WiltingDaisies94: Wow, so we had quite a bit of reactions towards the last chapter. I am glad you all liked Katara speaking (it was wonderful to actually use quotation marks for her), and yes, that's a phenomenon that will continue.

So no more previews, not even in my author's note. I'm just going to answer a few questions from last chapter, and then off you go.

patty cake rocks: Well, yes, in a technical sense Aang is alive. He's sort of trapped in a giant crystal at the moment, but they're working on that. As for who else is dead or alive... wait and see :)

beastlySmallness: Eye-bending is more subtle because there is very little visual motion. Regular bending involves specific hand motions, and as years of watching Avatar has shown me, bending is not a subtle thing. Try it yourself if you like; move just your eyes, then move your hands, and see which is more noticeable.

daveshan: I'm sorry I haven't really gotten to your questions so much, and therefore a part of this chapter is dedicated to that cause. Also, part of what you need to remember is that the "deals" Zuko has crafted are wildly in the favor of the Fire Nation, and are forced on the other nations, regardless.

Thank you all for your reviews and questions, and please enjoy this next installment!


Chapter 29

The absolute vastness of the open courtyards in the Fire Lord's complex has my mouth hanging open in wonder. The contrast from my usual view – that of endlessly dark, mazelike corridors – is astounding, and the open air is a welcome relief. Lanterns are hanging from every available structure, and torches line the walkway into the courtyard. Somehow lights have been interwoven into the branches of trees and the leaves of low growing hedges, throwing merry shadows across the ground.

Everything is happening so quickly, and though I can't for the life of me explain why, a mysterious calm has entered my veins. All I've been informed of - Aang's survival, the determined rebellion, Master Jhou's involvement - has slipped quietly into the back of mind, allowing me an unnatural focus. Too much rests on my performance tonight for failure to be an option; I can break into tiny, psychotic pieces after I escape.

Fortunately there is much to distract me. Competing for my attention is the sheer number of people clustered into the space; there must be thousands of men and women in this courtyard alone. It is a tribute to the size of the Fire Nation, that even in this freakishly large complex I can scarcely find room to breathe. The revelers make up a small army (of course, all of Master Jhou's training has me thinking in military terms).

In fact, if I hadn't been there to see it myself, I'd be floored at the idea that these people could begin and support a war of such terrible magnitude. The festive atmosphere easily covers the vicious nature of the Fire Nation populace, the echoes of laughter effacing all evidence of treachery.

But these civilians are not my concern… not yet. Master Jhou's announcement is for them, that much he's explained, and whatever it is, the expectation is that the people, already drunk and excited, will devolve into some sort of organized anarchy. And their beloved Fire Lord is to be the target of all their collective excess and anger.

That's part of my bribe, I suppose.

I move quietly into the main hall where the dancing is taking place, where the music is thrumming. I touch my mask, fixing it one last time, irrationally paranoid that it will simply slip off my face. My hands fidget, fingers drifting down to my dress, where I smooth out a wrinkle, focusing myself around that nearly invisible ridge. Everything is perfect, in place, ready.

Even me.

I breathe once and step through the throng, my muscles tightened with anticipation. My most crucial challenge is also my first – I must find Zuko and relieve him of the mysterious vial. I have a fair description of what he's wearing, though by the look of things, a red robe doesn't make one terribly conspicuous. Hopefully a decorative golden dagger won't be quite as commonplace.

I walk past a cluster of women who are well on their way to inebriation, along with the gaggle of young men who seem to have initiated that process. "Oh no! Oh no!" one of the girls is protesting, her mask slipping down her face as she holds her sides, shaking with laughter. Her friends move closer to her, lost in their merriment, and the young men advance.

I hurry by; in my peripheral vision I catch one of the boys eyeing me appreciatively.

Toad.

I examine a man in red who is munching happily on some vegetable dish, but his half mask reveals pouty lips that could never belong to the Fire Lord. I move on. Another wine-red robed man is chatting with a boy about half his age… who on closer inspection bears the same insignia on his back… a father and son duo. Definitely not.

I push through a thick crowd of middle-aged women with a few well-aged specimens mixed in. "I wish my nephew would hurry along and find himself a bride," one of them is grousing, her pudgy arms crossed petulantly over her chest. "He has the common sense of a fish, and about as much backbone –"

Fire Nation matchmaking, I think, shaking my head. Charming.

More men in red, a whole group of them, are seated around an enormous table, arguing as Fire Nation men are prone to. I cross them off one after another: too tall, too fat, eyes too far apart. There's one who might fit, though, and I inch closer to the table to listen in on the conversation.

"If you ask me, I would say that the Fire Lord was radically lenient in his treaty with the Earth Kingdom," the fat one is proclaiming, in a manner that suggests his opinion is absolutely above reproach or disagreement. "Our Lord refused to keep even a part of Ba Sing Se for himself; he never touched Omashu, despite its wealth of resources; he even left Kyoshi Island and those little lady warriors intact. The Earth Kingdom has every reason to be thankful to the Fire Lord."

Politics. Excellent.

Frighteningly enough, there are murmurs of agreement, general whispers of consent from around the table. The fat man sits back contentedly, resting his hands on the tabletop, as if he has single-handedly resolved the matter.

"Not so hasty, my friend," the one who looks like Zuko objects, and though his voice is too low for him to actually be the Fire Lord, I listen anyway. "You are floating along the surface of the matter, and very willingly, I suspect." He smiles thinly, coolly. "You are too clever to make such claims any other way." He says 'clever' as if it were the least likely description of the other man he can possibly think of.

The fat man grunts in barely concealed contempt and leans forward. "Please, enlighten us with your views, then," he replies in sickeningly sweet tones, his extra chins quivering in irritation.

"With pleasure." The other rests on his elbows, and the table buzz goes oddly silent. "Firstly, it is common knowledge that the current Earth King is a deferential puppet ruler, chosen and put in place by the Fire Lord, to serve his commands. Our Fire Lord has a good head for policy; rather than forcing himself on the Earth Kingdom as a conquering foreigner, he rules vicariously through a living marionette. By doing this, he very, very successfully," the man stresses, smirking at the disgruntled fat one, "appeared as a sympathetic, merciful individual, rather than the manipulative politician he is."

Guilt is tugging at my gut; I know I have a time limit on how long I can take to complete my task. But it's gratifying to hear someone else speak of the Fire Lord as he really is, and my vengeful side is roaring its agreement in my head. I turn my face away and spot a man in red; his hair is too long for him to be Zuko. I turn back.

"And it would be simply bad form to neglect the addition of the Jae Min to the Earth Kingdom's daily routine," the man continues, his monologue attended with a surprising silence. "More powerful than even the Dai Li were at their greatest moment, and infinitely more deadly. The Jae Min carry out the more unsavory orders of the Fire Lord; they maintain tight control over the rights of Earth Kingdom civilians; they have black lists of known earthbenders, just in case any should take it into their heads to stir up trouble."

So I was right – the Jae Min is a secret army, ready to do Zuko's bidding. I suppose the Fire Lord did take a lesson from the Dai Li after all… the thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

"And the kindness Our Gracious Fire Lord displayed by helping rebuild the Earth Kingdom?" The man chuckles airily. "All show. The Jae Min oversaw the project, consulted all the architects, and received copies of every layout and every floorplan for every building in the nation. There isn't a single structure in the rebuilt Earth Kingdom cities that the Fire Lord doesn't know the intimate details of – exits, entrances, number of rooms, inhabitants… flammability."

"If it weren't for that smile, Asu, I might think you were against the Fire Lord's measures." A stocky man with sharp teeth and a thin nose, sitting farther down the table, speaks up. "Surely you cannot disagree with Fire Lord Zuko's treatment of those foolish Earth and Water rebels?"

The one who is apparently Asu shakes his head. "Oh you mistake me, Maka. I have much respect for the Fire Lord's political tactics, especially in one so young. I merely believe that, as we are among understanding company, there is no need to mask the truth." He raises an eyebrow. "And the truth is that Fire Lord Zuko's punishment of the Southern Water Tribe has devastated, perhaps permanently, not one, but two nations."

My heart gives a sturdy thump, and I move away from the table and the conversation. Zuko wasted no time informing me of his plans for my home; his isolation of the Southern Tribes has effectively stunted all of its economic possibilities. We in the Southern Tribes have always depended heavily on our trading – living in such a remote location, certain essential resources are limited, and can only be acquired from the other nations.

The Fire Lord put a permanent stop to that, denying aid to the Southern Water Tribes and forcing the other nations into an Isolationist Embargo. For months he tormented me with news of the misfortunes occurring in my homeland. The steady supply of metal, oil, and wood having been cut off led to a greater susceptibility to disease, an inability to construct or repair necessary items… and the War took the lives of so many of the tribe's protectors, that there was little enough strength left in my people to begin with. And it's been many more months since the Fire Lord ceased taunting me with the oncoming destruction of my home – I can hardly imagine what life at the Southern pole must be like now.

The crowds around me begin to thin. I've walked the length of the room, and am fast approaching several ornate tables laden with food. My eyes rove the area, and I push my way through a pool of boys who look about thirteen, and are certainly eating like it. How they can fit so much into their mouths and still manage to talk is beyond me.

"Revolting, isn't it? Commoners standards for manners fall more drastically each year." The voice behind me is smooth as silk, and I can feel the smile playing on the speaker's lips.

I turn around, sizing the voice's owner up in a glance: male, tall, young, warrior build, dark hair, likely a noble, probably a firebender, possibly a threat. Half mask, golden belt, dark maroon robes – not Zuko.

"Perhaps we may find a drink to settle my Lady's stomach after that unpleasant sight." Confident smile holding steadfast to its place, he offers me a polite hand. "Is that agreeable to you?"

He wants a response. I open my mouth and choke on the words that once came so easily. I try to recover myself – unlike mine, Master Jhou's voice, even when disembodied, never fails in its strength, and is grinding away in my memory. Never show a firebender weakness; always seize an opportunity when presented with one.

I cover my mouth and nose with one hand, a ladylike gesture, pretending that I am too offended by the sight and smell of the little boys to answer. My free hand takes the young man's outstretched hand and I nod my head amiably – opportunity taken. Maybe he can lead me to the Fire Lord.

He moves me away, towards the setup of refreshments. "Here we are," the young man proclaims, releasing my hand to fill a crystal goblet for me. "Now that we are in a more pleasant location, perhaps I may have a name from you, my Lady." He passes over my drink. "Although etiquette does demand that I introduce myself first. My name is Eraan." He begins to pour his own goblet. "And who might you be?"

I sip my wine for a moment, letting the liquid open my throat for my voice. I pick the first noble name I can think of, one Zuko has tossed off a few times in passing. "Min Ra," I supply, the words feeling heavy on my out-of-practice tongue.

"Min Ra," Eraan repeats, the name sliding seamlessly through the air. "Tell me, Lady Min Ra, is it possible that a beautiful young lady like you is attending the Dance of Streets alone?"

"Perhaps," I reply vaguely. "And you?"

"Of course." Eraan smiles and takes a long drink of wine. "One who comes to the Festival unescorted is almost certain to leave in a different condition. I prefer to be… unencumbered… in my choice of socializing."

Definitely a noble. I'm pondering how precisely to use this to my advantage when Eraan suddenly interrupts. "Would you care for a dance, Min Ra?" he asks, placing his empty goblet on the table.

That will do just fine. "Oh, I should like to," I answer, moving my mouth into something that resembles an apologetic smile. "But I am afraid I must decline. You see, although I did arrive alone, I am here with a special invitation from Fire Lord Zuko, and I imagine it would be unwise to keep him waiting." I watch Eraan's expression as it shifts subtly. "Might you know where I could find him?"

He doesn't like it, but Eraan merely smiles and offers me his arm. "As my Lady wishes," he says, the disappointed look in his eyes reforming itself into resignation. "I thought that you were exceptional when I first saw you… the Fire Lord has a remarkably good eye."

He means it as a compliment, but the sentiment makes me squirm inside. "I am sorry," I lie, replacing my goblet and allowing Eraan to lead me through the crowds. "Though it was not destined to be me, I am sure you will have no trouble finding a companion to… socialize… with."

Eraan laughs. "Indeed. Perhaps it is enough to know that my tastes run in similar circles with those of the Fire Lord's."

I consider Mai for a moment, her relationship with the Fire Lord, and then chuckle along with Eraan. Women are one of the last things I would credit Zuko for having excellent taste in.

We walk in unison, and if the people in our way don't precisely part, they seem to make an effort to get out of the way. For all the Dance of Streets is supposed to be an equalizing event, some will always appear as they truly are. Superiority hides behind no mask – it would not deign to.

"Eraan? Eraan! Is that you, darling?"

I know that voice, and every muscle tenses as Eraan lifts a hand to wave. Ty Lee, corset et al, sashays her way over to us, her many layers of skirt scattering in a flurry of motion.

Shit.

And this, Katara, I chide myself, is why we don't deviate from the already precarious plan.

"Mistress Ty Lee." Eraan bows politely, a charming smile playing over his features. "A pleasure as always."

Ty Lee smiles back, but there is a concealed scrutiny in her eyes. "Clearly not such a pleasure," she replies, "if you could find more amusing company." Ty Lee scorns me in that delicate, noble way. "I don't know that I recognize your lovely escort, Eraan. Be a dove, introduce us."

"Of course, how rude of me." Eraan throws me an apologetic look, though whether for the interruption or his lapse of etiquette is unclear. "Lady Min Ra, this is Mistress Ty Lee."

The acrobat's eyes widen and she gives a hasty bow. "Well, what an unexpected surprise! I didn't know that Lord Mari was sending any of his daughters to the Midsummer Festival this year."

Thankfully, in the manor of Fire Nation men, Eraan assumes that the interjection is for him to answer. "Lady Min Ra is here by special request of the Fire Lord. In fact, you have caught us in the midst of seeking him out. Do you know where the Fire Lord is hiding himself?"

Ty Lee's expression is pensive; I could practically see her ears perk at the words "special request". If she can sense that something is wrong… if she's spoken to Zuko on the subject… if Lady Min Ra actually came herself… no, no. I push the negative thoughts away. This will work. It has to.

"Of course," Ty Lee is saying, and I return my attention to her smiling lips. "I was just speaking with him a moment ago."

Before Eraan can say anything, I interrupt. "Then perhaps you may point me in the proper direction, and in return I will take my leave and allow Eraan to take part in your wonderful company." I take care to keep my voice low and sweet, an extra precaution.

Ty Lee chuckles at my suggestion. "Well now, how could I refuse an offer like that?" She points diagonally across the room, but her gaze is on me. "The Fire Lord is just that way, in the middle of some terribly boring discussion with one of his military advisers – the gentleman in violet." She smiles knowingly at Eraan. "And I must say, I wish you much luck in acquiring his attention."

Subtly removing my arm from Eraan's, I bow respectfully to him and then Ty Lee, my breathing steadying at the thought of getting away. "It was my honor to meet you, Master Eraan, Mistress Ty Lee," I say demurely, playing the polite noblewoman, "and thank you for your most gracious assistance."

Ty Lee laughs and takes Eraan's arm, thrilled to take her handsome prize; Eraan, on the other hand, looks rather put out at being taken away. "Always a pleasure, dear," Ty Lee tells me, clearly enjoying my deferential manner. "Do send my best along to your father, would you?"

I nod pleasantly. "Certainly."

Ty Lee smiles at me, looking quite pacified. "Have a good evening, Lady Min Ra," she flutters, and moves off with Eraan in tow.

I turn away, holding in a breath of relief, an irrational vision of Ty Lee suddenly springing at me, screaming, "Get the waterbender!" flickering behind my eyes. But no such event occurs, and Ty Lee and Eraan keep walking away. I believe I've successfully navigated the potentially disastrous situation; I breathe out. I've almost convinced myself that I'm in the clear.

But just as I'm almost out of earshot I hear Ty Lee commenting in a worrisome tone, "It's a bit unusual, you know. I don't recall the Fire Lord extending any special invitations this year."

Damn it.

Ty Lee is going to investigate, as soon as she's done with Eraan; I can feel it in my bones, and the urge to hurry is suddenly tripled. I move in the direction indicated by Ty Lee, and spy the man in violet. He's stout and broad and angry looking, and speaking rapidly with another man in a red robe.

I maneuver so that I'm against the wall, behind the man in red, slightly off to his left. Craning my neck, I see the golden dagger hanging at his waist and catch the glint of a golden mask that's hardly different from my own.

Zuko.


WD94: I don't know about you guys, but I've been on my toes the whole time while writing this chapter, and I even know what's going to happen!

I love Ty Lee. I know I've said it a hundred times, but I do. I think she's much smarter than she gets credit for being, and I love her, good or evil. And Katara is talking! It's practically anarchy!

As always, leave me thoughts! :)