Chapter 2 – The Meaning of Treason

Azula, Sokka, several royal guards, and the street preacher stood in the throne room awaiting the Firelord. As Zuko entered, Sokka kneeled respectfully, and Azula and the guards fell prostrate. The preacher, however, stood defiantly. Zuko gave the man a hard stare. "Rise," he ordered. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Firelord," Azula began, "This man was spreading sedition and speaking treason, publicly advocating for your overthrow. I heard it with my own ears. He should be summarily executed or at least imprisoned."

Zuko rubbed his temple and muttered, "I'm surprised you didn't do it yourself, Princess."

Azula crossed her arms indignantly, "I've learned the value of restraint, My Lord. Besides, summary action is the Firelord's prerogative alone."

"So it is," Zuko agreed. Then, addressing the preacher, "Well, what have you to say for yourself? Are you trying to start a revolution and overthrow me? What's your name, anyway?"

The preacher glared at the young ruler, "I have no name. I gave it up in penance for my sin of turning away from the true path of fire. It's not my place to overthrow you. I'm not trying to start any rebellion, but preaching revival. When the people of the Fire Nation repent, and return to the true path, then the spirits of fire will judge you, Zuko, son of Ozai. They will place you in the balance and when they find you wanting, they will give your birthright to another, a true Son of Fire. Just as the Shaman has foreseen."

"Riiight," Zuko commented. Turning to Sokka he asked, "Ambassador, you witnessed the incident. Did this man advocate rebellion, actually say anything about causing harm to me or my overthrow?"

Sokka thought a moment, then answered, "Actually, no. It was just the talk of repenting and the spirit mumbo-jumbo like he just said."

Zuko stroked his chin in thought, then rendered his judgment. "You are free to go, Preacher, but you're banished from the capital. Take your gospel somewhere else, and be very careful of your words. Maybe you could go to Ember Island. The theater there is always looking for a new farce. Now get him out of my sight."

The guards led the preacher out of the throne room, leaving Zuko alone with Sokka and Azula. Azula glared at her brother in disbelief and disgust. Dropping all pretense of courtly protocol, she screamed, "How can you just let that man go, Zuko? Father would have reduced him to ash, or at the very least thrown him in the deepest hole in the Boiling Rock for the rest of his life for he just said to you."

"I am not our father, Azula!" Zuko thundered back. "And speaking out of turn is not a capital offense. That man is guilty of nothing other than having some crazy religious ideas. If I locked up every crackpot and drunk that griped about how I am running things, I'd have to build a hundred Boiling Rocks to hold them all."

Azula glared at her brother, then Sokka. If she could bend fire with her eyes, both would have been human torches. Angrily, she crossed her arms and stomped off to her chambers.

Sokka scratched the back of his head nervously, "I guess, I...uh, better go talk to her."

Zuko waived him off, and Sokka trotted off after the princess.

Mai emerged from the shadows and approached her husband. She leaned into him and he placed his arm around her. Mai sighed, "Azula's not wrong, you know. People like that man are dangerous."

"I don't think some homeless street preacher is much of a threat to me," Zuko said dismissively.

"It's not just him, Zuko. It's his ideas. And how many others are there out there like him? You shouldn't dismiss it. Besides, its not just yourself you have to worry about now," Mai warned.

Zuko kissed the top of her head and said, "I know. That's why I really don't like this idea of you going to Ember Island. Are you really sure it's the best thing?"

"I do. The healers say the stress of court life is endangering both me and the baby, that I need as much rest as I can get. I certainly won't get it here," Mai explained.

"It just doesn't seem right. I should go with you. What if the baby comes early and I'm not there?" Zuko asked.

"You worry too much. Ty Lee, a squad of Kyoshi Warriors, and a platoon of Royal Guards are going with me. I'll be fine. You have to stay here and do your job, Firelord. I have to go to Ember Island and do mine, make sure our child is born healthy. And if something happens and you don't make it for the birth, then I'll make sure he grows up resenting you."

Zuko smiled, and gently kissed his wife. "I don't hate you."

…...

Sokka found Azula fuming in her room. "Go away," she ordered. "I'm angry with you."

"What did I do?" Sokka asked.

"You defended that traitor even after what he said about us!" exclaimed Azula, exasperated.

"I didn't defend him Azula! Zuko asked me what he said, and I told him the truth," Sokka explained.

"His exact words don't matter," Azula argued. "They clearly betray treasonous intent. This Preacher and his ilk are a threat, and you really are the fool I used to think you were if you don't see it."

"I don't disagree with you Azula. The situation clearly calls for more scrutiny. And he mentioned something about a shaman. I'd like to learn more about that," Sokka said.

"Clearly," agreed Azula. "Unfortunately, there is little I can do. I no longer have an organization like the Dai Li at my beckon call, and Zuko would never allow me to turn the military intelligence into one."

Sokka retrieved the White Lotus tile from his pocket, and flipped it like a coin. With a smile, he said, "Lucky for us, I'm not without resources of my own."

…...

Unlike his predecessors, Zuko preferred to to conduct most of the affairs of state in a small, private office just off the throne room, reserving that imposing edifice for more formal functions like receiving foreign dignitaries or council meetings where he could use it to its most intimidating effect. So it didn't surprise Sokka to find him there two days later, quietly sipping tea and going over various ministerial reports that required his attention.

"Good morning, Firelord!" Sokka greeted.

"Good morning, Sokka," Zuko said, returning the greeting. "What brings you by, the fishing thing?"

"Actually, no. I haven't heard back from Dad yet. Azula's been looking for Mai. I figured you might know where she is," explained Sokka.

"I do," Zuko answered. "She took the royal barge to Ember Island last night on the advice of her healers. Actually, she should be there by now."

"The barge?" Sokka questioned.

"Less conspicuous than an airship," Zuko answered. "We're trying not to advertise that she's there. Why is Azula looking for her. Trying to mend fences?"

"Yeah. Her pride won't allow her to admit it that way. She said something about her duty as sister-in-law and aunt to organize a baby shower," Sokka explained.

Zuko smiled and shook his head, "She continues to surprise me."

Just then, a palace page barged in to the office. "Apologies my lord. The Royal Barge has just returned to port with damage and casualties."

Zuko froze. "What about my wife?"

"The Firelady isn't aboard, my lord."

…...

Mai awoke in a plush canopy bed. The bed occupied the center of a large, well appointed room. Light streamed in through barred, stained glass windows. The door opened and an old woman, dressed in what appeared to be fire sage robes but colored black. The woman smiled and executed the traditional Fire Nation salute. "It's good that you are awake, my lady. I trust that you are comfortable."

Mai gave the old woman an icy stare. "Who are you and where am I?"

"I am the one called the Shaman, and where you are is safe from the corrupt influence of the son and daughter of Ozai."