Steam: An Avatar Story

Chapter 10

"Ren is growing extremely fast," Sokka said one day while they were walking along a forest path. Ren had been plodding behind them, it had been a few weeks since Katara and her brother reunited, and Ren had grown to about the size of a badger mole. Katara glanced back and smiled. Soon, she'd be large enough to carry them. She hoped by the time they got to the northern tip of the earth kingdom, Ren would be large enough and strong enough to carry them all across the water by flying.

"She hasn't started flying yet, I really need her to." Katara muttered. "She's our only way to get to the Northern Water Tribe faster than a ship."

"When we stop for lunch, let's try and see what she can do." Zuko called from the front. Suki was riding with him, while Sokka and Katara shared an ostrich horse. Beck rode the third one alone, they had moved their supplies to the back of Ren.

"We need a saddle first." Beck said. "I don't know where we'll find one for a dragon though, they're supposed to be extinct."

"Well don't you guys ride buffalo yaks in the Northern Water Tribe?" Suki asked. Zuko and Beck have chosen to only speak to each other when absolutely necessary.

"Yeah, and?" Beck asked. Katara narrowed her eyes. Beck seemed nice enough, but he sometimes had an attitude she did not like. However, he knows more Waterbending than she does, she needs to get him to show her some moves.

"You must have some knowledge of how to craft a saddle." Zuko's voice cut across the air.

"I do, but we don't have materials." Beck responded in kind.

"What materials do you need?" Katara asked.

"Leather and wood. Lots of it, especially if we're going to make a saddle that can fit all of us. And if you want it to be comfortable, we need pelts."

"We can get wood and leather in the next town, and that should be enough to get us to the Northern Tribe. If Ren keeps growing at the rate she is, she'll be large enough in girth to have a decent sized saddle." Sokka said, glancing over at Beck. "Stop being such a downer man." Katara cracked a smile and chuckled softly.

"Let's stop for some food, I'm hungry." Suki said, tapping on Zuko. He pulled his ostrich horse up and nodded. The five of them dismounted and lead the horses off the path towards a small field.

"Hey Beck?" Katara asked nervously after they had eaten.

"What's up?" He glanced over at her, his blue-green eyes flashing with amusement, like he knew what she was going to ask. She blushed slightly.

"Do you think you could teach me some Waterbending?" She asked.

"Sure. Let's go find a creek. It's almost nightfall anyways, we can camp here." He said.

"How about a little further back in the trees. I'm not trying to be caught at night unaware." Zuko said, daring Beck to challenge him. Beck shrugged and picked up his backpack.

"Come on then. We'll set up camp, then Katara and I will go practice some Waterbending." The five of them plus Ren and the horses walked into the woods.

After about an hour of walking, they found another clearing by a rushing river. "Let's set up here," Katara said, smiling. She rushed around trying to get everything set up quickly. Once they were done, she grinned at Beck. "Come on!" Beck laughed and followed after her.

"Yeah go play with your magic water." Sokka muttered. "It's not like you have a long lost brother or anything."

"Shut up Sokka," Katara called, giggling. Sokka rolled his eyes and watched them walk over to the river. Suki sat down next to him, along with Zuko.