Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire [Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfic]

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Izara was heading outside and was trying to find Kazan at his usual post near the rear doors of the Palace. As expected, he stood tall and proud, ready for anything. Except for her, maybe. She moved to stand close to him to keep their words private.

"Kazan. I need your help." She said in a low voice, and he furrowed his brow at her.

"I'm on duty." He hissed quietly at her.

"I know, but I've cleared it with Guozhi. We need to go now." She hissed back, showing urgency.

He nodded slowly and spoke to his partner guard, and they seemed to understand even if they looked confused. Kazan followed beside her as they headed down the prison levels. Izara stayed quiet so word didn't spread about what was happening. She wanted to keep everything need-to-know and didn't want anyone else to know the details, aside from those already informed. Not that she didn't trust the other guards and staff, but she just didn't want word getting out. If people wanted to ogle the suspected Supremacist in prison, that would throw a spanner in her plans.

Once they got down to the prison level, turning left to enter it after the guard unlocked and opened the door for them, Kazan finally spoke.

"So, what do you need me for?" He asked quietly, eyes darting around to take in his surroundings.

Most guards never needed to go to the prison unless they were posted there. Kazan must never have been here before. Of course, it was a rather dank and unhappy place with no natural light. The two on duty cleared out, heading back towards the kitchen again. She was glad that they followed her orders unquestioningly. If she had the permission of both Guozhi and the Interim Fire Lord, then she definitely had the authority to give them orders.

"I've captured a Supremacist, and I plan to break him. I need you to back me up. I can't be here while sleeping or guarding General Iroh, so I need you to cover for me." Izara explained briefly, leading him to the guards' table where they could sit and talk.

"What the fuck? When did this happen?" Kazan asked in shock.

They sat at the table while Izara told him everything about what had happened. She had relayed the story a few times today and had gotten rather good at keeping the necessary information and leaving out the unnecessary stuff. Kazan asked a few questions while she talked, making sure he knew exactly what was going through her head while she was tailing him and when she captured him. She told him about their earlier conversation, word for word, and her plan for breaking him. He glared at her when she talked about the poison, reacting as she expected, but didn't say anything about it.

"Why did you specifically ask for me?" Kazan asked after she'd finished her tale.

"Because you know me, and I trust you." She replied as if it was apparent.

"Do you not trust anyone else here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but it was primarily because you won't question my methods. I've already been scolded about the poison several times today. You haven't." She gestured toward him as she mentioned him.

"It's not like I can do anything about it. Too late." He answered with a lazy shrug. "I'm in."

"Thank you. I'm glad you're here." Izara smiled at him and firmly patted his shoulder in appreciation.

She got up from her chair and pulled up her sleeve to see if the rash had started to develop. To her pleasant surprise, there were red and purple splotches along her forearms, and she made a noise in the back of her throat. Kazan tutted at her and shook his head but said nothing.