Don't own the Avatar crew!

Chap: Gifts……

Katara turned to face the old man as he came to her side, eyes wide at his words. "What are you doing?" She whispered frantically.

"Saving us," he whispered back, making his way through the men of the guard. "We are the princess's escort on her journey to visit her royal cousins in the North Lands. We were coming back to her waters when you attacked and abducted us. We demand that you release our Princess and let us go," he said boldly.

One of the guards bristled at his tone. "Do not speak to the Empress that way"--

"Silence," the woman said, slight respect coming through her tone. "We did not know that this was a royal escort. Please accept my sincerest apologies for my guards' lack of courtesy to you and yours," she nodded to Katara.

The waterbender pulled into her best posture, doing her best to look down her nose at the taller woman. "If it would please you, I would like my men to be set free, that I may keep some dignity in your halls."

Iroh hid his look of surprise. He's had no idea that the girl possessed any acting skills.

"Of course, Princess Katara," Zhiyi said. She motioned for the girl to come and sit by her side as she went back to her throne. Katara walked as regally as she could, trying to remember how Princess Yue had acted in the North Pole. She went to the bench the men offered her, sitting down and turning to face the empress.

"We do not wish to impose on you, Empress, and can depart in very short order if it pleases you."

"Oh no," the woman said, an urgent tone in her voice. "I wouldn't dream of just sending you off like this, showing you and your escort such poor hospitality. I insist that you stay for a time and enjoy the delights my kingdom can afford you. Please think of my country as your own. Yahiko," she called.

"Yes, High Empress," the man replied. She conferred with him for a bit before she dismissed him. She then motioned to Captain Honda. "Undo their bonds and see to any injuries they may have."

The guards did as she bid, cutting their bonds and helping to rouse a groggy Zuko. Once free, Iroh sent the word among his men. "Act casual. Do nothing to disturb the guards. With so many fighters here, it would be difficult to get all of us out of here. Play along for now." The crew assumed their parade stance, Iroh leading a few of them over to Katara's side. He brought Zuko along with him, quietly catching him up on what was going on. The young prince bit his tongue at the outrage of being further demoted to nothing more than a bodyguard, and did as his uncle bid.

Katara bowed her head graciously. "Thank you for seeing to my escort's comfort."

The empress smiled at her. "Oh, its no trouble. But your party is most unusual. I have never seen firebenders being so obedient to a waterbender. It is an unbelievable pairing."

Iroh thought fast, trying to think of an excuse, but Katara beat him to it. "They were a gift from my father when he was away fighting. He thought I might appreciate their talents," she said.

"Ah," Ziyi breathed. "Your father has excellent taste in servants. Yet they have no bands."

Katara tried to play it cool, keeping her nervous and exhausted shaking at bay by a thread. "Bands, Empress?"

"The slave bands to mark them as property. Surely you band your slaves, Princess."

Katara's eyes went wide in shock. Slaves? "Wha"—

"We swore an oath to protect the Princess Katara as if she was our own," Iroh spoke. "A firebender's word is his life. We have kept our loyalty to our princess as promised."

"This is Iroh, a formal general of the Fire nation and one of my personal servants. He speaks for all of my men here," Katara said, trying not to choke on her words. Of all the evils she had seen in the world, none sickened her more than slavery. Now she would have to pretend to own the entire crew! "They have proven their honor to me several times. They have no need of bands."

"Most impressive. But will you accommodate my wish that they be banded?" The empress asked. "I do not wish to cause confusion among my soldiers. They may see your men out loose and"—she paused—"cause them some harm by mistake. We do have a few runaways on the island, and they tend to be disruptive. My men have orders to kill them on sight."

Katara swallowed hard as some of the crew shifted uneasily. "I do not wish to cause an incident. I will be sure to have them banded at your leisure."

"My thanks, Princess. You must be tired from your long journey. I have given orders for rooms to be prepared for you and your servants, they should be ready now. You may rest if you like."

Knowing a dismissal when she heard one, the girl eagerly accepted. "Thank you for your consideration. I believe I shall retire for the evening."

The ruler seemed struck by a sudden idea. "One moment, Princess. Since I could not give you a proper greeting upon your initial arrival to Gamera, please accept these gifts instead." She waved a hand and three young men walked forward. "These are some of my finest geishan. I would be honored if you would accept their service to you."

'What the heck are geishan?' she thought, confused. The girl nodded. "I would be most happy to accept your magnanimous gifts, Empress. Thank you for your generosity." She turned and followed the guard out into the hallway, the firebenders and three geishan trailing behind her.

Ziyi smiled. 'This is wonderful. Now I won't have to attack the water tribes to get my stone. I can just use her for ransom! Once I have the water stone back, I can begin my plan to conquer the world!'

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