The Avatar and the Fire Prince

Book 2: Water, Chapter 4: A Rare and Beautiful Gift

"Hello up there! This is Sokka of Wolf Cove, son of Chief Hakoda, speaking! We would like to speak with Chief Gilak, please!"

Aang bit his lip as he watched a confident-looking Sokka address the warriors at the top of the village wall of Penguin's Landing. He tried to push down the anxiety that was arising within him as he tried to guess how this interaction with Chief Gilak could possibly go. Wolf Cove was depending on them to get help; he sincerely hoped they weren't about to fail with the very first village they tried asking.

"What business do you have with him? It's weeks before we're due to trade next."

The voice that had replied from the top of the wall was feminine, and Sokka suddenly looked taken aback, mouth gaping. The warrior leaned over the edge of the wall, and Aang could see that she was a tall, pretty girl with long black hair beneath her Water Tribe guard helmet. If he had to guess, he would say she looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old.

The girl narrowed her eyes suspiciously as her gaze shifted behind Sokka, noticing Aang and Zuko for the first time. "And what are these two foreigners doing with you?"

Aang scanned the rest of the village wall, and he tensed when he saw several drawn bows aimed right at their location. He glanced at Zuko, whose hand was slowly moving over his shoulder to the hilt of his broadswords, and recalled how the Fire Prince had deflected hundreds of Yuyan Archer arrows while rescuing him from Pohuai Stronghold. This helped him relax a little.

Sokka had clearly noticed the archers as well, and was now beginning to sweat. " Ahem . That is... We need to talk to him about something important, something that will save our village."

The warrior raised her eyebrows and remained silent, so Sokka continued.

"Th–these two are our friends. They're helping us," he stammered, gesturing to Aang and Zuko. "And they're not Fire Nation! I swear on the Moon Spirit it's the truth!" He reached inside his coat and pulled out the scroll containing Wolf Cove's seal, but his shaking hands fumbled with it as he tried to unfurl it, and it landed in the snow in front of him. He quickly picked it up, opened it, and held it up for the warrior to see.

Katara elbowed him slightly. "It's upside down! " she whispered.

Sokka's eyes widened, and he quickly rotated the scroll to the correct orientation.

The warrior looked down at the scroll, then back at them for a long moment, and Aang wondered if he should step forward and say something. However, before he could, the warrior suddenly chuckled. "You kids can relax. I can tell that whatever you've got to say is important." She turned to either side, made a motion with her hands, and the archers lowered their bows, much to Aang's relief. "Open the gate!"

A few moments later, the village gate was open, and the female warrior was standing on the other side ready to greet them. She bowed her head politely and made a wide gesture with her arm behind her. "Welcome to Penguin's Landing. I'm Lirin, Chief Gilak's second-in-command."

Sokka stared dumbfounded at Lirin again. "Second-in-command? But you're a–"

"A pleasure to meet you, Lirin!" Katara interrupted, moving to stand in front of her brother. "I'm Katara, Sokka's younger sister. And these two behind me are our Earth Kingdom friends, Aang and Lee."

Lirin smiled and nodded respectfully at Katara, though when her eyes fell on Aang and Zuko again, her expression reverted to a wary one. "Before I take you to the chief, I need everyone to leave their weapons here."

Sokka and Zuko looked at one another and frowned, clearly both reluctant to continue into the village unarmed. However, Zuko did as he was asked, silently removing his broadswords from his back and handing them to one of the warriors, while Sokka grumbled to himself as he handed over his club and boomerang.