The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 32 [~|~] Where Loyalties Lie

The next morning, they returned to the beach, Azara standing beside Katara as they stared up at the Water Tribe ship. "This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father," Bato explained, resting a hand on the hull.

"Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?" Sokka asked, stepping forwards to inspect the ship.

"Yep! It's got the scar to prove it," Bato chuckled, patting the ship. "How about you Sokka? Must have some great stories from your first time ice dodging."

"He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough," Katara explained as Sokka stared at the sand sadly.

"What's ice dodging?" Azara questioned, looking between Sokka and Bato.

"It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes you . . ." Turning to Sokka, Bato place a hand on his shoulder. ". . . You know what, you're about to find out," Bato smiled, causing Sokka to instantly perk up.

Azara stood nervously by the mast as Sokka, Bato, and Katara took the boat off the shore, sailing down the current. Ice dodging certainly implied the chance that they would hit something and sink the ship. She did not want to be on a sinking ship.

"Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, and trust. In our village, ice dodging was done by waving a boat through a field of icebergs," Bato stated as he walked to the front of the ship.

"How are we supposed to dodge ice without ice?" Sokka questioned, looking concerned.

"You'll be dodging those," Bato replied, pointing at a set of jagged rocks ahead of them.

"And it gets worse," Azara sighed as Bato walked around, handing out jobs to the four teenagers. Gripping the line Bato had handed her, Azara looked nervous as the rocks moved closer.

"For this to be done right, I cannot help. You pass or fail on your own," Bato spoke, sitting at the front of the ship with his back turned to the rocks. Azara had to give the man credit for calmly and willingly trusting the ship to them. Sokka started barking out orders as they moved through the rock field.

"Azara, helm to lee! Helm to lee!" Sokka shouted at her, but the firebender stared back at him.

"What does that even mean?" she shouted, yanking on the rope. With a few close calls, they managed to make their way safely through the rock field. Before they could rejoice, however, they spotted rocks blocking the entire river.

"There's no way through!" Katara warned as Bato stood up.

"We can make it," Sokka replied firmly, a determined look in his eye.

"Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should—" Bato reasoned, but Sokka shook his head before turning to Aang and Katara.

"Aang, I'm going to need air in that sail! Katara, I want you to bend as much water as you can between us and the rocks! Now!" Sokka yelled, causing Aang and Katara to jump into action. Azara watched nervously as the rocks inched closer. But, with the help of Aang and Katara's bending, they sailed over the rocks without a problem.

"You did it," Azara smiled, resting a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"We did it," he replied as they cheered. They sailed the ship back to the original beach as Bato prepared for the ceremony.