Two Warriors.

Chapter 15: The Price Of War.

Overlooking the realm of Azgeda, Lexa pondered on what the Ice Queen's strategy would be, now that all but one clan had left her side.
Staring at the ruins of the old cathedral where Nia dwelled, we wondered if she was even a true Queen. She'd always maintained that her family hailed back to royalty before the bombs fell, but maybe this was just a story Azgeda told their children who would one day become their leaders.
We moved into position, surrounding the gates and perimeter of the heart of Azgeda. No movement or sound came from inside. Lexa's voice broke the silence, "SURRENDER OR FACE THE ARMIES OF THE CLANS!"
There was no response from the Ice Nation.

As Lexa gave orders for the gates to be broken down, a figure on horseback emerged from them. Cautiously he rode towards us, looking back only once as if it would be the last time he'd ever see these lands. Prince Roan of Azgeda halted in front of us, much to Lexa's surprise, "Where is Queen Nia and The Grand Chief of Rockline?" She demanded. Roan looked solemn as he spoke, "Queen Nia and Cheif Soren wish to make you an offer. Withdraw your armies and they will not longer seek to move on Polis or your position as Heda." Lexa looked at us and grinned sarcastically at Roan's message, "Even now pride makes a mockery of this so called surrender. Your Queen is a traitor and all traitors must pay a price. This is the law!"
Roan nodded in agreement, "It is clear that Azgeda has lost this war. I am here to pay that price my life for the lives of my people. Withdraw your forces, Commander. No futher bloodshed needs to happen." It was a bold move by Queen Nia and a cruel one.
No one was sure if The Prince had offered to do this or his mother had made him the sacrificial lamb, but blood must have blood and by law these terms were acceptable.
Lexa gave her orders accordingly, "Sentries take the Prince and put him into chains."
She dismounted her horse and walked up to the gates of Azgeda. Using the hilt of her dagger, she nailed a piece of parchment to them. Upon it was the sigil of Azgeda with a cross through it written in blood, "For Costia." The war was over.

The journey back to Polis was long and for the most part Lexa kept to herself and remained in silence.
We had been away from Polis for months, fighting for the the honour of our Capital, the legacy of The Commanders and for Lexa Kom Trikru. Losses had been felt on all sides, our resilience tested physical, mentally and emotionally. Our deeds would weight heavy for quite some time.
As we approached our lands the Tower of Polis could be seen in the distance. It was a welcome sight. The armies of each clan were permitted to return home to their families, an Ambassador representing each of them would remain in Polis.
Out of the hardship of war, Lexa's coalition had now begun to take shape. Ten Clans all vowing to work together in unity against Mount Weather. Azgeda and Boudalankru were excluded, punishment for their dishonour and instigation of war against their Heda.
The war may have been over but there would be no respite for Lexa and her duties upon her arrival back in the Capital. Over the next few days the fate of Prince Roan would prove to be a difficult decision for Lexa to make. She knew in her heart he disagreed with the leadership of Queen Nia and that he was being used as a scapegoat so Nia could keep her head.
When the day of judgment arrived, Lexa surprised the Ambassadors with her ruling, "Queen Nia has offered her son as penance for Azgeda's treachery. Let it be known, I will not execute this man for the dishonour of his mother. The Prince will be banished from my lands. No clan will welcome him, no warrior will walk by his side. He will live out his days as an outcast without honour."
The clans remained in agreement with her ruling.
Roan said very little that day. As Lexa watched her sentries escort him from Polis he turned to her and spoke, "I never agreed with her death. Even when she stood in the snow knowing her time was over, she never once showed fear. I told her you fought for her, she knew and she smiled. I'm sorry, Lexa. I'm sorry that war makes murderer's of us all." He turned and walked away to greet his solitary life.
Lexa stood for a while, the price she paid for this new found unity weighing heavy. I was always mindful that Lexa never chose leadership, her blood dictated it. Fate had decided her path and it was a difficult one to tread. A part of Lexa never returned from that war and the part that did would never be the same again.