«Tell me again why we're going there?» asked Azula.
«We have an upcoming alliance with a northern tribe», I said quickly, running around the house and packing. «A very good opportunity has come up that I can't pass up, plus Unalak can use some kind of energy magic.»
«Okay!» Azula freaked out and when I ran past her again she grabbed me by the neck and lifted me up and put me on a chair, sitting on my arms so I wouldn't run away «Explain clearly and concisely why we're going there and why?»
«Eh, you're not going to let me go, are you?» I asked and Azula nodded, «Basically, the chief made a deal with the northern tribe to supply us with their materials and sell them ours. As part of that deal, they decided to form an alliance for longer and deeper cooperation. Is that understood?»
«That doesn't explain why you're running around the house like a madman», she shook her head.
«It's just that there have been rumors that the leader of the northern tribe has a knack for energy magic. Putting a little clause in the alliance agreement about my training wasn't a problem, and most importantly, it was signed!» I exclaimed, «Which means I can finally start on the path of energy! It was useless to ask Aang, he was too dependent on Raava and Korra is too young. This is the perfect opportunity!»
«Okay, that's understandable», she relaxed a little and snuggled up against me, «But why do I have to go?»
«I'm not leaving you alone», I said emphatically, «So it's either we go together or we don't go at all.»
«I see», she was silent for a moment, «How long will we be there?»
«That depends on how the training goes», I shrugged carefully so as not to disturb Azula, «Oh, and I'm interested in their library.»
«Knowing you, that'll take at least a month», she shook her head, «So we'll need to get the materials to build a house there as well.»
«Yes, that's right», I grimaced, «That's plus one ship.»
That was the deal. I told the Chief and it was settled. He would prepare everything, and I had a list of materials from building the house at the South Pole. After gathering the necessary things and materials, we sailed. The ships were very loaded, so they sailed slowly.
But that didn't bother anyone. I enjoyed the trip. I used to dislike slow sailing, but with time that changed and I learned to appreciate such moments. A loved one by my side, a vast ocean.
We sailed for a week and a half, sunbathing all the time, even when it got cold. You bet. But that grace ended and we arrived. The gates were open, so we quietly sailed in. What can we say? Not much has changed here. I would even say almost nothing.
Yes, there are more people, but that's about it. Compared to the South Pole there's hardly any development. It's sad, but it's not my domain or my people, so there's nothing I can do about it.
Here the ships stopped, and we went downstairs to the greeters after we had approached some of our advisors. There were many people waiting for us, and Chief Unalak was the first to shake our hands.
«It's a pleasure to see a man of your stature in our humble tribe», he bowed slightly, like an equal to an equal.
«My pleasure too, and I wouldn't call it humble», I nodded back at him in the same way, «It's twice the size of our island.»
«It is», he nodded slightly, acknowledging my words, «But I am pleased that the man who created one of the richest nations on the planet has visited my tribe.»
«You have every chance to not only equal us, but to surpass us.»
«It would be interesting to hear more about this.»
«There are advisors for that», I pointed calmly at them, «You can contact them for those things.»
«Good, I'll certainly take advantage of that», he nodded, «Now, may I invite you to a feast in honor of your arrival?»
«It would be my pleasure», I smiled, taking Azula's hand and following everyone.
As we walked towards the palace, I looked around. I remembered many things, some I had to find in my memory..
«Do you like the city?» asked Unalak with a smile as we walked to the palace.
«Pretty much as I remember it», I said with a smile, looking at Azula. After all, it was her first time here and she was curious about everything.
«I'm sorry, what do you mean?» asked Unalak a little confused.
«I've been here before. Years ago, many years ago. This place was the first place I learned magic. Except for my mother. Do you see those houses under the wall?» I asked, pointing to the length of the wall. I got a nod, «There used to be a wall there. I was the one who lowered it.»
«But how can that be?» asked one of the Water Tribe elders who had been listening to us, «As far as I know, that was almost eighty years ago. Oh, and the guy who did it became crippled and lost his magic.»
Many people ahhed at this. Apparently not many people knew about it. Immediately after I said that, the situation became heated. My people were tense because they knew that I don't get old and I don't lie much. Therefore, they didn't know how to treat the Water Tribe people.
«That's right», I nodded affirmatively, «I couldn't walk and I lost my magic. Healing magic was the only thing that saved me. It took me a long time to heal myself. But the method I came up with didn't completely heal me. I couldn't get my magic back. But that's another story. The important thing is that I wrote down the healing method for you. Were those notes preserved?»
«Yes», the elder replied dully.
«Then all is well», I said with a smile and walked towards the palace.
The palace seemed unchanged. We were led into a large hall and sat down at a table. There were many national dishes such as seaweed, fish and other seafood. But there were also common dishes that were not typical of this area. But that was of no interest to anyone, since everyone had eaten earlier and was now chatting among themselves. Everyone except Azula and me.
Etiquette is not our thing, even though we know it very well. How could we not? Azula is the Princess of Fire, and I am her husband. She taught it to me as a matter of principle. But now I didn't care as much as Azula did, so we enjoyed the feast.
When all the formalities were over and we had eaten, we got down to business. And I was no exception.
«Unalak, I was wondering when we could start training», I said to him together with Azula.
«First, you need the theory», he said seriously, «I'll make sure you get all the literature you need. Once you've studied it, we'll start, okay?»
«Okay», I nodded, and as I was about to leave, I remembered a small nuance, «One more thing. Would you mind giving us a small piece of ice on the wall?»
«Why?» he asked confused, «You can choose any room in the palace.»
«That's not the point», I tried to explain without really explaining anything, «It's just that we're used to sleeping under certain conditions, like being hard to reach, quiet, and alone. The top of your wall suits us well.»
«Very well», he nodded, «My assistant will accompany you. He will show you where such a thing can be done.»
«Thank you», I said, nodding my head at him.
Right after that, a young man came up to us and led us outside. As it turned out, you can't only touch the wall above the palace. The rest of the wall is at our disposal.
Having chosen a place, I began to work. First, I completely unloaded the ship. It wasn't a quick job, but I did it. I moved and attached the metal beams.
Two for each floor. Next was the ceiling. Also metal. The method had already been practiced, so it was no problem to fuse it to the floor. Then there were the glass walls. Next came heat, water and sound insulation. Finally, the furniture was brought in. It's done.
«Go to sleep?» I asked Azula.
«Yes, let's go», she took my hand and pulled me into the bedroom.