As I reached the gates of Polis I stood in awe at the sight before me. A huge tower reaching into the sky as far as the eye could see. It was magnificent. These buildings still linking us back to our ancestors, to a time before the bombs had fallen. My concentration was broken by one of the guards at the gate, "Relinquish weapons before entering!"
I am a girl from The Plains, to be without my bow and my spear was unheard of. I glared at the guard as he spoke again, "Everyone, even you girl. By order of The Commander! You can take the horse and the dead beast through, but your weapons remain here."
I reluctantly gave up my weapons and walked through the gates, leading my horse as she pulled the stag behind her on a makeshift cart.
The Capital was so alive, so vibrant. People trading, selling food, conversing, all from different clans. I had a few inquisitive looks from people, this masked Plains Rider and her giant stag.
It wasn't long before a man stopped me to ask about my kill. He wished to trade and luckily he had most of the items I needed for the rest of my journey back to my clan. His determination to offer me as little as possible for my kill was beginning to become frustrating. Riders from The Plains never merely settled as a matter of pride and reputation. The bartering was starting to get heated, when I heard a voice from behind me, "You should know better than trying to cheat a girl from The Plains!"
The voice was calm and collected but with a sense of authority. The man became silent and bowed his head.
I'll never forget that day in Polis, meeting you for the first time. I remember thinking who was this person standing behind me, interrupting my negotiations. Stubborn as ever, I needed no help. I turned around and let my words run away with me, "I'm not sure what you think you're doing, but I can fight my own...."
I cut my sentence short, my jaw dropped to find you, The Commander, Heda standing before me.
You stood there, all stoic in full Commanders attire, flanked by two sentries. Through such a regal appearance there was also a soft grace to your nature. You must have seen the the shock that blazed across my face as you simply grinned back at me and replied, "I'm in no doubt of your trading skills, but it doesn't hurt to accept help once in a while."
Your voice was so calm, like you were teaching me a life lesson. I lost the ability to speak at first and if i'm honest I do believe you openly mocked me. "A Plains Rider lost for words? A sight you don't see very often."
I struggled to find my voice, "My apologies, Heda. If I'd have known it was you I'd have been more civil with my words." You were gracious to a fault, "No apology needed. We are who we are. Your eye seems to be bleeding by the way."
I brought my hand to my face and felt the sticky, wet blood running down it. I still have the scar to this day.
"The stag put up a good fight," I said. You nodded back at me and for a second we held each others gaze. I noticed how green your eyes were, Trikru green I thought.
The moment was broken as another of your guards approached you requesting your presence in the throne room. Once again it dawned on me the importance of the figure standing before me. As you turned to leave you smiled once again, "Take care of that eye, Plains Girl."
I watched you walk away in your black armour, red sash flowing behind you. I remember how regal you looked, how powerful. 'Plains Girl,' you said. It made me grin as I spoke softly, hoping the wind would carry my words, "My name is Costia."
