Thistle and Weeds
Chapter 13: Facing Up
Fishing boats dotted the turquoise waters that cradled the islands of the Fire Nation archipelago. Mai and Zuko could hear the cries of the fishermen as they dragged in their nets, happy with the morning's catch. As if mimicking the people, the seabirds cried out too. Their calls were a strident counterpoint to the more musical tones of the weatherworn men.
The couple's homeland looked beautiful from the small boat. Mai and Zuko observed volcanic mountains carpeted in green and areas of lush rain forests. Black sand beaches, typical for volcanic islands, peppered the coast and huge outcroppings of craggy, grey rock appeared without warning, stark and beautiful, stealing their breath every time.
There were occasional factories too, ugly things with smokestacks billowing black into the air. Mai wrinkled her nose; the smell reached them even out in the water. It seemed a shame to mar the landscape with such a thing, but it had to serve some purpose or other, didn't it?
"Ugh," Mai muttered. "Does it have to be so dirty?"
Zuko shrugged. He had no idea what the factory was for but would find out once he got home. Perhaps there was a better way to do things. Issues such as that would be one of the many kinds on his very full plate should he become Fire Lord. The thought both terrified and inspired him. A little bit of fear never went amiss. It kept you sharp and alert. And inspiration was needed to complete the mission he had set out to accomplish. Who was he kidding? His plate was full already.
"Akishima's coming up," the pilot informed them. He pointed to a tiny island with nothing but a rickety wooden dock and some straggly palms weighed down with coconuts.
When he pulled alongside, Zuko and Mai leapt out and watched as the pilot turned the boat around, giving them a quick wave.
"So where's the other boat?" Mai asked. She glanced about the island. It looked almost deserted. There were a few small homes in the distance, but no people about that she could see. "I hope it's not that one," she added, indicating a boat as flimsy as the dock itself.
"It'll be fine," the prince stated confidently. "Pull your hood up." He tugged up his own, putting his face in shadow. "As far as they're concerned, we're just random tourists or something."
The action seemed ridiculous on an already warm morning. But Mai followed suit and they paced the dock until an older man came running toward them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." His apology was sincere and a warmth like spring sunshine rolled off him in waves. "That's my boat right there. It doesn't look like much, but trust me, it does the job." He bent down and stroked the aged wood of the hull lovingly. "Besides, Takaryu Island isn't far at all."
"We're not concerned, really, we're not." Zuko gave the man a nod, keeping his face mostly hidden.
Mai stared aghast at the boat; it looked anything but seaworthy. There was nothing like economy travel to remind Mai that being noble born had its advantages.
"Climb aboard then; ladies first."
Rolling her eyes, Mai stepped gingerly into the boat before the men, making certain the wood didn't give way, then settling her body on a small bench seat. Zuko followed and sat beside Mai, grabbing hold of her hand once more. He bumped his shoulder against hers affectionately and she managed a small smile.
"It's always good to see a young couple in love; reminds me of my younger days. My wife, Sun, and I, we used to travel to all the islands, spending a day here and a day there, checking out all those secluded beaches, if you know what I mean." He nudged Zuko and gave the prince a broad wink.
Zuko's pale skin grew slightly pink, as if he had been out in the sun a bit too long. Mai put a hand over her mouth to force back a giggle. There would be no lonely beaches on this trip. They had a strange encounter to look forward to instead, one that might just well determine the fate of the entire world. The beaches would have to wait until next time.
"Yes, I guess so, sir. How much longer?" Anxiously, he clenched and unclenched Mai's slender fingers. Meeting the Avatar and his friends after the events in Ba Sing Se was intimidating. The image of the fallen Avatar was burned into his memory, and the look of utter sorrow and despair on the waterbender's face still haunted him. The prince had made many bad choices over the years of his banishment. His need to get back home and into his father's good graces overrode both common sense and common decency much of the time. Zuko felt shame but he supposed that was a good thing. To not feel it would mean he hadn't changed at all.
"Just a few more minutes; enjoy the ride. Don't be impatient."
He had little choice in the matter, so Zuko took the man's advice. He gave Mai's neck a quick nuzzle, enjoying her scent and the feel of tender skin, before straightening up and looking about him.
"Must be right over there," Mai declared. She indicated a fairly large island, lush and green, but rugged too. From what she had heard, Piandao's estate was vast, with a veritable castle at its center. She looked forward to seeing it for the simple fact that it was something different and because of Piandao himself. Being a non-bender, Mai naturally gravitated toward those like her who could hold their own and more against benders. Throw in the fact that he employed bladed weapons, and Mai had herself a hero of sorts.
"That's right," the man agreed. "It's a great place. You folks going to camp out or have you got an inn all set up?"
"We've got a place," Mai answered tartly.
"Well, that's good, young lady. I hope you two have a real nice time." He kept his peace after that, only saying goodbye when he let them off at the island's largest port town.
Zuko handed him a generous amount of coins and then stood back while Mai disembarked. Once in town, they found a secondary road and followed it up and out of the settlement. Piandao's estate was at the end of the line. It was a steep climb and Mai grumbled automatically. Really, though, it felt good to stretch her legs.
"Have you thought about what you're going to say?" Mai asked as they rounded the final bend and the castle stood before them.
Zuko stood straight, shoulders thrown back. He was the Prince of the Fire Nation. Speaking to the Avatar and the Avatar's friend's should be simple enough. He wasn't stupid. Coherent thoughts shouldn't be hard to come by. Slumping, Zuko realized none of that seemed to matter. He was nervous and imagined all the things that might go wrong, the trouble he might have getting through to people he had pursued relentlessly for weeks. Worse than all of that were thoughts of the waterbender's blue eyes staring at him, blazing with anger and hatred. She would be the most difficult to convince. Mai's question was forgotten.
"So, I'll assume you're going to wing it?" she quipped and then grabbed hold of the door knocker.
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For the first time in her life, at least for the first time that she could remember, Azula did not get up with the sun. Her sleep had been fitful and she had dreamed terrible dreams that ripped at the very core of her being.
With a few words not meant for his daughter's ears, Fire Lord Ozai had torn Princess Azula's world asunder. Everything she thought and believed and worked for had been brought into question. She was an instrument, perfectly wrought, perfectly maintained, and used just as perfectly.
Part of her wanted to rage and scream and confront her father, demanding to know why, demanding to know how. But that veneer of perfection and calm, of total control had been polished to a blinding sheen. It wouldn't be easy to chip away.
Stumbling out of her huge bed, the princess flung back the heavy curtains and threw open the shutters. Late morning light flooded the sparsely decorated room. She raised her face to the sun as if in worship and reveled in the feel of its heat. A sense of power suffused her and suddenly her new discovery didn't seem quite so difficult to bear.
She stretched her strong, agile limbs, getting rid of the kinks and twisted muscles her poor night's sleep had cursed her with. Her stomach rumbled and suddenly hunger was her main preoccupation. Thinking about her father and her future could wait until she had bathed and breakfasted. The princess rang the bell for a servant and had the young girl, no more than twelve, prepare the bath. Shooing her away again, Azula let her body sink beneath the almost scalding water. She washed her hair and scrubbed every inch of her body with vigor, scrubbed until her skin was pink and stung from the treatment.
Once dressed, her hair brushed and up in its topknot, Azula headed to the dining room and ordered breakfast. It was much closer to lunch time but the servants knew better than to question her. She ate her fill, swallowed down the remainder of her tea and then wondered what she should do.
Tapping talon-like fingernails on the table top, the princess thought. She could train. She should train. It was part of her daily routine. But this day was already different. And quickly adjusting to changes was part of her skill set.
But those are changes that happen in battle; an opponent pulling out a new weapon or performing a move I've never seen before. This change, it's something I'm unaccustomed to.
Azula mused some more, her eyes roaming the room. Paying her father a visit was out of the question; she couldn't face him yet. Zuko and Mai were gone on their silly lovers' trip and Ty Lee was, well she was Ty Lee, and the princess didn't want to deal with the perkiness. That left terrorizing servants, always amusing but not helpful right now, or visiting her imprisoned loser of an uncle.
"Let's see what the sentimental old fool has to say."
A cruel smile tugged at her red tinged lips.
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The sound of subdued chatter floated out of the massive, sun drenched room where the Avatar and his friends awaited Zuko's arrival. Piandao had greeted the couple personally, trying to relax Mai and Zuko before the hugely important encounter. He was a kind man, easy going and dryly funny but with an interior of steel. You didn't mess with Piandao; that much was obvious.
"Are they, um, are they…." Zuko stared down at the large lotus flower beneath his feet. They were all over the sword master's home. He wasn't quite certain how to ask whether the Avatar and the others would rather kill him than talk.
"They came, didn't they? Your uncle's word has a lot of clout in the Order. If he says you're ready to do the right thing, then I believe him. And those kids in there, they're all about doing the right thing. I had a good talk with them. They'll listen to you, Prince Zuko. But you may have to convince them of your change of heart."
Zuko moved his head jerkily. He was tense and Mai could feel it. She put her hands on his shoulders and massaged, trying to untie the tight knots in his muscles.
"Just go in there and do it, Zuko." Unspoken were her quiet support and her unconditional love. But Zuko felt them.
"Yeah, may as well get it over with." He kissed Mai's cheek softly, a thank you for all that she did.
Piandao, a handsome man with skin darker than Mai's and Zuko's, stood still and straight, hands behind his back. He threw an encouraging smile the prince's way and then strode toward the doorway.
"Prince Zuko has arrived," he announced. "And he's brought along a friend."
"There's no way that guy has any friends."
It was Sokka, the Water Tribesman. Zuko recognized his voice; laced with sarcasm and slightly squeaky, as if it was still in the process of changing into that of a man's.
"Sokka." Piandao said no more but it was enough to shut the boy up.
"Step inside," the sword master suggested, gesturing to the low table surrounded by cushions. "There's some tea waiting and food will be along shortly."
The last thing Zuko wanted was food. He took one tentative step across the threshold, Mai at his side. The Avatar sat calmly, a contemplative expression on his face. Sokka stared at them with narrowed eyes, mistrust oozing from every pore. The little blind earthbender looked completely at ease. She lay sprawled out on the cushions, hands interlaced behind her head. Katara's face was as he imagined it would be; hatred and anger warred for control of her features. Unflinching blue eyes bore into him, tearing through layer after layer of his defenses. Zuko felt completely at her mercy.
"Hello, I'm Prince Zuko, but I guess you know that already."
Mai's hand on the small of his back steadied him.
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