May we (never) meet again

Chapter 14- The living are gone, the dead are hungry

"Wanheda." Titus started his speech, by acknowledging the Queen's title and lightly tilting his head in respect, even tho his tone wasn't close to respectful in the slightest. His dislike to the Queen was well known everywhere, and his eyes, that were looking straight into the woman's face made everyone in the room even more aware of his stand.

"I do not think that any of us want to be in this situation longer than needed. Your letter didn't contain any real information about this situation, what is it, that you hope to achieve by this meeting?" His tone was cold and harsh, like he wasn't the one who was the guest in another clan. The Queen didn't seem to be entirely bothered by it, but she was never the one to show much emotions. Her piercing eyes seemed to be still targeted on Lexa, before she slowly turned her attention to the King.

"Your people had killed mine. Innocent children. If there is something that i do not tolerate, its murdering my citizens without any provocation from my side." Wanheda's voice had sounded almost robotic to the brunette, very suiting to a young woman. But there was still a sign of calmness and confidence, that seemed to come naturally.

The woman's voice had seemed almost familiar to Lexa, even tho she wasn't able to place it anywhere but she just shrugged it off to a pure coincidence. There was no possible way, that she had ever heard it before.

"I did not sent those people to harm anyone here in Arkadia. Their actions do not reflect anything." Titus denied the Queen's hidden accusation, refusing to take any responsibility for what had happened.

"Maybe you did not sent them, but they still came here. Tell me, Titus. Is it normal for your people to light orphanages on fire?" The Queen had lightly tilted her head to the sight, looking like a predator that was observing its future pray.

It was a trick question, of course. All of them knew, that there weren't any orphanages in Trikru, but it seemed like the Queen's was enjoying keeping the man on his toes. If he said no, he would have to apologise. But if his answer was yes, it would surely resolve in an even bigger conflict.

The king seemed to be speachless, knowing that whatever answer he could come up with, it would most likely be wrong. His lips were tightly pressed together, almost as he was trying to stop the words from getting out.

"As i thought. It should not be a practice for anyone, much less the leader of Trikru."

Titus seemed to want to intervine into the Queen's sentence, but she stopped him with a light movement of her hand, almost daring him to try and interupt her.

"I have heard, that this season wasn't exactly the best for your hunters and gatherers, is that right?" The king's eyes seemed to show a flitter of surprise at the sudden change of subject, before he had warily agreed with the woman's words.

"It is true, that this season wasn't entirely plentiful. But i do not see how that is your concern."

"Everything that affects my people is my concern. And even when our relationship is more than complicated, Trikru's animal hides, furs and wood supply are a part of our supplies for the winter months."

Even when Arkadia had the most modern tech out of all the clans, they were still heavily relaying on natural materials and fuels, from all around the world. Most of their suplies were contracted, but the Trikru has always been an exception. Their relationship didn't allow the two clans to have more than a relationship build on a mere tolerance, and hope, that both sides will need each other at least enough to be somewhat civil, which had proven itself to be a mistake on its own.

This winter was supposed to be the harshest one in the last decade, and everyone was trying the prepare themselves to the best of their ability. Arkadia was well prepared, but their population number grew significantly in the past year, including the people that decided to migrate from their clans into Arkadia, either for their marketsin Polis or because of the situation elsewhere and fear about the lack of resources. This year didn't seem to be entirely kind to anyone.