Chapter 13
It was snowing when Lexa's army crossed into Azgeda. Despite the cold, Lexa burned hot with anger. They approached the battlefield. The Azgeda army was already waiting for them. Their army was large; however, it was nothing compared to the combined size of the armies of the eleven clans marching behind Lexa. Azgeda warriors were fierce, but this would be a blood bath. Lexa smiled at the thought. She saw Nia at the head of her army. She was surprised not to see Prince Roan. As was custom, Lexa and Nia both rode out alone to the center of the field to discuss terms.
"Lexa."
"Nia."
They stared at each other for a second.
"Did you get my present?" Nia asked. "If you'd like the rest of the body back, I can arrange for that, although you may not appreciate the state it's in."
It was all Lexa could do not to draw her sword and strike Nia off her horse. But Lexa's honor would not allow her to do that.
"I'm going to kill you," Lexa said.
"You're certainly going to try," Nia baited her. "You should know, before you die, that your little girlfriend put up quite the fight. I personally questioned her."
Lexa's stomach turned thinking about what that entailed.
Nia continued, "But the little bitch never talked. She took all of your secrets with her. I almost regretted killing someone so stubborn. It's a trait I admire." Nia smirked at Lexa.
"Where's Prince Roan?" Lexa was desperate to change the subject.
"Oh, you mean my disappointment of a son? He's certainly not a prince anymore."
Lexa cocked her head, not understanding.
"Oh, you see, Roan tried to free your little girlfriend. He doesn't have the stomach for torture. Has some kind of soft spot for you. They got pretty far actually before my guards caught them."
Lexa felt a great deal of gratitude for Roan. "And what did you do to him?" She wasn't sure she wanted the answer though.
"I banished him for his treachery. He is Azgeda no more. I suspect he hates you now for this. So much for your alliance with my son."
Lexa wasn't sure it was possible to hate someone more than she hated Nia. "I see. Enough talk. I will hear your surrender now."
"Oh, I'm not surrendering."
"But surely you know this is a battle you cannot win."
"We shall see about that."
"I will see you on the battlefield then."
Lexa turned her horse around and rode back to her army. Nia did the same.
"They have chosen death," Lexa said to Indra, who rode at the front of the army with Lexa.
"I am happy to oblige them," Indra replied, and both women smiled.
They blew their horns and both armies advanced. Lexa rode in front, the first person from her army to leap into the fray. Nia, she noticed was in the back of her army. No surprise there, Lexa thought, as she slashed her enemies from atop her horse. Several minutes into the fighting, an Ice Nation warrior speared her horse, and its legs gave out. Lexa tumbled down with her horse but was quickly drawing her swords as she stood up. She was unstoppable, felling every enemy who came her way. She was covered in blood, but none of it was her's. While she was fighting, she forgot about the pain. She almost felt free, her blood lust being sated. The chaos of the battle all around her was almost comforting. Life was simple on the battlefield. Kill or be killed.
To Lexa's dismay, it wasn't long before Azgeda blew the horn to signify their desire to surrender. They were being slaughtered and common sense prevailed. If they did not stop their attack, Lexa's army would wipe them off the face of the earth. It was only her sworn duty as commander that prompted Lexa to sheath her weapons. She would have been happier to see the battle through to its conclusion.
One of her generals found Lexa and brought her a fresh horse. She mounted it and rode out to meet Nia once again.
"I will hear the terms of your surrender," Lexa shouted.
Even beaten, Nia still looked proud. "We will lay down our weapons and ask that you allow us to join your coalition."
How dare they ask to join MY coalition! After what they've done! Never! I will finish this. But then Lexa remembered her talk with Costia- Promise me you'll use your head on this one and not your sword, Costia had said to her. Shit, Lexa thought. Despite everything, Lexa would not dishonor Costia's memory by breaking one of her last promises to her. A war waged inside Lexa. Nia saw it play across Lexa's face, legitimately worried about the outcome. In her heart, Lexa wanted revenge for everyone she had lost to the Ice Nation. In her head, she knew that, as commander, it was best to offer them a place in her coalition. She would do her duty, and she would keep her promise. Even if she hated herself for it. It would not be the last time Lexa had to choose her head over her heart.
"I accept your terms," Lexa began. "You will lay down your weapons and never again take up arms against this coalition. You will appoint an ambassador to sit on my council and your people will abide by my laws. If you take one false step, you negate the terms of our peace and my army will move against you. And there will be no mercy a second time for your people."
"We accept your terms, Commander." It was the first time Nia had used Lexa's proper title.
"Very well then."
"You know this isn't over," Nia said.
"No, I expect not." Lexa continued, "I will make you a promise, Nia. One day I will kill you. I will plunge a spear into your heart, and I will watch the life fade from your eyes. I will find Roan and make him king. And you will be forgotten by everyone."
"And I will make you a promise, Lexa," Nia said, only slightly shaken by Lexa's words. "I will destabilize you at every turn. But you won't see me coming until it's too late. And I will place a new commander on the throne and you will be remembered as weak and a failure."
"I'm glad we understand each other then," Lexa said cooly.
"Indeed we do," Nia replied.
They turned and went their separate ways, riding further away from each other but both thinking about the others' words. Azgeda became the twelfth and final clan to join the coalition. And, for the first time in a long time, there was peace.
