Sokka sighed and leaned lazily onto the side of Appa's saddle, watching icebergs pass by. The bright midday sun made the ice and ocean glow brightly. Maybe he should be doing something. Lying down half-asleep was far from the best use of his time. He could be revising his plan for when they arrived in the North Pole, or sketching a few new ideas for inventions he had.
But try as he might, all he wanted to do was curl up in his parka and fall asleep. Just let himself be worry free for one or two precious hours.
Just as he was about to drift off, Sokka was doused by a spray of sea water. He shot up, just in time to get another spray in the face as Appa's foot dragged through the waves. Of course. Thank you so much, Universe.
"I'm not one to complain," Sokka began, ignoring Katara's derisive snort. "But can't Appa fly any higher?"
Aang rounded on him with a sour expression. "I have an idea! Why don't we all get on your back and you could fly us to the North Pole?!"
"I would love to," Sokka glared back and pointed to his back. "Climb aboard everyone, Sokka's ready for takeoff."
Anything to get us out of this spirits-forsaken wasteland. At this point he'd almost wish for a Fire Nation ship to pass by just to break the monotony. He angrily shooed Momo off his back.
"Look, we're all just a little tired and cranky because we've been flying for two days straight," Katara tried to calm them.
"No shit," Sokka drawled, rolling over onto his back. "I've only had two hours of sleep and we're still nowhere near the North Pole. We're in the middle of the ocean, still no nearer to finding anything!"
The moment the words left his lips, there was a tremendous gushing noise. A titanic wall of ice rose up before them. Aang shouted in fright and jerked the reins hard to avoid it. Sokka barely had time to hold on for dear life as another wave of ice knocked Appa down. They crashed into the ocean, spraying water into the sky. Before they could even try to escape, more jets of ice shot out from the icebergs and pinned them to the ocean.
Sokka leapt to his feet and drew his boomerang. If he was going to die, he would die fighting! In retrospect, he'd curse himself for not noticing that the only people who could shoot ice like that were the very people they were looking for.
"They're waterbenders! We found the Northern Water Tribe!" Katara grinned, pointing out at the longboats sailing out from the icebergs.
And for once Sokka was happy the universe proved him wrong.
"Wow… we're finally here" Sokka breathed. Weeks of travelling had led up to this moment. At long last they were finally standing before the titanic walls of the Northern Water Tribe's capital city. The symbol of the Water Tribes were carved into the front, displayed proudly for all to see.
It was like a distorted mirror of his own tribe, showing him what life might have been in the south a long time ago. Devoid of any scars left by a hundred years of war, the Northern Water Tribe was so unlike his homeland.
A portion of the icy wall slid down, letting them pass into the city. It was even more magnificent on the other side. They floated upwards as the water around them flooded into the canal, showering the trio with freshwater mist. There had to be dozens of waterbender in this canal alone, managing the currents and rushing waterfalls in perfect sync.
"I can't believe there are so many waterbenders up here!" Katara gushed, looking in awe as another gigantic ice wall slid down to welcome them into the city.
"We'll find a master to teach us, no problem," Aang assured her. He waved at the crowds that had assembled along the canals to get a glimpse of their new visitors.
With a welcoming like this, there wouldn't be a single person in the entire North Pole unaware of the Avatar's arrival. Any hope Sokka had for dealing with the spy before they could act went out the window the second they entered the capital.
Warily, he scanned the crowd. If the spy or spies had a few archers, now would be the perfect time for an attack. Sokka sweated nervously as his eyes darted around, taking in all the awestruck smiling faces of the Northern Water Tribespeople. Any one of them could be the spy! That man on the bridge above them, was he looking at them too closely? Was that white-haired girl in the fancy dress tailing them?
"This place is beautiful," Katara sighed lovingly, taking in all the elegant arches and shimmering monoliths of ice. Sokka chewed his nails nervously, ignoring her.
Calm down, he ordered himself. No assassin would be foolish enough to attack the Avatar right now, with so many people and Water Tribe soldiers around. They would report their findings to the Fire Nation before moving against them. Sokka still had time.
But despite his reassurances, his fingers never left his boomerang.
Though Arnook, High Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, had welcomed them to stay in the palace and thrown them a feast to celebrate their arrival, Sokka was still not at ease. Sure they were safer behind the wall and guards of the palace, but what if the food was poisoned? Or one of the guards was the spy?
Katara licked her lips and reached for a sea prune. Thinking quickly, Sokka slapped the prune out of her hand.
"Don't eat that!" Sokka hissed at her, glaring suspiciously at the waiters who had served their meal.
"You're acting ridiculous!" Katara pushed him away and bit down into another prune. Sokka watched in horror, expecting her to collapse frothing at the mount any second. But after a few minutes passed and Katara was fine, Sokka sighed in relief. Maybe the food wasn't poisoned.
Thank La, I'm starved.
He happily tucked into his food, pushing thoughts of the spy away for a moment. Chief Arnook stepped up to the central podium flanked on either side by seven men. The seven men each took their seats at the high table, leaving Arnook alone to address his people.
"Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of two representatives of our sister tribe to the south!" He announced loudly, to the applause of the diners. Sokka glared at the applauding nobles. What right did they have to be clapping when they had left the Southern Water Tribe for dead?
"And they have brought with them, someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now ... the Avatar!" Arnook let the applause ring out across the cold polar night. He then turned to introduce them to a stunningly beautiful white-haired girl. "We also celebrate my daughter's twentieth birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age!"
Yue gave her father a respectful bow and stepped up to address the tribe.
"Thank you Father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times!" She gave them a wide happy smile. Sokka rolled his eyes. If this was what the Northern Water Tribe considered 'troubled times', he'd hate to see how they'd react to living like the rest of the world.
"Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!" Arnook gestured down to where a trio of men had gathered.
With expert ease, Pakku simply flexed his hand and lifted a tremendous sphere of water into the air. He moved gracefully, directing the sphere of water around like it was weightless. The two students copied his actions perfectly, bending their own spheres into complex shapes. The audience was transfixed by the display, with his own sister practically drooling at the sight.
As the water display continued to spin around the three benders faster and faster a feeling of unease overwhelmed Sokka. The shimmering water no longer looked so inviting. It spun faster and faster as Sokka took heavy breaths. Every eye in the crowd was focused on the water as his own darted around searching for invisible threats. He flinched as a warm hand touched his shoulder gently and jerked around to see Katara looking at him with concern.
"Is everything alright, Sokka?"
His panic faded as quickly as it had come. Sokka forced his breathing back into a regular rhythm and gave Katara a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."
"It's OK Sokka. We're here now. There's nothing to worry about," She assured him with a warm smile. He took a few deep breaths and nodded.
"Thanks Katara."
She gave him one final look then returned to gazing at the stunning display of waterbending. Sokka absentmindedly poked a piece of bone around his plate, lost in thought. He had to get control of himself. Panicking would get him nowhere. If he remained calm and rational, he'd have a much higher chance of catching the spy.
As subtly as he could, he allowed his eyes to wander around the courtyard. Sokka took in all the details. Most people were still watching the waterbending display as Master Pakku moved through the last steps of the performance. Others were eating or talking with their neighbours. His eyes reached the high table and caught a flicker of movement as a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair on the corner turned away sharply.
Sokka's eyes narrowed. Suspicious. Very suspicious.
But as the hairs on his neck began to stand on end, Sokka glanced further down. Only to flinch as his eyes met that of the man three seats down from Arnook. He was young, at least a decade younger than the other grey-haired men of the high table. Where most of the others were clean-shaven or sported long traditional Water Tribe beards, he had a finely trimmed goatee that seemed more Earth Kingdom fashion than Water Tribe. The furs he wore were threaded with gold and glittered under the moonlight. With a smile, he met Sokka's gaze and raised a goblet and turned back to a pale grey-haired man sitting next to the high chief.
"Do you know Kuivuka?" A voice asked from beside him. Sokka leapt out of his seat, colliding roughly with Katara. She pushed him away with an irritated sigh.
The stranger giggled. To his surprise, he found the Water Tribe princess occupying the seat next to him. Somehow, she'd sat down next to him without Sokka even knowing. How in the name of the spirits did the damn princess sneak up on him? If she'd been a spy, he'd be dead.
"I'm sorry I startled you," Princess Yue apologised. He nodded numbly in response.
"I don't know him…" Sokka mumbled, turning away from her with cheeks red from embarrassment.
"Who? Oh right Kuivuka," Yue giggled. Her laughter faded as she realised Sokka was no longer paying attention to her.
The man Sokka had spotted at the end of the high table was now glaring down at Sokka hawkishly. This time, his gaze didn't waver. Yue followed Sokka's line of sight to see who he was looking at and rolled her eyes.
"That's Amak. He'll be wanting me to take my seat at the high table," She sighed. "I should be getting back. It was nice meeting you…"
"Sokka. Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe."
"Very nice to meet you, 'Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe'."
He blushed and looked away. "Just Sokka is fine."
Yue giggled and stood up. "Well 'Just Sokka', would you like me to introduce you to the chiefs of the North Pole?"
This could be my chance!
"I would love to."
He quickly said goodbye to Katara and Aang before following Yue to the high table. She walked with poise and grace. All around her, people stopped what they were doing to watch her pass. Many stopped their conversations to bow reverently. And Yue took it all in stride.
How did she ever sneak up on me?
"Father," Yue announced herself, giving Arnook a slight bow. "I'd like to introduce you to one of our guests: Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe."
Arnook stood up and gave Sokka a pleasant smile. "Welcome to our home, Sokka. I don't think we've gotten the chance to talk. As you know I'm Arnook, High Chief of the Northern Water Tribe."
"Pleasure to meet you," Sokka replied, bowing slightly.
"Would you like to take a seat?" Arnook offered, gesturing to a spot between the stern older man to Arnook's left and Kuivuka.
Amak took the moment to speak up. "With all due respect, High Chief, this is very improper."
"Sokka is Hakoda's son and a representative of our sister tribe, Amak. He has the right to sit here if I deem it so."
"The Southern Water Tribe no longer has that right," Amak muttered, but he sat back down obediently. Sokka glared at the man. He doubted that anybody sitting at this table was a better chief than Hakoda.
Yue leaned over to whisper to him. "Don't mind Amak. He's our Minister for Security. It's his job to care about who sits amongst the chiefs."
"Doesn't need to be a dick about it," Sokka muttered, too low for Yue to hear.
He took his seat between the two chiefs and eyed the extravagantly dressed Kuivuka. Sokka's nose wrinkled as he made the mistake of sniffing the air around the man. He reeked of alcohol. How the other chiefs tolerated it, Sokka had no idea.
"Ah, my friend from earlier!" Kuivuka shouted, loud enough to draw dirty looks from a few of the other chiefs. Bits of food shook themselves out of his goatee and onto the pressed robes. "Come, have a drink with us!"
"I'll pass," Sokka replied, trying to scoot away from the loud man.
Maybe there was no spy, and Kuivuka was just loud enough for the Fire Lord to hear him all the way in Caldera?
"From what I saw earlier, you could do with some loosening up! Don't be modest. This is good stuff, I had it imported from all the way in Gaoling," Kuivuka boasted, shoving a goblet to Sokka. "I own quite the lucrative trading business, you see. Very important."
"I'm sure it is," Sokka forced a smile on his face. With woeful eyes, he turned back to his previous spot where Katara and Aang were chatting amicably as Pakku's benders concluded their presentation. Following Yue up here was a mistake.
"Oh yes! After all, capital must flow! Arnook might not be the greatest chief, but he knows how important my business is to the economy of the Water Tribe. He even offered his daughter to my son!" Kuivuka waved his hand in Yue's direction. "And what a daughter! She has the beauty and obedience of a true woman. She will be a good wife for when my son is High Chief."
Yue looked over at the mention of her name. She batted her eyelashes and gave Kuivuka a smile. "Your son is quite charming, Chief Kuivuka. He takes after you."
Kuivuka laughed heartily and slapped Sokka on the back. "And so polite too! Reminds me of my own wife, she's over there by the fountain. Say hello, Uki!"
A dark girl with her hair done up in an extravagant bun sat at the corner of a table beneath them with a dozen other women. She was surprisingly plain looking, but held herself with far more poise than her husband. But from the way her chair was turned, it seemed like she was going out of her way to ignore Kuivuka.
Hearing her name called, Uki turned and spoke a quick hello before firmly ignoring the both of them. And Sokka could understand why. This was one of the Water Tribe chiefs? A loudmouth drunkard? How had the Fire Nation not wiped this city off the map yet? He took back what he'd said about his father being a better chief than these men. Kuivuka didn't even deserve to be in the same category as Hakoda. How he wished Katara was here. Kuivuka would've gotten a faceful of snow for his efforts.
And what about Yue? She was nothing like Katara. All the demeaning things Kuivuka had said about her and she wasn't the slightest bit offended. In fact, she complimented him! If he was engaged to a person like Kuivuka, he'd certainly have something to say about it. Aang better master waterbending quickly. The sooner they were out of this awful place, the better.
The man next to Sokka took this moment to speak up.
"Kuivuka, perhaps you should refrain from speaking ill of our High Chief," He gave Kuivuka a stern glare with his icy-blue eyes. "Especially considering the present company."
"Er… right," Kuivuka turned back to his drink.
Sokka gave his other neighbour a nod of appreciation. He was tall and wore a stylish fur coat, but with none of the gold-lined extravagance of Kuivuka. Compared to the average Water Tribesman, he was quite pale though still darker than the Fire Nationals. It didn't go well with his silvery hair.
"My apologies for the rudeness of my colleague," he offered a hand to Sokka. "My name is Tapak, Chief of the Eastern Expanse."
Sokka took the outstretched hand and gave it a firm shake. Already, Tapak was a far better conversation partner than his friend.
"Do not let Kuivuka colour your perception of our government, Sokka," Tapak continued. Sokka had to crane his neck up to look at him. Even when sitting, Tapak was tall. "In fact, allow me to introduce to you some of the other members of our little clique. Perhaps you will find them more agreeable, hmm?"
Tapak pointed to the man at the end of the table who was still giving Sokka dirty looks.
"That is Chief Amak, our Minister for Security. Sitting next to him is Unalak, he's the High Chief's cousin. Usually Igniga would be with him, but he was unable to attend. Given that his province is on the other end of the north pole, that isn't exactly unexpected. Next to our lovely princess is Chief Yutu. He oversees the Pitkuraks, our city's law enforcement. You've already met Kuivuka, but next to him is Sagluruk. And that last seat is reserved for Master Pakku, who seems to have finished his fine demonstration. And including Arnook that's the nine members of the Water Council."
These men could not have looked more different. Chief Yutu was just as large as Kuivuka, but unlike the drunkard, Yutu was muscular. It was like somebody had accidentally invited a polar beardog to the table. He wore his hair in traditional warrior braids and carried a distinctive ornate club, in sharp contrast to Sagluruk. He just looked feeble. Next to Kuivuka, it was hard to even notice him. Sagluruk had the kind of face people tended to forget. Meanwhile, Unalak's face was long and gaunt.
"Thank you for introducing me, Chief Tapak."
"It is no problem, I am always happy to entertain a representative of our esteemed southern cousins. If you are anything like your grandfather, I have a feeling we'll get along just fine."
Sokka looked up at Tapak. "You knew my grandfather?"
"Oh most certainly," Tapak grinned. Those teeth were far whiter than they had any right to be. "Your grandfather and I met long ago, when he was serving in the defence of our great tribe. We were close friends, you see. But he had to return to his home and I never saw him again. Believe me, I was devastated when I learnt he had passed away. Just devastated."
Sokka looked down awkwardly. He couldn't offer Tapak any comfort, Amaguk had died years before Sokka was born. Tapak knew him far better than Sokka ever could.
"But I fear I have duties to attend to," Tapak stood up and gestured down to where Pakku was overseeing his two students clearing away the ice left over from their performance. "Follow the High Chief, he will introduce you to Master Pakku."
"It was nice meeting you, Chief Tapak," Sokka nodded respectfully, letting Tapak disappear back into the palace.
Sokka walked off to fetch Katara and Aang for the meeting with Pakku. The sooner they were trained, the sooner they could leave this place.
"Sokka, you're back. How was your meeting with Princess Yue?" Katara grinned at him.
"Fine," He replied gruffly, barely registering her words. "Arnook is going to introduce us to Pakku."
Katara's face lit up. "He's going to be our teacher!?"
"That's so cool!" Aang whooped, drawing a few curious looks from the other guests.
"First we should make sure he'll take you. Being the Avatar isn't everything," Sokka reminded him. "Let's just hope Pakku doesn't know Jeong Jeong."
Though Aang laughed at the joke, the hidden meaning was clear: Don't screw up.
He led them down to the dias where Pakku was waiting patiently with Amak, Yue and the High Chief. Pakku had the same kind of no-nonsense attitude about him that Amar and Jeong Jeong had. Great, he was going to get along with Aang just swimmingly.
As Pakku looked over them with disinterest, his eyes lingered on Katara. He seemed… curious? Sokka's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Why was Katara an oddity to this man? Maybe he was surprised to see a waterbender from the South Pole! And if he was then that means Pakku could be-
"Master Pakku, meet your newest student: The Avatar," Arnook introduced Aang, breaking Sokka's concentration.
If Pakku felt honoured to train the Avatar, he certainly didn't show it. In fact, he was looking down at Aang like he was a rotting fish that had the misfortune of being in his way.
"Just because you're destined to save the world, don't expect any special treatment."
Aang bowed respectfully, ignoring the jab. "My friend and I can't wait to start training with you! After we relax for a couple of days."
Sokka sighed as he saw Pakku's eyes narrow critically. Telling an important waterbending master you thought 'relaxing' was more important than saving the world wasn't the best way to build a good reputation. Even Sokka knew that!
"Oh don't worry Aang, I'll get us settled in," Sokka came to Aang's rescue. He nudged his sister. "Right Katara?"
"Oh of course!" Katara backed him up. "Sokka can handle that, you just focus on your extremely important waterbending training."
Pakku narrowed his eyes. "You are very fortunate to have friends with far more discipline than yourself, Avatar. I'll see you both at sunrise. Good night."
With a curt nod to Arnook, Pakku walked briskly past them without another word.
"We should get some rest," Katara suggested to Aang. "We've got an early morning tomorrow."
"Fine," Aang sulked. He whizzed away to retrieve Appa, Katara chasing after him.
Arnook gave Sokka a supportive smile. "The Avatar is very… energetic."
"Tell me about it."
The High Chief chuckled with Yue while Amak glared sourly at Sokka. The minister forced a smile back onto his face as Arnook turned back to address him.
"Chief Amak, I trust you can arrange for the Avatar and his friends to be well protected for the duration of their stay?"
"Of course, High Chief," Amak bowed deeply to Arnook. "If you don't mind, I'd like a word with young Sokka here. He seems to be the organiser of their little group."
"Very well then. I will retire to my chambers. Come, Yue," He ordered. The princess followed obediently, leaving Sokka alone with Amak.
Amak didn't speak. Instead, he strolled away from the courtyard, gesturing for Sokka to follow him. Sokka followed, but his heart thumped loudly in his chest with each step. Why was Amak leading him away? Briefly, he considered making a run for it. But if Amak was the spy, surely he wouldn't be so bold as to murder Sokka after just telling chief Arnook he was going to have a private conversation with him?
But Sokka's hand lingered on the hilt of his sword. Just in case.
Amak led him behind one of the ice pillars and Sokka sighed in relief. This was too close to the party to be an ambush spot, but far enough that nobody would overhear a conversation. Whatever Amak had planned, murder was not it. At least, not yet.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you here?"
Sokka rolled his eyes. "You think?"
"I suppose you think you're funny, don't you kid?"
"What can I say, I have a good sense of humour."
"Just what the North Pole needs, another jester," Amak glared down at Sokka with utter contempt. It was like he took even talking to Sokka as a personal insult.
The Water Tribe teen matched Amak's glare with his own. "What is it you wanted with me?"
"I want you to keep your nose clean, insolent boy!" He leveled his index finger at Sokka's face. "Do you have any idea what risk the Water Tribe is taking bringing in two hicks from the South Pole?"
Sokka clenched his fists and took a step closer to Amak, bearing his teeth. How dare he! "What did you just say?"
"Oh get off me!" Amak shooed him away dismissively. "You come here to our city with the Fire Nation on your heels and have the audacity to galavant around like you own the place? Accosting a chief in such a way may be tolerated in those igloos you call home, but here we are civilised."
"Get to the point," Sokka hissed. It took a conscious effort for him to not draw his sword.
"It's quite simple: Refrain from your base instincts and do not give me a reason to expel you from our city. We did not secure our peace with those sun-loving brutes to lose it to the son of a wannabe chief."
Don't let him get to you, Sokka repeated in his head. Katara and Aang needed to be here. He wasn't going to ruin their chances at learning waterbending by punching this arrogant bastard.
"A peace you secured by leaving us to die?" Sokka shot back.
"I will not argue politics with you. Stay out of trouble and keep away from the royal family and we'll get along just fine."
Amak didn't bother to wait for a response. He walked away briskly, leaving Sokka to stew in impotent rage. His fists trembled as he forced himself to take deep breaths. A reaction was what Amak wanted. And he was not going to play that asshole's game.
After he had calmed down, Sokka took a notebook out of his satchel. The night had given him a lot of ideas on how to catch the spy. Including a suspect list. Sokka nodded to himself as Amak disappeared from view. He knew exactly who belonged at the top of the list.
Amak - Hates the Southern Water Tribe. Could be motivated by spite.
Kuivuka - Cares about money more than country. Would be easily motivated with a bribe.
Pakku - Strange interest in Katara.
He closed the notebook. For now, Sokka would join Katara and Aang in the living quarters Arnook had generously offered them.
There was a lot of work to be done tomorrow.
AN: Yeah sorry for the wait, I've been asked to do some holiday work so it's been hard to find time to polish off these chapters. But here's the third chapter. We finally get to see the Northern Water Tribe itself.
Matheus Bezerra de Lima: Yeah that's what I was going for. This story is written from Sokka's perspective, so the opinions and descriptions are what Sokka thinks. He misjudges Aang. Similarly, he misjudges Yue in this chapter. As for the Air Nomads, I just refuse to believe they were content with just twiddling their thumbs waiting to be attacked. However, it's the previous attack alluded to by the letter that should be of interests. Air Nomads were pacifist, but who says they were always that way? Yangchen is considered a spiritual guide for the Air Nomads, but why would she be considered like that if the Air Nomads didn't need spiritual guidance? And on Aang's age, in this story he just gets told he's the Avatar when he was supposed to be. Sure he should be slightly more mature, but sixteen is still a very young age to be told the fate of the world rests on your shoulders.
HighQueenChickenhead: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. I agree, a Fire Nation counterattack is inevitable, a point that was glossed over in the show. But that's not the only butterfly from this particular event. Now that the Mechanist is in Ba Sing Se, so are all his inventions. And yeah, you're spot on for Aang and Sokka's relationship.
Shahryar: Well here's a bit of Yue and Arnook. The most important difference in this chapter is that Sokka is stressed, panicked and seeing threats in everything. He mind is so busy he can't focus on anything else but finding the spy, causing him to outright ignore Yue or even see her as a nuisance. Don't worry, it won't stay that way. Yue will be a key ally of Sokka's in the future.