I Know Places

V

Her fingers trace the edge of her bed. Lexa would be speaking to the Skaikru leader at this moment, and that made Lia very uneasy. She only feared the worse.
Lexa was very sympathetic — that made Lia worry. She didn't want her friend to end up the same way she had. To anyone else, Lexa was the strong minded, cold leader of the Trikru, one who showed little weakness to anyone. To Lia, she was a kitten. Lexa was soft, gentle. She had seemingly hardened after the death of Costia, but not to Lia. Never to Lia.
Lia was her shoulder to cry on, the one she leaned on in bad times. Though many speculated that the two were lovers, the affection between them was purely plutonic. They loved each other dearly, but not in the way Lexa had loved Costia. Or the way Lia had loved Nikius. Lia sighs to herself. Thinking of Nikius only made her feel worse. She had no idea whether he was alive or not. He had left for Polis months before, Lia worried for him. He should've been back weeks ago. She felt even more guilty that he hadn't crossed her mind in so long.

Lexa peaked her head into Lia's tent, not quite knowing how to explain her meeting with the Skaikru.
"Lia?" Her voice is soft, unlike her usual 'commander' presence. Lexa was unsure of what to tell her, Lia already didn't trust the Sky People. Lia turns to face her friend, a slight smile on her face, but it drops when she notices Lexa's worry.
"What's wrong?" Lia hesitates.
"I have spoken with Kane," She puts on her Commander facade, "I was lenient. I gave them a chance to explain. To save themselves," She sighs, meeting Lias confused expression. Them? She only knew of the Kane. "One of them attacked me — threatened my life. We used him to send a message to their people; blood must have blood." Lexa sits down by Lia's side, "They have two days to leave. If they don't, we attack. Plain and simple."
Lia feels slightly conflicted, some of the  Sky People were good. After all, they were only trying to survive, but that didn't weigh out the things sky people were capable of doing. Lia had witnessed that boy, barely eighteen, massacre an entire village. If a child could do that — showing no sign of mercy — what were their elders capable of? She sighs deeply.

Anya had told her many things about the sky people. From their merciless antics to their ability to lie through their teeth. Many of Anya's best warriors were lost during a plead for truce. They tricked her. Their so-called 'peacekeeper' fought for a truce, convincing Anya to meet with their leader. Promised they would be alone; unarmed. Anya was skeptical, arranging for archers to perch in the surrounding trees - just in case something was to go wrong. When the violent beings fired at her people, Anya was able to get away safe. Not a week later, the killers exploded their bridge. Anya's second, a thirteen year old, was killed. The Skaikru were reckless. Merciless. The sooner they were gone, the better. 

****

Lexa, along with her army, made their way to the Skaikru camp. Having tried and failed to argue against Lia's company, Lexa rides by her side. She knew Lia was strong, one of their better warriors, but Lexa worried only for her safety. She couldn't re-live Costia.  She wouldn't re-live Costia.
Lia shoots a comforting smile at Lexa. The two were stronger together, able to bounce off each other's energy. Lia pushed Lexa to be tough, determined, and in turn, Lexa made Lia more strong-willed.
Lia sighs, realising she'd been weak in recent days. She had allowed herself to show weakness to her enemies. She'd shown her fear; that was unacceptable. What kind of grounder showed fragility? It made you weak.
You are not weak, she thinks to herself. Refusing to show her vulnerability again.

The group nears Camp Jaha — Lexa's army now surrounding it, and as the night draws, the audible panic of the Skaikru grows.
    One day left.
Lia was unsure of what the Sky People would do. They couldn't possibly believe they could fight against the Trikru, could they? She scoffed.
Stupid beings.
Why hadn't they left?
Slipping off of her horse, Lia makes her way towards the Commander's tent. Lux following close behind her. His loyalty to her never faltered. She smiles at him, patting his side as she wraps his rein around a post. Lia had missed her loyal companion. She found herself so incredibly thankful that he'd been safe.
"Lexa," She strolls toward the smiling girl sitting proud on her throne, dagger twisting in her hand. "Whatever happens, know I won't hesitate to protect you."
Lexa sighs, the thought of losing Lia crossing her mind once again.
"She would be proud of you, Lex." She pauses for a second, recognising just how far Lexa had come since the incident; "I'm proud of you."
Lexa mouths 'Thank you', before ordering her to rest. The following day could be a big day for them, the impending war looming over them.