Dai Li's Personal Spy

Chapter 18: The Necklace

I watched in boredom as Zuko practised his firebending with Liteunant Jee. We had hired some new help, and I wasn't doing as much work as I used to be anymore. I was tracking down the Avatar, but it wasn't as difficult or challenging anymore, it was like keeping pace. Iroh said that Zuko needed another firebender to practice with to fully enhance his bending. I rolled my eyes at the irony like I wasn't a firebender who used to be the best in the palace.

I didn't know if was good anymore, though, the only recent firebending I've been doing is a bit of angry warmth against my own will. I was jealous, of course, they could bend because they didn't need to hide it. I suddenly lurched forward with the rest of the ship and smacked into the ground. Jee and Zuko fell as well.

I groaned as I propped myself up on my elbows, looking up at the captain's tower. "Someone's changing our course," Zuko stated, looking aggravated as ever. I rubbed my side, glad it wasn't my other one because it was still tender from Crescent Moon Island.

"No kidding," I said, tenderly stroking the now-forming bruise. Zuko got up and lent me his hand. I took it, getting up from the cold floor. "Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, but I'd like to know why we are going, of course. This isn't where I predicted the Avatar to go." I said, looking up at the control tower. Zuko stomped away and up the stairs, ready to investigate. I took the opportunity to go down to my room and finally write that report.

I snuck down to my room and opened up my door, coming into my desk and ripping a new page. I twisted off the lid to my ink and dipped my brush in, carefully writing my report. I stalled for a moment, a pinprick of ink splashing onto the paper. I recollected my thoughts and began to write.

To the 'La Dii'

From: YULAXUSA.

I apologise for my lack of presence in writing my reports. I haven't been able to safely write my reports for fear of being found out. I didn't want them to suspect my position. We have discovered the Avatar, but I'm sure you are already aware of that. What will interest you, though, is that we are tracking the Avatar, and we are hot on his trail. We have left Water Tribe waters and now are back in Earth kingdom waters, not far off Firenation borders.

I will send it out to you tonight.

Signed, Yulaxusa

I rolled up the paper, securing the scroll with my band. I stuffed the paper into my pocket, tucking it away to send for later. I discreetly closed my door and ran back upstairs and out of the quarters.

I looked out onto the horizon and saw some docks approaching. Our supply stop was only a few days ago, so why were we stopping again? Zuko was standing furious next to Iroh, arms crossed. Iroh looked joyous as usual, though. I walked up to them, quirking a brow.

"Ah, Miss Laina! Ready to go into town?" Iroh happily asked as Zuko rolled his eyes.

"Why are we going into town?" I asked, looking between the uncle and nephew. Zuko huffed.

"Because Uncle has lost his damn Lotus tile and feels the need to change course and buy a new one." Zuko spat out.

"Oh, well, maybe I can get some leads on the Avatar at the markets." Zuko kept standing still, and Iroh smiled.

"And maybe we can buy you some shiny earrings or maybe even a dress?" Iroh suggested happily. I smiled at the idea, I looked like a chimney sweeper in the all-black.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to waste time," I said politely.

"Nonsense, you'd like to see Miss Laina in a pretty dress, wouldn't you, Prince Zuko?" Iroh casually and innocently said, so much so I almost didn't catch it. My eyes widened a little at the remark, and Zuko suddenly charged away at full pace.