The Royal infirmary stock room was huge. A tiny metal door, barely anything in the fire palace was made of wood- it was far too dangerous, given that any stray spark could alight the whole place. The door opened into a vast narrow walkway, lined with tall shelving, each regimentally filled with an assortment of coloured bottles and beakers, vials and boxes, it stretched far beyond the eyes gaze.

'Two hundred and forty nine… two hundred and fifty.'

Kanora, the young northern tribe healer was knelt amongst the bustling stock, she had been there for hours and was growing frustrated in her task. Her brow furrowed as she rose and reached up high to slide a large box of bottles of viper-leaches back in its place. Restock the supplies? There's not a single bottle missing or even out of place? She cast a questioning eye down the length of the shelves, turning sharply when a sudden creak of the door shot down the narrow passage. It was Master Hao.

'Kanora isn't it?' Hao squinted slightly at the young girl. Pushing a clenched fist into her other flattened palm, Kanora bowed in the traditional fire nation manner that befitted the conducted between student and master.

'Yes Master Hao.' She addressed the floor as she bowed.

'That wasn't clever Kanora, addressing her Majesty like that.' Hao spoke with the same cool calmness in his voice, but the words somewhat spat at Kanora, who raised her gaze questioningly at the elder man.

'Master Hao?'

'Supposing Kanora, that the heir to the Fire nation was lost before birth? What do you suppose would happen?' Hao snapped. Kanora thought quietly before answering.

'It is a most terrible thing to lose a child, but there is no reason that another could not be conceived.'

'Even this heir was conceived with difficulty- that is no secret among the infirmary staff. This heir has difficulty being birthed, why shouldn't another child?' Hao's eyes were narrowed, and he almost spoke through gritted teeth. Kanora was becoming aware that she had very nearly uncovered some grand plan.

'So…' Kanora braced herself and took one solid breath to calm her nerves. 'So we're to risk Fire Lady Katara's life, so that an heir to the nation is confirmed?' Her slender eyebrows raised in a mixture of shock and questioning, her mouth hung slightly open. 'She could very well die….she almost did.'

Hao let his eyes close and head bow low as he spoke.

'It would be most tragic.' He sounded sincere and laden with regret. 'But… it is a strong possibility, the fire growing in her womb could very well destroy her, so we cannot take the chance. If the Fire Lady were lost, the ministers have very great doubts that Fire Lord Zuko will choose himself another lady. And so…' He raised his head again and held Kanora's stare with a strong, condemning look, 'We must save the child above all else.'

Kanora was very aware of her open hanging jaw, and the furious look that spread like wild fire across her face, which began to burn as she searched for the words.

'That's…that's horrific…not to mention treason! Your telling me that we...use!...Use the Fire Lady to let a perfectly strong child grow even stronger, to the point that she could kill her own mother!' Her words escape a little louder than she had intended. 'I am sure the Fire Lord would never consent to this!'

'No. He does not know. And does not suspect it. He's far to relieved that his wife and daughter are for now, unharmed.' Hao's voice was suddenly more sinister. Kanora tried to step back from him, but stumbled loudly into the shelving behind her, sending several glass bottles hurling from their stations, smashing cruelly against the marble floor.

'One silly little tribe's girl, is not going to ruin such a carefully orchestrated plan. If we leave no heir to the Fire Dias, we could start another hundred year war! Do you understand that?!' Hao lurched forward; his face was so close to Kanora's that she felt the light spray of saliva that followed his words.

The palace was silent. All of the staff nervously averted their eyes as he passed. His robes billowing out behind him as he as good as quick marched down the unending corridor. Zuko wasn't sure if he had done the right thing. He was sure to rattle a number of powerful, noble man's cages, and a revolt from the colonies was the last thing he'd wanted to begin. He gritted his teeth and snarled a raging breath. He owed everything and nothing to that horrendous war; it had thrown him through the worst years of his life, but it had also led him to Katara, forced him to choose the path of goodness and peace, and assumed him to dias. Which at the moment was the last place he wanted to be.

'Fire Lord Zuko.' A shrill voice rang as Zuko's mind whirred back to the present. It was Yenna, standing a mere foot away from him; he had almost walked straight into her. The serving woman scuttled back hurriedly to assume a more respectful distance.

'Does my Lord have any other business for today?' Zuko couldn't see her face, it was pointed towards the ground. So he addressed the grey, loose topknot instead.

'I-…' He thought of the stacks of papers waiting for him in his office; debt plans, inflation rates, a mess with the naval fleets to sort out and one burning solution to the conflicts in the colonies to find. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

'I would like to see Lady Katara first.'

Yenna nodded, head still lowered to the ground.

'Prepare my office, I will be along shortly.' He began is journey to the Infirmary Tower. Then he remembered.

'And Yenna, have Former general Iroh's room arranged, and tea awaiting his arrival.'