Prophecy (Sun and Moon Book 3)

Chapter 47 - Impatience

            I wake to flapping.

            Blinking, I open my eyes to see Sokka at the window, pulling the shutters open. “Wha…”

            I sit up, rubbing my eyes and frowning at him. He glances back at me, waving something in the air. “It’s a messenger hawk. There’s a letter.”

            “What does it say?” This from Zuko, who’s also sitting up, staring at Sokka. In the early morning light, with his hair all rumpled and his clothes messy, it reminds me so much of our time in Ba Sing Se that I smile.

            I’m still smiling when Sokka starts to read the letter out loud.

            “Nephew--

            You are not going to believe this, but you can come home now. I found your mother and Lia--they are here in Ursa right now.

                        --Iroh”

            None of us moves for a full minute.

            We’re all in too much shock.

            Then, it’s like it hits me all once. I leap out of bed and snatch the letter from Sokka, read it again and again. Zuko is behind me, reading over my shoulder, and I can’t even begin to believe what I’m seeing.

            Ursa and Lia are in Ursa? I frown--that’s weird. I glance over my shoulder at Zuko. “Why did you name your city after someone who’s still alive? It’s just weird…”

            He shakes his head, a smile touching the corners of his mouth.

            “Well, are we leaving, or what?” I look away from Zuko to see Sokka with his pack over his shoulder, already ready to go. Suki holds Aang’s bison whistle to her lips, blows into it.

            I feel excitement vibrate through me, as well as a dawning sense of peace. Lia is safe. She’s safe and we’re going to her right now. I’ll see her soon.

            Without a moment’s hesitation, I run out the door and down to the courtyard, impatiently waiting for Appa to appear.

**__**

            It had been two days since Ursa and Lia had appeared at the gates of the palace. Two days since he had sent the messenger hawk to Zuko.

            His nephew would be here soon, and Iroh wasn’t sure what would happen after that. He had already discussed the letter with his sister-in-law, and he knew the truth. He didn’t know how Zuko was going to take it, though.

            Even after all these years, some parts of Zuko were still unpredictable, even for Iroh. He walked through the courtyard, nodding to the few people he passed. It was halfway through the morning already, but most of the nobles were still asleep. Iroh had forgotten how much he disliked court life.

            Being pseudo Firelord was fun, but it wasn’t something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

            He--

            He was pulled from his thoughts by a familiar sound--a low, groaning growl. He walked quickly to the doors, opened them wide.

            Revealed the courtyard, bathed in morning light, and then Katara, leaping down off Appa, running toward him. Her red Fire Nation clothes were rumpled and her hair was full of tangles, and her eyes when they met his were almost wild. “Where is she?”

            Iroh smiled. “She’s in town. She and Mai went shopping.”

            He saw her face fall, and he put a hand on her shoulder. “She will be back soon, Katara.”

            She nodded, and then Zuko was beside her, and Iroh saw in his eyes the questions he was torn between asking. He opened his mouth, but Katara beat him to it. “Lia’s in town with Mai, apparently. Where’s Ursa?” She looked at Iroh, but Iroh just nodded at Zuko.

            “Where she always is.”

            Katara frowned, but Zuko started walking. She moved to follow him, but Iroh stopped her. He reached into his robe and pulled out a letter, handing it to her.

            “This came yesterday. It is from Toph. I think you will find it to be good news.” Then, he hugged her, and Katara hugged him back tightly.

            “I’ve missed you, Uncle.”

            “And I have missed you, Katara.”