Reaching another room where Chief Arnook stood with some other warriors, Azara did her best to explain and demonstrate how to properly infiltrate the Fire Nation Navy. With their questions answered, the warriors walked off to prepare for their mission, leaving Chief Arnook and Azara alone in the room. 

"I can't thank you enough for all your help in this, Princess Azara," Chief Arnook stated as Azara waved him off.

"After all of the destruction that my nation has forced upon this world for the last hundred years, it's the least I can do. And you can just call me Azara," Azara replied calmly, smiling despite the situation. They stood in silence for a moment before Chief Arnook spoke again.

"May I ask you a question, Azara?"

"Of course, Chief. Anything," Azara agreed, looking up at Arnook with a patient expression.

"You seem to have become good friends with my daughter, Princess Yue, during your time here," the Chief started, causing Azara to nod in confirmation. "Do you think she's happy?" Arnook finally asked after a few moments of silence.

"In general? Sure, I guess," Azara shrugged as Arnook shook his head, rephrasing his question.

"No, about . . . her engagement," Arnook trailed off as Azara's expression changed. At first she was largely sympathetic with Arnook. Fathers who actually cared about their children were not exactly her usual situation. Then, however, she remembered exactly who got Yue into her ridiculous engagement in the first place.

"I didn't think she had the option to be unhappy about that," Azara nearly snapped, her tone showing her displeasure with the subject.

"She's still my daughter, and I want what's best for her," Chief Arnook sighed, clasping his hands together behind his back as he stared forwards. 

"But not more than what's best for your tribe," Azara pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest. She tilted her head to the side as Arnook turned to her again, trying to explain the decision making process. 

"We thought that Hahn would be the best option for the Tribe and for Yue. He's extensively trained in combat and strategy and has a natural affinity for leadership. He'll take care of her and the Tribe after I'm gone."

"Hahn is an egotistical sexist pig whose narcissism and self-absorption will only serve to threaten his own well-being, as well as that of the Northern Water Tribe and your daughter," Azara retorted, before she suddenly realized the bluntness of her statement towards Arnook. "With all due respect to him and your decision . . . Chief," she added, though she didn't mean a single word of it.

"What makes you say that?" Chief Arnook asked, not sounding angry despite her bluntness regarding the subject.

"He walks around like he owns the place, like everyone should bow at his feet. He's personally threatened me multiple times and he has no respect with regards to anything Sokka or I told him about the Fire Nation Navy. He thinks he won a prize by becoming engaged to Yue and will likely just use the position of chief to boost his own self-image and personal interests," Azara listed, Chief Arnook sighing as she continued.

Arnook stared at the floor for a moment, before sighing and picking his head up once more. "I understand he's . . . hard to get along with. But, there were not many other suitable candidates for the chieftain position."

"I can think of one."

"Who?" 

"Yue," Azara replied quickly, as if the answer was the most obvious answer in the world. 

"She must marry. It's according to our customs, our values as a Tribe," Arnook deflected, but Azara was not about to end the conversation there. 

"If she has to marry, she at least should not have to marry Hahn. I'm sure there's other people who are at least ten times better than Hahn."  

"So, you think I should choose someone else for Yue? For my tribe?"

"I think you should let her choose someone for herself," Azara corrected, staring up at the Chief with a calm expression. "You raised an intelligent and caring woman. I think she's more than capable of choosing a partner for herself without anyone else's input." Arnook looked to the floor as he thought over her words. 

"There would be outrage from the Council, from the Tribe if I even suggested ending their engagement to my councilors," Arnook stated, causing Azara to roll her eyes outside of his line of vision. 

"Few great leaders reached their personal glories by following other people," Azara replied, her gaze trained ahead of her. "Yue deserves more than a life-long sentence with Hahn. And so does your tribe." 

Arnook sighed at her words, contemplating their meanings. "If you had stayed in the Fire Nation . . . would your father have arranged a marriage for you?" Arnook suddenly asked, slightly diverting the conversation. 

"I don't know. He mentioned it sometimes," Azara shrugged, looking away at the thought. "Chief, generally speaking, any decision my father makes, you probably want to choose the exact opposite." Azara and Arnook stood in silence for a moment before Azara continued.

"I mean no disrespect by questioning your customs and I certainly have no room to judge you, but I ask you to reconsider your choice. Your daughter is a strong and intelligent human being, not some prize to be won by whatever jerk steps forward. Just look at Katara. She's progressing faster through waterbending training than any of Master Pakku's other students. The women of the Water Tribe are the backbone of your society. Maybe it's time to stop treating them like breakable dolls and more like the powerful humans they are." 

The sound of fighting cut off further conversation, causing Azara and Chief Arnook to run back into the main armory. 

A few minutes before, Hahn and Sokka were sharpening their weapons side by side. "Let me tell you, Sokka, I've courted a lot of girls, but Yue is the finest. The Fire Nation Princess is a close second, besides the fact she's probably a murderer."

"What did you just say?" Sokka asked, turning to glare at Hahn. "Azara has done nothing but help the Water Tribe since she arrived. You should be thankful for her support."

"Jeez, sensitive subject," Hahn scoffed, turning back to his axe. "Besides, she talks too much. She forgets her place."

"As a Fire Nation citizen?" Sokka questioned grinding his axe more aggressively.

"As a girl," Hahn corrected, flicking his hair to the side. "I mean who wants to deal with a stubborn girl like her? Always saying what's on her mind, trying to act like she should be in charge. Girls like Yue are better, and Yue comes with the most perks." Hahn returned to his axe as Sokka clenched his teeth at his statement.

"Perks? What does that mean?" Sokka demanded, glaring at Hahn.

"I mean, Yue's nice and everything, but the points I'll gain with the Chief aren't bad either," Hahn shrugged as he continued to sharpen his axe.

"Princess Yue is wasted on a self-absorbed weasel like you!" Sokka snapped angrily.

"Whoa, hang on. Why do you care?" Hahn asked, turning to Sokka. "You're just a simple rube from the Southern Tribe. And just like your pathetic Fire Nation princess, you don't belong here. Why would you know about the political complexities of our life? No offense," Hahn smirked as Sokka yelled out and tackled him to the ground.

"And you're a just a jerk with no soul! No offense," Sokka grumbled out as they rolled around on the floor. They pulled on each other's ponytails, glaring and growling at each other, until they were separated by Chief Arnook, who did not look impressed.

"That's enough! Sokka, you're off the mission!" Chief Arnook announced, causing Sokka's eyes to widen. He moved to step forwards to argue, but Azara stepped in front of him, placing a warning hand on his chest and shaking her head. In response, Sokka crossed his arms in front of his chest in anger at the situation, glaring at the ground.

"Alright, fall in men! Everyone listen to what I say, and we'll take out this Admiral Cho in no time," Hahn stated before leading the warriors out of the room.

"It's Admiral Zhao!" Sokka corrected, before scowling again.

"What happened?" Azara asked as the warriors filed out of the room, leaving Sokka, Chief Arnook, and herself alone in the room.

"Hahn is what happened," Sokka growled out as Azara sighed and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Forget about him, he's just a jerk. He's not worth the snow on your boot," Azara replied as Chief Arnook stepped forwards.

"Listen to me, Sokka. I took you off the mission for selfish reasons. I have a special task in mind for you," Chief Arnook explained as Sokka fixed his hair, pulling the loose strands back into his warrior wolf tail..

"What? Do you want me to scrub the barracks?" Sokka scoffed at Arnook's suggestion as Azara nudged him in warning.

"I want you to guard my daughter, Princess Yue," Chief Arnook replied, causing Sokka's eyes to widen before he nodded in confirmation.

"I'll help you look for her," Azara spoke as Chief Arnook walked away. Sokka turned to her, a million thoughts running through his head, before Azara moved to leave. She led the way out of the armory as Sokka thought over the words Hahn had spit at him about Yue and Azara.

"Hey, Azara?" Sokka called as they reentered the main part of the palace.

"Yeah, Sokka?" Azara stopped, turning to face Sokka. Her hands were at her sides, her expression calm and tranquil.

"I, uh, I—"

"—Sokka! Azara!" Yue called, running towards them, a concerned look on her face.

"Yue? What's wrong?" Azara questioned, jumping into action and quickly forgetting about Sokka's stuttering response.

"Aang was trying to connect with the Spirit World when he was attacked by a firebender! Katara defended him, but she needs help!" Yue recounted as Azara and Sokka shared a look, both of them knowing instinctively who the firebender was.

"This firebender, did he have a large scar over his left eye?" Azara asked, raising a hand, and covering her left eye to demonstrate. Yue nodded, causing her to tense. "Zuko."

"We have to hurry," Sokka urged as a loud roar echoed through the palace. Azara looked out the window, a small smile gracing her features as she noticed Appa outside the palace. 

"Appa!" Azara called, running down the stairs to the flying bison, Sokka and Yue not far behind her. Sokka helped Yue onto Appa's back before Azara flicked his reins, directing him to fly into the Spirit Oasis. Landing in the surprisingly lush area, Azara immediately spotted Katara knocked out on the ground.

The sound of Appa must have knocked Katara out of her stupor, as the Water Tribe girl sat up quickly.

"Aang! Aang!" Katara yelled out as Sokka slid down Appa's side. 

"What happened? Where's Zuko?" Sokka asked, running over to his sister and helping her stand up again.

"He took him, he took him right out from under me," she explained, sounding distraught.

"Where did they go?" Sokka wondered aloud as Azara stared up at the snow and glacier behind the Spirit Oasis.

"Oh, Zuko," she sighed, staring at the snow storm with concern.