The best word Katara could describe the armour she was forced to wear… Was clunky.
It was heavy, restrictive of all of her movements, her eye sight was incredible limited. She now had to turn her head to see what was next to her. And only after thirty minutes of walking did she started to feel hot.
For how many hours a day did regular fire nation soldiers have to wear these things? She actually started to feel bad for them.
The first time they ran into another patrol Katara couldn't help but stiffen as she gasped for breath. And then they just passed each other not even saying a word.
Eventually they ran into a patrol who seemed to be lead by someone of higher rank as he wore a more form fitted uniform and wasn't stuck behind a face plate himself. "Report." he asked them in an incredible bored voice. Almost rolling his eyes.
Katara swallowed.
Zhau-Li how-ever saluted. "This district is clear sir. No trouble."
The higher ranking officer groaned deeply. "How hard can it be to find one king?" he asked. "Who is most likely with a platypus-bear." he rubbed his fear.
…. Didn't he mean. Just bear?
"We'll keep looking sir." Zhau-Li said and made the official bow he had showed to Sokka and Katara did before. And the two copied like they had been instructed to do.
"On your way." The man sighed deeply waving his hand in a dismissive tone.
And Zhau-Li nodded as he turned to walk only for the man to call.
"Wait a moment!" he shouted.
Zhau-Li halted in his tracks and so did the others. Zhau-Li turned to the man. "Sir?" he asked.
"Rations are being delivered at the earth kingdom palace court yard. Anyone who has been on duty for more than twelve hours may take a break. Spread the word."
And Zhau-Li bowed for the man again. "Thank you sir." and they were off again.
After they had walked a bit out of sight Sokka poked Zhau-Li on the shoulder. "Let's go to where they hand out rations." he whispered. "We have a better change of over hearing something there."
And Zhau-Li nodded as they walked in the right direction.
As they entered the court yard it was easy to find the line… It was a massive line of people just standing waiting to be handed rations and the three of them joined up.
Next to them a group who had just been handed their rations came walking and one groaned as he unpacked his own. "Yay my favourite." he spoke sarcastically. "Dried fruit, stale biscuits and a tea bag."
"I got Hibiscus tea." His friend sighed disappointed. "What did you get?"
"Jasmine. I assume you want to trade."
"Yes. Thank you. You know I hate hibiscus." The friend sighed in relief and they swapped tea bags.
As Sokka, Katara and Zhau-Li moved down the line there were more people just walking by having similar conversations, very down to earth and well… Normal.
Finally they reached the front where there was one simple wagon and each one was given a simple brown package without a single word.
Then they found a place to sit and unpack to true enough.
Be faced with dried fruit, some biscuits and one tea bag each.
Sokka sighed as he pulled off his helmet like all the others around them, and then put a biscuit into his mouth without thinking only for his eyes to widen. "AUW!" he shouted, then looked at the biscuit. "What in the." he hammered the biscuit at the table. It didn't break. He tried to bite again but to no help. "How… How are you supposed to eat this?"
"Dip them in the tea. It's the only way." Zhau-Li said amused as he poured water for each of them. Then held the cups as soon enough they all started to steam on their own.
Katara squinted her eyes as she held up one of the famed tea bags. "I never seen a tea bag before." she said.
"I was told it used to be better tea." Zhau-Li said. "Then it got changed to tea bags to spite the retired General Iroh. Honestly until I met him I thought that was a rumour."
They didn't get to speak more as more soldiers plummeted down next to them, not surprisingly as seating options were pretty limited.
"Join the fire nation army they said. It'll be an adventure they said." A young man pouted as he took off his helmet. "Thanks mom." he rolled his eyes. "You think they'll at least manage to cook up some decent food now we aren't out walking all day! And have a whole palace!" he gestured at the palace they were sitting in front of, then he poured water for himself. "Hey your cups are steaming. Are any of you fire benders?" he asked.
"Here." Zhau-Li reached over and warmed it up for him and then others who had joined them.
"Thanks man." The young man smiled at them then groaned. "Man, where do you think that earth king could be hiding?" he said. "All the exits are guarded. He shouldn't have been able to leave the city."
"Well…" Sokka hesitated. "It's a big city. Really big."
"So Xing-Yu found someone new to bother." A female soldier commented as she sat down too next to the young man who had to be called Xing-Yu."
"Mind your own business Jie." Xing-Yu muttered.
By the presence of a female soldier Katara seemed to relax and sighed a little relieved.
"Want me to heat up your water for you?" Zhau-Li offered and Jie smiled.
"Thanks. Would be great." Jie replied in a smile as Zhau-Li warmed it up.
Xing-Yu groaned deeply. "No disrespect to the princess. But she's seriously treating us like slaves." he pouted.
"That does sound dis-respect. You should be careful of what you're saying." Jie said. "You know how she treats soldiers that gets out of line."
Xing-Yu shuddered. "Yeah… Forget I said anything."
Sokka hesitated a bit then finally dared to speak up. "So… I heard she managed to capture Prince Zuko and General Iroh."
"Well that's what they say." Xing-Yu shrugged. "Dunno. Feel sorry for them if it's true though." he said while biting in his biscuit. "I mean after the big blunder at the north pole. Apparently all because of General Iroh. Sounds like he got senile in his old age."
That made Kataras brow twitch, Sokkas fist was tightening a little under the table and Zhau-Li sucked in a breath.
Thankfully Xing-Yu and Jie didn't notice a thing.
"If she has Prince Zuko. He's gonna die." Jie shook her head.
"What makes you say that?" Sokka asked.
"It's obvious isn't it?" Jie asked. "Prince Zuko may be a traitor, but there will always be that fact that he is Ozais first born. Princess Azula has to get rid of him for good to make herself the unquestionable heir." she sighed. "There has been rumours going around. Can't imagine they are making Princess Azula happy. In fact if you look at her… No they haven't."
"Rumours?" Sokka asked. "What rumours?"
"You know." Xing-Yu sighed. "That he's rallying the peasants. Orchestrating some sort of coup. That he is making deal with earth kingdom officials to get the throne. And now even allied himself with the Avatar as a way to get rid of Ozai and get the throne himself." he took another bite of his biscuit.
Sokka nearly had to bite his own tongue to stop himself. He really wanted to defend Zuko but knew he couldn't.
"If all of that is all true." Xing-Yu commented. "Guy is an idiot. He's gonna die." he shook his head. "I guess people shouldn't be surprised. I mean what kind of idiot challenges the fire lord to an Agni Kai? In public?" he rolled his eyes. "And then he can't even capture a twelve year old monk. To top it off he apparently was also a key part in botching the North Pole thing. No wonder the fire lord just wanted to get rid of him."
Sokka… Was fuming. This was hard. This was really really hard. And he had to keep a constant eye on his sister because she was way worse than he was when it came to being protective of their friends.
She was an over protective hen-hamster at the best of times.
Zhau-Li inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled again as he glanced up. "Have you ever considered. That maybe… The Fire lord is afraid of him."
"What?" Xing-Yu and Jie both said in unison.
"I mean think about it." Zhau-Li said. "If Prince Zuko was totally incompetent. Why would the fire lord spend so many resources on locating him? Why would they keep talking about it?"
"Because he's a traitor! Duh!" Xing-Yu stated.
"Of course the fire lord would want to silence him before he manages to soil the name of the royal line further." Jie said. Though she did begin to look doubtful.
"I heard he did his best to protect people." Katara couldn't help but say in a snappy tone. "Why would the fire nation army want to invade the north pole anyway? They are not doing anything! And it's not like the land would be any good to the fire nation. It's pure ice! It's just killing for the sake of killing at that point isn't it?"
"Sis. Sshh." Sokka hissed under his breath.
"Look lady." Xing-Yu said. "I don't want any trouble okay? I just do what they tell me to do kay? So please… Keep quiet." he asked. "Or let's talk about something else yeah?"
Katara huffed but finally nodded.
They ate the rest of their lunch in quiet and then left each other with some pretty awkward head nods as Xing-Yu and Jie just scurried off.
Katara huffed. "Did you see that? They are looking at us like we are complete nut cases."
"Well. From their perspective we probably are." Sokka sighed deeply.
Katara pouted.
"Katara…. Think of it. What do you think happens if ordinary soldiers are caught speaking well of Zuko in this army?" Sokka asked in a whisper. "Azula controls this army. What do you think she would do to them."
Kataras eyes widened and then she glanced away.
Zhau-Li swallowed as his hands tightened.
"Heh you know." Sokka commented. "The more I learn about Zuko the more I have to admirer the guy." he said. "I mean think. This is what he is up against, every single day. And was up against the last three years. And he still had the gut to stick to his principles. If everyone were always calling me an idiot and a coward like that. I'm not even sure I could."
Katara silenced and then she glanced up. Nodding.
Zhau-Li just stood with closed eyes.
"What are you thinking Zhau-Li?" Sokka asked.
"If there is any hope for the fire nation. Any at all." Zhau-Li whispered. "It lays with Prince Zuko. I have known that for a while." he looked up. "I first suspected when he aided us, mere refuges and asked for nothing in return. The more time I spend with Prince Zuko, the more I was convinced. When I saw how he handled King Kuei, how he spoke that day… I knew." he said. "There was no longer any doubt in my mind. And now, I am merely being confirmed." he said. "I hope you don't find me imprudent. But in comparison our lives are of little importance. Prince Zuko cannot die."
"Hey. Don't put yourself down." Sokka said stepping forward. "Zuko is only human. He needs friends just as much as anyone. And with all the shit he'll have to deal with." he rolled his eyes. "He's gonna need you around buddie."
"Exactly." Katara stated. "Now let's go find his royal highness." she stated. "He has to be somewhere."