Trial by Fire
Chapter 10: Making Plans for Mai, Part 2
After his meeting with the Fire Lord, Iroh went straight to Zuko. The boy was outside in the failing daylight, practicing some firebending moves. He looked up when Iroh approached, an anxious expression on his face.
"Well? What did my father say?" the prince asked as he spun around, punched out with his fist and then dropped to the ground exhausted.
Iroh sat beside his nephew, crossing his legs and staring up at the fading sun. "How long have you been out here, Zuko? Don't overdo things. That never helps. Trust me; I know."
"Who cares, Uncle!" he snapped back automatically. "How did the meeting go? Will he let me marry Mai?" The prince swiped at his sweaty forehead and leaned back a bit, limbs stiff with tension. The discussion between Ozai and Iroh had been all he could think about. "Does it matter to him if I leave?"
"I know that you're anxious, nephew, but there's no need to snap."
Zuko knew that until he apologized, there would be no more information forthcoming. With a sigh, he sat up straight and looked Iroh in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Uncle."
"All right then." He smiled at the boy, reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. "Your father is fine with you and Mai being betrothed. He's fine with me taking over parenting duties. And he's fine with us moving away." Iroh paused then and his eyes clouded over. "He set down one condition, however."
Zuko could guess what that condition might be. On the one hand he was glad that his father agreed to everything. He wanted to be with Mai and he wanted to be with Iroh. The palace hadn't felt like his home since his mother had vanished into the night more than two years earlier. He wouldn't miss it or his sister or his father. But there would always be a part of him that longed for his father's love and respect. Part of him would always ache and wonder why, why couldn't Ozai feel anything but disappointment and loathing when he looked at his son? What had he done so wrong?
"What's the condition?" He closed his eyes and waited for Iroh to speak.
"I'm sorry about your father, Zuko, about the way things are between you. It shouldn't be like that. A father should love his son no matter what, always." The prince bit his lip and fought back tears. "He, well, he took his father's ways to heart, I suppose, my father's. I'll do the best that I can for you always. I promise you that.'
Zuko's eyes were still closed. "I know, Uncle. What's the condition?"
"You have to give up your right to the throne; by that your father means that Azula will be first in line now, not you. She will take the throne when your father steps down. Do you understand?"
A lone tear rolled down Zuko's cheek. He didn't impede its movement, but let it travel downward and off the end of his chin. "I understand."
"Can you live with that condition, Zuko? Think very hard. Once we leave, there is no coming back." Well, that might not be true. If Ozai were somehow stopped and the war ended, perhaps Zuko would have a chance at reclaiming the throne. But that would take work and planning and a good amount of luck. At the very least, Zuko could have a good, happy life with Mai. And what was more important than that?
It was difficult giving up a dream. And being the next Fire Lord had been the boy's dream for years. But it was the only way to save Mai. And that made it all bearable. "I can live with it," he finally replied with a trembling voice.
"Good boy." Iroh shifted closer and wrapped an arm around Zuko's shoulders. He then proceeded to reveal the rest of his plans.
Katashi paced nervously in the Fire Nation palace foyer. His hands were linked behind his back and he stared at the silent guards with an angry expression. He was not happy to be in the palace at all. At one time, just a few weeks ago, in fact, he would have been honoured and thrilled to be invited there by a member of the royal family. But that family was forever tainted in his eyes. He knew that neither Iroh nor Zuko were at fault for what happened to his niece, Mai, but still, anger toward them both bubbled away beneath his stoic surface.
Iroh strode into the entrance hall, his eyes bright and sparkling and his mouth upturned into a welcoming smile. "I hope you haven't been waiting long," the retired general greeted the prison warden. "I got tied up talking with the cook about tea, and time got away from me."
"Only about half an hour," Katashi growled. "But I guess you royal types take priority over the rest of us." He couldn't believe the words that tumbled out of his mouth. Katashi had always been a loyal Fire Nation citizen who stood behind his leaders and obeyed them and their rules without question. But something had changed in him the moment he had heard about Mai and her injury at the hands of Princess Azula. Everything looked different now, the entire world and all that he had grown up believing had altered, become a farce. Still, he almost felt bad when he glimpsed the genuinely sad expression on Iroh's face. His own face, with its tough features, softened a bit. "But, it's not like I had much else to do. I've still got a week before I go back to The Boiling Rock, a long, boring week, with Mai as the only bright spot."
"Ah, well, I'm glad you mentioned your niece. I have something very important to discuss with you; a proposal of sorts." Iroh almost chuckled at the pun, but didn't want to give anything away. "Lunch is waiting for us out in the gardens. It's the most private place to talk. Both Zuko and Azula are taking lessons right now, my nephew with his tutor and my niece with her firebending master."
Katashi's lip curled at the princess's name. Her life continued on as it always had. She hadn't even experienced a minor bump in her all too smooth road. Azula could walk around like any other young woman, and not worry about the disfiguring mark that covered half of her face. It certainly wasn't fair. In fact it was a gross injustice and the resentment Katashi felt was increasing as the days passed. "Good for her," he spat. "Isn't she a lucky girl."
Iroh sighed heavily and began to walk down the seemingly never ending corridor. The late spring breeze that gently lifted the curtains was warm, bordering on hot. "We've got a lovely spot under a tree. And lunch smelled delicious. I, for one, am looking forward to it."
'From the looks of you, you look forward to a lot of food,' Katashi thought to himself. He had an inkling, though, that Iroh was nowhere near as slow and plodding as he appeared. "Hmmph," he said aloud. "I'm sure the food will be adequate."
As soon as they approached the table set up in one of the garden's many quiet corners, the leaves of an old oak providing shade and cool, the waiting help uncovered dishes and began to serve.
"It's all right. You can go," Iroh said with a smile. He waited until the pair left before taking over the job himself, making sure that Katashi's dishes were full. He poured them each a cup of strong green tea next. "Go ahead, eat."
Despite his anger, the warden was hungry and the smells were incredible. His stomach growled and he dug in, keeping one wary eye on the older prince all the while. "It's good," he admitted reluctantly. "Now, what is it you called me over here for?" He was not big on pretense, never had been and never would be.
"Ah, straight to the point, eh; I admire that." Iroh finished his dumpling before beginning. "I suppose that your sister is busy trying to make arrangements for Mai. Am I right?"
The warden nodded. "Akira is determined to marry Mai off to anyone who will take her, or at least have her betrothed."
"And Mai is not happy about that?"
"Of course she isn't. She's never been like other girls. Marrying some boy she cares nothing for is not part of her plans. I realize that she seems, mm, uninvolved sometimes, but beneath all that, she's got dreams of her own. I'd like her to learn a skill, find a master maybe, someone who can teach her how to throw those knives she loves so much." He shrugged then. "I'm not sure how easy that will be. But Mai is worth the effort."
"Yes, I understand. But I may have a solution that will make everyone happy, Mai included." Taking a sip of his tea, he looked at Katashi carefully, trying to read his thoughts or at least his body language. "Would you like to hear it?"
The warden briefly flashed his first real smile of the day. "Do I really have a choice?"
"No," Iroh chuckled. "You don't. How about we have some more tea and then I'll get started?" Katashi nodded and Iroh poured. "Zuko told me something yesterday. He and Mai came to some sort of agreement." Katashi stiffened at the sound of the young prince's name. "He is willing to; no, he wants to marry her one day."
"What? What did you say?" the warden demanded brusquely, standing up from his chair and staring down at Iroh, his bulky frame towering intimidatingly.
"I said that Zuko and Mai have made their own sort of unofficial betrothal, and I for one approve. They care for each other, that much is obvious. Both could do far, far worse. The Fire Lord does not care one way or the other as long as Zuko goes, gives up his claim to the throne. And my nephew is willing to do that." He paused then for dramatic effect. "I want Zuko away from here. This palace is poison to him. His father does not love him. His sister is, well, I really don't have to tell you about Azula, do I?"
"No, no you don't." Katashi looked suddenly deflated and sat back down. "Your nephew is twelve, for Agni's sake. How can he possibly know what he wants? And if he gives up his right to the throne, leaves the capitol, how will he take care of Mai?"
"For now, while they are still children, it will be my job to care for them. And I look forward to it very much. I miss my own son deeply and the chance to raise two young people again thrills my old heart. Would you trust your niece to me? I ask you, not her parents, because it is you who truly cares." There was no longer any humor in Iroh's kind eyes. He was utterly serious.
"I, I, just don't know." The warden was flustered now. "Where will you take them? Where will Mai live?"
"Oh, they'll be living in wonderful place, one of the outer islands, in fact; an island much closer to the Boiling Rock than we are here. You'll be able to visit Mai more often." The warden's eyes brightened at that thought. "And we'll all be staying at the home of Piandao, renowned sword master and….."
"I know who Piandao is! He's a bloody deserter, left our army out of some, what, sense of principle? I will not let Mai fall under his influence. Never!" Katashi banged his fist on the flimsy table. Cups and bowls and food went everywhere. He stood up, shot Iroh an incredulous look and marched off, searching for a private place to think.
Zuko had snuck out of his lessons early, giving his tutor some story about a bad headache, and then slipped off to Mai's house. The girl's mother was so accustomed to him visiting now, that she simply waved him up the staircase. He was grateful for that and practically ran up the winding steps to Mai's room, giving the door a quick knock before stepping inside.
"I don't remember saying 'Come in,'" Mai teased as she got up from her bed and smiled shyly at the prince. The book she had been reading slid unnoticed to the floor.
"Oh, oh, sorry, Mai; it's just that I was so excited to see you. I'll wait next time." As he did so often in her presence, Zuko flushed an embarrassing shade of pink and stared down where his feet were, trying to regain his composure. "Your uncle is having lunch with my uncle now. They're talking about us."
She smiled wryly. "Yeah, I know that, Zuko. I'm kinda glad that I'm not there."
Taking his eyes off the red and gold carpet, he met Mai's eyes again and gave her a smile. "I've got lots of stuff to tell you. Wanna take a walk out back?"
"Okay," Mai shrugged.
Once down the stairs and out into Mai's small, tidy garden, he snuck his hand around hers and held on tight. "My father agreed to the betrothal."
"He did?" Mai was a bit surprised that the Fire Lord would allow his son and his successor to marry a 'defective' girl. "Just like that?"
"Yeah, well, not really. I won't be Fire Lord, Mai; Azula will. And we won't be living here. Iroh has plans to take us away." He snuck a glance at Mai's face, hoping to see her reaction.
"We get to leave here, really leave? Where will we go?" She gave Zuko a genuine smile, one of her very rare ones. The thought of finally getting out of her suffocating house and leaving her suffocating parents was thrilling. The rest didn't matter. "Oh, and I don't care about the Fire Lord part."
He smiled back and squeezed her hand. "You've heard of Piandao, right?" She nodded and her smile grew wider. "Well, Uncle knows him. They're both members of some old man group or something. Uncle wrote him about your situation and how you like knives and Piandao invited us to live with him. He has this big house on one of the outer islands. Oh, and he'll train you, Mai."
"Train me," she repeated. "Piandao." Her heartbeat quickened and a tingling sensation of excitement made its way through her entire body. "Do you think my parents will agree? And my uncle?"
"They have to," Zuko replied. "What will we do if they don't?"
Despite the uncertainty, for the first time since Azula burned her, for the first time in years, really, Mai felt a sense of hope. "We'll figure something out," she answered confidently.
Katashi fumed as he sat alone on a garden bench, far from any prying eyes and far from Iroh. "Piandao," he said, letting the name roll off his tongue. "Piandao. How can I let Mai live with him? He's a traitor for Agni's sake. He deserted his own post." He mulled the sword master's history over in his mind, what he knew of it, the stories that people told. He thought about the man who ran the country then and the girl who would succeed him and shuddered. Was Piandao really so terrible a man? He had deserted the army, yes, but not because of laziness or lack or courage. He had deserted because he thought that maybe there was a better way, that perhaps the war was wrong, despite the propaganda the Fire Nation fed everyone.
Katashi had never been on the battlefield. He knew nothing of war but what he had read. Maybe the sword master had seen something so terrible or endured so much, that it changed him forever. Maybe, maybe…so many possibilities; Katashi didn't really know much of anything. But Mai could have a home there. She could learn from the man and she could be with the one boy she didn't look upon with disdain. Moving away with Iroh and Zuko might be her one chance at happiness. It wasn't fair of him to deny her that. He would agree and he would convince Hoshi and Akira.
"For you, Mai, I'll tolerate just about anything."
He got up from the bench and wandered back to where Iroh still waited patiently.
"Did you give it some thought?" the tea lover asked.
"Yeah, I did. Despite my misgivings, I think your plan is the best thing for Mai. I'll have a talk with my sister and her husband tonight." He made to leave but then turned around to face Iroh again. "I owe you my thanks, General. And if she goes, Mai, her life, her future, her safety, will be in your hands. Do not let her down."
"I will care for her as if she were my own. Now, go, Katashi. Let's not delay any further. Mai and Zuko need to get started on their lives. I have a good feeling about it all, warden, a very good feeling." Giving the man one final smile, Iroh got up and sauntered back into the palace.