The massive sleds had been made of a lightweight wood since their mounts weren't used to being hitched to anything. On the sleds were crates of food and bundles of lumber; relief stores for an area that didn't have timber or farming. It only increased Zuko's confusion, but he kept quiet. He tried to think back to earlier in the year and what possibly could have changed.
The Ice Raids had begun right after the last Airbender had been killed. It was well understood that the next Avatar would be a Waterbender, so Azulon had sent troops to both Poles. The North had sealed itself away, being only one city, but the South Pole had tribes all over the lower continent. After forty years of raids, and no sight of the next Avatar, the raids were halted. Only a few raiding parties were sent out; usually by men who had a weakness.
Zuko had only gone to the South Pole because he had spent three years combing over each and every Air Temple. He had gone to circle back, to be precise where other men had blundered.
If Lu Ten wasn't searching for the Avatar, why had he come to the South Pole?
Zuko hoped that by keeping quiet, he would learn something, anything, that would help him understand this timeline.
The sleds pulled up short just outside of the village. Standing at the top of a soft snow wall was one lone figure. Blanching, Zuko remembered how he had arrived. And how Sokka had been standing sentinel.
Lu Ten halted the party and urged his mount forward.
"Hello! I am Lu Ten, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. I am requesting peaceful entrance to your village." He called out. The figure that Zuko knew was Sokka shifted uneasily at the top of the wall.
"Why are you here?" Sokka called back. Zuko winced at the sound, hearing the youth in his friend's voice. Along with the inherent mistrust.
"We've been told there is a Waterbender in your village." Lu Ten answered honestly. "We're here to check on them, and offer a ride to the North Pole for training. If they'd like."
Sokka straightened and Zuko felt his stomach clench. Sokka's worst nightmare had just arrived; another Fire Nation soldier come now to take his sister away. Zuko turned slightly to watch his cousin.
"You can't take her." Sokka yelled, his voice thin and high with fear.
"His mother I bet." Lu Ten muttered under his breath to Zuko.
"Or a sister." Zuko murmured back and Lu Ten smirked.
"I don't plan on taking anyone. I only offer the same peaceful passage I am seeking." Lu Ten said back to Sokka. "And I bring supplies."
Atop the wall, Sokka turned, as if listening to someone down below. Without a word, he jumped down from the wall and disappeared from view, making Lu Ten sigh in irritation.
"The whole village is probably filled with women and feeble idiots. Poor peasant like that doesn't stand a chance." He remarked and Zuko's stomach twisted. He had forgotten how they all used to talk, even Iroh, before the fateful siege changed everything.
When Zuko didn't say anything, Lu Ten turned to regard him.
"You're awfully quiet Zuko. Still feeling ill?" He questioned.
"I'm fine." Zuko replied sullenly.
"Well is there something in your eye? You keep touching it."
Zuko's hand snapped back down onto the reins of his mount and he pulled his lips into a thin line.
"It's the cold." He said firmly and Lu Ten just made a quick grunt of acceptance.
Zuko's hands twisted around the reins. He really had to work harder on not giving himself away.