Azripa Kom Azgeda

Truth

We laid next to each other, sharing the only source of heat we had. Winter was coming soon and you could already feel it. I was used to the cold, but still couldn't let that be revealed.

I got up and built another fire. Then I grabbed my spear and went hunting. I came back with 3 rabbits. Timber was awake but just laying there. He was looking at one of my knives I had next to my coat.

"Yu laik Azgeda." (You are Ice Nation.) He said.

"What?" I said my face getting red.

"Your knife's handle. It has an Azgeda hand-carved onto it."

"Uh, Timba.," I said cautiously.

"You always kept that knife close to you. It's important to you. If you were Trikru you'd burn that knife along with the man that you killed. You kept it. Why?" He said angrily.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

He picked up the blade and lunged at me. I was able to move in time and I pinned his hand on the wall and he dropped the blade. With his free hand, he kept hitting my chest until I stepped back and he was able to push me with both hands. He kept doing it until we got to the end of the cave. Then he broke down into tears. I felt bad. All I wanted to do was comfort my friend. I slowly got down and hugged him. He hugged me back and cried into my neck.

"I'm sorry," I whispered over and over again. "I'm sorry."

"When will it end? The pain?" He asked me.

"I don't know. I lost my family at a young age. I didn't get to experience grief so I never felt your pain." I responded.

"How?" He continued.

"Azgeda warriors..." I paused. "... they came to my village looking for natblidas. My sister had just been born and my mother was very weak. They found out my sister was a nightblood and took her away. My father fought them and they killed him where he stood. They executed my mother as a traitor due to my father's actions. My innocent mother." I told him.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"It's fine, I was young," I said.

I went over to the rabbits I hunted and began to skin them. After they were done cooking we ate them. We didn't speak, just sat there staring at each other. His blue eyes glowed with the golden morning sun. After I finished eating, I walked out to give him space.

There was a small creek nearby. I was skipping rocks when Timber came over.

"When do we leave?" He asked picking up some pebbles to throw.

"It doesn't matter," I answered.

"We'll have to go to Polis," I told him.

"You're willing to tell the Commander, which you hate, about the crimes of your people?" He said shocked.

"Anything for a friend," I said.

We got all our remaining supplies and began our hike to Polis. I've never been to Polis before but Timber knew the way like the back of his hand. We got there at around midday. I had to leave all my weapons but snuck in my knife. It was very busy, people from every clan trading and selling their goods. We stopped at Timber's trading post. His mother was there.

"Wait outside." He said.

"Steik? Yu gaf steik in?" A lady said, from her accent I couldn't understand what she was saying. I knew she was offering something.

"Chit?" (What?) I asked.

"Steik, Steik!" (Meat, Meat!) She said.

I shook my head no. Then Timber finally came out and pointed to the large tower that was behind us. He grabbed my arm and led me to the tower. We got in the elevator shaft and made our way to the top floor. There she was, Heda Leksa kom Trikru (Commander Lexa of the Woods Clan). We had to wait until after her meeting with the ambassadors. I saw the ambassador from Azgeda, Talis. I greeted him. He was a bit confused to see me there. After the meeting, we were allowed to enter. Timber told me to stand in the back and he'll do all the talking. He explained to her all that happened and how Azgeda broke the coalition. She spoke to a short-haired, dark-skinned warrior.

"The crime of the Ice Nation will be dealt with. Thank you." The Commander spoke out.

"Heda, I advise you to make an example of Azgeda! Show the clans what happens when you defy the coalition. Show Azgeda what happens when you defy the coalition!" The warrior preached. Others agreed with her. I had to fight the urge to throw my knife at her.

"Wor ste hir." (War is here.) The Commander finally said.

After that, we left. "Why didn't you ask me to speak," I asked Timber.

"They would've arrested you. Possibly killed you." He replied.

"Why do you care, you wanted me dead," I said.

"No, I don't Aksel. I care about you. I was just angry." He said back.

We made it back to his mom's post. He showed me to the rooms. His room only had 1 bed so one of us would have to sleep on the ground. He offered his bed to me but I said no.

"You take it. It's fine." I told him.

He laid on his bed. I laid on the makeshift bed on the ground with my back facing him. I turn around and see he's awake staring at me. I lock my eyes with his. I get up and crawl in with him. He makes room and wraps an arm over me, so I wouldn't fall off the bed.

That night was the longest night of my life.