Avatar Zuko

Chapter 17

“How much longer?” Asked Katara boredly, leaning over the edge of Appa’s saddle as the beast swam easily between large sheets of ice, no destination in sight.

“I don't know, Katara, but if we keep going North we should find it.” Replied Sokka annoyedly, scanning one of their maps and not looking at his sister as he spoke.

Zuko was also sick of travelling- and of ice. What people don't tell you about avatar journeys: they include a seriously boring amount of travelling. Sure, there are a couple of exciting and/or terrifying adventures along the way, but an astounding 85% of time is spent just travelling with almost nothing to do. To try and stave off falling asleep simply from the lack of stimulus he was getting while conscious, Zuko played with his miniature tornado, he'd even figured out how to slowly make it bigger (though he couldn't try out the extent of that whilst on Appa).

“Wait… Look!” Aang called a few minutes later, pointing at a bunch of ships emerging from an icy fog. There were definitely waterbenders on board and that very fact made Katara squeal in delight, fixing her slumped posture and looking at the ships excitedly.

The ships were nowhere near as large or metallic as Fire Nation ones, these were actually closer to to big wooden boats. The mist they exited from seemed to have been artificially created by the waterbenders to cloak them whilst they figured out whether or not their little group was a threat. Zuko assumed from their lack of attack that they'd decided that maybe three teenagers, a preteen and a flying monkey on a fluffy herbivore weren't about to attack the entire Northern Water Tribe. The ships moved closer to them until one of them was by their side and a middle aged waterbender called down to them.

“Who are you?” They asked, more confused than angry. “Is that a… Sky bison?”.

“Yup, and I'm an airbender, those two are from the Southern Water Tribe and he's-” Started Aang happily, gesturing to himself and then the others.

“Wait! You're an airbender? Wow, Master Pakku and the Chief are going to want to see you, but Master Pakku first- if his judgement is good you can see the chief. Ummm, come on then.” The waterbender, a man with a similar haircut to Sokka, interrupted, nodding at the other ships to escort them.

They rowed for a short while, but without the fog the edge of the Northern Tribe became visible, waiting for them. It was beautiful, Zuko had to admit, large buildings crafted from ice glinted in the midday sunlight, their designs so intricate he could only imagine the work the waterbenders must have put in. The weather was clear, no snow drifted down despite the intense cold and the sun shone brightly. There were also few people to be seen, which made sense since most of them would be doing some form of work or practising their bending at this time.

The waterbender who'd spoken to them, Vokku apparently, led them through the streets and towards the impressively large palace, before veering to the left and guiding them to what seemed to be a bending school, which was also very large, and had pupils littered around it. Most were eating lunch, the younger ones were throwing (well, bending) snowballs at each other and anyone over thirty seemed to be a guard.

Said guards were staring intently at their group, but seemed more interested in Aang. The firebender thanked the spirits that he'd had the forethought to wear his cloak, and wrapped it more tightly around himself to hide his red clothing. He also considered flicking up his hood, but decided against it since it would only make him stick out even more and he seriously doubted anyone here would recognise him.

Vokku continued to lead them towards this ‘Master Pakku’, heading towards the center of the building before stopping in front of some beautiful double doors.

“This is Master Pakku’s chamber, he'll want to hear from you all before you go to the chief. Uh, he may seem a little mean but he's a good man, so yeah, good luck.” After that Vokku waved and walked hurriedly off, leaving them to see Pakku on their own.