The snow settled upon the ground. No longer white, but crimson red with the blood of fallen warriors. Azgeda and the aligning clans had fled. The bodies of the dead were piled high and burnt, the injured were attended to. No Azgeda soldier was left alive.
I gathered in your tent along with your Generals and War Chiefs. You thanked them for their courage and arranged to reconvene the next day to discuss marching forward. Azgeda would not hold back and neither would we. Only the two of us remained after they left your tent.
Both of us felt the physical effects of combat. Our bodies blooded and torn up. I watched as you attempted to take off your armour. It was clear you were in pain, but tried your best not to show it. "Sit." I said, as you continued to struggle."I'm fine," you stubbornly replied. You may be The Commander, but you were still the girl I loved, "Lexa! I'm not gonna say it twice." A sigh left your lips as you sat upon your throne.
I removed your armour and coat to reveal some deep cuts on your upper back and shoulder. Using a bowl of water I washed away some of the blood to clean your injuries, "I'm sorry if this hurts." You winced ever so sightly. I could see pain and anger in you eyes, "Azgeda ambushed us!" I watched the midnight blood washdown your back, over your tattoos, "They killed your scouts, Lexa. How were you to know?" You were frustrated and furious, "I'm The Commander, I should always be one step ahead." I would not allow you to punish yourself this way, "You are also only human, fallible like any other person in this world. Yes, Azgeda attacked, yes they caught us by surprise, but you stood your ground and beat them back. It was Azgeda who fled, not us, not Lexa Kom Trikru."
You rested your head upon my shoulder. We were both exhausted. As you rested against me, you spoke softly, wearily, "Will you stay with me tonight?" I wrapped my arms around you and held you close, "I wouldnt want to be anywhere else." We both slept heavy that night, exhausted from battle, but comforted by the presence of each other.
The next morning I awoke to an empty bed. It felt strange not to feel you laying next to me. I tried to move, but my body ached from combat. I knew that soon we would be preparing for battle again, there was no time to rest. War offered us no such kindness. I found my clothes, got dressed and walked out into the open air.
The morning was was cold and crisp. Mist had settled around us, creating poor visibility. The encampment was a hive of activity, your warriors preparing for marching forward into enemy territory. I saw you in the distance speaking with your Generals. You stood strong as though your injuries no longer held any pain. I knew they must have, but I also knew how important it was for The Commander not to show weakness.
I cautiously approached, not wanting to overstep my place. It was Indra who saw me first, holding her arm out to greet me, "Costia. You fought well yesterday. I hope your spear is ready for more?" I reached for her arm and grabbed it tight, honoured by the gesture, "Always! Just tell me when we march." They smiled at my eagerness for battle.
After you'd finished giving your orders you dismissed them. We walked through the camp and spoke of what was to come. "How are you feeling?" I asked. "A little sore, but there's no time to dwell. As soon as this mist clears we move across the border." The lack of visibly was hindering our progression into enemy territory, "Rockline wont make it easy. They wont allow us to reach Azgedas lands without reigning death down upon your warriors." My words were apprehensive. Boudalankru were just a fierce as The Ice Nation. You reassured me, fully prepared to face them head on, "This time we'll be ready. They wont expect us to retaliate so quickly. Nia's made her move, now we make ours." We continued to walk, breathing the fresh, cold air into our lungs. When you face death, its always the small things you notice, your senses becoming heightened. The moment of calm was shattered as one of your warriors rode frantically into camp, "HEDA! Riders
They came out of the mist like ghosts, two Rockline Generals led by Prince Roan of Azgeda, a show of solidarity. They came with a message from Queen Nia.
You moved to The Commanders tent and sat upon your throne, full armour and warpaint. This was a show of strength to Roan. I stood by your side with your Generals. As the Prince was escorted into the tent the atmosphere became tense. You spoke defiantly, "You have a message for me from Queen Nia? Speak!" Roan looked around the room, wary of his situation, "The Queen asks for your surrender." I watched as you scowled at him, "She expects me to bow down after one battle? A fight, I may add, we were the victors of." The Prince smirked, "That was just a warm up. If you cross into Rockline territory, you will face real war, Heda. End this now. Surrender."
You stood to your feet and glared at Roan, "We will march through the lands of Rockline and decimate those who stand in our way. Then your lands will be next. I ask you, Prince Roan, when your traitorous mother is at the end of my sword where will you be? Bleeding next to her or on your knees asking for my forgiveness?" Roan never backed down once. He was born of The Ice Lands and Azgeda always stood fast, "This only ends one way, Heda. The Queen is merciful and asks only for one life, your life. One death to stop the slaughter of many. Even your Plains Rider gets to keep her head. Carry on down this path and only death awaits." Infuriated by his boldness you began to raise your voice, "You have no honour and neither does your Queen. If she wants my blood tell her to come and spill it herself! We're done here! Escort The Prince to the border. We'll meet again on the battlefield."
Prince Roan simply replied, "So be it," before being walked out of the tent by your warriors. Queen Nia craved death and death was what she would bring.
