The docks of the water nation. A pool of water to a side of the massive Ice wall that provided one of the best defenses the world had ever seen. The city itself was beautiful but that wasn’t Nuo’s focus today. She had spent many hours daydreaming, lost in thought and wonder over the village and all it held. Such peace and beauty, if she hadn’t lived here and seen it all with her own eyes she might never have believed it was real. This place had been her home for quite some time. Many thought she was still to young to make her own decisions, but others knew she was skilled. She was much wiser then many gave her credit for. Like they could stop her from leaving anyway. She walked down the snow covered path, through the snow and ice buildings, few made of wood, and a gentle snow fell from the sky. Borock walked behind her a few feet. He had been with her for a while now, after she saved him in the tundra past the village he followed her...well like a lost puppy. The crunch of snow beneath their feet was calming and rhythmic as they walked, following a wide canal used for travel to the docks of the village. They were nothing of what they once were. Long ago they were open to the public but the tribe had decided that due to war, it was better to be safe then sorry, and be picky with who they allowed to wonder into the village. Smart, and although the ice wall provided an incredible defense for the tribe, it blocked the view of the ocean which was spectacular.
They approached the wooden steps leading down a level, into the bottom right, looking to the ocean from the village, into one of the small ports the village had built in and hidden in the mountain side on either side of the wall. She waved tot he harbor master. He had been paid and she knew when the boast was casting off. She was well known in the village and they were sad to see her go, a real daughter of the tribe. But all that aside, she needed to get out. The world awaited, and she had her mothers restless spirit. She almost felt like she could cry but didn’t know if it was from excitement, fear, or something else. A large wooden ship, it had brought people, and supplies about 3 days ago, and was now ready to cast back to take merchandise to trade and other travelers to the fire nation. The destination wasn’t all that important. While Nuo wished to see the world, all the famous landmarks, she also wanted to discover her own. The world had to be full of beauty every bit as stunning as her home, and she’d find it. The beauty lost in the world and she’d name it. She wanted to be a great discoverer, someone they would speak of in the great histories as the one who found the beauty in the world. Thats what she wanted, as she snuck a glance back, peering up at the city of blues and snow and beauty.
It was home...and it would always be. But for now, a daughter of the North was off to find her way. As she turned back to the boat she hide a tear in her sleeve and boarded, a bag slung over her shoulder,and a few sacks tied to a saddle on Borock. He didn’t mind, they weighed nothing to him, and he followed her on the vessel.
As they arrived, the last of the scheduled passengers were accounted for, and a wooden board that had been the gang way was pulled upon the boat as they began to cast off. Water benders waved their arms and a large hole was opened in the ice wall as the shipped passed into it. The wall was more impressive then most though, much thicker by any means. The entire ship was engulfed and fit inside of it, and the benders began to close it even before they came out of the other side. Nuo watched as long as she could until the hole was sealed behind her...no turning back now. She turned to watch ahead just as the ship broke through the wall and the morning sun shown across the open sea. Breathe taking...all that came tom mind as she found herself breathing a bit hard. She looked to Borock, who was also gazing over the ocean.
“We’ll come back...I promise we’ll make it back one day. And when we do we’ll amaze everyone with our stories you’ll see.”
She smiled at the elephant hound, then looked back tot he waters of the sea, a smile still on her face as she patted her animal companion. This was the dawn of a new day for them both. Neither had ever been away from the north...but now they would both begin a journey that would hopefully put them in the history books. Their fate was left to the ocean now. may it treat them well as she pushed and pulled, swaying the boat and it’s passengers towards new things.
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Word Count:: 879