ASCENSION: BOOK 1.

Chapter 9: The Fight For Polis.

Side by side with Lincoln and Octavia, I rode hard and fast in the direction of Polis. I knew what was needed of us but couldn't shake Lexa's image from my mind.
Maybe what I did next was foolish, my heart calling louder than my head. I slowed down my horse and stopped, causing Octavia and Lincoln to do the same.
They looked at me in confusion, knowing that time was of the essence. "What is it? What's wrong," Octavia asked.
"I can't do this, O. I can't just leave Lexa behind," my voice full of determination.
"Lexa is a warrior. She knows whats expected of her as do we. All of us have a duty to Polis." Octavia stood her ground, I knew she was right but I also knew in my heart what I needed to do.
"Then I'll see my duty through on that battlefield. Take The Flame, keep it safe. Tell my mother I did it for our people. May we meet again, sister of the sky." I handed The Flame to Octavia, her face filled with sorrow as I turned my horse around and rode back towards the fray. Nothing could have swayed my decision that day.
The battle had already commenced. Trikru warriors guarded the body of Takoma as one by one they fought back Azgeda forces. The Prince and his warriors had been given weapons and stayed true to their word, skilfully anticipating every attack from their Ice Nation kin. But the fight was far from fair.
Trikru warriors were slaughtered by the overwhelming army of Queen Nia.
I rode my horse through the masses, cutting down as many of our enemies as I could. In the distance I could see Lexa fighting with fury, her sword and body covered in the red blood of her attackers and the black blood from her own injuries. The more she killed, the more came at her.
I sheathed my sword and grabbed my bow as my horse galloped in her direction. As fast as I could I released arrow after arrow, taking down the onslaught of Lexa's foes. She turned to look at the bodies around her, confused at first until she saw me approach on horseback.
"Need a little help?" I asked.
Lexa was shocked to see me, but a faint grin played on her lips, "You should be in Polis."
I grinned back, "Lincoln and Octavia have The Flame. It's in safe hands. Did you really think I'd ride away from a fight or do Trikru view strength differently than Skaikru?"
She smiled at my words as I jumped from my horse. We stood back to back ready to defend Polis. Like our family before us we stood strong, prepared to give our lives for our people.

We never intended to survive, there was no illusion that we'd walk away from such an attack. As we battled our foes our bodies became weary. As we watched our warriors fall our hearts began to break.
I fell to my knees in exhaustion after slaying those who descended upon me. My vision blurred, the sound of screams echoed in my mind. All I could focus on was my burning muscles and the sting of the cuts upon my body. Azgeda never ceased, warrior after warrior attacked us, relentlessly.
I felt a hand take me by the arm and pull me to my feet, "On your feet, Skaigada. If we die today it won't be on our knees." I turned to see Lexa, her face full of determination.
She wiped the blood from my face, holding my gaze until my eyes focused on her's and my body stiffened, ready once again to fight. I gripped tightly to my sword and clashed with Ice Nation forces. In that moment I had made my peace with death, we all had, but the reaper would have to work hard to take our souls from that battlefield.
As we felt the end of our fight creeping ever closer, a deep rumbling sound vibrated across the ground. Lexa turned to me with a knowing grin upon her lips. It wasn't until the rest of us heard the sound of a war horn bellow out, did we know what was happening .
Warriors on horses galloped towards the battle, their weapons held high as they called out for blood. The banners of Trikru, Skaikru, Ingranronakru, and Boudalankru blew in the wind. Hundreds of warriors heading to meet the swords of Azgeda and their allies. The fates had offered us balance in this conflict. Suddenly those who tried with all of their might to spill our blood, now retreated back to their cowardly Queen.
Our forces has no intention of allowing them to fall back. They galloped into the fray, killing our enemies, blocking Nia and Ontari's escape. The tables had turned, The Ice Nation were outnumbered, defeated and now our prisoners.
I turned to Lexa, both of us battle worn and fatigued, "It's over."
Her face still held a serious look, "When one battle ends another begins. A warriors sword must always remain sharp, Clarke of The Sky People." There was a solemn tone to Lexa's voice. I knew for the Trikru leader she now faced a different fight, one that pitted Natblida against Natblida for the right to bear The Flame, to ascend to The Throne of Polis.

For now we stood injured but thankful. It was Rockline's hunting scouts that had seen Azgeda forces marching past their boarderlands and alerted Trikru, not long after we'd left for The Capital. Both clans had rallied their warriors calling upon Skaikru along the way. It was a fortunate circumstance that saw The Plain Riders delivering horses to Arkadia when the warning of Nia's imminent attack on Polis was delivered. I'm still not sure if it was luck or destiny that saved us that day.
As we approached Polis we were met by The Order of The Flame and the warriors that protected The Capital. Nia, Ontari and the Kru Heda's of their allies were handed over for treason.
Prince Roan took command of the remaining Ice Nation forces. The choice was simple, bow to the man who was about to become their new King or die by his sword. Lexa thanked Roan for his bravery and for keeping true to his word. It seemed there was hope for this new alliance.
Octavia and Lincoln stood with Gaia who now  held The Flame and welcomed the injured and exhausted warriors who had protected Polis. She looked over at the body of Commander Takoma as he passed through on a horse an cart, bowing her head in respect. Heda had returned to The Capital, along with The Spirit of the Commander.
The clans would be gathered and the conclave would be called for, but there was also the situation with The Mountain Men to be addressed. Octavia had made Gaia aware of all that had transpired. The clans would be told and the matter discussed, but ultimately the one who would rise to become the next Commander would guide us through what was to come.
I remembered Lexa's words, 'When one battle ends another begins.' For her it was the conclave, for us all it would be what ever descended from that mountain.