Back to the present
The two men spoke all the way back. It was mostly through woods and sleeping villages, no one would hear them and so what if they did? These were bandits, rebels, outcasts. They didn't give a damn. Just like the rest of their kind.
"I'm not sure I totally believe everything you say, you were only three after all."
"I was a very eloquent child."
"Indeed, I can't imagine you crying either."
"Haven't since I was three, nothing much to cry about though."
"Your Mother left you when you were young, your Sister's mad and your Father's gone inside…"
"I don't like any of them. And he's not my father."
"He must be. You're a natural firebending genius. It runs in the family."
"My maternal Grandfather was an Avatar, and I was brought up in the world's most powerful, most insidious royal family. That I will accept and in some ways I'm grateful. I am not the son of Ozai, however. How could I be?"
"What with your political persuasion? Fair point I suppose but surely there would have been a sign."
"Plenty. Ozai hated me and I disliked him. From the day I was born. There's no other explanation as to why."
"Why would he not have had you killed then?"
"My Mother would have made sure the secret got out if he had."
"What about your real Father?"
"That's different. He probably is dead. Banished at the very least but probably dead."
"I see where you're coming from but…" The taller man's voice was still sceptical.
"It doesn't matter if you believe me. I have no proof. Just a gut instinct. That's all I'll ever have. But instinct is all our kind had for thousands of years. We survived. That's not bad."
"Bullshit. Don't get pretentious with me." They both laughed, and talk turned to lighter things. Girls, drink and the reception they'd get when they arrived home.