The Dragon Princess and the Wolf Warrior

Chapter 44 [~|~] The Siege of the North (Part 1)

A.N. So, here's the start to the Siege of the North episodes and therefore the end of Book 1! Thank you all for reading this far and I hope you enjoy these last few chapters!

Azara smirked as Kesuk raised his hands into a fighting stance. "Begin," Master Pakku instructed, causing Kesuk to jump forwards. As they battled, Azara could hear Master Pakku explaining to his students how to properly counter a firebending attack. Azara spun around, a large fire blast spouting from her fist, knocking Kesuk back. 

"As you can see, you must time your defensive moves carefully," Pakku stated as Azara withheld a chuckle. 

"He's saying you're too slow," Azara joked as Kesuk jumped up, pushing a large wave of water at Azara, who jumped over the wave. Kesuk bended a water whip out of the wave, pulling Azara down to the ground. Rolling up, Azara flipped forwards, releasing a fire comet from her feet at Kesuk. He spun around it and sent another water bullet at Azara.

Azara blasted through it, running forwards. Kesuk raised his hands and froze the ground underneath her, causing Azara to slip and fall on her back. "Utilize your environment. Especially here," Master Pakku called out as Kesuk walked over, offering Azara a hand.

"He's saying you need to watch where you step," Kesuk teased, helping her up. The two laughed until they noticed the black snow falling. Azara's eyes widened, scooping the soot in her hand.

"What is it? What does it mean?" Kesuk asked, obviously concerned.

"The Fire Nation . . . they're on their way here. This is soot and snow," Azara explained, holding up the dirty mixture. "The coal engines on the ships pollute the air with soot, which mixes with the snow to make black snow. And by the looks of it, we have a whole armada on our hands."

The sound of drums beating plunged the Northern Water Tribe into chaos. Everywhere, citizens stopped what they were doing and started running towards the palace. Kesuk grabbed Azara's hand and pulled her along with him. "We have to go! They're preparing for war." 

Azara nodded and followed him inside the palace, spotting Aang and Katara. "I'll see you out there?" Azara asked as they turned to face each other. Kesuk nodded, pulling Azara into a tight hug before they went their separate ways. Kesuk took his place with the other waterbenders as Azara looked around for her friends. 

Spotting Aang and Katara, Azara moved to sit with them, Sokka stumbling in moments after. Azara followed Yue's movement as she moved to sit beside her father. With everyone in the city collected, Chief Arnook stood up and walked to the center of the stage.

"The day we have feared for so long has arrived. The Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe. But they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the Great Spirits. Spirit of the Ocean, Spirit of the Moon, be with us!" Arnook announced, raising his hands in the air. 

Lowering them, he turned back to his people. "I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission."

"Count me in!" Sokka stated loudly, standing up from his position next to Azara.

"Sokka," Katara gasped out as Azara looked up at him worriedly. They had been in dangerous situations before, but this was the Fire Nation Navy they were facing. The Fire Nation Navy led by psycho Admiral Zhao. Azara knew that Sokka could be seriously hurt or worse in this battle. They all could. 

"Be warned, many of you will not return," Arnook warned as several other Water Tribe men stood up and walked towards the stage. Azara reached out to stop Sokka but dropped her hand as he walked away, his gaze focused ahead of him. She stared at him as he made eye contact with Princess Yue, an obvious connection between them.