Slowly Iroh bowed down and then gently picked up a pair of blades… Dual Dao blades witn inscriptions on the blade. Easily overlooked in this cramped alley.
The light of a rising sun was reflecting in the metal and Iroh turned around to look at the rest of the scene.
It looked mostly fine, but if you knew where to look you could see where boulders had been put back into the ground and pillars had been let back down. The earth was to smooth, to perfect at this moment. There had been earth benders bending here and very recently. It made Irohs heart sink even more.
Bosco who had loyally carried around with Kuei the entire night stood with his nose right on the ground and refused to move.
"Bosco. Which way did they go?" Kuei asked. "Please my old friend. I know you can do it."
The bear though kept pressing his snout at the ground.
"Down." Iroh said. "Using tunnels earth benders can move beneath the city."
How squatted down as he put a hand on the ground. "This earth has indeed been bended." he said as he closed his eyes and then he opened up a hole in the ground. But a hole was all it was. It didn't reveal any tunnel or anything like it. He sighed deeply. "My apologies. I don't see a tunnel."
Iroh closed his eyes.
"It must have been very skilled earth benders." How continued. "At least at the level of the Dai-Li."
Kuei sighed in a deep breath.
"Are the Dai-Li still on duty your majesty?" Iroh asked.
"No. They have all been asked to take a leave effective immediately." Kui said. "And then have been offered to either retire from duty with a good monetary compensation or be re-assigned to other positions such as the royal guard or the terra team protecting the wall where they will have to follow the same rules as all other soldiers in the earth kingdom army."
"Either way they would be starting from the bottom again." Iroh commented. "I can see why that would leave some of them unsatisfied. They had a lot of power in this city."
"Then why attack Ms Beifong and Prince Zuko?" Kuei asked confused. "They have no power in the earth kingdom."
"We do not know for certain who is behind this attack yet." Iroh said. "These are merely possibilities." he reminded the King. "Speculations. One must never jump to conclusions. Especially in situations like this." his hands though was tightened. Clearly the retired General was worked up. "Though… If I were to speculate further. Who would the Dai Li blame for uncovering their plot to the king and thus lead to their own disbanding?"
Kuie swallowed. "Avatar Aang and his followers. Most of all Prince Zuko. He is the one who truly opened my eyes." he said.
Iroh nodded then turned to Zhau-Li offering Zhau-Li Zukos swords. "Would you be so kind to take care of these?" he asked. "They are a gift from the earth king to Prince Zuko."
"Of course sir." Zhau-Li said carefully taking the swords and strapped them unto his own back.
"I will check the whereabouts of the Dai-Li soldiers." How stated. "If they have been active again. I will find out." he swore.
"Thank you." Iroh bowed for How. "If I may. His majesty should under no circumstance be alone at this time. I would highly recommend a double of guards around his person and at least one high level bender at his side." he said. "I would offer my own services but… Given my history I wouldn't expect anyone in this city to trust me with such a responsibility." he said. "And I do not blame you General How. It was very sensible of you to personally come along."
How looked at Iroh for a second. Then he nodded. "General Iroh is correct your majesty." he said. "I too insists on this doubling of guards."
Kuie looked rather defeated. He clearly wasn't that happy about the idea but finally nodded. "Very well then." he finally said, then he yawned deeply as he rubbed his eyes.
Iroh sighed deeply. "You need to get home to bed your majesty. We all do. Nothing more will be gained by this search. And we will not be able to do anything when we are exhausted."
Zhau-Li as well was barely keeping his own eyes open and he shook his head.
"You too." Iroh said as he put a hand on Zhau-Li's arm and started to guide the entire group away.
Zhau-Li shook his head awake as he stood up. "I am young. I can go on for longer sir." he said. "I will not rest until Prince Zuko is found."
"I'm sure your spirit feels that way. Agni knows mine feels the same." Iroh said. "But I am afraid our bodies will be in disagreement. If you truly wish to help Zuko. You will rest." he said.
Zhau-Li closed his eyes. "It feels wrong."
"I know." Iroh said. "If I could defy my body's needs I would not eat or sleep until he was found. I would give up tea if it would help me. But that wont help anyone." he said putting his hand on Zhau-Li's back. "Come on then." he said as he guided the entire group back towards the train so they could quickly move to the upper ring.
Zhau-Li hated it. Hated how his eyelids were so heavy and how the older mans hand guided him back to his own futon. And he hated how easily he fell a sleep.
He remembered though to take good care of the swords before he laid down. The shed were missing, they had been designed so they could be stripped to a persons back. So that was probably still on the prince's back.
Instead Zhau-Li had take to careful clean the swords with a clean piece of cloth and then wrap them up in cloth.
When Zhau-Li woke up again the sun was at its highest on the sky. General was still sleeping, obvious from the big snores coming from the room he slept in.
In the living room there was small chatter from women whom was sitting making a bit of handcrafting, but it was very subdued and people looked worried at Zhau-Li.
"Prince Zuko is the Avatars fire bending teacher." Zhau-Li reminded them. "He will be all right." he said feeling grateful that he sounded a lot more convinced than he felt.
Then he sighed deeply as he stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. Then sat down on the door step as he sighed deeply.
Just then a man stepped in front of him and Zhau-Li looked up to see man dressed just like a regular messenger.
"You are Prince Zukos servant." The messenger addressed Zhau-Li.
"Yes." Zhau-Li stood up. "I am."
"Give this to General Iroh." The messenger asked giving Zhau-Li a small package. "At ones if you want to see Prince Zuko again."
Zhau-Li's eyes widened and the messenger merely turned and walked out.
Zhau-Li turned on his heel and ran. "General!" he shouted. "GENERAL IROH!" he yelled as he slid open the door to the room where Iroh was sleeping.
Iroh groaned as he sat up. "Yes." he said.
"A messenger!" Zhau-Li shouted. "He said I should give this to you at ones if we want to see Prince Zuko again." he said.
Iroh was quiet then he held up his hand and Zhau-Li immediately gave him the package.
Iroh frowned as slowly he unwrapped it and then… A very familiar golden hair piece was revealed. The crown of the crown prince making Zhau-Li gasp.
And with it was a letter which Iroh read as he frowned. It seemed to take forever as Iroh carefully read over the letter.
"What does it say?" Zhau-Li asked concerned.
"It's a ransom note." Iroh informed. "I am asked to go to the shores of Lake Laogai at sunset. Alone."
Zhau-Li looked up. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "You said yourself going alone now is unwise."
Iroh though frowned as he kept looking at the letter in his hand.
"Sir?" Zhau-Li asked.
Mai groaned deeply as she walked down stony tunnels with a tray in her hands. "Why do I have to babysit?" she asked in a pout.
The answer was obvious… Because Azula thought it would be funny for some reason.
It was cold down here. Mai had to keep back a little shiver and noting in her mind she should put on a coat the next time she came here… If she came down here. She rather not.
Finally Mai stepped into the right grotto and looked up to see a young teen.
Sixteen years old. Forced to stand up as his hands were chained up the wall over his head preventing him from making any Kataras. And his feet chained to the ground to prevent fire kicks.
The cold was deliberate as well, weakening any other fire bending.
Still, with every breath he took small sparks escaped his mouth.
Zuko was just hanging there with a lowered head and breathing very slowly, and very deeply. With each slow exhale that little warm flame, pulsing.
Then it stopped and slowly Zuko lifted his head looking up at Mai.
Mai looked back at him with stern eyes. "You have to be the greatest moron in the world." she stated.
Zuko didn't reply. Just kept his eyes on Mai who groaned as she stepped forward.
"I guess we better get this over with then." Mai muttered stepping closer. "Agni. I have to feed you don't I?" she asked as she put down the tray and then picked up a piece of bread. Plucking a bite seize and put it into Zukos mouth.
Zuko accepted, he chewed and swallowed and then allowed Mai to put another piece in his mouth. Soon the bread was gone and Mai put a cup to Zukos lips allowing him to drink and she removed it as Zuko sighed.
"Thank you." Zuko said in a whisper.
Mai frowned.
"Forget greatest moron in the world. You must be the greatest moron of all times." Mai commented.
Zuko just looked at her.
Mai frowned annoyed. "If you had not held back. You could have won! Easily." she pointed out. "Gotten away before Azula got there and warn your precious King."
Still Zuko was quiet. Just kept looking.
"Say something!" Mai demanded throwing her tray at the wall. "If you had reached your uncle Azula wouldn't have been able to beat you. She admitted it! She needed you to be alone or she couldn't beat you!" Mai hissed. "So all you had to do. Was knock me the hell out and make a run for it!"
Zuko kept looking at Mai. His golden eyes shining even here in the cold through the bangs of his hair. And somehow they just looked… So sad. And somehow that infuriated Mai even more.
"Well?!" Mai shouted.
Finally Zuko inhaled a shaking breath and then he exhaled. "Azula might hurt you… But I wont." he said. "I wont be like that."
Mai halted as she just stood.
Again Zuko was quiet as he just kept looking at her.
"You're such an idiot." Mai hissed. "You haven't changed at all have you?" she asked. "Three years at sea and one would think you had finally grown a spine! Or at least some bite."
Still nothing. Still Zuko didn't speak.
Mai groaned as she turned around. Turning her back to Zuko. Then she quieted and she swallowed. For some time she stood there with her arms wrapped around herself. Then slowly she turned back to Zuko who had hung his head again.
"You're such an asshole." Mai hissed as she stepped forward and found a handkerchief in her sleeve which she spat on and started to dry off the dried blood on Zukos face.
Zuko glanced up. His golden eyes looking confused.
"I guess I owe you." Mai pouted as she looked up and then halted. Realizing how close she was to Zukos face and she swallowed.
Zuko though didn't say anything. His eyes though, was looking right at her and Mai held in a breath.
Then she gently reached up a hand, and laid it across his scar. It felt rough under her fingers. Leathery. "Does…. Does it hurt?" she asked.
"Not any more." Zuko replied.
Then Mais hand slipped down now touching Zukos chest. "You know I used to have a crush on you. Azula used to mock me for it."
Zuko glanced down. "I see… All those games huh. She did it to play with us."
"Yeah… Tie us to the tree. Push us in the lake. Make me trip into the cake while you were watching. It was very deliberate." Mai admitted.
"I'm sorry." Zuko whispered. "You didn't deserve that."
Mai smirked. "I can deal with it." she said. "Being embarrassed is something for children. I grew out of it." she said.
Zuko frowned deeply.
Then Mai looked up and her hand went back to Zukos scar. Carefully touching it again, it was a very gentle touch. "Azula thinks that no one would ever want to kiss you... Because of this." her fingers rested on the scar.
"It's not very pretty to look at." Zuko conquered.
"This is only because I want to proof her wrong." Mai whispered as slowly she moved closer and closer. "She thinks she's always right. Well she isn't." and then she kissed Zuko on the mouth.
Zuko blinked but then he relaxed as he closed his eyes. Finally Mai retrieved and stood up, she turned around and walked away. "If you try to escape. I have been ordered to kill you. And that's exactly what I am going to do. Don't think otherwise."
Zuko looked up at Mai. "Okay." he simply said. There was no hate and no judgment in his words. Just simple acceptance and Mai hissed.
"Why are you such an idiot?!" She finally asked as she ran out leaving Zuko in his cell as he sighed deeply.