ASCENSION: BOOK 1.

Chapter 8: An Azgeda Storm.

Lexa had arranged a room for me in her home and I was grateful to finally find some rest after the past events.
As the sun rose in the sky, I awoke to the sound of Trikru making their preparations to leave for Polis. Refreshed from my sleep, I got dressed and went outside to find the Trikru leader.
She was already awake, speaking with her Generals and Octavia. Her eyes met mine as I approached, "Did you sleep well?" Lexa asked.
"I did, thank you. You're almost ready to leave?"  I observed.
"We are. What say you, Skaigada?" She asked in anticipation.
"I'll ready my horse." My answer was welcomed with a smile.
Fifty of us rode out of Xandria that day, including myself, Octavia, Lincoln, Lexa's Generals and Prince Roan, along with his warriors. Gustus stayed behind to watch over Lexa's people in her absence and to send messengers to the rest of the clans informing them of the potential Azgeda threat.
Lexa kept the information about Takoma and The Flame to her own people to prevent any opportunist clans from ambushing us on the way to Polis. Not all Kru Heda's were as honourable as Lexa.
For days I rode by her side, getting to know this enigmatic woman. We shared food and the warmth of our  campfire, during moments of rest on our journey. She fascinated me. Her regal grace was both intimidating and captivating, yet there was also a compassionate side to her nature that I felt honoured she'd shared with me from time to time.
As we rode closer to The Capital, Lexa spoke frankly about her life and what we now faced. I was curious to hear her thoughts about our critical situation with Azgeda, "Do you honestly believe Nia will attack Polis?"
Lexa breathed deeply, "I believe Nia is capable of anything. She lacks honour just as her father before her. Everything Theo did was for power, he may have acted like it was for his people but a man who defies his Commander in not worthy of the title of King. Nia is no different!"
Lexa's response was full of scorn for the King and Queen of Azgeda. Like me she had lost her loved ones in the war. Even though she tried to hide It, I could tell she still felt the pain of such loss. "Maybe Roan will lead Azgeda into a better future, should Nia choose to defy Polis?" I offered, optimistically.
Lexa looked over at me, determination showing in those piercing green eyes, "I hope you're right, Skaigada. If he betrays us, I'll cut him down just as my mother did to his Grandfather on that battlefield twenty years ago!"
Shock overwhelmed me, I'd heard of the Trikru warrior that defeated the King of Azgeda but I'd never known that Lexa was her daughter. "Thesda Kom Trikru was your mother?"
Lexa nodded and glanced over at Roan, "Yes and The Prince of Azgeda would do well to remember I am my mother's daughter!"
The tension between Trikru and The Ice Nation had never subsided after the war. A deep mistrust still lingered and as we neared Polis this conflict of clans was about to be revisited.
The sound of drums beating travelled on the wind.
On the horizon warriors carrying banners bearing the sigil of Azgeda could be seen marching towards The Capital. Queen Nia was already here.

The drumming got louder as Azgeda got closer. They marched from from our right flank led by The Ice Queen and Ontari.
It wasn't just the banners of Azgeda that blew in the wind, Nia had gained support from at least three other clans, Blue Cliff, The Lake People and The Shallow Valley. None of these clans had a Natblida as their Kru Heda's, The Queen had clearly used this to her advantage. No Nightblood leader would dishonour their blood by breaking The Treaty of Polis.
Fury blazed in Lexa's eyes. She drew her sword and put the blade to Roan's throat, "Your Queen marches already. Explain!"
This was the first time I'd seen fear wash over The Prince. "She's not my Queen and this is not a betrayal. Nia's worked faster than I anticipated." He replied, surprised to see his mother and her army in the distance.
Lexa lowered her sword as Anya spoke, "We'll never make it to Polis on mass, there's too many of them."
"Then we stand our ground, fight off as many of them as we can, give Polis time to rally it's forces," Lexa ordered.
I knew this would mean death for us, "There's no chance of survival if we do this, Lexa." I spoke.
Lexa nodded and handed me The Flame, "Take this, ride as fast as you can with Lincoln and Octavia to Polis. Seek out the one they call Gaia tell her to prepare, tell her on this day we died with honour for The Spirit Of The Commander."
I shook my head as The Flame rested in my hand, "I won't just leave you here to die!" My voice broke in desperation.
Lexa smiled back at me, "Death is not the end, Skaigada. I'm glad to have  met such an honourable warrior of Skaikru, even if she's too humble to realise how strong she truly is." And with that Lexa turned away from me and rode her horse to address her warriors.
Lexa's strength, her honour and determination captivated me. I knew as she did that The Flame was too important to fall into Queen Nia's hands. My head urged me to do my duty, yet my heart began to ache at the prospect of riding away from a woman I had come to admire.
I left what was about to become a blooded battlefield with a tear in my eye. Fifty warriors against hundreds. Men and women of honour about to fight to the death to protect a great legacy of their people. Leading them, one warrior of the woods with a heart full of fire.