The sun was just thinking of peeking over the horizon when Lexa, Costia, Anya, and the soldiers left Tondc. They left before most of the village had woken to avoid word getting out that the Commander was on the road.
Costia had shed one or two tears at the leaving her home but seemed much more excited than saddened. This comforted Lexa, she at least knew that Costia was happy to be leaving and not being dragged from her home. She could hardly wait for the young healer to behold the Polis and all of its wonders.
The troupe rode mostly in silence, which Lexa was grateful for. It gave her time to collect her thoughts and remind her of whom she was. She was Heda. She commanded respect from those around her and whomever she was with. Her people were being threatened. This could not stand.
XXXXX
As they rode over one particularly high hill Polis came into view. Lexa reined in her horse to admire the magnificence of the city. It had once been a great city before the dark days but now stood as the greatest city of the land. The buildings and tents spanned for miles, the markets were the largest in the land, the forces the greatest, but the pinnacle of the city was her home, the Redwood. The Redwood was at the center of the city, it was a tall tower that rose high above the city and overlooked the land. Most of the building was made up of windows and bannisters that allowed the city to viewed from any angle from any height. When Lexa was first named Commander she had spend the great part of a year exploring every floor, very window, every crevasse of my home. The Commander glanced over to look at Costia. Her jaw was completely open in awe at the sight of the building. Her head just kept tipping upwards as she tried to see the top of it.
"Welcome home, Heda." Gustus said gleefully spurring his horse into a trot down the hill. Lexa followed him but not before she blew her war horn to announce their arrival.
The city's streets parted for our troupe as they made their way to the Redwood. Many citizens held their hands out as Lexa passed, almost as happy as she was to see her home. She touched those she could and waved to those further within the crowds. As the group approached the main entrance to the Redwood the crowd began to chant.
"Heda. Heda."
Lexa dismounted her horse at the entrance of the building and turned to the crowd.
"My people." Sge yelled to them and instantly a hush fell upon them. "I have returned to you. "
They cheered loudly and pumped their fists into the air.
"I would like to extend my gratitude to the people of Tondc who cared for me in my time of need. Their kindness and generosity will not be forgotten!"
Lexa felt Costia's eyes on her. She was positively glowing.
"I also now promise justice to those who's families fell victim to the attacks of the Azegada."
The crowd cheer loudly with encouragement. The Commabder held a hand up to silence, this time it took them a moment or two longer to quiet.
"I promise you justice, not revenge." I said solemnly. "For we are no longer a people who can simply go about with a vengeance in our eyes. NO. WE ARE MORE THAN THAT. WE ARE A PROUD PEOPLE. I GREAT PEOPLE. WE ARE TRIKRU!" She pumped her fist into the air and the crowd burst into cheers and battle cries.
Lexa turned her back to them and made my way into Redwood, happy to hear the familiar creak as the great doors closed on the crowds. She gave Gustus instructions to take Costia to my room and allow her to get settled.
"Yes Hedda." Gustus said bowing and lifting Costia's bags from her. "Come Costia. Your new home awaits."
For a moment she looked nervous but the Commander nodded encouragement at her and she stood a little straighter.
Anya and Lexa began to make our way to the council rooms.
"That was well done Heda." Anya said as we began to climb the great stair case.
"Thank you." She said with ease knowing she had delivered to the people what they needed. "I only hope they remain so gleeful at the thought of justice and not revenge, especially if it involves much less death than normal."
Anya was about to open her mouth to question her but we had arrived. Lexa shoved the large oak doors of the council room open and the council members all rose to their feet. Lexa was pleased to see them all. They had all guided her so well during her time here and she loved and respected each and every one of them for their own reasons.
The Commander strode up through the center of the room towards my familiar thrones. Formed from the trunk of a tree and brought here from the first Commander's council. It's branches intertwined perfectly to allow for a seat and arm rests.
Once in front of my chair Lexa turned and the council sat. She nodded to them and too sat. The chair seemed to flow her old life back into her veins and ignited the diplomatic part of Lexa that had been dormant for so long.
"Friends." She said openly nodding at each and every one of them. "I thank you all for being here. It has been too long."
"It has Heda." Titus, the Commander's Confident spoke with a smile on his face. "We are very glad to see you returned safely to our midst."
"I thank you all for running my duties in my absence. But now we must discuss the future for we have matters pressing harshly against us."
"Azgeda." Rooknum a burley elderly man grumbled.
"Azgeda." The Commander hissed letting the syllables roll off her tongue.
"Please Heda, we have held off on the call for war until your return but our men are ready to fight for you, with you." Titus rose to his feet.
"No Titus." Lexa said holding her hand up.
"As you no doubt heard me tell my people. I do not seek revenge on Azgeda. I seek justice. I will not have another war."
The council suddenly spoke with outbursts. Lexa allowed them to express their protests to her position before raising a hand to silence them. A hush fell over the room in an instant.
Lexa rose to her feet and began to walk around the circle of Elders.
"Our people have fought against the Ice Nation for decades, and when we are not at war with them we are at war with the Boat People or if not them then the Desert Clan. Nothing has changed, with each war comes only death and no resolution. I grow tired of these games we play."
The room was silent for a moment as each Council Member thought deeply on her words.
"What do your then suggest Heda?" Titus said looking intently.
"I do not know." She said truthfully. "For it is not our way. I must think."
The council shifted in their seats.
"But we do need justice." Lexa said raising my head high. "This act against us cannot go unnoticed."
This caught their attention. They smelled blood.
She turned to Rooknum the head of the guardsmen. "Speak with Anya and assemble some of your finest warriors. They are to travel to our town, Ethend. They are to take the village and bring all surviving Azgeda here to Polis for justice."
Rooknum nodded approvingly.
"Good." She said looking around the room ensuring that for now the council was content. "That is all for today. I am weary from the journey and must sleep." Nodding to Rooknum, Lexa spoke with authority. "Deploy your forces before the sun sets. "We will speak more of change tomorrow. For now, rest council for weary days lay ahead of us all."
XXXXX
As Lexa made her way down the stairs to her room she met Gustus on his way up.
"Costia is settled in your room Heda." He said giving her a bow. "I given her proper Healer's attire and instructed her where to find any supplies she may need."
"Thank you Gustus." She said nodding.
He smiled and took a few more steps on the stairs before pausing. "I told the guards that she would not be needing a sleeping mat in your room. I hope that is acceptable." He smiled as he finished his sentence.
Lexa continued her way down the stairs. "Goodnight Gustus." She called back. Shaking her head with a grin. Of course Gustus knew, he'd known nearly every detail of her life since she'd come here. She also liked him for she found she could speak fairly openly with him, since her knew details of her life so greatly. When a man knows when your moons blood is upon you she thought you mustn't worry if he knows whom you choose to share a bed with.
As she pushed her bedroom door open she heard a yelp and it occurred to her that she probably should have knocked for Costia started jumped behind the dark wooden table Lexa often used to lay our maps and plans. Lexa glanced her bare shoulder and realized that she was probably in the process of dressing.
"I'm sorry." Lexa called to the hidden woman. "I'm not used to anyone being in here without Me."
"Clearly!" Costia yelled back her face red. "I was terrified you were some guard and I was about to make an ever lasting impression on them."
Lexa shook her head good-naturedly. "Come out from behind there." She called to the healer.
"Not until I'm certain no one else will come barging in here." She protested.
Lexa sighed and briskly locked the door behind her. "Sufficient?"
"Fine." Costia grumbled rising from behind the table.
No wonder she hid, Lexa thought. The girl only wore her binding and underclothes.
"Perhaps you just shouldn't wander around so freely in a such a new place" Lexa said smartly approaching the girl and placing a hand on her hip.
"I wasn't just wandering around." Costia grumped taking a step away. "I was changing. These darn Polis healer uniforms are difficult to put on. I've been trying to get it on for almost 30 minutes. Lexa smiled and placing her hands on the girl's hips.
"Well there's no point now, half of the city is asleep. No one will care whether you are wearing your uniform or not. " She said leaning in to kiss her. "I certainly don't." Lexa added examining the girl's half naked body.
Costia laughed and playfully tried to pull away. "Well of course you wouldn't. I'm sure if you had it your way this would be all I'd ever wear."
Lexa held on tightly so that the girl turned in her arms so that Lexa's was holding her from the back.
"I am the Commander." Lexa said slyly kissing the girl's exposed neck.
Costia's breath sharped as Lexa's lips met her neck. "Come on." She laughed. "That's no fair."
"I think it is." Lexa whispered into the healer's ear nipping it slightly.
Costia seemed to relish in the feeling for a moment before jerking her elbow into Lexa's stomach. Lexa gasped and was forced to step backwards.
" I asked Gustus to teach me a few self defense moves so that I can handle myself in the city." Costia said proudly. "How'd I do?"
"Pretty well." Lexa said massaging her stomach.
Costia smiled brightly and made her way over to Lexa's bed, which the Commander now realized was their bed. It suddenly felt like they were back in Tondc and nothing had changed, but oh how this world was entirely different.
"Costia." Lexa said hesitantly as she watched the healer pull the furs on the bed back. "I need to discuss some things with you." Lexa hadn't meant to sound so grave but she needed to explain her thoughts clearly.
For a moment Costia's eyes grew fearful, then they suddenly seemed to relax.
"You are going speak of your life here. Aren't you?" She said repositioning the pillows.
Lexa's mouth hung open slightly in surprise.
Costia sighed and sat on the bed resolutely.
"I know of your life here Lexa. You are the Heda. In Tondc you were a patient, here you are the ruler, the Commander. I am your healer. When I am not attending to you I must contribute to the work the other healers are doing.
I know I may go days without seeing you. I understand that, and I accept that." Then a wide grin spread across her face.
"But I don't care." She said shrugging her shoulders. "I'm in Polis, the capitol. I am where many of my people only have dreamt to be. I am to live here in the capitol with the most amazing, gorgeous, brave woman I have ever met. And yes you'll be busy but I will still see you, and you will see me. And tomorrow when you go back to your council I will start work, I will see the city, I will meet the people. I will start my new life." With that she spread her arms and lay gracefully on the bed eyes closed and sighed contently.
Lexa stared at the girl for a moment in sheer amazement unable to speak by the truth that the woman had spoken. How she had seemed to read Lexa's mind completely and accepted it.
After a moment of silence Costia opened her eyes and laughed at Lexa's dumbfounded expression.
"Don't give me too much credit" she said rolling over and laying on her stomach. "Gustus did more than teach me self defense." Lexa's brow furrowed. "He explained how busy you become and how often I should expect you see you. He also offered to give me a tour of the city tomorrow while you are occupied."
Lexa sat on the bed next to Costia. Costia reached for her and she allowed their fingers to become intertwined.
"Gustus likes you." Lexa said glancing down at the drowsy woman. "He will take care of you in my absence."
"And I will take care of you." Costia said simply kissing Lexa's fingers. Lexa let relief wash over her. She made herself a mental note to thank Gustus tomorrow.
"Now." Costia sad sitting up and taking Lexa's face in her hands. "You must be exhausted and as your Healer I prescribe you with a good night's rest." She placed a light kiss and Lexa's lips and began to remove the girl's armor.
Once Lexa was rid of the heavy armor and wore only her undergarments she rose from the bed and began to extinguish the candles in the room. Costia watched her do so. Once the room was in semi darkness Lexa returned to the bed and the healer pulled the furs over the two of them.
Lexa wrapped her arm around the slight red head and buried her face into her neck.
"I'm so glad you are here with me." She said affectionately. Her voice muffled.
Costia said nothing enjoying the feeling of the other girl's warm body pressed against her own. She pulled Lexa's arm in closer to her and felt her body relax. The two had become so accustomed to this sleeping position that they couldn't imagine sleeping by themselves ever again.
"I am so glad to be with you." Costia said quietly as the two drifted off into a content sleep.