and dodged them all. Suddenly Zhao went down to his knees and shot a flame along the ground to hit my charge. I heard Lord Iroh cry out, "Basics, Zuko! Break his root!" Zhao continued to send many blasts of fire with his fists. My charge attempted to block them but was beginning to be forced back. I winced. I would just chuck a knife at the man's throat and finish it quickly. Not my fight though. Curse the concepts of honor and fighting.

Zhao sent a huge volley of fire with both his hands, sending my charge backwards onto the ground. They were both breathing heavily. Zhao leapt into the air to land beside my charge as he attempted to get up. I sucked in my breath.

My charge rolled out of the way just in time. As he did, he moved a rather clever move, sweeping Zhao's feet underneath him with his own. He then proceeded to advance towards the commander, using his feet to make small waves of fire rush at him. Zhao became unbalanced, a pathetic weakness on his part, and fell to the ground. My charge stood over him and I looked at his face.

He wouldn't do it.

"Do it!" Zhao rasped.

My charge sent a blast besides the man face. Smoke rose from the burnt ground as he dropped out of his fighting stance.

"That's it?" Zhao asked mockingly mixed with fury. He had just been defeated by someone he thought less of and who was many years younger than him, so one could understand the horrendous shame he felt. I smirked. "Your father raised a coward."

"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." My charge conveyed with a hint of malice. My charge turned and began to walk away. Zhao stood up and with a howl of anger released a whip of flame towards my charge. I hurried to push my charge out of the way but before I even reached him he'd already been stopped. Lord Iroh had his hand on Zhao's foot, extinguishing the flame. They stood still for only a moment before Lord Iroh sent Zhao hurling back to the ground with seemingly no effort at all. My charge turned to attack back, but Lord Iroh held him back.

"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory," he argued. He turned his attention towards the fallen commander with a look of disgust. "So this is how the great commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful." I was tempted to pull one of my knives out and send it flying. My hand twitched. "Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you." My charge's face grew surprised at this. "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." Lord Iroh turned to leave and my charge followed him closely. I began to follow but I looked one last time at Commander Zhao, conveying my message in my eyes. He glared at Lord Iroh and my charge's backs and when his eyes met mine I could see the subdued anger. He got my message. I walked away.

I stepped behind my charge and Lord Iroh as we exited through the gate. My charge asked quietly, "Did you really mean that, Uncle?"

"Of course," he said slyly, "I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." I did not try to keep from smiling as I usually would for I had no smile to show.


Right now we are sailing from the port. I write this in my chamber hidden away as usual. One thing I know for sure that it is not over with this Commander Zhao. I know that this only the beginning between him and my charge. As for me, I will now sleep for my head is still sore. My throat still feels blocked. I will not dream tonight. I will slip away into a breathtaking oblivion.

.