Chapter 8

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Chapter 8 The sounds of birds chirping drifted through my open window, easing me gently from sleep. I woke up in my comfortable bed, in my own room, in our new apartment. Somehow the sun seemed brighter here. And all trace of my fever is gone. I feel fantastic. My mind feels sharp and clear. No conflict, no battle— just hungry! I joined Uncle in our new spacious kitchen. Something smelled wonderful! "What's that smell?" "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." I leaned over the pot of bubbling cereal. "Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle." "Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow," Uncle said, smiling and handing me the bowl. I feel different. I feel happy, at peace for the first time in years. "It's a new day," I said. "We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle." It all seems so simple now, I can't even remember why I ever felt conflicted. We have a chance for a good life here, a new start. And I'm going to make

the most of it. We stood in front of Uncle's new tea shop, The Jasmine Dragon. It was big and beautiful, and packed with customers. I feel so proud of him. This is truly a special day. "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop?" Uncle said as he gazed out at the crowd. "Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you." As usual, he was right. "Congratulations, Uncle." "I'm very thankful." "You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city." "No. I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know." No one has ever been kinder to me or stuck with me no matter what. I gave Uncle a big hug. "Now let's make these people some tea!" It's day one of my new life, and I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be. At the end of our first day, Uncle was sweeping up

before we headed home when a messenger arrived. "A message from the royal palace," the messenger said, handing him a scroll. Then he turned and left. "I—I can't believe it," Uncle said when he read the scroll. "Great news! We've been invited to serve tea… to the Earth King!" It was an honor. Uncle's reputation has spread quickly throughout the city. Things just continue to get better and better. As we approached the Earth King's palace my excitement grew. I couldn't believe I was really going to serve tea to the Earth King. "Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace," Uncle said. "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror, not as the king's personal guest, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing." "It sure is, Uncle." Destiny. For so long I was certain I knew what my destiny would be. Now I realize that Uncle is right. Destiny is what you make it, and I have made the right choice. We entered the palace tea room and set up for a royal tea ceremony. And then we waited, and waited. "What's taking so long?" I asked Uncle.

"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" Uncle whispered. Suddenly about fifteen Dai Li agents came into the room. This seemed strange. Why would they be here for a tea ceremony? "Something's not right," I said. Then someone else stepped into the room. "It's tea time," said an all-too-familiar voice. "Azula!" No! She's here, dressed in the uniform of the Dai Li. I stood and readied myself for battle. All of my instincts kicked in, along with my lifelong feeling of dread at the sight of my sister. "Have you met the Dai Li?" Azula asked. "They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so Firebender. I just love it." What I fool I was! This was all a trap—the whole thing, the invitation, the new shop. Nothing ever changes. Once again Azula taunts me. We're completely surrounded. I don't see a way out, but Uncle does. "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'The Dragon of the West'?" Uncle asked. What's he doing? "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle," Azula replied. "It's more of a demonstration, really."

Uncle took a sip of hot tea. Then I knew what he was going to do, and I was ready. I ducked just as Uncle attacked using his trademark bending technique—shooting fire from his mouth—and spraying it in a circle at all the Dai Li. I bolted from the tea room, exploding through the wall, then dashed down a hallway. Uncle followed close behind, spraying fire back into the room before he joined me in a dead run. Reaching the far wall, Uncle blasted a hole in it, then leaped to the ground below, crashing into a hedge. I reached the hole and looked down. Behind me the Dai Li approached. "Come on!" Uncle shouted from below. "You'll be fine!" Do I jump and once again run with Uncle as a fugitive, or do I turn and fight Azula? Should I settle this—and so much else—right here, right now? "No. I'm tired of running," I said. "It's time I faced Azula." I can never be truly free to be what I choose to be until I confront her. I turned and headed back down the hall. There she stood with the Dai Li agents behind her. "You're so dramatic," she said. "What, are you going to challenge me to an agni kai?" An agni kai—a fire duel, the challenge in which