Storm

Chapter 14

            As the Fire Navy ship pulled alongside Kai’s boat, Storm stayed in the shadows, watching. Kai and Dhatri stood together near the bow of the ship, peering anxiously at the soldiers who placed a gangplank--Storm was proud of herself for knowing what the long board was--across the railings.

            An older man stood behind the soldiers as they marched across the plank and fanned out across the deck, and Storm frowned as she studied him--unlike the soldiers, he didn’t seem hostile… another person blocked her view of the older man, and she turned her gaze to him as he stalked across the gangplank behind the soldiers.

            He was bald except for a long ponytail that bounced atop his head, and his amber eyes and drawn brows spoke of something far deeper than mere anger. Storm’s gaze, however, was drawn to his left eye--or rather, the scar that surrounded it.

            It looked almost as if someone had thrown a fireball directly at his face. Storm almost winced at its appearance--though it seemed fully healed, it must have been very painful. She wondered if the boy--because he certainly wasn’t a man--could still see out of his left eye. It would be a miracle if he could.

            She wondered if his scar was the reason he was so angry. She couldn’t blame him if it was. Just as she started to truly feel sympathetic toward the boy, he opened his mouth.

            And any good feelings Storm might have had toward him flew out the window.

            “You! Where’s your captain?!” His tone was harsh and rude, and Dhatri’s flinch only made Storm angrier. Who did this boy think he was?!

            Kai stepped forward, frowning slightly. “That would be me.”

            The angry, scarred boy stomped toward Kai--and Storm didn’t miss the way the boy’s own soldiers kept out of his way. This was not a nice person.

            “I have information that says you know where to find the Avatar.” The boy’s accusing eyes bored into Kai, who appeared shocked. Kinu, from his place by the mast, started to move forward. Storm barely noticed as Kesuk held Kinu back--she was too focused on the boy’s words.

            Was it true? Did Kai know where to find the Avatar? But no… that was impossible. What were the odds that her friends would know the location of the man Storm was looking for?

            And what did the angry jerk want with the Avatar, anyway?

            Kai shook his head. “I’m sorry sir, but you’ve been misinformed. I don’t have any--”

            That was as far as Kai got before the angry jerk shot fire at her friend’s feet and called him a liar. That was all Storm could take. No one was going to hurt her friends, not ever! Especially not some jerk who obviously thought he owned the world.

**__**

            Zuko glared at the ship’s captain, furious. He was sick of people lying to him! Someone had to know something about the Avatar, and he didn’t care what he had to do to get that information.

            Everything, everything depended on his finding the Avatar. His whole future, his whole life.

            “I know you’re lying to me!” He felt his uncle come up behind him, and the older man started to speak.

            “Now, Nephew, perhaps--”

            But Uncle didn’t get any farther than that, because suddenly a girl came out of nowhere, stalking toward Zuko.