Chapter 81: Troubling Signs
True to his word, Fung had relayed a message from Sha-Mo to Iroh, detailing the events that had occurred in Si Wong as best as the Watcher knew them.
Iroh had had to read the letter several times, even once he'd deciphered it.
Grand Lotus,
Encountered Avatar. Son stole bison, angered Avatar into Avatar State. Tribe forced to flee. Covertly followed Avatar/companions to Si Wong border – safety ensured. Forced to banish son for crimes against Avatar/Tribe.
Spirit Library gone – showed signs of returning to Spirit World. Duty now uncertain. Awaiting instructions.
Avatar is heading to Ba Sing Se.
Watcher.
The message was terse and somewhat lacking in detail, but it gave Iroh an indication of events.
He'd never had the fortune of meeting Sha-Mo in person, though they'd exchanged a little correspondence through Fung over the years, but his heart wept at the thought of the man banishing his own son. It made his mind drift to Zuko, and to Lu Ten. Whilst Zuko was his nephew, they had been closing, especially in the years between Lu Ten's death and Zuko's banishment. As for Lu Ten… his own son had been taken from him; as with Ozai, he couldn't imagine any father sending his son away.
It made him wonder the depths and extent of Sha-Mo's son's crimes, and wonder whether the man's influence was one that was desired in the Order.
Then again, Iroh thought, with the Library apparently gone and the Watcher's Duty vanished with it, what purpose would the Sandbender fulfil?
Still, the most important part of the message was in the final line.
The Avatar was on his way to Ba Sing Se.
Iroh stroked his beard thoughtfully, gazing off into the distance.
