Book 2: Earth

Chapter 1- To Another Shore

Tarrlok awoke with a start as another wave crested over their small boat, soaking both he and his brother. Surprised, he gasped for air, sucking in a breath full of sea water instead, causing the young Water Bender coughed unceremoniously. Noatak sighed, knowing his brother was out of his element, he needed at least another year of experience before becoming a fully-fledged wolf tail. Now, with both their lives on the line, he would have to be extra careful if they were both to return home with their lives.

Kodiak, sensing Noatak's stress, nuzzled beside his master quietly, and the Water Bender smiled, petting the wolf gently.

They had been sailing for two days. Having escaped the prison compound, the brothers quickly made it back to the Water Tribe encampment where they had hidden their boats, only to find it abandoned; the rest of the Wolf Tails having dispersed already. Commander Hahn had left a message for Noatak to find, detailing how they were off to attack an Admiral's squadron that had made its way southward, and that they would rendezvous at the ruins of the Eastern Air Temple in a few weeks time.

Noatak did not look forward to the prospect of dodging Fire Navy blockades along the way. So that meant they would have to bypass the hostile territories of the former Earth Kingdom. Although the Fire Nation (or Phoenix Empire as some called it) controlled most of the continent, there were still vast stretches of desert, swamps and mountains where the last holdouts of the Earth Kingdom remained, which made slipping past the Fire Nation all the more easier.

"So, where are we headed Noatak?" Tarrlok asked as he took a look at the distant shoreline of the Earth Kingdom, which was dominated by steep rock cliffs and sharp rocks. It was getting dark soon, as the sun was blood red in the horizon, and Tarrlok looked uneasily behind them as dark storm clouds began to gather.

Noatak pointed to the shore, past the cliffs where the land started to flatten out. "It looks like there's a village there. We'll make a landing, get some supplies and make our way east."

Tarrlok nodded as his brother spoke, taking comfort from how calm he was, even in the face of disaster. It was one thing he admired about Noatak, he always had a plan.

The first cracks of thunder shattered the air as the brothers pulled their boat onto the beach; it was soon followed by pouring rain as the heavens drenched the land. It didn't take long before they were both soaked to the bone.

"A fine welcome to the Earth Kingdom, I guess." Tarrlok grumbled softly as he helped Noatak pull a tarp of leaves and branches over their boat to hide it. He was sorely tempted to water bend a dome of ice above them to protect them from the rain, but that would have made them visible for miles around.

"Better out here, than in the Fire Nation dungeon." Noatak replied as he tied the last of the ropes to secure the boat. Tarrlok cringed inwardly as he recalled his short stay there, and he couldn't help but agree with his brother's assessment.

Noatak also began using his spear blade to dig a shallow pit further down the beach. "Leave the armor and furs behind, we can't draw too much attention to ourselves."

Reluctantly, Tarrlok removed the Wolf Tail helmet and shoulder vest that distinguished them among the water tribes, but here, they would have stuck out like sore thumbs. Even if the Fire Nation's control didn't extend over the entire continent, it was better to be safe than sorry. They wouldn't be able to pass themselves off as Earth Kingdom peasants (the brown complexion of their skin saw to that), but at least they can pretend to be traveling civilians.

By the time their work had been done, the rain had passed, slowed to a light drizzle.

It was then that Kodiak growled low as both brothers gathered their remaining supplies and weapons into separate back packs. The two waterbenders stood up, eyeing their animal friend closely.