"You have got to be kidding." Sokka smirked. Katara had explained the prince's plan to Sokka and Aang. They had listened quietly, but Sokka's eyes had darted every so often to where Cian, the guard, was standing. Katara could tell he didn't believe what she was saying. Aang was a little harder to read.

"No, I am serious Sokka. Zuko…"

"Zuko? Oh, you are on first name basis with him as well? What happened to you on that ship? Are you under a spell? Does he have a wizard on board?"

"Knock it off, Sokka! We don't have much time. Please listen to me. This will work, but only if you guys agree to it."

Aang spoke for the first time. "Katara, you are right, this is a great plan. But it also involves us placing a lot of faith in the Prince. I don't trust him any further than I can throw him."

"But he's changed!"

"Are you certain?"

"Katara, think about it," Sokka said. "He will do anything to get Aang."

"He doesn't lie."

"He's from the fire nation…the heir to the fire nation!"

Katara was getting really mad. Not only at her brother, but at herself. What if Sokka is right? Could I have fallen in a trap? Then she remembered the night in her room. She remembered the conversations she had had with him. Most of all she remembered how gentle Zuko had been with Bree and Ronan. She believed he was genuine.

"No," she said quietly, most to herself. "No one is that good of an actor."

"He is," Sokka said, annoyed. "He was a very popular actor when he was younger. Not just because he was royalty, but because he was actually good. Remember when some men from our village traveled north about 8 years ago? Remember when they came back with the stories about the Prince and his abilities? They said he was a well rounded leader. Acting is a great skill in a king. It hones in their lying skills."

Katara was out of ideas. In her heart, she knew the prince wasn't lying. She sighed.

"I…whatever."

Seeing Katara's resignation in the argument, Sokka nodded. "Good. Now, get your stuff, bid your escort farewell, and let's move on."

For the first time, Cian stepped forward and spoke. "I'm sorry, sire, but that's not possible. See, even though she was given freedom to come contact you, the prince still has her as a prisoner. Her release hasn't been negotiated yet."

What? Katara screamed in her head. I am not his prisoner anymore…he lied? She was opening her mouth to say something when he turned, gave her a half smile and a wink that Sokka nor Aang could see. Oh…

Cian had thought it through. According to Fire Nation laws, a prisoner has to be released with certain forms. Only a noble or someone of high standing could sign for the transfer of the prisoner. Sokka was technically a prince, and Aang was the Avatar. In reality, Zuko had ignored the law and didn't even register Katara as a prisoner to begin with, but the boys didn't know that.

"Yeah," she said. "I still need at least one of you to come and sign for the release of me."

"Oh…I forgot about that law. Stupid firebenders…"Sokka grumbled. "Alright, I'LL go and sign for the release of you. Aang will stay with Appa. Let's make this quick," he said to Cian.

Cian and Katara exchanged a humored look. "This way," said the guard.