Letters (Chapter 3)
Chapter 3
Letter #30 - His royal Highness, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation to His royal Highness, Fire Lord Iroh, souvereign of the Fire Nation
Uncle -
I was 8 when you taught me the Hedgeduck Song and didn't know what it was about! And don't even start with Girls of Ba Sing Se! You know as well as I do that the original version is harmless. It's the alternate lyrics that you had me sing to Nurse Akiko that are the problem.
You already know my travel compagnion. It's Katara. I met her at Kyoshi Island (by chance, really) where she had some business to attend. We've decided to travel together for safety reasons. Although I know she's capable of taking care of herself, I do wonder... A young woman, even if she's a bending master, should not be traveling on her own.
Did you know that her brother died? Apparently he sacrificed himself in order to save the Avatar. Katara told me that the purpose of her voyage is to put Sokka's spirit to rest. I don't understand that - as far as I gather, his death was an honorable one. Shouldn't that mean that his spirit has already received the greatest honors? I would have liked to ask Katara about that, but I felt it was not prudent to ask.
What do you know about watertribe funeral and death rites, uncle?
- Zuko
Letter #31 - Lady Tai Zan Weng to her grandmother, Lady Xiao 'Nan' Weng of the honorable Weng family
Nan -
father is trying to marry Kyon off to Fire Lord Iroh. Most nobles here at the court are trying a similar route, attempting to appeal to him with children. The youngest 'bride' is an infant. Those greedy little bastards know no shame.
I have it in good authority, though, that the Fire Lord is not planning on marrying anytime soon, but already has a heir picked out (although I don't know who). Five bottles of fine sake and a golden hair pin say he's going to make Prince Zuko his heir once he returns to the court. You game?
On another note, Qi Zhao has invited me for dinner and tea at her seaside residence. Father accepted the invitation on my behalf, unfortunately.
May Agni bless us both (me more than you because as you can see, I need it more urgently)
- Tai Zan
Letter #32 - Katara of the Southern Watertribe to her brother, Sokka of the Southern Watertribe
Sokka -
I am no longer travelling alone, as you probably know already. I think traveling with Zuko will help me throw father and the men he sent for me off track.
This would be so much easier if Aang and Appa were here.
- Katara
Letter #33 - Suki of Kyoshi Island, Captain of the Kyoshi Warriors to Katara of the Southern Watertribe
Katara -
a few days after you and Zuko left a group of watertribe warriors arrived at our island, looking for you. They asked me specifically where you were headed. Eventually, I told them you had taken the "Sun Pearl" to the Fire Nation.
Is there something you would like to tell me?
- Suki
Letter #34 - Lady Xiao 'Nan' Weng of the honorable Weng family to her granddaughter, Lady Tai Zan Weng
Tai Zan -
I was afraid something like that would happen. If Qi Zhao tries anything funny, show her what a true Weng is made of.
And I refuse to enter a bet with you while you are consorting with Iroh! That's like trying to catch a dragon with bare hands. How is he anyway? You should offer to make him tea sometime; I am sure he would appreciate it.
Two of your lovers (Feng and Yohji) have taken interest in your sister, Ouka. She would like to know whether you would mind greatly if she took them off your hands. Personally, I'd say let her have some fun. She's your sister after all and you should be finding more than enough chances for distraction at the palace. Speaking of which, I am greatly disappointed that you have not yet told your old and lonely grandmother about all those charming young men I am sure must be flocking your path.
I want details, young lady!
- Nan
Letter #35 - His royal Highness, Fire Lord Iroh, souvereign of the Fire Nation, to His royal Highness, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation
Zuko -
the watertribe burial rites are a lot different from ours. You are right: Sokka's death was an honorable one and thus his spirit deserved to be let into Agni's gardens. But Sokka was not of the Fire Nation.
In the watertribes, the death a person suffered has no consequences on what happens to their spirit, but rather the life they lived. It is the duty of the relatives to put the spirit of the deceased to rest, which means nothing other than taking care of the deceased's unfinished business.
The relatives write letters to the deceased to keep them informed of what is happening in the world they left behind. How long and regularly these letters are sent depends on the relatives.
The dead also have a right to have their last wishes fulfilled by a person close to them. Usually, they pick an executioner of their will while still alive. I would assume, that Sokka and Katara asked each other to fulfill their respective last wishes as these things are usually kept in the family.
Zuko, please let Katara have the enclosed letter and the velvet pouch it is attached to and be there for her in her hour of need.
May Agni bless your path,
Fire Lord Iroh
Post Scriptum: I have enclosed some more gold. Seeing as you a travelling now with a companion - a fine young lady at that - I believe that you will be needing it. Don't you dare let Katara sleep in the forests all on her own! I will feign an incurable illness if you do!
Letter # 36 - His royal Highness, Fire Lord Iroh, souvereign of the Fire Nation to Katara of the Southern Watertribe
Katara -
forgive an old man for writing to you as if you still were a child. I know that you are an accomplished bending mistress, that you have seen and learned more of the ways of life long before the Avatar stepped into yours, but I when I think back to the days we spent together I cannot feel but think of you as a comrade in arms, a fellow warrior, an equal. Thus, I beg you, read this salutation as a friendly greeting as that of one who stands neither above or under you, but by your side.
I regret to have learned of your loss. To me, Sokka was an inspiring young man on his way to greatness. I am overwhelmed with great sadness when facing the fact, that Sokka's road was all too short. Your brother was truly accomplished.
Please let me know, Katara, if there is any way for me to stand by your side, not as Lord of a great nation but as a friend. It would be my greatest pleasure to support and aid you in these times. Do not hesitate to demand of me - whatever it is, it shall be yours if it is within my powers to grant it to you.
May Agni bless your path,
Uncle Iroh
Letter #37 - Katara of the Southern Watertribe to Suki of Kyoshi Island, Captain of the Kyoshi Warriors
Suki -
there isn't much to tell, honestly.
Sokka has made three requests before he died and asked of me to fulfill these so his spirit can rest. My father opposes Sokka's wishes for the fact, that they might be considered heresy. Which they are not. Believe me that I wouldn't be doing this if I thought Sokka's wishes were wrong or audacious.
I thank you for 'distracting' Bato and his men. They'll catch up with me soon enough and I'm grateful for every advantage I can get. Please don't tell them how to find me!
- Katara
Letter #38 - Yughoda of the Northern Watertribe, Chief Healer of Chief Arnook of the Northern Watertribe, Master Healer and Healing instructor to her former pupil, Katara of the Southern Watertribe
Katara,
I neither can nor want to aid you and your brother. This is preposterous! How dare he even believe to have a right to request something like this from you, his own flesh and blood?
I beg you, child - return home. Your brother has brought his sufferings unto himself, there is nothing you can do for him. Do not rob your tribe and your family of another cherished member.
Abandon this foolishness, Katara. It is for the best.
May Tui and La guide and enlighten you,
Chief Healer Yughoda
Letter #39 - Lady Qi Zhao of the honorable Zhao family to Lord Ryu Weng of the honorable Weng family, delivered with a pair of torn silk slippers
Honorable Lord Ryu Weng -
it is with utmost regret that I inform you of your daughter's unacceptable behaviour during our meeting today.
If you recall, you graciously allowed young Tai Zan to visit me at my seaside residence for an extended tea hour. I admit to have been dishonest with you about my reasons: I had in fact planned to offer your child the female support and experience she might miss here at the palace, so far away from home. A young girl like Tai Zan is easily confused by the lavish court life and the attentions of young men. I am sure you must have noticed that your daughter's name and beauty is praised not only within the palace walls. Such praise and fame is not healthy for one so young.
I meant only well, my lord, when I offered myself and my guidance to your child, but Tai Zan abruptly left my residence, leaving terrible accusations in her wake. I shall not repeat the things she said to me, but I fear your daughter has not understood the good I tried to do her. I do not fault her, for there are terrible things being said about many honorable members of the court that bear no truth and such vile lies must have poisoned Tai Zan's opinion of me. The words did not sting as much as Tai Zan's rudeness towards me and my house. If she would have wanted to leave my residence, a word alone would have been enough and I would have arranged for my servants to take her home safely. As it is, Tai Zan left with neither a farewell nor her shoes.
I beg of you not to punish your child, but to return her shoes to her and remind her of her manners.
I should not deny a chance for an apology in private should one be desired by Tai Zan.
May Agni guide your house,
Lady Qi Zhao
Letter #40 - Urgent note sent from the Kumomachi, a harbor in the Fire Nation to the Southern Watertribe via messenger hawk: Bato of the Southern Watertribe to Chief Hakoda of the Southern Watertribe
Hakoda, the Sun Pearl, Katara's ship, was attacked by pirates on its way to the Fire Nation. The officials of Kumomachi have promised to send word to me once they know what precisely happened. I've been told this should take no more than three days. Be strong, my friend. - Bato
Letter #41 - Waterbending Master Pakku of the Southern Watertribe to his former pupil, Katara of the Southern Watertribe
Are you going to give up?
Letter #42 - His royal Highness, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation to His royal Highness, Fire Lord Iroh, souvereign of the Fire Nation
Uncle -
thank you. The money will help, although Katara and me won't be sleeping in taverns or the likes often. I have a feeling she is running away from something.
I will protect her as good as possible, but if the Avatar happens to appear sometime in the near future and offers to lend us his flying bison it might not bet the worst thing to happen.
- Zuko
Post Scriptum: I understand that knowledge is power but... what exactly were you thinking when enclosing "The joys of tantric sex - a beginner's guide"?
Post Scriptum 2: That threat of yours loses some if you already tell me that it's a feigned illness, you know.
|Chapter 2||Chapter 4|