Istas blinked, as Azula disappeared into the tunnel. Logic rather than fear? But fear was logical. Fear told you when to be wary, when to be on guard. Just as it was only logical for prey to fear Istas, so was is also logical for Istas to fear things which may harm her. It was the way nature worked.

But Azula was human, and humans thought strange things sometimes.

"I will speak to this Kuk," she said to Alex, solemn. "Because if I am to willingly stay in the domain of a predator much larger and more powerful than I, it is only the polite thing to do. But if you have lied to me then it is your tongue that I shall feast upon."

And with that, she descended down into the tunnel. She showed no fear, but Istas knew better than to show such fear to another predator. She went because she must, not because she wanted to.