ASCENSION: BOOK 1.

Chapter 4: Twenty Years Ago.

The Great War Of Azgeda was born out of geo-politics between those of The Ice Nation and the people of The Woods Clan. Without permission, King Theo of Azgeda had manouvered his people further and further onto the rich, fertile lands of Trikru territory.
The Woods Clan had taken this dispute to Commander Takoma, who ordered Azgeda to leave Trikru lands or face the prospect of war.
King Theo left Polis with the defiance of a leader full of his own ego. He had no intention of honouring the ruling of Heda and within a week he sent warriors, in the dead of night, to steal guns from the outsiders known as Skaikru.
At that time, the people of the sky had reached a balance of peace with the clans, but stayed out of Grounder politics. It was well known that Skaikru's weapons were more powerful than the blades and arrows that the Grounders wielded. King Theo had every intention of exploiting this in order to tip the balance of power to Azgeda.
That night many members of Skaikru were murdered as Ice Nation warriors broke into their compound, seeking out the fire power that resided there. Eventually Skaikru fought off Azgeda, forcing them to retreat back into the night.
The incident was taken to the Commander, who called for the execution of King Theo and his Generals. The King responded with a challenge of war. All of the clans chose their alliances, most stood with their Heda including Trikru and Skaikru.
War raged for months until The King was cut down by the Trikru warrior known as Thesda. She later died from her own injuries, leaving behind a three year old daughter who also carried the sacred blood of The Commanders.
The war ended, but the victory over Azgeda didn't last long. Commander Takoma could not be found, only his sword, armour and headpiece lay upon the battlefield.
Under The Treaty of Polis, The Clans came together to search for their leader but to no avail. He was lost to war along with The Flame. No new Commander could ascend, Grounder society had been shaken to its core.

Over the years the search for Commander Takoma continued, but as time went on hope of finding him began to fade.
Those who were born with Nightblood were still trained in Polis in accordance with The Commanders legacy but now became Clan Commanders known as, Kru Hedas. Those clans who had no Natblidas to lead them, had their fiercest warriors as leaders.
The Capital of Polis still remained a hub for trade and had it's own army under the rule of The Order Of The Flame. The empty throne remained protected should one day the Commander return home.
Under The Treaty of Polis, all guns were outlawed to prevent any recurrence of Azgedas actions. Skaikru decommissioned all of their guns and began to follow a more Grounder way of life. Their children were now raised as warriors, to show strength in this brutal world but to maintain the compassion of their ancestors from the sky.
Time raced by and any information about Commander Takoma grew less and less. Many rumours circulated, some believed he was already dead, others that he had fled from the war. Most was propaganda from the bitter mind of Azgeda's Queen Nia, the daughter of King Theo. She was as ruthless as her father before her, with the same craving for power. It seemed that time had not calmed the tempestuous heart of The Ice Nation.
The truth is no one knew what happened that day in the heat of battle. Commander Takoma was a warrior of The Woods Clan, raised with honour, a firm but fair leader. He was not a man who would simply abandon his people.
As the years rolled on, it seemed less likely any answer would be found, but as history reminds us from time to time, there are some mysteries that refuse to remain hidden. Truth always finds a way and for a girl who's people fell from the stars, it seemed she was destined to be bound to Grounder history and the great legacy of The Commanders.