Chapter Three: Three Rulers
The Fire Nation was looking for the Avatar? Still?
But he'd been gone a hundred years. Why would a Prince be on a mission to find someone who was probably dead? Katara looked to Arthas, who remained silent for a moment. "Looking for the Avatar?"
"Yes," said Zuko, who had a horrific red scar on the left side of his face for some reason. "As my Father and Grandfather before me sought him, not I have taken up the quest. And where they have failed, I will succeed."
"But why all the way here in Northrend?" asked Arthas.
"My Uncle and I sought the wisdom of an Oracle in Kalimdor," said Zuko. "He told us to seek in this place, and there I would find my destiny. So I have come."
"Oracle?" asked Arthas.
"I'm also running out of continents," admitted Zuko ruefully.
"Ah, of course," said Arthas. "I'm only on my first. Still, speaking across a gangplank like this is troublesome. I'm sure our men are tired of standing at attention. Will you enter my cabin, and we can discuss matters in greater depth?"
"How do I know I can trust you?" asked Zuko.
Arthas glanced back to Falric. "Falric, how long have you served me?"
"The Kingdom of Lordaeron, or as the Captain of your Royal Guard?" asked Falric.
"Both," said Arthas.
"I have fought in the armies of King Terenas for most of my adult life, though a specific number eludes me," said Falric. "As for your Royal Guard, I have been part of it since its inception five years ago."
"I will offer Falric to your men as a hostage, to ensure your safety and well being," said Arthas, turning back to Zuko. "He is an invaluable officer, and his loss would be a dear one. Is this acceptable?"
"It is," said Zuko.
Falric and Zuko crossed over the gangplank at the same time, and Zuko approached Arthas. He was some years older than Katara or Arthas, and his face was a perpetual scowl.
"Is your Uncle here?" asked Arthas. "I have always wanted to meet the Dragon of the West."
"No," said Zuko simply. "He is not.
"And his business is his own."
"Of course," said Arthas. "Have you eaten? We were about to."
"No," said Zuko.
"Then let's talk while we eat," said Arthas. "Katara, you will dine with us?"
Wait, Arthas wanted her to eat with Zuko? Was he insane, he was the enemy?! Zuko eyed Katara doubtfully in turn. "Who is this woman to stand as our equal?"
"My name is Katara," said Katara flatly. Just who did he think he was?
"A Princess of the Southern Water tribe, or equivalent in rank," said Arthas quickly. "I'm sure you can ask her about the subject. Though I should be understanding, your people and hers have a bitter history after all."
"I'll keep it in mind," said Zuko. "What is Lordaeron doing all the way out here, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I'll explain while we wait for the meal," said Arthas.
But Arthas didn't make any move to explain until they were sitting inside the cabin together. He opened a case filled with wine and set out a number of goblets. "Do you two want any wine?"
"Do you have sake?" asked Zuko.
"Actually, yes," said Arthas, picking out a bottle. "Father had us bring some with us. Though it's not a popular drink where I'm from. Most prefer dwarven ale."
He poured them drinks, but Katara didn't touch hers yet. She didn't want to end up commiserating with these people. Arthas, however, did not seem to mind and only sipped lightly. Zuko as well seemed to sip only a small amount, looking at the goblets oddly.
"We don't usually use such large cups," said Zuko.
"Well, the men of Lordaeron tend to drink a lot," said Arthas. "It's a habit we picked up from dwarves. So, tell me about this Avatar you are hunting."
"He is the ancient enemy of the Fire Nation," said Zuko, voice firm. "Long ago, he betrayed Firelord Sozin and tried to force us into obscurity. They wanted us to bow to the Earth Kingdom and other inferior nations."
"Inferior?!" said Katara hotly. "Why you-"
Arthas raised a hand. "Katara, please, let's be courteous."
His nation had been called inferior too, and he didn't even care? What was with him! Even so, Katara took his point and fell silent. Why had she even come?
"I wasn't aware the Southern Water Tribe had a royal family," said Zuko, voice suspicious.
"Most nations have Kings of one kind of another," said Arthas. "They merely use different words for the same institution."
"I see," said Zuko. "If you'll allow me, I'll finish my explanation."
"Do as you like," said Arthas.
"Once, a long time ago, the Avatar was a friend of the Fire Nation," said Zuko. "All of that changed, however, when Roku betrayed us."
"Betrayed us?" asked Katara incredulously. "You murdered him in cold blood."
"It was no more than he deserved. Our people would have starved to death because of him," said Zuko simply. "However, the people of the Fire Nation have always lived in less hospitable realms. Our power over fire is more difficult to use in peacetime, and our lands are barren. As our population swelled, it was no longer possible to grow our own food. We were forced to import large amounts of food from other nations." He sipped his sake. "Because of this, we took to trade as a means of doing so. Our merchant fleets traveled far and wide, and we learned to use our fire to move quickly. Before long, we were gaining economic dominance over all the seas.
"However, the other nations began to conspire against us.
"They put vast tariffs on Fire Nation ships and often refused to sell to us. We were often cheated. And several times, our grain supply was put in danger. And all the while, our population continued to grow.
"Firelord Sozin realized that if things continued as they were, we would face famine. So he decided that we must expand. He thus chose to invade Yu Dao, one of the poorest and worst treated parts of the Earth Kingdom. A place where many of our people lived anyway.
"We conquered it easily, and now it stands as a prosperous and powerful trading port."
"Yeah, that's one story," said Katara doubtfully.
"I take it, Roku did not approve," mused Arthas.
"All he cared about was 'harmony,'" scoffed Zuko. "Meaning that we were held back from our full potential. At the same time, corrupt and decadent societies were allowed to survive. He commanded the Firelord to withdraw from the Fire Nation. Commanded him, as though he were a servant.
"It did not matter that the survival of our people hinged on our conquests. He tried to force us to halt our conquest and keep us trapped.
"But Sozin was no fool.
"Working calling upon our Aspect for aid, he received it. Deathwing called up a volcano to erupt on the island on which Roku lived. Sozin himself knew that this might kill many of the civilians and so he went personally. There he aided Roku in preventing the flames from consuming the citizens. His ships saved them and brought them away.
"Then he shot Roku in the back and left him to burn to death in a lava pit. His spirit animal died with him."
Arthas said nothing for a long moment and seemed to be wrestling with some silent struggle. "Spirit animal?"
"Supposedly every Avatar had a spirit animal they meet at a young age," said Zuko. "It is tied directly to their spirit and grows alongside them. Usually they manifest their power over all four elements as the animal grows up."
"Ah, of course," said Arthas. "...Isn't shooting someone in the back a somewhat dishonorable means of execution?"
"The Avatar is one of the most powerful benders in history," said Zuko. "Sozin had had to fight him once before, and it had ended badly. He had to do so in order to save the Fire Nation."
"And what about the Airbenders!" asked Katara. "You wiped out an entire race!"
"It was the only option," said Zuko. "Airbenders kidnapped children to maintain their ranks. They were the most zealous defenders of 'harmony.' The Avatar, Aang, was born to them. And in time, he would have become as powerful as Roku and led the other nations against us.
"So, Sozin chose to destroy them. Or as many of them as we could lay hands on. I gather some survived for a time within the Eastern Kingdoms.
"But we never found the Avatar. My Grandfather was sent to search for the Avatar before me, and my Father after him. Now, I too must seek the Avatar in order to regain my honor."
"I see," said Arthas, clasping his hands together. "Well, I'm not sure I can in good faith hope you find him. But I certainly hope your quest ends well for you."
"May I ask something in return?" asked Zuko.
"Of course," said Arthas.
"The Eastern Kingdoms had a community of Airbenders in the Alterac Mountains, did they not?" asked Zuko.
"Yes, they did," said Arthas.
"Could you tell me what happened to them?" asked Zuko. "It's possible that the Avatar was in hiding among them at one time."
"I don't know much," admitted Arthas. "The records from that period are bad. But if he was among them, you don't need to continue your quest. They're all dead."
Zuko paused. "What happened to them?"
"Airbenders, at their height, kept men and women isolated from one another," said Arthas. "We have records saying that much. Children were reared by meetings where ritual orgies would produce more. Others were created by seducing women and taking the children away to monasteries.
"Though that may be an invention of those who wished them ill. If it did happen, they likely did it to avoid inbreeding."
"Inbreeding?" asked Katara blinking.
"When close relatives marry one another, the children are sickly," said Arthas. "You see-"
"Oh, I know about that," said Katara quickly. "I just uh... I didn't know the term. I'm not stupid." She suddenly felt like an ignorant child in the company of better people. She didn't like it at all.
"In any case," said Arthas. "The people of what we call Alterac were in awe of them for years. But the rise of the Church of Light put them on a collision course with us. You see, in the worship of the Light, the only relationship one should have is one man and one woman. There have been instances of men taking more than one wife, and plenty of men have mistresses. But it is the general rule of thumb.
"To the Church of Light, the Airbender's way of life was barbarous. But the Airbenders could hardly change it without destroying their entire society. Separation of men and women was an important part of it, to avoid dynasties.
"So there was a religious conflict.
"One that only got worse as time passed. The Church of Light continually expanded its beliefs, gaining more converts. Meanwhile, the Airbenders remained much the same as always. They didn't change with the world. Soon they became outcasts within their own realm."
"So you wiped them out?" guessed Zuko.
"No, we had nothing to do with it," said Arthas, sounding a bit offended. "Lordaeron didn't control Alterac at the time. Actually, Lordaeron did not exist. The nations that now compose the Alliance were one nation. One known as Arathor.
"The Kingdom of Arathor simply took steps to prevent Airbenders from mixing with them. Stories grew up about their culture, demonizing it. But the violence didn't break out immediately. For one thing, Airbenders were pacifists and refused to kill, not even animals. And they often did good works for the common people to combat the negative associations.
"Most people regarded them as alien, but not bad at heart. There were even some attempts to convert them, with some success. What really did it was when they started pushing for war with the Fire Nation."
"When was this?" asked Katara, trying to keep the timeline straight.
"This was in the reign of my grandfather, Azulon, I believe," said Zuko. "Before my father was born, but when Uncle was in his prime. The war was well and truly beginning to turn against the Earth Kingdom in those days. He also sacked Ba Sing Sei, though that was decades later.
"The Southern and Northern Water Tribes had quarreled and devolved into civil war. It broke their Empire."
They had? The Southern and Northern Tribes had once been one? How could Katara not know this? It was her own history. Then again, all the records were destroyed long ago. Everything she knew was from Gran Gran's stories, and she didn't like talking about those days. All Katara really knew was that things had been much better once.
"Yes, well, the Airbenders were wiped out before that," said Arthas. "The Airbenders became afraid the balance of the Four Elements would be destroyed. Sozin's heirs were doing his work very well. So, they began to try and convince King Lothar to intervene against them."
"I remember this," said Zuko. "King Akar Lothar was a formidable opponent. He very nearly killed my Grandfather. Father was ten at the time."
"Yes, well, we'd have much rather he stayed home," said Arthas. "The decision was one many of his generals disagreed with. Even our allies in the High Elves recommended we not go to war. However, King Lothar had been tutored by an Airbender and believed in harmony. And he decided to attack the Fire Nation.
"It was a disaster. Our fleet was shattered, and our King was killed. His descendants were forced off the throne shortly thereafter. Arathor descended into civil war and division.
"It was also the final nail in the Airbenders coffin.
"In the horrific violence that followed, they were routinely victimized. People blamed them for what was happening, and law and order had broken down. Their strongholds were crushed, and those who escaped were forced into hiding.
"It is possible that some still live out there. But, if so, I do not know of them."
"That's horrible," said Katara.
So exactly the same thing had happened to Arthas' people. Katara supposed she should be glad things got better for them. But then, Arathor had never been rebuilt, had it?
"It's no more than they deserved," said Zuko flatly. "They brought ruin to both our nations. That invasion ravaged large parts of the Fire Nation. They prevented us from finishing our conquest.
"There was a real friendship between us before they incited the attack."
"Then I guess it wasn't totally wasted," scoffed Katara.
Zuko turned to her, but Arthas quickly put a hand to both their shoulders. "Please, let's be courteous.
"We have an opportunity here."
Hesitating, Katara looked to Arthas. "Opportunity? What do you mean?"
"Father wants me to establish trading ports here in Northrend. In the hope of increased prosperity, remember?" said Arthas, a warning in his tone. Then he looked to Zuko. "You see, Prince Zuko, at the moment, I am working out an agreement with the Southern Water Tribe.
"Do you have the authority to negotiate on behalf of your nation? Perhaps we can arrange something."
"I..." Zuko hesitated as if remembering some horrible thing. "I do not have that kind of authority. I am banished until I capture the Avatar. My Uncle, however, may be able to do so."
"And where is he?" asked Arthas.
"He went ashore some time ago in one of our colonies," said Zuko. "To gather information and organize scouting parties. I was to meet him after scouting the northern coast."
"I was not aware the Fire Nation had colonies here," said Arthas.
They didn't!
At least, nowhere near where Katara had traveled. Except Katara had never gone much further than Howling Fjord. There were vast stretches of Northrend Katara had never even been to. Places she'd never heard about.
And suddenly, Katara wanted to go to those places.
"They are minor," said Zuko, looking away. "We use them as refueling stations for the fleet. When we eventually conquer the Northern Water Tribe, we'll need them as relay points. We were on our way to meet them.
"Well, I would be only too glad to go to meet him."
"We were heading that way before we met you here," said Katara. "Our plan is to try going inland. There are rumors of strange disturbances among the spirits.
"It's possible that the Avatar is behind them."
"Would you permit me to accompany you there, then?" asked Arthas. "I've always wanted to meet the Dragon of the West."
"You might be disappointed," said Zuko warningly.
"Will you leave the judgment to me?" asked Arthas in turn.
Zuko paused for a long moment. "...I will allow this. However, you can only take one ship with you. I can't allow an entire fleet to show up near one of our colonies. It could alarm people."
"Excellent, now perhaps-" began Arthas.
And then the door opened, and a soldier stepped in. "Forgive me, Prince Arthas, but Prince Muradin and Sokka are returning."
"Excellent," said Arthas. "If you'll excuse me, I've someone to meet."
Standing up, he moved out, and Katara raced after him rather than be in the same room as Zuko. Zuko, meanwhile, walked out to see what was going on. The two of them got stuck in the door. Katara pushed through and saw Arthas looking out over the side of the ship toward a boat.
"Muradin! How did things go!?" Arthas called.
"Well, lad, a good time was had by all, and we have our rights to colonize!" called back Muradin. "Of course... some of us were a wee bit hasty to prove themselves a man..."
Katara got to the side and saw Sokka obviously drunk and staggering. "I... claim this land... for..."
"Help him up," said Arthas.
Muradin came up the side shortly thereafter and met Arthas there. Katara glanced back ad saw Zuko observing from a distance. "Lad, what's the deal with the Fire Nation ship?"
"We're entertaining royalty," said Arthas. "Muradin, Sokka, meet Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, he's here hunting the Avatar."
"I am Zuko," said Zuko simply.
"And, as a matter of fact, I'm planning to go to meet the Dragon of the West," said Arthas quickly. "He's apparently near a Fire Nation colony. You'll be staying here with the fleet to take care of things."
"Now hang on, lad," said Muradin. "Why exactly are we going for this meeting?"
"Well, I'm hoping to arrange for a trade agreement between our peoples," said Arthas. "Or at least get diplomacy off to a good start.
"Father always wants us to be mindful of other nations."
"Granted, but, lad, are you sure we can trust them?" said Muradin in a lower tone.
Arthas glanced back to Zuko. "No.
"But if they do try anything, well, burn everything to the ground. We'll escape on our own.
Don't worry, Falric will be with us."
"I'm guessing none of your old man's patience and experience have rubbed off on you yet," mused Muradin.
Arthas laughed and glanced at Katar. "Katara, why don't you come with us?"
"Me?" asked Katara. "Why would I want to go to meet them?"
"We have an expression in Lordaeron," said Arthas. 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will be victorious in a thousand battles'. How much do you actually know about how the Fire Nation military operates?"
Katara thought about it. The Fire Nation was just a story to her, proven by the wreckage of ancient ships. That and the blur of horrors she saw around here. "...Not much."
"Well, think of this as a chance to find out," said Arthas. "Now, once everyone is sober, we'll dine. And you, Muradin, can describe how negotiations with the Ice Trolls went. I'm certain our guests will be interested to hear the story."
"Arthas, can we talk?" asked Katara suddenly. This was getting way out of hand.
Arthas sighed and walked to one side, Katara, with him. "Yes, what is it, Katara?"
"What are you doing?" asked Katara. "They are Fire Nation, the enemy.
"You have no idea what they've done to this place! What they did to me! They... they killed my Mother." She almost choked the words but forced them back.
Arthas sighed and put a hand to her shoulder in comfort. The warmth of it felt... good.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Katara," said Arthas. "I lost my own mother in war as well. The orcs killed her during their attack on Lordaeron City.
"However, part of being a Prince is speaking courteously with people you have reason to hate. If it helps, just remember that Zuko had no part in that raid. Try to see the good in them."
"I shouldn't have to!" said Katara, not liking this one bit. "They destroyed our civilization and... I don't care what Zuko says about starvation! Sozin had wanted to take over the other nations for years!"
"Katara, do you think you'll be able to destroy the entire Fire Nation?" asked Arthas simply.
Katara paused. "...No."
"Do you think you'll be able to kill every single person who was involved in the raid that killed your mother?" asked Arthas.
"No," said Katara. "But if I could..."
"You would kill them all?" asked Arthas. "Every man, woman, and child?"
"I..." Katara paused as she realized there were Fire Nation children. My father had exactly that chance with the orcs. His allies were baying for their blood, and he spared them. "I shouldn't have to forgive them for what they did?!"
"By all means, don't," said Arthas. "Just don't let it get in the way of protecting your people. What we're doing now could prevent a war. Do you want another fleet of Fire Nation ships to attack your home?"
"No, of course not!" said Katara.
"Great," said Arthas. "Sokka needs to be here to help Muradin with the scouting. And I need someone with authority to represent your people.
"Can you do this?"
Katara was silent for a moment. "Yes, yes, I can."
"Good," said Arthas. "We'll dine with Zuko. And then we'll see how fortified these colonies really are."