ASTG: Chapter 28 (Patreon)

Raoh got out of the blackspot, followed by Zuko and Toph. 

“What’s happened with you. Your heart has been beating uncomfortably.” Toph asked as she touched Raoh’s arm. 

He let a long sigh. “Something bad happened?” 

“I don’t think you lost?” Zuko gave a glance to the sack that was in Raoh’s belt. 

If Zuko had learnt one thing in this journey, Raoh wasn’t a spy who works for royalty. With his skills in gambling, he can live rich… only if he wasn’t persuaded by his father’s troops. 

Raoh gave him a side glare, which almost made the prince freeze since it was the first time he saw a serious attitude from Raoh. 

“June had been captured by Zhao,” Raoh said in a calm voice. 

“Oh, that’s why you had been feeling nervous then,” Toph remarked.

“Will she tell about us,” Zuko said. “Does she know about the Avatar?” 

“No, she doesn’t,” Raoh said, clenching his fist. 

“That’s bad… Guess we have to move on… without her.” Zuko said in a somehow cold attitude. 

It seems the prince knows best to keep moving on than saving a fallen comrade… potential. They had already left Fong because of his immobility, and he doesn’t mind leaving this one. 

“Tell me, where is the Iron Prison,” Raoh said. 

“Hey, you can’t think possibly of going there!” Zuko immediately understood after hearing his words. 

Raoh glared at him. “I shared drinks with her, and she was… a bit nice… besides, I like her pet. So, obviously, I’m thinking of going.” 

“Do you know how risky it is!” Zuko exclaimed. “Your safety is essential for our mission if you forget. I can’t just see you going south just to risk your life, between a hundred elite soldiers, just to free one woman… Or…” Zuko paused for a moment. “There is something special with you.” 

“I don’t have to talk about personal matters with you,” Raoh said. “Thanks for saying it was the south.” 

“So this means,” Toph smirked as she smacked Raoh’s back. “Something’s special between you too. Are they like the vibes dad and mom makes.” 

Zuko and Raoh paused for a second and turned to Toph. 

“She can see with her bare feet,” Zuko muttered as if realising something now. 

“Yes,” Raoh said. 

“It means, if two loving birds sneaked, she’ll see them. Feel bad for a child to witness that.” Zuko let a sigh. 

How horrible would it be to have sex when Toph is near, or just to kiss? 

What was it like to know every time your dad and mom get into the bed. 

If she just walks around the city, she can see these things even when the people are well hidden. 

“You can use metaphors like your uncle, good” Raoh commented, looking at the smiling innocent face of the 15-16 years old Toph. 

“My inner uncle just woke up,” Zuko said. “Toph, what you are talking about... I'll tell you what it is. it's-”

“Hushh…” Raoh put his sword's grip on Zuko’s mouth and said. “Don’t dare say it.” 

“What are you two talking about.” Toph stared between them. She knew she was blind, but she knew that pointing with her face will make them understand what she wants to say. 

“It means you are right. Toph, eat well, I need you to grow taller by the time I come back.” Raoh reached in his pocket and gave Toph some coins. 

Smiling, she picked them up and put them under her shirt, between her breasts. “I know you are trying to fool me not to come with you… but I guess I can provide some help if we go together.”

“No, you can’t.” Zuko interrupted. “Iron Prisons are types of jails meant specially for Earth benders. It was meant to prison dangerous people in this kingdom. There, you are no different from a normal woman with no training at all.” 

“Hey! I’m quite strong. I can kick you in the air.” Toph flexed her skinny arms. 

Raoh let a sigh and put his hand on her head. “Let’s sleep tonight, and we’ll think about that tomorrow. Okay.” 

The three of them then left for a near Inn. Raoh and Zuko had the same room while Toph slept in the room next to them. 

It was midnight. 

Toph suddenly opened the door. 

“Raoh!” 

Zuko woke up and flipped in the air. He turned and saw Toph, and he frowned. 

“What in the hell!” Zuko exclaimed. 

“Where is Raoh?” She asked as she jumped to his bed. Raoh wasn’t there. “I was just about to go to the bathroom, and he just stepped out of the window… I could see that once my feet touched the ground.” 

Zuko blinked twice and realised what happened before going to verify the bed. “He is not here.” 

“So… he went, alone…” Toph said. 

“What’s wrong with him.” 

“He is so brave.” Toph joined her hands together, looked at the sky, and let a long sigh. 

“Brave? There is nothing brave in that…” Zuko went to his bag and picked up a few clothes. There was a blue mask and dual swords. “It’s so risky going there…” 

“Then why are you thinking of going?” Toph said. 

“Because I’m trained on sneaking.” 

“Trust me, Raoh is faster than you,” Toph said. “He’s non-bender.” 

“Yeah, but I’m afraid that he may fail our journey,” Zuko said. “If I can’t stop him, I’ll help him.” Zuko put the blue mask on his face and the swords on his back. 

“And what I am supposed to do?” Toph raised her fists and cracked them. “You can’t expect me to stay here and do the chores.” 

“You know, you can stay near, and we can use your ability,” Zuko said. 

“Sounds good,” Toph said as she nodded. 

-x-X-x- 

Raoh had gone in the south direction, and he stopped once a large building appeared on his way. Since he had been moving using Shave, he crossed the few kilometres in so little time. 

Taking a few deep breaths, he stared down. Currently, he was standing at a peak, while staring at the huge building. It was surrounded by a huge net made of spikes, and in the middle, there were three gates, and in front of each gate three guards, with bells. 

“The security is high, I give them that.” Raoh reached into his pocket and picked a scarf to cover his face. He then put on the bamboo hat, before unsheathing his sword. “But that won’t last.”