A Different Landing

Chapter-23

Indra had sat through many strategy meetings. However, listening to the Ice Nation representatives discussing what they'd need to set up their tools for their warrior Raven here in TonDC was ridiculous. Apparently, the Ice Nation had been under the impression that their mechanic, whatever that was, would be working in her specialized tent in their own camp.

"For the attack to run smoothly the distance needs to be cut down. Surely, your mechanic can be brought here?" Lexa asked.

Klark looked truly frustrated. "Raven is an invaluable resource. I cannot allow her and her seconds inside TonDC without a full company. To have that many of my men in your village would make the fake skirmish between our forces look less convincing."

"Then put them in Trikru colors." The commander suggested.

Indra stiffened. "You can't be considering this. A full company of Azgeda wearing our colors inside TonDC!?" The destruction and chaos they could cause was monumental.

The tall blond warrior that had yet to speak glared at her from over Klark's shoulder. He tapped his finger angrily against the hilt of his dagger. His gloves had studs in the fingers that made a sharp clicking sound as he did so. Several of the Azgeda delegation turned to him curiously. The general rolled her eyes as the tapping came to an end. "Take it or leave it. I may trust you but I cannot risk a resource like Raven on that alone."

"And why should we trust you?" Indra growled stepping forward. "You want a full company, and your weapon maker who makes fires that burn down your enemies, within my village, next to the commander."

"Indra." Lexa bit out.

Indra ignored her. She would take the lecture later. "You have moved more and more of your deadliest within my walls, within reach of the commander."

"What would you have me do then?" Klark said, stepping into her space

"I would have you who believes so much in 'trust' give it back. You ask me to risk my village, Heda, her army, for what, a single warrior of yours?" Indra spat.

"ENOUGH!" Lexa declared. Indra took a step back but never let her eyes waver. "Klark is well within her rights inside a foreign clan's land to demand protections for her men. Especially after what happened with the Boudalan forces."

"Can't we all be right?" A voice drawled from a corner.

Everyone turned to where the assassin Niles was leaning against the wall, watching the room with his single eye, a smirk on his face. "The trouble seems to be that the General is playing both sides trying to protect us."

"What do you mean?" Indra demanded of the insufferable man. Ignoring the way everyone in the room was tensing.

"Not you, our General, Klark." He replied. "You Trikru and your honor and death grip on tradition. What you're asking of us is a death sentence. What you want is proof of Klark's loyalty to you. The thing is, she can't give it to you because if she does she, as well as anyone allied with her. won't last more than a month at most once we return to Azgeda. She's already pushed too far on being this 'friendly'." He twirled an arrow around his fingertips.

"Niles I assume you have a solution then?" Klark asked, looking at him somewhat frustrated.

Indra wanted to hit things but waited.