"And so you'd punish me for my little misunderstanding by ensuring that I die an old maid?" Kanna shouted at her father when the feast was over and the guests had all gone away.

"There was no misunderstanding! You knew you couldn't marry Pakku and so you hid to from me until I could no longer object." Father laughed bitterly, in a way so unlike his usual self that Kanna winced. "Cancel the betrothal to Pakku. Accept one with Kato or Arnook. Either one of them would be able to pay the price I named."

Would be able to was not the same as would, because Arnook and Kato had both seen the betrothal necklace around Kanna's throat and seen the grimace on her father's face when she had announced the name of her intended. Kanna did not know if either of them would settle for being second choice after a lowly fisherman.

"Pakku will pay it," Kanna shouted. "And when he's the best waterbender in the entire tribe, you'll be glad I picked him."

"You'll give up long before then!" her father shouted after her as Kanna stomped away. "If anyone else will have you."