Early the next morning, they came for her. Mai was taken from her cell and brought to the baths outside the palace. Without comment, Mai had bathed, then dressed in the black clothes they gave her. The kimono robe had a dragon embroidered on it in shiny black thread. She brushed her fingers down the lining as she put it on; it was excellent quality, possibly even something from Azula's own wardrobe. She wondered what the purpose of such a gift was. Well, she thought wryly, as the soldiers laid hold of her arms again, I'm probably about to find out!

Azula was eating breakfast in her own quarters. She barely looked up as the soldiers brought Mai in. "Leave us," she said curtly. Bowing, they obeyed, shutting the door softly behind them. There was silence as Azula ate without haste. Anyone else would have started to fidget; Mai, always in iron control of herself, stood like a statue.

Finally, pushing her chair back, Azula picked up her cup of tea. Her golden eyes gleamed at Mai over the rim of it as she sipped. "Good morning, Mai," she said. Her voice was at its silkiest. The prisoner looked at her in silence. When Azula spoke in that tone, she was very dangerous. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Princess." Mai's voice was guarded. She waited.

"That robe suits you." Azula's voice dropped to a purr. She took another sip of her tea, her eyes fixed on Mai's. The prisoner didn't flinch. Just wait. Don't volunteer anything.

At length, Azula set down her cup. "So! Business." She tapped her nails on the tabletop; the sound echoed crisply in the room. "You've agreed to go and find me the waterbender, the Water Tribe peasant. In return, I've arranged for your banishment, instead of your imprisonment." She chuckled. "I've already had the paperwork filed, even!" She leaned back in her chair. "Do you have any questions, Mai?"

Even though Mai already knew the answer, she had to try. "I…asked about taking Ty Lee with me, Princess."

"So you did." Azula nodded absently. "I don't think you'll need her, Mai. Also, I'm not entirely sure of your loyalties. You might be kept in line by my simply threatening your family, but it's always best to be sure of these things." She smiled. "I think Ty Lee can stay where she is. For safekeeping."

It was what Mai had expected. She mechanically turned her mind back to the subject at hand. "You want the waterbender alive."

"Yes. Alive – and mostly unharmed." A sudden gleam briefly turned those golden eyes into those of a predator. "Make sure she arrives here with all body parts intact, Mai. Other than that – I don't care how you amuse yourself."

The prisoner shivered. She had killed many times, but she never had a taste for it, and she certainly had never really understood the sadistic streak that lurked within the princess. To torture someone, just for the fun of it…her eyes lowered, breaking their contact with Azula's. "Yes, Princess."

Azula regarded her with a lazy smile, her yellow orbs half-closed. She reminded Mai eerily of a coiled snake. "I have letters," she said calmly, poking a small pile of papers on the table, "that will give you access to any weapons and supplies you may need. You will also be given a small ship for water transport. You will not," pointedly, "have any traveling companions. You will do this alone. Is that understood?"

Mai's eyes met hers again. "Understood, my lady."

Smoothly, Azula pushed the stack of papers toward her. "Here." Mai took them and slid them into the sleeve of her kimono. "I will expect you to send me a messenger hawk every three days with your progress reports," the princess said. Her brows lowered, just a fraction. "Should you fail to report to me, I will assume that you've decided to disobey me. That would be unfortunate for your family, and especially Ty Lee. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear, your highness." Mai's voice was calm, but she could feel her cheeks flushing with anger. She cursed herself for the weakness. Azula would see, she would know…

"Good. You may go." Azula sat back in her chair and took up her teacup again. "I suggest you begin your search at the Western Air Temple." Without a word, Mai whirled on her heel like a soldier and left the room.