Embers in the North

Chapter 1

A young man lies unconscious in an icy cave. The cavern is deep and the sleeping soldier is at the end of it. Yet the cavern was not freezing. No, a fire was lite beside him. Cushions and furs surrounded the fire, so that they may sit. A large bag at against the wall. Cave drawings from hundreds of years ago cover the walls. Depicting the spirits and legends of the Northern Water Tribe. The youth was covered in furs as if they were blankets. Warming him, and keeping the frigid air from nipping his developed form. He didn't belong here.

The young man stirred from his sleep, wincing. Grey eyes opened to see his surroundings. "Uh… My head… Where am I?" The youth was tall. Black curly hair came down as a mane, covering his ears and reaching his shoulders. The grey eyes were as ashes from a campfire. He was handsome, according to his home country, facial hair had grown due to not shaving. A toned body was tanned from being in the sun that he loved. Training was a norm in the Fire nation. His armor was against the wall, set up as if it was on a stand. The dark and faded red plates that covered the torso. The leather fauld that went around his waist. His helmet with the flame-like decoration surrounding the skull-like white mask. He saw his boots and gauntlets together while his grey tunic and tanned pant were thrown beside them. Both looked damp still.

"Your awake." Says a, old gruff voice. The youth turns to see an old man holding clothes. He looked like he was in his seventies, long white hair receded past his scalp yet he still kept it in a ponytail, the same length as his beard. His eyes were an icy blue, as if his heart was as barren as the northern tundra. The elder wore water tribe clothing. A blue anorak jacket with white lining and pants in a lighter shade. White fur boots covered his feet, guarding them from the ice. He may look old but was clearly a strong man, retaining his stature. He was someone you knew to fear and respect.

Yet the youth questioned him. "Why did you save me?" It was an important question. The world was still at war. Why was it that two people, especially Fire Nation and Water Tribe, under the same roof and not trying to kill each other?

"I am a shaman. I found you at the cliff were this cave dwells, my home." His eyes then narrowed at the young man. "You saw me and asked to not make you go back. I would have left you be washed away, if it were not for the spirits." The youth raised an eyebrow at him confused but believing.

"Why would they want me alive?" asks the youth.

"You were not meant to die yet."

"Okay…" The youth moves so that he slowly sit up. The furs still covered his legs. "Now why wasn't I suppose to die?"

"They pitied you. Your wish had yet to be fulfilled." The Fire nation soldier stiffens at his words, not believing it.

"It was a prayer… a chance to stop fighting. I thought I achieved that after being thrown into the sea." The elder threw the clothes he'd been holding at the young man. He walked to the opposite side of the fire staring at it. The youth had caught them and looked at the clothes. A Water Tribe symbol stitched into the jacket. Now he looked at the old man, curiously. The clothes were clearly for him but he still wondered. "…What are these for?"

"Clothes. For wearing."

Well, that was obvious. The youth half lidded his eyes in annoyance. "Alright… Why are you giving them to me?"

"The outside. You cannot afford to leave in that." The elder points at the Fire Nation armor. He was right. The Water Tribe would see him immediately as an enemy. He would be captured or killed on the spot. The armor didn't blend with the land scape. Also, if he really was in a face-side cliff, he would likely need to swim. The armor was too heavy for long distant swimming. It would be dead weight. Also the Arctic Ocean was cold, and though he can keep himself warm, it was too risky to try. There are still creatures in the sea. Some could swallow him whole.

"…Thank you." Thanks the youth and sets to put on the new garb. I fit him perfectly with no discomfort. The jacket and pants were warm, colored a deep shade of blue. Moccasins were tied with fur lining on the boots. It appears that they weren't dyed yet. A short poncho hung from his shoulders reaching his elbows. Tails of fur hung from the edges, evenly spaced, and small. The jackets fur-lined hood was still out, so the youth could have it on when he wanted. A pair of fur-lined mittens were in his hands. He actually looked like he could be Water Tribe. "…How long was I out?"

"Three days." The shaman was poking at the fire trying to keep the fire going.

"Allow me." The flame the rose, producing more heat.

"A fire bender… Why am I not surprised…?" The loathing was not missed in the old man's voice.

"Then it's safe to assume you're a water bender?" The shaman looks at him with distain but nods at his question. Then takes out a pot and stand out of the bag to start cooking.

"…What is your name?" asks the old shaman.

"…Chai." He was a little reluctant to answer. Chai was still a stranger to the shaman and didn't trust him… yet. "What is yours?"

The elder seemed equally discomforted. "You may call me Hadoka."Chai smiles seeing that the old shaman had given his name. It was progress. But then his mind turns to a darker thought.

"What's happened the last three days? Is the water tribe…?"

An Ice wall opened to find a food storage. Hadoka took some meat and spices for a stew. Once He collected his ingredients he sat down to cook. "We will survive. The invasion was a failure." Chai sighs in relief. He hadn't wanted to go to the North Pole. General Zhao's plan to destroy the moon was ludicrous to begin with. One does not mess with the spirits, lest something terrible happens to them.

"I was knocked overboard before any of the fight began. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was not in the fray… All I know is the moon turned red and died." Chai's eyes widened at this, not believeing the Moon spirit had died. Hadoka was water bending so his words didn't make sense. It was common knowledge that water benders are strongest under the moon. The Water benders shouldn't be able to bend without it. The Ocean and the Moon were the first to bend them and taught the Water tribe. "But how-?"

"The moon was reborn and calmed the Ocean Spirit. Sadly, the Chief's daughter had died restoring it."

"I… I see." It's hard to hear of any death. Her sacrifice may have been noble, but Chai could only imagine the pain that the Chief must be going through.

"Also, the Avatar was at the North Pole during the invasion. He has only recently left while I collected your clothes." Chai's eyes widened at this. The Avatar was at the North Pole? That was news to Chai indeed. No wonder the invasion failed.

Hadoka's stew was ready now and handed Chai a bowl and spoon. Hadoka had even giving him a loaf of bread. "Thank you." The stew was brown liquid with meat chunks poking out. It was thick and hot. The meat was unrecognizable to Chai, never having Water Tribe cuisine before. The spices were tasty, though they didn't have the heat as Fire Nation food. The bread loaf had seaweed but Chai seemed to like the taste. Then it dawned on him "What time is it right now?"

"It is noon." He repied and kept on eating.

They continued to eat until the pot was empty. Hadoka had apparently thought ahead and made a lot. Chai had the majority of the stew having been unconscious. When you sleep for 3 days, you don't eat for 3 days. "Thank you Hadoka." Chai had bowed to the shaman who had gave him hospitality. "If I may ask, what do I do now?"

"There is a boat at the bottom of the cliff. You can walk. Do ass you wish." The dismissal was clear. The shaman may have helped the soldier, they were still different people. The only reason Hadoka hadn't killed him yet was because of the spirits request.

Chai stood up and bowed with his palm and fist together in style of his former country. "Again, thank you Hadoka."

"Leave." And Chai did so. Turning to walk out of the cave leaving the old man's home.

The cave was long. Icicle were hanging above him. They weren't large, if anything they gave the icy cave a sense of crystal beauty. It was starting to get lighter now. The earthen floor had turned to pure ice yet it was stable. The ice at his feet wasn't smooth so Chai had now reason to fear slipping.

Then he saw his exit. The sea was right in front of him. Vast in its blue glory. Icebergs jutted out of the water like jagged hills. They looked like pieces of art. And as Hadoka had said a canoe was below him. The only problem was he was 20 feet in the air and the boat was straight down.

Chai heard a clang of metal was behind him. Turning around he saw a sack tied up. An icy wall came up blocking him from going inside. A humanoid shape was receding. Hadoka had given Chai his armor, which he had forgotten in the shaman's cave. A message was in the ice. 'Fallow the cliff side east to reach the city.' Chai knew he wouldn't be welcome here again.

So he nods then looks at the sack of armor. He did not want it. It was a reminder of his time in the Navy. Even if he could, he could not take it with him. He would never land safely into the canoe if he had it. Looking out to the ocean, Chai makes his decision. Spinning to get momentum, he throws the sack out to sea. Not caring what happened to it, but bows in respect. "May the Ocean accept my offering as for his mercy." Now having nothing on his person, Chai jumps to the boat below. He uses his fire bending to slow his decent, a guide so he actually lands it the canoe. The canoe was small but could easily fit two people. It appeared to be made out of hardened leather with bones sticking out of the ends. A bone paddle lied at the bottom.

Untying it, Chai sets out to sea following the cliffs as instructed. During this Chai thought to himself.

"I'm alive. I'm thankful but why am I suppose too be alive? My time in the navy…" he thought of all the things he had done in the army. Raids, burning villages, pillage and conquest. Even the blockade to halt the crowned prince. "I've done so many things. Why would the spirits spare me? Even though I was reluctant, how can I be forgiven?"

He sees a curve in the icy cliffs. Showing a dam with the water Tribe insignia. The ramparts ornate, giving the look of beads. "Well… if this is my new life, I'm going to need a new name. Let's see. What do I know about the Water Tribes…? They wear a lot of blue… Eat fish… Use bone weapons… Use necklaces to propose to one another… Men have pony tails… Wait I should probably do that. Do I… Yes!" He looks around the boat looking for something to tie his hair. Luckily he finds a blue ribbon beneath his seat and ties his hair into a pony tail. He had to simply wrap it around and tie it. Nothing fancy like in the Fire Nation.

Then he started thinking again. "Now, do I know any names…?" Chai thinks back to every encounter he had with the Water tribe. A boat raid, the attacks on the ship, prisoners… He could not find a single name to think of. "Unless… Of course just use Hakoda's name and rearrange it! …Hado." "From now on, I'm Hado of the Northern Water Tribe…" The newly named Hado smiles at the new name. His face darks as another thought crosses his mind. "I wonder how… No. I can't think about them. I no longer have any family. Chai died in northern waters, and couldn't be rescued. I have a new life now."

A horn blows from on top of the cliff singling his arrival.

"Let's see if I can live here."