After the winter solstice of 171 AG, Northern troops arrived at the Southern Water Tribe under Unalaq's pretenses of protecting the Southern spirit portal from those who wished the spirits harm. Unalaq claimed that he wanted to unite both Water Tribes by opening each spirit portal. The Northern forces quickly closed the port and had removed the tribe's chieftains and elders from the Southern Water Tribe Royal Palace. The increasing interference and second-rate handling by the Northern forces stirred old resentments between the North and South. Despite an appeal by Korra, who had taken part in a meeting of Southerners, Unalaq insisted that what he was doing was in the best interest of the Water Tribes. At night, Korra learned from her mother, Senna, that Varrick was plotting a rebellion and