Whispers of the Blue Flame

Chapter Six: Of Goodbyes & Complaints

"If you had woken me up sooner, we wouldn't be so late to see Bato and the others off," Katara remarked, racing down the hallways of the palace. It was dawn; soon Bato and his crew would depart for the south, and they needed to be at the harbor quickly.

"It's not my fault you and your friend decided to chat all night," Amka retorted, hot on her heels. "Besides, it isn't my job to wake you up."

"Actually, it is! You're my assistant!"

They ran into the final hallway, just before reaching the dawn sky, when someone yelled out, "Katara, wait up!" The voice belonged to a hooded figure chasing after them. The girls skidded to a stop and waited for the figure to approach. When they did, they pulled their hood down.

"What are you doing here, Zuko?"

"I want to see Bato and your people off."

"That would be nice," Katara decided. "But why the getup?"

"I wanted to be inconspicuous."

"So you thought wearing a cloak wouldn't draw attention?"

"Guys! As nice as it is to finally meet you, Fire Lord Zuko, we are really running late!" Amka cut in. "Can we get this show on the road?"

"Um, that's why I stopped you guys," Zuko flushed. "I have a cart ready to take us to the harbor."

"Why didn't you lead with that? Come on, let's go."

Zuko led the girls to the stables and hurried them onto the shabbiest-looking cart attached to an elderly ostrichhorse. He sat up front, drew the reins, and set off out of the palace. The city was waking up with the sunrise and was brimming with activity. Zuko chose less crowded paths to avoid the hordes of people. Amka, who was in the bed of the cart, drew closer to Zuko up front.

"So, Fire Lord, you certainly are strange."

Zuko, with his eyes on the road, asked, amused, "How so?"

"You're dressed in a disguise, leading us through seemingly deserted trails to the harbor in a rather old cart. Not to mention, you're heading to see Bato off not in your capacity as Fire Lord."

He turned to face her and then looked at Katara, who watched the whole interaction with a smile. "Katara, your friend is sure observant."

"That's why I chose her as my assistant."

He then turned to Amka. "I guess I am a little bit strange, but I have my reasons."

"Which are?"

"Well, I was advised not to see Bato off. There have been complaints of me showing favoritism toward the south."

"Well, that's unfortunate."

"Truly, which is why I have to go undercover to say goodbye to the man."

"Who complained?" Katara asked.

"Joon and a couple of advisors," he revealed after turning back to face the road.

"It's smart you took their complaints into consideration."

"I didn't really; I'll just do what I want discreetly. There are some limitations to what I can do in my official capacity."

"We wouldn't want to jeopardize your political relationships like that."

The journey to the harbor ended soon after that. Bato stood by the main ship talking to the logistic coordinator, while Kova and Siku directed some dock workers who were loading cargo onto the ship. Zuko halted the cart at the designated area for wagons and carriages, and the girls hopped off.