The next one they got in contact with was Sokkas group. This time though just through a written message send by war hawk which Katara cheered for as she ran too grab the message as quick as she could. Zuko eagerly standing beside Katara as she opened the scroll to have a look and then she halted.
"What is it?" Zuko asked for a moment afraid something had happened.
Then Kataras cheeks blushed deep red and she offered the letter to Zuko. "Yeah this one is clearly meant for you."
"Huh?" Zuko blinked but accepted the letter and then… He immediately recognised Mais handwriting. "Oh." Zuko realized.
"So erhm. Maybe you could summarise for me?" Katara asked. "Without all the… You know. More personal stuff."
Even Zuko was blushing as he read through the letter.
"Mai has no shame does she?" Katara asked.
"Well that's one of the really cool things about her. She really doesn't care what people thinks of her." Zuko commented. "Ahem. Their raid was successful. They have managed to take former prisoners off the islands and has taken what was before a prison transport ship for their own to transport people to the earth kingdom." he informed.
"Let's just hope they manage to stay clear of Fire nation vessels." Katara sighed.
"They got the Avatar with them. And Aang has become pretty adapt in all four elements. They'll be fine." Zuko assured. "Beside it looks like Mai has developed a taste for violence and will hack her way over here if she has too." he commented waving the letter.
Katara smirked amused as she leaned against the railing to look at Zuko. "It seems to be going really well with you two."
"Heh… Yeah. I think it is." Zuko blushed deeply.
"She really likes you, you know." Katara commented.
"Oh… Yeah." Zuko said as he looked down but couldn't hide his wide smile and Katara was smiling too. "You know what is really weird? I mean it happened for a while but it's still really really weird."
"What is?" Katara asked.
"Everyone is so nice to me!" Zuko stated. "Even strangers I never met before. I don't get that at all! And people who used to hate me. They are following me too. And calling me Prince even though they don't have too! I really don't understand."
Katara looked at Zuko. "Well… Zuko." she said. "Has it occurred to you that… You are being nice to them. So they are nice to you. And furthermore they agree with you. They agree with the things that you are saying. You are even saying things they would be afraid to say out loud. So they follow you."
"My old crew though? They hated me and they were right too! I treated them like dirt." Zuko said.
Katara shrugged. "Maybe they just missed having you around."
"I doubt it." Zuko snorted then sighed.
"Maybe they are seeing something in you." Katara then said. "Just like all the rest of us."
Zuko glared at Katara. "You sound like my uncle." he said. "Perfect amount of vagueness."
"That's a compliment you know." Katara smirked.
Just then a second hawk came and Katara managed to grab it so she could take the letter. This time she beamed happily. "This one is from Pakku! They are okay too!" she said.
"I would honestly be surprised if that old geezer got his ass whooped." Zuko smirked.
"Yeah. Oh there are good news! Ba Sing Se's former royal guard was on that ridge!" Katara gasped. "I guess that makes sense. They couldn't put earth benders in boiling rock because they would have had access to earth there. That's the entire point of the ridges."
"The royal guard?" Zuko asked. "You think General How is with them?" he asked.
"I don't see why he shouldn't be." Katara grinned.
"That's great! He'll be of great help." Zuko beamed.
"Prince Zuko." Piandao approached them. "May I suggest we take a detour going south-west for a bit?" he asked.
Zuko blinked as he turned to Piandao. "Why?" he asked.
"Because according to my intel fire nation vessels are sailing in this direction. We should turn to avoid them." Piandao said.
"You're… How did you get that kind of intel?" Zuko asked.
"Oh you know. The same way Iroh managed to send letters from inside of the prison cell." Piandao smirked.
"So there are… Traitors inside of the fire nation palace?" Zuko asked.
"I am pretty sure they wouldn't consider themselves traitors. But rather people who believe Ozai never had any right to the throne in the first place. That he was behind the death of the former fire lord cheating himself to the throne. And therefore they would rather answer to Iroh." Piandao commented.
"Oh." Zuko realized. "Well. I guess they kind of have a point." he scratched his neck.
"And your uncle made it out safely." Piandao informed in a kind smile. "He will meet us in the earth kingdom."
Zuko looked up. Then a soft smile spread on his face. "Really? That's great." he said.
"Things are only heating up my prince." Piandao said. "For now the fire nation will be in a chaos trying to regain some order. But they will mobilize. And we will be in the defensive ourselves."
Zuko nodded seriously.
"Though if I may say so. The stance of the fire nation is weak. They may be the greater force but there is discord." Piandao said. "The soldiers are unhappy. They have not been treated with respect. The respect the people have for Ozai is waning and their loyalty with it. High ranking admirals searching for power may be shouting at their soldiers to fall in line. But what is an Admiral when he doesn't have a loyal army?" he asked. "We how-ever, all share the same conviction and a goal. The respect for you and the Avatar is ever growing and there is true loyalty." he said. "Ozais court is nothing but greedy men who will always be more loyal to their own ambition than to the fire lord. The men who follow you how-ever. Are loyal to you and your vision. Stay strong."
Zuko swallowed.
"The fire nation will loose eventually. Of that I have no doubt. They have over reached and failed to understand that people will always fight back. They will be forced to spread their soldiers much to thinly and people who are unhappy will turn on their lord. If things are allowed to go as they are now." Piandao sighed. "How-ever. To end this swiftly and with as few casualties as possible is in everyone best interest. The Fire nation will hold on with claws and teethe and kill those who stand up against them to assert authority."
Zuko nodded seriously.
"Also if the fire lord is cut down by a regular thug. It would merely create a power vacuum and much more death would follow. You must stand strong Prince Zuko. And be the Prince who will lead his people to a new future."
"I… I understand." Zuko nodded then exhaled deeply.
"You're not alone Zuko." Katara reminded him. "We're all with you. Remember."
"Yeah." Zuko nodded. "That does help quite a bit." he smiled weakly.
"Remember Prince Zuko." Piandao said. "No one has to follow you. You made that clear to everyone. Everyone here, everybody chose to follow you! At their own free will!"
"Well… I think a good number of people follows the Avatar. Not me." Zuko pointed out.
"Right now you are symbolising the exact same thing." Piandao corrected him. "A future where the world can be united and balance are restored. Those who follow Aang also follow you! And those who follow you also follow Aang. Together you are creating hope."
Zuko sighed deeply. "Well that definitely show's I'm not alone." he finally smirked.
Katara grinned. "There's an entire world looking at us." she pointed out and Zuko shivered.
"Do you have to put it like that?" Zuko asked and Katara chuckled.
"You're doing fine Zuko. Just be yourself. That has helped you a lot." She smirked.
"I miss Mai." Zuko muttered. "She's no bullshit."
"Language Zuko." Katara lectured.
"Sorry. I'm on a ship again. It brings back some habits." Zuko sighed deeply.
"Well as long as you don't speak like that too the people. You should be fine." Katara grinned.
"You should practise more calligraphy Prince Zuko." Piandao commented. "Calligraphy is much like words. Ones the pencil had its stroke it cannot be taken back. So each stroke must be considered carefully and then delivered swiftly. Such as words in an important conversation."
Zuko inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes. "I shall consider it." he said, clearly catching himself from falling into an impatient groan. "When the time permits. Thank you for the advice Master Piandao."
Piandao smirked. "You are indeed very capable when aware." he commented.
"The great thing about my friends is I can just talk plainly too them." Zuko finally said. "I will though keep in mind to speak more formally in other circumstances."
"You're doing fine Zuko." Katara said. "And you can always speak plainly to me. Or any of us."
"Thanks." Zuko smiled. "You too. You know, if you need it."
Katara smirked. "I know." she grinned. "That's how we know we're friends!"
And Zuko shook his head as he smiled away… So many friends though? How had he ever managed to get this many. It was honestly a little ridicules.