"Get out!" yelled Zuko as he launched a shoe at me. I ducked out of the room as quickly as I could and collapsed, sighing, outside against his door.
The fire cast shadows on General Iroh's weary face in the dark. A violinist, a man with four different sized barrels positions around him, a banjo player, and a man playing an odd wooden instrument I did not know the name of stood or sat next to Uncle. He himself sang in a deep and wonderful voice, clear and loud above all the other instruments. His song was sad, about war and dying; a Fire Nation favorite, it told tales of great slaughters and Fire Nation victories. The most of the crew was gathered around the fire, listening to the music.
After a few more minutes of the depressing music, the beat flipped completely into an exciting fast dancing song. Uncle pulled out a tambourine and began hitting it quickly against his leg. He started jumping around the fire, making the crew laugh and come to their feet to join him. I smiled slightly at Uncle's evident youthfulness. The old man caught sight of me smiling from the wall, and leapt over to me, bowing down as low as an old man can go. He extended my hand and I gladly took it, although unsure what I should do, how I should dance. Who knew the great Dragon of the West was such a great dance partner?! He guided me gently, but thrust me into the middle of the party. I could feel all the eyes of the crewmen around me, but I soon forgot about them and started having fun for the first time in years. When I grew more comfortable with the strange new dance, Uncle passed me off to other men aboard. They treated me with the same respect, and I found new confidence within myself.
When this song was over, the band changed to slower tune. I bowed to my last few partners with a smile, and then sat down on deck next to the drummer. Uncle returned to his place at the front of the fire, and began another ballad, this one faster spoken and quieter than the first. Suddenly, an unwelcome presence interrupted the song with slow, loud clapping. We all turned, annoyed, towards the source of the sound. I gasped when I saw who it was: Admiral Zhao and a small fleet of Fire Nation warriors. I ran back to Prince Zuko's quarters without being seen. Zhao continued clapping. "Well sung, General Iroh. May I join your audience?" he asked mockingly.
Zuko's room was dark, but I could see him sitting at his shrine in the back of his room. His head was bowed in prayer. I was scared to disturb him. "Prince Zuko? Master, please forgive me but you have company. Admiral Zhao is on board."
I heard him breathe in sharply, and mumble a few quiet words before rising up, putting on his royal garments quickly and heading outside. I stayed in the room to put out the candles on the altar, and to watch from the safety of his quarters. A moment later however, the three men were back in his quarters hotly discussing.
