Interlude: Yue

…

Unlike the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom, the North Water Tribe lacked the resources and land to support a large population. The tribe could never truly become centralised due to these problems. To survive, they too had to divide themselves into smaller tribes, just like the Southern Water Tribe.

These smaller tribes were nomadic, scattered throughout the North Pole. Each of them had its own rules and customs. Yet, once every decade, they would all travel great distances to reach the main city of the Northern Water Tribe to pay their respects to the twin primordial spirits of the ocean and moon.

After her birth, this was the first time they made that journey to reach the city. Currently, her father was hosting the chief of each smaller tribe, and as his daughter and the princess of the main tribe, it was her responsibility to host the children of those tribal chiefs.

“In our tribe, one must defeat a polar bear-dog to be considered a true warrior,” said a boy twice her age, scowling; the twisted expression on his face only deepened the scar running down his eye.

“Oh yeah?” said another boy, only a year younger by her assumption. “I bet the warriors of my tribe can easily defeat the warriors of your tribe.”

“Who cares about what the warriors can do?” said the most handsome boy present in the room. “A waterbender can easily defeat five of them, and my tribe has the highest amount of waterbenders after the main tribe.”

“Umm… we shouldn’t be fighting,” said one of the girls, looking ready to cry at any moment. “The elders won’t be pleased once they hear about this.”

“Not fight, you say,” the scar-faced boy frowned and glared at the girl. “These two just insulted the warriors of my tribe. Both of them must be taught a lesson to restore the honour of my tribe.”

The girl shrank back, clutching her sleeves before giving her a pleading look.

Yue sighed before giving a gentle smile and a nod. Then, her gaze moved toward the three boys and sharpened. “Enough,” she said, annoyance and authority clear in her voice. “You all travelled here to honour the spirits, not to fight among yourselves.”

Despite being younger, she didn’t flinch when all three glanced toward her. She glared at them with narrowed eyes until each of them looked away.

“Above all, a man’s primary duty is to protect his tribe and ensure its survival, whether he’s a waterbender or a warrior,” she slowly said, glancing at everyone sitting around the low table.

Some of them nodded at her words.

“Each of your presences is enough proof of the strength of your tribes’ men,” she added, earning proud looks. “Despite this, if there is any dissatisfaction in the group, please resolve it outside the palace in the duelling grounds after this tea party is over.”

“My apologies, Princess Yue,” the handsome boy said with a smile, bowing his head slightly. “You were gracious enough to invite us to enjoy tea grown around the spirit pond, and we ended up arguing among ourselves. Please forgive my role in this disrespect toward you.”

Yue nodded and faked a smile. “I’m willing to forgive if we can finally enjoy the tea. If we delay any longer, it’ll grow cold.”

Everyone nodded and lifted their teacups at her words. Steam curled gently from the cups as her fellow tribal heirs sipped in silence. The earlier tension lingered somewhat, but no one spoke of fighting again.

Yue kept her posture straight, joining the other girls in quiet conversations while the boys talked among themselves about silly boy things. Thankfully, no new argument started.

Time slowly passed.

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Then, she felt the familiar, calming warmth slowly approach the chamber. Yue looked up, glanced toward the door and smiled.

A moment later, someone knocked on the door, gathering the attention of everyone present inside.

“Come in,” she quickly said, standing up.

Her friend, Lee, stepped inside the room. He acted surprised as he glanced around the room and its inhabitants before his gaze finally settled on her.

“Princess,” he said, bowing slightly in faux respect. “I was unaware that you were hosting guests. Apologies. I’ll visit sometime later.”

Yue rolled her eyes. “No,” she said, “since you’re already here, stay.”

Yue knew him very well. Lee hated politics with a passion and thus always sought ways to avoid her. After all, being seen alongside her tended to make him a topic of discussion within noble houses.