Just walking into the palace was surprisingly easy. All they really needed to do was to walk like they had a purpose.
Zhau-Li had told them the city had only really been under occupation for one single day, and in that time they had been searching high and low for the earth king obviously.
So it wasn't like there was that much order in the ranks of soldiers or in the ways of doing things. Which was fortunate for them.
Just keep looking like they totally knew where they were going and totally belonged here.
"Prison cellars are below the palace right?" Sokka asked. "So when we find stairs going down. Let's try those."
Zhau-Li nodded and they walked the halls looking out for stairs. Finally they found some, but they only lead to a kitchen and a terrified palace staff huddling together in the corners.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Sokka waved his arms. "Wrong turn! Don't mind us!"
"Wait." Zhau-Li stopped and lifted up his helmet. "Hi guys. Remember me?"
Sokka halted as he turned to Zhau-Li. "You… know them?"
Zhau-Li turned to Sokka. "I ate dinner with the staff while you guys ate dinner with the king." he reminded Sokka.
"Oh…" Sokka realized. "I'm… Sorry about that." he blushed deeply under the helmet.
Zhau-Li blinked. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked honestly confused.
"I remember you. You're Prince Zukos servant." A maid gasped and then she blushed. "Hi. It's nice seeing you." she braided her fingers together while looking down.
"It's nice seeing you to." Zhau-Li replied in a kind warm smile making the maids head heat up. "Do you know where they are holding Prince Zuko?" he asked in a whisper.
The maid gulped. "I'm sorry. I don't know." she replied in a whisper. "But I can tell you the way to the prison cellars if you want. He might be there. I don't know though."
"Thanks. I owe you." Zhau-Li replied making the maid make an eep sound.
It made Katara looked up at Zhau-Li again. It was a little bit funny, but she actually hadn't noticed before. He really was kind of handsome. Why wouldn't he be though? He was a young well trained soldier, with nice defined features and bright warm brown eyes with a hint of amber in their iris's. Didn't hurt either that his smile was genuinely warm and assuring.
The scar didn't really obstruct his look at all. It just made him look a little rugged in a good way.
The maid sure seemed to be head over heels into him. And Zhau-Li like any man didn't notice at all.
Quickly the maid rambled off directions and Zhau-Li thanked her in a bow, making the maid almost faint from the heat going to her head.
Of course the cellars had to be in the opposite end of the palace. Where else would they be? Still, nice they hadn't to check every single stair case they happen to find.
Finally they found the correct one located close to some rooms that looked suspiciously much like war rooms and even a court room.
Seriously this palace was enormous. It was like its own city within the city! It started to make more sense why Kuei never had to leave the building!
The stair case lead them underground where they found the first cells, all occupied by earth kingdom soldiers and the royal guard who were sitting around looking incredible bored.
Going deeper down they found some metal holding cells. Obviously the people left in there would be the earth benders. To bad they couldn't have taken Toph with them so she could showcase her sweet new metal bending ability.
To even check the cells they had to slid open the small windows at the door to true enough see guards inside. All were looking pretty annoyed as they took a glance inside.
There were several fire nation guards stationed down here, some walking back and forth. Others playing cards to pass the time.
Well at least they didn't stand out as they ventured deeper inside and checked each cell. Looked like the other guards were just assuming they were following orders.
Didn't look like Iroh was there though. Each cell was stuffed to the brim with earth kingdom guards squeezed into their metal confinements. But no Zuko or Iroh.
As they had checked what felt like cell number one hundred it all started to feel pretty hopeless. Still the continued down the hallways to the last cell where two guards were standing outside, looking like they were about to fall a sleep where they stood.
Well… That looked promising.
The guard on the left lifted his head. "please tell me you are here to relieve us." he begged. "I think we have been standing here for twenty hours. They forgot us up there. Didn't they?" he asked.
Zhau-Li nodded. "We are. Rations are being delivered in the court yard. Go eat." he asked.
"What? rations?" The guard asked. "Doesn't this palace have a kitchen?" he asked and groaned. "Well… I'm ready to eat old socks by now. I'm so hungry." he sighed and the other guard nodded in agreement as they both walked away.
Zhau-Li and Sokka looked at each other and then nodded. Sokka being the one to stop forward to slid back the little plate which allowed him a view insight and then he gasped.
For inside was a lonely prisoner sitting on his knees, his arms seemingly chained behind his back. An older man who looked up, obviously only being able to see the helmet Sokka was wearing.
"I have you know this is a terrible way to treat a member of the royal family." Iroh said and he sighed deeply. "I have been here for over twenty-four hours and no one has offered me a cup of tea." he shook his head. "Youth these days."
"Mr. Iroh." Sokka hissed and then removed the face plate. "It's us." he hissed.
Irohs eyes widened and then both Zhau-Li and Katara appeared in the tight opening squeeshing their faces together so they could all have a look.
Iroh gasped as he stood up, only proving that his feet were indeed chained together and he could only take small steps. "Young Sokka, Katara and master Zhau-Li." he spoke in a whisper. "You're back. I must assume that means young Aang is also back in the city."
"Yes." Sokka whispered. "We're going to get you out."
Iroh shook his head. "What of Zuko and young Toph?" he asked. "You found them?"
"Toph is fine." Katara informed. "She managed to free herself. Zuko though… We haven't found him yet."
"Then you have to find him first, before you make any move." Iroh said. "Your greatest advantage right now is that Azula don't know you are in the city. If you loose that advantage you may loose your chance." he instructed. "If you break me out she will know you are here. You must not risk that."
"But… We can get you out." Sokka said. "Katara can break the lock."
"No." Iroh instructed. "You must find Zuko first." he said.
There was silence and Sokka swallowed. "Any idea where he is?" he asked.
"No. Forgive me." Iroh said. "My niece decided we should be kept separated. I believe he is at a different location entirely."
Sokka glanced down then he looked up. "Look maybe if we sneak you out."
"No!" Iroh stated again. "Listen to me!" he said in a stern voice looking seriously at all of them. "Ozai is unable to execute me. Believe me if he could… He would." he said. "But there are still men in the fire nation army who worked directly under me in the army. Men I personally trained and promoted. Men of important stature who were my pupils, lieutenants, sergeants and have now risen in ranks to become Generals and Admirals in their own right. Even lords and its like. Ozai cannot afford the anger of all these people. That's why he cannot execute me. Zuko how-ever…" he whispered. "Zuko has no such support among the upper crust of Fire nation society. He has brought hope to the lower class, and Ozai would love to kill Zuko to crush that hope under his heel. It would just be an extra bonus to him." he said. "Your priority must be Zuko."
Sokka glanced down. "That does make sense." he admitted. "It'll be fine." he said looking up again. "We'll find Zuko. Get him out. And then we'll get you out! With Toph Metal bending it is going to be easy. Just hang tight."
Iroh blinked. "Metal bending?" he asked.
"It's a sweet new skill she taught herself." Sokka grinned. "And how she escaped on her own."
"That is quite something. She truly is the worlds greatest earth bender." Iroh acknowledged in a warm smile.
"Yeah it's pretty impressive." Katara had to admit.
Iroh quieted and then glanced up. "You have to understand." he said. "The two most important people in the entire world at this moment. It is the Avatar and it is Zuko. And I am not just saying that because I love Zuko as if he was my own. Those two… They are the only ones who can restore balance to this world. Aang must defeat the fire lord and Zuko must reunite the fire nation with the world. These broken bonds must be healed." he said. "You have to prioritize Zuko."
Zhau-Li swallowed. "I understand sir." he said.
"It'll be okay though. We'll be back with Zuko." Sokka said. "He wont leave you behind."
"Oh I'm quite certain." Iroh said. "If he truly believes I am in danger. He will not." he said. "So… perhaps remind him I'm not in any true danger." he sighed. "Though indefinite prison with no tea is not quite how I envisioned my retirement. My niece truly knows how to torture a poor soul." he sighed deeply.
Sokka, Katara and Zhau-Li couldn't help but smirk. Clearly Irohs spirit was still high which was a good sign for all for them. It did cheer them up.
"We'll be back for you later." Katara assured. "We promise." and finally Sokka slid the little window close again making them all feel awful for shutting the kind man inside of his little metal cell.
Still they couldn't deny Iroh had a point. They had to find Zuko before proceeding with anything.