As the sun traveled further westward along its azure backdrop, the afternoon's meeting slowly and agonizingly morphed into the evening. Southern Water Tribe dignitaries were visiting the Fire Nation to discuss lingering political and militaristic disputes between the two nations. The Southern Water Tribe had suffered more than the surviving three elements as their fates had nearly become synonymous with the Air Nomads. For four years, their diplomats had visited the Fire Nation at once requesting and then demanding reparations. Usually negotiations stalemated around mid-week, which brings them to their current predicament.
Fire Lord Zuko was sitting on the throne his father, his father's father, and many fathers before them had sat. The impressive display of fire which had been so characteristic of their reigns was noticeably less in his. Fire was not the superior element but one in a four part harmony. This, he rationalized, was part of the era of peace he was ushering in. The problem with the absence of a blazing inferno separating you and your audience is that the latter is privy to every twitch, every sigh, every gesture of agitation of the former. Unfortunately, the current Fire Lord was a master of wearing his emotions on the very hem of his silken sleeve, and at the moment it happened he was clinching his teeth in response to a particularly ridiculous request by a Water Tribesman.
"It" was a loud explosion which caused a massive boulder to block the entrance to the throne room. It happened so quickly that everyone, including the Fire Lord, was stunned into inaction. Only a moment later, Zuko lept from the throne and immediately attacked the rock with a burst of fire. Shards of earth flew, but the boulder remained. Katara, the only waterbender in the room, had accompanied her brother and father to the meeting to mediate between their countrymen and comrade. Flicking the cork on her jug, Katara wielded a stream of water like a sword. As with Zuko before her, fragments of earth chipped off but little damage was done. On the other side, the fighting was intense although the massive boulder muffled most of the sounds of the skirmish.
"What kind of attack on a palace would barricade the person they are attacking away from the fight?" Katara was really just thinking out loud, but Zuko overheard her. His eyes widened and the recognition was immediate. She was wrong. He wasn't the target at all. He called for his guards to help him blast way at the stone. They alternated fire and water and eventually some progress was made. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished into the floor below.
A few hours later Zuko was pacing the floor in his study. Tea for two had been prepared and sat untouched on a gold platter near the edge of his cluttered desk. He was waiting for Mai, but he knew she wouldn't be joining him. As he was crossing the woven mat on the floor for the umpteenth time, the door slid open. Zuko spun on his heels to face not his wife but his security advisor, Tsang.
"I have some news on this afternoon's events my Lord" the older man spoke after forming a flame with his right hand stacked over his left. Zuko simply nodded his head. He was too nervous to say anything.
"Many of the insurgents have been captured and detained…about 15 in all. They are being interrogated at this very moment. Another 10 were killed and approximately 7 of our own men were lost in the fighting." Zuko hung his head momentarily and sighed before looking up and staring at his advisor with imploring eyes. "As for your wife, sir, I'm afraid the news isn't good. Her friend Suki was found badly wounded in a small corridor near the Fire Lady's study. Katara has seen her and treated her. She awoke momentarily but then slipped back into unconsciousness. About a half hour ago this arrived."
Tsang reached into his robe and retrieved a letter. He felt his chest tighten as he watched the Fire Lord read and reread the characters hastily scribbled on the parchment.
Dearest Brother,
You have taken something that rightfully belongs to me, so I have taken something that rightfully belongs to you. Wait for my next letter. If you want her back, you'll do exactly as I say.
Zuko's jaw hardened and his hands began burning the paper before he was fully aware of himself. His voice was low and gravelly when he spoke.
"Take me to her."