Teaching Lu Ten

"Again!" Iroh commanded.

His student stood parallel to his master, he threw his hands into the air, matching Iroh's movements, and both benders launched a great ball of flames into the air.

"Much better!" Iroh congratulated his son, who was turning out to be very good pupil.

"Thank you Master." Lu Ten said, being respectful. The boy was not much of a boy anymore. He was a young man, tall and as handsome as his father was at that age. He was confident and strong, but still gentle like his mother.

"I think that's enough training for one day." Iroh smiled. They bother bowed to each other and their training session ended. "Thirsty?"

"Very." Lu Ten smiled. Iroh slapped his boy's shoulder. They walked over to the tea table they had built in the palace garden. A pot of jasmine was already waiting for them.

Iroh poured his son's cup, then gave the pot to Lu Ten and Lu Ten poured of his father's. The bowed and clacked their cups together and drank.

"Father." Lu Ten spoke up.

"Yes?" Iroh poured himself another cup.

"There is something I have been meaning to ask you for a while…" Lu Ten paused.

"You have my attention son."

"Well…for so long, you have been involved in strategy and maintaining the welfare of the Fire Nation homeland. Grandfather is getting older and…the throne may need a successor soon."

"What is you question my son?" Iroh stroked his beard.

"Father….why would you agree to lead the siege at Ba Sing Se now? I mean, the army is at its peak, it's so far away…and, let's face it old man. You're not getting any younger."

"Hey! This old horse still has some miles to run." Iroh flexed his muscles.

"If you say so." Lu Ten gulped his tea. "But still…I don't want the old horse to get hurt."

"Lu Ten…" Iroh put his hand on his son's shoulder. "…for the longest time I have wanted to see the world. I have dreamed of seeing the inside of the walls of Ba Sing Se. You are much more important to me than simple dreams. I needed to make sure that you had a family and that you were cared for. Now you are a young man and you are strong. Now is the perfect time for me to leave because I am sure that you will be safe. I will see inside the walls of Ba Sing Se, whether they let me in…or if I have to smash the walls down."

Lu Ten smiled.

"In that case…" He grabbed the pot and filled up his tea cup. "…a toast to the Earth Kingdom. May the spirits have mercy on their poor souls."

"Ha-ha!" Iroh clacked his cup against his son's. "To the poor Earth Kingdom!"

Iroh drank deeply.

Lu Ten looked down at his feet as his father drank. He felt guilt swell up inside him. Unfortunately for Iroh, Lu Ten want to see the world too…

To Be Continued…