Hostile Peace

6 - Apprehension

(2-year time jump. Lexa is now 12)

Lexa POV

"Novitiates!" Titus called for me and the other natblidas. We had been sitting down listening to the Commander give instructions and now he was calling us to begin our own duelling.

"You will each partner up with your assigned partner and head to a duelling circle. Choose your weapons from the rack to the right. A point is given each time someone pins the other. First person to three points wins the round and you may take a small break before the next round. Any questions?" Titus paused and waited for any of the novitiates to speak up. No one said anything so he nodded and continued his speech, "Get to work Natblidas!"

We all got up from the ground and grabbed our weapons before heading to our duelling circles. I picked up a simple steel longsword with leather wrappings over the handle. I turned the handle in my hand and told Luna to go ahead as I hung back at the weapons rack, we were in an arena with gravel grounds, that was located in the forest nears the walls of Polis. The arena was surrounded by seats, empty now because novitiate training is strictly confidential. There were multiple circles drawn in the gravel ground, duelling circles for the natblidas to train in. From my position I could clearly see all of the novitiates duelling. In the first ring Arlo, Louisa and Koa fought. It was always challenging with an odd number of novitiates, but these three were always placed together as they fought fair. Arlo is only ten and yet he is hilarious and always knew how to make a room laugh, he is very brave always stands up for what he values. Arlo would make a strong Commander that put his people first. Also ten, Louisa fears nothing and is very adventurous, never scared to climb a tree or even that one time when she managed to get out the novitiate chambers on the 37th floor and climb down to the 26th level to go to the kitchen. She hates the limelight and shies away from any form of attention. As a Commander she might be a bit reckless, but she would never do anything that she knew would negatively impact her people or anything for any ulterior motives. Koa's only nine and yet he is so caring and so loving, he notices when someone needs just a little bit of attention. When he sees this he makes them feel better and hides them needing help, pretending it's him that needs attention. He would make a brilliant Commander, identifying what his people needs and getting his hands dirty to make sure he achieves it. His creativity would allow him to find new ways to approach the same old tasks. In the next circle Martina and Harlow fought. Martina is only eight and yet she probably has one of the largest chances at becoming Commander. Brilliant at fighting, but she usually leaves her left side unprotected. She pays attention in classes and spends her free time training or studying. She's strong and resilient and would make a brave and great Commander. Harlow is eleven and always has a smile on her face. Her and Arlo together could make an entire village smile. She'd make a reliable and fair Commander that would be brave in the face of trouble. In the next circle Miles and Gideon fought. At 15 Miles is a brilliant young man and should be allowed grow into kind and gentle man. He is a talented healer and has even developed new medicines to better combat diseases and infections. As a Commander he would understanding of what his people needs and be a statue of trust for the Clans. Gideon on the other hand is a very serious man. He is only 17 and yet understands that being the Commander isn't a easy feat. He is brave and determined and as a Commander nothing would stop him from achieving what he believes to be best. The last circle is mine and Luna's. Luna is the oldest at 18 and is an extraordinary warrior, brilliant with her daggers and spear. She is kind and caring and brave all at the same time. She would make sure her people receive what they need and are looked after and would ensure peace throughout the clans. Lastly there's me. 12-year-old Lexa who doesn't know what to believe. Every single one of these natblidas deserve to live and yet only one will get too. The clans would be lucky to have any one of them as Commander and yet only one can be.