Two Warriors.

Chapter 7: Costias Warning.

For the next few months Azgeda seemed to keep a low profile as did those inside of Mount Weather. Unfortunately, such calm times masked a storm brewing under the surface.
It was the arrival of a hunter from Ingranronakru that changed everything. The Plains Riders had always supported Polis and had been allies of Trikru and most of the clans for many years. They traded in horses, an integral part of everyday life for our culture.
This Plains Rider had arrived at the gates of Polis covered in blood, demanding to see The Commander. After trying to force her way past the guards she was restrained and taken to a holding cell. Plains Riders were renowned for their fiery tempers, this girl was no different.
Lexa gave her time to cool down before having the girl brought before her. Gustus led the bound Plains girl into the throne room and she dropped to her knees, beaten and blooded. We were wary of her intentions and her story. Lexa demanded that she explain herself and we all listened intently.
It would seem on her way back to her clan after completing her rite of passage into the wilderness, a tradition every Plains Rider must endure, she sought shelter from a storm in a tavern near to the lands of Azgeda. Here she overheard two inebriated Ice Nation soldiers speaking of Queen Nia's intension to march against Lexa. The Ice Queen craved power and control over Polis, she had made it known she had no respect for a Trikru Commander. The girl had killed the warriors during a fight and rode back to Polis to warn Heda.
She seemed to speak the truth, but as with any matter such as this, it was approached with a degree of caution. Lexa ordered for the girls injuries to be taken care of and for her war council to begin preparations. If the information was correct war was coming to Polis, the clans would be called to choose allegiances and the  hope of a coalition of twelve clans seemed to be fading.
It all rested on the story of The Plains Girl known as Costia.

There was a part of me that remained skeptical of this Plains Rider. Her name alone was not of Ingranronakru origins, it was a Trikru name. She'd explained to Lexa how eighteen years ago her parents were visiting the village of Anacostia to trade horses. Costia was born earlier than expected and complications had arisen for both mother and child. The healers of Anacostia saved their lives, so to honour the Chief she was named after his home. The Plains Rider with a Trikru name.
I'd sent riders to speak with the old chief of Anacostia and to seek out Costias family to confirm her identity. They returned days later with news that she spoke the truth of who she was. We no longer had reason to doubt her words of warning. Nia was indeed preparing for war on Lexa. A power hungry Queen at the head of a vicious army of warriors was not to be taken lightly.
We had discussed many options on how to approach the Azgeda threat. No formal declaration of war had been sent from The Ice Nation nor did we know if Nia had the support of any other clans. There was talk she may have discovered another Nightblood in the lands of ice which would explain such a bold move. Since the conclave, Titus had his scouts searching for other Natblidas to train in Polis but as of yet none had been found or come forward. If Nia had control of a Nightblood she would have control of Polis and the only person standing in her way of the Commanders throne was Lexa.
We did our best to hold back on our theories until they could be substantiated. We needed facts, solid information about Nia's plan for war.
It wasn't long before some of the blank spaces were filled in. Two Azgeda spies were discovered  in the Commanders Woods on the boarderlands of Polis. One was killed trying to escape, the other was handed over to Gustus for questioning. The Trikru war chief was known for his persuasive nature when dealing with our enemies. The Azgeda spy held his tongue for as long as possible until finally Gustus broke his resolve.

The broken Azgeda spy had spoken of many things. War was coming, Queen Nia had already sought the support of other clans. She craved Ice Nation leadership in Polis and would stop at nothing to gain this seat of power.
It became apparent that the Ice Queen was aware of the situation with Costia and the now deceased Azgeda soliders that attacked her in the tavern. She had put it to some of the clans that Lexa was harbouring a murderer of her warriors and Azgeda would not stand for such an injustice. This twisting of the truth now made it viable for Nia to use this as a convenient excuse to challenge Lexa. She knew full well Heda would not give up the Plains Rider to the Ice Nation. Lexa had her honour and Nia intended to use this to manipulate any clan that showed a glimmer of support.
Costia had offered to hand herself over to Nia. She expressed that even a poor excuse to declare war could still be as potent at justifiable reasons, she wouldn't be used as an excuse for Azgeda to attack Lexa. I was impressed by Costias honour and loyalty. Lexa wouldn't here of it, she wouldn't allow Costia to become a victim of Nia's thirst for power.
It had become clear to me over the past few weeks that Lexa and Costia had started to become close, much to the dismay of Titus. He was of the mind that the position of Heda meant a solitary life with no emotional connections, but some bonds go beyond what is expected of us by others.
I saw the way Lexa looked at Costia and the way she returned her glances. They had a connection, more than duty, more than friendship and to this day I believe they both truly loved each other. I always trusted that Lexa knew her own mind, that she was aware falling in love could be risky for someone in her position. Love seldom asks to be welcomed into our lives, it crashes into our hearts and even the strongest of warriors are unable to keep it at bay.
Even in such grave times they had found a peace with each other. The leader and the hunter side by side as we stood on the brink of war.