“We’re coming into port!” a sailor called from outside Azula’s room.

  She nodded to herself and made the finishing touches to her Fire Nation uniform. It would not do to meet the leader of the Fire Navy’s base at Ketu Harbor and be unkempt. She tightened a loose brace on her arm and grunted in satisfaction. It would have to do.

  She left her room and walked to the deck, wishing once again that her ship had not sustained so much damage. She would not underestimate the Avatar, and the tactics of airbending, again. That boy liked to evade and deflect rather than stand and fight. She would have to pin him down next time. All the same, she wished she could fight someone who attacked directly.

  Her uncle was already on the deck when she reached it. She pressed her lips together and walked over to him. He would not like what she had to say. “Uncle.”

  He bowed his head to her. “Niece.”

  The ship was sailing through the calm waters of the harbor. Ahead of her was an arena of some sort and many large tents where the military was staying. Why they hadn’t built more permanent structures, she didn’t know. She looked over the side of the rail, watching the morning sun’s golden reflection on the water. It almost made her smile.

  “It will be a beautiful day, don’t you think?” Iroh said.

  She glanced up from the water. “There is something you should know before we dock.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”

  She pressed on. “No one at the port can know the Avatar has returned.”

  “Why is that?”

  “The Avatar is mine to capture, not every little firebender’s with delusions of grandeur,” she said. She did her best to quell a small tremor in her hand before it got out of control. “I’ve instructed the men to say we had a mishap with another vessel.”

  Iroh gave her his annoyingly knowing smile. “A truly believable tale.”

  “You disapprove.” She glared at him. This was just like her uncle. “You should be thanking me for thinking ahead. Someone has to do it.”

  “Lies have a way of turning back on oneself.”

  “Honestly, Uncle, must you always speak in riddles?”

  Iroh finally looked her in the eye. “Thinking ahead isn’t your problem. It's an admirable trait. Lying as often as you do, though, is dishonorable.”

  “It works, doesn’t it?” she snapped.

  She scowled at him as the gangplank descended from the front of the ship. Azula and her uncle disembarked down the ramp. When they reached the hard, stone dock, the commander of the port approached them. Azula frowned. She knew this man. He was well-regarded and well-connected, even attending her infamous Agni Kai. He stroked his dark sideburns as he approached.

  He bowed to Iroh, though not to her. “General Iroh and Princess Azula, welcome.”

  Iroh rubbed his belly. “I’m no longer a general.”

  She narrowed her eyes. Had he so little regard for her status as a princess of the Fire Nation? “Captain Zhao.”

  Zhao straightened himself and looked down his nose at her. “I’m a commander, now. I’ve risen in stature since…I last saw you.” He smiled at her lecherously. “Though you have grown as well. What brings the Fire Lord's relations to our little base at Ketu Harbor?”

  The muscles in her jaw twitched. “Our ship has been damaged. We require repairs.”

  “I noticed when you entered the harbor,” Zhao said. “What happened?”

  “Our ship collided with an Earth Kingdom ship,” she lied, feeling her uncle’s disapproving eyes on the back of her head.

  “And it hit the top of your vessel?” Zhao said.

  She hadn’t thought of that discrepancy. Her cheeks burned. “The damage was extensive. General Iroh can confirm it as well.”

  “Oh,” Iroh said as if noticing for the first time. “Yes, of course. It was a great crash.”

  She rolled her eyes. Must he be so unhelpful?

  Zhao’s eyes narrowed, then a sly smile crept up from his mouth. “We would be delighted to assist you. Come, have some tea with me while we wait.”

  Azula shook her head. “We don’t have time for tea.” She didn’t like Zhao’s smile, not one bit. It was civil, but there was a leer to it.

  Iroh placed a hand on her shoulder. “You must forgive my niece. These long months at sea have made her forget her manners. The commander is worthy of our honor and respect.” He bowed to Zhao. “I am partial to ginseng tea.”

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  Zhao beckoned them forward with his hand, and Iroh walked with him. Azula sighed, then followed.

  ***

  “And once the army takes Ba Sing Se, the Earth Kingdom will finally be under our rule,” Zhao waved his hand at a large map placed on a table inside his spacious tent. Her uncle was standing in the background, drinking his accursed tea.

  “You mean, the Fire Lord’s rule,” Azula said wryly.

  Zhao smiled. “Of course I do. The Fire Lord will be victorious in this long war, and he shall give great gifts to his most accomplished warriors.” The look he gave her left no doubt in Azula’s mind what kind of gift he wanted from her father.

  “And what about after?” she said.

  “What do you mean?” Zhao said.

  “Will the Earth Kingdom willingly submit to my father, or will they continue to fight even after their kingdom has surrendered?”

  “You’ve seen firsthand what he does to those who oppose him,” Zhao said, his eyes flicking to her scar. “We all do our best to follow his great and terrible example. It’s not been without its share of difficulty. I myself recently lost my wife in childbirth.” He looked anything but sad about her death.

  Her uncle finally decided to speak up. “I’m sorry to hear that. She was a fine woman. I’m sure you will wait the full year of mourning for her.” At last, he finally got the gist of Zhao’s intentions toward her.

  “A victory would be cause for celebration,” Zhao said. “For instance, what if one were to capture the Avatar?”

  Why did he bring that up? “That would be a great cause for rejoicing,” she said carefully.

  “Have you found anything in your search about him?” Zhao said.

  We’ve found nothing,” Azula lied once more. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we really have to go.”

  She rose from her chair and tried to exit the tent, but two soldiers stepped in front of the entrance. The one on the right spoke. “After extensive interrogation, the crew confessed that the Avatar attacked the ship.”

  “What took so long?” Zhao asked.

  “They were surprisingly reticent to talk,” the soldier replied.

  Zhao walked up to Azula, a little too close, and whispered, “Ruling your vessel through fear. I respect that.” He leaned even closer. “Would you like to tell us again how your ship was damaged?”

  Her stomach churned in fear and revulsion.

  ***

  Zhao snorted. “So, the Avatar is just a boy.” He paced in front of her. “And he handily beat you and your men. You certainly need my help.”

  She knew what kind of help he wanted to administer. She crossed her arms. “He will not receive a second chance.”

  “And neither will you.”

  Azula jumped to her feet and raised her fists to burn that smug grin off his face, but the guards stepped in between them.

  Zhao grinned with eyes like a lion vulture. “You have a lot of spirit, Princess, but capturing the Avatar is too much for one girl and a retiree. I will humbly take the responsibility off your hands.”

  “You will do no such thing!” she said.

  “You can join me in the hunt, if you like,” he said.

  “I’d sooner sail the world alone until the moon spirit died and the world turned to desolation!” she snapped.

  “Think it over,” he said. He turned to leave.

  “Let us go, now!” Azula said.

  This time, Iroh stepped in between them. “Azula!”

  She was too angry to care what he had to say. “I challenge you to an Agni Kai!”

  Zhao smiled incredulously. “You wish to fight me?”

  “Sunset. Unless you’re afraid of me?” she answered.

  He leaned forward. “When I win, you will accompany me.” He left before she could respond.

  The thought of going with him made her want to vomit. She struck the table with her fist.

  “Azula,” Iroh said, “that was unwise. He is a master. Besides, you know what happened at your last Agni Kai. So does he.”

  “He has insulted my honor long enough,” Azula said, shivering. “And he makes my skin crawl.”

  ***

  The arena was packed with Fire Nation soldiers as the sun began its descent. Azula felt the familiar jitters before a fight. It was a welcome feeling. All other thoughts could be pushed aside.

  Her uncle, standing beside her, said, “Remember to widen your stance. Your power comes from your base.”

  “I know how to fight, Uncle,” she said. She would use her speed and agility against him like she had against the Avatar. She faced her opponent, who finally stood about twenty-five paces away.

  “Last chance, my princess,” Zhao said. “A marriage might restore your status before the Fire Lord.”

  And be a caged sparrowkeet married to this monster? “I will never join you.”

  “Suit yourself,” he said. She saw his lips move silently. “You’ll be mine.”

  She balled her hands into fists, and flame came from the bottom like daggers. It was time to stop him.

  A gong was rung, and Azula went on the attack. She launched a flurry of punches and kicks. Fire leaped from them towards her enemy. She flipped and spun, not letting him get a chance to rest.

  He blocked them all, merely waiting for her to tire. When she finished, he fired his own series of attacks. She admitted to herself with some chagrin that they were slower but much more precise and powerful than hers. The fire pushed her backward, desperately defending against his punches and kicks.

  At last, a powerful blast knocked her to the ground. She lay there for a moment, stunned. Zhao leaped into the air, closing the distance. His knee descended on her. She rolled out of the way and jumped to her feet.

  “His stance, Azula!” Iroh yelled.

  She glanced at his feet and saw it. They were a little too close together. She feinted with a high punch. When he went to block, she crouched low and swept his leg with a slash of fire.

  He fell backward but rolled to his feet. Still, she didn’t let up. Widening her own stance for maximum balance, she summoned powerful strikes. Stream after stream of fire erupted from her hands. He was pushed backward, not being able to find adequate footing. He tripped and fell onto his back. He raised his hands in fear.

  For everything he’d said to her, he deserved to die. She was a monster, after all. She raised her fist.

  “Azula!” her uncle said.

  She growled. “You always spoil my fun, Uncle.” She punched a ball of fire next to Zhao’s head and then stopped.

  Zhao smiled with relief, but then with rage. “You lack a killer instinct. Pathetic.”

  Azula’s golden eyes burned with indignation. “Don’t try to stop me again.” She turned and walked away.

  To her surprise, Zhao leaped to his feet and would have blasted her from behind with a kick. Her uncle, faster than she’d ever seen him move, was in between them in a flash, stopping the attack. He grabbed Zhao’s foot and shoved Zhao back to the ground.

  She turned back to him. “Clever but foolish.” She again raised her fist for a killing blow.

  Iroh grabbed her arm. “Let him live knowing that you, even as an exile, have more honor than he.” He bowed to Zhao. “Thank you for the tea.”

  Zhao did not attack them further. As they left the arena, Azula leaned over. “I really have more honor?”

  “Don’t let it go to your head,” Iroh said.

  For the first time in a long while, she smiled. She’d never put much stock in honor, but it felt kind of good to have some nonetheless.