Traveler's Blessing

Chapter 19: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow

Nya and Han had departed from the group before the council meeting. Nya had to arrange for Lexa's security detail for the rest of their stay, and Han had to inspect the parameters around the camp. The meeting with the Podakru leaders from different villages was a standard procedure to update Lexa on the current situation. Indra was there too. After the meeting ended, she accompanied Lexa and Gustus back to camp. Indra has some other things to discuss with Lexa in private. Costia will have to catch up with her Seda later. This evening, Costia has something else in mind. She is making her way to the town's tavern. Now that she is no longer Lexa's guard, she is free to roam the night without worrying about a night shift. A messenger had told her Niylah was waiting for her there.

Veland is extremely cold at night. Unlike Polis, most street vendors are closed by this hour. Costia is not used to the weather and is dying to drink something that will warm her up. She hurries through a dark and wet alley. The sound of slushy snow crunches beneath her as she quickens her steps towards the direction of a distant noise of a live bar.

Costia steps into the warm tavern, orange lit by the fireplace in the center with candles all around the room. The place is filled with locals donned in blue and yellow. Costia notices that most of the patrons are warriors of Podakru. The strife between Podakru and Delfi is taking a toll on them. Their faces are hollow and worn in muck and dirt, all of whom are drawn here by the siren of alcohol and a good lay. The air is stuffy and enclosed from the weather outside. There is a lingering odor of musk and smoke mixed in with the scent of strong alcohol and something acidic and rancid in the backdrop. Costia's presence is immediately noticed. There is a sense of regal and purpose in her stride, that and she is beautiful. She spots Niylah at the bar and walks towards her.

"Hey," Costia leans on the counter and greets her friend.

"Hmm, I thought you wouldn't get here until much later," Niylah mumbles as she downs the content in her cup and refills it with a bottle that is already sitting on the counter.

Niylah seldom looks so gloomy. By the looks of it, the half-empty bottle probably has something to do with it. "What's going on? Why are we meeting here?" This is not the best place to talk privately. But Costia can tell something is up.

"My mother was taken by the mountain five years ago today," Niylah says as she swirls liquor around with her cup, her eyes glossy.

Costia sighs; she takes off her jacket and places it on a barstool before sitting down next to Niylah. "Another bottle and another cup, please." She motions the person behind the counter. She was going to order some food; since she hadn't eaten yet. But her friend's sour mood has chased her hunger away. Tonight she will drink with her soul-traveling friend.

"Notice how many things are the same? How little we can change?" Niylah asks, her voice muted.

Costia did notice, and the thought was unnerving. "Yeah, I do." There are so many people they need to save. The barkeep puts down a clay bowl and a bottle in front of Costia, and she pours herself a healthy serving.

"How can we be sure that we do better today than we did yesterday?" Niylah asks, quoting Abby and Kane's favorite saying, "Or rather better today than tomorrow?" Niylah asks as she takes another hit of alcohol.

"Hmm, haven't heard that one before," Costia chuckles ruefully. "Somethings did change ... after Indra and I got together. Nothing huge, but maybe to alter events, it will take more than one of us that is aware. Like pushing something heavy uphill, the more people helping, the easier. Or maybe it's like a snowball effect. Small changes in the beginning, turning into a bigger difference in the end." Costia downs her drink. Letting the heat of the alcohol travel down her core. "Perhaps it's a combination of both."

Niylah turns to listen to her friend's theories. She shakes her head, "Or I was just too young to make a difference. Or maybe I'm cursed to have this happen to me every lifetime."

"You know ... Gaia lost her father too. She was also very young when it happened. It was an event Indra couldn't prevent. She was ... devasted, but Indra was more understanding this time." Costia traces her finger along the rim of her cup. Indra is not training Gaia to become a warrior in this life. Instead, Gaia went straight into being a Flamekeeper Scout. This way, she can watch over Madi in secret and replace Titus when the time comes.

"If only we had located you ... maybe things would have been different. I'm sorry." Costia offers, placing her hand on Niylah's arm. Niylah shakes her head, indicating she is not placing blame.

"Next time, when we reset again, tell us where to find you." Costia frowns as she refills both their vessels. "We can do better ... yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Costia is not close to her parents in this life; she was sent away to train under Indra and rarely sees them. In fact, most grounders are not close to their parents, especially amongst warriors. They believe the sentiment makes them weak. This is also why Gaia rejected the way of the warrior when her father died and had a tumultuous relationship with Indra in the previous life. But Niylah is different. She was one of the few that accepted Skaikru, learning their ways. Niylah is one of the most loving, compassionate, and empathetic people Clarke has ever met on the ground. These are rare traits in this culture. Perhaps it is because of her upbringing. Being the offspring of forbidden love, the daughter of an Azgeda mother and a Trikru father.

Even though Costia is not close to her parents, she can still relate to Niylah because she too lost her parents in the sky. She is heartbroken for her friend and hopes Niylah can escape this pain in the next life.

"Til the next reset," Niylah smiles weakly and raises her cup.

Click*

Their cups meet.

"Next reset," echoes Costia, silently vowing to herself.