"Titus take the Nightbloods to their sleeping chambers. I would like to speak to Alexa alone. She will be in bed after we talk.", I said to my Flamekeeper as I looked at Alexa. She looks as if she is about to get in trouble; which she is not. She reminds me of my self at her age. She is a protector and I want her to always embrace that part of her self.
"Am I in trouble, Heda?", Alexa asked me as everyone left the throne room.
"No my dear you are not in trouble. But you cannot be disrespectful to Titus, he is your mentor.", I said to her as we walked out onto the balcony to look at the stars.
"But he has all these stupid rules, Heda.", She said to me with a little huff to her voice.
"They may seem stupid to you now Alexa, but in the future they will be useful. You did the right thing today, by sticking up for that little girl. What was her name?", I said to her then asked her with a small smile on my face which she returned.
"Costia, Heda she is so pretty.", Alexa said to me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face. Ever since she came to Polis when she was three, she never once smiled. She would smirk and giggle, but never smiled like she is right now. This little girl is smitten with Costia and she does not even know what it means.
"Costia, that is a pretty name. Did you show those boys' not to mess with her?", I asked her in a serious tone of voice.
"Sha Heda. I punched the boy in the face, made his nose bleed.", Alexa said to me with such pride in her voice it made me very proud of the young Nightblood standing before me.
"Good job, but do not tell Titus I told you that. Now run along and get some sleep you have a busy day tomorrow.", I said to her with a smile of my own.
"Heda, is love weakness?", Alexa asked me before she headed out of the throne room.
"No love makes you stronger. Who told you love was weakness?", I said to her then asked her with a serious tone to my voice. If Titus is teaching these kids that love is weakness I will have to have a talk with him. He cannot brain wash these children just for them to be the next Commander.
"Titus. He said it will one day kill us.", Alexa said to me with such sadness to her voice that it broke my heart to hear those words.
"Little Warrior, love will never kill you. You can love whoever you love; love is strength it makes you thrive like never before. I will talk to Titus about his teachings. Now run along and sleep.", I said to her with a smile then the last part with a serious tone to my voice. These little ones are too young to be told not to love; I did not know Titus was teaching this to them. I will have to address that in the morning before he talks to the Nightbloods. Might have to have a conversation my self with the kids. As Alexa opened the door I noticed Luna, another Nightblood that is around Alexa's age, they seem to have a bound with each other; which when it comes to the Conclave that might be hard for them. But they are kids and they need friends.
"Luna, what are you doing out of bed?", I asked the other little warrior. She looked up and me and smirked. This kid has a worst attitude then Alexa sometimes.
"I came to check on Alexa. Heda, is she in trouble?", Luna asked me as Lexa stood behind her rolling her eyes at her protectiveness. I swear this two are going to get in so much trouble when they are older, I will have to keep my eye on them as they grow.
"No child she is not in trouble, but you will be if you do not get back into bed. You have a big day with Titus tomorrow. No go, rest up.", I said to them as they both ran off to their sleeping chambers giggling the whole way.
"Why do you let them get away with so much, Heda?", I heard Titus asked as he came into my view.
"They are children Titus, they are allowed to have some fun when they are not training to be the next Commander.", I said back to him as I walked further in to my throne room as he followed me.
"But Kon, please forgive me but I have served three Commanders' before you and they all have made the mistake of letting the Nightbloods' be children. You had to kill your own friends to become Heda, you want to let that happen to these children as well?", Titus said to me. He is right but if I know my Nightbloods like I do Alexa will have no problem killing the other Nightbloods, though she might have a problem killing Luna but they will come up with something so that she does not have to kill her.
"Titus, I know you are frightened of this, you have voiced that. But my Nightbloods are stronger then the Nightbloods in my Conclave and in past Conclaves. One will succeed, and I think you and I both know whom that will be.", I said to Titus with a smirk on my face.
"If you are referring to Alexa, I do not think she is going to be a good Commander. She shows weakness when it comes to love. She has a crush with a village girl…", Titus tried saying before I broke his train of thought.
"Costia, yes Alexa has told me all about her. Love is not a weakness Titus; I will not allow you to be teaching the children that any longer. Starting tomorrow you will teach them that love will give them strength.", I said to him with a serious tone to my voice trying to convey to him that I am serious about this change.
"But Heda, to be a Commander is to be alone. That is how it has always been and that is how it will always be.", Titus argued with me, he really does not know when she shut his mouth.
"That is not true, Becca Pramheda was bonded and many Commanders after her were bonded to loved ones as well. Many had children; it was when Heda Bran was Commander that had changed our ways. He believed love was weakness that it killed the past Commanders, I believe differently. And do not look so surprised Titus I did pay attention most of the time in your teaching.", I said to him surprising him that I did in fact pay attention when I was just a young Nightblood all those years ago.
"They will be taught just as you were, I will not change that.", Titus said to me as he stepped closer to me.
"And defy your Commander, you know what sentence that is Titus. You have been the Flamekeeper for three Commanders, who have not changed, but you are my Flamekeeper now and you will do as I say. Even if that means changing our ways of teaching, whether you like it or not. Or be sentenced to death your choice.", I said to him standing my ground and what I believe in.
"As you wish Commander.", Titus said before he the Throne room. He is so stubborn but I think I can make him see my ways, and hopefully the next Commander will continue my ways.