𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎

II

ꕥ

"You there maid."
Fire torches lined the cramped hallways of the royal palace servant wing. Mako moved her basket of linens on her hip turning around to face the soldier.

"I am in need of seeing the palace keeper. Do you know were she is." The soldier's formidable voice echoed through the narrow hallways.

"Yes sir, would you like me to bring you to her." Mako soften her voice making her seem meek like a mouse. It's what she was taught to do.

"Very well" the soldier grumbled waving her on. Mako got sight of the man's companion

A child.

They twisted and turned until they made it to a wide hallway lined with doors. Mako walked towards the end of the hallway to a set of double doors. She knocked and grumbly female voice ushered her in.

Amuza

The old woman sat at her desk, her snake like eyes searching past Mako to the now entering soldier and the child.

"Ah yes come and sit Sargent Nu. I'm sure you would like some tea." He shook his head as he sat in one of the stiff chairs in front of Amuza's desk. Mako made her place by the door. The child stood simply behind Nu's chair. A distant look settled on her face. No noise coming from her. Faint tear streaks sat on her face but that was the only sign of emotion.

She looked three to Mako. She reminded her of him.

"So Sargent what brings a army man like yourself to me." The old woman sat calculating his movements, his mannerisms, and his emotions. A maid's way.

"We found this child abandoned on the edge of a raided village. I have been ordered to bring her to you for labor."

"Well certainly if your general insists I will have her in immediately. My maids will clean her up get her out of those nasty clothes."

"Yes well.."

"If you don't mind me asking" Amuza seductively butted in. why not ask. "These raided villages they were raided for..?"

"Water benders, we were looking for water benders. We heard reports of them hiding in rural earth kingdom towns"

"Of course those savages. One of the greatest threats we face."

"Well I should be off ." Amuza stood up and bowed as the soldier headed back out. Mako open the door as he strolled out. Another maid walked in.

"Isimo take the filth out of my sights. Straighten her out as Mako will be supervising her. You heard that child!"

The child didn't look up simply staying in her place. Isimo grabbed her arm dragging her out. She was limp like a ragdoll. Her dark icy eyes stared at mako as her head got whipped around. The door slamming  leaving a echoing noise behind her.

"Look at that already so submissive."

Amuza got up walking around her desk standing in front of the quiet Mako. Before speaking in a unsettling tone.