Chapter 2: A path less sought.
This past week had been a surreal awakening, I had no home yet was welcomed into a strange one. Each day brought news from the hunting packs that more and more bodies were being found. The polar bear dogs feasting from the scorched bodies. Plans were to be made, as the council had new meetings and did not know what to decide. I was bought in many a day only for bickering to continue.
"These packs are getting closer and closer to the outskirts of the city, the more bodies we collect the more that will follow. We must act!" I was sitting in an ice chair with a new comfortable coat. My headache had worsened. My fingers were attempting to alleviate the situation by pressing into my temple. "You say we must take action by taking inaction, your words are watered these people living or dead must be given a proper burial. We must see to it." The council was split, the rebuilding efforts were still ongoing, and food was harder to come by in the winter storms.
It had become my turn to speak and so I stood and approached the council once more. Their indecisiveness had reminded me of my previous world. Governments always split never actually being functional but somehow still maintaining order. I was now leaning on the side of the former, we can no longer afford the bears so close to the city as killing them would create an ecological unbalance. Yet they would suffer as would the tiger seals. Left over nuclear material was being eaten but at least the dogs would not be consumed as they were near the top of the food chain only the tiger seal being higher. "These people do need a proper burial, but there are some consequences, and the healers can only do so much to those who encounter the bodies. I have been indecisive, but it seems that I cannot risk your people for my own regardless of our burial policies." I stood firm knowing that I would bear the burden of each of those regardless of if they knew me or not. Something I felt that only I could do. I resounded my voice and raised my shoulder to ooze confidence. "However…" I let silence grip the council as all eyes turned to me even the guards seem surprised with eyes of recognizing a voice of authority. "A monument must be built; we cannot count the dead, but we can honor them. I believe it to be best of all."
Arnook raised himself from the chair, his eyes were mostly closed and arms crossed almost expecting this to continue for the rest of the day. He approached the entire council was silenced by his utter ability to finally support a decision. Arnook opened his eyes slightly showing no sign of emotion yet a sign of regret showed on him as he finally let his shoulders slump. "Then it is decided, I had hoped you would voice more but this decision is not an easy one. This also shows you care for others." His voice was rough, it sounded almost in anger. "We must hear then, how we dispose of the bodies, they have amassed yet those that work with them have red hands and must be attended to by healers almost every day. You seem to have some knowledge?" The Question loomed and all focus returned to me, something I always hated stage fright. A gather of courage and a short breath later I stepped forward leaning against the balcony of the housing area. We will need the help of the fire nation and the earth benders as it is going to be a monumental task. "This will take a task of many benders, we cannot simply burn the bodies as their ash would still be toxic, throwing them to the ocean would pollute the fish we eat. We will require the help of the avatar, they need to be buried in metal, encased even." Many looked at me strangely, I felt alienated as I knew they respected the dead. They were perplexed that I would even make this suggestion. This would not be an easy task to accomplish.
Another day had passed he had been bought here and he might change the world forever thrusting them through about a century worth of technology and education, including a discovery of the bomb. Some knowledge would need to be hidden. Arnook allowed the session to be ended so that he could note down possibilities. An entire day in the chambers and now 2 days of rest before the next session. Every night he struggled with the cold and the itchy patched leather clothing that he was wearing. It was uncomfortable but he was getting used to it. His so-called normal clothes were ruined as they had basically frozen over and the little soap that was around was used to bathe. The strangely smelling soap of animal fat and herbs were strange but soothing, it reminded him of cooked meat. The dry smell before a BBQ would happen but here there was little to no wood. The wood that they had were mostly used in shipbuilding and all of it was bought in from the other nations. What had astounded him was the absolute beauty of the city, the ice towers the walls, the canals being used to expand it. It seemed like stories he read of Venice, architecture unchanged and practical, boat transport seemed elegant and somewhat peaceful. He felt utterly powerless yet he knew that they would listen. Not being ignored and isolated was quite a change of pace, given all of this he was still scared it would all go wrong. This time of year the snowfall was light and there were few lamps scattered across the city. The ice made these beautiful reflections, from the blue he always liked to the everlasting violet that stood out. He was entirely amazed how an entire city could be lit up with such little effort.
The walk was brief as he approached the harbor, an ice statue had been built there to honor the avatar who had defended the city. It was not the only statue but was the largest. As he came upon the second steps, he noticed her hair again. She almost seemed out of place admiring the moon. She lowered her head and sighed, she knew nothing of her family, nothing of her house and now she was approaching adulthood. Shauna had fought her whole life. Teased and scolded, raised by Yagoda in her adolescence. It was only when they discovered her unique healing powers did the incessant teasing stop. "Do not overthink so much you might become lost." She jumped and turned and noticed his distinct face, no physical face that she ever saw but the soft one hidden behind that mask. He had endured.
He smiled and laughed at her jump she had not noticed her so deep in thought, yet she was steadfast all the same. A friendly voice to chat too. "I do not know what to do, the information I hold can change this world. Death could follow but so may life. I am isolated in the knowledge I carry." She heard that tone before one who was hesitant and felt inferior to others. "Look at the sky and tell me what you see?" He turned towards her and after a second passed he looked upon the clouds. Flakes were still falling yet the clouds themselves were dissipating. "I see Solitude, the moon, the flickers, the stars far and few between." She gave a huff. "I see hope, emerging from the clouds. Stars that reveal themselves only after the peaceful clouds had passed, they do not grow brighter they just shine. Despair lingers with us all, do not fret about what your world was and what our world might become for today is a gift that is why it is called the present." He blinked; he knew that quote he just couldn't place it. Shaking his head out of the thought he sighed and left to thought. Whatever he did would change everything.
The days had passed again, and Daniel was left to wonder, the council was too trusting. No one had known him; he had given a warning of the dangers of handling these bodies. What else did he hide, was he perhaps an insidious killer that waited until the time was right. He had to clear his mind so that his thoughts were not clouded. He had decided to go seal hunting with the hunters, and trust was a great issue under the advice of Yagoda, he was to be bought along as he had to do his own rite of passage. As he was packing his final clothing, assuring he had enough water in his sack and perishables to do a journey for three days Daniel realized he had never asked his name, he had been the stranger for weeks, Yagoda knew his name even the councilmen, yet he knew nothing. As he approached their sleds, with the other hunters joining to feed the otter penguins for the long journey he went over and finally asked. Everyone knows you, yet to me I have no name for you. As you seem to willing to share information, why not share with me?"
The voice had sounded so arrogant yet assurity rung through it. Hopefully we could be friends. "Jason, apologies I thought I had introduced myself to everyone." I bought a small grin hoping to spread it to him. Daniel was a tower of a man easily standing about 4 inches over me. He also seemed big enough to tackle a polar bear. His faced remained stoic and it turned into a frown. "Good, Ill start calling you by that name when you complete the rite of passage for now you are like the other "Young" bloods."
He did not want any others to die but this was an annoyance they were to bring extra healers for fighting and under the orders of the council they were no longer to bring any bodies back. What was he hiding what knowledge had he, this stranger with a face of happiness and yet appeared to be facing an inner battle that he had seen with others. Daniel was thinking into the depths again, unsure of how to proceed but as the lead hunter and the responsibility with returning all of them back. They were only one of 6 groups, they would also be the last to leave as the healers had scrambled when the last minute arrangements were ordered and he had to bring her along. She had been a blessing in his life, one that bought the many moments of happiness he enjoyed. Even though all of them had been called young bloods as was tradition and in previous times they would allow them to hunt alone after the war with the fire nation a lot has changed and peace along with prosperity was approaching.
Shauna had rushed to get her poultices and herbs in bottles. She had been announced as the participant for the next hunt and it had caught her completely by surprise as Yagoda always allowed her students to rest a hunt before doing the next one. She was carrying her pouch and struggled to get her winter clothes on. She rushed to the gates as she was once again assigned to her partner. Daniel had provided a lot of fun to these slow days; he was even they're with her during the siege comforting her and assuring her they would be fine. She Smiled while fitting the fur boots and calmed her down. It was strange to her; she was a healer, yet he had the effect of being the sane and calm one. She exited her home and proceeded to the gate the city had been busy with recent traders from the earth kingdoms to exchange goods. These recent obstacles and chaos in their lives would be a hurdle, one they could overcome together.
Loud shouts were heard from the gate as everyone turned towards the noise and noticed someone waving and running towards them. Daniel recognized that voice anywhere, Shauna was late but still on time as they were not waiting on her but on the food for the otter penguins. They had gotten the smallest group and only needed the one healer; she was also the most experienced of Yagoda's healers. Her entire pack needed a sled of her own and Daniel was to lead the group on this one as the other 3 sleds was food, hunter weapons, with emergency flint as well as Oil to light a fire that could create black smoke to be seen for miles in case, they needed aid from other groups. She was putting away her herbs, poultices and other mixes into the sled as she sighed. "I'm finally ready Daniel, how about the rest of the group? It seems that the feed sled is still lacking." She looked at Daniel with a certain smile, she was trying to antagonize him a little bit, it was always a game between the two of them to see who could outdo the other one. In the end they meant well. "Maybe they would have been here if you were so kind to ask them Shauna. Sometimes it seems that you're not thinking about the necessities" They looked towards each other and burst out in a fit of laughter as they hugged. "It seems the fishermen were also caught off guard, this will be the last rite of passage for the year. The council has decided this, the scrambling in the city as well as the traders, it must be chaos right now." He stated, looking towards the gate. The clear day was a good omen, but the lack of people emerging from the gate had infuriated him, as this would mean that the forward groups would leave without them.
With the final supplies finally arriving at midday after water from dawn no one was happy to leave this late, there was an eerie silence among us with only the otter penguins dragging all of us along. The sleds dragged along ice and snow and was quite an exquisite sound almost like carpets running against each other. We sled until dusk coming upon a pile of snow that was left as a first marker for all the groups should they get lost and find a way back to the city. Daniel had explained the trip quite thoroughly in the journey. He was straight to point and didn't muck about, I could see why so many had trusted him. He had the lives of 15 of us in his hands, the responsibility seemed to calm him. I had often remembered these situations, never being chosen for any leadership role and always delegating the work to others. I could still learn from him. "Should we continue late into the night sledding? We are far behind and we might catch up if we sled an extra hour every night?" Daniel looked upon me with a face of shock, he didn't expect a suggestion.
"That is actually a good idea, you show some forward thinking. We might be behind, but we should catch up within three days. We just need to leave a mark to ensure we were here. Look…" He pointed to top of the pile where large icicles were sticking out. "If we dig away some of the snow, we should find markers that the other groups were her. It's how we ensure that all return home, if one should be missing the others consolidate their supplies and send a rescue group." He pointed out towards the top of the pile and all 3 groups had attached icicles. It looked very unnatural almost like waterbenders attached them. Shauna took some snow and bended her own icicle and attached it to the small pillar. Daniel then took a deep breath, and the group took a rest until the sun had finally touched the horizon before we set off again. Each group had been assigned a so-called hunting ground, where the tiger seals would gather and hunt fish and other sea mammals. We had been traveling for a few minutes before the sky lit up in a rainbow of colors, the aurora had appeared. Purple, neon green, and turquoise blue gleamed throughout the horizon as the sun set. The penguins dragged us into a patch of ice as the reflections of stars and light completely mesmerized me, the soft fur over my hands, the smell of fresh ice being cut and the taste of snow melting in my mouth. This was a moment I would not soon forget. We had travelled for a while it was difficult to perceive time, until suddenly Daniel had ordered us to a halt.
"We have travelled about an hour we need to set up camp, remember the penguins need to be fed and nailed down. Young bloods…" He looked at us with a hesitantly. "You must take watch, Moose-lions and polar-dogs roam these wastes. The tiger seals are still a day's journey away. The experienced hunters will set up the tents, the stranger can take first watch seeing as he is new to us." Shauna looked at Daniel with confusion, he always had an odd way of shifting leadership and giving people confidence. It seems few had trusted the stranger and fewer still knew him, in a weird way this made a strange sense. She walked to Jason and with her water bending created two icicles. One smooth with riffles almost like a cake the other one rough, presenting them to him and with a slight smile she showed him how they worked. "If there is trouble, rub the across each other or hit them against each other, just keep in mind that they will break if you hit them against each other." She demonstrated by gently rubbing them across each other, a sharp ring sounded off as he held his ears. The pitch was elevated, and the sound was deafening. It could wake up a bear in hibernation. He took them and nodded, before retrieving a hunting spear and proceeded on to patrolling the camp. The benders had created small reflective ice-pillars to be used as light. This could be the start of his next life.
I had been patrolling for a while and settled on a small snow hilltop just observing the beauty of aurora borealis, here they probably had a different name for it, but the sight was something to behold. He turned upon the camp and listened to the wind howling and noticed a huge formation of clouds approaching from the direction of the moon. 'This could be ominous, I probably need to wake up the next watchmen, or I could be reprimanded. Damnit don't think just act.' Overthinking had been a trait not forgotten by me, it plagued me my entire life but here, in this moment it could be life or death. The tents were silent as I approached, and the wind had picked up and was causing a loud whizzing noise. In a hush whisper as I opened the tent flap "Silas, there is a large cloud formation gathering and the wind has picked up." He stirred before rising looking attentively and annoyed at me. "Stranger this had better not be some joke, I require my sleep and you are not even halfway with your watch." I recognized a hint of anger and a drop of irritation, hopefully I was wrong.
The ear deafening noise sounded throughout the camp as everyone was awakened, the camp scrambled as they woke up in a daze with movement already scurrying about, all were packing the tens as soon as they saw the whitening of the horizon. An eyrie sign of a blizzard approaching. Jason had moved to help Daniel with his tent, he was mumbling an incoherent blabber under his mouth. "Everyone we need to move forward at once and set up a forward operating camp, the others will be caught up in this storm and they will turn around immediately once they notice the danger. You half!" He pointed towards Silas. "Go towards the city and set up a supply run between the city and our next camp! We need to be organized, call up as many waterbenders as you can We need to erect temporary structures as well, there will be many with frost bite." His shout could be heard throughout the entire camp as people nodded and got to work, the rest of us will be advancing until the next camp, it is the first camp, and some groups would have already begun their advance towards the next checkpoint. We are about to go straight into the eye of Ice.