Previously in chapter 20
Marie and Tris watch Lexa and Anya fight against each other on the training pits. Lexa wins against Anya in the end and Marie has to admit that she would die in a real battle quickly. Lexa wants to boost the girl's confidence and dares her to throw one of her daggers at the cones of a tree on the edge of the village. Many warriors watch closely as the girl succeeds. Lexa gifts her the dagger if she can find it. Tris helps Marie locating the dagger in the tree and tells her about the upcoming war meeting to plan the attack on Skykru.
Chapter 21
The guards outside of the commander's tent let Marie enter without any objection, as they had been informed the girl would be sent there. Some already thought it strange that their Heda would spare any time for the sky girl at all and questioned their leader's possible hidden agenda in whispered rumours.
Marie nodded politely at the guards, as she entered. Her mother had always instilled in her, how important proper manners were.
Lexa was sitting on her wooden throne and Gustus stood beside the woman stoically, whereas Indra stood opposite of them and broke off the conversation as the girl entered. Turning slightly and glaring at the child.
Lexa immediately spotted Marie's mood and furrowed her brow. Maybe the girls had been unable to find the dagger?
Indra's warriors would not join in the fight tomorrow, so that TonDC would remain protected and they would be able to monitor any movements from the Mountain that way, so the woman was not required to attend the meeting for tomorrows attack. Internally, Lexa knew that it was only a matter of time now until the Mountain Men would get involved. It was unlikely that the two metal contraptions fallen from the Sky, would have been missed by them. Although her warriors had been unsuccessful to figure put how the Mountain Men watched their surroundings, it was clear that they somehow did. The fog usually appeared only if someone crossed the river towards the Mountain after all.
"Weren't you able to find the dagger?" Lexa asked the girl, leaning slightly towards the girl in her throne, when the child stopped in front of her looking insecure and small, shoulders visibly sagged and expression downtrodden.
Marie shook her head in the negative and held up the dagger as physical proof with a slight fleeting smile, that dimmed again notably after only a second again.
Indra muttered something that sounded suspiciously as "ungrateful brat" under her breath, too low for Marie to hear clearly, but the dark-skinned woman's expression was full of hate and anger. Even Gustus was slightly glaring at the girl now. Being gifted with one of the commander's personal weapons was a great honour, the girl obviously did not quiet grasp its magnitude yet. Lexa somehow doubted that the child was truly ungrateful, it did not fit with how she had seen the girl behave until now.
"What is it then?" Lexa inquired in a calm tone and serene expression, relaxing her posture slightly; she had noticed already how the child seemed unsure in her presence. She had planned to give the girl a lesson in written Trigedasleng. Not all of her generals were able to read, but she thought it to be an important skill. Anya had told her beforehand, that the girl was able to read and write English, so it should not be a very hard lesson for her.
Marie bit her lips for a few moments and let her shoulders drop even more "The attack is tomorrow" she stated in a subdued tone. Her grey eyes only connected minutely with the commander's before she averted them again, it was obvious that the girl was troubled deeply by her thoughts on the matter.
That was everything the girl offered freely as an explanation, but Lexa pursued her lips in slight irritation. Anya and she had previously talked about the attack, her general was fearing that the girl's ties to Skykru would be too deep for a smooth transition into Trikru. The child seemed much more sensitive and Anya was not certain of the child's ability to truly adapt to their culture.
Indra and Gustus shared a knowing look and Indra resumed her silent glare. Lexa had forbidden her to speak up against the girl again openly, so the general kept silent although her reluctance was more than obvious.
"I understand that it is hard for you to accept that the other Sky children will be killed…" Lexa started to tell Marie in a calm tone and a hint of compassion infused her green eyes.
To the commander's silent consternation, the child interrupted her mid-sentence. "It is not that!" Marie exclaimed voice raised slightly and her hands balled into fists at her side, frustration flashing over her features openly. As quick as the girl's anger had risen, it deflated as well and the child looked even more troubled "Not completely at least…" she added in a whisper.
Gustus also glared at the girl now for having interrupted Lexa so rudely, but Lexa could spot the same confusion in his eyes she was feeling at the girl's sudden change of mood. Internally, she hoped that the girl would learn quickly to guard her feelings better, she wore them on her face without any filter. Lexa looked at the girl in silence, a question burning in her green eyes and waiting for the child to explain herself.
After a moment the girl looked up at her and exhaled loudly, before she did continue in a slightly strained voice "I should feel more empathic that they are all going to die, I know that." Her shoulders visibly sagged again, probably from guilt at her own feelings.
Lexa had listened to the girl's words with a deepening frown, confusion rising in her mind at the girl's illogical way of thinking; she could have easily fathomed the girl to be downtrodden at the prospect of her people's impending extinction, but something else was obviously upsetting her although Lexa could not think of something else. Sending her to participate in the fight would be a suicide mission and the girl was aware that she could not fight well enough to help in a real fight. She had voiced as much after watching herself and her general compete in combat just this morning.
"The others have guns" Marie explained after another beat of heavy silence and her voice quivered noticeably, fear showed clearly in her big grey eyes "What if Anya and Tris won't even reach them before they are shot down? Or your other warriors? A gun against a sword does not seem like a fair fight" the child's voice had risen at the end and her grey eyes were now locked with Lexa's.
Indra and Gustus both were blinking their eyes at the girl in silent astonishment. Marie was obviously worried more for their warriors, than she was for her own people, a train of thought absolutely alien to them.
Lexa was lost for words for a moment as well, taken aback at the child's depths of compassion for her warriors. Her grey eyes had shown with honesty and her emotions were displayed visibly on her pale face, easy to read. "My warriors are way more trained in the art of battle, Marie" Lexa reassured the girl in a kind tone. But all of them knew, that guns were weapons they could not fight well against. They had a strategy and if all worked to plan the losses would be minimal, but there would be losses. But losses were a part of every battle anyway. "Falling in battle is an honourable death and death is a constant companion to warriors, Marie" Lexa continued in an even voice as she gazed down at the girl "I will not lie to you. There will be losses, but we will be victorious" her tone was sure and she held Marie's gaze for long moments.
Marie nodded with a solemn expression, but it was evident that the girl did not feel reassured in the slightest and she was biting at her lower lip.
Indra eyed the girl with a contemplating expression and it was clear to Lexa, that the woman was already starting to adjust her previous conception of the young girl. She might not have the physical strength the other seconds all had but there was another strength in this girl. Lexa could not quiet put a finger on it yet, but something was special about the girl, something Anya must have sensed as well. She had been surprised that she had not been forced to chose someone as the girl's first.
"Indra, Gustus, leave us" Lexa commanded authoritatively, waving dismissively at both of them. Indra nodded at once and left without another word, her dark eyes minutely flitting back to the blonde child, whereas Gustus lingered behind for a moment clearly reluctant to leave her side. One silent warning glare was enough to convince him to follow her orders.
Marie watched them leave silently and her grey eyes returned to Lexa's face expectantly.
Lexa saw that the girl was still holding the dagger in her fingers and offered one of her sheaths to the girl that could be strapped to her thigh.
The girl accepted it gratefully and Lexa stood from her throne to show her how to fasten it and what position would not hinder her movements.
The lesson itself worked rather well and Lexa was positively surprised to note that the girl possessed a quick mind and was obviously still eager to learn. The girl's pre-existing ability to read and write English helped her progress greatly. Trying to read Trigedasleng would improve her skill of the new language even faster than just speaking it ever could. Lexa was pleased to spot the child relaxing her tense frame as the time passed and the girl seemed to gradually become more confident to actually ask her questions, although a residual tenseness and caution remained.
Anya's return to the commander's tent, after the meeting had been called to a close, ended their lesson and she nodded thankfully to Lexa for having kept the girl close to her.
Marie softly bid goodnight to Lexa, a shy smile flitting over her features before she followed Anya through the village. The atmosphere in the village seemed excited, dimming Marie's own mood. Preparations for the attack were ongoing everywhere she looked.
Anya guided them back to their shared tent and they ate some dinner there in a heavy silence. Marie could not help herself and she was looking up to Anya every few seconds.
Anya had picked up on the girl's strange behaviour almost immediately, but she was also relatively sure of the origin. The girl was making sure, she was still there, although she was slightly astounded to note honest worry for her own person in the girl's grey eyes. She had of course already noted that the child seemed to wish to form a bond to her immediately, but Anya had been certain that it would take more time for Marie to actually do so and warrant what she assumed to be fear of losing her. She already expected that the girl would not be able to sleep this night as well. So, after dinner she opted to do something that she had never before done with Lexa or Tris. Anya directly made Marie lie down with her in her bedroll and let the girl snuggle up to her, hoping that she would be able to sleep better this way. The battle would take place tomorrow and although she was confident in their strategy, she could not afford to be overly exhausted and by thus easily distracted.
"Please promise to come back tomorrow" the girl whispered in a pleading voice moments later into the darkness in the tent and her small fingers fisted in the material of Anya's shirt.
Anya stiffened a bit and had to forcefully exhale. She had no idea, why the girl felt this connected to her already after only a few short days and she knew she could not make this promise without lying. A warrior would never be able to promise to return safe from battle. "I will try my hardest" she offered sincerely instead.
The girl seemed to understand and nodded against her chest tightening the grip she had on Anya.
Her closeness had helped greatly and the girl had thankfully not woken up from any nightmares. So, Anya was glad to wake up reasonably rested on the next morning.
One glance into Marie's face was enough, to know that the girl was totally frightened. She looked pale and her grey eyes appeared even huger in her face, staring at Anya forlornly. Anya tried to be as gentle and reassuring with her charge as possible without eluding the truth.
When they met Tris for a breakfast at the bonfire, her charges could not have been more different. Where Marie was biting her lips and looking small and frightened, Tris was buzzing with excited energy.
They would not be doing any physical training this morning, as they would start their march in a few hours and Anya did not wish to tire Tris too much. Lexa had agreed to look after Marie again in the meantime. For Anya's taste, Tris was overly excited and she changed her decision against the physical training immediately after breakfast.
Marie was allowed to only watch them spar and she blinked in open puzzlement. It took Anya only a few moments to correct Tris' cockiness and the girl looked abashed. Marie internally wondered if Tris had only been able to win against Anya in the last training, because the woman had actively let her win, Tris did not have even the sliver of a chance in their short match.
"You are a good fighter, Tris" Anya reassured the girl "But overconfidence will get you killed faster than you think in battle. It makes you reckless, remember that later."
Tris looked up at the woman immediately, brown eyes understanding, before she nodded with a slight smile and rubbed at her smarting knees. Anya had been careful not to inflict any real injuries before the fight nevertheless. She just wanted the girl to be more cautious and nothing was more effective in bringing down an overconfident warrior than showing them proof of their many flaws.
Marie had watched them silently. But she would take this lesson seriously as well.
The rest of the time before the attack, Anya made Marie try to shoot a bow.
The girl was not completely skill-less, but it was clear that her attention was lacking. Anya wondered whether she would show the same talent with a bow as she had with the throwing knifes if she just focused correctly. She had tried snapping at the child to get her to focus, but it had not shown any positive result, if anything Marie had been even less focused afterwards, her grey eyes searching her own even before she truly let go of the bow string.
Marie had great difficulties to focus her attention at all on what she was doing. If possible, she would have liked to turn the time faster. So that Anya and Tris would have returned already. On the other side, she felt awful, that she barely spared the other delinquents any thoughts at all. But she guessed, that she had already accepted their deaths as a given.
When it was time to change into the armour, Marie trudged behind them silently looking to be on the verge of tears. She watched Tris and Anya change and apply war paint quickly. Both looked more ruthless now, but for Marie they still felt like her new family and she prayed she would not lose them already.
Anya tried to ignore the girl's obvious difficulties, she had already tried to reassure her with words and they had not shown any effect. There was nothing else she could say to ease her mind. When Tris and she were both ready to join the army, she sent her older second ahead for a moment and opened her mouth to order Marie to seek out the commander, when the girl suddenly launched herself at her, hugging her midriff tightly for a moment. Anya swallowed forcefully and squeezed the girl's shoulders for a moment, before she eased out of the girl's arms and nudged her towards the tent flaps.
A few moments later Marie was standing next to the commander, who oversaw the leaving warriors, she had lost sight of Anya and Tris some time ago already. The girl was constantly biting her lips now and Lexa already could see a red shimmer of blood on them. The girl seemed oblivious to the nervous gesture altogether.
When the war drums started, Marie took a startled step closer to Lexa seeking any comfort she could get in the moment. Gustus glared a bit at her, but did not make amends to remove the girl. Lexa also allowed it for now, she could see that this was taking a great toll on the young girl. They all had to remember, that Marie was completely unfamiliar with the concept of war. On the ground, war had been a constant after the end of the old world. But the girl still had to get familiar with their ways, so Lexa opted to be lenient with her as well. Only when the last warrior had disappeared in the woods and the sounds of the drums started to fade, did Lexa direct Marie to her tent.
Gustus stayed back at the entrance of the tent, leaving them in private for now.
Lexa looked at the girl and she had to admit she looked awfully small at the moment. With an almost pitying look, Lexa silently thought that the girl would have to harden fast to survive in their world. Where the sky had left the child soft, she would need to be hard on the ground. As best as she could, she diverted the girl's attention back to the lessons they had started the previous evening. Marie's progress was slow today as the girl was unable to concentrate properly. Lexa had to take some calming breaths sometimes as to not lose her patience with the girl.
"Marie, I know it is hard right now, but you need to concentrate" Lexa rebuked the girl in an even tone, while she kept her eyes gentle.
But all the lessons were forgotten long moments later when a loud explosion suddenly resonated outside.
Lexa whirled around and strode out of the tent in big strides, while Marie followed the commander quickly, grey eyes wide and fear showing on her features.
Marie could see smoke emitting in a big cloud in the distance and the smoke seemed to come from the direction of the drop ship. She was looking at the cloud of smoke with horrified eyes and Lexa was already shouting orders for scouts to be sent to the explosion.
Gustus and Indra had looked in another direction and were now casting worried glances in the direction of Mount Weather. An explosion this size would not have gone by the Mountain Men's attention. Even if the Mountain Men may have miraculously been oblivious to the Sky children's presence until now, it was sure they were aware of them now as grounders did not use any kind of explosives.
"What happened?" Marie asked in a low quivering voice, when Lexa returned to the girl a few moments later.
The commander could only share a few worried glances with her general and her guard. There were only two big questions for them. Had they underestimated the sky children this gravely? And what about the Mountain Men?