To Save a Warrior | A:TLA

❀ thirteen ❀

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
THE SOUTHERNER

They traveled for a few hours, following along the northwestern coast of the last stretch of Earth Kingdom territory. Nami kept to herself mostly, sharpening Sokka's boomerang to keep her hands busy. She'd been surprised at first when the teen even let her near it, but he'd given it to her to keep her hands from habitually pulling at the ends of her already lopsided hair.

The sharpening was a slow and careful process as Nami passed the smoothing stone back and forth against the blade. She knew it could one day save their lives no matter how ridiculous it seemed. Though the sharpening kept her hands busy, her mind was left in the disarray of her thoughts, which were starting to eat at her already fragile sanity. They were approaching the northernmost point of the Earth Kingdom, and in a few weeks, they'd reach the Northern Water Tribe. With each day, Nami recognized the elation in Katara's eyes growing and growing, especially as the girl picked up more tricks from the Northern teen. She was thirsty for more, for a real and true master to teach her, and Nami hoped that one would be available—or at least, make an exception.

The idea of returning home after over two long years was still as daunting as it was when she first started traveling with the group, especially when promising them she'd lead them all there. Her nightmares had persisted, enough to keep her awake most nights in front of a fire or by some body of water. She felt most calm among the elements, no matter how daunting fire was.

Fire, and with that came her ability to bend it. She only used that side of her to light a candle or campfire, save for the previous day's events of saving Lin Shue and his mother in their destroyed home. She had been somewhat proud of herself for using both of her bending styles to save them; however, the fire which thrummed at her fingertips, which boiled within her stomach and flowed through her bloodline, still scared a large part of her.

They landed along a small and relatively open area of forest just a short ways away from a sandy beach. Aang led Appa to rest amongst the trees after they'd unloaded their belongings, and Katara was quick to pull Nami away from the boomerang toward the ocean for practice. The eldest teen submitted without a word, only a small-lipped smile that did little to comfort the Southern girl. Aang followed just behind them, making small talk with Katara as the three continued onward. Nami glanced over her shoulder, finding Sokka pouring over the map she'd given him weeks ago from the Fire Nation encampment they'd stumbled upon in 'Jet's Forest' as they'd sarcastically remembered it. She bit her lip before turning back, suddenly distracted by Aang picking something up from the sand.

"Hey, look!" He exclaimed, holding the item in both hands with an inquisitive though excited expression. "A sword made out of a whale's tooth."

Nami's own brow furrowed in interest as she stepped closer, extending a hand towards the weapon. Aang handed it over as her expression turned slightly melancholic. She flipped it over, eyes scanning the sword for any indication of her Tribe. It was indeed made of a large whale's tooth, the handle made of a strong wood and wrapped several times over with some sort of dried animal hide dyed a soft blue.

Sokka bustled over, sliding down the small dirt slope behind them and peering over Nami's shoulder. He softly took the sword from her hands, remaining at her side as he examined the weapon himself. Her eyes followed every twitch of his face, and she relaxed as recognition flooded his expression.

"This is a Water Tribe weapon, from the South," his tone was almost indecipherable to the three others, though they recognized the hope leveled deep within it. His expression turned serious as he met their eyes individually, "See if you can find anything else."

They ran off back into the forested area, digging around bushes and behind trees. Nami jumped to catch a branch, quickly pulling herself onto it for a better view of the area. She noticed Sokka scaling the ground before finding an arrow, the head burnt to a dark crisp. "It's burned," he called out to Aang and Katara.