28. Blind

The baby's wail pierced the birthing room.

Lao Bei Fong gaped, trying not to gag as the midwives lifted the squalling baby, carrying her away to clean the blood and other fluids from her skin. The midwives murmured anxiously over the newborn.

"What's wrong?" Lao demanded. She's not stillborn. She cried, she's not stillborn . . .

The women didn't respond, merely fussing over the baby as they went about their duties. Finally, Lao grabbed one of women's shoulders and spun her around. "What's going on? What's wrong with the baby?"

"I'm sorry, Master Bei Fong. The baby is blind."

29. Choices

"Retreat to the inner sanctum!" shouted Monk Pasang, opening the gates with an airbending blast. The survivors flooded inside. Gyatso went in last, yanking the doors shut. Someone jammed a spear through the opening and pried them open again.

"Defend the temple!"

No, Gyatso thought. Not this way.

The doors opened, soldiers rushing in. Screams tore from people's throats. This can't be happening.

But it was. Gyatso watched a spear bury itself in a young airbender's heart, blood spurting across the metal shaft and dyeing the floors crimson.

I have to stop this.

Gyatso stepped forward and made his choice.

30. Tsungi Horn(150)

Notes poured from the Tsungi Horn like liquid gold. Zuko listened from the doorway.

Lu Ten had closed his eyes, improvising melodies. He looked almost lost, as if the sound was a meandering stream, carrying him away. When the song ended, his eyelids fluttered. "Hey, Zuko."

Zuko jumped, retreating behind the wall. When Lu Ten chuckled, he poked his head into the music room again. "How did you know I was here?"

"I could hear you thinking."

Zuko scowled. "That doesn't make any sense."

Again, his cousin smiled. "I can teach you how to play, if you're interested."

"Will I be good at it?"

"If you practice."

He hesitated, then walked into the room and sat beside his cousin. "Can I just listen for a while, first?"

Surprise flitted across Lu Ten's face, but he put his lips to the mouthpiece and began playing.

Zuko closed his eyes and listened.