Chapter Seven - Plans and Remembering

The Wani had left the cold, polar waters when Jaylee had an idea.

"I think I know how we can get more information on the Avatar," she said as she strode through the open door of her cousin's room.

Interrupted from his poring over scrolls, Zuko glanced up, arching his eyebrow. "How?"

Jaylee walked over to the desk where he was sitting and dug out a map from under the scrolls that littered the surface. She then turned and unrolled it, placing it on the floor.

Zuko got up from his chair to kneel beside her.

With a finger, Jaylee traced the edge of the Earth Kingdom continent. "You can only go to the neutral ports, right?"

The thirteen year old frowned, but nodded. "Yes."

"And you can't really go very far inland safely without being recognized, right?"

"Right."

"And, even if you can go farther inland, not many Earth Kingdom people would willingly give you any information they do have."

"What are you getting at?"

Jaylee leaned back on her heels and looked at him. "You can't go to certain places, but I can."

Zuko blinked several times. "You're right."

"All we have to do, is drop me off at a port we dock in, and depending on how long I'd be gone, wait or pick me up later at another port," Jaylee exclaimed, gesturing to the map as she spoke. "I could even go inland here and there if there's a village or town close to the port."

Looking at the map, Zuko eagerly nodded. "That's brilliant! I could give you some stuff to ask about too. We might find more leads this way."

"We'll have to convince Father though," Jaylee said, a slight frown appearing on her face. "He probably won't like it much."

"He was really worried about you before we found you," Zuko added quietly.

"I think he'll understand though," the girl said quickly, brushing her long braid back over her shoulder. "He knows how much this means to you, and how much I want to help you find the Avatar.

"Besides, more ground covered is really a tactical approach."

"Let's go see what he says," Zuko said, already on his feet.

The pair soon were on their way to find the retired general, hurrying quickly through the ship.

Several of the crew glanced up from what they were doing to watch them, shaking their heads after the children had passed, some murmuring about high energy gremlins that never slowed down.

Iroh had listened to the two children's idea.

He wasn't certain that they had fully thought it through. Or that they knew all the risks.

He didn't exactly like the idea of his twelve year old daughter out in the world on her own. Any more than she had been already, that was. He hadn't terribly liked that either.

However...

"If you promise to use extreme caution and only go where we decide together, I will allow it," Iroh said, eyeing both children. "On trial basis."

Zuko and Jaylee held back the grins Iroh knew were fighting to be displayed and nodded.

"Of course!"

"Sounds good!"

Iroh narrowed his eyes at them, frowning. "You two seem to be ready to begin immediately. But I believe it is important we talk about this further.

"Just because the people of the Earth Kingdom may not recognize Jaylee for who she is, does not mean that risk is eliminated."

"We know, Father," Jaylee said, nodding her head. "But this is something I want to do. Like Zuko said, this will help us find the Avatar. And then we all can go home."

Iroh waved a hand before refilling their tea cups. "You have already convinced me. Now, we must prepare.

"Jaylee, you must find a disguise. Like Master Piandao told you, you stand out amongst the people of the Earth Kingdom and other regions."

"Would her clothes she wore while waiting and searching for us before work?" Zuko asked thoughtfully. "And maybe a cloak or something?"

"That should suffice I believe."

"And I can take my sword so I don't have to use my bending," added Jaylee. "Lots of nonbenders use swords so that shouldn't be a problem."

After talking and planning for a while, Iroh was satisfied.

Mostly.

"I'll inform the helmsman we're stopping at the next port," Zuko said, getting to his feet.

Iroh gave him a look.

"For supplies," the boy added.

They'd agreed that the crew didn't need to know right away. At least not for smaller trips. Which is what they were starting with.

When Zuko left, Jaylee was about to get up and follow him inside, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"I'd like to talk to you more about this, my daughter," Iroh said, standing and motioning for her to follow.

Moving across the deck, Iroh waited until Jaylee had joined him at the front of the ship by the rail.

"What did you want to talk about, Dad?" the girl wondered, leaning against the rail as she looked expectantly up at him.

Iroh was quiet for several minutes.

"I agreed to let you go only partially for your and Zuko's reasons."

Jaylee lowered an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes. "And what's the other reason?"

The man chuckled, noting she was wanting him to get straight to the point.

Much like her older brother had prompted him at times.

"I would like you to deliver messages for me while you are in certain towns and villages," Iroh said lowly. "I believe you know what kind of messages."

Jaylee's eyes widened for a moment before she nodded. "Your group."

"Yes," affirmed the retired general. "I will provide you descriptions and locations to the best of my ability, some members move and word does not always reach me for a great length of time."

"Okay, so I might have to do some detective work?"

"Perhaps. But I believe you shouldn't have much trouble."

The girl suddenly made a face as she thought of something.

"Does that mean you have to teach me more secret flower phrases? And do I have to play Pai Sho with the person each time you give me a message?"

"Yes. And no," Iroh replied. "If you know for certain that you have found the member, you do not have to play the game. And this will require more 'secret flower phrases' since you only know a couple."

"Okay. I think I can agree to that."

"Very good. I will prepare both you and a message before we reach the next stop," Iroh said with a chuckle.

Then, he continued, tone serious.

"We will also not inform Zuko, or anyone else, of this."

Jaylee simply nodded, knowing the reason and seriousness of it. "Yes, Father."

The secret society was secret for a reason.

While Iroh trusted the crew he'd handpicked, that didn't mean he trusted them with the knowledge he was passing on to his daughter.

And the rules were, if you weren't a member or affiliated, then you remained unaware.

Unaware that the group even existed.

It was paramount for possibly the fate of the world that the Fire Lord, along with many others, never knew the existence of such a group.

However, while too young and unready to become an initiate, Jaylee could be a messenger. She knew a little of what he and Iroh's secret group was. And she wouldn't tell a soul.

And he trusted her enough to not read any messages, but just transport them.

"We will begin later," Iroh said. "When Zuko is meditating, so he will not grow suspicious."

If the boy was otherwise occupied, he would not be looking for his cousin. And Iroh trained them both either together, or with the other watching.

For most things.

Jaylee, because of a trip he'd taken her on after returning from the siege of Ba Sing Se and finding out the truth himself years before that, knew bending forms that Zuko did not.

While they were intended to be kept a secret, as well as the knowledge of those who taught them, Iroh insisted that both he and Jaylee practiced them occasionally.

It helped to remember that fire is life.

"Yes, Father," Jaylee replied. She then turned to look out across the horizon. "I will meet you in your quarters later?"

Iroh nodded. "Yes, daughter."

He then left, casting a glance over his shoulder when he was about to head below deck.

Jaylee still stood at the rail, gazing out at the sea.

Iroh frowned, then turned to leave the deck. Still trying to fully convince himself that she would be alright on her upcoming journeys.

Sometimes, Jaylee was too much like her brother. Too brave, too selfless, too willing to do everything that she could to help those around her.

Iroh was proud of his children. Of who Lu Ten had been and who Jaylee was and was becoming.

But it also made his heart heavy as he saw the likeness between the two's characters.

Characters he both encouraged and tried to teach.

The general bowed his head as he walked down the corridor. It was somewhat selfish of him, but he thought it anyways.

"I only hope that Jaylee does not give her all as Lu Ten did. I hope she is not as brave or selfless."

Jaylee stared out at the waves, thinking.

"If you were here, Lu Ten, what would you think of this I wonder?"

He'd probably tell her that her and Zuko's idea was a little crazy, but that he was accompanying, whether she liked it or not.

Or tell her he was going instead.

The girl smiled in remembrance of a time when her protective big brother had snuck both of them out of the palace, dressed as common folk. They'd explored the markets and other areas of the Caldera that they never would have seen otherwise.

But Lu Ten never let her out of his sight. He'd let Jaylee wander away from him, but not far enough that he couldn't come to her rescue if the need arose.

That had been about three years ago now.

The smile on Jaylee's face grew sad.

"That was one of the last times we spent the day together before he left with Dad for war."

Lu Ten had been so pleased to finally get to go with their father. Jaylee had written letters to them both during the almost two year siege on Ba Sing Se.

Then, suddenly, the letters from Lu Ten stopped coming. And the siege stopped.

And Jaylee's brother didn't come home with their father.

A tear ran down the twelve year old's cheek.

"I'll make sure Zuko gets to come home. Whatever it takes."

Thanks for reading! Stay safe everyone!