oOo

Toph remained uncharacteristically silent as the cart jolted along the narrow track leading away from the prison. They stopped once, when both were given carefully supervised sips of water, which Katara for one gratefully swallowed. Even if she considered spitting it back into her captor's face after first turning it to ice, they were still bound, still grossly outnumbered, and it would no doubt result in her getting nothing else to drink for a long, long time. And she was so thirsty…

Toph, she noted uneasily after the water made its delicious way down her throat and into her empty stomach, was not only quiet, she wasn't even testing her bonds or looking for an opportunity to kick out at the guard giving them the water. She hadn't, Katara suddenly realized, even tried to escape when they untied her and retied her to the cart. It was so unlike her that Katara began to worry in earnest. Had they given her some kind of drug? Except for her earlier disgusted outburst, she hadn't spoken, not even when Katara asked her if she was all right.

There's no way they've broken her this easily, Katara decided after thinking it over intensely for several minutes. She must be up to something. But what? That question occupied her mind as the cart continued its uncomfortable way to wherever it was they were going, even as she continued to try and free herself. Ozai never bothered turning around once they started moving, and the driver had to keep all his attention on the rutted track they were traversing, so she wasn't worried about being caught. Besides, she thought bitterly, they probably expect me to try and escape. Well, if that was the case, then she wasn't going to disappoint them. And if Toph really is up to something, then she probably expects me to be ready to help out. At that thought, she resumed twisting her wrists, ignoring the pain as the ropes seemed to tighten instead of loosening.

Ozai noted Katara's struggles with amusement. She thought she was being subtle, but she was too young and foolish to know the meaning of the word. For example, she obviously hadn't noticed him noticing her, no matter how many furtive looks she cast over her shoulder. Why couldn't the stubborn child be more like her loud-mouthed friend, the Earth Bender? She wasn't testing her bonds or trying to escape, just sitting there quietly since her last outburst. As it should be. She obviously understood that resistance was futile.

He relaxed against the wooden slats that made up the uncomfortable seat. A metal vehicle had been absolutely out of the question; he had no doubt that Toph would take unhesitating advantage if she felt she could get away with it. No, as long as he allowed her to live, her feet would remain shod, her transportation would be wooden, and her feet would never again be allowed to touch the bare earth. Just as Katara would be confined when her blood-bending powers were at their height and the only water she would ever have would be mere mouthfuls at a time. He would have to constantly be on his guard against them, but that would only add to his enjoyment, keep him sharp. As long as he had them, he had his traitorous son and the Avatar at his command. It was a soothing thought to occupy his mind as they rolled toward the rendezvous.

The rendezvous, and destiny.

oOo

General Tsing cursed silently as he and his men made their stealthy way through the forest. With the approximate location of where the messenger hawk plunged into the forest known, a second group of men was making their slightly less stealthy way. He was proud of them, volunteers all for what could well be a suicide mission, going toward an enemy who knew they were coming. If all went well, then he and his men would find the real camp, and the battle would be over quickly and with as little loss of life as possible.

His desire to keep casualties to a minimum, on either side of a battle, had not won him much glory when he served under Fire Lord Ozai; it was, however, a trait that had recommended him to Fire Lord Zuko. "I'm not interested in perpetuating my father's style of leadership," the young man had announced at his first formal meeting with his generals, casting a cold eye over the ones who had made the cut and retained their commissions. He'd been ruthless in eliminating from power those who were known to not only carry out his father's most heinous commands, but enjoyed doing so as well. "This is a new era for the Fire Nation, and for the rest of the world. It will be a struggle, but I have confidence in your ability to bring us to a new type of glory."

Stirring words, ones Tsing would never forget. Although he didn't like to show it, his grudging admiration for the new Fire Lord had begun with that speech, and blossomed into something stronger over the next two years. However, he had retained many reservations; aside from the search for his missing mother and his recent kidnapping by his deranged sister Azula, Zuko's reign hadn't truly been challenged. Not until now.

And what a challenge it was turning out to be. A simple rebellion in the northern provinces had become Lord Ozai's struggle to return to power. Even without his ability to Fire Bend, he was still a formidable opponent, the true head of the rebellion. Disgraced generals and soldiers disgruntled by what they perceived as Zuko's over-dependence on the Avatar had flocked to his side, secretly at first, but now it was all in the open. No doubt Ozai hadn't intended to tip his hand so quickly, but apparently the Lady Katara had managed to force him into the open immediately. Tsing's admiration for her was also growing; she would make a far better Fire Lady than he had expected.

His thoughts were disrupted by a sharp tug on his ear. Snarling, he turned his head, only to be faced with Momo's excited chittering as the lemur flew from his shoulder and jumped onto a low hanging branch nearby.

Instantly his fist snapped up, halting the forward motion of the men behind him. He pointed two fingers to the right, to the left, giving the signal for them to fan out in opposite directions while he moved silently up to Momo's new position and peered forward intently.

At first all he could see was more trees, more thick underbrush, then abruptly a soldier moved into view. He was a good distance off, but his red clothing was vivid against the thick greenery. The general spared a moment to be grateful to the fact that his own men were in much less noticeable browns and grays, then returned his attention to the patrolling soldier.

He drew back into the underbrush as the other man looked his way, then back in the other direction, obviously having seen nothing to warrant an alarm. Tsing smiled grimly. Good. As soon as his men were in place, the scouts would do their jobs, and the signal would be given to attack.

The sound of an approaching cart and many marching feet made him wonder if they'd fallen into a trap of their own. The soldier snapped to attention, saluting whoever was approaching, which only heightened Tsing's unease, until he saw who the guard was greeting. "Ozai," he breathed disbelievingly. Riding in the front of what was obviously a prison cart, holding two prisoners. He couldn't see their faces clearly, but had a feeling he knew who it had to be. Katara and Toph.

Whether it was a trap or not suddenly made no difference. The moment had arrived.

oOo

Zuko and Aang walked behind Iroh, every sense alert. Aang was getting better at sensing his surroundings through his feet, although he doubted he'd ever be as good at it as Toph. Thinking of her brought a momentary stutter to his heart. He shook the feeling off; worrying about her wouldn't bring her back. Finding out more about the enemy might, and he concentrated as hard as he could on the ground beneath his feet. He stopped short after a half-hour of steady walking toward the rendezvous point. "Someone's coming."

Iroh and Zuko stopped as well while Aang cast about, trying to tell which direction the footsteps he sensed were coming from. "That way," he nodded after an anxious moment. Toward the south. "A lot of feet, more than one pair, anyway." He offered an apologetic look at the other two. "Sorry, I can't tell exactly how many."

"More than enough to march us off to wherever they plan to take us for the prisoner exchange," Zuko observed sourly.

"Or to merely add us to their catch," Iroh put in cheerfully. He frowned as Zuko glared at him. "Don't tell me that idea hasn't crossed your mind!"

"Of course it has, Uncle," Zuko replied through his teeth as he resumed walking, this time at a more rapid pace. "But I was trying not to think about it."

"You mean you were trying to keep me from thinking about it," Aang interjected as he sped up to match Zuko's pace. "Weren't you."

"I didn't want you worrying about it, if they didn't keep their word and release the girls right away," Zuko admitted with a guilty look. "That's why I didn't bring up the possibility at the strategy meeting, and why Sokka didn't say anything, either."

"Zuko, you don't have to try and protect me," Aang protested. "I'm the Avatar; I'm supposed to be the one doing the protecting!"

"You're my friend first, Aang," Zuko replied. "You've already been hurt enough without having to worry about things that might not even happen."

"The Avatar is correct, Nephew," Iroh interjected as he huffed his way up to join them. "The time for protecting his feelings is long past. He is nearly a man now. You must treat him as one."

Zuko hunched his shoulders as if to ward off the truth of his uncle's words. "Can you feel if our mysterious 'someones' are still coming?" he asked Aang, abruptly, and deliberately, changing the subject.

Aang shook his head. "Not now that we're moving faster," he admitted. "But my guess is they're our escorts, heading for the rendezvous point."

"Or soldiers waiting to ambush us," Iroh added cheerfully. Both Aang and Zuko glared back at him. "What did I say?"

Before an answer could be given, a rustling in the underbrush brought them to a stop. None of them felt the need to point out the fact that the clearing they'd been directed to was still nowhere in sight. The three men tensed, Zuko's hands clenching as flames formed around his fists. The three formed an automatic triangle, their backs to each other as they readied themselves for combat.