Thirteen
About an hour later, Maya and the others were still sitting in the navy base, talking to Commander Zhiao. Zuko and Uncle had each taken turns telling parts of the story, but Maya had remained silent, as, for the most part, she didn't know much of what had happened once Aang had gotten on the ship. She noticed that neither of them had mentioned picking her up. She didn't know how to feel about that. Were they trying to protect her? And if so, from what? Or maybe they just didn't think that she was important enough to mention, but she knew that, if anything, at least Uncle took an interest in her. No… There had to be some ulterior motive behind keeping Maya out of the story.
Zhiao laughed once the tale was through. "I see. So, Zuko, you were bested by a twelve-year-old boy. How nice."
Zuko grumbled under his breath, and then he said, "Only because I underestimated him! It won't happen next time."
"Oh," Zhiao replied, turning to look at him. "I'm afraid there won't be a next time. You see, you are no longer going to be searching for the Avatar. Now that is my job. You will stay here, where you will be out of the way."
"You can't do this!" Zuko shouted. "It is my destiny to bring the Avatar to my father, and to restore my honor! My father tasked me with this two years ago. You can't get in my way now!"
Zhiao laughed again. "Your father," he said. "Your father doesn't even want you. If he did, he would have taken back your banishment and let you come home by now. No. He knew that by sending you out to capture the Avatar, he was sending you on a wild goose chase. But now that I know the Avatar is alive, I will bring him in and gain glory and fame. And you will remain nothing but a spoiled, banished prince."
"That's not true! My father does want me home!"
"No, he doesn't. He thinks you're a failure. You have the scar to prove it."
Maya's eyes widened. From what Zhiao had just said, it sounded as if Zuko's father had been the one to give him his scar. If that was true, and if she putting the pieces of the conversation together properly, then Zuko's behavior was beginning to make a lot more sense.
Zuko gave a wordless shout, and then got up in Zhiao's face. "Maybe you'd like one to match?"
Commander Zhiao simply continued grinning. "Is that a challenge?"
"An Agni Kai. At sunset."
"I accept." Zhiao stepped back and looked at one of the guards. "Keep them here until then. I don't want Zuko losing his nerve and running away." With that, he walked out of the room.
Uncle Iroh reached out to Zuko from across the room, and then his arms fell to his sides. "Prince Zuko," he said, his voice incredulous. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time you dueled a master?"
Zuko was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I will never forget."