Honored Son Chapter 4 Preview

Iroh gave a good natured laugh, straight from his belly as he watched Zuko taking in his new personal ship. The wide eyed wonder, the mouth hanging open as he tried to process that this was his now, the sheer boyish delight. He buried some part of himself that winced at how much that expression disturbingly reminded him of Lu Ten, when Iroh made his young son "Captain" of their ship during a small vacation…when his son was alive and very young. The crew had humored his little game very well, calling his boy "Captain Lu" because the boy insisted on it over "Captain Lu Ten" or anything else. It was hilarious.

But this was no game. Zuko was effectively the commander of this ship for the next two years, at least. If nothing horrible happened, it could remain his personal ship permanently. However, the crew of the ship was a mix of seasoned sailors, veteran soldiers, and a platoon of the Imperial Firebenders. And only the best get in the royal guards. Gaining from his subordinates more than the minimum loyalty and respect required to give a prince, that was something Zuko would have to earn on this journey.

It was a beautiful ship though.

"So, what shall you name her, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked with a kind smile.

"Name her?" Zuko repeated as he regathered himself, brow furrowing in surprise. "The ship hasn't even been christened yet?"

"She is a young ship, Zuko, making you the first captain of this sloop," Iroh informed patiently.

"I can't believe we call them something as funny sounding as sloops," Zuko murmured, scratching his head. "It'd be a little strange to name it after Mother, wouldn't it?"

"It would raise some interesting commentary," Iroh stated carefully, also knowing that Ozai might just order the name to be changed when he heard it.

"If I was a bit more shameless, I might just call her Zuzu to try and ruin Azula's fun," Zuko joked dryly before looking thoughtful. "Zu."

"Hm? What was that, Zuko?" Iroh asked, leaning closer in hopes to prompt his nephew to share.

"Well, I was originally thinking Zuxian, for Ancestor. Like honoring Great-Grandfather Sozin, and all the other Firelords, all the way back to Lord Agni," Zuko explained with a smile. "But that didn't feel quite right for a ship. So, what about Zuxia?"

"Zuxia, One Step," Iroh realized, humming in contemplation as he looked back at the ship. "The First Step of your journey. It is a very fitting name, Nephew."

"Thank you, Uncle," Zuko said, sighing wistfully. "Hard to believe we'll be gone tomorrow."

"Even the mightiest dragons were wary of leaving the nests of their births for the first hunt," Iroh stated sagely, patting the boy on the back.

"Amazing, an actually straightforward metaphor, Uncle," Zuko couldn't help teasing.

"Hmm, so you are right. I must be feeling a bit under the weather," Iroh returned in the same manner. "Have you said goodbye to everyone?"

"Well, not Ty Lee. I don't know where she ran off to, and Mai hasn't heard back from her family yet. Besides her, well, Azula's goodbye was very...Azula," Zuko stated diplomatically. "I...don't know what to say to Father. I thanked him for the ship and crew, but-"

"The Firelord is not always the most expressive of individuals," Iroh supplied knowingly. "I'm sure he will understand what you mean," he assured, leaving his uncertainty if Ozai cared about something as sentimental as a farewell between father and son. "What of young Mai? Or Master Piandao?"

"Master Piandao gave me some scrolls to study. And might have said something about how I was the most absently dedicated student he had ever had. I'm hoping that was a compliment," Zuko said sheepishly. "As for Mai, she said was seeing me off- don't give me that look, Uncle! I already made her promise not to stow away on the ship."

"Hmm, I wonder how such a scandalous notion came up," Iroh commented playfully, chuckling when the boy refused to answer and risk giving more ammunition. "Perhaps it would be best if we took this time to meet some of the crew."

Zuko nodded as they approached the gangplank. "Uncle? What did you do when you first set off on this journey?" Zuko asked curiously.

"I crashed my ship into an iceberg," Iroh answered with a grin. "Fortunately, the damage was minor."

"...And Father?" Zuko asked curiously.

"His ship got mistaken for one captured by the Earth Kingdom," Iroh answered with a headshake. "I believe it was the one instance I, your father, and your grandfather were all mutually angry."