Firstly, I want to invite everyone who read even a fraction of this story to share their opinion in the comments. It would mean a lot to me.
Secondly, here I am with number seven. I was a bit late, sorry for that.
This chapter features another character from the show… Another grounder I couldn't resist from including. Enjoy. :)
Queen Nia waited at a forest clearing. She knew Trini for many years, as she did most seconds, but Trini was always special. One of the best warriors Trikru has ever had. She started following her mother to war at a very young age and the stories of her skills became very well known.
Since Nia's son wasn't blessed with the nightblood, Nia searched her clan for someone who was, and found only Ontari. When her parents refused to give her up to their Queen, Nia killed them right in front of their daughter's eyes. She raised Ontari from that day forward with only one thing in mind. The Throne. Now, she lost that one chance she had at having a commander loyal to her. But, if there was one thing she was extremely good at, it was adjusting to the situation.
Trini emerged from the tree line, followed by Lincoln and another Nightblood.
"They weren't part of the deal. I said, just the two of us, unarmed." Nia said.
"Did you really think I'm that naive? I know how these things go down. How many people did you bring?" Trini stopped walking when she was a couple of feet from the Queen.
Nia grinned and waved her hand, and then around ten heavily armed men stepped from the tree shadows and into the sunlight.
"I know how this looks, but it's just a percussion. I really just want to talk."
"If you get any ideas, I also have this," she drew out her father's gun, "our best archer somewhere in the trees and your son back at home."
Fine, the archer thing was a lie, but Trini was playing with the big girls now. She had to come off as intimidating and powerful.
"Then let's get to it. Now, at least I know who really runs things. Your mother has no clue who arranged the union?"
"No. She is a busy woman and so am I. What do you want?"
"You know, I have been the Queen of Azgeda since I was your age. I managed to go more than thirty years without being overthrown or killed. You know how I did that? I pick the winning side. Every time."
"Of course. Spoken like a true coward. Turn as the wind changes direction."
"It is not being a coward, it's being smart. You cost me my Natblida, and you have my son. If I were stupid, I'd command them to kill you right now, right here. I'd get my revenge. And I'd die from your mother's hands for it. But, instead, I'll make you a deal."
"Let's hear it."
"You and I both know Frikru will crush your mother on that battlefield. That is why I will fight with them. And so should you."
"Are you asking me to join Frikru?"
"I am asking you to join me. Your mother doesn't appreciate you. She doesn't even see what you are capable of. I do. Join me and you can have everything you want. You will have my blessing to marry my son. And after Frikru triumphs and your mother is dead, you'll rule all the clans. Unite them all under your rule. You'll be the Queen and the Commander. And you will finally get your father back. The father you thought was dead because of her!"
"I would never take that deal! I know better than to trust you."
"I've always wanted what's best for my clan. And now that is you."
"You have always wanted what was best for you! And you will never change. I only make deals with people I trust."
"Then what? You'll loyally stand by your mother and lose?"
"I will do what is best for the people."
"You speak like you're so different from me, but we're the same."
"We are not the same!"
"Did Roan ever tell you the story of how I got crowned? My father was the King and I, his eldest child. Pride of Azgeda. But my father never believed that a woman could be a ruler. So he always promised the Throne to my younger brothers who were all dumb as rocks. But they were men. And that was all he cared about. I started gathering followers. People who supported my claim. Gave them a little order, here and there. That's how it started. It ended with the whole Azgeda army loyal to me, and only me. But I didn't stop there. I killed that crazy bastard, but only after I made him watch as I killed my worthless brothers."
"Nice story. I just don't see the resemblance."
"You've started on a path. And that path leads straight to the Throne."
"No. I am not like you! No deal! And Roan stays with me. Where he belongs." Trini turned around and started walking away to where their horses were. Nia just smirked and stared into the distance.
"You can walk away from me, Strikheda, but you cannot walk away from yourself!" she yelled.
Trini stood in front of a broken mirror in her room. Nia's words were still ringing through her mind. At least Roan was safe and with Anya. And Ontari was doing great, now that she wasn't tortured on a daily basis. Trini had a lot to be proud of. But she was worrying, like she always does.
She hated war paint, but it was necessary in some occasions. It was part of their tradition. Luna usually applied it for her, but she wasn't here now. Trini was beginning to miss her. Talking to her, laughing together. She remembered how happy they were before all of this Frikru business started.
She got so distracted she put some of the paint in her eye and had to wash it off. She really wasn't good at this. She started applying black paint again and didn't notice there was someone in the room.
"I talked to your mother." Indra spoke after observing Trini for a few seconds.
"Indra… I'm sorry." Trini turned around.
"Sorry? You ignored years of our tradition. I, the master, am to decide when you are ready to take on a second."
"Indra, I meant no insult."
"But insult me, you did. You could have talked to me, but you went behind my back to the Commander. You didn't even have the decency to tell me yourself."
"I would have, it's just…"
"I was your master for fourteen years. I thought I deserved more from you."
"I really am sorry, Indra."
Indra walked out of the room without saying a word. Her words really hurt. Trini knew she insulted her, but it was the only way. Indra didn't deserve this. She thought Trini everything she knows. She was the reason Trini became Main Natblida. At least now, Trini didn't have to worry about Indra following her. It sounded like Indra never wanted to talk to her ever again.
There were ten Nightbloods who still didn't have masters. They were trained by Titus, the Flame Keeper. Since they were all between the ages of two and four, their skills were still undeveloped. They've never held real weapons, and probably didn't have the strength to hold them anyway. Right now they were stick fighting in pairs.
When Trini arrived they all stopped and greeted her with a bow. Trini of course didn't know what to do, so she bowed too. Titus rolled his eyes and showed her to the chair she was supposed to sit in. When she was seated the little kids were still standing and looking at her. Then she clapped her hands together and they resumed fighting. Later she got up and walked amongst the fighters to judge each one of them. Titus clearly didn't approve of that, but this wasn't his ceremony. If Trini was going to do this, she was going to do this her way.
Aden was extremely nervous. He was well past three years old and still no one picked him to be his second. The reason was obvious. He was the scrawniest kid there. Until recently he couldn't even pull a child bow's string all the way out. He always lost at fights. When he managed to hit someone it was too weak. Truth be told he didn't even like hitting other kids.
Now he was in a match with a kid almost twice his size. The brute was hitting him however he wanted and Aden couldn't do anything about it. He was fast but couldn't fight back. Right as Trini was passing them Aden was thrown to the ground. He was so embarrassed. There was no way she was going to pick him now.
Trini crouched and whispered into Aden's ear: "Trip him over your foot. Big guys fall same as little guys."
Aden nodded and got up. The brute charged again but Aden put out his foot and he tripped and fell. Everyone was amazed. Trini whispered him one little thing and already he managed to win a fight.
Then Trini called them all to gather around her.
"You all fought well. But now you will fight me." She took a stick for herself and twirled it around.
"Who wants to go first?" she then asked. At first all the Nightbloods were incredibly still and quiet. Then Aden stepped forward.
"I do." he took his fighting stance, flawed as it was.
"What is your name?"
"Aden."
"Let's see how good you are, Aden." Trini of course went easy on him. She didn't even move her feet, she used only one hand with the stick and still after three moves, she managed to hit him straight in the chest.
"Next!"
They all got their chance against Trini and they all failed after less than five moves even though Trini attacked the same way every time.
"Was that everyone? Then I shall announce my decision as soon as my mother is present." she put her stick on the ground.
"Can I go again?" Aden asked causing all the other children to chuckle.
"Sure. Give it a go." Trini smiled and picked up her weapon one more time. She was prepared to do the same five moves one more time. Only this time when she swung for Aden's chest he ducked and almost smacked her foot. This time he lasted much longer than anyone else. When he finally lost, Trini smiled at him and returned to her chair. In a few minutes Takoma came to support her daughter.
"Young Nightbloods, for one of you, your journey towards becoming a great warrior begins today. Trini, tell us whom you have chosen to be your second."
All eyes were on Trini and it was making her nervous.
"Aden." she decided to keep it short and to the point.
"The rest of you, return to your training, Aden, join your master", Takoma then turned and whispered to her eldest daughter, "Aden? I would have chosen the big one."
What neither of them knew was that Indra was standing not far from there, hidden behind a tree. She was really mad at Trini, but she wasn't going to let her make this important step in her life without her there. She smiled when she chose Aden. She was finally sure she thought her well.
Trini took Aden to her room because, to be honest, she didn't really know what to do with him. She was barely three when she became Indra's second and didn't really remember how they bonded. As long as she could remember they were training together.
She sat on a chair and expected he would do the same, but he just stood there staring at her.
"You want to sit?" she asked awkwardly.
"I have to do the Second-to-master oath." he said and then walked over to her chair and kneeled.
"Every master and his second share a special brond, which is based on respect and… And…" he started muttering and looked terrified. Trini would be glad to help him out if she knew the words, but she didn't remember ever doing this with Indra.
"Aden, listen, you don't have to do that whole thing… Just use your own words. Tell me what they thought you a second should do." she gave him a hand signal to stand up.
"I have to listen to what you say, never speak to you unless you called for me, never reveal to others what you told me, follow you at three paces, never be late to a training, always call you master…"
"Well, I'll tell you what is important to me. First I want you to forget about not speaking to me unless called. I want you to ask me as many questions as possible and always tell me what you're thinking because I need to know what you're thinking. Can you do that?"
Aden nodded.
"And you don't have to call me master when we are not around other masters", she added, "Just call me Trini. And you don't have to worry about three paces and such things, because I won't. Now I'll show you to your room, since you'll be staying with me in the tower."
"Master Trini?"
"Yes, Aden?"
"Why did you pick me?"
"Because you were the fastest learner there. You were the only one who realized I was repeating my moves. The strength will come with age. Skill with practice. You use your head. That cannot be thought."
"Trini?"
"Yes?"
"I'm happy you chose me." he hugged her. She felt incredibly good about herself.
Next, she introduced him to Lexa and Costia who were thrilled to have someone else to play with.
"I'm surprised you didn't take Ontari as your second." Costia said.
"I thought about it. Mother would never allow it. She'll get someone else. I hear Indra's available." Trini smiled, but inside it hurt a little bit. She didn't want to appear weak in front of the girls so she made jokes.
"Where is Ontari, anyway?" Trini asked.
"We haven't seen her in a while. You?" Lexa thought about the last conversation they had.
"No, Lexa. I have no idea where she is. That is trouble… I have to go look for her. You look after Aden." Trini started walking towards the door.
"We? Look after him? Trini!" Lexa wasn't happy with the task she was given.
"Think of him as a lizard. You always wanted one of those." Trini smirked.
"Not funny. What if he starts crying? Trini? Trini!" Lexa yelled, but her sister was gone.
"Lincoln! Lincoln, wait up!" Trini finally found him patrolling the halls. He was dressed as one of Heda's bodyguards.
"Trini, I'm working. Can it wait?" he didn't seem so thrilled to see her. I guess he forgot who helped him get this job.
"Look, I'm happy you found this job. I really am, but Ontari is missing. Costia and Lexa haven't seen her all day. She wasn't in her room when they woke up and she's not there now."
"So are you worried she might be in trouble, or that she might be causing trouble?"
"At this point I really don't know." Trini made the most desperate face expression Lincoln has ever seen. They have been friends for a long time so he could see when something was really important to her and this was.
They started asking around, but so far they've had no luck. They checked many of her favorite places here in the capitol, but she was nowhere to be found. Trini didn't want to even think about something till now, but there was a possibility Ontari decided to return back home. That was hard for Trini to imagine since Ontari really seemed to enjoy living with them.
While they were looking, they saw Trini's horse Trikova galloping around aimlessly through the town. She had no saddle and was pretty shaken up. They both rode her back to the stables where Trini was planning to give the stable boy a good scolding for losing her horse, but when they got there he was lying on the ground. They ran to help him.
"I am sorry, Main Natblida. It was that little girl. The one with the scars. She had blood all over her face when she came here. She demanded your horse. I told her she needs your permission for that and she said she'll take another one. I turned around for just a second and… Black!" The young boy barely spoke. His head was bleeding.
"She probably hit you with a rock or something. We need to get you to a healer." Lincoln helped him stand up.
"Then she tried to saddle Trikova, but Trikova doesn't like strange people touching her so she ran off. And Ontari took Costia's horse." Trini walked away to get some air.
"Why did she want a horse so bad? You don't think she…" Lincoln went after her.
"She went back to Azgeda. That's the only explanation. Damn it! I believed her! She was getting better. Why?"
"I guess she wasn't doing so great since she did this."
"She knows too much, Lincoln. She listened to us talk about the meetings, about Luna's mission, about Anya and Roan… We are in big trouble."
At that time Ontari was already sitting in her old room waiting to talk to Nia. A part of her feared the Queen would just kill her the moment she stepped into the Ice Nation's territory. But the solders that picked her up were instructed to keep her safe and bring her to the Queen unharmed.
"Give me one good reason not to kill you right now." Nia put a dagger on the little girl's throat.
"You need me. I am a Nightblood." Ontari said, not a flinch of fear in her eyes.
"I need a loyal Nightblood. You've betrayed me."
"I lied to them. I made them trust me with secrets. And now I'm here to tell you everything."
"You want to tell me that you have been planning this from the start?"
"Exactly. I know things about their plan; things about them that would amaze you."
"There is no way Trini trusted you with anything."
"But she did. Strikheda has a weakness. I was a victim, a helpless little abused girl. She couldn't stop herself. She had to save me. Help me."
"So you are still one of us?"
"I did what you thought me. I exploited her weakness." Ontari traced her finger on her freshly open wounds on her forehead.
"You did that yourself?"
"To remind myself of who I am. I am Ontari kom Azgeda, the future commander.
Trini was quite upset, but she still found her way up to her room. There she found Lexa, Costia and Aden playing that game with the colorful stones. She was happy to see them getting along. Then she spotted Indra standing in the corner of the room.
"You know the point of having a second is that you actually train with him." Indra stepped closer to the center of the room.
"And I intend to. I just had urgent business to attend to." Trini frowned.
"What kind of business?"
"That is no longer your concern."
"Are you bringing him to the evening tournaments?"
"Maybe I am."
"I'll be expecting you. And so will the other masters. We are anxious to see you teach."
"Indra you are no longer my master and you have no business in my room unless you were invited."
"Excuse me, Main Natblida." Indra left.
Trini had to hold back tears. She was horrified that her relationship with Indra has come to this.
She called Aden and asked him to join her at the tournaments, while Lincoln stayed behind to tell Costia and Lexa what Ontari did.
First they just walked around the pits and looked around. Lincoln loved those fights and couldn't bear to miss even one day. He joined them eventually. His first fight was against a short, but incredibly muscular village builder. As the two men prepared to fight, Trini turned to Aden.
"I want you to watch them closely. Learning from other people's mistakes is important."
"Yes, Trini. But am I going to fight someone today?"
"No. Today I am teaching you to predict the winner of a match. Now, who do you think is going to win here?"
"I don't know." Aden watched as they took turns punching each other.
"Well, I think it is going to be Lincoln." Trini smiled and resumed watching the match. Lincoln did get punched pretty hard a couple of times, but still ended up winning.
"Now, why did I say Lincoln was going to win?" Trini asked her second.
"Because he is your friend?"
"No, Aden," Trini chuckled, "Can you tell me what did the other guy do wrong? Why did he lose?"
Aden looked at the winner and the loser, but couldn't think of anything smart to say.
"Look at his face. It's so red from anger. He is too aggressive in his attacks. People like that look intimidating, but fight too recklessly and often lose." Trini explained.
Lincoln then chose another opponent. It was a serious looking woman, a warrior. While they were preparing to pounce at each other Trini sat on the ground and instructed Aden to do the same.
"Now, Aden, I want you to carefully watch the fight. And when Lincoln wins, tell me why." she said. The little boy nodded and diverted all of his attention to the two fighters. This match was much longer, but Lincoln won again.
"She was slow." Aden said after a short silence.
"That's right. She missed a lot of opportunities, because she was too slow. If it was a real fight to the death, Lincoln would have slit her through before she even realized what was happening."
"How can you always tell who's going to win?"
"Well I just watch both sides and look for weaknesses. It's also important to know your own weaknesses. When you're fighting someone, you have to be able to quickly figure out what kind of move will take him down. I hate to disappoint you, but most fights are won in here." she pointed at his head and he smiled.
Trini however wasn't in a smiling mood. It was something he said. He asked her how she can always tell who is about to win. It was the exact skill that Nia was bragging about at their meeting. Maybe they weren't so different. Her words began ringing through her head again. She really needed to loosen up.
"Now, I am going to fight Lincoln and you're going to tell me why I won." she got up and started walking towards Lincoln.
"I don't think so." Indra stopped her.
"What is the problem? I wanted to show my second some basic moves."
"You are a master now. That means you can't be in a match with someone who isn't. You can't fight seconds anymore. If you want to fight, come join the other masters."
There was no way this was going to end well. All the other masters were much more experienced. This was literally Trini's first day. She called Aden over and Indra led them to the other side of the Pits.
"So, who am I fighting? You?" Trini stood in the middle of the pit.
"Oh, no. You have fought me many times. Today you need a challenge. Tristan, komba raun! [Tristan, approach!]" Indra waved her hand at someone. The man, Tristan, immediately ran to her. He was very tall and looked strong. He had a particularly disturbing look in his eyes. Like he wanted to snap someone's spine with his bare hands. Trini was a bit nervous, but Aden was afraid.
"Don't do it! Don't fight him!" he cried out.
"Have a little faith, Aden. You haven't seen me fight."
"No…" Aden whispered.
"Let's begin. No weapon?"
"No weapon." Tristan said and charged. He made a few powerful swings trying to hit Trini's face. She dodged them all and hit him in the stomach as hard as she could, but it didn't seem to bother him much. She tried a kick, but he caught her leg and drew her closer so he could punch her in the face. She received a few good punches before she broke free and fell to the ground. He picked her up by her neck and plunged his fist into her stomach. She was out of breath, but still managed to use his hand as support for her next kick. She broke free again.
"Quint! Feel free to join in." Indra was determined to embarrass Trini.
When Trini saw Quint running towards her, she didn't have time to complain. She hit Tristan's foot, causing him to lean down. She stood on his back with one foot, using him to jump higher and hit Quint in the face while he was approaching. Quint fell and Trini landed on top of him and started tirelessly hitting his face. He couldn't fight back so she only stopped when Tristan dragged her off him. He then threw her to the ground and kicked her with his feet again and again while she tried to roll away.
"No! Stop it! You're hurting her!" Aden yelled. He wanted to run to his master and help her, but Lincoln came up from behind him and held him still. Aden kept screaming how this wasn't fair, but he couldn't do anything.
When he looked back at Trini, she was punching Quint and pulled him over her shoulder so he fell. Tristan was charging at her, but she moved and he fell on top of Quint. Both men were trying to get up, but couldn't because of the other one, so they just floundered in the mud. Then Tristan got mad and started punching the other man and he reciprocated. Trini took the time to come to her senses. She spoon around a few times preparing for a strong kick to the back of Tristan's head. He immediately passed out preventing Quint from getting up. Trini took advantage of this and stamped on his face hard enough to make him unconscious, too.
Trini breathed a sigh of relief before Aden ran to her to make sure she was fine.
Trini was quite sore, but breathing. She went to her room to clean some of the blood and the mud off her. Even before she entered she heard someone inside, crying. It was Lexa. Trini wanted to say something, but instead walked over to the bed and hugged her sister who completely relaxed into her arms.
"What happened to you?" Lexa whimpered.
"Indra got me into a fight with two skilled warriors. I won."
"Anything new on Ontari?"
"No, snacha. She's gone."
"I was so stupid," Lexa cried even harder, "And now Nia's going to know all your secrets because I trusted her."
"Lexa, it was a beautiful thing you did to that girl."
"It was stupid!"
"Shh… You listen to me, my little hero. What you did was incredibly brave. You showed that you have a big heart and that is nothing to be ashamed of. I don't want you to ever lose that." Trini gently stroked her sister's hair.
"I will never trust anyone again. It hurts too much. I thought she was my friend."
"I know that you feel betrayed and you have every right to. But that is no reason to stop believing in people. You have to give people a chance. It's true that it sometimes doesn't work out. But when it does it's worth it. Please promise me you won't stop hoping. That's one of the things I like most about you."
"It's hard."
"I know. But I trusted Roan and it wasn't a mistake. And Luna, and Lincoln. If you don't trust anyone then it doesn't matter how many people you have by your side, you're always alone."
"I'll try, Trini." she hugged her sister tighter.
Leah was out on another meeting with Lincoln. She has developed a routine by now. She was climbing in through the window, like she did every night, when she heard a voice.
"Leah? What are you doing?"
It was Susan's voice. What was she doing awake?
"I am coming back from a walk." Leah lied.
"Why did you go for a walk in the middle of the night?"
"I like walking in the dark, Sue. Now I want to sleep."
"Why are you holding reins from a horse? Where exactly did you walk?"
"I will tell you the truth, Sue, but you mustn't tell anyone else."
"I promise I won't." The little girl got a bit excited.
"I was meeting my boyfriend."
"You already found a boyfriend? Who is it?"
"He is not from Frikru. I knew him before. And I am talking him into joining our city."
"I hope he comes here so I can meet him."
"I hope so, too. And not a word to anyone." Leah slipped into bed. She hoped for her own sake that Susan was better at keeping secrets than Lexa.
Soon came morning. Tiffy was making breakfast while Harry and Susan waited at the table. Harry was bouncing a rubber ball of the wall.
"I said not to play with that thing at the table." Tiffy said to her son.
"But we're not eating." he complained.
"No playing." Tiffy walked over and took it from him, "Why isn't Leah up yet? Can you go and get her, Sue?"
What they didn't know was that Leah was already awake, dressed and walking down the stairs. She couldn't see them, but she could hear them. She stopped and listened as soon as she realized they were talking about her.
"I think we should let her sleep." Sue avoided eye contact with her mother.
"Why? Did she have trouble sleeping?" Tiffy asked and gave them each an orange.
"Something like that." Sue was getting nervous. Tiffy picked up on that and positioned herself right in front of the little girl's face.
"What are you not telling me, Sue?"
"Mom, I… She asked me not to tell."
"Sue, I am legally responsible for her now. Whatever it is, I have a right to know."
"OK. She rode out of town to meet her boyfriend last night."
"Her what?" Harry almost spat out a piece of his orange.
Leah heard the whole thing. There was no explaining what she's done. She soundlessly returned to her and Susan's room to take a few things and sneak out one last time.
"She has a boyfriend in the clans and she went to meet him and convince him to join us." Susan confessed.
"She's been talking to someone who's not from Frikru? I have to talk to her. Harry, run over to Keni's house and get him here as soon as possible."
By the time Harry got out of the house Leah was already close to the fence. When Susan went to look for her in her room, all she found was a note that said: "IM SORRI"
Important developments:
-Queen Nia tries to get Trini to join her, but Trini refuses…
- Trini chooses Aden to be her second
- Ontari runs back to Azgeda and decides to tell Nia all Trini's secrets
- Luna is found out and must flee Frikru
The finally chapters await you… :D
