We continued flying northbound, eventually leaving the main land behind us and reached the endless ocean.

I had made a little precaution before we had left the Northern Air Temple to make the arrival at the Northern Water Tribe easier for me: I had changed the red and gold adornments of my robe to new blue and silver ones, I didn't want to be identified as a fire bender immediately since I didn't know how the Water Tribe residents would react to one. Until now, I had worn my country's colors with pride, but since it could endanger the mission here, I gave it up for now.

After three days, there was still nothing but ocean everywhere around us, and Sokka started to become impatient.

He pounded his fist on the saddle and said: ''Come on! Fly faster or it will take us 10 more years!''

Aang tried to calm him down: ''Let it go Sokka, we're all tired, but don't let your anger out by hitting Appa.''

Sokka said some more things when I suddenly noticed something strange. I felt it clearly, there was something beneath us! I gave Pagan a signal on which he increased the gap between himself and Appa.

Aang wanted say something when my feeling proved to be right: Several men wearing blue robes emerged from the ocean, they created six blocks of ice out of nowhere, tying Appa's legs and causing him to drop into the water.

Pagan shot back down, I was ready to attack when I noticed the joyful look on Katara's face: ''We made it! We found the Northern Water Tribe!''

I took a closer look at our assailants and noticed the Water Tribe sigils on their robes. I sheathed my katana which I had drawn during Pagan's nosedive. The water benders now had discovered Pagan and me and readied up to seemingly attack and freeze us as well, but Katara was able to hold them back at the last moment.

Pagan panted: ''That was close! One second later and I would have been an ice block.'' I had to laugh at this comment.

The water benders led Appa, who had Aang, Katara and Sokka on his back while swimming in the ocean, and Pagan, who had me on his neck and was flying in the air right next to the bison, straight towards a giant glacier.

Shortly after, we reached a big gap in said glacier and what was inside that gap was truly breathtaking: Out from the ice, a massive multistory city, completely built out of even more ice and snow, emerged. Pagan flew a bit higher to give us a better view over the whole city, it really was a beautiful sight.

But like with most things, there was a bitter aftertaste here too: Even though the temperature had been quite pleasant during our flight, now it was even colder than it had been at the Southern Water Tribe. This time, no hoarfrost but instead solid icicles had formed on Pagan's horns, my face was scarlet-colored and burning from the cold, even with my hood and scarf on.

''Still not my favorite climate'', I noted, ''but who knows, maybe we will stay here long enough to finally adapt to it.'' Pagan agreed with me on that point.

We returned to our friends who in the meantime had reached the giant wall surrounding the city's entrance. I didn't see anything that looked like a gate, I asked myself how we would get in.

Just when I thought about simply telling Pagan to fly over the wall, the water benders raised their hands and created a large opening in the massive wall of ice, big enough for both Appa and Pagan to pass through. After we had passed the entrance, the water benders closed it again behind us.

Now we had officially done it! We had reached the Northern Water Tribe!

We were led through the various canals inside the city. Countless people were standing left and right, seemingly welcoming us.

Most of them were shocked at first when they saw Pagan, a full-grown dragon, but fortunately nobody panicked.

Pagan had to retract his wings quite a bit while flying with low speed or he probably would have hit something in the narrow canals.

It became quite critical when a boat came towards us on the canal. Pagan mobilized his strength, pulled his wings as close to his long slim body as possible to float over the canal's water without an obvious source of power, as soon as the boat had passed us, his wings went out again as far as the canal allowed it.

But the dragon still wasn't able to relax, because shortly after, Sokka landed right on his snout after falling off Appa's back. While Pagan helped the young man to climb back on board, I turned around and looked after the boat that had just passed us: A girl with snow white hair was sitting in it. I had to grin, I now knew why Sokka had kept watching that boat.

Our tour through the canals went on longer than I expected. When we finally reached our destination, the palace at the top of the city, it already started getting dark.

We were led into the palace and were introduced to the chief of the Water Tribe. I introduced myself as the Avatar's Protector, but of course concealed my Assassin background. When I revealed that I hailed from the Fire Nation, the chief, to my relief, reacted calmly and welcomed me and my friends at the Water Tribe.

To celebrate the arrival of the relatives from the South and the Avatar, a festival was announced. While Aang, Katara and Sokka immediately were very enthusiastic about this, I told them:

''I won't join you.''

All three stared at me in disbelief, Aang asked: ''Why not?''

I replied: ''I don't like big festivals like this, too loud, too many people...''

I whispered my next words: ''...it could endanger my disguise, I don't want anybody here to find out who I really am.''

Aang immediately understood and said: ''Alright. You saw where our quarters are located, right?. Just don't get lost in this big city.''

I didn't understand the last sentence completely, since I already had turned around, leaving the palace.

When I stood outside again, it had gotten completely dark, the moon shone brightly up in the starlit sky. I of course knew that the moon had an essential importance for the water benders, as it directly influenced their bending abilities, similar to how it was for us fire benders with the sun.

Pagan was still lying in the large plaza in front of the palace's stairs, when I stood next to him, he opened his eyes for a short moment, they illuminated the night with their bilious green color, I stroked his horns which were now thawed again, fortunately the inside of the city wasn't as cold as the outer glacier. I told him to continue his sleep, I wouldn't need him for now. Pagan panted happily and closed his eyes again.

I started wandering through the nightly alleys of the Water Tribe city, looking around. As expected, everything was built from ice, most of the houses were pretty simple regarding their style, though still pretty big, probably to ease the construction. Even in this late hour, many people were still outside, none of them realyl heeded me when they passed me. I gently touched the blue fabric of my robe and nodded pleased, changing the adornments had paid off, nobody suspected anything.

After I had wandered through the streets, always following the main canal, for quite some time, I stopped, unfastened my meditation mat, put it down at the edge of the canal and sat down on it, it was meant to be a protection against the cold of the icy ground. I let my legs hang over the edge, a little above the water.

I pensively looked at my reflection on the calm water, which also reflected the moon and the stars. I looked up to the sky, observing the stars, there were so many of them, I never had seen so many of them before, at no other place I had been to so far. I thought about my family, myself, my mission, my destiny, my oath, my whole life essentially. In the meantime, I took my mother's medallion out of my collar and looked at it for the umpteenth time, the moonlight broke itself in the ruby, revealing the molded sigil inside the gem.

While I was engrossed in my thoughts, I heard somebody approaching me. I dismissed it as meaningless, as many people had passed by me in the last couple of minutes. But this time it was different.

I looked back at the water and saw the person that had approached me. She was standing next to me, I saw her reflection next to mine.

I stood up and looked at the person: It was a girl, only a little younger than me. She was wearing typical Water Tribe clothing, like I had already seen it many times today. Her long brown hair was tied into a long ponytail behind her head, the night sky reflected itself in her ice blue eyes. Despite the darkness, I was able to see her blush when she looked at me. Her eyes wandered towards my medallion, which was still hanging outside of my robe.

She spoke with a soft voice: ''That's a really nice medallion you have there.''

''Thank you. Say, did you watch me sitting here?''

The girl averted her gaze and scraped the snow with her foot. Then she said: ''Not for long. I saw you sitting there when I walked past and thought that you looked ... cute, the way you sat there, so I stopped and looked what you were doing.''

I was amazed. She had called me ''cute''. I decided to make her a compliment too: ''If there's someone cute here, then it has to be you.''

Her face turned even more red, I had to hide my grin.

I added: ''I'm Yulizan, what's your name?''

She replied: ''Runa, my name is Runa.''

I took a step towards her and gently caressed her cheek.

''A pretty name for a pretty girl, how fitting.''

She blushed even more after my touch and my words and wasn't able to say another word, however much she tried.

I put my index finger on her lips and whispered: ''Quiet, you don't need any words.''

I removed my finger and moved my lips onto hers. Her eyes shot open at first, but after a few seconds she closed them and gave into the kiss. For the next few minutes, we just stood there kissing, luckily nobody passed by us during that time.

After I broke the kiss, I asked: ''That was what you wanted, wasn't it?''

She nodded and replied: ''There are many boys here, but none of them is like you.''

''Well, I have to admit, I'm not like most boys.''

''No, you surely aren't.'', she said and kissed me again.

We walked through the alleys together for a while and talked. Runa told me more about herself, for example that she would turn sixteen soon, reaching the marriageable age.

''My parents already chose a husband for me, I will marry him a few days after my birthday.''

''But shouldn't marriage be about love? An arranged marriage doesn't sound like true love for me.''

''But what should I do? It's our tradition and my parents are very strict about that, so I'll have to obey them.''

Even though I wasn't happy with her decision, what was there that I could do? Unless ... an idea came to my mind.

As it was fairly late already, I said goodbye to Runa, but I told her that we would meet again tomorrow night, at the same spot as tonight. She was happy about that and so our ways parted for now.

I returned to the quarters that had been assigned to me and my friends, a big round building made from ice blocks, the Water Tribe people called them ''igloos''. I silently entered the room and saw Aang, Katara and Sokka already sleeping on their thick sleeping bags. I laid down on my own, which was located near the end of the room, and fell asleep pretty fast.

When I woke up the next morning, Aang and Katara were gone, only Sokka was sitting on his sleeping bag, carving something.

I sat up and said: ''Good morning, where are Aang and Katara?''

''Oh, the chief introduced Aang to a water bending teacher after the festival yesterday, they're probably already at the training.'', Sokka replied without looking up from his work.

I thought about his words: Aang had found a teacher, we therefore had achieved our main goal for travelling here. Since I had nothing to do besides my date with Runa in the evening, I by the way had decided to not tell any of my friends about me meeting the girl, I decided to watch Aang's and Katara's training, if it was allowed and possible.

When I stepped out from the igloo, I saw them standing in some distance next to an old man wearing a blue robe, that had to be the teacher Sokka had mentioned. It looked like they were in some kind of big dispute, but I was standing too far away to understand anything and thought that an approach was unfitting in this situation. After Katara walked away after another loud argument and Aang was about to start training with the old man, I walked towards them.

Aang noticed me and greeted: ''Good morning Yulizan, have you done everything you wanted to do last night?''

I wasn't able to answer, because the old man cut Aang off: ''Who is this? You know him?''

Aang replied: ''Yes, this is Yulizan, another friend of mine, you don't know him yet because he wasn't at the festival yesterday.''

The old man greeted me reluctantly by raising his left hand. It was at this moment when I discovered something that made me freeze internally.

The old man said: ''Would you please leave now so we can start our training?''

I had to risk it to prove it.

''Only if I can talk to you in private afterwards, Master...?''

''Pakku.'', he replied, ''Alright, but only if you leave now and don't interrupt the training.''

I immediately walked away a couple of steps, returned to the igloo, placed my mat on the ground in front of the building, sat down on it and started a little phase of meditation.

Shortly after, Sokka emerged from the igloo, I asked: ''Where are you going?''

''That...uh...is a secret.'', Sokka replied awkwardly, walking away quickly, entering one of the many alleys.

I had a certain idea where he was heading, it wasn't an easy task to fool me.

I meditated for several hours until Aang and Master Pakku had finished their training.

When Aang passed me on the way to the igloo, I was able to see the annoyed look on his face.

Master Pakku was waiting where he and Aang had trained. When I reached him, he turned around, still that strict look in his eyes.

He asked: ''What did you want to talk with me about, boy?''

Instead of a simple reply, I raised my left hand, the one with the Assassin Sigil tattoo on the ring finger, and said:

''Shadow walkers and warriors of light are my friends!''

The old water bender's eyes widened when he saw my finger and heard my words. He raised his hand as well and said:

''The Spirits are with you, brother!''

He directed me to follow him. While we walked through the deserted alleys, he asked:

''What brings you to the Northern Water Tribe, Master Yulizan?''

''Well, Master Pakku, as you know, the boy you are teaching is the Avatar. I was chosen to be his Protector.''

The old man's eyes widened again when he heard my words.

I asked: ''Tell me Master, what was that dispute you had with the Avatar and the girl from the Southern Water Tribe about?''

''Well, as you probably know, the girl is blessed with the ability of water bending, but the old traditions of the North prohibit teaching the art to women.''

I was shocked: ''How come? I don't know of any other tradition with such a significant focus on the gender. Don't forget, our order is very tolerant, many of the Old Masters were women.''

''I am well aware of our order's history, young master, but here, the Law of the North is in force and has to be followed.''

''Isn't there any other way to teach the girl the art of water bending? The Avatar looked like he wasn't able to concentrate properly without her in his vicinity, I don't want to risk that the Avatar might not learn water bending and therefore fails his mission of restoring the peace!''

''Well, I sent the girl to the healers to learn the art of healing for now. But I really don't know about any other possibility to teach her the art.''

I thought and had an idea shortly after: ''I'm sure you know that in the order, it is common for our disciples to enter a fight against a master before they get promoted to their next rank. Do something like this. We both know that the girl already knows the basics of water bending, let her fight against you, if she can validate her talent and actually defeats you, you have to commit yourself to train her alongside the Avatar.''

Master Pakku thought about my words and eventually made a decision: ''Alright, so be it! Tell the girl about it when you return to your quarters, I will be so kind and give her time to prepare herself.''

''Thank you for your insight, Master, I will leave you now, may you walk in the shadows!''

''As may you!''

Thereupon I returned to the igloo, where I found Aang, Katara and Sokka sitting on their sleeping bags with sulking looks on their faces. I decided not to unleash unnecessary anger, that's why I kept my mood, which was actually pretty good, neutral.

I walked over to Katara and said: ''Katara.''

She looked up to me, that sulky look still in her eyes.

''What?'', she asked snippy.

My answer was relaxed: ''I know about the dispute you and Aang had with Master Pakku.''

When I said the old master's name, Katara immediately wanted to start clamoring, but I raised my hand and she remained quiet.

I continued: ''I just talked with Master Pakku, he is ready to teach you and Aang together, under one condition.''

Suddenly, both Aang and Katara hung on my every word. I finished my speech: ''You have to fight him in a water bending duel. Should you win, he will teach both of you.''

Katara looked shocked and unsure, she asked: ''And what if I lose?''

''Everything stays as it is. Master Pakku will continue to teach Aang, but you're not allowed to ask anyone here to teach you ever again.''

''And when is that fight supposed to happen?''

''Tomorrow, at noon, on the courtyard in front of the palace.''

At first, Katara was shocked again, then her face became determined.

''Alright, I will show this old sack what I'm capable of!''

''That's the right attitude.''

I stood up again and headed for the exit again.

Aang asked: ''Where are you going?''

''Got something to do!'', I said while exiting the building.

It was time for my date with Runa. I found the place where we had met the night before pretty fast. Runa was already waiting for me longingly. When she saw me, she ran towards me, threw herself at me and kissed me.

I put her on the ground again and said: ''Not so fast, we still have the whole night ahead of us.''

She looked at me confused and asked: ''What do you mean?''

''Come on, I'll show you.''

I took her hand, led her through some alleys towards the outer parts of the city, the parts with less ice and snow. There was, all alone, a little hut made of straw, I had discovered it during my ramble through the city yesterday, I had checked it and learned that it was currently uninhabited. After meeting Runa, I had cooked up a plan which would unfold in this hut now. I led Runa inside, everything was clad with cloth, furs and other things quite uncommon for a Water Tribe building.

Runa looked around and asked: ''What do we want here?''

I quietly replied: ''Before your arranged marriage, I will show you the feeling of true love so that you have witnessed it at least once.''

Runa's eyes widened when I grabbed her slim waist and pulled her into a tender kiss. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss. I lead our closely entwined bodies towards the large bed in the middle of the hut. When we reached it, I put Runa down and then climbed it myself, still connected to her in the kiss.

And so the night took its course. I showed Runa the feeling of true love, she enjoyed every second of it, I most likely gave her the most beautiful night of her life.

I woke up the next morning, with Runa's little adorable head on my chest.

She woke up shortly after and looked me in the eyes: ''That was just ... amazing! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this night.''

I kissed her tenderly instead of answering, but then I rose and started to get dressed again, I didn't want to miss the fight between Master Pakku and Katara under no circumstances. Runa followed my example and got dressed to, we left the hut together shortly after.

I accompanied Runa back to the spot we had met. We kissed one last time, she said: ''I will always keep the memory of you in my heart, I swear that to you.''

Thereupon she returned to her home and I made my way towards the big courtyard.

I arrived just in time, Master Pakku and Katara were just about to begin the fight. I stood next to Aang who was eagerly waiting for the duel to start, which happened only seconds later.

The water bending that followed was a true work of art, I was amazed by Katara, who apparently was stronger and better than I had thought and seen so far. She was able to keep up with the old master without many problems.

The fight went into the length, it was balanced the whole time. Then the decisive moment came: With the reflexes of a true Master Assassin, Master Pakku created a pyramid out of ice, trapping Katara and rendering her unable to move. That meant that Master Pakku had won the fight. Aang looked down to the ground depressed, I could feel his disappointment.

Master Pakku was looking down as well and picked something up. It was Katara's necklace, she had lost it during the fight. He looked at it closely and asked Katara where she got it from. Katara told him the same story she had already told me. After that, Master Pakku revealed that he was the one who once had crafted the necklace as a betrothal sign for nobody else but Katara's and Sokka's grandmother. He freed Katara and apologized to her, he had no clue who she really was, he also said that he would now train her alongside Aang. The latter was very happy and I also had to smile, everything seemed to take a turn for the better.

I looked to the side and saw Sokka together with the girl from the boat we had seen at our arrival. Aang had told me that she was Princess Yue, the chief's daughter.

''I'm not sure if Sokka actually has a chance with her...'', I thought and had to grin.

I went over to Pagan and rubbed his head before we watched Aang and Katara beginning their training together.

With a feeling of easiness, I said: ''Pagan, my friend, I think good times are lying ahead of us.''

I didn't know yet how wrong I actually was with that statement...

Next chapter: The Fire Nation attacks!