Lexia wasn't aware of anything but the battle. She wasn't aware of Jo at her back, or the raven flying overhead. There were three things that existed in her world: her sword, her enemy, and her hope. Nothing else mattered. Nothing.
Thrust! Side cut! Backhand side! Overhand!
Her blade moved swiftly. Someone cried out, then was silent. The battle was still heavy, but the enemy was losing faith. They didn't fight as hard, their swords didn't clash and sing and dance. They parried and thrusted, but there was no heart in their attack.
Thrust! Backstep! Cross parry! Side cut!
Lexi felt the resistance as her sword cleaved her attacker across the chest. He should have blocked…these men were getting sloppy.
Backstep! Overhand backhand! Backhand side! Parry!
Lexia was glad she couldn't see the blood as her attacker stumbled to the ground. She ended his life quickly with a clean swipe at his neck. It was better than to let him suffer. War itself was suffering enough.
Wait.
No one came at her. The barrage of swords had stopped…silence. No clashes, or swishes, or movement. Emptiness. Lexi's world expanded again. She heard Jo's panting, felt the release of pressure as the other girl leaned forward to kick a severed body part with her booted toe.
There!
A moment before the pain hit her, Lexi's neck tingled. Then all she could feel was the white, searing agony in her chest. She groped for breath, but found none. She tried to scream, but all she succeeded in was a choked bubbling of blood in her throat.
Pain…
She collapsed. Above her, she was vaguely aware of Jo's sword. Something fell at her side. But it didn't matter. Then the pain was gone. She was numb. A new type of darkness surrounded her. She felt her heart stilling.
Keep beating…please.
Things went red.
Then nothing.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"We bury our dead at sunrise."
Nasuada's eyes were hard, her voice tight. She held her shoulders stiffly, the perfect picture of a strong, capable leader. A single tear rolled down her cheek, but she didn't wipe it away.
Orrin stood at her side, looking out at the surviving soldiers. They stared back at him solemnly.
Jo sobbed openly in Tristan's arms. Bury our dead.
Bury Lexi.
Ellemo stood near them, Royce at her side. He held her hand tightly, but neither spoke. There were no words to say that expressed their grief.
"She was my best friend," Jo whispered, her tears soaking Tristan's bloodstained tunic. "I can't believe she's gone."
Tristan smoothed her golden-brown hair, rocking her gently.
"I tried," Jo hissed, pulling away from him and staring at her hands in disbelief. "I moved as fast as I could. But she was already gone." Her voice was eerie, a ghostlike whisper.
"You did all you could."
"No. I could have saved her. I should have tried harder." Jo started sobbing again, and Tristan pulled her to him.
Ellemo placed her head on Royce's shoulder. Tears gleamed in her eyes, but they didn't fall. "Lexi wouldn't want you to be sad," she murmured.
Jo turned on her, fire in her eyes. "Lexi wouldn't want to be dead either!" she spit.
Then Jo stopped. Her hand flew to her mouth. Dead. Saying it aloud made it ten times more real. Lexi was dead. There was nothing any of them could do to bring her back.
Dead.
oooooooooooooooooooooooo
The apprentices kneeled at the mound of earth soberly, eyes on the headstone Ellemo had created.
Alexia
Friend, Hero
Dream of Freedom
Royce placed the single rose on the grave, his face drawn tight with sadness. They sat in silence for a long time. Finally, Jo stepped forward. She laid Lexi's sword across the grave.
"You died for us all," she whispered. "You died for the Varden, and for freedom. And you died for Hope. I honor you."
Ellemo touched the headstone. "Wherever it is you go, may your journey be safe."
"May the wind blow in your hair," Royce continued, placing his hand on Ellemo's.
Tristan added his hand. "May the sun dance on your skin."
Jo placed her hand on top of the pile. "And may Hope sing in your heart."
"Eka celöbra ono," they said in unison.
I honor you.