I began to regain consciousness, my blurred vision focusing on my surroundings. I was inside a cave like structure, chained to the ground. The air was so cold, I could see my breath. The only light emanated from a grid high above me. My head still reeled from the attack, my face blooded, my wrists bruised from the chains. I wondered if you even knew I'd been taken. Your face flashed in my mind but you felt so far out of reach. I became afraid, this fear creeps in until it devours you. I had to stay strong.
The door to my prison opened, Prince Roan entered. He approached me and wrapped some furs around my shoulders. I flinched, wary of his intensions. He handed me a cup of water, "I'm sorry it has to be this way."
I pushed the water from his hand, "Is your Queen so cowardly she couldnt face me herself or do you always do the dirty work for her?"
Roan grinned at me, "You have fire, Plains Girl."
The sound of his voice calling me 'Plains Girl' infuriated me. That was for you and you only, "Call me that again and you'll need more than chains to hold me back!"
My anger raged, he saw it flash in my eyes, "If you want to survive this then that fire of yours needs to burn much cooler."
I didnt believe his words or the treacherous nature of his Queen, "You expect me to believe Nia will let me live?"
He seemed convinced by her warped sense of honour, "If you tell her what she wants to know, then yes. Don't take us for savages, we honour our clan just as you honour yours."
I glared at him, "It seems strange to me that Azgedas honour is based on the madness of a power hungry Queen. Is that how you walk in this world, Roan? Is that how your people want to be remembered?"
I could tell I'd touched a nerve as he quickly changed the subject. He unlocked my chains from the ground and pulled me upright, "Get to your feet."
That fear began to creep in again, "Where are we going?"
He led me out of that cold cell, "My Queen wishes to talk." I was to face Queen Nia and her fury.
Roan led me by my chains outside into the snow. It wad clear by the landscape we were in the heart of Azgeda territory. I looked up at the ice mountains as we approached a majestic looking building. The Prince offered me some advise, before entering, "Remember what I said, keep that fire ice cold, the Queen doesn't suffer insolence." I said nothing, I didnt care what Nia wanted.
The double doors swung open and we walked into a grand hall. Queen Nia sat upon a throne of furs and stone. Roan spoke, "The prisoner Costia, my Queen!" I stood in silence, my glare burning through her.
She smirked, looking me up and down, "So, you're the one who softens Commander Lexa's heart!" I held my silence as she scoffed at me, "What, girl! Nothing? All you have is silence for me? Well, the least you can do is bow." She was mocking me. I would not bow before this Queen. "Guards, make this Plains Rider bow." One of her guards stuck me across the back. I fell to the floor. "Thats much better. Now you know your place." She cleared her throat and continued, "You have a certain value to me, Costia. You know of Lexa's battle strategy, this its useful in such tumultuous times. Then there's her weakness for you. I want Lexa's head, maybe she'll trade it for the life of her lover?"
I couldn't hold my tongue any longer, "Lexa is The Commander, she will not surrender to you, Nia!"
She grinned back at me, "There's that Plains temper I've heard so much about. You see, my riders have already sent word to Lexa that I hold you prisoner. I hear she didn't take the news so well."
I couldnt help but think how you must be feeling. My anger began to build, "Dont assume love is weakness. Lexa will continue to fight, you achieve nothing here."
Nia mockingly sighed at me, "Shame. Her head would look good on a spike outside of my halls. I suppose I'll have to settle for the information that dwells in that pretty little head of yours. Guards! Take our guest back to her cell. She's about to learn how Azgeda views their enemies." A sense of dread washed over me. What was left of my future felt so bleak.
