The Commander rode in first. She had insisted that Kayden follow next, and her guards after that. There was silence as they entered the camp. Kayden could see people gathered around the gate. They all watched in silence as Kayden and the Commander slowly guided their horses through the pathway that the soldiers had made for them.
People whispered as they passed by. Some onlookers pointed at Kayden then turned to their neighbors to continue gossiping in hushed tones. She wished she knew what they were saying. It made her uncomfortable to know that she was being spoken about and yet not know what was being said.
Someone reached out and touched her foot and Kayden tensed. She almost turned to attack but quickly calmed and reminded herself that she was here on peaceful terms. I'm not here to fight, she told herself.
She swiveled in her saddle only to see that the one who had touched her was only a child. A small boy who had been on his father's shoulders. His father scolded him for doing so, then realized that Kayden was looking directly at them. He stared at Kayden, and she noticed something strange in his eyes.
They're afraid of us, she thought. She broke eye contact with the man and continued trotting behind Grimelda. It was strange to think that these people were afraid of her. She was the one in enemy territory. Her people were outnumbered 100 to 1. And yet, these civilians still feared her. They must know what we can do. Their Chancellor must have told them.
She hadn't wanted to be treated like the princess that the Commander had instructed her to act like. But still, she'd rather have been looked at with false adoration then with real fear. She didn't like being feared. There weren't just soldiers here. There were children, families. And they were all afraid of her and her people.
Suddenly, Kayden found herself being thankful for her makeup and dress. There was no use in showing strength here. She was getting married one way or another. And if she was going to win over the people of the Ark, she was going to have to become one of them. And that meant not being a threat. Been here less than 5 minutes and they're already undoing me, she thought sarcastically.
The Commander's horse stopped when they reached the woman standing at the end of the pathway. Kayden pulled her horse to a halt as well. The woman stood facing Grimelda, chin held high. She was pretty, for an older woman. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a braid and she had a large smile plastered on her face. She reminded Kayden of the Commander.
"Welcome," she declared. The soldiers at her sides tensed; their fingers tightened on their automatic triggers. The Commander dismounted from her horse. Everyone in the clearing waited in silence for what would come next. Grimelda remained cool and collected as always. She could have been about to hug the Chancellor, or about to stab her. Even Kayden wasn't sure what she was about to do. Then Grimelda reached out her hand to the other woman and spoke.
"It's good to be here," she stated simply, ever the diplomat. The two women shook hands and the crowd erupted in cheers. It seemed their people were as happy about the lack of bloodshed as Kayden and her party were.
The civilians dispersed and Kayden watched as they all headed towards the celebration that had been set up. Kayden watched them walk off, laughing and clapping each other on the back. It reminded her of her own people, back home, on a bonfire night. She was pulled out of her reverie by a deep masculine voice. She looked down to see a middle-aged man with light skin and dark hair. She was so surprised at being spoken to that she must have looked like a child caught stealing a toy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Kayden. My name is councillor Kane," the man said. "Please." He gestured to Kayden that she should dismount. She began to but was stopped by the voice of the Commander.
"Help her," Grimelda ordered the soldiers at Kayden's sides.
Kayden felt like slapping the Commander for that one, but reminded herself that she was supposed to be a dainty princess. She inhaled and allowed the guards to help her down from her horse, trying to keep her expression neutral rather than murderous.
When she reached the ground, Kane offered her his arm. She reluctantly took it and began walking with him. Her guards moved to follow but the Commander intervened yet again.
"Let them," she ordered.
She wants them to trust her, Kayden deduced. She wants him to see that we're not a threat.
Kayden took one final look behind her shoulder at the Commander. Grimelda nodded in her direction. Let them think you're weak, her eyes told her. Kayden knew the Commander well enough to know what she did not say. For if we need to attack, we'll need your strength from the inside.
The Councillor escorted Kayden to the table where the Chancellor and the other council members sat. Kane introduced her to all of them.
Most of the councillors smiled politely at Kayden and shook her hand, offering her compliments on her hair or her dress. One or two said something about the excessive force their party had brought with them. And the rest just simply gave her a nod of acknowledgement, not saying anything to her at all.
Kayden was just about to ask if she could be excused to go speak to her Commander when she and Kane reached the Chancellor's seat. The older woman simply stared at her analytically, not saying anything while Kane introduced her as Chancellor Abby.
Kayden remembered what Grimelda had said. Act like a princess. Let them think you're weak. She faced Abby and curtsied as well as she could. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Chancellor," she said sweetly. It didn't come naturally to her but she hoped that she sounded warmer than she thought. At first, she thought Abby wasn't going to say anything back; but then she spoke.
"You're very beautiful," the older woman said. She paused, and Kayden could see the gears turning in her head; the intelligent leader behind the diplomatic rhetoric. "Your Commander has done a good job of hiding the fact that you're a warrior." She said it matter-of-factly. Not an accusation, but an observation.
Kayden didn't know what to respond but she couldn't help but smile at what the Chancellor had said. She's smart, Kayden observed. She and the Commander would get along famously if they weren't enemies. Maybe they would one day.
Kayden simply offered Abby a warm smile and politely asked if she could take a seat, she was tired from the ride in. This whole princess thing may be easier than I thought.
The next few hours passed by in a blur. Kayden had taken a seat at the end of the council table. Her guards had caught up with her and stood by her side for a bit, before the Commander stopped by and ordered them to stand down as they were replaced with guards from the Ark.
Kayden wished she could get up and celebrate with all of the people, but the Commander had given her another one of her looks as she passed by. Lay low, her eyes had said. You're doing well.
So Kayden sat and looked pretty for what felt like forever. She watched the sun move across the sky. It would be sunset in no more than a couple of hours. That was when the ceremony was to take place.
Two hours away from my wedding, and I still haven't even met my husband-to-be.
That was when someone approached Kayden. She looked up to see an older man with dark skin, frizzy gray-speckled hair, and kind eyes. He offered her a warm smile. Her breath caught.
"Are you the groom?" she asked without thinking. She immediately regretted it but was relieved when the man shook his head and chuckled.
"Oh good Lord. No, my dear. My name is Councillor Jaha. Forgive me for not being present earlier, I was a bit pre-occupied." There was that smile again. Kayden relaxed a little. She couldn't help but be happy that he wasn't the man she was going to marry, though he struck her as a kind soul. Caring and warm-hearted, at the very least. He reminded her of Grandfather Po, one of the elders who'd been around back when she was little. He used to sit by the fire and tell stories to all the children in the camp.
Kayden looked to Jaha and returned a small smile. "It's an honor to meet you," she said politely.
"You've been sitting here for hours, I'm told. Would you care to dance?"
Normally, Kayden would have been weary of any strange old man who asked her to dance. But Kayden could tell that he wasn't asking out of malice or desire. He was merely asking as a gentleman to politely offer her a chance to get away from the Councillor's table. She nodded in gratitude and took the arm he offered.
Jaha pulled her into a slow waltz as the music pace changed. He was still looking at Kayden kindly, but the smile disappeared from his face.
"I want you to know that I think what you're doing for your people is very brave," he said quietly so that only she could hear. When she didn't respond, he continued.
"Not many people would acknowledge it but this is a risky thing we're attempting here. We could just as easily be killing each other right now as dancing."
Kayden looked at Jaha and instantly knew that he understood her. She was grateful to meet at least one person who would speak to her honestly. He smiled warmly again, putting off the subject of the Alliance for now.
"So, you must have questions," he inquired.
"Well, just one," she answered shyly.
"Please, I'm all ears."
"Am I ever going to meet my husband?"
Jaha chuckled at that. He nodded his head understandingly.
"Well, Bellamy is a very… reserved young man."
Kayden felt a pang of relief at that. At least now I know he's not some dirty old geezer, she thought gratefully. But that doesn't mean he can't still be a huge jerk. And that was his name. Bellamy. It sounded like a girl's name.
Kayden was lost in thought when she heard someone clear their throat behind her. Startled, she whipped her head around to face the source of the sound. She stood facing a young attractive man. He had lightly tanned skin covered in freckles, a chiseled handsome face, and a mop of dark messy hair. They simply stared at each other before Jaha spoke.
"Ah, speak of the devil. Kayden, this is Bellamy," Jaha gestured. "Bellamy, Kayden."