Fire and Ice
Chapter 11
Katara gasped and brought a hand to her face. "Then why is she a servant?" Zuko shook his head and set her on her feet he said quietly "because she was never meant to be born, she was his mistress's daughter."
Katara looked sadly in the direction the girl had left. They waited for a few minutes before the girl returned rolling a chair.
Katara gasped and said "Thank you Zuko" she sat down in the chair and Zuko ordered the girl to take her to the kitchen to gather some tea making supplies.
The girl complied rolling Katara along the dark hallways, until they reached a cavernous kitchen filled with busy workers. The girl said "I'll be right back" and disappeared in the crowds of workers.
Quite some time had passed before the girl returned, trailing a worker carrying a large wooden box. The girl gave the box to Katara and rolled her away.
About twenty minutes of rolling had occurred before the girl took Katara outside and rolled her through the palace gardens and through forgotten pathweays before they reached a guarded facility. Katara looked fearfully at the huge guards.
The girl went right up to them with a smile plastered on her face. She whispered something into the guard's ear and he went behind Katara rolling her into the facility. The facility was filled with iron hallways, with cells containing nothing but a metal cot.
Katara grimaced as she though of her friends behind those bars. The guard walked to the end of the hall and slid open the bars.
The guard commanded "rise, you lowly bag of scum! the prince has been kind enough to grant you a visit with guests" the man rose, his head hung low and wite hair hanging down his face. Katara was rolled in, the girl followed and bowed respectively to the dragon of the west.
He nodded back, a smile was on his face. The girl went out of the cell and closed it behind her saying she was going to get some fresh water.
Katara grinned at the old man and nodded her head respectfully she whispered "hello iroh" the old man said happily "and hello to you Katara, and may I say it is a pleasure seeing your beautiful face" Katara smiled politely, then called a guard to light the cell.
As soon as he had gone she looked into the haggard face of iroh.
His hair was scraggly and dirty, his robes were as well. And his face took on a sad look, as he studied her.
He whispered sadly "I apologize for my nephews actions against you lady Katara . . . and, I am sorry for your loss" Katara said gently"Iroh, Zuko was not the cause of my injuries, and…. Aang is alive. I'm surprised Zuko has not told you…
Zuko knew I had special healing waters and knew I could bring Aang back. He only did this for our cause" Iroh looked at her with wide eyes. He said "the avatar is alive? How are you here lady Katara?"
Katara shrank away visibly and whispered "I was captured defending our group.
I was brought to the dungeons and was . . . used by one of the guards. Zuko saved me and made me his concubine so it'd explain why I needed a healer.
And yes, Aang is alive and well" Iroh sighed in relief he was about to ask her something when the small girl arrived carrying a bucket of clean water.
Katara nodded gratefully and the girl set up the tea serving table. When she was finished she stepped back and knelt against the wall.
Katara bent water into the pot and Iroh made the water boil. He added the herbs and smelled the scent "aaah jasmine tea, I am so thankful for this young ones" Katara smiled and bit into a soft bread.
She sighed, content. Iroh's whole demeaner was happy, but his eyes told her differently, they were troubled.
Katara knew that Iroh and Zuko hadn't exactly left on friendly terms.
They had spoken for what seemed like minutes, but was for hours. The small girl packed up the tea and table and said goodbye to Iroh.
Katara gave the old man a hug and whispered luck to him. He grinned and waved goodbye. Katara was rolled back to the palace with a lot to think about.
The girl had stopped by the kitchen to return the tea set, and then proceeded to roll Katara to the prince's chambers.
When they arrived a dark figure was leaning against the door. The girl moved into the light and Katara looked stricken. Mai stood there with a scowl on her face; she glared hatefully at the water bender.
Katara composed herself and whispered "Mai" Mai narrowed her eyes, and turned to the serving girl "leave us" her voice was bland and low, with only a hint of her femininity.