Samyah

I sit in the prison of Ba Sing Se in the Earth Kingdom unsure of my fate. My life has led me here and I wonder why I decided to come to the Bending Nations in the first place. It's been three days and I am hungry, thirsty and freezing. My joints are stiff from laying on the cold stone floor. They fed me once since I got here. If you can call it food. They gave me a bowl of rice and I couldn't distinguish the rice from the maggots wriggling around in it. But eventually I got hungry enough and ate it. I had nothing else. I grimace at the memory. They did give me water, enough to keep me alive. Until now, I never realized how thirsty one can be and still live. I still am trying to process what happened. I wasn't sure why I was arrested but still, here I am. My hands and legs are bound, presumably in case I am a bender to prevent me from escaping. I start to think about my recent decisions. Why did I even come to the Bending Nations in the first place? I wondered to myself.

I know why. This is where I belong. I can feel it. It feels like home, unlike Las Estrellas, where crime is rampant. There I worked as a psychologist for the police department and also on the side. Or even my home nation of Kondai. I push the memories away. They are too painful and I need to focus. But it's been so peaceful here. I've never felt so welcome in a place. Until now anyway. Of course, I told no one where I come from. I'm an outsider. People here don't care much for outsiders. So I keep it secret.

Well, mostly secret. I did tell one person. My thoughts fly to my friend I made in the Jasmine Dragon. He was kind, easy to talk to and seemed interested in me - who I am. So, I told him and he didn't care. Or did he? Was he the one who snitched on me? Anger started to rise in my chest but I banished those thoughts quickly. No, he wasn't like that. I didn't think so anyway. I only knew him for three weeks. My goodness, what must he be thinking?! I never showed up to our daily meetings for the past 2 days! I feel my heart clench in my chest at the thought of hurting my friend. Really the only one I've actually made since I came to this city. Was he feeling betrayed? Stood up? A tear escapes my eye thinking about it and my heart aches. I'm sorry. I think, sending him my thought.

He never talked about himself. Not much anyway. When I'd ask him, I would get short, one word answers and knew that it would take a lot to break down that wall. Of course, I did notice the scar. It's hard to miss. Taking up half of the left side of his face. I never asked him though. I figured it must be a painful memory. If he wanted to talk about it to me, he would. Otherwise, it would remain a mystery. I guess it would be a mystery now. I'll probably never see him again. Not after being taken by the Dai Li.

I had heard about how corrupt the Dai Li is but I hadn't known just how much. I didn't know who else was involved but I guess it didn't matter. I was here. I hadn't done anything wrong. Yes, I was a refugee but most people here were at one time. I also know that those of us who are not from the Bending Nations are treated with suspicion which is why I kept my secret. How did they know? Spies I assumed wryly. Perhaps a neighbor somehow figured it out. I lay down on the cold stone in the fetal position trying to stay warm. I close my eyes trying to sleep.

Sleep did come. If you could call it sleep. I was in and out, never going into the deep slumber I so desperately needed. A sliver of light shines into my cell through a crack in the wall that brings me to full wakefulness. I look around realizing this was, in fact, not a dream and that I am still here in this damn prison. I don't know what their plan is, but I hope they figure it out quickly. The waiting is almost worse than the verdict.

I hear footsteps and the scraping of metal. They're opening the doors. "On your feet, Outsider," the guard says harshly. I work my way to my feet slowly. It was the first time I really tried to stand and it wasn't until then that I realize how weak I was from lack of decent food and sunlight. Not to mention the shackles on my ankles prevented any meaningful movement. He opened my door, grabbed my forearm and yanked me out of my cell. His grip harsh and his pull sudden, I fell to my feet. "Stand up, you Outsider scum!" He shouts in my ear. Charming man. I do as I'm told. He grabs a hold of the chain connecting my cuffed wrists and feet and leads me through the corridors, each of his movements, which were purposely exaggerated I thought, caused shooting pain into my wrists and hands. I imagined escaping. No, there is no way I can escape. Even if I did, they'd just arrest me again.

"Where are we going?" I dare to ask. I don't get an answer. Did I really expect one? Why did I even bother asking? He leads me through the hallways and I notice it looks less like a prison and more like.. a home? No, this is nicer than any home I've seen in Ba Sing Se. With the marble floors and the stone-like architecture, I recognize it as a palace.

Was I going to see the Earth Queen? I had only briefly seen her when I was arrested. Earth Queen Kia had a reputation for cruelty. I'd heard the rumors of her brutality but I only half believed them. People where I come from are cruel. Not here. Not in the Bending Nations. Even now I was starting to doubt that assumption I held.

Rumor had it that she liked to abuse her people too. Once I had heard of a couple who had moved to Ba Sing Se to start a new life together. The wife was expecting their first child and they moved to the lower ring hoping to move up the ladder to the nicer areas of the city. One day, one of the queen's Dai Li agents barged into their home insisting they were there illegally and were to be taken to the Earth Queen post haste. They told him they had the passports and showed them both to him. He scowled at them. "Save it for the queen!" he had shouted at them. Once they arrived at the palace and brought in front of her they showed her the two passports. The queen eyed them and looked at them, stone cold and said "and what about the passport for THAT?" She pointed to the woman's belly. When the couple said they didn't understand, she told them if they did not have a passport for the unborn child that it will be taken from them. The woman did not survive and the husband later died of grief. But of course that isn't true, I thought. Right? I wasn't so sure anymore. If it was true, clearly she was just using them as an example.

I start to panic. My breathing growing more frequent and shallow. Am I hyperventilating? I didn't have time to figure it out. The guard, turned around on his heel, swiftly back handing me across my face with what felt like all his might. I saw stars. I blinked a couple of times trying to get my wits about me again but couldn't help staggering. I was pretty sure my eye had exploded. He grabbed the chain of my cuffs and roughly yanked them so I was eye to eye with him. "Don't go fainting on me, now." I narrowed my eyes at him and imagined what he'd look like with my cuffs shoved in his mouth. I smiled at the thought. Luckily, he did not see it.

My thoughts were interrupted when we approached a large door. We entered the room and there sat the queen. My stomach sank to my toes. She appeared to be middle aged but I thought she looked older than what she was. She had dark hair, black. Her eyes a piercing green - so common for the Earth Kingdom. Her face was lined with wrinkles. The stress of the job I thought. Her mouth was screwed up into a scowl that could curdle milk. Her eyes met mine and I flinched despite myself.

"Well, Outsider, welcome to my court," she held her hands out in an open gesture. My eyes stayed locked on her - they hadn't strayed since I entered the room. "I hope your stay in my home has been hospitable. Chen, are you making sure our guest is comfortable in her 'quarters'?" She asked emphasizing the last word, her voice dripping with venom.

"Of course, your highness. Only the best for our most esteemed guest," He said, looking down at me, moving only his eyes. I cringed.

This. Was. Bad.

"You're probably wondering why I called you here, Outsider," the queen asked matter-of-factly. I didn't respond. My eyes still locked with hers. "Well, I guess Outsiders don't know how to communicate like civilized people," I narrowed my eyes at her. She appeared unaffected, "I don't tolerate outsiders in my kingdom, especially my city! Once I found out about your…origin…I had my agents come find you. See, I had planned on leaving you to rot in your prison cell but another matter has been brought to my attention that must be addressed." Did she look…angry? She did. Whatever this "matter" was, she didn't like it. She held her hand out, gesturing to the other side of the room. For the first time since I entered this room, I peeled my eyes off of her. It was only then I realized there was someone else in the room. I recognized this man. The same kind face I knew was twisted into one of anger and rage. I flinched under his gaze and couldn't help my mouth dropping open. Why is he dressed so…royal? With the large shoulder spikes, the flowing robe and the top knot, he looked intimidating. However, I quickly recovered and closed my mouth.

"Have you met Fire Lord Zuko?"

Zuko

What am I doing?! I thought to myself while sitting in my room after I had dinner with Samyah again. I had taken leave of my duties at the Fire Nation to handle some disputes between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. Disputes isn't the right word. Atrocities. This Earth Queen was getting out of hand. We will need to have a meeting with the Council of Nations and decide what we can do about this woman, if anything. I thought with contempt. I had no idea when I became Fire Lord those 12 years ago that I would be so helpless SO often.

"Nephew, how was your evening?" Uncle Iroh asked from the other side of the closed door. When I would visit the Earth Kingdom, I always stayed with Uncle at his apartment in Ba Sing Se. I didn't normally stay this long but my interest in Samyah kept me here. His tea shop, The Jasmine Dragon, was booming and a wild success. I was happy for him. He deserved a peaceful life after the life he had in the Fire Nation. And with me I thought with contention.

"You can come in," even though he was a father to me, he still respected my privacy. One of the many things I admired about him. He opened the door and smiled at me, like he always did.

"It was pleasant, Uncle." A vast understatement.

"You really have taken a liking to this young lady, haven't you, my nephew?" Uncle asked jovially already knowing the answer. I appreciated that he didn't call her "the outsider" like everyone else would if they knew. It bothered me that people did. I, of course, knew Uncle wouldn't. She belonged here more than anywhere else - her origin be damned. I didn't know much. Just that she was from outside the Bending Nations. She didn't talk about it much. I know it was painful for her. Whatever happened…changed her. I could tell.

"Will you be seeing her tomorrow?" He asked me bringing me back to reality.

"Yes, I plan on seeing her every day while I'm here," I said not missing a beat.

"And what about when you return home?" He asked. He looked up at me with one eyebrow raised.

I had thought of this, of course. I really HAD taken a liking to Sam, my nickname for her, and I think she liked me too. "I… I don't know" I admitted. I really liked her a lot. More than I liked anyone. At least since Mai. A dark cloud entered my mind as I remembered my first love. I said a small prayer for her and hoped she was happy and content. Wherever she was.

I didn't know what I was going to do. On the one hand, I wanted her to come back with me to the Fire Nation. But she doesn't even know who I am. She knows my name but hasn't been here long enough to learn that I am the Fire Lord. How would she feel about me when she found out? Betrayed? Lied to? Distrusted? Or would it make no difference to her? I really didn't know. And that scared me.

But can I trust HER? I don't know. I want to trust her. I have only known her for a few weeks for crying out loud! It comes so hard for me after…everything I'd been through. All these years and I still bear the scars - physical and otherwise.

"I know you will figure it out, nephew. You have become very wise in the years since you took the throne. I am proud of the man you have become," Iroh said. I swear I saw him puff his chest in pride. I smiled shyly, and gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement and gratitude. "Well, opening time comes quickly at the Jasmine Dragon. I must take my rest, Nephew. Good night." He said, placing a hand on my knee before walking out of the room. I laid back on the bed with my hand under my head staring at the ceiling. A smile came over my face as a drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I woke forgetting for a split second where I was. I got up and looked outside the window at the sun. Nearly midday. Wow, I slept late! Normally I woke with the sun. Sam was rubbing off on me, no doubt. She would be meeting me soon. I cleaned up, dressed and headed down to the Jasmine Dragon. I helped Uncle prepare tea for his customers while I waited. After spending time in Ba Sing Se when I was a fugitive, I really took a liking to serving others. It reminded me of my place as Fire Lord. I serve them, my people. They don't serve me.

Noon came and went and Sam did not show. I wondered if she forgot or overslept. She did that once and was apologetic all day. I smiled at the memory.

"Uncle, isn't it strange she isn't here yet?" It was well passed midday and was soon approaching dinner time.

"It is odd, Zuko. You know where she lives. Maybe check on her? She probably overslept again," Iroh chuckled.

Did I want to be THAT GUY who just shows up at her door unannounced? No. I didn't. I decided to wait until the next day. I was sure she would show and tell me about how she overslept again.

The next morning, I knew that she had to work today and she wouldn't be meeting me at our usual noon meet up time but rather closer to dinner. I didn't mind. I liked how her brown eyes glowed in the candle light and how it caught some of the hints of red in her hair. I waited for her, but dinner time came and went. Now, I was starting to get worried. It was now two days since I had seen her and this was not like her. She didn't just NOT show.

"Uncle, I'm going to go check on her," I said, my voice a little panicked. Uncle noticed.

"I'm sure she is fine. But, be careful, my nephew. Maybe take one of your guards?" He placed a hand on my shoulder. That actually wasn't a bad idea. I gave him a quick nod and left the tea shop.

Whenever I traveled, I always brought my guards with me, Jok and Shen. Not only were they my best guards but also two of my best friends. After spending so much time together, it was hard to not get to know each other. When I was not in need of their services, they were free to do whatever they wanted. Jok, however, was the first one I found so he accompanied me.

I knew where she lived. She showed me when we first met and I always walked her home. She lived in the lower ring of the city, where the newer arrivals tended to live. I scowled at the thought. This is why I hate Ba Sing Se. Too much segregation.

I arrived. Her door closed, her apartment dark. I had a chill run down my back and goosebumps rise on my skin. I had a bad feeling. I knocked on the door, "Sam. It's me. Zuko. I'm sorry to intrude but I'm just a little worried. Are you ok? I know we were supposed to meet and if you don't want to that's fine but just tell me you're ok." I said, my voice starting to sound more frantic and til I was done speaking it sounded more like a plea than request. I wasn't sure if it was because I was afraid she wouldn't answer or afraid that she would and send me away. "Sam, please," I said and knocked again a bit harder but the door creaked open. Uh, Oh. This wasn't good. I felt it in the pit of my stomach.

"Hello?" I said wearily as I pushed the door open. I felt wrong. I shouldn't be going into her home uninvited. But something was off. I could feel it. I walked around her apartment, a small flame in my hand to light my way. Then I noticed something…peculiar. That candle on her table - burned out? The wax was laying in a dried pool under the candle stand. Odd for sure. I looked around, all of the candles were in the same state. I cautiously walked through the apartment into the kitchen. She had food sitting on the counter. Untouched. Her spoon on the floor. Something HAD happened. Why would she just leave everything like this? She liked order.

I stepped outside Sam's apartment trying to collect myself. I closed my eyes, breathing in the fresh air. I glanced down the row and a young woman was standing, staring at me. I thought she might know something.

"I'm sorry to disturb you but, have you seen Samyah?" I asked trying to hide my growing panic. The woman's eyes widened. Unlike Sam, she recognized me. Scar gives me away every time. I cursed Ozai under my breath.

"Oh, Fire Lord!" the young woman said with a bow and fidgeting nervously. I still hated it when people bowed to me but said nothing, "a couple of Dai Li agents came for her two nights ago. She fought something fierce but they ultimately overpowered her and handcuffed her. I think they took her to the palace. I don't know anything else. I'm sorry, Fire Lord. I don't understand why they took her. I've never seen her cause any trouble."

"Thank you, kindly," I said simply, bowing politely to the woman.

"I do hope she is ok. Please, let me know if I can be of any more assistance." She bowed once more, looked around nervously and went back into her apartment. She didn't want to get involved. I didn't blame her. The Dai Li were everywhere. What was I going to do NOW?

My head started to spin. Arrested? Taken to the palace? Why? She didn't cause any trouble. She kept to herself. She was the model citizen. What could have possibly possessed the Earth Queen to have her arrested? Anger, fear, worry and anxiety all started to bubble to the surface. Jok and I ran back to the upper ring. There was only one way to find out.

Somehow I made it back to Uncle's apartment despite my head spinning. When I opened the door, he read my face and knew something was wrong, "you didn't find her." It was a statement, not a question.

"A woman said two Dai Li agents came and arrested her two nights ago."

"Did she say why?" Uncle asked intrigued but concerned.

"No, she didn't know. She seemed just as surprised as I was. What am I going to do?"

"The only way to find answers is to seek them out, my nephew." Uncle said, "but I would not go tonight. You don't want to rattle the Earth Queen any more than you have to," Uncle said, his brow furrowing. He didn't think much of the queen either.

I gave one nod, "Then there is only one thing to do. I am going to pay the Earth Queen a visit."