There are whispers in the fire nation regarding the prince. Rumours really. No one is allowed to utter a word about it for too long, unless you'd like confirm them for yourself. It's been years since the staff heard the prince in the halls. Even longer since they heard the prince’s laughter. Since the war meeting, since the Agni Kai.
Only 13 years old, how does a child fight in a duel with an adult? The attendants of the fight do not speak of it. The few haunted expressions are enough, and the screams that had echoed the palace that night aided them. the most popular theory among the staff was that the prince spoke out against a general. They were planning to sacrifice a new division of recruits to the war, and the prince was outraged.
The Firelord, his father, had challenged him to an Agni kai, and when the prince refused to fight, he burned his son.
And now the prince is gone. Disappeared into thin air, and General prince Iroh roams like a lost spirit at night.
There was only once, when a quiet fury rose in the court. Hushed words of "escaped" and "Iroh" were uttered. The princess had left the nation for a "vacation" soon after.
The tension was thick in the air for weeks until, suddenly, Azula returned, glowing with pride. The staff heard the prince in the halls again. Only for a moment. Screaming. General Prince Iroh was banished the next day.
Months later, during Sozin's comet, not only did the avatar attack, but the prince did as well. Ozai nearly won against his son, if it were not for his daughter turning on him. And as if to mock him, the avatar came to him as well.
And he fell. No bending. Imprisoned. Along with the princess, although her cell was much different than her fathers. And the new Firelord; the hidden prince, whom many hadn't since since he entered the meeting. A large scar covering his face, and another on his chest.
There are whispers, but no one has the courage to ask.
Firelord Zuko stops the war. He commands peace. He wants to build a new era. The Kyoshi warriors offer themselves as guards for the new Lord, as a show of peace.
There are whispers, a conversation overheard. One of them is not there for protecting. One of them is not a guard. One of them is not like the other warriors.
A water tribe man.
Here to determine the new Lord's fate. If he's found to be of the same blood of his father. The new Lord is clueless to it all. No one needs to whisper rumours to see how isolated the boy had been from anyone, save for his uncle.
He does not suspect a thing. He's too awful of a liar to hide his suspicions.
He's too awful of a liar to hide his growing feelings.
There are whispers the new lord is falling for a guard. A guard that is debating the lord's fate. and who will be the one to carry it out.
There are quieter whispers the guard is falling as well.
