The DragonBorn

Chapter 5

Zeraphina walked beside Zuko and Iroh, clutching her book in her hands as she read it while walking out of their damaged ship. Since the fight with the Avatar, the ship had taken damage due to the snowfall from the iceberg nearby. They had no choice but to pull into a dock in order for the ship to be fully repaired. Unfortunately, there were many fire nation soldiers there that could pose a threat.

Zuko, as they walked onto the docks, pulled Zeraphina's hood further down her face, "I don't want you showing your face to anyone on these docks. Got it, Zeraphina?"

"Of course, My Prince. As you command." Zeraphina answered and then went back to her reading her book.

"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible." Zuko ordered his uncle, "I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."

"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh questioned.

"Don't mention his name on these docks." Zuko said quickly shushing his uncle, "Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way."

"Getting in the way of what?" A voice said behind them. The three turned and saw a tall middle aged man with brown hair and a mean glint in his eyes. Zeraphina almost crushed her book in her hands at the sight of this man, a man she had hoped she would never have to see again.

"Captain Zhao." Zuko said with his arms crossed and a sense of disgust in his voice.

"It's Commander, now." Zhao corrected before bowing to Iroh, "And General Iroh, great hero of our nation."

"Retired General." Iroh said and bowed back. Zhao smiled and turned towards the hooded and cloaked girl, still reading her book with no sense of ever addressing the Commander. But he was all too pleased to lay eyes on her.

"Lady Dragon of the Fire Nation." He said, trying to get her attention, "It is an honor to see you again. It has been so long."

Zeraphina silently sighed and closed her book before bowing in respect to the commander.

"Yes, Commander Zhao, it has been quite some time. Not since we left the Fire Nation if I am not mistaken."

"Your memory is quite sharp, Milady." Zhao said and turned back to the prince and his uncle, "The Fire Lord's brother and son and the DragonBorn of the Fire Nation are welcome guest anytime. What brings you to my harbor?"

"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh said gesturing to the damage on the ship.

"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao commented.

"Yes. You wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko said, "Uncle, tell Commander Zhao what happened."

Iroh panicked for a moment, trying to sum up the words for an excuse. But someone else beat him to it.

"Master Iroh, you have had quite the struggle against the Earth Kingdom soldiers that had attacked the ship. Perhaps you will allow me to speak about the ordeal." Zeraphina said, surprising both the prince and the retired general.

"Truly, I would love to hear the details about the attack." Zhao said, "Did the general really struggle?"

"Only slightly, of course. We were traveling through the southern fronts of the Earth Kingdom waters. One ship posed a threat to us and they attacked without warning, even having the nerve to infiltrate the ship. We were able to defeat the soldiers and sail away, but in the struggle our ship was badly damaged. We were hoping that the repairs could be done quickly so we could continue on with our journey, if that is not too much to ask of you, Commander Zhao."

Zhao bought the lie and leaned closer to the girl, "I would be delighted to have your ship repaired as soon as possible by your words, Milady. But while the ship is being repaired, I hope I could interest you in joining me for a drink."