Book 4 Air

Chapter 14 Explanation

Katara nervously looked out the carriage window. The landscape of buildings soon vanished behind her as the view of trees and markets came in front. The once smooth ride of the cart now began to get bumpy and rough. Katara nearly hit the top of the carriage with her head, slightly messing up her hair style.

Grumbling lightly she tried to fix her hair bun, suddenly the carriage stopped in a jerking halt and the door flung open. "Come now Miss." A guard said as he held out his hand to the waterbender.

Katara lightly took the man's arm and was lead out. Stepping on a wooden floor Katara looked up. It was a metal ship, twice the size as Zuko's old ship he used to chase Aang with nearly a year ago.

She then realized she was on the dock, waiting to enter the enormous vessel. Just where was she going? Especially at night, why couldn't she wait 'til morning if she was going to travel?

"Come, the ship shall be leaving soon. I'll escort you to your room." The guard said as he started to walk along the dock.

Katara lifted her dress up from dragging along the floor. She then followed the guard. Once inside the metal ship, she nearly had to cover her nose from the thick smell of coal and smoke running through the pipes above her head.

Following the guard as she walked and turned corners along the metal hallways. The guard then stopped, turning slightly he opened a thick metal door and then moved to the side.

"Your room, Miss…"

Katara entered through the doorway. There was a decent size, with a bed covered with fine red silks and puffy pillows. A small top-marble dresser with a mirror attached to the top and a seating area with a small cushioned chair. Candles hung on the walls lighting the cold metal room, along with a huge red scroll of the Fire Nation symbol flame in the center. It was very nice for a cabin at least.

"Dinner will arrive shortly. Please rest for the night; we should be at Ember's Island by mid-day tomorrow. Is there anything you need, Miss?" the guard asked as Katara walked in her room.

"No thank you. I'll be fine." Katara said as she walked over to her dresser.

"Thank you…" Katara said as she turned to the man and smiled.

The guard bowed and left the room closing the door behind him.

Katara then sat down on the small chair and looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed, 'I hope I can pull this off…' thought the waterbender.


Zuko entered into the palace, and through the huge hall. Once he passed the dining room he stopped. Turning his head he had little time to react to the sudden rush of two angry blue-gray eyes.

"What did you do?! Why are you going to marry my sister!" exclaimed the water tribe warrior as he stared angrily Zuko in the face.

"Calm yourself Sokka." Zuko started too said coolly.

"No!" Sokka said as he huffed out.

"Hold on Sokka, Let Zuko explain…" Suki said as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"It's wasn't my choice…It was the councils decision I was powerless…" Zuko said as he narrowed his eyes.

"But you're the Fire Lord!" Aang cutted in, his voice laced with confusion and hurt.

"It's their word against mine…I couldn't do anything, it's the law here." Zuko said as he closed his eyes.

"But-But you can change the laws right? You're the Fir-

"Don't you think I would have done it already if I had the power too?!" Zuko called out angrily as he lost his temper.

Aang slightly backed away from the aggravated Fire Lord.

"So there's no way to stop this?" Suki asked.

Zuko turned his head, his eyes glistening with optimism. "There is one way, but it will be difficult to do…" Zuko said out loud as he thought about it.

"What?" asked Sokka.

"We'll have to get a signed document stating our dissolutions…" Zuko said carefully.

"You mean a divorce?" Suki said.

"Yes…" Zuko said as he turned his head and looked at the group.

"So then…Me and Katara will only be apart for a while?" Aang said with hope.

"No…As far as I know. To even recommend the possibility of a divorce. It will take months even years to change the councils minds. In order for them to agree there will have to be some problems. Like something serious- something that will have to end the marriage completely." Zuko said.

"Great Sparky…What is it exactly?" asked Toph as she joined the conversation.

"I…I don't know yet…" Zuko said as he lowered his head.

"Well good luck on that…" Toph said.

"So what now? What will you have to do?" Suki asked.

"I'm afraid, that Katara and I will have to pretend for a while…" Zuko paused for a moment. "Whether we like it or not…" The Fire Lord said with austere look on his face.

"But what if you guys act like you hate each other…They might decide to end it more quickly!" Aang said with excitement. "It's the perfect plan!" the airbender said as he raised his arms.

"You don't understand…As much as we don't want to do this…It can be a good opportunity for us…It can help the nations rebuild their trust in one another…There has been so much trouble with the Earth Kingdom lately. That the idea is-if two different nations, of royal blood are able to find peace and succeed in a marriage…Then maybe the rest of the world will come to their senses…" Zuko said passionately.

"Do you really think that?" asked Sokka.

"Well, kind of…It's what the chief's advisor told me after my second meeting today." Zuko said slightly unsure.

"Well…Let's hope this plans works…If not…I am blaming you fire boy…" Sokka said.


Lying against the soft red pillows and golden silken sheets with faint designs of red flames along the trim, Katara turned and twisted uncomfortably. Groaning in frustration she got up unable to sleep. "Stupid metal boat!" complained the waterbender.

She felt so out of her element, the cold steel walls seemed to dim the brightest candle in the room. The constant sound of smoke fuming through the pipes, the creaking doors opening and shutting loudly. The distant crashing of waves outside. Katara felt like she was caged in a metal box, away from the outside world. The ocean…the water…it seemed to be calling her. Pushing and pulling away from the sides of the floating vessel. Away from her…She couldn't take it!

Grabbing her outer kimono, she wrapped it around her shoulders and headed to the door. Slowly opening the squeaky door away from the frame, she poked her head through. Looking both right and left she saw no sign of the guards or servants. Tip-toeing down the hallway, Katara made her way outside on the deck.

A gust of wind flowed through the girl's face and hair. She inhaled the crisp air sighing happily as her sapphire-blue eyes glistened lightly.

Katara placed her hands on the rail, gripping the smooth bars. She looked down at the waves. The foam fizzing over the stern and along the side casting a white trail, the thick scent of salt filled the waterbender's nostrils. Katara smiled and lightly giggled, 'It feels so good out here…' Katara thought as she opened her eyes.

Then in the distance she saw the island…

Ember's Island…


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