A/N – Looneyluna's guiding hand of proofreading +3 returns! And I thank her most especially for suggesting the ostrich-horse's unique aroma. I'd say you should read her wonderful story, The Price of Peace, on this very site, but if you aren't already, something is wrong!

To everyone that has reviewed, thank you. I will try to return the favor soon, but right now I'm on vacation and my Internet time is limited. I really just hop on to update the story. Next week, though, I'll be back in action with the broadband.

In case you forgot, Avatar: The Last Airbender and all its characters are a creation of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and the property of Nickelodeon.


Chapter 3: The Inn in Da Bao, Part 1

Given a looking glass, Mai would hardly recognize herself. She had let down her black hair and tied it into a long braid, and abandoned her black and red robes for the earth-toned garments of an Earth Kingdom traveler. She had also left behind the mongoose-lizard Azula had provided her with and picked up an ostrich-horse along the way. The ostrich-horse was frustratingly stubborn. And it smelled like Tom Tom's soiled diaper.

Being this close to Ba Sing Se, however, required a great deal of caution. Although the Earth Kingdom forces were largely dedicated to fighting the Fire Nation, the Earth King wasn't so stupid that he'd leave just a token force so close to the great city. More's the pity, Mai thought.

"I need you to find my brother," Azula had told her in her small tent pitched outside the Relentless. "The Avatar poses a much larger threat to our winning this war, and I think it is more important we find him. Still, I detest leaving loose ends. After my uncle's tragic death, I'm sure my brother will be easy to bring in with the right... persuasion."

Mai was just that persuasion. The princess of the Fire Nation had always teased Mai about her attraction to the prince during their childhood; now she saw it as an asset. Mai had no illusions about that fact, but it provided her with an important opportunity.

"But Mai," Azula had said, grasping the sleeve of her robe, "I need to know that your... interest in my brother will not cause you to make any... rash decisions." The flames of the candle reflected in her golden eyes.

"My loyalty is to the Fire Nation first, Princess Azula." And so is Zuko's, Mai had thought. I know it.

"Excellent. Now go, and don't let me down."

Azula figured that the only natural course for both Zuko and the Avatar to take at this juncture was a direct line to Ba Sing Se. There was a village on the western outskirts of the Si Wong Desert that she told Mai to investigate, while she and Ty Lee headed northward on the trail of the Avatar. With that accursed bison, he could very well be close to Ba Sing Se by now and the Relentless could not follow without drawing a great deal of unwanted attention.

Mai had gone to the town to learn promising news. Frustrated, would-be bounty hunters informed her that two Fire Nation fugitives had escaped them in a crowded bar and disappeared into the night just two days ago. Two people seemed a peculiar number, but one of those backwater slime clearly associated them with the sketches of Zuko and Iroh distributed throughout the area, after a little monetary persuasion. So General Iroh appears to be alive. I wonder what Azula would say to that.

A giant flying bison had also passed through the area at the same time according to the charming locals, but Mai was forced to leave that to her friends. She headed north that afternoon, glad to be rid of the local color for a while. These people should just surrender and let their dull lives be civilized by the Fire Nation, she lamented. Instead they sacrificed their lives for a losing cause. Mai had shaken her head in sorrow, failing to understand the reason why.

It was a hard three days' ride to the next town: she hadn't allowed for much rest and the ostrich-horse was near death when she arrived in Da Bao. Mai wasn't much better off. She walked her mount to the first inn she found, which might have been the only one for all the people gathered there. She went inside.

The smell of stew and peasantry hit her as she entered. The stew was something with turnips, the peasants looked like refugees.

A kindly man in his forties with an early gray creeping into his dark brown beard and hair approached her moments after she came in. "Are you here with the refugees, madam? Can I offer you a meal of turnip and boar-rabbit stew?"

"I'm not here with the refugees," she informed him. "But I am tired, and wondered if you had a room." She glanced around at the packed common room. "Perhaps I should search elsewhere."

"Nonsense, nonsense!" He took her hand and patted it. Mai shivered. "I have plenty of rooms," he confided, leaning close. "While I feel it is my duty to give these refugees a meal, there's no way I can put them all up for the night. So the price for the room is two silver coins as normal, but not all these poor souls can afford it. Some have put their coppers together to share a room, but not many. Not many at all." He shook his head sadly, and then raised his gaze to Mai, clapping his hands together. "But yes, how may this humble innkeeper be of service?"

"A room," Mai said, and pressed five silver pieces into the man's hand. "I would appreciate it if I was left alone. My ostrich-horse is outside with the cracked green saddle, if you would be so kind as to see to it."

"Of course, of course! Consider it done!" He handed her a heavy iron key with a square blade. The notches in the key's blade resembled the character for earth. Noticing Mai's interest in the key, the innkeeper continued. "Don't worry about your belongings. My cousin's a locksmith here in Da Bao. We have some of the most secure locks outside of Ba Sing Se."

I am astonished the whole Earth Kingdom hasn't been ransacked. This key did not belong to a particularly intricate warded lock. Mai had picked more difficult ones during her childhood at her father's manor—and that was long before he earned his prestigious appointment to governor of fallen, boring Omashu.

"Thanks," she told him, and began to turn around.

"I told you, uncle, I will not let you lie in a filthy wagon in your condition."

Mai stopped turning. She recognized that voice, even though it had matured over three years of exile. Her stomach tightened and she stepped forward. My own parents would not recognize me like this, she assured herself. From behind, there was no way that Prince—former Prince—Zuko would.

"These aching old bones have been through worse, I assure you. Besides, I think the Veiled Dance is most visible this time of the year, and she is quite a beauty to behold! Mm, do I smell boar-rabbit?" This second voice was one Mai had not heard since her early childhood; nonetheless, there could be no doubt that the uncle Zuko mentioned was the Dragon of the West, General Iroh.

Mai couldn't believe her luck—or her misfortune. I am too tired to confront them now, should anything go wrong. But I can't let them get away from me. She stepped over to one of the tables and squeezed herself into an empty spot. I'm just a refugee, waiting for some stew. If they get a room, they'll at least be here till morning.

"You! Are you the innkeeper?" Zuko sounded rather aggressive. "My uncle and I need a room for the night."

"Oh how fortunate you are, good sirs! I do have one room remaining. Just as fine as the others, I promise you. The price is two silver coins."

"Two pieces of silver? Are you running an inn here old man, or a den of thieves?"

"You must forgive my nephew," Mai heard Iroh interrupt. "He is weary from the long road, and frustrated with our delay."

"I understand, good sir. With the war, tempers are quite... fiery lately." The proprietor chuckled nervously. "A small joke, in these dark times. Forgive a humble innkeeper his odd humors."

"Fiery!" Iroh laughed deep down in his belly. "That is hilarious!"

Suddenly Mai felt a hand upon her shoulder. "Did you hear this man, young miss? Fiery tempers!" Iroh's voice, and his continuing laughter, carried over the din of gathered refugees talking to one another. "This man is a master of comedy!" He motioned to the innkeeper. Mai tried to appear incredibly interested with the table in front of her.

"Good sir," the innkeeper pleaded meekly, "I ask that you please stop. Not all of the refugees will take so kindly to such a ill-placed joke."

"What do you mean, ill-placed? What better to make fiery tempers than the approaching armies of the Fire Nation? That joke is worth gold, I tell you!" Iroh released Mai's shoulder; she hoped he had not recognized her.

He couldn't: I only saw him as a small child. Zuko, though... He had not seen her, yet.

"Young sir," the innkeeper spoke to Zuko now. His voice had grown quieter and more distant, but she could hear him. Mai wanted to turn around to see what must be the horrified look on the man's face, but she could not risk Zuko identifying her. "Please, I beg you. Take your uncle to the room upstairs, at the end of the hall on the left. It's free of charge. Just... I will lose customers this way! Rumors, you know..."

The din of the common room had turned into a low growl of disapproval. Several of the refugees had already stood up and were storming outside. Their bowls clattered on the wooden tables. The whole time, the Dragon of the West bellowed with laughter.

"Come, Uncle. Your laughter is bothering this good man's business." Was it just Mai or was there a hint of satisfaction in Zuko's voice?

Moments later, Zuko and a panting Iroh were headed for the stairs. Mai looked at them as they went. Zuko's hair was so much shorter—that could only mean he had cut his topknot. It appeared that the old general had as well. The gravity of their situation disturbed her; what sane man of the Fire Nation would forsake his home in such a way?

Nevertheless, looking at the young prince, Mai felt a warmth spread through her. There was something... alluring about his hair. About the way he carried himself. His flame has grown, she considered. But does it still dance its gentle patterns, or blaze out of control?

Soon she would discover the truth of it; the two would stay the night, which was the perfect opportunity. But first the young Fire Nation noble needed to rest, and prepare for the confrontation to come.