"Then why not use the prototype? I've heard that this Mechanist is a brilliant inventor. His concept for an airship has been recognized as highly promising, as have several of his other projects."
"True. However, I refuse to allow a person for whose safety I am responsible anywhere near a creation of that genius engineer bearing labels such as prototype or test model."
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Azula frowned.
"It means his test models have an unfortunate tendency to explode, scatter themselves into fine shrapnel, and generally pose a threat to human life."
The range of emotions that crossed the princess's face after what I'd just said was difficult to put into words. Profound existential contemplation mixed with mild indignation at existence itself still wouldn't fully capture the spectrum of reactions that flickered across Ozai's daughter's features.
"I wouldn't have thought the famous Herald was so... cautious." Ah, another dose of poison. I'd almost started to miss it.
"An fondness for unnecessary risks is bad for one's health." I shrugged, ignoring her displeased look. Yeah, yeah. If she wanted to get under my skin, she'd need something stronger than that.
Then again, why was she trying so hard in the first place?
Though, come to think of it, Azula was probably no more thrilled about having a "nanny" like me than I was about being one. And she was smart. Smart enough to understand the political situation. It didn't take a genius to figure out what our esteemed parents' little maneuvers really meant.
That bastard of a father...
"Fine," she exhaled. "And what exactly are we supposed to do for those two weeks?"
"Prepare for the journey and rest. Personally, I intend to visit my Master."
"Hm. The renowned Master Piandao?" She fell into thought. "It would be interesting to meet him."
Apparently, refusing that suggestion had never been considered an option.
Though honestly, why not?
As long as the child stayed entertained and didn't start playing with matches, everything would be fine.
***
We got ready fairly quickly, though there wasn't much to prepare for. I put on my armor, strapped on my sword, slung my provisions over my shoulder, and I was ready to go. To my surprise, the preparations of the royal heiress were exactly the same. Honestly, I'd been expecting an elaborate entourage, ladies-in-waiting, or something equally... extravagant.
"What?" she asked, shooting me a suspicious glance.
"Well, I was expecting a whole retinue, a traveling wardrobe..." Hm. Judging by the way she was looking at me like I was a cockroach, that particular expression must run in the family. "All right, all right. I get it. I was wrong."
"You really are a very... unusual person. How can someone be both respectful and almost openly insolent at the same time? And why would you even want to be?"
"It's actually quite simple," I replied with an easy smile. "I respect you, your lineage, and, most importantly, your abilities and talents. But... we barely know each other yet, and while people are getting used to one another, the occasional... misunderstanding is bound to happen."
"Know each other? Getting used to one another?" The princess's gaze suddenly gained several pounds. It now resembled the kind of look an inquisitor might give a particularly unconvincing heretic...
"We're going to be covering each other in battle. I seriously doubt that saying, 'Most Honorable Princess of Fire, pray forgive your humble servant for his impertinence, but circumstances compel me to interrupt your reflections in order to warn you that there is an Earth Kingdom warrior behind you with his sword raised,' is conducive to a long and healthy life." Oh, there it was again—that look of complete mental shutdown.
No, I definitely enjoyed this.
Hm. Come to think of it, I'd teased Toph the same way. I should really consider the connection between being treated by dragons and losing one's self-preservation instinct. (The connection definitely exists. Natsu proved it!)
"Smartass," she muttered. She clearly wanted to add something far less fit for polite company, but her upbringing wouldn't allow it. "Come on already. How are we getting there?"
"We'll simply requisition a raider and its crew. We should be there in a couple of days."
"Fine. Let's go!"
And with all the grace of a rhinoceros, the princess marched toward the harbor, intercepted the nearest military official, and demanded transportation. The official looked at her, then at me, swallowed hard, and nodded so rapidly it was almost painful to watch. Half an hour later, we were already leaving the shore behind and setting course for the island we needed.
"So, what exactly do you want with Master Piandao?" the heir to the throne asked, breaking the silence.
"Couldn't I simply be paying a visit to my friend and Master?"
"You do realize it's rude to answer a question with another question?"
"Is it?" One of her eyes twitched dangerously.
All right, enough of that. I really was starting to push my luck, and standing in front of me wasn't an old friend but a powerful, influential firebender with a rather difficult personality.
"But you're right, Princess. Besides paying a courtesy call, I do have business with my master. It's not widely known, but Master Piandao isn't just one of the greatest swordsmen in the world—he's also a superb swordsmith. Two years ago, to mark the completion of my training, he presented me with a sword of his own making. But during that whole incident with the dragon, my blade spent quite some time exposed to its flames, and frankly... I have no idea what that did to it. Logically, the heat treatment should have been ruined, but dragon fire..." I shrugged. "In any case, I can't bring myself to trust the weapon anymore. At the same time, I don't want to keep relying on a spare. No standard-issue military blade can compare to one of Master Piandao's masterpieces."
(End of Chapter)
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