The Seers
Lexa slouched onto her chair, hot tea cupped in her hands. She had a blanket wrapped around her, her hair yanked out of its braids and her make-up long washed off. Her finger traced along the rim of the mug. She tried to think about what to do next. Talk to the council? Talk to the people? Stay in her comfy seat? Her arms refused to move, they were heavy. Eventually she took a sip of her tea. It had turned cold. Usually she's restless and has to tell herself to calm down, but now all she wanted to do was sleep. To do nothing.
With more effort that it should have taken, Lexa wiggled herself out of her blankets, re-did her braids and forced on her thick boots. Her house was the biggest and grandest in the city. As she closed the door, she nodded to her guards and allowed her face to fall into its natural Commander expression. Three guards looked after her house; two to secure her home, and one to secure her own safety. This one guard, face caked in day old dirt, clothing dark and hard, followed her as she made her way through the city. His hair was as long as hers, and his frizzy beard covered most of his face. With every other step, he made a grunt. Lexa knew it was Jarrah's way of showing strength. But today it irritated her silence.
Both of them held their swords on their hips, but in the capitol it was more for show then use. No one dared touch her. She had eyes and ears everywhere. And although she had only one guard with her, she had many soldiers causally waiting among the people in case she needed them. She wanted her people to know she trusted them, but it would be unwise to trust everyone.
Lexa stopped in front a ratty, half-fallen, mismatched house. It was made of wood in the city of concrete, and although it looked vulnerable it held the wisdom of her people. She stood up straight and gave a loud knock onto the wooden door. A serving girl opened the door, bowed and let her in. The house was filled with fur. It covered the floors in the form of carpets, it covered the furniture, the curtains, and there were stuffed animals on display hanging on the walls, or standing proud on sides of the house. Lexa never liked how warm and stuffy this place could become, with the air growing thick, clinging to the animal hair. A drip of sweat ran down her chest, but she refused to allow the heat to affect her.
'So you came?' a frail voice called from behind the sitting room door.
'We didn't think you would.' Another fail voice, but this one held an edge of judgement.
Three elderly women, all with skin of the blackest dark and hair of the brightest white, walked into the room. They wore grey light cloth, wrapped around them. They made their way to the fox furred sofa, leaving the hard bare chair to their visitor.
'This is an important time in our history. The Seer's need to be involved.' Lexa bowed to the mystical women and sat down.
'And important time indeed' Seer Jenna, held a smug smirk on her wrinkled face. Lexa kept her face still. A silence crept along the women. Lexa's leg twitched.
'The Mountain Men, the biggest enemy's our people have ever had, are now our allies.' Lexa boomed her victory. She tried to keep her face unemotional, but pride filled her eyes, making them glitter. The Seer's were her biggest supporters, they had seen her for the warrior they knew her to be. They predicted a better future with Lexa as Heda. Lexa was overwhelmed with pride to do these women justice.
'And yet you have made the Sky People our enemy.' Seer Jasmine hadn't said a word before now. Her voice was quiet and testing. She looked Lexa directly in the eyes, with a ferocity Lexa didn't understand.
'They… they are easily manipulated people. We can deal with….'
'They are people who can create fire out of nothing. They pour fire from the skies. The own the skies and now they are on the land.' Seer Jeyna, almost jumped out of her seat. Angry seeped out of every part of her body 'and you, you stupid girl, you angered them!'
Seer Jasmine, who sat in the middle of her sisters and who was their natural leader, took hold of Jeyna's hand and gave it a squeeze 'You were sent to stop the Sky People. Why would you disobey yourself like so?'
Seer Jasmine's words were kind, but her voice was hard. Lexa didn't understand what was happening, but she knew she was on unsafe ground.
'I … I… The opportunity to unite with the Mountain Men was a better choice than upsetting the Sky People. They have tortured our people for generations. I have saved us from them!' Lexa clenched her fists, but kept them in her lap.
'And yet the Mountain Men are dead.' Sister Jasmine said. Her eyes held steady, challenging the girl.
Lexa's heart beat filled her ears. Her breathing was fast and shallow. 'What?' the whisper fell out of her, but she was no longer in the room. Her mind was fogging, the sweat from the heat now covered her whole body.
'The plan you and they had. It worked. But it turns out they didn't need you.' Seer Jenna smirk was filled with irony. 'You made an alliance with the Sky People and then you betrayed them.'
'The Sky People have eradicated the Mountain Men! They destroyed our biggest enemy! They walked the skies! And now they hate us!' Jeyna leaped up and slapped Lexa.
Silence engulfed the room. Jeyna left her sisters and the betrayer. Tears in her eyes. Her shuffling into the kitchen was the only noise that could be heard. They stayed like this for a moment. The words, the hurt, the anger settling into each person. Finally Seer Jasmine stood up, with her back to Seer Jenna and Lexa.
'Our sources tell us that their leader, Clarke, has left her people. We don't know where.' Seer Jasmine's voice was strong and calm.
'Let's hope not to kills us' Seer Jenna muttered under her breathe.
Slowly, steadying her breath, Lexa offered herself 'Let me find her, talk to her.'
'You will do no such thing.' Seer Jasmine towered over Lexa in her chair. Anger radiated off of the old woman, her voice was low but her power was radiant. Defiant, Lexa gritted her teeth and stood up. Her eyes locked with Jasmine's. Destruction sparked off of the Commander. 'I am YOUR leader! And I will do as I please!'
Lexa shoved past the old women and slammed her way out of the door. She marched down the street, aiming straight for her home. Rage crackled around her. Jarrah quickened his pace to keep up with her. 'Gather Indra and her warriors!' She spat 'We leave tonight!'
