Book 2: Water
Chapter 2: The Crew
The frigid chill filled the air as usual clouds invaded the sky prohibiting the sun from beaming down on the capital city of the Southern Water Tribe. A cold breeze swept through the streets of the city. A regular day it seemed the snow had been flattened in some areas where footprints were imprinted from the previous day patches of dirty snow here and there throughout the streets of the city.
Birds chirping and perching on some of the buildings of the capital, the bazaar and docks were bustling with workers and inner-city folk on errands. Children were heading off with their family members off into the nearby wilds to learn more about the environment and how to survive. Such was the education of the Southern and Northern Water Tribes, children were taught to speak the native language, they learned stories passed down from elders and were taught to hunt and survive in the wilderness. The benders were sent to one of the few academies in the city to master their native element.
The warriors were up and early training near the palace where their training grounds were held. Some were exercising while others were sparring with their comrades to better their combat skills. Past the military grounds was the palace five guards lined the right and left near the set of steps that led up to the palace all with spears. Rong Yan's room was warm he awakened to lower the temperature in his room. He noticed the window remained condensed from the night before he thought nothing of it, he rubbed his eyes and started to get dress. In the other room was Aloi who patted down her clothing so it wouldn't be so wrinkly, she had just finished her morning prayers. Tanaraq was walking down the hall and happened to knock on Aloi's door, Aloi answered the door asking, "Is there something I can do for you, Princess Tanaraq?"
Tanaraq shook her head then asking an echo question, "Would you like to accompany me for breakfast?"
Aloi nodded, "I'd be delighted thank you." She closed the door behind her and followed Tanaraq to the front entrance of the palace where two guards escorted Tanaraq and Aloi to the royal stables where Shen, Rong Yan's dragon was currently being held in. The stable master prepared to saddle to of the arctic camels they had in the stables. The creatures were drinking water from the trough in their stables, while the stablehands were grooming their fur and removing any excess fur.
The stablehands led the arctic camels to the carriage that would transport both Tanaraq and Aloi, to Tanaraq's restaurant of choice. The guards padded over to the animals inspecting the carriage and the animals to make sure everything was safe for the princess. The carriage driver was called by a guard. Sipping on his mountain tea while the red berries sat inside the wooden cup, he mounted himself onto the carriage sitting on the dickey box setting his teacup to the side and signaling to the arctic camels to move forward. The creatures trotted a little forward stopping in front of the princess. A guard gently grabs her by the waist and lifts her into the carriage, he offered to do the same for Aloi but she shook her head and helped herself up.
"I see you're enjoying yourself a nice cup of mountain tea, Saiyu," Tanaraq commented.
"The best tea the South Pole has to offer is imported from the mountain settlements of Unalak, princess. Where am I taking you and your guest, princess?" inquired Saiyu.
She turned to look at Aloi gazing into her eyes then responded, "Take us..to Iigaa's Noodlery." She smiled before turning her head the other direction to look out her side of the window. She specifically chose Iigaa's Noodlery since the owner has a fine selection of airbender-friendly foods, considering her new friend is an Air Nomad.
"You'll love Iigaa's, her menu sticks to a more omnivorous diet," asserted Tanaraq, Aloi smiled and replied, "Well thank you for considering my lifestyle choices to your choice of eateries." The creatures cried after the reins were snap and they rushed to Iigaa's Noodlery. Aloi felt bad for the poor arctic camels that had to transport them to the restaurant. She frowned and turned to look out the window observing the outside. All the buildings, homes, and people they passed by.
Rong Yan walked out of his room servants were running around decorating the palace while the man next to him was filling the nearby lanterns with walrus whale oil and relighting the lanterns to emit light. He began to stretch his arms while he continued padding through the corridors of the palace making his way out. Unaraq was standing outside preparing his things before taking a carriage to the docks where he'd meet his crew of friends for the day. Unaraq glanced back to see Rong Yan walking out of the palace. Waving his hand in the air to greet the Avatar, Rong Yan sees a person from the corner of his eye and turns his attention to see Unaraq waving at him, he waves back and Unaraq approaches him offering, "Hey would like to join me for a day of fishing?"
Rong Yan nodded, "Sure why not." The carriage was ready for them, a carriage, a driver, two arctic camels the whole shebang. They got into the carriage and it took them about two hours or so to reach the docks.
At the same time, Tanaraq and Aloi arrived at Iigaa's Noodlery they were greeted by a doorman who opened the door for both Tanaraq and Aloi allowing them inside the restaurant where a waiter greeted both women and led them to a table. There were others in the noodlery it a little more decorative and quality than the common eateries in the city. There weren't nobles eating here rather middle-class citizens who could afford a home rather than a hut or igloo. The people here wore warmer clothing than parkas a few of the customers did wear one, but others wore more intricate clothing. The employees of the restaurant also were clothed in uniforms with more elaborate details. The waiter handed Aloi and Tanaraq booklets before waltzing away giving them time to read the menu.
Tanaraq snapped her fingers knowing exactly what she wanted to order the waiter bolted to her table to serve her dropping everything. He bowed his head at the princess awaiting her orders, "Yes I'd like to enjoy a bowl of sea prunes with some seaweed noodles." He nodded his head looking up to Aloi pointing at her, reading the menu which was in Tribesman language which wasn't as hard to read as the more sophisticated language of the Northern Water Tribe. Both the North and South spoke the same language while having different dialects those in the capital write with a newer alphabet while those outside the capital use the same alphabet as the tribe in the South Pole.
"I'd like to have a cup of seaweed noodles like her with a side of bean curds," Aloi said.
"We don't offer sides with the cup of seawe-" he paused feeling Tanaraq's eyes bore into his soul because he changed his response, "Oh yes..what was I thinking okay side of bean curds. I'll get this to the cook right away." He gulped after turning around to head back into the kitchen to tell him Tanaraq and Aloi's orders. Wiping the sweat off his forehead Aloi watched him return to the kitchen she felt bad for him but understood. She realized Unirak's daughter was a spoiled brat and she needed to be as friendly as possible while Rong Yan and her were visiting the South Pole. Tanaraq chuckled then questioned Aloi, "So tell me about yourself? Which temple do you hail from?"
Aloi tittered nervously, "I'm nineteen years old, I was born in the Eastern Air Temple I'm a master airbender and a soundbender."
"A soundbender? I never heard of that what can a soundbender do? Can you demonstrate something right now?"
"A soundbender is a master airbender who can manipulate the air currents around sound to muffle or amplify sounds for a variety of uses. I'd rather not use it right now we're in a restaurant if you'd like I can do it outside after we're done eating," she gulped.
"Why can't you do it now?" Tanaraq asked, "Because I prefer not being responsible for the destruction of everyone's hearing including you and me," cautioned Aloi.
Tanaraq remained silent looking at Aloi no one has defied her requests before, she exhaled breath before forcing herself to move on. She remembers that the airbender and Avatar were her father's guests.
"Fine," she muttered to herself.
"How did it feel when you got your tattoos?" she asked.
"It was painful but it was worth every second, my tattoos mean everything to me, it tells the world I'm a master of my art," Aloi smiled, staying calm and trying to be nice to the princess although now she was a little annoyed.
"That's nice I'm a master waterbender but I don't need tattoos. Everyone knows I'm a master," she scoffed at Aloi's response. Tanaraq was recently anointed a master by Master Tullik one of the master waterbenders in the city. She didn't like Tullik because he didn't follow her every order. He was chosen by her father to teach Tanaraq to master waterbending, he was immune to her threats. She tried tarnishing his reputation but was punished by Unirak.
"You're a master waterbender?" Aloi wondered, Tanaraq rolled her eyes and nodded, "Yes."
"I was thinking of teaching the Avatar how to waterbend," she mentioned. "I don't think Rong Yan would be willing, he prefers masters that are confident in their bending style. Preferably those who've been practicing for over thirty years. Like Master Naartok," she smiled objecting Tanaraq's desire for teaching the Avatar.
"What makes you think Naartok is a better waterbending teacher than I?" Tanaraq countered, she tried to bore her eyes into Aloi's soul but now it wasn't much of a use.
"Not I, Avatar Ku Tei arranged for Naartok to be Rong Yan's waterbending master. World leaders prefer not going against Ku Tei's wishes. Would you go against Avatar Ku Tei's wishes, Tanaraq?" Aloi sassed the princess.
"Go against? The old man is dead, what could he possibly do now? Of course, I'd go against his wishes," argued Tanaraq. Those around them eating stared watching as Tanaraq and Aloi argued with each other. They knew soon the airbender would find herself in a jail cell for disagreeing with the princess.
"So you think because he's dead he wouldn't punish you? The Avatar is known to be able to project the physical forms of his past lives, I witnessed it. When former General Senlin attacked the Southern Air Temple, Rong Yan's past life Avatar Kwan Chun manifested himself and defended the temple from the intruders," recalled Aloi remembering a year ago when Kwan Chun manifested himself during the invasion to blast Senlin and his forces off the temple grounds.
"The Avatar wouldn't dare lay a hand on me," Tanaraq contended.
"Avatar Ku Tei is a complete opposite of Rong Yan, you wouldn't exist any longer if he still walked this world," Aloi exclaimed, angrily she stood from her seat and stomped off.
The waiter had arrived with their food jerking his head to the left watching as Aloi left the noodlery. He glanced at Tanaraq who sat in her seat, her mouth agape after processing the words of the airbender shocked to hear those words come out of an Air Nomad. She recollected herself after the waiter placed all the food on the table. Tanaraq scanned the room everyone who sat in the noodlery quickly returned to their meals pretending to mind their business.
Meanwhile, Unaraq and Rong Yan arrived at the docks leaping out of the carriage Rong Yan stood exactly where the carriage picked him and Aloi up from yesterday. There was a boat smaller than the ship he was on for nearly a week, five men were around the boat there were three men on the deck preparing, one pulling the sails up on the spinnaker pole. Another was looking through the fishing lines, poles, nets, and baits, the other was inspecting the boat making sure everything was in order. On the dock were two men one was piling the rope that wrapped around one of the wooden supports of the dock that held the boat in one spot and the other had been eating some food.
When Rong Yan and Unaraq approached the two men on the dock the man who was eating his food tossed it into the water. Standing tall next to the other, the other three men observed from a distance to see who approached their boat. Knowing it was Unaraq they marched over to the two men on the dock. The two men at the dock were short and thin, they looked similar the only difference between the men was one of them had a small scar horizontally across on the bridge of his nose. The other wore a necklace with a tiny dried up tentacle of an octopus. Unaraq introduced them to Rong Yan each twin extending their hand to shake his.
"Rong Yan this is Tako and Sake, they're twin brothers," he introduced them.
Each one took a bow with their heads shaking his hand, "Tako and Sake, this is Rong Yan the Avatar."
There were three men behind the twins to the right one of the men was a short, fat middle-aged man, he had a few wrinkles, his hair was dark brown, and his eyes were blue. The man to his left was another much younger than his companion on the right, he was of average height, light brown skin, black hair, blue eyes, he wore a necklace with a whale shark tooth, and had a goatee styled like a duelist. The facial hairstyle was popular amongst the Earth Kingdom wrestlers from about a hundred years ago.
"This here is Gyomo and to his left is Kuma," Unaraq pointed at each man introducing them to Rong Yan.
A much large man nudge through both men sliding between them making his entrance he was tall with broad shoulders, he was beefy as he was a combination of muscular and sort of fat he was younger than the Gyomo but older than Unaraq and the other three men, he had long dark brown hair tied into a ponytail, light brown skin, and blue eyes. His facial hair was growing in again it looked as Sakana shaved his facial hair as often and normally sported a clean-shaven face. He wore a blue parka, blue pigmented sealskin gloves, blue pants, and large brown blubber boots. He was a large man indeed Sakana slid out his hand waiting for the firebender to shake his hand.
"This is Sakana," he said to Rong Yan, Rong Yan shook his hand.
"Sakana this is Rong Yan the Avatar," Unaraq introduced him. The other four gasped at the same time saying, "The Avatar?" Sakana bowed his head in respect to Rong Yan's title.
"It is an honor, Avatar Rong Yan," he greeted, a flashback entering his mind, "Wait you're the firebender from Yin La I remember you now," he recalled.
Rong Yan smiled and nodded, "I remember you guys too."
"We have everything loaded and ready, Unaraq. We'll leave as soon as you and the Avatar are ready to go," informed Sakana. Unaraq nodded, "Yeah we're ready, remember we have to come back for sunset."
"Don't you normally stay out super late?" guessed Rong Yan.
"Normally? Yes. But my dad told me to come back early for the festival tonight," replied Unaraq. Rong Yan thought to himself remembering about earlier today when the servants were decorating the halls with more things than what was displayed when they first arrived. They jogged onto the boat Kuma one of the men used waterbending to form a tentacle out of the water to remove the rope from the dock's support. He ran over to the starboard while Sakana stood on the port side of the boat they shifted into gong bu stance they both put their dominant foot forward, their back foot was extended and positioned in an acute angle. They pushed and pulled the water from the sides and behind the boat to propel it forward.
Unaraq continued to give orders then it came down to Rong Yan, "Do you think you can blow some air into the sails to push us forward?" he asked.
"Sure I thought you'd never ask," Rong Yan answered. He switched into the li gua stance the same footing as the waterbenders with both hands extended and interlaced open-palmed facing toward the sails he conjured a big blast to the sails that sent them skimming across the water like a skipping stone. Unaraq amazed chuckled Gyomo was a little uneasy hugging the spinnaker pole, Tako was on his rear he lost balance during the force of the sailing boat moving like a rock flying through the air. The boat moved side to side balancing on the waters below eventually coming to stop. Sake placed his hand above his eyebrows to block out the sun and peer into the ocean looking for a school of fish. Tako grabbed a net handing it to Kuma, while grabbing some poles for himself, his brother and Gyomo. Unaraq grabbed a fishing pole too and sat at an edge.
Sake finally found one nudging Kuma and pointing at a distance, "We found a school of fish nice and easy, Sakana," said Kuma. Sakana nodded and they both began to push the boat over to the spot. Gently halting beside them Kuma throws out the net focusing on it he carefully uses the corners with waterbending to wrap around as many fish as he possibly can. Sakana runs over to the hatch in the middle of the boat sliding the hatch open and helping Kuma keep the large blob of water with the net and fish trapped inside. They both remove the blob of water and net from the fish. Most of the fish land in the small cooler inside while one or two fall to the edge of the hatch door. Kuma lightly punts each splashing fish into the cooler.
Rong Yan watching in wonderment resting his back on the spinnaker pole Sakana noticing Rong Yan just standing there approaches him, "Would you like to help us?" he questioned Rong Yan.
"I've never fished before I don't know if I'll ever be good at it," Rong Yan responded.
"Don't worry I'll teach you," Sakana commented.
"Have you ever waterbended before?" he asked Rong Yan. Rong Yan shook his head, Sakana said, "Well now's a good time to learn."
"I'll be teaching you a basic move once you get the hang of it you'll be able to capture fish one by one with this technique," Sakana explained.
He began his demonstration Rong Yan stood next to him following his every move he put his right foot forward and his leg extending back positioned into an acute angle. The stance Sakana and Kuma did earlier, "This is a simple stance in waterbending it's called the gong bu stance you're going to be using this form a lot while training," Sakana instructed.
Sakana examined Rong Yan's stance, lumbering behind him sliding his leg a bit further out and correctly positioning Rong Yan's hands. Standing next to Rong Yan he instructed him further, "Now I want you to push and pull the water once you have that down you'll push and pull enough water then you raise your hands to pull water out of the ocean," he explained.
Rong Yan moved his hands back and forth pushing and pulling hoping the water will move back and forth. Nothing happened in front of him Sakana continued, "Remember to focus, water is the element of change. Focus on the water imagine you're pushing and pulling it with your hands like it's a physical object." Rong Yan concentrated on the water closing his eyes and maintaining proper breath control the water slowly pulled back before pushing itself forward but Sakana said nothing so it wouldn't break Rong Yan's focus. Crossing his arms he stood there watching Rong Yan continue the exercise. He whispered to Rong Yan calmly, "Nice and steady keep it going."
Unaraq pulled his fishing pole back something the water tugged at the line, he turned the small drag adjust lever until the line returned to the tip-top of the fishing pole a large purple cod burst out of the water hooked on the hook.
"I got you, you bugger," he said. Sake cackled, "Nice catch there, prince."
Sakana watched as Rong Yan continued to attempt to push and pull the water in front of them, making mistakes left and right failing each time. Rong Yan began to doubt himself getting irritated more and more until he gave up.
"Take a break," Sakana said, Rong Yan sat down nomad style glancing at Sakana move the water over and over again repetitively making the same moves Rong Yan did. Until it cemented in his mind, he sighed and stood up wanting to give himself another try. Switching to the gong bu stance he began with taking deep breaths and followed Sakana's movements. Kuma netted another bundled of fish dropping them into the hatch then looking to see Sakana helping Rong Yan waterbend.
He minces over to Rong Yan fixing his form while guiding his arms to assist him in pushing and pulling the water. After a few times of doing it, he let go of the Avatar contemplating his view after awhile Sakana stopped while Rong Yan continued. The water continued to push and pull each time the water picked up more. He was now getting the hang of the push and pull aspect of waterbending.
"Now I want you to pull further until you pick up a small glob of water and try to control it, concentrate on the glob," Sakana whispered instructing him further.
Rong Yan pulled up further than usual the water rippled menacingly a small blob of water was extracted from the ocean. Instead of getting excited he placed his center of attention on the glob pulling it closer to him until it was within arm's reach. It trembled violently before he lost control of it and it fell on his shoes.
"There you go, you got it. Just gotta keep practicing!" Kuma bubbled. The water was spilling all over the deck running down to another area before it stopped in its tracks. Kuma pulled the water off the wooden floorboards of the deck of the boat. Placing it in front of Rong Yan floating in mid-air he kept a minor grip around the glob allowing Rong Yan to take it from him.
"Pull and push," Kuma said, Rong Yan, pulled it from Kuma's grip concentrating on holding it.
"There you go just hold it, play with it a little," Kuma commented. Rong Yan chuckled he swished it around a bit almost like a little kid who's discovered they can waterbend. He moved it between both hands it was different from fire, it was as fluid and sort of cold. It didn't come out of his hands like fire or air. Air was more free, fire was more hot and powerful, but water was different. He looked at Sakana smiling, all three of them laughed together at Rong Yan's success.
"This is great now I want you to push and pull the glob of water in your hands control it and position it in front of you and push and pull in a full circle. Think of it like a ring motion, or the shape of a cart's wheel," Sakana explained.
Rong Yan spun the water in the motion of a full circle in front of him, "Exactly like that just keep doing it until you understand the fluidity of water and practice to control it," Sakana added.
Meanwhile, Aloi stomped off out of the noodlery she was irritated at the spoiled princess that it made her angry. She didn't understand why someone could act so entitled, demanding, vain, judgmental, arrogant and materialistic. She wandered off in a random direction all she had to do to remember was that the palace was on the far-middle section of the capital city so she wouldn't get lost. People were running around hanging a line of lanterns and other lights, streamers and smaller flags of the Southern Water Tribe. She was putting the pieces together to realize that a festival was happening soon.
Aloi found herself in a wintery park everything was snow save a few patches of dirt that could be seen. There was a pond in the distance the water was most definitely freezing but not enough to be frozen. There was a lone bench in front of her she sat down on it watching nature take its course. Arctic birds and critters living their minuscule lives in and near the pond, children were running around throwing snowballs at each other giggling while dodging flying projectiles.
A little girl bent water out of the pond and played with the small amount of water she had making it move like a prickle snake would. Freezing it into a cylinder she poked a hole into the middle of the cylinder-shaped ice peeping her eye through the center to look around at her sibling and laughing rambunctiously. Aloi smirked from a distance at the little girl's creativity getting off her seat she plucks flowers from the ground that just popped out of the ground and removed the stems as she approached the children. Creating a funnel of air the small purple flower heads spun inside the funnel, the eyes of the little girl glistened she had never seen anything more beautiful.
Curiously the little girl asked Aloi, "Can you teach me to do that?" Aloi chuckled shaking her head, "No, I wish I could. But you're a waterbender and I'm an airbender." Aloi rubbed the little girl's head before walking off in another direction.
In the middle of the ocean on a standstill boat, were Rong Yan, Unaraq and his crew they had been out there for hours now the sun that wasn't visible in the morning was poking through the cloudy sky. Gyomo peered up at the sky to see it had been three hours past noon, the men collected plenty of fish for the evening but wanted to spend a bit more time before heading back. Sakana was busy teaching Rong Yan basic waterbending he instructed Rong Yan and continuing the cycle exercise where he carried of with spinning the same glob of water up to the point where his arms were exhausted and sore.
"We're going to stay out here another hour before heading back, so catch as many as you can," Unaraq said. All the men nodded he dared not bother Sakana today since he was busy with Rong Yan. Unaraq placed another piece of bait on the hook of his fishing rod and threw it into the water.
"...then when you see a fish near the boat wrap water around it and pull it out of the water," Sakana described.
"The fish won't jump out because it fears suffocation. You've been at this for a few hours you should be able to catch a fish successfully," added Sakana. Rong Yan nodded taking in a deep breath and exhaling he sat down nomad style and kept a watchful eye on the waters in front of him for any fish. Sakana walked around before finding his spot on the boat to sit down and fish himself. Sake reeled in another fish, Tako rushed over to the hatch to slide the door off. Sake tossed the fish backward and Tako catches it and dunks it into the cooler, they giggle Kuma breaking focus on the fish he grabbed in a glob of water, the small prison which contained the fish burst like a bubble. The creature fell on the deck gasping for water where there was none, flapping around trying to move back into the water. Kuma grabbed the fish by the tail fin jerking his head to his left to eye the twins tittering a few feet from him he sighed annoyed at the immaturity of the two twins. He rose to his feet padding over to the hatch stooping down to open and drop the dying fish into the cooler.
A fish swam near the boat Rong Yan said nothing focusing on the animal it seemed small in the water he did his best while sitting down moving his arms in oval-shaped motions to encase the fish in an orb of water. It was the orb was heavier with the fish inside he began to maintain his control over his breathing while he pulled it out of the water. The head of the fish was submerged into the ball of water much to his astonishment it wasn't a small fish. He concentrated on successfully pulling the fish out everyone around him was doing their own thing to even notice the catch he was attempting.
More body of the fish emerged from out of the waters he pulled it out too quickly that it slumped and thudded on the deck disturbing everyone's peace. They all glanced back incredulity at what the Avatar caught.
"Is that a ray shark pup?" Tako questioned looking at Sakana.
The creature was the offspring of its larger version it was shaped like a fish, it was flat from its head to mid-area of the body, the head to the upper torso of the creature was shaped like a diamond while the back was more cylindrical. Its eyes were on its side, the mouth was pretty big for the body of the animal. The gills were under the creature near the corners of its mouth, it had a long tail with fins on the top and bottom of the tail, at the end of the tail was a small barb used to pierce and kill its prey or predators before consumption.
"It's called a manta shark and yes this one's a pup that strayed too far from its mother," Sakana answered Tako's question while turning his attention to Rong Yan and smiling. Rong Yan stood up Tako grabbing the club that dangled on his hip handing it to Rong Yan.
"This is your catch, now it's your kill. You do the honors," Tako smiled, Rong Yan grabbed the hardened bone club with protruding jagged teeth on it most likely belonging to a larger sea animal. He cocked the club back and beat it the manta shark-like no tomorrow until it was dead. A little bit of blood squirt on his face he was satisfied with his first catch, sliding the hatch open he grabbed it by the tail ready to throw it in before Gyomo placed his hand on Rong Yan's chest stopping him.
"You need to cut the spine off first," Gyomo said, Rong Yan nodded grabbing the blade Gyomo handed to him. He chopped the barb off the tail of the dead pulverizing creature before kicking it into the cooler.
"Keep it might prove useful to you later, or you can use it as a trophy," Unaraq finished. Pocketing the spine he sat down again waiting for another fish to come by the star bow side of the boat. Another hour goes by before they start heading back Sakana stood on the star bow side while Kuma was standing on the port side of the boat they were propelling the boat forward while Rong Yan blasted air at the sails shooting them across the ocean to get to the docks faster.
The skies were darkening the moon visible while the stars were arriving, Aloi waited at docks with her arms were crossed she waited for Rong Yan's return from his fishing trip with Unaraq and his men. Tanaraq was nowhere to be seen her brother wondered where she must've gone maybe she was back at the palace. They unloaded their things from the boat Sakana grabbed some things before mentioning to Rong Yan and Unaraq, "You guys should go we'll stay here unloading you need to be at the palace. We'll send this load over to the kitchens there."
Unaraq and Rong Yan nodded, they approached Aloi she waved hello at them greeting Rong Yan, "How was your day?"
"Oh it was good just used waterbending to catch a manta shark pup," Rong Yan observed casually bringing up his accomplishment.
"Wait you were waterbending? That's great news!" she marveled Unaraq nodded as he was a witness.
"What's a manta shark?" Aloi inquired.
"It's one of the most dangerous predators we have in our waters, Rong Yan's lucky he stumbled upon a baby," Unaraq responded. Rong Yan pulled out the spine of the pup showing it off to Aloi, "See this is my trophy."
She was now a little disappointed had Rong Yan conquered the beast of a creature she wouldn't care as much but it was an offspring its whole life was ahead of it. Rong Yan was concerned Unaraq whistled at the carriage that was approaching them. He asked her, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she uttered quick response.
"Are you sure?" he questioned her. She simply nodded and he sighed. Unaraq signaled them of the arrival of the carriage. Aloi and Rong Yan quick right behind him boarded the carriage after Unaraq. It was the cart driver from this morning, Aloi sort of remembered part of his name something along the lines of 'Sai' but she couldn't place her finger on it.
Meanwhile back at the palace, the servants were setting up tables in the banquet hall where the festival was to be held. In the throne sat Tanaraq on her knees across from her father who sat in his throne listening to her whine about today's events.
"...as I mentioned earlier, father. The airbender was very rude to me!" Tanaraq whined, Unirak listening to his daughter cry about her day. He was aware of what had happened at the noodlery by one of the servants who was eating that morning at the restaurant. He spaced out while she continued to rant about Aloi.
"Tanaraq, my cub, have you ever considered that maybe you're being too much for a person? You have to remember Aloi is a guest of ours and I expect you to be on your best behavior. I will speak with the Avatar about his airbending master. I don't want to hear about this matter anymore-" he reasoned with her before she cut him off, "You're siding with the Avatar's friend instead of your daughter?" she countered.
"I'm not siding with anyone I told you I will speak to the Avatar about this, but please be polite to our guests. If I hear anything from the airbender, or someone else we won't be having a talk, cub," Unirak warned.
"But..but-" she was interrupted a servant walked in bowing to Unirak and Tanaraq, "The spiritual shaman is ready to speak with you, chief." Tanaraq jerked her head-turning her attention to the servant, "Can't you see my father and I are having a discussion, do you know what happens when servants inter-" she shouted at the servant before Unirak cut her off. The servant was startled that he took a step back.
"Tanaraq! Don't yell at my servants, I've had enough of your insolence. Go to your chambers I don't want to see you right now. You will be called and escorted when the festival commences," Unirak yelled at his daughter, she sniffled after he raised his voice at her. She sobbed quickly getting up and running off nudging the servant to the side.
"I apologize for having you witness my discourteous child I'll make sure she never speaks to you or any of the others like that ever again. You have my word," he promised to the head servant. The man put his arms behind him simply nodding but remaining silent. Unirak stood from his throne six guards bobbed their heads in agreement standing ready to escort their leader toward the banquet hall. There were various tables in the back of the banquet hall was a larger table reversed to Chief Unirak, Unaraq, Tanaraq, Aloi and Rong Yan. Behind them was a pool of water with a fountain, behind that were three large archways with stone railings looking outside from the railings one could see the Iqaluit spiritual forest. Filled with spiritual energy, a few trees were taken from the forest approved by an elder shaman centuries ago, who communed with the All-High to create the spirit oasis in another location.
The elder shaman was short, fat, somewhere in his early seventies, a thick gray mustache, with a short gray topknot, he wore a light blue parka, the interior of the hood was decorated with the feathers of arctic birds instead of furs of mammals. He wore trousers underneath a kilt and his boots were made of turtle sealskin. He wore a necklace made of wood with small ornaments decorating it each one symbolized a different deity. An all-seeing eye, a polar bear, a saber-tooth walrus leopard, a lion turtle, and two fish. The elder shaman bowed to Chief Unirak, Unirak questioned him, "You wanted to see me, Anatkuk?"
"Yes, chief, It's a dire matter I've conversed with the gods they speak of a horror coming back," Anatkuk said.
"You wouldn't believe the dreams I've been cursed with," he reckoned.
"What's the matter? You look distraught," bugged Unirak.
"It's about bloodshed, suffering, and death, a call to arms will arrive to you from Cupun of the North," prophesized Anatkuk.
"Another war? We can't afford another war. With whom?" Unirak questioned.
"The war with the kingdoms is imminent," warned Anatkuk.
"What do we tell the masses?" wondered Anatkuk.
"Nothing we tell them the gods bless us with another year of peace, not until we are sure this prediction becomes true," Unirak suggested, Anatkuk bowed his head at the suggestion given to him by the chief. He walked away to gather the other spiritual apprentices and share the chief's orders. Unirak sighed he was thinking of heading to his kashim here in the palace but instead shook it off and saved the idea for tomorrow morning.
Later Tonight
The banquet hall was filled with citizens of Iqaluit, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guards lined the entire hall to make sure nothing fishy happens while the Chief and his children attend the celebration, tables were filled with seated guests while onlookers stood, others were trying to get in but the place was at its full capacity at the back table behind the spirit forest was Chief Unirak standing tall, to his left was Princess Tanaraq and Rong Yan, and to his right was Prince Unaraq and Aloi, on the sides of the table was a reserved seat for Anatkuk the elder shaman and an empty seat where Naatok would sit if he attended the party.
Chief Unirak blew a small horn to signal to everyone attending to be quiet while he speaks. Everyone living soul who was rambling remained silent, the guards overwatching the entire event listened as well.
"Tonight we celebrate the new year, Anatkuk has received tellings of this year from Tiandi and Akna. Please welcome Anatkuk and his group of the tribal shaman," announced Unirak, people continued to remain silent while Anatkuk the elder shaman who envisioned to Unirak about a war coming. Anatkuk was wearing the mask of an old man the face mask was painted a bronze color, the beard on the mask was made from the fur of a polar bear dog, another shaman followed soon after him she wore a mask of a polar bear. The others wore ceremonial outfits, the women wore headbands with long fringes, ringed with feline caribou fur. Every shaman had painted their faces, some had stripes on their cheeks, others with crescent-shaped moons on their foreheads. Each shaman was participating in the dancing ritual they also carried drums in their hands. This was called, 'drum dancing', typically in the northern tribe only men were allowed to join in this ceremonial dance but the South broke a lot of traditions by allowing women to partake in these ritual dances.
Anatkuk the leader grabbed the horn he carried on his hip and blew on it. Everyone but Anatkuk began to dance around hitting the drum with a bone club. Anatkuk closed his eyes, exhaling he started to throat sing while doing this the woman in the polar bear mask bent water out of the pool behind the chief, altering the form of the water into steam. She moved her arms around making fluid movements and shaping the steam into different shapes showing the gods blessing the southern tribe with another year of peace. Despite their knowledge of war and Fifth Nation pirates occupying land on their territory, Chief Unirak knew telling the masses of danger would cause mass panic.
The steam shaped into a saber-tooth walrus leopard indicating there would be enough food for the year and no one would go starving, a polar bear with a smaller one closer to it indicated there would be more pregnancies and children this year, a sign of Tui dancing was an indication of the children being born this year will potentially be waterbenders. La danced a different movement than Tui during these steam shows signaling there was no war but continued peace. The crowd roared for the sign of La the steam-shaped fish was a lighter color than the rest of the signs. The dance ended, Unirak rose to his feet gesturing his people to quiet down.
"Thank you Anatkuk and his apprentices. The gods have blessed us with good signs this year, now before the festivities begin I would like to introduce you all to a very special guest.." Unirak declared before pausing he pointed his fingers toward his left side where Rong Yan sat next to Tanaraq, he stood up as his title was called upon, "...the Avatar!" The crowded cheered before rising to their feet and kneeling before Rong Yan. The guards stood still watching those who knelt before the presence of the Avatar.
"Thank you you may all rise now," Rong Yan shouted, the people rose to their feet giving him a standing ovation, "May you all enjoy your meals and hope you enjoy the New Year celebration!" stated Unirak. The minstrels walked out finishing their meals before the celebration playing their instruments while Unirak sat down to eat his food. Everyone else ate their food alongside with him laughing and enjoying each other's company. The only two who didn't communicate between each other were Tanaraq and Aloi, Rong Yan and Unaraq wondered why that was the case.
After Tanaraq finished her meal she sat there coldly staring at the dancing citizens crossing her arms, Aloi and Unaraq were having a conversation about something she ignored it as babbling. Rong Yan noticed that Tanaraq was upset about something he asked her, "Is everything all right, princess?"
"No," she uttered.
"Well if you'd like to talk about it I'm all ears," he responded. She sighed then wondered, "How can you deal with someone like her? She's so distant from the real world all she cares about is the feelings of animals and she's accepting of peasants and the like."
"In my time living with the Air Nomads, there was one saying that stuck on me, 'When you judge another you do not define them but define yourself'. The Air Nomads do not judge they are accepting of others. They don't judge others because it's an obstacle that blocks their passage to reaching enlightenment, being judgmental, arrogant, materialistic, eating meat, and a few other things corrupts their souls," Rong Yan explained.
"Air Nomads are truly free from the world that is why they seem distant, they care not for politics, violence, money, material items, or fame. They have worked hard to be happy and peaceful," Rong Yan finished.
"I don't know if I could live with all the things I have now, I have it all. People bringing me things I like or doing things I don't want to do, money to buy all the lavish clothing I wear or even all the food I can enjoy, others telling me how beautiful I am and how they admire me, there's nothing in this world that beats the lifestyle of royals," Tanaraq said.
"Sometimes you need to look at things from another's perspective, to understand an Air Nomad you need to think like one or in my case live amongst one. All those people who do things for you are your servants, if you tried to boss someone around outside of the South Pole they would give you an earful. You need to learn to do things for yourself, remember that things like money and materials come and go and that the world doesn't revolve around you," Rong Yan replied.
"I am humble enough to admit that I am better than no one, but I am wise enough to know that I am different," Rong Yan stated.
"But you are better than everyone, you're the Avatar, master of all four elements. The rest of us? We can only bend one element for the rest of our lives. Benders are better than non-benders simply because we're stronger," Tanaraq sassed.
"Like I said, I'm wise enough to know that I'm different from everyone because I'm the only one in this world that can bend four elements, I'm the most powerful bender in this world but I don't let those things go to my head. I believe there are more powerful benders than I as of now. But I'm no better than anyone because like everyone else I too can die of old age or illness, I cry like others, I feel anger, I can experience love and happiness, I'm just like everyone else," Rong Yan reasoned.
"No benders are not better than non-benders, benders are equal to non-benders. Remind yourself of what I said, do not allow this to go to your head. Non-benders are still people, just like me and you," Rong Yan argued.
"Your opinions are not fact, the words you use corrupt your soul, these are some of the fallacies the Air Nomads teach about," Rong Yan remarked. Unaraq and Aloi stood up and padded off somewhere else to continue their conversation.
"...and so do you have other ideas for more novels?" Unaraq asked Aloi, walking next to each other down a hall away from the festivities. He planned on taking her to a spot in the city that was beautiful. He signaled to a few guards to follow behind them.
"Nothing that has inspired me yet, but my first book was fiction in a historical setting," Aloi replied
"I'm honestly not much of a bookworm but I'd be interested in reading it," Unaraq continued.
"That's nearly impossible right now the only copy available is sitting in the library of the Jongmu Air Temple. If I can get to Ba Sing Se any time soon I can have Subprior Shang Xi send the original to the printers in the university to make copies," stated Aloi.
"Do you have libraries here?" she asked.
"We do but we only have books imported from the other three nations, as a society we don't have books of our own. Our books are our elders, the elders tell the younger generations of stories passed from our ancestors. That's how history is recorded," Unaraq concluded.
"So then specific events get erased once others stop passing them on to their younglings," Aloi commented.
"Precisely. There are things that my father has never left out for us like events that happened centuries ago. But anything outside the palace walls usually sticks to events as three chiefs ago," Unaraq said.
"How many Avatars do you know about? Or how many would your people know about?" Aloi inquired.
"Me and my sister can retell you the stories of Water Tribe avatars up to Avatar Manirak," Unaraq answered.
"As far as my people I'd guess up to Avatar Anana. She was the last Water Tribe Avatar that was born in the South Pole," Unaraq guessed.
"How long ago was Manirak alive?" she asked him.
"That was over a thousand years ago, Anana has only been gone for close to a hundred and fifty years. But even then a lot of the events that happened in Anana's lifetime are forbidden to speak about," Unaraq mentioned.
"Wow that's insane, and I understand. My people have a book full of names and events we have blacklisted throughout the ages. We dare not give the younger generations any examples of malice," Aloi divulged.
They reached a disclosed location that not many others know of the ground had a few inches of snow, a large stone fountain sat in the middle of it, spewing water, the lanterns were lit, it was a courtyard not too far from the palace. It was surrounded by large trees it was closer to the spirit forest. Six guards surrounded the courtyard looking in the opposite direction, three held spears, and the other three were waterbenders.
"Wow this spot is so beautiful," Aloi commented, Unaraq glimpsed at the sky to see an aurora australis, he taps Aloi on the shoulder and points up. She gasps taken by surprise of the phenomenon in the sky.
"Woah I've never seen that before!" she beamed.
"We call those the southern lights the gods are happy with our celebration for them," Unaraq smiled gazing at the stars and aurora that filled the sky. Aloi stared in amazement at such a beautiful sight.
"How many gods do you guys worship anyway?" she wondered.
"Minus Tiandi, we worship six. What about you?" he responded.
"Four," she said.
"Who are they?" she questioned.
"Agloolik is the god of hunting and fishing, Akna is the mother bear she is the goddess of love, fertility, and children, Anguta is the gatherer of the dead he leads our dead to the Spirit World, Kura-Kura is the lion turtle of water he gave my ancestors the power of waterbending, La is the goddess of peace and the moon, and Tui is the god of the ocean. There is another that many don't speak about he's not a god, he's more of a demon if anything. His name is Torngark, the demon of tricks, he's no longer worshipped but there is a holiday we have where participants prank each other on that day, most others use his name in vain to curse people," explained Unaraq.
Meanwhile back at the banquet hall Unirak peered over yonder to the skies quickly jumping to his feet he shouted to those who were having fun, "Look to the skies, the gods are content with us! Tiandi and Akna along with our ancestors dance in the heavens!"
The attendees jerked their heads to look at the skies above them to see the aurora australis cheering, a few wiping the tears from their eyes and others were telling their children about the southern lights.
Next Morning
Rong Yan and Aloi were the first to wake they were directed by one of the servants to the chief's kashim, where they had shrines of every deity the Water Tribe worshipped. They were allowed to use it for prayer to whatever gods they worshipped. As it has become a custom for Rong Yan he now prays to the Air Nomad deities. They entered the large structure made of blocks of ice, shrines sat inside the floor was made of wood and fur rugs were scattered around the floor. Rong Yan lit the candles and lanterns that were strewn about the kashim, he grabbed Aloi's hand and they both knelt on the fur rug bowing their heads to pray together. They prayed for about thirty minutes before getting up and going about their day.
They padded their way back into the palace running into Chief Unirak while he headed toward his kashim. He paused before continuing approaching Rong Yan and Aloi he requested, "Avatar Rong Yan I would like to speak with you after my daily prayer."
"Okay sure," Rong Yan answered bobbing his head up and down, Aloi and Rong Yan bowed their heads as a farewell before heading toward the dining hall where breakfast was being served. Unaraq sat at the table already eating a snack out of a wooden cup, it was raw feline caribou meat, walrus leopard fat, and local berries wrapped in snow.
"What are you eating?" Rong Yan questioned.
"Oh this is akutaq, it's something we call ice cream. It's grinding meat, and berries mixed with animal fats and snow until it's of a creamy form. It's good," Unaraq described, eating a spoonful of the dessert. Aloi stuck out her tongue, "Well you can get one without meat and fat in it if you'd like," he told Aloi turning his attention to her. He grabbed the small horn on the table to call a servant. After hearing the high but softened sound a servant zoomed toward Unaraq, a cloth draped over his arm he bowed to the prince.
"Can you get a bowl of akutaq for my airbending friend, minus the meat and animal fat?" requested Unaraq.
"Right away, prince," the servant nodded, the servant then bolted into the kitchen. He returned minutes later, with a bowl of custom ordered akutaq for Aloi. She dug her wooden spoon into the dessert and was delighted by the taste of it.
"See I told you it was good," he smiled, she chuckled. Rong Yan licked his lips because at the same time his food arrived and he was hungry. Chief Unirak and Tanaraq later arrived sitting on the far side of the table, Tanaraq glared at Aloi but Aloi ignored her.
Unaraq, Aloi and Rong Yan talked to each other laughing about the dumbest things they become immediate friends with the prince. While Aloi is not a fan of Tanaraq, Unirak glanced at his son and the others and then back at Tanaraq wondering why she was not sitting with them, "Why are you not over there making friends with the Avatar, like your brother?"
"You already know why, because of her," she replied.
"I'm going to compare your attitude to that of your brother. Unaraq is a humble and wise man, polite and strong. He has been around commoners enough to allow them to influence him and further expand his patience for others. This is something you need to work on," advised Unirak.
"If Unaraq hangs around peasants he might as well be a river rat," commented Tanaraq.
"Watch your tongue, young lady. Don't speak about your brother that way, he will make a fine chief one day," Unirak scolded his daughter.
One Hour Later
Unirak is sitting on his throne while Tanaraq stood next to him they were both discussing all the issues that Tanaraq faces often daily that can easily be ignored. Unirak has been thinking about this since Avatar Rong Yan arrived in the capital. The guards escorted Rong Yan into the throne room where Chief Unirak awaited his presence, Rong Yan bowed to Chief Unirak.
"I am here what is it that you seek, chief?" Rong Yan inquired, Chief Unirak rested his elbows on the sides of the throne while his hands rested below his nose and his thumbs rested under his chin, he let out a long exhale still thinking about the next move the Avatar could do for him.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, young Avatar. As you may know that my daughter is arranged to be wed with the prince of the Northern Water Tribe to strengthen our ties with our sister tribe," recalled Unirak.
"I've made the next decision for her, I am not sure if you're aware that my daughter has had a debacle with your friend, the airbender," Unirak disclosed. Rong Yan nodding remembering when the princess talked to him about Aloi and the Air Nomads.
"Yes, I am aware, chief. I spoke with your daughter about this but not with my friend. I truly apologize if Aloi has offended you. It will not happen again I will assure you," apologized Rong Yan. Unirak took a brief look at Tanaraq then focused his attention on Rong Yan.
"Then you must be aware of the immaturity and arrogance of my child, she is not yet prepared to marry the prince but their wedding ceremony is scheduled to be during the Spring Equinox Festival in Aupaluk, the capital of the North. I decided to punish my daughter instead of traveling with me to the North. If you will take her it will teach her to survive, to respect and some humility. My son chooses to spend time with commoners he has learned to respect them, he has matured and is a humble man. Maybe then she'll make an effective chieftess to the future chief," explained Unirak. Tanaraq gasped at the punishment her father revealed to the Avatar.
"And in return for keeping her safe, my daughter will offer her skills to you while you escort her to the North Pole. Ambassador Naartok is in the Northern Water Tribe, the least you can do while you wait to train with him is learn the basics from my daughter," Unirak offered.
"Father you can't think the Ava-" she was cut off by Unirak he shouted at her, "Silence!"
"You have my word, chief Unirak. I will take your daughter to the North Pole unharmed but I don't want her to be at the hands of strangers. If your son is willing to join me I'm sure she'll be much more comfortable," Rong Yan responded.
"I know Unaraq will be up for the trip," Unirak stated, he snapped his fingers a guard stepped forward-leaning in his ear to listen to what his chief had to say, "Bring me the prince." The guard nodded before marching off to Unaraq's chambers.
Tanaraq was flustered and dismayed overthinking things she speaks again, "So you want an arrow head to put me in danger's way, or to even put her filthy hands on me?" she questions her father.
"I told you to hold your tongue, young lady. You will respect the Avatar and his friend and you will listen to what your brother tells you to do," Unirak scolds Tanaraq.
"I hate you!" Tanaraq screamed at Unirak she ran from the throne room bumping into Unaraq who was on his way to enter the throne room. He briefly glanced at his sister scurrying down the hall concerned about her tears now. He bowed to his father before asking, "What's her problem?"
"Your sister is upset that I decided to punish her for her attitude. Unaraq I want you to accompany the Avatar on his journey to the North Pole. Your sister will be going with you, that is her punishment I've had enough of her impertinence. I'm entrusting the Avatar and you to deliver your sister to Northern Water Tribe and hoping on the way you will discipline her where I failed to so. I want her to be a loyal and respectful wife to Prince Tulok, you will make sure that happens," Chief Unirak briefed his son on the discussion he had with Rong Yan while Tanaraq was in the throne room.
"You have my word, father. I will shape her to my standards, I understand the alliance with our sister tribe is important," Unaraq stated.
"Thank you, son. I've told you this many times before but I want you to know you will make an even better chief than I one day," he repeated to Unaraq. Prince Unaraq smiled then bowed to his father. Rong Yan bowed to Unirak before leaving the throne room with Unaraq.
"What's your method of travel, Rong Yan?" he asked the Avatar.
"Flying. We'll be departing on my dragon Shen soon, so pack up and help your sister pack up," Rong Yan replied.
"As you wish, do you have a route planned out?" questioned Unaraq.
"No we normally just make random stops," Rong Yan disclosed, Unaraq nodded Sakana rushed up the steps of the palace courtyard two guards held their spears at him while a waterbender bent a large amount of water out of his waterskin pointing their weapons at him. He raised his arms to the air giving a clear indication that he meant no harm. He shouted Unaraq's name, "Unaraq!"
Unaraq jerked his head to the left to see the guards attempting to hold back Sakana his friend. Unaraq orders his guards, "Stand down he's a friend." The guards pulled back their spears and the waterbender put his water back into the waterskin. Sakana was permitted to walk up to Unaraq.
"Just wanted to tell you that Gyomo was sick today normally you were to meet us at the docks three hours past sunrise but you weren't present," Sakana remarked.
"I apologized for that, but Sakana, for the time being, you're the captain of the crew. My father tasked me with helping the Avatar escort my sister to the North Pole," Unaraq said in response. Sakana nodded to the idea and smiled, "I won't disappoint you, Prince Unaraq." Sakana bowed to his friend then departed.
"We'll meet back out here on the courtyard in two hours past noon get your things packed but keep it minimal," Rong Yan commented, Rong Yan and Unaraq shook hands. Rong Yan padded off to the stables to check up on Shen it had only been about a week and a half since they arrived in the South Pole. He visited his dragon a few times and thanks to the stablemaster and his workers Shen was treated like royalty. Unaraq marched back into the palace to gather some things and help his sister pack.
Arriving at the stables were Shen was held he noticed the dragon was curled slumbering the stablehand nearby bowed to Rong Yan, "Greetings Avatar, it's good to see you. Your dragon Shen just consumed a large portion of meat we bought from the hunters," he greeted the Avatar.
"Thank you for feeding my dragon while I am occupied here," Rong Yan thanked the stablehand.
"Is there anything I can assist you with?" the stablehand wondered.
Rong Yan nodded, "Yes we're departing soon do you think you can wake him?" The stablehand grabbed a small whistle he blew on the whistle. Shen cried out opening his eyes Rong Yan opened the gate to the pen he was held in. Shen sneezed a blast of fire Rong Yan quickly ducked avoiding it. The stablehand was terrified while Rong Yan tittered nervously. Shen licked Rong Yan and lifted him a few inches off the ground with his tongue before he dropped down gently.
"I miss you too, Shen," Rong Yan said hugging the great beast.
A few hours passed, Aloi, Rong Yan, and Unaraq waited outside while Chief Unirak and a group of guards forced Tanaraq out of the palace. She fought with the guards and tried breaking through their defense to get into the palace. The guards dragged her as she screamed while the servants watched in awe as she embarrassed herself. Chief Unirak minced behind the guards dragging Tanaraq to Shen. His hands rested behind him he shook his head at the poor behavior the princess had.
Tanaraq screamed at the sight of Shen she took a step back and froze terrified shouting, "What is that thing?!"
Shen lowered his head to eye her blowing smoke in her face through his nostrils, she flinched a guard stepped forward with his spear. Rong Yan intervened between the spearman and his dragon, "No Shen, Tanaraq is a friend."
Unirak walked in between his guards speaking one final time, "You will climb the saddle of that dragon and you will behave yourself the entire way to the North Pole. I will leave the palace in a few days and meet you there in time for your matrimonial ceremony," Unirak declared.
She's fighting back shoving Unaraq away trying to break through the guards again Unirak sighs and briefly shares a look with a waterbending guard and they both nod. The guard quickly whips out water out of his waterskin and wraps her wrists and hands in the water before freezing them together. He bent the snow on the ground and wrapped it around her feet and froze them together as well, she fell on her side bawling her eyes out.
"You're making a scene, Tanaraq. Stop it!" exclaimed Unaraq. The servants, guards, stable master and stablehands watched in utter silence. Staring at the event that was unfolding before them. She cried some more, to get her to shut up Unirak ordered the guard to wrap ice around her mouth to prevent her from screaming. She was still on the floor when Unirak and Unaraq approached her, Unaraq bent down to pick her up her cries were muffled through the ice wrapped around her head. Rong Yan and Aloi remained silent shaking their heads both feeling sorry for the princess.
Unaraq and Unirak walked to the dragon on the way Unirak told Tanaraq, "I express regret for having to strip you of your dignity like this, cub. But you forced my hand, you will go with the Avatar. Your hands, ankles, and mouth will thaw long after you're gone from the South Pole. Be on your best behavior and listen to your brother." Her eyes continued to stream tears, Unaraq placed a bound Tanaraq into Shen's saddle. Unaraq mounted the saddle sitting beside his sister patting her on the shoulder while she continued to struggle.
Aloi joined them while Rong Yan shook Unirak's hand, giving the chief his farewell, "Thank you for allowing us to stay with you, Chief Unirak," Unirak bowed his head to Rong Yan, "It was my pleasure, you honored my family with your presence, Avatar Rong Yan." Rong Yan mounted Shen snapping the reins of his dragon it shot into the sky Unirak stood there watching his children, and the Avatar depart on the red dragon before striding back into the palace.