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

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Izara had just spoken to Argo, who would get some good men to help them, and then he would meet her at the east side of the camp. Kazan was the one who showed her the ropes when she was first taken in by her Uncle. Things had been pretty rough before, but her Uncle had no patience for her learning. Kazan had helped her one day when she was carrying the Colonel's heavy armour set from the armoury to the barracks. Since then, they had gotten along. He was an honest man and always treated those around him with respect.

Kazan knew she could fight and was more intelligent than she let on, but he didn't know why. He hadn't pushed her to tell him, but she would have to after this. Since they had become close friends, she had opened up to him, and she didn't want to lose the bond they had developed. She hadn't given him all the details because she didn't want him to feel different about her or even dislike her when he learned the truth. After Argo left to find more allies, Izara returned to her tent and armed herself to the teeth. In the trunk she had transported her personal items in from camp to camp, she had made some hidden compartments holding her weapons. Her swords hadn't been in her hands for any reason other than practice for years, and she had intended to keep it that way. But her friend was more important.

Once darkness had fallen, Izara waited silently in the shadows for Argo to arrive, just in case his actions may have alerted the wrong person. If they were going to get busted, she would go alone. Stealth was her forte, so she could sneak away undetected. Unfortunately, most of the guys they were facing were all incredible firebenders, the one thing she wasn't great at. She would have to hope that no one spotted her, as it would be difficult to defend against fire at night, especially since it would draw a lot of attention.

Luckily, Argo's team showed up unnoticed, and she stalked out to get his attention. He came over and told her that he had enlisted three other people whom he trusted and turned to introduce her to them.

"This is Zorin, Feng, and Lee. They know what's at stake and will say nothing." Argo lowered his voice to just above a whisper. They couldn't risk discovery.

She gave them all a nod, and they returned it. They were clearly confused since they knew who she was and that she wasn't a soldier.

"Let's go." Izara gestured for them to move out using proper Fire Nation army hand signals, and after a moment's confusion, they listened.

Argo took the lead, but Izara kept herself right behind him. The man named Lee was on her left but moved closer to her.

"Why are you doing this? I know you and Kazan are friends, but you're going to get yourself killed. Can you even fight?" He whispered just loud enough for her to hear since their camp wasn't too far away.

"There isn't exactly a market for mercenaries now that the War is over. That's why I'm with my uncle. A girl has to eat."

"You are a mercenary?" Argo turned to look at her over his shoulder.

"I was." She corrected him softly, and that was the end of the conversation. Mercenary was a simple way of putting it, but she would have done anything if she had paid the right amount of money.

There was no more talking besides planning discussions until they arrived at the camp. It was only an outpost set up in a clearing, with a small bunker made from rock and wood. The Supremacists were on watch in each direction, but Izara had already formed a plan on her way over. Fortunately, their numbers weren't too great. About 15 were in sight, but she wasn't sure how many were inside the bunker.

"Lee, Feng. I want you two on the other side. Argo, Zorin, stay here. I'll create a distraction, allowing me to access the building inside. However, if I'm not back in an hour... go back to camp and pretend none of this happened. Got it?" Izara commanded, but Feng spoke up.