ASCENSION: BOOK 1.

Chapter 6: Lexa.

The ride to Trikru territory felt long. Maybe fatigue was effecting me more than I realised. The wound on my head had certainly begun to feel more painful now that the adrenaline had subsided in my body.
Octavia rode her horse next to mine and looked over at me with concern, "You ok, Clarke?"
I smiled back and joked, "Aside from feeling completely overwhelmed, I'm all good."
She grinned back at my response, "Trikru will honour you for what you've done. You have nothing to worry about." She reassured.
The skeptic that dwelled in my mind has other thoughts, "I bring their Kru Heda a dead Commander, news that The Mountain Men have begun to walk upon our lands, at a time when Azgeda threatens war. I'm not sure Lexa will be pleased to greet me."
I'd never met the leader of Trikru and was wary of meeting this enigmatic woman with such a fierce reputation. Lexa was a Natblida, trained to be a warrior from the moment she could hold a sword. Now that Commander Takoma has passed away, she was the only Nightblood of her clan.
She rose to power at an early age under the guidance of her mentor, Anya. Both her mother and father were killed in the last Azgeda war, Lexa was only three years of age when she was orphaned. Eventually, the legacy of her blood called her to complete her Commanders training in Polis. Should the day arrive that the next generation of Natblidas must fight for their right to sit upon The Throne of Polis, Lexa would be fully prepared. I'd always maintained a certain curiosity about her, this deadly warrior woman of the woods.
Octavia was our emissary to Trikru, she knew Lexa and her Generals and swiftly warned me against any disrespect, "Just try not to piss her off when we get there. Be honest, stand tall, Trikru frown upon weakness. Most of all show respect, I prefer it when my friends keep their heads firmly attached to their bodies."
As we approached the village of Xandria, I could see the skulls of animals and humans displayed on spikes along the boundary wall. Lincoln spoke with the guards at the gates, gaining us access to the village. All eyes were upon us as we rode through. A large, bearded man with facial tattoos approched us, halting our horses, "Lincoln of TonDC brings Skaikru to our lands," he growled.
"Clarke Kom Skaikru seeks an audience with our Kru Heda as a matter of great importance, Gustus." Lincoln replied.
The man known as Gustus looked me up and down, unimpressed by my presence. "State your business, Skaigada."
I remained silent and slowly reached into my pocket. Gustus moved his hand to the hilt of his sword, unsure of my intentions. I opened up my clenched hand to reveal The Flame. His eyes widened, shocked by what I held.
"Tell your Kru Heda we have much to discuss."

Given the nature of our visit, Lexa had agreed to see us. Gusuts lead us into the ruins of a stone building. Judging by the book stacks, it was once a grand library before the bombs fell. Before entering a set of double doors, Gustus warned me against any disrespect, "Be mindful of your words, Skaigada!"
I nodded in acknowledgment as he swung open the doors.
Ahead of me stood the Kru Heda of The Woods Clan, Lexa Kom Trikru. Her hair was dark and braided, her eyes piercing emerald green. Black warpaint rested upon her face, she was utterly striking and incredibly intimidating. Two women flanked her, Indra of TonDC and Anya of Xandria, both well respected warriors and Lexa's Generals.
She looked me up and down with a sense of curiosity and apprehension, "What brings you to our lands, Clarke Kom Skaikru?"
I took a breath before speaking, "I come with a message of support from my Kru Heda. Should Azgeda make a move to attack, Skaikru stands firmly with Trikru and Polis. There's also the matter of this to discuss." I held out my hand to show her The Flame.
Lexa's eyes fixated upon the scared infinity symbol etched upon it, "If this is what I think it is then where is The Commander? Where is Takoma Kom Trikru?" She demanded.
I nodded at Lincoln who accompanied Gustus to carry the Takoma's body into the room. They placed him down upon a large table and removed the linens that covered his face. Lexa was just a child when Heda disappeared, she looked to Gustus for confirmation of his identity. Gustus solemnly spoke, "I grew up and trained with Takoma before he became Commander. There's no mistaking it, this is him."
Lexa glared over at me as I told her of what I had witnessed, "The men of the mountain took your Commander. How he escaped I don't know, but what I do know is that they hunted him down without any protective suits or masks."
Shock and anger filled the visage of the Trikru leader, "You're telling me the Mountain Men are free?" Lexa growled.
"Some of them, maybe all of them eventually. Commander Takoma gave me a warning before he died, beware the shadow bloods! Mount Weather has awoken, Lexa and they have no intention of staying hidden."