Alther vs. Iroh

Of course, every fantasy story has to have a wise old man. In Septimus Heap that wise old man just happens to be a ghost. I think Iroh's relationship with Zuko is very similar to Alther's relationship with Marcia in that no matter how stubborn the younger one can be, Iroh and Alther always stick around and help. Even when Marcia accidentally banished Alther and Zuko betrayed Iroh, they still were willing to forgive them and come back. And both of them are incredibly proud of their charges when they finally do something right.