Chapter Two: Howling Fjord
Sokka and Arthas spent a lot of time sparring over the next few days.
Supplies and equipment were delivered to the village en masse. There, Katara saw ships heading out to visit other villages on the islands. Even so, Katara was surprised at the amount of time Arthas spent pouring out over maps.
"Wow, you're still in here?" said Katara. "You've been in this house for an hour. I figured you and Sokka would be sparring or something."
"Oh, sparring is useful," said Arthas, looking over the maps. "But I've always had more of a talent for leadership. Sokka has been showing me some of his maps. Did you really make all these yourselves?"
"Well yeah. I mean, a few of them I got from my Dad," said Sokka. "But we lost a lot of maps with the fall of the Southern Water Tribe. So I've been trying to put together some maps of the coast."
"These seem like very good work to me," said Arthas, looking over one. "Muradin would love to get a look at these." Then he pointed to one. "Tell me, what is this place, here?"
"Oh, that's Howling Fjord," said Katara, recognizing it. "It's where our people first landed in Northrend. We settled there, and others spread out. A long time ago, though, it fell to the Ice Trolls and Nerubians."
"An alliance?" asked Arthas.
"Yeah," said Sokka. "It didn't last, though. Most alliances don't."
Arthas frowned. "Why the name?"
"Oh, there's a really weird wind that sounds like screaming when it blows through the rocks," said Katara. "It's really creepy, actually."
"Meaning, you've actually been there?" mused Arthas.
"Yeah, you're looking at the Southern Water Tribe's greatest explorer," said Sokka.
"Out of how many?" asked Arthas.
"Well, me and Katara," said Sokka, somewhat ruefully. "But I'm probably up there with the others too. When Dad gets back, he'll say so."
"Could you show my men to Howling Fjord?" asked Arthas. "It looks like it might be perfect for our purposes." Then he glanced out the door. "Oh, and uh, there's something else.
"Your settlement here doesn't seem to have much in the way of defenses. Anything at all."
"Yeah, we know," said Katara, remembering the raid.
"Would you object if I set up an outpost on this island?" asked Arthas. "A small one. It would help with naval operations."
"No way, no outposts," said Sokka firmly.
"Naturally, it would be completely at your pleasure," said Arthas quickly. "If you wanted them removed, you'd only need to ask. It's just...
"I've seen trolls at work, and there are more seafaring powers these days. One or two ships of armed men could sail in here and kill everyone here. Easily. Or, if you were lucky, they could take you all as slaves and sell you.
"The sea isn't going to be the same protection it once was."
Katara stared at him. "You're serious?"
"The Fire Nation may come back eventually anyway," said Arthas. "Certainly they will, once they learn you're practicing with waterbending. They've probably only left you standing because they don't consider you a threat."
"But Malygos..." began Katara.
"Few people respect the Dragon Aspects as much as they used to," said Arthas. "None of the dragons are as strong. In the Eastern Kingdoms, we don't worship them. Alexstrasza has lost power and prestige in my lands."
"Hang on a sec," said Katara. "Why wouldn't you respect your Dragon Aspect?"
"She isn't precisely our Dragon Aspect," said Arthas. "And we worship the light."
"The Light?" asked Sokka.
"It's a benevolent will that is part of all living things, no matter how wicked," said Arthas. "It strengthens the righteous and heals the injured. Among other things."
"Sounds kind of hokey," mused Sokka.
Arthas laughed. "I'm sure some might say so. Just don't say that around Uther.
"You don't have to decide right away, of course. Either way, I intend to take my fleet out to Howling Fjord soon. Could you provide a guide for us?"
"Um, sure, of course," said Katara, wondering what the deal with this Light was.
"Right, we'll do it," said Sokka.
It took a day for the arrangements to be made. Sokka had a great deal to say about Arthas' men and their cold-weather gear. Coincidentally, he managed to sell Arthas a lot of furs he'd gathered while hunting.
Arthas took it in stride, though, and was only too happy to defer to Sokka as to the outfit. Eventually, they ended up journeying upon Arthas' ship toward the main continent. As they did, Muradin and Sokka spent a great deal of time talking about exploration. More specifically, the best way to survive in the cold. Apparently, Muradin came from a place that was nearly as cold as Northrend. But he used different techniques, not all of which worked here.
Apparently, Northrend was incredibly cold to the humans of this place. They came from somewhere much warmer. Katara mostly spoke to Arthas about his home. He told her all kinds of stories.
"It only snows in Lordaeron during the winter," said Arthas. "Most of the time, it's warm, and you can go anywhere without a coat. Well, except for the mountains, those areas are quite a bit worse. Even before the Blackrock Clan took up residence."
"Right, they're uh... they're one of the orc clans you keep talking about, right?" asked Katara.
"Yes," said Arthas. "We're still trying to root them all out while maintaining the internment camps." Then he halted as they passed a huge iceberg in the distance. Frowning, he smiled. "Hmm, those icebergs are quite beautiful, you know."
"Well, yes," said Katara. "Sokka and I sometimes go fishing around them." Her gaze turned over to a group of men, warming their hands over a brazier while bundled up. Arthas, meanwhile, was here with her by the prow. "You don't seem all that bothered by the cold, you know."
"I was once stuck out in the middle of a blizzard after my horse died," said Arthas with a shrug. "I nearly froze to death before Uther found me. Compared to this, it's nothing."
Katara nodded and then looked down. Below her ship, she saw a fish swimming beneath the surface of the water. Remembering those moves she'd watched, she reached out with her hands. Focusing her will, Katara gathered the water. Lifting it upward, she smiled as she saw the fish swimming within it. Glancing over to Sokka and Muradin, she cried out. "Hey, Sokka, look at this!
"I got one!"
"Not now, Katara," said Sokka, reading. "Look, there's Howling Fjord up ahead!"
"But Sokka-" said Katara before the water fell away, and the fish splashed back into the ocean.
"I'm not expert on waterbending," said Arthas. "But I was always taught to keep a serene mind when using the light-" And then there came the usual howling. Arthas looked up at the cliffs opening before them. The other men drew swords, and even Arthas seemed unnerved. "That sound... it's like voices."
"Yeah, they say it echoes with the voices of all the waterbenders the Fire Nation killed," said Sokka.
It always gave Katara the shivers.
"Now hang on, you gotta be careful when going in here," said Sokka as they passed between the cliffs. "There are some coral reefs over that way, just below the surface. You want to give that side of the Fjord a wide birth."
"Do as he says," said Arthas.
"Have you been inland on Northrend before, lad?" asked Muradin.
"Yeah, a lot of times. I uh... well actually only twice," said Sokka.
"Sokka nearly got us killed the second time," said Katara, crossing her arms. She was still annoyed Sokka hadn't paid attention.
"Hey, you were there too, Katara," said Sokka. "I managed to talk the trolls into letting us live. And I even managed to direct some traders their way."
"The trolls still dwell here?" asked Arthas and edge in his tone.
Why would he dislike trolls? Sokka rubbed his head. "Well yeah, but not along the shores. They like the forests and don't like open spaces much. Too easy to find them, I guess. The Fire Nation raided them too."
"You'd better let me handle this, lad," said Muradin. "I speak troll and have an idea of how to negotiate with them. Also, if things get ugly, well..."
"Someone has to stay onboard the ship," said Arthas. "I yield to your superior experience, Muradin."
"Well, no one can ever accuse you of recklessness," said Muradin.
Arthas laughed at that, so there must have been some kind of joke between them.
"Prince Arthas," said Falric, coming up from behind. "We've spotted a number of Ice Trolls upon the shore. See."
Arthas followed Falric's motion to the heavily forested shore. A group of trolls was standing there, bearing arms. With them were a number of huge, two-headed creatures Katara had never seen before.
"What are those?" asked Katara.
"Ice trolls," said Arthas. "And ogres.
"No one fire unless you are attacked first. I want to avoid any bloodshed if possible. Muradin, I want you to go ashore with a few men. Sokka, do you have any experience speaking with them?"
"I've talked with a few merchants now and then," said Sokka. "Sometimes they sail over our islands to trade, no ogres though. Maybe they came from further north?"
"They came from the south," said Arthas, darkly. "And you are all very lucky to be alive. Would you accompany Muradin and try to smooth things over?"
"Aren't you going yourself?" asked Katara, surprised at him.
"I don't see how I could help the situation, Katara," admitted Arthas. "So I will remain here and appear magnanimous. I'd prefer it if you could stay with me."
Katara nodded.
Muradin and Sokka got onto a number of ships, called longboats, and began to row from the Fjord to the beach. Meanwhile, Katara wondered why so many experienced people were following Arthas' orders. "So, all these guys take orders from you?"
"Yes," said Arthas, peering through a telescope, a device used to see far away.
Katara leaned against the ship's side and smiled at him, brushing aside one of her brown braids. Hopefully, he'd notice. "Well, you must have gone on all kinds of adventures to earn the respect of so many grown men."
"All of my adventures are far more ordinary than any of them. I'm afraid," said Arthas, looking away from his telescope. "Falric is the one who does the real commanding, and Muradin is the expert. They've visited places I've never even heard of and fought in the Second War."
"So you haven't been in battle?" asked Katara, surprised.
"I was given my position purely because of rank," said Arthas. "But I have fought briefly. During the Second War, I ended up growing up in the Elven Land of Quel'thalas. When the orcs broke through, a number of trolls attempted to take me hostage.
"I killed one of them in single combat. I barely got out alive. Of course, that's nothing compared to Muradin or Falric. They fought in half a dozen battles, at least. Falric was at Southshore, Muradin at Khaz Modan."
"Now hang on, how'd you get to command so many people if you didn't have to do anything to get the position?" asked Katara. Idiot, that sounded awful.
"Luck of the draw," said Arthas. "You see, I'm Royalty."
"Yeah, but my Dad is a chieftain, and he has to be qualified," said Katara, not seeing the point.
"Yes, because you are part of a small community. Everyone has to pull their weight to survive," said Arthas. "Since everyone knows everyone else, you can put up the best person for the job. Lordaeron is so large that many people never even see a fraction of it in their entire lives.
"Father inherited the position from his family, and I will inherit it from him. It passes from Father to son. Not because of qualification."
"But what if you get a leader who isn't any good?" asked Katara.
"Then, if you're lucky, he has competent subordinates. Ones who can compensate for his failings," said Arthas. "If not, Lordaeron will be in for a bad time. In the worst-case scenario, you could have a civil war and a new dynasty.
"I have no intention of being one of those Kings. I will bring honor to my Father and my Kingdom." Then he looked to where Muradin and Sokka's party were coming out to speak with the trolls. "Here we go."
"Do you think things will go well?" asked Katara.
"It depends on how attached they are to this part of the land," said Arthas. "Muradin is supposed to negotiate to get the coastal areas. He's going to try and trade with them, and also ask them to accept missionaries."
"What do you mean, missionaries?" asked Katara.
"Well, the Church of Light maintains that it is the one, true religion. All others are, at best, pale shadows of our own," said Arthas. "At worst, created by demons. The Light saves the souls and all and desires everyone to follow it. So, we want to convert people to the worship of the Light.
"Even trolls.
"If we can get them to accept missionaries, it would be a major step."
"Hang on, how can this light be so powerful that it can give everyone power?" asked Katara. "What kind of spirit could do that?"
Arthas looked up and motioned to the sky. "Do you see the sun up there?"
"Yeah," said Katara. "The Fire Nation worships it, I think. They call it Agni."
"The sunlight falls on everything in the world, except when night falls," said Arthas. "The Light is like an invisible sun that never sets. It is always present, watching everyone. There are other sources of light, like torches and lamps. But those are just a pale shadow of the real sun."
"What about the moons?" asked Katara. "My people revere the Moon Goddess, and my powers are stronger then."
"Oh, the light of the moons are just the reflection of sunlight," said Arthas. "See, Azeroth turns away from the Sun now and then. But the moons still catch the sun's light. So it reflects down on us, providing secondary illumination."
"Wait a minute, how can you possibly know that?" asked Katara, she didn't like the suggestion. "The Moon and the Sun Spirit are equals!"
Arthas shrugged. "I wasn't aware there was a Moon or Sun Spirit.
"Either way, it doesn't matter. It's just a metaphor. The point is that the Light is more powerful than anything and everything. If it wanted to, it could control the entire universe in an instant. It simply chooses not to."
"If that's the case, why do bad things happen to good people?" asked Katara.
"Free will," said Arthas. "The Light allows people to choose. Part of having a choice is being able to do evil." Muradin and the trolls then moved into the trees. "Hmm, from the looks of things, we'll be here a while."
Captain Falric approached then, having a sword at his side. "Prince Arthas?"
"Yes, Falric, what is it?" asked Arthas.
"We spotted a Fire Nation ship heading toward Howling Fjord," said Falric.
Fire Nation? Here?!
Katara was suddenly very glad that Arthas had set up a garrison on her island. She imagined the ships, a fleet of them sailing into their village. The black-armored men would disembark and rush into her village. Dad wouldn't be there this time, and everyone would die.
"Are you alright?" asked Arthas.
"Yes, I'm..." Katara paused. "Nevermind."
"Falric, I want you to dispatch one of our ships back to the Southern Water Tribe as extra security," said Arthas. "Tell them what has happened. There may be a larger fleet out there.
"Then send a message to the ship. Greet them on behalf of the Alliance of Lordaeron."
"Yes, my Prince," said Falric, moving away.
"Should we call back Muradin and Sokka?" asked Katara.
"I expect they'll be busy for quite some time," said Arthas. "Negotiations often drag on, and dwarven negotiations usually involve copious amounts of beer. Besides, there's no guarantee we'll end up in a fight."
Falric was giving orders soon, and at the same time, Katara saw the ship. It was smaller than the ones Katara had seen, but the black hull and flowing smoke told her what she needed to do. On it were many men in red and black armor, and at their head was a bald-headed warrior, with an older man with him.
Arthas glanced at Falric. "Falric, you fought the Fire Nation during the Second War. What is the range on a ship?"
"Hmm," said Falric. "Well, it's a smaller and older variety—an older kind, used for transporting goods between bases. The Fire Nation has a lot of long-distance bases. Efficient, but not much use for war."
"Why did the orcs side with the Fire Nation," asked Katara.
"Firelord Sozin made a mutual nonaggression pact with Orgrim Doomhammer. That was after the Fall of Stormwind," said Arthas. "His son, Ozai, led a series of raids against Southshore and Hillsbrad. Orcs have no real talent for sea warfare, so he was invaluable.
"He's Firelord now.
"There they are."
The Fire Nation vessel sailed up next to them, and Katara held her breath. She knew that she must not let anyone know she was a bender. Arthas moved forward and waved. "Greetings to you, I am Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron. It is a rare thing to see civilization in this realm of the world. May I ask your business in these lands?"
"I am Prince Zuko, son of Firelord Ozai," said the warrior. "We are looking for the Avatar."
They were looking for the Avatar? But why? No one had seen him in a hundred years.