Chapter 1
Anya watched from the sidelines of the training grounds, the faintest shadow of a smirk gracing her face. Today would be the day when she proved to Gustus, insolent old man, that her second outmatched his own. She had been training Lexa now for two seasons and the girl was brash, headstrong but deadly with a sword, once she could get her focus away from the dark skinned beauty that was Costia.
She watched with earnest as Lexa parried blow after blow from the shorter, wild brunette she had been paired with. The same brunette who stole her heart, and to Anya's frustration, any chance at getting Lexa to pay attention to her teachings when the other girl was within earshot.
Lexa side stepped as Costia's sword swung down on the diagonal. The would-be-commander struck the smaller girl behind the knee sending her off balance and into the mud. Anya's smirk spread to her eyes as Lexa gained the upper hand on Costia, going on the offensive. She could almost taste the sweetness of victory on her lips, Lexa advanced on her opponent, smirk more evident on her own face then that of her First. Lexa brought her sword down where her lover knelt, cursing as her blow came up empty, Costia rolling forward to avoid the attack. Costia sunk low into a defensive stance, hands poised in front of her ready, clearly not ready to accept her inevitable demise.
Lexa's sword arm swung wide, a blow that would have taken Costia's head clean from her shoulders had the weapons been sharpened to deadly purpose. Unfortunately for Lexa, namely for Anya, Costia sprung from her defensive stance and caught Lexa's sword arm with her left hand, wrenching the sword loose only to be caught in her right hand. She spun her lover by her now empty sword hand, pinning the appendage behind Lexa's back, sword against her throat and pulled the stunned girl against her heaving chest. The wild look in Costia's eyes could a burned a hole through Anya, like a reckless fire. Anya scowled at Lexa, urging her to retaliate and regain the upper hand that she had maintained for the majority of the contest. Her hopes were extinguished as she watched Costia lean close to Lexa, her lips brushing against the other girls' ear and spoke in a whisper that made Lexa's eye go wide and a redness creep up her throat.
"Shakka!" Anya swore loudly in Trigedasleng, throwing her hands up in the air as she stalked onto the training ring to collect her Second, and to pay up her end of the bet to Gustus.
"Anya, I cannot say that I'm surprised. It almost wounds me to take coin from such an easy opponent!" Gustus laughed heartily as he met Anya in the center of the training ring, clapping his own Second on the shoulder for a job well done.
"Shof op Gustus, you know your Second fights dirty." She threw a scowl at Lexa and Costia, who had moved to the side, wiping the sweat and grime from their faces. Fingers brushing together, eyes meeting in an affectionate gaze. Anya rolled her eyes at the pair as she pressed a pair of coins into Gustus' palm. "That girl is due for a clout in the ear for losing her focus on a pretty face and sweet-talk."
Anya spoke loud enough, making sure that Lexa would hear her over Costia's sweet nothings. Sure enough she watched as Lexa stiffened as she finished making herself presentable again. Gustus roared with laughter at the display, turning on his heel to leave the training area.
"Do not clout her so hard that she does not survive to our next wager!" He called, motioning for Costia to follow. The wild eyed brunette grips Lexa's hand before following after the large man.
Anya waits, tapping her foot against the soggy ground for her Second to right herself enough to face her and her impending thrashing. Like fate Lexa receives an open handed smack to the back of her head. Rubbing the affected area she avoids Anya's hard stare.
"Ow." Lexa mumbles under her breath.
"You're lucky I don't put you out of your misery, Goufa. How many times has she bested you? How much coin and humiliation must I suffer to Gustus?" Anya berates Lexa, arms folded over her chest. Shaking her head she lets out a sigh, breath curling in white tendrils in the cold autumn air. "What am I to do with you?"
Lexa's gaze drops to the ground "Hodnes laik kwelnes…"
She quickly receives another clout to her head before Anya takes her by the arm and pulls her from the training area with an exaggerated sigh. "No Goufa. Love can be a powerful ally, giving you strength in battle. You just have to remember that, and put your feelings aside when you spar together." Anya pulls up her hood to fend off the cold rain and reaches to Lexa's, pulling it over the younger girls' hair. "Then you may start repaying me all the coin I've lost."
Lexa gives Anya a smile and nods in affirmation. "It would be nice to knock the smile from Gustus' face."
"That's the spirit!" Anya hums in agreement as the pair makes their way through TonDC only to be stopped by Indra, scowl forever etched on her face. Both girls nod in respect to the village Chief and fall in step as Indra motions for them to follow.
"Tomorrow marks the beginning of the cold season. Flokru has begun their annual migration inland for the season and will arrive by the next moon to trade." Indra stated, making note of the state of various buildings within the village. "Chief Luna and I both agree that there is strength in numbers, even more so in the face of the rise in Reaper activity. Therefore Flokru will be residing within TonDC for the cold season; preparations have begun to accommodate Luna and her people." Indra nods towards a group of men, wood and iron smiths, expanding the existing boundary walls and staking out areas for new huts.
Anya regarded the workers, not all Trikru had an affinity for war, though all were taught to fight for their clan. Should a member of the clan not pass the trials marking them as Gona and fit to become second, they were apprenticed to the village elders and taught a craft suited to their skills; Wood smithing, Iron smithing, feast preparation, or cloth work. All were to serve and contribute to the clan in any way possible. Those who could not contribute were cast out; the lame, feeble, and those who cast a stain on their bloodline. The only exception to this rule being the clan elders, those who have served and now serve to pass on their knowledge.
It was no surprise that Flokru were moving within the walls on TonDC. The cold season made for treacherous waters, cutting the Boat People off from precious resources; fish, shells, inks for sacred markings and pelts from Kota. The boat people supplied not only Trikru, but all the clans with the inks used in marking ceremonies, acknowledging the accomplishments of a warrior and marking their place among the Kru. Normally all trade took place in the capital, Polis, where contributions were made to the Heda and the remaining materials were traded amongst the other clans. In recent years Trikru and Flokru had grown close, though both clans had always been amicable, Indra and Luna had both seen this union flourish under their respective leaderships. Now goods were not only traded but knowledge between the clans regarding healing, herbs and movements of rival clans.
Now that the Reapers were getting bolder in their movements against the clans, and the Maun were a constant threat, it only made sense to join both clans against a common enemy.
Indra stopped, jolting Anya from her thoughts, motioning to one of the workers with her hand while clipping out directions in terse Trigedasleng before continuing towards the main gate.
"Luna has sent along her Second and a handful of her people to aid us in the preparations. While they are here I expect them to be shown respect. Flokru have become close allies and I will not see this alliance crumble to carelessness. Is that understood?" Indra turned on her heel to face Anya and Lexa, scowl evident. Both women in question nodded their affirmative to their Chiefs instruction.
"Good. Other than your training and hunting duties you both will meet the Flokru aid and accompany them here. Gustus and Costia will be joining you. I expect you both to be exceptional examples of Trikru Gona. Indra turned her gaze to Lexa who immediately reddened at the sudden attention, before turning her attention back to Anya. "Should this transition go smoothly, I would expect both of you to accompany the Flokru trading party to Polis, along with our own traders."
"Sha Indra, it shall be done." Anya responded, casting a glance at her young Second.
"Good. Asher and Husk are patrolling the Eastern border; await word from them for the arrival of Flokru. Until then, continue your training." Once again Indra's eyes found Lexa, her scowl turning to a soft smile. "I expect you to make Gustus eat his words during your next contest." Indra nodded to both women before taking her leave to deal with the preparations. It was no surprise that Indra had a soft spot for the young girl, her father had been a close friend to the Chief and in his passing she had taken to watching over Lexa as if she were her own.
Anya waved a hand to Lexa indicating for them to make for her dwelling. Once inside she removed her long jacket and equipment placing them on the table in the far corner. Lexa followed close behind, shutting the heavy door behind her. It was a modest home; made from the ruin of whatever had been standing before the bombs dropped and changed the world. Most homes in TonDC were similar, made of existing ruins or fashioned from wood. The only exception was the Chieftain's home; it was larger than the other homes and served not only to show Indra's status in the Kru but to counsel members of the clan on matters of war and tactics. Anya regarded her young charge stood at attention by the door, hardly 16 seasons but with the bearings of a great warrior, provided she could share focus on tasks other than young love. Anya sat upon her fur filled bed and motioned towards her gear scattered on the table.
"Take those, see that the armour is mended where needed and have my sword sharpened, I will not look a hazard when Flokru arrives. See that your own is taken care of as well, no Second of mine will look like a castoff. When you're finished you can do what you like. It's almost feast time; I expect that Gustus will soon be finished as well." Anya mentioned the later with a shrug, she didn't have to look at Lexa to know that the girl was pleased with the information. She scooped up Anya's equipment and made her way out of the hut with a nod of her head and a small thanks. Anya settled back on her bed closing her eyes, mentally preparing for the diplomatic task ahead of her, and pulling Lexa's head out of the clouds long enough to make a good impression.
The girl had the makings of a great leader and Anya hoped that she would succeed either Indra or herself when the time came. But she had much to learn when it came to matters of diplomacy, when she had to put her people's needs before her own and ahead of Costia's. Their bond was important, it would strengthen their resolves and drive them harder to succeed but it would cloud their judgements when it came to the hard choices. They had to toe a very fine line when it came to their love, like all must in positions of power.
The blonde shook Lexa and Costia from her head, they would be fine, she wanted to get a good start on mapping a suitable route to meet the Flokru. The way to the boarder was a straight shot from camp and not hard to follow but it was an obvious choice and Anya didn't want to leave anything to chance. She filled a cup with water from the metal jug that sat on the table and took a mouthful, her eyes wandering over the map of Trikru territory that lay spread on its surface.
Taking a piece of charcoal in her hand, Anya began marking out obstacles that lay between TonDC and the border, making note of fastest routes around and what routes could be excluded. She had to take into account that the convoy would be weighed down with supplies to trade and to help with the expansion, which meant that many of the best routes back to TonDC were useless since the carts pulling the supplies wouldn't be able to traverse the terrain without risking losing the carts entirely. Anya pinched the bridge of her nose between her eyes, she would have to confer with Gustus on the best route, and it was going to be a nightmare getting the convoy over the majority of the terrain.
Trikru territory was mainly forest but the forest was filled with the ruins of the old world. The forest thinned the closer you travelled towards Flokru territory; tall forest gave way to stubby brush and barrens. Far too open for Anya's liking; there would be less cover from attack. But it was inevitable, they would have to cross the barrens to meet Flokru, the less time they spend in the open the better.
The blonde let out a frustrated breath as she stalked around the table hoping that some new piece of information would appear on the paper before hanging her head in defeat, a curtain of blonde hair obscuring her vision. She tossed her hair out of her face and stalked towards the remains of her fire, stoking it back to life and revelled in the newfound warmth that filled the hut.
Whether she liked it or not they would have to make this Gods forsaken journey.
The sun had set when Lexa returned with her equipment, patched and sharpened to perfection. Setting the items on the table once more, Lexa stood by the door as Anya inspected the pieces, lifting her jacket and turning the supple leather over in her hands.
"Whose work is this?" she pointed to the new stitching that streaked over the back shoulder of the coat.
"Argon felt the seams where coming loose in the shoulders, so he reinforced them. He says he needs no thanks so long as you can get him some decent furs to work on."
Anya inspected the coat a little closer and saw where the previous stiches had begun to stretch the leather and bobbed her head, clearly in agreement with the seamstress. The woman knew her trade.
"Good work. I see you didn't get distracted along the way." Anya smiled knowingly towards Lexa, who only nodded mutely in response. Her green eyes were busy pouring over the map that Anya had been working on, taking in every note and detail of the terrain.
"Could we take the south pass? It'll take us a couple of hours off course but the way is clearer"
Anya paused and regarded the passes location on the map. Lexa had been right, the route would be easier to travel but the time it added onto the journey meant more time exposed to Azgeda or Reapers.
"We shall see how well the convoy travels. But the route seems ideal. I might make a leader out of you yet." Anya made a note by the southern pass as a reminder to consult Gustus on the matter.
"You might, one of these days." Lexa caught her mentor's eyes, face breaking out in a smile.
Anya tugs the map towards her and rolls it up securing it in place with a leather tie.
"Has the feast begun?"
"Sha. Indra asked for you and Gustus to join her, she wants to discuss the preparations for Flokru."
The blonde reached for her mended coat and donning it, map in hand.
"Go, I'm sure Costia is waiting for you." Anya caught how Lexa's eye brightened at the mention of her lover.
"Mochof." The thanks were hardly out of Lexa's mouth and she was out the door.
The blonde rolled her eyes at the girl's reaction and followed suit out the door towards the feast.