The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 36 [~|~] The Northern Air Temple

Azara sat in between Sokka and Katara around a campfire as a storyteller rattled on about airbenders. "So, travelers. The next time you think you hear a strange, large bird talking, take a closer look. It might not be a giant parrot, but a flying man. A member of a secret group of air walkers, who laugh at gravity, and laugh at those bound to the earth by it!" the storyteller finished, standing up dramatically to end the story.

"Aren't airbender stories the greatest?" Aang asked as the storyteller shuffled around, holding out his cap for money.

"Was it realistic? Is that how it was back then?" Katara questioned, smiling at Aang.

"I laugh at gravity all the time," Aang waved off, chuckling to himself. "Gravity." Azara looked up as the storyteller stood in front of Sokka, jingling his hat as Sokka riffled through his coat pockets. Azara knew that they were nearly out of money, if they already weren't, as Sokka sheepishly pulled out a bug and a few crumbs from his pocket.

"Cheapskates," the storyteller huffed, before stomping away. Azara shivered as another gust of wind blew by, hugging herself to stay warm.

"You know for a firebender, I would think you would be . . . you know, warmer," Sokka joked as Azara shot him a look.

"Yeah, well, not when it's been freezing for days," Azara huffed as she shivered again. "Just because I'm a firebender doesn't mean I can miraculously stay warm for forever." 

Azara stared at the fire in front of her, trying to feel for any warmth from it. Feeling something heavy on her shoulders, Azara picked her head up to see an extra blanket on her back. She looked at Sokka with surprise at the action before pulling the blanket tighter around herself, smiling softly. "Thanks."

"I think you need it more than I do," Sokka replied as they shared a smile. Azara felt her cheeks tinge red as Aang ran back over from the storyteller.

"The guy said that he saw those people last week. Do you think that some airbenders actually survived?" Aang asked, hope filling his voice.

"There's only one way to find out," Katara nodded, as Sokka and Azara shared grim looks. If this were anything like the Southern Air Temple, it would be better to bypass the whole thing. 

The next morning, they awoke early and Aang directed Appa to fly towards the temple.

"We're almost to the Northern Air Temple. This is where they held the championships for Sky Bison Polo," Aang explained, looking ahead into the clouds.

"Do you think that we'll actually see real airbenders?" Katara asked, turning to her brother.

"Do you want me to be like you or totally honest?" Sokka scoffed as he carved a wooden stick. 

"Are you calling me a liar?" Katara snapped, causing Azara to sigh at the sibling bickering.

"I'm saying you're an optimist. Same thing," Sokka shrugged as Katara glared at him.

"Hey, guys! Look at this!" Aang shouted, pointing up at the Northern Air Temple. Azara gazed in amazement at the tall spires of the temple, the tallest of which was being continuously circle by several small specks.

"They really are airbenders," Katara gasped in surprise as they neared the temple. Azara could see Aang deflate, however, and shuffled over to him.

"Aren't those airbenders?" she asked quietly, but Aang shook his head.

"No, they're not."