Chapter 3: React
Watching the group of five leave Lexa fought to keep her gaze from latching onto the blonde's retreating back. Clearly a leader but also a fisa?
A shiver raced down Lexa's spine before she could stop it.
Unbidden the image of blue eyes fixing onto her hiding spot raced to mind. Blue eyes locked onto green, even if the blue had not realized it at the time.
There was only one reason the girl - Clarke - could pinpoint Lexa's location in the woods. Especially given the manner of discovery. A manner Lexa had witnessed Costia use. A manner she, herself, had used.
Tracing the soulbond.
Only those extremely open to the bond could follow the echoes of emotions towards their point of origin. Similar to how bats use echo location, those with strong bonds could consciously sense the waves of emotions being received by their brain. With practice, this sort of echo location can be used to locate a soulmate with little effort.
Costia had never needed to practice.
In fact, that was one of the ways they'd been certain of their bond. Not once had Lexa succeeded in sneaking up on Costia. Even when surrounded by the children she taught Costia would tilt her head, give that little smile reserved for Lexa, and direct the children to wherever their Heda had hidden that time.
It seemed the ability belonged to all three of them.
Motioning for her group to begin following the Skaikru, Lexa contemplated what this meant.
Most likely Lexa would now also be able to locate this Clarke. Her success would be dependent upon their distance and experience of course, but that Clarke was able to locate Lexa after less than a day in each other's vicinity... their bond must be extremely strong already. They hadn't even exchanged words yet.
For a moment Lexa wondered if it was because Costia was gone.
Internally scowling Lexa focused back on the present. It wouldn't do to get distracted. She couldn't reveal her connection to this Clarke yet anyways. To be Heda is to be alone. To be Lexa is to protect.
Such was her fate.
They could hear the Skaikru camp long before they reached it.
Lexa watched the postures shift of the five Skaikru they shadowed. Relief, exhaustion, tension. Her gaze flicked over the blond leader's back numerous times. Already she was attempting to match the girl's physical reactions to the faint echoes she could feel in the bond.
Relief did not appear to be one of them.
"Heda."
Glancing to her left Lexa caught sight of one of the scout captains approaching. Seeing he had her attention he immediately began his report.
"The split in power has continued. As we speak a fight is taking place between a hunter and one they call prince. A Belomi leads by the sheep's sway on the side of the hunter."
Nodding Lexa motioned for the scout to continue his report as they walked.
"Skill wise they are poor hunters and walk as if they have no care. Overall their current threat is low, although that may change should they succeed in contacting the mountain."
Lexa's facial expression darkened a minuscule amount. Immediately she spun to face the captain. Startled the man flinched slightly before schooling his expression. His head bowed slightly but he did not lower his gaze, showing part of why he had earned his position among her scouts.
"That will not be an issue. I took care of it myself. Continue."
Ducking his head slightly in both respect and acknowledgment of her command, the scout captain finished his report.
"There is one additional oddity among them Heda. They each wear a metal band across their wrist, although this Belomi is attempting to force the removal of them. So far only a small portion has removed them, but violent means have been used to do."
This information caused Lexa to pause, although outwardly there was little notice of it. Metal bands? Thinking over the group of five she had spent the day following recognition came. A memory of sunlight glinting off wrists at the riverbank.
Nodding, Lexa shows she understood. Before she could reply with words a commotion is heard from the camp ahead of them.
Quickly Lexa rushes with the others to reach better vantage points. Some go into more secluded observation posts set at a distance. Others - like her - continue closer on foot.
Gustus, silent since the river, grunted his disapproval.
She ignored him.
Coming to a section of raised ground Lexa swiftly climbed a tree. Gustus remained in the brush at its base. He would protect her position and in turn she would warn him should they need to move.
From her new vantage Lexa could see into the valley clearing the Skaikru had gathered in. When voices raised above close conversational tones she could also hear what was being said.
At the moment there was plenty to hear.
The party of five had entered the main clearing, the interrupted fighters having returned to their designated leaders sides. Cries of confusion over the unconscious and injured rang out, but none were stronger than Clarke's as she demanded answers for the fight.
The exchange between Clarke and the one who must be Bellamy is too quiet for Lexa to hear, but she can tell from Clarke's manners she isn't pleased.
The back of Lexa's skull itches.
Pushing aside her desire to sense the emotions being sent, Lexa focuses again on those below. The crowd is quieting down to hear what their chosen leaders are discussing. The conversation must have changed to what happened with Clarke's party based on the gestures towards the injured. Then a voice rang out above the others.
"Grounders!"
Immediately panic spread through the Skaikru spectators.
Watching the leaders interact and attempt to calm the other Skaikru revealed just how inexperienced they truly were. This close Lexa could tell that none had the build of warriors. In their panic they revealed that only a few had the training to think rationally beyond their emotions. Goufa the lot of them.
After a few moments the crowd began to calm. At this point Clarke reached out and grabbed the wrist of the boy who fought on her side. Whatever answer was given caused Clarke to turn towards Bellamy and his fighter.
The crowd fully quieted in anticipation of another conflict.
"-on the Ark is failing, that's why they brought us down here. They need to know the Ground is survivable again. And we need their help against whoever is out there. If you take off your wristbands you're not just killing them. You're killing us!"
"We're stronger than you think. Don't listen to her, she's one of the privileged. If they come down, she'll have it good. How many of you can say the same? We can take care of ourselves. That wristband on your arm? It makes you a prisoner. We are not prisoners anymore. They say they'll forgive your crimes. I say you're not criminals. You're fighters, survivors!"
The cheering of the spectators washed over Lexa. Pushing down her own inner turmoil she payed close attention to Clarke's expression of disbelief. To the way the other four followed after her. To the way the fighter walked behind them but at a distance, gaze flicking about in uncertainty.
Once certain no Skaikru would see her Lexa left her perch.
The order for walls to be built echoing behind her.
"Heda you cannot be seriously considering allowing these invaders to live. They use Maun-de tech and tongue. Surely they should be destroyed-"
"Em pleni!"
Instant silence greeted Lexa's angry roar. Panting slightly she fought to bring her emotions under control. It was rare for her to react so strongly to something. Normally Lexa kept her counsel fairly and calmly, even when she disagreed internally.
A twinge at the back of her head reminded her of why she was struggling.
Already the bond had strengthened. Even at the distance of a day's walk emotions were filtering through the bond. Regular emotions. Surely her anger just now had made it across the link.
Just as Clarke's frustration and anxiety and determination reached her now.
There was no denying her bond to the blond Skaikru.
Taking a deep breath Lexa refocused on the three in front of her. Indra, Chief of Tondc and responsible for the survival of Trikru. Anya, a general in the Trikru military and Lexa's former mentor before becoming Heda. Gustus, her personal guard and a close confident in his own right. Better to let these three share their thoughts now than have the ambassadors challenge her unprepared.
Each waited for her to speak with varying degrees of patience.
"You were not there Indra. They are split amongst themselves yes, but they are just the first. Their home is dying and those here now are torn between letting them die or bringing them here as well."
"All the better to end them now while they are separated-"
Lexa leveled a glare at the woman. She was fiercely protective of her people and Lexa greatly respected her for it, but Indra lacked in planning when caught by surprise. Her first instinct would always be to kill them before they could kill her. The woman had made her stance clear.
"Think. What would you do if you sent your children to the river with the intend to meet them there, only to arrive and find them slaughtered by another kru?"
The woman's silence spoke for her. It was an uncomfortable reminder of what had actually happened to the proud woman's family. After another beat of silence Lexa shifted.
Glancing between Anya and Gustus, Lexa nodded her permission for either to speak.
"Heda, they are untrained in the ways of the ground. They will not survive long on their own as things are. Either they will need to learn how to hunt and survive for themselves... or they will turn to thievery to survive." Anya paused. While her expression remained level, it was clear she was measuring her next words.
"How do we know they will not go to Maun-de for supplies, for survival - even after learning of what they do?"
Lexa suppressed a sigh.
"We don't. Other than the warning I issued today and a scout reporting that they think Maun-de is abandon, they know nothing of the current state of affairs."
Gustus inclined his head, indicating his wish to speak. Anya and Indra both turned their gaze to him in respect. Both were clearly dissatisfied with what they were hearing and hoping Gustus would be able to support their claims. He would surprise all three of them.
"What do we gain by allowing them to live Heda? They must bring something to the table before they may sup with us. Potential soulmates for our people is not enough to build an alliance on."
The sharp look Lexa sent to him did not hinder the sharp inhale from the other two women. Gustus had been the only person Lexa had mentioned anything about soulmates to. There was a reason he was her confident, but sometimes his protectiveness reared its head at the most inconvenient times. The possibility of soulmates had fail to make the list of grievances until Gustus had spoken.
"Heda-"
"I am aware Gostos." Her tone was flat. The stillness of her body displayed just how displeased she was with this turn of conversation.
"The Coalition will not even consider them separate from the Maunon until they prove themselves as such. Before then they must have a single leader to represent them."
For a moment no one spoke. Flexing jaw muscles across clenched teeth betrayed just how strained Lexa was. It was only due to their familiarity with her body language that they even noticed.
"Indra prepare a small unit in preparation to potentially capture a Skaikru should the opportunity arise. Onya, select a small group willing and able to act as potential negotiators and instructors. Gostos, stay."
Tension radiated throughout the room. Nods of respect were given and polite "Heda"s issued as the women left the tent. Lexa did not miss the look Anya sent on her way out. Answers would be demanded in private.
As the tent flap closed behind them Lexa fought an internal war. Patience gained through experience led Gustus to remain at his post near the tent entrance. Never had she been so thankful that Gustus knew her as well as he did. Once she had decided on an answer Lexa faced him fully.
"How goes the search for those claiming soulbonds with the Skaikru?"
Gustus opened his mouth to reply before closing it. A beat later he sighed softly. Meeting her gaze he replied, the silent challenge clear.
"Slow Heda. Many place little stock in the bond until they meet their mate and it begins to strengthen. Only a handful have been found with discrete questioning, but I fear any more searching will reveal the quest. People will fear persecution for the bond or seek to gain from it."
Lexa nodded, having already come to the same conclusion.
"Send them to me. I wish to evaluate them myself. Send for the scout - Linkon - as well."
Gustus's stare remained fixed upon her causing Lexa to fight the urge to fidget. This man had spent well over five years protecting her. He had been with her through the loss of Costia. His concern warmed her heart as much as it scared her.
"Do not fear Gostos. I failed once to protect. I have not forgotten the lesson. To be Heda is to be alone. It is safer for all that way." A sigh.
"I will always worry for you Leksa."
"Mochuf Gostos."
"Always, Heda."
With a slight bow he departed. Whether intentional or not, his words had left a feeling of dread deep inside Lexa's stomach. Costia's death had been a severe blow, nearly crippling until the shifting waves of her soulbond had settled. It had only been after days of upheaval that Lexa had realized she still felt emotion through her bond.
At the time she hadn't known whether to laugh or cry.
The whole time Costia had been right. They had had a third out there somewhere, waiting for them to find her. It had only been upon Costia's death that the knowledge became irrefutable.
At the time Lexa had found solstice in the mating bands Costia had made.
They were simple sets of matching leather bands. No colored dyes or affixed metal. Rather, their beauty came from the intricate patterns Costia had hand carved into them.
Now Lexa carefully removed the two sets of leather bands from their hiding spot amongst her furs and followed the patterns with her fingers. A pair made for each of them, although Lexa only wore one of hers - the other remain tied to her sword sheath. One for each wrist, to represent how all three of them were equals, at least that is what Costia had said when Lexa had asked.
Costia had never been given the opportunity to wear both. Lexa wondered if Clarke would ever be given the opportunity to wear even one. A shiver raced down her spine at the thought.
A tickle of emotions reached her across her bond.
A gruff call of Heda gave her a much needed escape from her thoughts.
