Book 5 Water
Chapter 19 Important Matters
Kuzon sat on his bed in his royal bed chamber as he sighed deeply. He was still troubled with the previous evening. He recalled the events that took place only hours ago.
He remembered the sweet chocolate smell that filled his nose as the aroma of the creamy drink lingered his senses.
The scene came into view of the dining room, with the young prince and his sister enjoying their cups of fresh hot chocolate.
Slowly placing his lips along the cup's rim, Kuzon then yelped out in slight pain as he frowned.
"It's too hot." Kuzon said as he then decided to blow into the steaming cup to cool down the heated chocolate.
Then much to the boy's surprised along with the girl beside him. He could see his breathe flow down into the cup as a crackling sound was heard. Kya blinked before gasping out as she saw her brother's hot cup of chocolate now frozen solid with small ice flakes on the rim.
"Ahh…That was amazing Kuzu!" Kya said with admiration as the boy then frown again.
Tipping the cup upside down and gently shaking it, he was slightly disappointed he now ruined his favorite drink.
"How did you do that?" Kya then asked in awe as Kuzon mumbled.
"I don't know. All I wanted to do was cool it down a little. "Kuzon said with a dissatisfied tone in his voice.
"Now, I can't even drink it…" Kuzon said as he placed the cup down and sighed.
This waterbending stuff was becoming a big nuisance. He can't in spite of everything, just enjoy some hot chocolate without some magical effect happening? Surely he was cursed.
As Kya saw her brother's disappointment, she became concerned. Looking at her still hot cup, the little girl spoke out.
"Here, Kuzu…You can have mine." Kya said as she scooted her cup over to her brother's side of the table.
Kuzon simply shook his head lightly and refused. "No, it's alright. Please, enjoy your drink, Kya." Kuzon said as he smiled weakly.
Kya then lowered her head before coming up with an idea.
"Why don't you freeze my hot coco too? I wanna see it again!" Kya said with excitement as Kuzon gave an uncomfortable glance.
"No! It will ruin your drink! Besides…I don't know how I did it. It was probably just a fluke." Kuzon said as he crossed his arms.
"Why not?!" Kya huffed out as she placed her hands on the table while her lips pouted adding a rather naïve feature to her angry face.
Kuzon simply gave a short snort while he turned his head away from his sister.
"What's all the commotion?" an old voice spoke out as Kya and Kuzon turned to the person by the doorway.
"Uncle Iroo!" Kya cried out as she then pointed to her brother.
"Kuzu did something with his special water powers!" Kya said as Kuzon barked out.
"Don't tell him!" the boy yelled as he then lowered his head and sighed.
Iroh gave a warm smile as he sat next to the boy. "Tell me Kuzon, what happened?" the old man asked as Kuzon then looked up at the general before sighing again and handing him the thawing cup to his side.
Iroh narrowed his eyes as he inspected the cup. The man's eyes widen slightly before turning to his grand son.
"Did you do this?" Iroh asked as Kuzon nodded his head. Iroh was very impressed yet surprised at the same time.
Only a trained waterbender with years of experience could perform such a complex technique. This young child was proving to be more gifted than Iroh could ever imagine.
Smiling lightly, Iroh patted the boy on the head. "You did an amazing job, Kuzon. I know it must be strange and confusing for you. But if you are willing…With proper training, you can achieve so much more with your ability and will also be able to control it." Iroh said as he again offered the boy the one thing he knew the young prince was trying to ignore.
Kuzon still had mixed feelings and with the unexpected snow fall it made him even more anxious and unsure.
Yet, he had to come to a final decision…Such a choice was hard for a six year old to have to make. But it was to ensure his true potential as a bender.
Closing his eyes, Kuzon finally decided.
"Alright, uncle…I'll do it." Kuzon said as Iroh nodded his head.
"Good then…" Iroh said as he then rose from his seat and left the children.
Kya watched her grand uncle leave the room before turning back to her brother. Lightly, the girl reached over and placed her small hand on her brother's and gave him a reassuring smile.
Kuzon smiled back as the scene drifted to the side of the thawing cup with melting ice bits rolling down the smooth rim.
It was an interesting night, Kuzon knew that much. His only concern now was if uncle Iroh was going to tell his father. Strangely, Kuzon wanted his mother by his side. She was really the only person who gave him comfort. How she would lovingly sing him to sleep with her melodic voice. Like rolling waves of the ocean, Kuzon thought as he then remembered how he loved the beaches on Ember's Island.
His mother liked them a lot too. He recalled how she would love to swim in the ocean and somehow stay under water for an amazing length of time before breaking through the surface.
He missed the sound of the crashing waves and wonderful feeling of the cool water at his feet.
Curling to side, Kuzon closed his eyes and slowly fell into a light slumber, with visions of the ocean blue and a mother's tender smile.
The scene a dark prison cell was seen with a woman down on the cold metal floor hugging her knees lightly. While her face was seen buried in between her knees, Katara was unsure how much time has gone by as she listened to her heart beating gently in a rhythmic thump.
Just then a sharp noise echoed down the unseen hallway as Katara lifted her head up slowly. The sound of enclosing footsteps came up to the cell door. A shift of a latch being unlocked rang in the woman's ears as she stood up.
The metal door opened gradually revealed a tall man. Spilling an undetected light that shined brightly behind him, casting an outlined halo around his form, Katara shielded her eyes momentary before her eyes adjusted to the light. She then noticed the man was clad in black clothing and silver cuffs on his thick wrists.
Katara then looked up and faced the man as she tried remembering his nationality. The dark shadows covered most of his features. Looking closer passed the dim underlining of his face, the woman managed to recognize his appearance as a traditional characteristic of the Fire Nation.
The man's cracked lips curved upward as he spoke in a sly tone. "The new Mother of the Fire Nation, it is quite an honor to be in your presence." The man said as he stepped closer to her. His face coming into view as Katara narrowed her eyes. She's seen this man before, but couldn't recall his name.
Of course, there were more important matters to address than the man's name. Quickly, Katara reacted and glared at the man as she spoke in a firm voice, "What is the meaning of this? Why did you capture me and my men?" Katara said as the man then spat out a loud chuckle.
"Your men are dead, Lady Katara…" the man said as the woman's eyes widen.
"You were all we needed. Your capture would have been pointless, if we spared they're lives… When they could easily go off and warn the Fire Lord?" The man said with a wicked smile as Katara lowered her head.
He's bluffing…There's no way everyone is dead. The image of her smiling father then filled her mind. Katara closed her eyes appearing composed outside while her mind dread the worse.
He can't be dead…He just can't. Katara thought as she tried to reassure herself.
Opening her eyes, Katara gave a dark fierce look into the man's eyes.
"Why did you capture me?" Katara demanded as the man's smile lowered.
"It is clear you are indeed a waterbender. A Master Waterbender in fact." The man said as he eyed the woman closely.
Katara huffed lightly, this man made her exceedingly uncomfortable. She narrowed her eyes slightly. What was his objective? She couldn't read pass his taunting gaze.
Rubbing his neatly shaved beard, the man hummed with an amused expression. "I see you wish to know my intentions, Lady Katara." The man said as Katara's eyes only narrowed more threateningly as she sucked in a sharp gasp of air.
"Heh, you'll find out soon enough. Fire Lord Sozin's dream will soon be realized." The man said as he then turned outward from the doorframe. Katara's eyes then widen slightly when she heard the man's last statement.
The man gave a satisfied smile at the woman's reaction as he then shut the door closed along with locking the latch.
The room was then consumed by darkness as the woman continued to stand still. Her breathing picked up speed as she expressed a great fear across her features.
'He-He plans…plans to-
The Water Tribeswoman couldn't even finish her thoughts as she dreaded the man's true motive.
Silent tears fell down her soft cheek as she clenched her fists. Lowering her head, the woman wept, not sure what to do.
The sight of the Fire Nation Palace came into view as the scene zoomed into the royal bedchambers of the Fire Lord. Sitting alone on the cushioned chairs with a blazing flame going nearby the fireplace, Zuko then turned to his uncle's side. Waiting for him to speak, Zuko narrowed his eyes slightly.
Earlier, he managed to run into his uncle in the hallway. The old general had a concerned look on his face as he asked to speak with him. Offering to hear his uncle out, Zuko suggested they talk in a more private setting.
The man was glad, he ran into his uncle. He was on edge and needed a distraction.
The harsh winter snow persisted to fall while the temperatures continued to drop. Zuko's uneasiness caused him to order his staff to take the day off that included any major work that needed to be done. His command was unheard of in the palace. Never has a lord dismissed any duty for his members and servants.
Though some welcomed the rare occasion, many continued to work the daily routines of the palace. The caregivers of the children were especially loyal and stood by the heirs' side.
Iroh became concerned of his nephew's sudden submission which sounded irrational for a lord to demand. Without the members of the palace, everything will slowly fall apart.
The Royal Palace in a sense was much like the world itself. Everything has a place and everyone has a duty to attend to, in order to keep things working and running properly.
But that wasn't the only reason why he wanted to speak to his nephew. A problem more urgent that the current ordeals in the palace even along with Kuzon, who needed a waterbending teacher. This matter was great importance.
Clearing his throat, Iroh then spoke in a stern tone.
"I was informed we haven't received any whereabouts of Avatar Aang. I am concerned something terrible might have caused his delay." The old general said as Zuko simply scoffed while pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Bad weather uncle…He's probably at some inn waiting for the storm to pass." Zuko said unfazed by the news.
"You don't understand, Zuko. It is very important that Avatar Aang attend our upcoming meeting. Without his presence to influence to the royal court, we may end up costing unwarranted amounts of gold to the Earth Kingdom. It is something we cannot do. The system will fail." Iroh said pleading to his nephew to be even just a little bit concerned over their issues.
Zuko took a long sip of the ruby red wine before pausing for a moment. "In that case we will reschedule the meeting until Aang has sent any regards to his absence." Zuko said as he took another sip.
Iroh nodded, agreeing with Zuko's decision. He was pleased Zuko took some consideration for this matter, yet Iroh couldn't help but feel something unsettling with his nephew.
The lord then turned his head slightly expressing a rather bored expression across his face. "Is that all, uncle?" Zuko asked in a dull tone.
"Yes, my nephew…I also wished to speak to you out of concern." Iroh said as he folded his arms into his large sleeves.
"Fire Lord Zuko. Why did you dismiss the staff members?" Iroh asked as Zuko gave a humorless chuckle.
"Why work and fuss over little things?" Zuko said in a dark tone.
"There isn't anything worth getting done except more important matters. I figured our loyal members deserved an honest break." Zuko said sounding not like himself.
Iroh narrowed his eyes, "If you think it is best." The old general said playing along with whatever his nephew thought was significant, but inside he felt unease.
"Of course, uncle…" Zuko said as he lifted his glass and examined the contents inside in an idle fashion.
"Please give the councils any remaining paperwork to officer Kai to sort out. Until then, I'll stay here for a while." Zuko said as he placed the glass down and filled it up with more wine.
Iroh gave a curt bow before leaving. The scene then focused on the old general casually rubbing his beard, thinking deeply as he looked back at the Fire Lord.
The inviting feeling of warmth surrounded her as Azula moaned out. Her topaz eyes opened slightly as her vision blurred.
Where was she?
Sitting up slowly, Azula noticed she was in a bedroom. Turing to the side, she saw a tall woman squeezing out a wet cloth over a porcelain basin.
"Where am I?" Azula questioned as the woman turned around. Azula gasped out, "Mai?" Azula said surprised to see the pale faced girl.
"You are in my home." Mai answered a matter-of-factly as she walked over and placed the hot cloth over the princess's head.
"How did I get here?" Azula asked as she then coughed hoarsely before shivering.
"I found you at the cemetery. Thankfully you did die of the cold. I managed to get my father's rhi horse up the hillside and brought you back here." Mai said as she sat on the edge of the bed.
Azula blinked as she then groaned out. Her whole body ached and felt numb in some places.
Mai gazed down at the young woman. The noblewoman wondered how Azula managed to arrive to the Fire Nation mainland within the time she last heard of her only a few days ago from a messenger hawk.
Upon reading the letter, Mai recalled when Azula mentioned something about a wedding with the Admiral's son, Chan. She figured the princess was living happily with her fiancé on Ember's Island.
Instead she nearly froze to death in an uncannily occurrence of a white winter, now lying in her bed, stricken with a fever.
Just then a boy entered her room, "Mai-Mai?" the young child called out as the woman turned to her little brother.
"I told you not to call me that anymore." Mai said with a dull tone as her eight year old brother peered over at her bedside.
"Who's that?" the boy asked as Mai then turned back to the princess.
"She is one of my friends and isn't feeling well." Mai said as she then turned back to the boy and spoke a serious voice.
"Watch over her, Tom-Tom. I'm going to call for a doctor." Mai said as she slowly rose from the edge of the mattress and left her room.
The boy watched his sister leave before looking back at the sleeping woman.
Sweat beaded Azula's forehead as she moaned lightly. Her cheeks were flushed and skin paler than the white snow outside. Tom-Tom felt worried for the lady and covered more blankets over her form and stood by her side.
Looking to the window, the boy saw the strange flakes of ice falling. It confused and frightened the young child as he clenched on the red ruffles on the side of the bed.
The scene zoomed outward from the window glimpsing at the snow covered plaza and walkway of the noble quarters.
You all thought I forgot about Azula didn't you? Haha! I hope you liked this chapter. It was a little bit challenging to write due to writer's block and honestly, I'm not pleased with how it turned out. I might have to re-write a few things. Please review and tell what you think!