ATLA, In A Darker World

Chapter 17 Escape

The Fire Navy Cruiser sailed out to deeper waters. Although still on the southern seas near the edge of the southern earth kingdom, it was now miles away from shore.

Now, there were only two options for a regular human to get to land. One, a ship. Two, waterbending.

As for trying to swim to the coast? Drowning was definitely a sure bet.

Smoke was expelled into the sky from the top of the ship's tower mast, generated from the coal consumed to power the cruiser's engines.

And in the dinning room somewhere halfway up that tower .....

A servant walked in, holding a plate of freshly cooked and seasoned fish and placed it on the table. Zuko gave a slight nod, expressing his satisfaction.

“That will be all”.

The servant immediately took a bow, turned around and walked out of the room as soon as his job was done.

In the fire nation, rank and hierarchy were taken seriously. So although Zuko's banishment had greatly impacted his status, it did nothing to change his overall mindset.

The crew of the ship basically dined in the Mess Hall, while Iroh and Zuko ate separately. The former did it so he could spend more time with his nephew, while the latter felt it was beneath him to associate himself with members of staff like his uncle did.

He was the one in charge of this ship. And as Prince of the Fire Nation, it was beneath him to eat the same thing the rest of the crew did.

So with an expressionless face, Zuko picked up his cutleries, facing his evening meal. The fish was just part of a delectable array of dishes specially prepared by the Head Chef.

A cook brought on by Iroh himself and was the jolly uncle's favorite member of the crew. During the initial year of his banishment, Zuko agreed that bringing that cook was one of the best decisions his uncle had ever made for him till date.

Even back in the palace, the cuisine the family dined on daily wasn't necessarily much better than this.

Fried Bangus Fish, boiled Sea clams, delicious silverskim fish with garnish applied, and of course, his uncle's personal favorite, Roasted Komodo Chicken.

If there was anything this ex-crown prince ever looked forward to apart from capturing the avatar during his long days away from home, it was dinner.

And with how well his uncle got along with the rest of the crew, Zuko was almost certain that the only reason Iroh joined him here instead of going to the mess hall was because of this.

Dinner began and though expressionless, the crown prince ate with relish. That was until he turned his attention to the jolly fat man sitting across.

“Uncle ….”. Zuko called out confused.

“.... Huh? What is it, prince Zuko? .....”.

“You're not eating”.

The prince uttered with a puzzled face. This was the first time ever that his uncle wasn't stuffing his face with Komodo Chicken.

While at the same time, eyeing him warily to make sure he didn't steal a piece from his bowl without his knowledge.

Instead, his face sported a solemn expression while he read a ...... Scroll?

Zuko took a look and was surprised. Wasn't this the same scroll he showed his uncle some time ago? Why was he still with it?

“Oh!” Iroh nodded. “I guess I'm not exactly in the mood for dinner right now”. The old man replied, his voice clearly not as easygoing.