Chapter 61: A Blue Tiger

"Cold here," Flare commented.
"Oh really?" Crystal chuckled.
Ash stared at the Water Tribe. It seemed unlively, like a ghost town. He didn't see any signs of movement.
"Um, where is everyone?" Ash asked, turning to Willow.
"Maybe they ran away?" Airia suggested, landing onto the ice where the patrol was standing.
"The Water Tribe doesn't give up too quickly," Stone said.
"Well, let's get going," Rusty shrugged. He began to walk towards the place.
"Hold it there," Slice ran up to Rusty. "What if Firebenders want to ambush us?"
Stone sniffed the air. "I don't smell any."
"Me either," Airia confirmed, sniffing the air as well.
"Then it's safe to go," Rusty nodded, "let's go."
Ash found himself walking next to Charlotte. He looked back, and saw the bridge swaying in the breeze.
Unsure of where the entrance was, the patrol entered through a window. Ash jumped gracefully over the sill. Rusty tried jumping and he hit his belly on the wall.
"You okay, Rusty?" Slice asked, walking up to him.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Rusty grunted getting to his paws. He climbed over and into the hall.
The hall floor was covered in ice. Ash looked out the windows in front of him. There was a big icy yard in front, surrounded by the hall.
Wonder where the rooms are, Ash wondered. He sniffed the air. The scent of animals was fresh.
Suddenly, something hit Ash. When he looked up, he saw a tiger had pinned him.
"Who are you?" the tiger asked.
"Uh-"
"We're from The Bending Tower," Airia explained, "Goldwing sent us to help you all with the Firebenders."
"Ahh, yes, I heard!" the tiger nodded, "but he sent so much of you."
"Um, we picked up some others along the way," Willow explained.
"So where's everyone else?" Light asked.
"In the mountains, all training. Me and Darner are guarding the place while the others are out and 'bout. My name's Bluefall," the tiger nodded. "Darner's our deputy."
"Alright then," Stone nodded, "we're all exhausted from our journey; can you show us to a den we can sleep in or something?"
"Sure," Bluefall nodded. She trotted down the hall, the patrol following. Ash shuddered as a breeze swept into him. Slice, Crystal and Flare all looked more cold than the others.
"You have herbs here, correct?" Eclipse asked Bluefall.
"Oh yes, we do," Bluefall replied, "we have a Healer. I suppose you do, too?"
"Yes. I'm our Healer's apprentice," Eclipse nodded.
"Good. We can use some extra paws with medicine. Can you stay in the Healer den... Uh..."
"My name's Eclipse, and sure," Eclipse nodded.
The patrol entered a room. There was a cracking fire in it, and right away Ash felt warm. The floor was made of ice, and the walls were made of ice as well.
"By the way," Bluefall turned to Fan, "does this animal here belong to you?"

Author's Note:
Ahh, the Water Tribe. Made of ice. :P Who's the animal in the Travelers' Room, you think? C:< Bluefall belongs to Snowfur; thanks for the character, Snowfur!