Toph was frowning, tapping her fingertip on the Pai Sho board. Katara smiled sweetly, leaning back on her stool to rest her head against the bunk behind her. "Come on, Toph, it's your move. Quit stalling. You know I'm spanking you."
"Are not," the general growled, her dark brows knitting together. "You've fallen right into my trap, Sugar Queen! I'm just trying to decide how fast I want to take you down."
"Ostrich-horse shit." The waterbender grinned broadly. "You might be a con artist from way back, Sourpuss, but I'm not falling for it. You're boxed in, you've lost all your dragon tiles, and I can capture your white lotus tile next move, no matter what you do."
"Oh, you are so going down." Toph's mint-green eyes flashed, and a wicked smile twitched her lips. She reached for the gameboard, then stopped, her head suddenly turning. A moment later, Katara heard it – the piercing note of the ship's alarm. "What the -?"
Without a word, both women sprang up and spilled onto the deck. Katara looked around, scanning the ocean for danger; her eye caught something in the sky to the west. It was a Fire Nation war balloon. "Toph, look!"
"Well, I would, Sweetness, but I'm blind." The earthbender sounded exasperated.
"It's a balloon. It's coming from the west." Katara peered at it.
"Then it's coming from the Fire Nation." Toph tapped her bare foot against the metal beneath it. Her head turned. "Captain Xiaoshen's over that way – let's go see if he knows anything yet." The two strode toward the bow of the ship, dodging the sailors and soldiers rushing about. Katara cast a glance over her shoulder; she could see a group of eight firebenders guarding the hatch that led down to where Ty Lee and Chanya were. Reassured, she headed to where the captain stood.
The man stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back, his gray eyes fixed on the distant war balloon. Toph moved to stand beside him; Katara watched as she assumed much the same position, her spine ramrod-straight. "We've got a visitor," the earthbender remarked. "Unannounced, I take it?"
"Yes." The captain's eyes didn't leave their approaching guest. "I sent them a hawk a minute or two ago. If we don't get a reply in the next three minutes, we will fire warning shots." His lips tightened. "It's just as likely not a threat," he added quietly. "We are approaching Fire Nation waters, and it's probably just one of the balloons that patrol off the coast. But I thought it best to be cautious, given Azula's…propensities."
"Good thinking," Katara said. "I'd even be suspicious of unannounced tiger seals, with that woman on the loose." She could feel her brows knitting in a scowl. Memories flashed through her mind – of Azula striking Aang with lightning, almost killing the boy; of her laughter as she blasted them with blue fire at the Western Air Temple; of her raging on the battlefield as Sozin's Comet raked across the sky, sending waves of merciless flame ripping through the ranks of her enemies. Katara's jaw set. I swear, if she's on that balloon, I am going to show her exactly why you do not mess with a master waterbender! Her breath came a little faster.
Toph's callused fingers brushed gently against Katara's palm as the earthbender squeezed her hand. "Easy, Sweetness," she murmured before she released her. The waterbender's eyes flicked to her; Toph was staring blankly down at the water below, a faint smile twitching her lips. Katara took a deep breath and looked back up again.
A messenger hawk spiraled down to land on Captain Xiaoshen's outstretched arm. He took the paper from the leather tube, transferring the bird absently to his shoulder as he unrolled it. "The royal seal!" he exclaimed, scanning the message. "They've been sent by the Fire Lord."
"Let me see." Katara leaned over to study the paper. It was sealed with the dragon of the Fire Nation's royal family. She wasn't as familiar with Zuko's handwriting as she was with Mai's, but she thought it looked authentic. "They've got messages for us? Why didn't they just send them by messenger hawk?" she muttered.
Captain Xiaoshen gave her a significant look. "You know the former Fire Princess better than I do," he said. "Azula is certainly aware of predator hawks – if she wanted to intercept certain messages between us and the Fire Lord, she could probably do so."
"Fine, but we should be careful anyway." Toph's expression was grim. "I wouldn't put it past Azula to be able to get her hands on a royal seal."
"Duly noted." The captain nodded.
The balloon slowly pulled close to the warship, hovering about twenty feet above it; grappling hooks were thrown down, and sailors caught them, dragging it slowly down to land on the open deck. Katara and Toph stood ready – the waterbender's blue eyes were riveted to the balloon, watching for any sign of trouble.
A figure in a Fire Nation uniform climbed out, saluting. It was a woman; she looked to be in her late twenties, with dark hair and golden eyes. Despite this, she did not look like Azula. Katara softened her stance a little, glancing at Toph. "Well?"
"It's not Madame Fiery Britches." The earthbender stood up straight, lowering her hands. "I might not feel vibrations as well on this ship, but I can tell that much."
The soldier stepped forward, stopping about ten feet from where they stood, and saluted again in the captain's direction. "Captain Xiaoshen? I bring messages from Fire Lord Zuko." She held up two sealed scrolls. "This one is for you, sir. The other is for Ambassador Katara." Her golden eyes moved to the waterbender.
As she approached, Katara noticed a golden dragon stamped on the shoulder of her red armor. Imperial bodyguard? I know most of them… She looked up at the soldier's face again, keenly. "I remember you. You're Ming, right? One of Fire Lady Mai's guards."
"That's right, Ambassador." The young woman bowed respectfully. "I've often seen you at the palace." She extended the second sealed scroll. "Her highness requested that I personally put this in your hands. She also asks that you burn it once you've read it, Ambassador."
"Thank you. I will." Katara broke the seal and began to read. She vaguely heard the captain inviting Ming to make herself at home or some such thing, but her attention was focused on the paper as she unrolled it.
Ambassador Katara,
I have discussed the matter of Ty Lee with my husband, and he has decreed that she may remain on the ship when it enters Fire Nation waters, on the condition that she does so as a prisoner. She must remain in the brig. The death penalty will apply if she does not do so.
On a more personal note, thank you for watching out for her, Katara. I do appreciate your help in this! Keep her safe.
And I know I have already made this clear, but please, tell no one about this, not even your most trusted friends! I'm sure you know what the ramifications would be if it was known that the Fire Lady was in any way associated with an exiled traitor. I'm trusting in your discretion, Katara.
Stay vigilant. It is almost certain that Azula will try to attack you before you reach the Fire Nation. My husband has instructed Captain Xiaoshen to guard the young Avatar with his life – I ask you to do the same for Ty Lee.
If any of you have messages you need to send to the Fire Lord or to myself, please send them with Ming. We have reason to believe that any messages sent by hawk are no longer secure, but Ming can be trusted implicitly.
May Agni watch over you all. Be careful, Katara.
Fire Lady Mai
So Mai thought that Azula was going to attack them. Katara's eyes narrowed as she studied the lines of writing. It is almost certain that Azula will try to attack you… Somehow, seeing it in black and white in front of her made it seem very real. The Water Tribe woman set her jaw grimly, thinking of Chanya and Ty Lee. Let her come. Maybe we can give her more than she bargains for!
Katara read the letter once more, then looked up. To her surprise, Ming was still standing before her. The imperial guard smiled faintly and gestured – a ball of flame appeared on her palm. "May I help you with that, Ambassador?" Wordlessly, Katara lifted the scroll and held its end in the fire. It crumpled to ashes on her fingertips, and was lost in the breeze wafting from the ocean.