*This chapter contains quotes from episode 2x06 Fog of War, written by Kira Snyder.
Chapter 19
Lexa and her army made camp directly outside of the Sky People's camp. As commander, Lexa had a large tent, complete with her throne. She needed to show the Sky People the full extent of her power. She was in her tent discussing her next move with Indra and Gustus when they heard a commotion outside.
"I need to speak with Commander Lexa! Right away!"
Lexa turned to Gustus. "Check it out," she said.
A few moments later, Gustus entered the tent with Nyko, a Trikru healer. He looked desperate.
"Heda, you need to hear what he has to say," Gustus said.
"Speak," Lexa commanded.
"Thank you, Heda. I am Nyko. My village is not far from here. Skaikru just massacred 18 of us. They corralled us and began shooting, with no regard for women or children. They thought we had one of their's, but we didn't. I heard you were here, Heda. Please avenge us. Blood must have blood."
"I agree, Nyko," Lexa began. "This crime against your people will not go unanswered. Do you know who the shooter was? Was there more than one of them?"
"There were two men, boys really. But only one pulled the trigger. His name is Finn. The other kept calling his name trying to stop him."
"I will see this done," Lexa said. "Jus drein jus daun."
"Thank you, Heda. I knew you would not let this stand."
Gustus escorted Nyko out of the tent. Lexa turned to Indra.
"Capture their leaders. I have a plan."
Marcus Kane and Thelonious Jaha had been captured. They were chained in some kind of makeshift prison, with no food or water for two days. Then, without warning, Gustus entered with two other men, who began beating Jaha.
Kane and Jaha assumed Gustus was the commander. Kane begged him to stop beating Jaha. Gustus confronted him with the village massacre, and Kane claimed to have no knowledge of it.
"Blood must have blood," Gustus stated. He pulled a knife from his belt. "One of you will die here today by the other's hand. I will hear the terms of your surrender from the man who lives." He threw the knife down in front of them.
While he spoke, Lexa entered the room, diminutive, dressed like a servant girl.
Gustus turned to her, "Fetch us when it's done." Then he and the other men turned and left, leaving Lexa alone with Kane and Jaha.
Kane and Jaha both sat and stared at the knife, neither speaking. Jaha finally broke the silence. "They want us to turn on each other."
"They want justice," Lexa said from the corner. They had barely paid her any attention until this. They both turned and looked at her. She didn't make eye contact, just looked at the ground, hidden in the shadows. She was curious to learn more about these two sky men.
"Lives have been lost on both sides," Kane began. She turned and looked at him. "That's why we need to end this war!" he yelled, taking off his jacket and throwing it on the ground in frustration. Lexa watched him curiously. She was surprised by his passion to end the fighting; it was not what she had expected.
Jaha stood up and approached her where she sat huddled against the wall, looking vulnerable. "What's your name?" He asked.
"Lexa," she replied, not turning to look at him. Even though it went against her very nature, Lexa tried her best to look weak, scared even. It was the only way she would get the information she needed.
"Lexa," he repeated. "I'm Thelonious. This is Marcus. Your commander, he spoke of an assassin in a villageā¦"
"Yes," Lexa said. "Eighteen of our people were murdered. Elders. Children." She turned to look at Jaha as she said this. Jaha looked at Kane, both men clearly hearing this for the first time, their confusion evident.
"We had nothing to do with that," Kane said with conviction. Lexa believed him.
"It doesn't matter," Lexa replied. "The commander thinks you did. One of you must pick up the knife. That is our way."
"And if we refuse?" Jaha asked.
Lexa turned to look at him directly in the eyes. "Then the commander will use it to slit both of your throats," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Both men went silent again for awhile, thinking. Jaha stood up. He was trying to think of a way out of their predicament.
Jaha leaned down to whisper to Kane. "We can offer them a trade," He said. "These people are primitive. I've seen how they live." Lexa leaned forward with interest. "Technology or medicine. And all we ask for in return is peace." Primitive? Lexa thought. Of course they think they are better than us. Their true colors are starting to show.
"If we truly want peace," Kane began, "They told us how to get it."
"Through murder?"
"Through sacrifice." Kane got up and picked up the knife.
After a tense moment in which both Lexa and Jaha thought that Kane would kill Jaha, Kane turned the knife around and offered the hilt to Jaha. "You have to kill me," he said. Lexa found herself slightly impressed by Kane. He showed true character and a desire to do what was best for his people. That was something she could appreciate and respect.
The two men debated this for several minutes while Lexa observed. Jaha flatly refused to do it. When Jaha refused, Kane turned the knife on himself, slitting his wrist.
"Kane! No!" Jaha tackled Kane and pulled the knife from this hands, binding his bleeding wrist with his hand. "Please!" He turned to Lexa. She handed him a rag, surprised by Kane's act of self-sacrifice.
"I told you we didn't come all this way to die," Jaha said to Kane. With that, he picked up the knife and spun around on Lexa, grabbing her from behind and holding the knife to her throat. Here it is, Lexa thought, Kane is not what I expected but Jaha is exactly what I expected. He will pay for this. I only have to wait a few more seconds before I show him what power really looks like.
"No!" Kane said.
Gustus entered the room with his men. They had been out of sight the whole time, listening.
Jaha commanded Gustus to remove his chains. Fool, Lexa thought. He actually thinks he's in control here.
"Please, she's just an innocent girl," Kane pleaded with Jaha. You're wrong, too, Lexa thought.
Lexa finally spoke, addressing her comments to Gustus. "He made his choice. This one's mine." With that she elbowed Jaha and flipped him over on his back. She pinned him down and held the knife to his throat. He was stunned. Lexa enjoyed the moment more than she probably should have.
Kane stared at her with shock, realization starting to sink in. They had been played.
She stood up and took the rag off of her head. She walked confidently now, her voice strong. No trace of the girl she had been a minute ago. "I've heard what I needed to hear."
"Yes, Commander," Gustus replied, as he handed her her shoulder armor. She snapped it into place, looking every bit a fierce leader, her face set in determination.
"You're the Commander?" Kane asked, eyes still wide in disbelief.
She didn't answer the question; she didn't need to. "I've learned much about you. It's clear your intentions are honorable, your desire for peace is true." She turned to her guard. "Free him." Then she turned back to Kane. "Later we will talk. In the meantime, your friend will be used to send a message."
The guards began beating Jaha and dragged him away. "Stop!" Kane pleaded. But Lexa showed no mercy.
"The massacre must be answered," Lexa said flatly. "Blood must have blood."
When Lexa returned to her tent, Indra had unexpected news.
"Do you remember Lincoln?" Indra began.
"Of course. What of him?"
"There are reports that he was captured by the Mountain Men and turned into a reaper," Indra said. "But it serves him right. He sided with the Sky People, betrayed his own people." Lexa was slightly taken aback by Indra's sudden anger.
"He is of no consequence to me right now," Lexa said, her mind on other matters. "Send riders to Skaikru. Tell them my terms. They will release Finn to me or we will attack."
Indra nodded and left the tent, leaving Lexa alone. She slumped down into her throne, suddenly feeling exhausted. This was not going the way she thought it would. Where are you, Clarke? Are you even real?
