Filled with reverence for the deity, Zuko carefully seated himself on Four Directions' back. He looked very stiff, as though afraid that any unnecessary movement might anger Four Directions.
"Remember to be careful, especially since you're under surveillance right now. You mustn't give yourself away."
Before they parted, Iroh reminded Kahn once more.
"I understand."
Kahn nodded in reply, then added with equal concern:
"Uncle Iroh, take care of yourself too."
"Mm."
Iroh patted Kahn's shoulder. Communication between men needed few words; everything went without saying.
Kahn nodded to Four Directions. With a startled cry from Zuko, Four Directions spread his wings and soared into the sky, finally vanishing into the clouds.
Only after Kahn and the others disappeared from sight did Iroh withdraw his gaze, put on his bamboo hat, and turn to leave.
He would have plenty to keep him busy in the days ahead.
His first flight felt wonderfully novel to Zuko. He swayed this way and that, observing his surroundings: the clouds beneath his feet, the clear blue sky, the bright sunlight, and the vast earth that occasionally appeared through gaps in the clouds.
But after a while, it inevitably felt a little monotonous, and he began to grow bored.
Just then, Zuko suddenly thought of something and asked somewhat hesitantly:
"Oh, right, Kahn, um, are you still there?"
"I'm here. What is it?"
"There's something I wanted to ask. More precisely, someone I wanted to ask about. Uh, how's Mai doing these days?"
Zuko scratched his cheek sheepishly.
Faced with the sudden silence, Zuko could guess what expression Kahn probably wore even without being able to see him. And, though he wasn't sure whether he had imagined it, he kept feeling as if he had heard a faint, somewhat disdainful "tch" by his ear.
But