Chapter 5
When Lexa opened her eyes, Anya's face came into view.
"Wake up."
Lexa groaned and sat up. How could it be dawn already?
"We have to get you ready for Polis," Anya said. "You must look like a warrior when you arrive."
Anya carefully braided Lexa's hair to look just like her own. The braids were intricate and criss-crossed in the back. Then she produced her war paint. Lexa gasped. She had never worn war paint. She hadn't even thought of a design. But, it didn't matter, because Anya knew just what to do. Anya's fingers expertly painted Lexa's face. "Close your eyes," she commanded, and Lexa did. Anya spread the black paint straight over Lexa's eyes and into her hair. She left her skin bare at the bridge of her nose. Then, Anya carefully swept three fingers down each of Lexa's cheeks, leaving a trail of black paint of varying lengths.
When Lexa opened her eyes and saw her reflection, she almost didn't recognize herself. The girl was gone and a warrior stood in her place. She felt powerful. She looked dangerous. The paint made her feel surprisingly safe, like a mask she could hide behind. The girl who wore this paint would not be afraid, would not be swayed by emotions.
"Thank you," she whispered to Anya.
"One more thing." Anya reached into her belt and produced her favorite knife. She offered it to Lexa.
Tentatively, Lexa took it and nodded. In that moment, Lexa knew that Anya cared for her. No words were needed between them.
Lexa turned the knife over in her hands and stared once again at her reflection. She thought about all the people she had loved. Her mother. Her father. Anya. Costia. Thinking about them gave her strength. If she became commander, she would use that strength. Her father had wanted her to be different. To be something more. If she won her conclave, Lexa decided that she would be a commander who fights for peace. She would make her family proud.
She turned to face Anya. "I'm ready."
When she emerged from her tent, Costia was waiting for her. Her eyes were red and swollen. She pulled Lexa into a hug.
"Promise me you'll win, ok?" She said.
"I promise."
Costia gave a faint smile as she released Lexa.
"Let's go," Anya said.
Anya and Lexa mounted their horses and turned to leave the village. Lexa never looked back.
Polis was only a day's ride from their village near TonDC, yet Lexa had never been. When the city came into view, she immediately saw the Commander's tower. It stood tall at the center of the city, dwarfing everything around it. Lexa stared at it in awe.
"Come on. We have to keep moving," Anya urged her.
They came to a stop at the temple, the sacred crypt of the first commander. They dismounted their horses and Anya walked up confidently to the temple guard.
"I need to see the Flamekeeper. I've brought a Natblida," Anya said.
The guard nodded.
"Wait here," he said.
All of this felt so strange to Lexa. She felt like she didn't belong, yet at the same time she felt like maybe she was exactly where she was supposed to be for the first time in her life. Anya's voice broke through her thoughts. She grasped Lexa by the shoulders.
"We don't have much time. Remember everything I have taught you. Do not trust anyone here. You must look out for yourself. Any friendship or attachment will only make what you have to do worse. You will make a great Heda, Lexa."
Lexa was moved by Anya's words and her confidence in her.
"Thank you, Teacher. I will strive to make you proud,"Lexa replied.
"You already have."
"The Flamekeeper will see you now," the guard said. Lexa had not even heard him return.
They followed him into the temple. It was decorated with many things Lexa did not understand, strange relics from another time. A bald man approached them. He was wearing robes. To Lexa, he looked to be in his forties.
"I am Titus, Flamekeeper," he began. "And you, I presume, are the Natblida?" He said as he turned his attention to Lexa. "Hold out your hand."
Lexa set her jaw and tried not to look scared. She offered her right hand to him. He pulled a knife from his robes and sliced her palm. Lexa didn't even wince. Black blood trickled down her hand on onto the floor.
"Very well then," Titus said. "Come with me and we will begin your training." Turning to Anya," Thank you. You may go now."
Anya nodded respectfully and turned to go. She and Lexa locked eyes for only a brief moment. And then she was gone and Lexa was alone with Titus.
"What is your name, Natblida?" He asked.
"Lexa kom Trikru."
"Well, Lexa kom Trikru, you have much to learn."
