"Anya and the warriors we sent to retake Ethend should be returning within the next few days Commander." Rooknum spoke, great pride in his voice. "They bring with them over a dozen Azgeda soldiers."
Lexa nodded approvingly. "Each Azgeda soldier they return with shall suffer the deaths of all the lives they took."
The council nodded their heads in agreement.
"Thank you, that will be all for today." Lexa said wearily. "Council dismissed."
The Elders nodded and began to make their way from the room. Lexa rose and made her way to the balcony behind her chair. It had been a hard few weeks, she thought as she looked down on the busy streets of Polis. It had taken her nearly a full week to catch up solely on the business and decisions she had missed during her stay in Tondc and now the future was proving to be even more difficult and tedious to conquer than the past.
How could she punish Nia and the Ice Nation without starting a war? How could she punish a clan for disobeying her will when though they referred to her as Commander had no incentive to obey her laws? These were the thoughts that had been keeping her up at night lately. She would often find herself wandering around the Redwood long after much of the city slept. It hurt her because she knew Costia was missing her, but the guilt of tossing and turning in their bed hurt her more. Night was the only time the two had with one another and she felt as though she was wasting it. In fact she had not seen Costia in three days. Apart from Lexa's daily schedule Costia was often working late into the night with patients and other duties. She had found her place within the capitol surprisingly quickly. Lexa felt as though their relationship was becoming less and less secret with each passing day for the love she bore the people and how she always returned to Lexa's room. However, the thoughts didn't cause Lexa great concern, for no resident of Polis could quarrel with Costia' good-naturedness and her kindness. No healer had been so well known or received such praise.
As Lexa looked beyond the bustling market a small group sitting around a fire in the field caught her eye. She recognized the light blue dress and the red hair. The Commander found herself smiling at what she was seeing and called for her guard to escort her to the field.
XXXX
The green grass crunched slightly under the Commander's feet as she strode across the field to the small fire-burning, the circle of young Nightbloods and their trainers. The youth had been plucked from their home clans and been brought to Polis to gain knowledge and training with the notion of one of them becoming Commander upon Lexa's death. She had not seen the Nightbloods since her return and was eager to lay eyes on their young fresh faces. She found that she could see herself in almost all of them. Not only because her same dark blood ran in their veins but their desire for knowledge and greatness.
Lexa hovered on the perimeter of the circle going unnoticed by the trainees, each of whom was completely captivated by the young healer standing before them.
Costia sat in as part of the circle, a large piece of fabric laid out in front of her. On the fabric sat various herbs and flowers, some Lexa could name but others were strange to her.
Costia would pick up each plant and describe its use in the medical trade and how to properly identify it. The red flower with blue seeds could cure a fever when boiled in water. The dark green roots oozed a pus that was excellent for curing skin lesions or mumps. A yellow flower when burnt released a smoke that calmed and cleared the head of any who inhaled it.
Lexa found herself smiling as Costia she kept the attention of the Nightbloods, some of whom were just over their 7th year. She spoke lightly and clearly, she would have excelled as a teacher; Lexa thought. But then she excelled at anything she put her mind to.
Suddenly Costia looked up and caught eyes with Lexa, her voice froze and she lowered the plant she had been discussing. The Nightbloods all turned in the direction their teacher was looking. They immediately grinned at the sight of their Commander for whether Lexa liked it or not they all seemed to idolize her they also enjoyed whenever they had lessons with her.
"Greet your Commander Nightbloods." Costia said rising and brushing her dirty hands on her dress.
The Nightbloods all stood and bowed.
"Evening Heda." They said in unison each grasping the hilt of their swords like the well-trained soldiers they were.
"Nightbloods." Lexa said nodding to them. "What lessons are we being taught today?"
A small boy whom Lexa did not recognize raised his hand. She nodded to him.
"Healer Costia is teaching us of the medical plants used on a day to day basis in the world of the healer."
"Well done Aden." Costia said smiling at the boy who Lexa determined was the youngest Nightblood, just past 6 years old.
"Have you come to teach a lesson Heda?" A young girl by the name of Sage said excitedly.
"No." Lexa said and the girl's face fell slightly. "I have not come to teach but to learn." She said joining the circle and crossing her legs.
"To learn Heda?" Aden asked curiously.
"Yes. Aden." She said addressing this new boy. "For though I am Heda I do not know all, nor should I ever think I do. This is why I have a council and elders, and skilled healers like Costia." She said the last bit with a slight smile to the Healer.
"But why has she not taught you these remedies already?" Sage asked. "She has been your healer for quite some time now. What has she been doing?"
"Hush now." Lexa said wanting to avoid any further questions on Costia's purpose in her life. "Let us allow Healer Costia to complete the lesson."
The Nightbloods nodded obediently and redirected their attention to the red headed girl. Costia nodded gratefully to Lexa and continued.
XXXX
When the lesson had been completed and all questions regarding the plants had been addressed Aden raised his hand looking at the Commander.
"Aden?" Costia asked. "Do you have a question for the Heda?"
"I do." The young boy said standing and gripping at his new sword. Lexa turned to face him curious of his boldness. "I am Aden, Heda. I am of the desert clan. I arrived while you were not here."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Aden. I am glad you were chosen." Lexa said kindly. "Now what do you wish to ask?"
"Why did the Ice Nation attack one of your villages?" The boy said simply.
"Now Aden." Sana one of the instructors spoke sharply. "You mustn't ask the Commander such things."
"That is alright Sana." Lexa said unaffected raising a hand to silence to teacher. Aden shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "I shall answer your question with another question Aden."
Aden looked up apprehensively, clearly not wanted to give an incorrect answer.
"What do we as leaders want for out people?"
Aden seemed stumped by this question. Lexa looked at the other Nightbloods.
An older larger boy named Perseus spoke.
"Power." He said proudly.
Lexa nodded and spoke again.
"But why do we desire power?"
This seemed to stump Perseus. Aden however looked up quickly, his eyes shining.
"We desire power so that we may be safe."
Lexa felt a smile tug at the edge of her lips.
"Explain Aden."
The boy looked at his comrades uneasily but continued. "With power comes safety." he gulped. "The great cats are the most powerful hunters in the forest so they fear nothing and have no threats. As leaders we wish to eliminate the threats of our people. We cannot do this without strength."
Lexa stared at this young boy. He spoke as wisely as any of her council elders and as articulately as herself.
"Well done Aden." Lexa commended. "Now did that answer your question?"
Aden looked at her puzzled.
Lexa stood and began to walk around the circle. "You all have knowledge Nightbloods but knowledge is nothing without the ability to process it. Most dilemmas we face daily we have a conclusion for it just takes requires time and thought to process it. This is why the Heda surrounds themselves with a council of elders who have experience problem solving and if they all combine their abilities we can solve and dilemma."
"The Azgeda attacked us because they seek safety?" Perseus spoke doubtfully. "But Heda what have they to fear but your wrath? You as Commander keep them safe as long as they obey your wishes. They have plenty of power"
"That is not power." Aden said swiftly.
"Aden." Sana snapped.
"It isn't." Aden persisted. "They are safe as long as they obey the Heda, that is not power. That is weakness. They lack control of their fates. They do not influence the Heda's laws, only the council does that. There are no members of Azgeda on the council."
"That is enough Aden." Sana said smacking the boy's face. Lexa did not interfere; the young Nightblood though intelligent, lacked proper training yet. He needed to learn when and how to speak to those around him.
"That will be all for today Nightbloods." Sana spoke loudly looking at Lexa verifying they were free to go. Lexa nodded. "Come." The teacher spoke briskly beginning to walk towards the city. The youths rose and one by one bowed before Lexa as they followed their stern teacher. Aden was the last to bow. His right eye was swollen and small cut just above his eye brow bled lightly.
"I meant not to offend you Heda." He said steadily. "I only wonder how you can be a powerful Heda while many of the clans do not feel secure and seek their own power."
"Aden!" Sana yelled. Aden gave a hurried bow and ran after his peers.
"He's got quite tongue. That little fellow." Costia said.
"Such thoughts are not necessarily a bad thing. It is how he presents them that he must learn." Lexa said thoughtfully. "He speaks more truth than he realizes though."
Costia looked at her love confused.
"The clans are at unrest." Lexa said striding towards the fire that Costia had made. "They have been since before my time but my fear now is complete a war strewn land."
"So how can you avoid war?" Costia asked not moving form her position.
Lexa sighed and turned to face the girl. "That is the very question I have been trying to answer for some time. It is the reason I have not seen you in three days."
Costia nodded biting her lip. "Trouble yourself no more with it tonight." She said slowly approaching Lexa. "Let's return home and rest. Let me treat your shoulder." She held out her hand hopefully.
Lexa looked at the healer for a moment thinking of all the work that needed to be done. But Costia was right she had no immediate solution. It could wait until tomorrow.
"Alright." She said taking the girl's hand and the two began to walk back to Redwood.
XXXX
As they crossed through the city many heads turned. Lexa wondered whether they looked in amazement at her or at the young healer who walked beside her. While Lexa needed to remain solid and composed whenever in the presence of her people Costia had no reason not to beam and wave at those she knew.
Lexa felt a smile tugging the sides of her mouth as she yearned to be as free as Costia, who had no fear of reputation, enemies, or doubts of strength. For a moment Lexa allowed herself to imagine the reaction her people would have should their Commander marry a common healer. She could not help think that they would rejoice. For it would mean happiness for Costia and she was sure that like her that was all they wanted.