Chapter 21
Admiral Zhao stood on the foredeck of his warship as the armada neared the northern Fire Nation port. His golden eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Prince Zuko's warship docked along with several other vessels that had been under command of War Minister Qin. Something was wrong. He wasn't supposed to meet with the other ships for another four days at a location closer to the Northern Air Temple.
This certainly complicated things on a personal level for Zhao. Jun was scheduled to arrive with his bounty in a few hours, and he was planning on being thorough in his revenge. Now he would need to show even more discretion. Fortunately, the warehouse where he had instructed Jun to meet him was on the outskirts of the port and was, at this time, abandoned.
After his ship docked, the admiral decided some information was in order. He quickly learned from one of the commanders that War Minister Qin was currently overseeing the stocking up on ammunition for the warships' trebuchets as well as additional weapons and armor for the troops.
"War Minister Qin," he greeted the man as he entered the munitions holding.
"Admiral Zhao," the war minister replied. "Prince Zuko wanted me to inform you of the change in plans."
Azula's legs felt heavy. She had been walking for hours toward the port, and she was tired, hungry, and very much in need of a bath and a change of clothes. Deciding to take a short rest, she sat down near the edge of the path and pulled out the map she had taken from Jun, examining it. To her chagrin, there were no towns in between here and the port. With a sigh, she stuffed the paper back into her pocket and rubbed at her legs.
The firebender was used to some unpleasantness in her year of banishment, and even before that. To say that it was starting to get to her would be an understatement. Her mind floated back to her room at palace—the large canopied bed, the warmth from the fireplace, the mahogany furniture filled with one of the finest wardrobes in the Fire Nation. She thought of the spa—hot baths, manicures, and servants attending to her every need. Right now, she found herself missing that.
"If only I hadn't messed things up so horribly," Azula mused, shaking her head slightly. "I have to make things right. I need my honor back. Maybe my father might even accept me again." She remembered the first time he had shown interest in her—his amber eyes had brightened with intrigue—when she demonstrated her ability to bend lightning. Sometimes, Azula felt like she would give anything just to see that look again.
Sighing, the prodigy pushed herself back up to feet and continued to walk to the port. About an hour later, she could make out buildings in the distance. Determined, Azula picked up her pace. The princess soon spotted the abandoned warehouse where Jun was supposed to meet Zhao. She shuddered at the thought of what might have happened to her there had she not managed to escape. Even though she knew that the admiral would be there within the next few hours, Azula opted for avoiding the place until she could regain some of her strength. The events of the past few days had taken their toll on her.
Azula moved stealthily through the port, doing her best to avoid any soldiers, who were engaged in various duties ranging from carrying supplies to training. She finally arrived at her destination—a munitions holding where she could get a new uniform. It would make getting food and water much easier later on. Glancing along the side of the building, Azula noticed an open door where soldiers had been carrying supplies out. It was currently unoccupied at the moment, so she took advantage and slipped inside.
Azula then heard the unmistakable voice of Zhao on the other side of the crates—he was speaking with War Minister Qin. Her body tensed as the anger began to rise up in her. As much as she wanted to roast his hide, she knew she couldn't very well go after him head on at the moment. Due to recent circumstances, she wasn't exactly in peak physical condition, nor was she in the mood to make a scene—she'd be liable to get killed that way. Instead, she moved closer to where the two men were talking, hoping to glean some useful information.
"There was an incident at the Northern Air Temple."
"The mechanist broke his agreement?" Zhao asked.
Qin nodded. "Yes. The Avatar was instrumental for their victory. However, it was in vain."
"Oh? Did something happen to the Avatar?" the admiral asked.
"Unfortunately, no, we weren't that lucky. The Avatar was last seen going to the Northern Water Tribe—no doubt looking for a waterbending master. However, we did recover a valuable piece of machinery built by the mechanist—a war balloon."
Azula's ears perked up as she heard mention of the Avatar, but she was immediately discouraged upon learning that the boy was at the North Pole. How would she get there now? And even if she did manage to get there, how would she do so before Zuko?
The two men's voices began to get softer, and Azula realized they were leaving the supply building. She caught something about an important meeting with her brother. An idea struck her then. First she would get the Avatar. Then she would deal with Zhao.
"Prince Zuko," Zhao said with a bow as the boy made his way out onto the deck. "I'm glad to see you had a safe journey."
"Admiral," he replied coolly.
"He knows," the admiral thought, but he was prepared for the possibility.
"Can you remind me how you got that burn on your face? I seem to recall something about an accident in the engine room."
Zhao clenched his jaw in annoyance. Zuko was going to make him come out and say it. "It was the result of an Agni Kai."
Zuko frowned. "That's what I thought. You do realize what a serious offense lying to the crown prince is, don't you?"
"I can explain, your highness," Zhao began smoothly. "At the time of the incident, I had information that Princess Azula was committing treason against the Fire Nation…"
"Save it, Admiral," Zuko cut him off. "Don't get yourself into anymore trouble than you already are. I know you lied to me, and if it weren't for what you have to offer, I would have killed you on the spot."
The admiral swallowed angrily, but bit down on his tongue.
"You see, you're the only one who knows what I need, and frankly, I don't trust you," Zuko continued. "A successful invasion of the North Pole is ensured by what you have to offer the Fire Nation. If you carry that out, I'll be willing to overlook this matter entirely."
Zhao was shocked but remembered to have the good sense to show his gratitude. "Thank you, Prince Zuko."
"Understand that you are walking on thin ice right now. You will be closely watched, and if you fail in your loyalty to me any further, I will strip you of every rank you have and have you thrown overboard. Are we clear, Admiral?"
"Yes, Prince Zuko, perfectly clear."
Zuko had called a final war meeting into session before the armada would depart for the Northern Water Tribe. All the captains, commanders, Admiral Zhao, War Minister Qin, and, for reasons somewhat confusing to her, Ty Lee. Her exact role was still a bit unclear to her—all she knew was that she was expected to use her chi blocking to disable as many waterbenders that she could get her hands on—but she was certain that she wasn't going to be in charge of leading any troops in battle. However, Zuko had assured her that things would be made clearer to her at the meeting.
Ty Lee entered the war tent along with Captain Lee, who was a close friend of her father and had offered to escort her. She caught sight of Zhao sitting near Zuko's right, and her eyes hardened slightly before looking away. It had been the first time she had seen the man since the incident after the Agni Kai. She was admittedly surprised to see him there after what she and Jee had told Zuko.
The captain led the acrobat to a seat near the far end of the table. Those of a higher military rank sat closest to the prince. Shortly after taking her seat, Prince Zuko began the meeting.
"This meeting has been called to review our strategy," Zuko said as all eyes turned on him. "As you all know, tomorrow we leave at first light. We will arrive at the threshold of the Water Tribe's fortress the following morning where we will implement our first stage of the invasion."
"I'm sure I don't need to remind you that we have a time limit," Qin noted somewhat nervously. "In four days time, the moon will be full. If we don't defeat the Water Tribe before the full moon rises, they will be undefeatable."
"You worry too much. Everything is under control. We intend to remove the moon as a factor," Zuko replied. "Admiral Zhao, would you care to explain?"
"Of course, Prince Zuko," Zhao replied as he came to stand to address the group. "Years ago I stumbled upon a great and powerful secret—the identity of the Moon Spirit's mortal form."
There was a collective gasp among the commanders, and Ty Lee's eyes widened in surprise. She knew of the spirits, but she didn't know that any of them besides the Avatar could come into the mortal world. Zuko smirked as he took in the reaction of the room and gestured for Zhao to continue.
"I was a young Lieutenant serving under General Shu in the Earth Kingdom. I discovered a hidden library—underground, in fact. I tore through scroll after scroll. One of them contained a detailed illustration and the words 'moon' and 'ocean.' I knew then that these spirits could be found—and killed," he finished with a cold smile.
"Total victory is inevitable," Zuko declared, his expression matching Zhao's.
The excitement of the commanders and captains could be felt upon hearing such news. However, Ty Lee couldn't help but feel that this was dangerous. She knew that the spirits helped keep the world in balance—the moon was just as important as the sun. She bit her lip nervously, not daring to voice her objection to this plan in a room full of high-ranking soldiers or to the crown prince himself.
The meeting continued, with Prince Zuko, Admiral Zhao, and War Minister Qin outlining the responsibilities of each commander and captain. Ty Lee learned that she would be among the soldiers directly under Zuko's command. She did her best to pay attention, pushing her concerned thoughts to the side.
Ty Lee was lost in thought as she entered her cabin. She did not want to be here, and she was worried about Azula. Of course, there was the much larger issue of what Zuko and Zhao were planning. So wrapped up in her worrying, the acrobat failed to notice the presence of someone standing in the corner of her room.
"Ty Lee, it's me," came a quiet, but unmistakable voice.
"Azula?" the acrobat replied with wide eyes, as she spun around to see the girl pulling the facemask away from the helmet she was wearing. Before the princess could say anything, her friend had her arms wrapped around her in a hug. Azula returned the gesture. "What are you doing here?" she asked, pulling away.
"I figured this was the only way to get myself to the North Pole to capture the Avatar," Azula replied, purposefully leaving out the tidbit about Zhao hiring a bounty hunter to capture her. She knew Ty Lee well enough to know that the acrobat might accidentally say something in anger to Zhao about it, and then her cover would be blown.
"Good idea," Ty Lee said with a nod. "I'm glad to see you're okay, Azula. I was worried about you."
"Well, as you can see, there's nothing to worry about," the princess tried to reassure her.
"Yeah…" The girl paused, crinkling her nose. "You sure could use a bath though," she teased.
"I know," Azula scowled. "You wouldn't happen to have anything I could freshen myself up with?"
"I guess you can't exactly go bathe with the other soldiers, huh? I'll ask one of the servants onboard to bring some clean water."
Ty Lee poked her head out the door to make her request, while Azula stood in a shadowed corner. Moments later, the acrobat was back inside, locking the door behind her.
"You should stay here with me until we get to the North Pole. No one comes into my cabin without announcing themselves, so you can easily hide."
"Thanks," Azula said, removing her helmet and slumping down onto a nearby chair.
Ty Lee took in the sight of her friend and frowned slightly. "You look exhausted."
"I am," the princess admitted, weariness creeping into her voice. "I'll be okay." Azula paused and gazed up at her friend, noticing that she was a little more subdued than usual. "Are you okay?"
The acrobat shook her head. "Not really, no," she replied.
Azula raised a questioning eyebrow, but a knock at the door interrupted them. The princess quickly jumped to her feet and moved to the shadowed corner. Ty Lee allowed the servant to enter and directed them to the wall opposite where Azula was hiding to place the basin of water. Moments later, they were gone, the princess having gone unnoticed.
"You wash up and get some rest, Azula," Ty Lee said, lying down on her mattress. "We can talk tomorrow."
Azula nodded, deciding to let the conversation go for now as she walked over to the basin, heating the water with her firebending. The princess quickly undressed and washed her body and hair as thoroughly as she could. It felt good to be clean again.
Slipping back into the trousers and shirt of her uniform, Azula turned to face the room, only to find that Ty Lee was fast asleep. The princess padded over the mattress and lay down next to her friend, finally allowing herself to succumb to exhaustion as she fell into a much-needed sleep.