"Honoured council of five." Zuko bowed for the three earth kingdom generals. "Thank you for meeting with me ones more. Today I have brought two advisors of my own. Sokka of the Southern water tribe who has proven his worth as a tactician and was the mind behind many of the Avatars victories. Including the victory against the drill that assailed your wall." he said.
Sokka bowed copying Zuko and the three Generals nodded at him.
"And I bring my uncle." Zuko said. "One of the most celebrated Generals in the fire nation army whom has now deserted that army to join forces with the Avatar."
At this… The three Generals did not bow. Sung was just about to, but noticed the other two didn't and sat himself up just in time.
One of the Generals. General How looked at Iroh with cold eyes. "We met." he said shortly.
"Oh… I didn't realize." Zuko tried as Iroh lowered his eyes.
"Doesn't seem that long ago." How continued. "I remember our meetings. How the General would stand in front of me and say. Is it not about time you surrendered? You are out numbered and out matched. It would be a shame if more Earth Kingdom soldiers were to die."
Irohs head remained low.
"Do you remember what I replied?" How asked. "General Iroh?"
"A mountain can no more surrender that a fish can stop swimming. It is not in our nature. If you intend to take our beloved city. You are going to stay here for a very long time." Iroh replied and finally glanced up.
"And then you laughed." How said. "Apparently you found me very amusing. And you said." he crossed his arms as he closed his eyes. "It may take a million years. But when a bird chips away at a mountain and keep tipping away. That mountain will eventually fall. Do you really want it to come to that?"
Iroh sighed deeply, somehow he suddenly seemed a lot older than he usually did. And it made Zukos heart heavy with sadness.
"General How was the man who lead the defence of Ba Sing Se's wall." Iroh explained to Zuko. Then turned to How. "I must also assume… You were the one to plan and authorize any ambushes laid by your soldiers?"
Zukos eyes widened as he stood straight, suddenly feeling cold sweat down in his back. Perhaps this had been a bad idea. A really really bad idea.
"Yes. I did." How said. "You were trying to chip away at my army so I merely tried to return the favour."
Iroh nodded.
"Now we meet again." How commented. "What have you to say now?"
Iroh looked down and then… He sat down on his knees. "I acknowledge my defeat." he said. "I acknowledge that any lives lost in those six hundred days are on my shoulders as we were the aggressors and you were merely the defenders." he said and then he laid his hands on the floor in a deep bow. "I surrender myself to your judgement. I am not here to re-start a battle, I am only here on Prince Zukos request." he said. "If you think my place is in a dungeon so be it. If you deem I have no place in your war room. That is your choice to make. I am only here to offer my services." he said as he sat back up but kept his eyes down.
Zuko was gasping for breath. Sokka next to him and Zhau-Li behind him also each seemed a little uncomfortable but did their best to keep a straight face. None of them liked seeing Iroh like this.
How frowned. "In all my years." he said. "I would never have imagined the great General Iroh bowing to me. And certainly not like that." he admitted. "The man I met would never have bowed like you just did now. To anyone."
Iroh glanced up. "Humility is a harsh and cruel teacher." he said as he stood up on his legs.
How how-ever frowned. "What you are asking. Is our help to over throw your own brother. I must ask. Who do you intend to make fire lord after?" he asked.
"The one who wears the crown of the Crown Prince." Iroh said. "My nephew. Prince Zuko." he bowed his head as he gestured at Zuko.
How turned to Zuko, his eyes still narrow and very hard to read.
"I know how it may seem." Zuko said. "That I may be trying to overthrow my father to get the throne myself." he said. "The truth is… I have no real desire for the throne." he said. "How-ever, I realize it is what I must do to help restore balance to this world. It is my duty, much like it is the avatars duty to master the four elements."
"So you think you're the one to restore balance?" How asked Zuko directly.
"I…" Zuko halted. "I don't know. But I know I have to try."
Finally How nodded. "I would not have accepted Iroh as the next fire lord." he said. "The threat to our city and kingdom would have seemed to great. You how-ever. Prince Zuko." he looked up at Zuko. "I heard the stories as well. Dragon Prince."
Zuko smiled a little embarrassed.
"And the vital part you played defending this city against the drill and uncovering Long Fengs plot cannot be denied. We are in your debt." How continued. "And only because of this debt will we allow General Iroh to walk free in this city. As well will we listen to his tactical advice, though he will have no right to make any decisions. Understood?"
"You are most gracious." Iroh said as he put his hands together and bowed.
Zuko sighed deeply just really happy that this super painful part was over and done with.
The next few hours went with discussing potential plans. The plan was of course to attack the fire nation capital on the day of the black sun.
A big issue though was how to get the Earth Kingdom army into position. They had to go to the fire nation after all.
They discussed dates which were ideal, it couldn't be to soon nor to late. Different sea routes to the fire nation islands and Iroh kindly explained about what streams would work for or against them this year. And where all the strongholds were… And where the fire nation was most likely to have ambushes ready.
He really was a well of information and didn't hold back at all.
After a few hours it was time for lunch and Iroh excused himself to get a bit of fresh air outside.
It didn't take long though. Before Iroh was joined by a fellow General. General How.
How frowned as he approached Iroh whom was standing out in the open, looking up towards the clouds.
"General Iroh." How spoke.
"It is merely Iroh now." Iroh said. "I retired three years ago and have been stripped even of my honorary rank more recently."
How's eyes narrowed even more as he stood.
"What a beautiful sky this day." Iroh said. Then he closed his eyes and breathed in. "The sun as well is soft and warm."
"General Iroh." How repeated himself and Iroh turned to him. "There is something I have been wanting to ask. For a very long time."
"Yes." Iroh replied.
"The Siege." How said. "We didn't win. You didn't win either. Nobody did. It just… Stopped."
Iroh turned to How, he had to look up to see him.
"I suppose my question should be obvious now." How said.
"Why did it just stop." Iroh said.
"Yes." How replied. "We couldn't have held on for much longer… You were winning." he admitted. "Your strategy. How to fall a mountain… Chip away at it bit by bit. It was brilliant." he admitted. "Though it would require the patients of an earth bender. Which is not usual for any fire bender, they usually burn hot and bright as they quickly charge forward. You though, held the line and held on. Like a mountain yourself."
"I thank you for the acknowledgement." Iroh bowed slightly. "You held true to your words as well. Your city and your defence was the mountain." he said. "And by the end of it. I was just a man."
How frowned as he looked down at Iroh. Clearly not really having gotten any of the answers he were looking for. Clearly Iroh had just been dodging the question.
"I lost our battle." Iroh said. "Why don't we just keep it at that?" he asked as he stepped past General How. "The victory was yours and your name will go down in the history books. That's not to bad is it?" he asked giving How a slight pad on the arm and then walked away.
How turned around looking after the older man.
Remembering only to well how terrifying that same man had been just a mere six years ago. He really seemed to have aged at least forty years since then.
Also was it clear… This was all How was going to get. It was the version Iroh had decided upon, simply that he lost.
This man… Boasting about how he was soon to be fire lord. As soon as he had taken Ba Sing Se.
The world really was an odd and mysterious place.