The Polis central square had been converted into an Amazon village. Dozens of thatched huts occupied spaces where there were normally numerous vendor stalls, Clarke could make out symbols of the various clans on some of the huts. She felt bad that Skaikru wouldn't be represented at the festival, other than her serving as attendant. Although Lexa still recognized them as the thirteenth clan, currently Pike and his followers were rejecting the coalition. Clarke pushed thoughts of politics from her mind as they neared the end of the avenue and the large hut that had been erected there. It was easily thrice the size of the other huts and was set apart from them geographically. It was obviously built for the Queen.
Clark walked slightly behind the Amazon Queen not daring to put herself on the Queen's level. Titus walked yet another step behind Clarke. Heda's personal guard made up the rest of the Lexa's entourage. The sun had fallen behind the treeline and there was a nip in the air but despite the chill it felt like the entire population of Polis had shown up to celebrate. The people bowed and murmured as the Queen passed, some threw flower petals at her feet. Others sought to kiss the hand of the Queen. Clarke couldn't believe that just hours before she'd been allowed to freely kiss and touch and love the Queen. Her center quivered at the memories of Lexa's mouth on her own, Heda's fingers touching hidden places.
Lexa stopped at the hut's entrance and turned to face the huge crowd. She looked resplendent in the ornate Amazon Queen costume. The headdress was festooned with feathers from ravens and peacocks. Her black arm cuffs swirled with silver scroll design. The red leather dress fit tightly to Lexa's athletic form making Clarke's mouth water not for the first time since helping Lexa into the garment. The black knee high boots were laced with red leather stings. Lexa looked deadly and fuckable at the same time and Clarke saw many admiring faces in the crowd.
"People of the Thirteen Clans," Lexa's opening address caused more than a few grumbles among those who were still uncomfortable with the shaky alliance with Skaikru. Clarke was sure that her presence as Heda's attendant was doing little to allay their concerns. Lexa either didn't hear the detractors or chose to ignore them. "We gather this evening as we have in years past to honor Bekka Pramheda and to offer our gratitude that she fell from the sky so that we might live. Tonight we dine, drink, dance, and do our duty," Lexa glanced to Titus who nodded his approval, "we offer our bodies so that future generations will live and prosper as we have done. And we will prosper. We have wasted far too many years warring against one another. This does nothing to honor Bekka's legacy and it offers little hope or promise to our young. This is why I started the coalition, this is why I've welcomed Skaikru as the thirteenth clan." Lexa looked to Clarke and Clarke could see the tiniest lift of the left corner of Lexa's lips but the shine in her eyes told her that the smile was only for her. "And, although you may not realize it now, it is also why we have to accept the policy of Jus nou drein, jus daun. Our legacy will be peace. Our future will be prosperity. Now let the festivities begin."
The crowd erupted in applause and cheering although there were still a few sour faces. Clarke noticed that most of those sour faces had scarring indicative of Azgeda. But, there were a few from each clan who seemed uneasy at Heda's pronouncement. But most people seemed happy to just be having a reason to let loose and celebrate. Lexa seemed far less concerned by the disgruntled Grounders than did Clarke. She leaned in and whispered. "Now you open the hut flap for me."
Clarke did as asked, pulling back the heavy leather flap and waited for Lexa to enter. Clarke surveyed the crowd one last time. Her eyes landed on Titus who gave her one of his disdainful looks. Clarke shook her head at him before following Lexa into the hut. She was surprised to find Aden already inside, waiting for them.
"Heda," he bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Aden. Have you brought everything?" Lexa asked.
"Yes, it's all there in the backpack."
Lexa took the black bag off the pallet of furs where Aden had laid it and started pulling out clothing. "The armor?"
"It's out in the back alley, exactly where you showed me."
"Good, you've done well, Aden. I won't forget this. My spirit will serve you well when you become Heda, Aden. I promise."
"Pray that doesn't happen soon, Heda." The boy quickly offered.
"I second that." Clarke really wished that Lexa would learn to talk about something other than her death.
Lexa glared at Clarke. "Now Aden, give us a minute. Wait outside."
"Yes, Heda." he answered but Clarke noticed that he didn't use the front entrance, instead he slid out of a small opening that hat been cut into the back of the hut.
"Clarke, you are going with Aden. He's going to show you where I want you to go."
"I don't understand. I thought I was to be your attendant."
"You are. But you are also going to be my chosen."
"Lexa, what? Titus will lose it!"
"Titus isn't going to know that it's you. He's going to think you are in here, remember. He saw you come in and I am sure his eyes are still trained on that front flap, darting daggers at us right now. You are going to put on these clothes and slip out the back with Aden. He's going to take you to join the other dancers who will compete for Heda's affection. Heda will, of course, pick you to be her suitor."
Clarke's heart raced. There were too many potential opportunities for something to go wrong. Besides, how was she ever going to pass for a man? "Lexa, I don't think this is going to work. I mean what if Titus comes in here or. . ."
"He wouldn't dare. It is forbidden for anyone other than the lovers and the attendant to enter the sacred hut."
"But he'll recognize me with the other potential suitors."
"No he won't, I've got that covered. This disguise will work, trust me."
"Even if it does, you said dancers, Lexa. I can't dance."
"You don't have to. It's not choreographed or synchronized. Each warrior displays himself how he chooses in front of Heda and then she chooses her favorite. Its simple. Often Heda doesn't even let the dancers finish. She just finds the one she wants and takes his sash."
"Lexa, I don't know. I'm not much of an actor. . ." Clarke tried to protest.
"Really? Because if I recall correctly, you conned me the first day we met."
Clarke chuckled because she couldn't deny it.
"Now hurry, take your clothes off. I'll help you into these."
Clarke stripped quickly, her nipples pebbling under Lexa's stare.
"First we have to do something about your hair." Lexa took an old tin that read Kiwi on the top out of the bag and opened the lid. She slathered her finger into the dark brown goop in the tin and started running her fingers through Clarke's blonde hair. When she was satisfied that she'd knocked off the glaring shine of Clarke's golden mane enough to make her unrecognizable as her favorite Skaiperson, Lexa pulled out a long strip of bandage and started wrapping Clarke's breasts. "This is going to feel really tight but the good news is, you won't have to wear it for long. Just long enough for you to pass as a man."
"You wear this in battle?" Clarke had remembered Lexa mentioning taping her breasts.
"Yes, usually. How does that feel?"
"It's snug but it's okay."
"Well, if you didn't have such big boobs, Clarke."
"You don't like them?" Clarke teased.
"Oh, I'm gonna show you just how much I like them when I get you back in here." Lexa placed a promising kiss on Clarke's lips.
Clarke looked down at her chest. For the first time, she was starting to think that they could actually pull this thing off. "Not tonight. Tonight, I'm the man, remember. I'm gonna show you how much I like your breasts, Lexa."
Lexa's lips pursed and Clarke saw her throat move as she anticipated being beneath Clarke. "You are such bottom, Lexa," Clarke whispered.
"Only for you," came Lexa's quiet reply.
"I think it's beautiful and I don't take it lightly." Clarke cupped Lexa's face in her hands. "I'll be the suitor of your dreams tonight."
"You already are, Clarke kom Skaikru. Every night."
Clarke wanted to throw Lexa down on the soft pallet that lay near the hut's central hearth but she knew it would have to wait til later. "Let's get me dressed. The sooner I get out there, the sooner I get back in here."
Lexa nodded and grabbed a pair of breeches and tossed them to Clarke.
It only took Clarke and Aden another twenty minutes to get her armor outfitted and her blue sash tied around her waist. Clarke would have killed for a mirror but looking down at herself, she had to admit that she looked like any other Trikru gona. Aden had even inked a temporary tattoo on her face using one of Lexa's kohl sticks. As long as Clarke stayed on the opposite side of the central square from where Titus stood watching the festivities, she was certain that he'd think she was a regular suitor.
"Thank you, Aden."
"You're welcome. Permission to speak freely?" Aden asked.
Even the children were formal. Or maybe it was because Aden had grown up like Lexa, robbed of an actual childhood. His life had been about duty as long as he could remember. "Of course, Aden."
"I think you are good for Heda. I know it goes against our teachings but since you came into our lives, I've seen her smile. I didn't know that she could. Your secret will always be safe with me." He held out his hand for a formal handshake.
Clarke took his arm, clasping forearm in forearm. "She makes me smile too. I won't forget this, Aden. And neither will Heda."
Aden nodded. "Now you just line up with the others. You will see them. Heda is probably already watching their performances. Just take your place in line and wait for her to signal you. She'll know you by this sash." Aden fingered the silken fabric.
"Here goes," Clarke took a deep breath and headed into the fray. Aden skulked off into the darkness.
As Aden had predicted. Lexa was already assessing potential lovers. The gona dancing before her was twirling twin blades impressively. Clarke had only ever seen two other warriors handle swords that skillfully, Lexa and Roan.
Speaking of Roan, he was in line with the other would-be lovers. Clarke shrank back out of his sight. What was he doing? Of course, he thought sending Emerson to Lexa had signified a truce between them and in essence it had. But why had he returned to Polis for the holiday? What was he thinking? Did he really think Lexa would choose to bed him? Maybe he was jockeying for a political marriage. But all the Grounders knew Titus' mantra. "To be Commander is to be alone." No. Roan, as bold as he was, wouldn't presume to wed Lexa. But bed her? Maybe. Produce a child with her? He'd likely consider that. Their offspring would not only be an heir to the Azgeda throne. It would also likely be a Natblida. Clarke knew his courting was futile but it irked her nonetheless.
Roan's presence among the suitors presented an unexpected problem and Clarke's original misgivings about the whole ordeal resurfaced and sent her heart pounding in her chest and her ears. Now, she had to steer clear of Titus and Roan!
She faded back farther in the line. Which was fine, she told herself. She needed to improvise a dance anyway. All of these gonas were much more gifted than her with their weapon of choice. Clarke looked at the suitor who had been behind the dual sword wielder. This gona was an archer and he presented his bow before Heda then took three arrows and lit the tips of them on fire. He shot them straight in the air, quickly cast his bow aside, grabbed a shield and ran across the square catching the flaming shafts as they returned to the earth. Everyone cheered at the theatrics. Clarke only rolled her eyes. She had no special skill. She was going to look like a complete loser in comparison.
Clarke reminded herself that it didn't matter. Lexa was going to choose her anyway. It was prearranged. But it still bothered her than she didn't have a show prepared to honor Heda.
Clarke wracked her brain trying to come up with any idea that would suffice.
She looked back to Lexa who was looking down the line searching for her. But Roan stood between them catching Lexa's attention.
"King of Azgeda," Lexa smirked.
Titus' head snapped up. He dared to edge closer until Lexa shot him a warning look. The priest had no role to play in the ceremony. The right to choose a suitor was Heda's alone.
"Heda. Commander of the Thirteen Clans. Azgeda has come to honor you and Bekka Pramheda this evening. I'm not much of a dancer Heda but please accept these thirteen elk. One for each Clan." A wrangler pulled the beasts into the square. And they were healthiest animals Clarke had seen since arriving on Earth. If Azgeda had an abundance of good meat such as that, that explained why their warriors were so formidable, Clarke thought.
Clarke heard grumbling from some of the other clans. Some people whispered bribery. Others decried his offer as arrogance. But Lexa thanked Roan for his offer and called to one of her gonas to make sure that the animals were distributed correctly.
"Thank you, King Roan," Lexa nodded. "Next."
Clarke saw Roan grin but she knew it was one of his disappointed grins and not a grin of pleasure. He had actually thought that Lexa would choose him. Clarke was happy to see him taken down a notch. She watched as he walked to the edge of the square and talked to a woman warrior. After a brief interchange, the two took the avenue that headed to the north of town.
With Roan gone, Clarke relaxed a little. But she still had Titus to look out for. She knew he would be watching with great interest whomever, Heda chose. Clarke looked across the square. If only she could find a way to get Titus drunk! Now there was a thought! An inebriated Titus. Clarke wondered if she could convince someone to get him all liquored up. She looked around the square and saw plenty of people enjoying what she was certain were alcoholic beverages. One gona took a swig from a silver flask. The flask gave Clarke a surprising idea. It was dangerous but she thought she could make it work. But first, she needed some booze!