Fire Burns and Ice Freeze

The Boiling Rock Part 1

We are all sitting around the fire getting ready for bed. Zuko is pouring tea to give to us. I know from experience that Zuko's tea is horrible. So I say no when he offers some to me.

"No one can make tea like Uncle, but hopefully I learned a thing or two. Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?" Zuko asked

"Sure." Katara said

"I like jokes." Aang said

"Bring it." Toph said

"Careful he will most likely say it wrong." I said

Zuko glares at me I just shrug my shoulders.

"Okay. Well, I can't remember how it starts, but the punch line is 'Leaf me alone, I'm bushed'." Zuko said

None of us laugh.

"Told you." I said

"Well, it's funnier when Uncle tells it." Zuko said

"Right...maybe that's because he remembers the whole thing." Katara said

Now everyone laughs at that. Zuko smiles a little.

"It's nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens." Toph said

Zuko hands a cup of tea to Teo and Toph and moves to Sokka. Who stands up.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Sokka asked

Zuko sets down the tray of tea. I see them walk away, I stand up and follow but stay hidden.

"So what's up?" Zuko asked

"If someone was captured by the Fire Nation, where would they be taken?" Sokka asked

"What do you mean? Who was captured?" Zuko asked

"When the invasion plan failed, some of our troops were taken, I just want to know where they might be." Sokka said

Don't tell him Zuko, I thought.

"I can't tell you." Zuko said

Good job.

"What? Why not?" Sokka asked

"Trust me. Knowing would just make you feel worse." Zuko said

He turns to leave but Sokka stops him.

"It's my dad. He was captured too. I need to know what I out him through." Sokka said

"It's not good, Sokka." Zuko said

"Please." Sokka said

Don't do it, don't tell him.

"My guess is, they were taken to the Boiling Rock." Zuko said

"What's that?" Sokka asked

"The highest security prison in the Fire Nation. It's on an island in the middle of a boiling lake. It's inescapable." Zuko said

"So, where is this place?" Sokka asked

Don't tell him.

"Why do you need to know? What are you planning?" Zuko asked

"Nothing. Boy, you're so paranoid." Sokka said

"It's in the middle of a volcano between here and the Fire Nation. You guys actually flew right past it on your way here." Zuko said

Stupid. I'm surround by idjits.

"Thanks, Zuko." Sokka said

I heard him fake yawn.