CHAPTER 11

As Lexa pushed the large doors to their room open she was greeted by a sweet honey like smell. Immediately recognizing the scent she searched for its maker. Sure enough on the round table in the middle of the room sat a vase of bright yellow flowers. The flowers she had collected and loved as a Nightblood.

Lexa felt Costia's arms wrap around her waist from behind and the girl pressed her chin onto Lexa's shoulder. Though Lexa couldn't see her face she could positively feel the smile of pride on the girl's face.

"I came across them yesterday while looking for samples to show the Nightbloods."

Lexa was surprised she hadn't recognized them during the lesson. She could clearly see the yellow flower twirling in Costia's hand as she explained the stress reduction power of the plant.

"I had Gustus bring these here yesterday, but I suppose you haven't been here since before then. He seemed quite pleased by the idea."

Lexa smiled. "No doubt he remembers my fondness of them." She was about to lean to the side and kiss Costia fondly when she froze.

Her head whipped back and she stared at the flowers. Why hadn't she thought of such an idea before? Of course she knew why, because it had never been done. Doing so would involve the rewriting of so many laws it had never even been considered. But she felt she had the respect of her people and the council so could she be the first Heda to make such a change?

"Lexa?" Costia asked concerned by the girl's sudden silence.

"All leaders simply seek the safety of their people." Lexa said staring at the flowers.

"Yes." Costia said also looking at the flowers feeling terribly lost.

"If enough beings feel a passion for the same idea then they can rally together and defeat any foe. Passion is loyalty." Lexa said almost mechanically.

"Isn't that what you said to the old Commander as a child?" Costia asked releasing Lexa and turning to face her.

"If the clans work together for power then they will not need to fight for their security."

Costia's brow furrowed. "I do not understand I'm afraid."

Lexa sat on the edge of the table thinking. "I'm not entirely sure I do either."

Costia sat next to her and took her hand. "Then explain it to me." She said adopting a demeanor Lexa associated with her teaching children. "Maybe then you can come to understand as well."

Lexa looked at the healer feeling a wave of affection wash over her. She leaned in to kiss the woman. To her surprise Costia held up a hand blocking her lips.

"Not until you explain Heda." She said reproachfully, a sly grin sneaking across her face. "If you cannot explain it to me how can you explain it to the council?"

Lexa chuckled slightly and turned forward. "The council will not like it however I explain it." She said regretfully. "Should any of what I am thinking come true they will all be demoted."

"What." Costia said considerably surprised.

Lexa stared at the flowers on the table. Each flower was beautiful itself but together they formed a gorgeous bouquet. She plucked a flower from its stem and placed it behind Costia's ear.

"I aim to unite the 12 clans." Costia's eyes grew wide with the proclamation. Lexa rose and crossed the room to a small pile of rolled parchment. She selected the largest of the papers and returned to the table. She unfurled the paper and laid it out on the table. On it bore a map of all the land occupied by each clan.

"For decades the clans have fought over the same land. Fought for the same resources, fought for the same power. The Commander has always technically governed over them with a set of laws that were set at the beginning of the dark days even before the Mountain Men emerged. But the council of the Commander has always been members of Trikru and only conflicts concerning the Trikru were addressed. How then can I truly call myself Heda of the land?"

"So how can you rule all clans if they will not obey rules you have already set in place?"

"I invite them onto my council." Lexa said so factually but she knew how difficult this would be. Many of the clans had been feuding since the beginning of the Commander's rule. Including Azgeda and Trikru. "If the Commander listened to a council comprised of one ambassador from each clan then each clan could voice their concerns and should one clan feud with another the other clans could unite to correct the conflict."

"But how would these Ambassadors be chosen?" Costia asked standing beside the Commander and looking down at the map.

"That I do not know yet." Lexa said glancing at the woman beside her.

"Well how are the council members chosen?" Costia asked leaning her head against Lexa's shoulder.

The two women spent the night paving small paths with in the floor as they paced. With every answer the two seemed to arrive at came two more dire questions that needed answers.

As the sun's rays began to appear through the curtains of the great window in the room both sat on the bed exhausted but feeling a dull sense of pride. Before them lay dozens of pieces of parchment each bearing answers and laws to how this new government would function. Lexa had been surprised at how useful Costia had proven to be. Lexa knew the ways of the law and how a government worked, Costia was able to speak on behalf of the people and the ways of life Lexa was not as familiar with. Working together the two had created a judicial system that Lexa thought could work. A council of 12 Ambassadors as well as any Elders Lexa thought crucial to the council. This council would create official land markings for each clan as well as trading guidelines and official methods of electing or demoting their ambassadors.

"Have you any more concerns." Lexa asked turning to the sleep deprived Healer.

"No." She said honestly.

Lexa smiled tenderly and leaned in to her. "Good." She said kissing the healer deeply. Costia emitted a sigh of relief at her lips and seemed to melt into the touch. The kiss lasted a few moments before the two broke apart.

"You've been waiting to do that all night. Haven't you?" Costia accused.

Lexa said nothing and instead placed her head on the other girl's lap and shut her eyes. Costia began to absent-mindedly run her fingers through Lexa's braided brown hair.

"I love you." Costia said quietly. Lexa smiled "I love you to." She turned and looked up at the healer to her surprise there were tears forming in her eyes. Lexa reached up and brushed one away.

"What it is?"

Costia shook her head, trying to fight off the tears. Lexa sat up and wrapped her arm around the girl pressing their foreheads together. "What worries you?"

Costia looked into the taller girl's eyes, the dark ebony eyes that she had fallen for. "What future do I have with you?" She said tearfully.

Lexa was taken aback by this response. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Costia gave a sharp intake of breath and wiped her tears away swiftly. Lexa jumped to her feet and crossed to the door.

"Who's there?" She called to the other side of the door.

"Gustus." The man's voice called. "Forgive me for waking you so early but Anya has returned with the Azgeda warriors."

Lexa clenched her fist and looked regretfully back at Costia. Who was sitting straight on the their bed. Hands folded, masking whatever emotions she was feeling.

"Give me a moment." Lexa called to Gustus.

"Yes Heda." Gustus returned.

Lexa crossed to the wardrobe and began to dress in her finest armor. Costia watched her and as she began to place her breast places the girl rose and began to tie the amour's straps, the ones she knew Lexa had difficulty reaching. Lexa lifted her hair aside to allow the Healer clear access to any straps on the amour's back.

"Forgive me." Costia spoke thickly; lacing Lexa in tightly. "I forget myself."

Lexa dropped her hair and turned. "You forget nothing." She said gently pressing their foreheads together. "Know that our future is however you want it to be."

A shade of doubt crossed Costia's freckled face. Lexa placed her hands squarely on the girl's shoulders. "If you wish me to marry you I will."

Costia's eyes grew wide in surprise. "But for now." Lexa said throwing on her deep red sash. "I must attend to my people's murderers." She left Costia in a stoned silence but could do nothing of it now.

XXX

As Lexa entered the city's square the villagers parted to make way for her. The Ice Nation's soldiers had each been tied to a post in the square there was sacks over their heads but they did not hide how much the men and women bled. Her own soldiers stood to the side of the crowd bearing large battle wounds but none that could mask their sense of pride. As Lexa entered the circle the warriors all sank to either knees in respect. Anya was barely recognizable from the blood on her face.

Lexa immediately made her way to her first and clasped the women's hand. "Well done."

Anya nodded dutifully. Lexa took a step back and examined the woman's injuries. She bore a deep cut across one of her eyes and carried her right leg awkwardly. "Go and seek a healer." The Commander said firmly. I will take care of our prisoners.

"Thank you Heda." Any said exhausted and she limped towards Redwood.

Lexa turned her attention to the tied criminals; most were silent and didn't even struggle against their restraints. Others quaked in fear, some were even begging. They did not faze her. She had seen all manners of emotion one can possess when confronted with their death. One by one Lexa ripped the hoods off the prisoners. Their faces shone brightly with the white war paint.

"You stand accused of invasion and murder of the villagers of Ethend." Lexa shouted so that all present could hear. "You have been found guilty and will serve the sentence. Death by a thousand cuts." At her words many of the villagers drew knives and began to form lines in front of each tied soldier.
Lexa approached the closest soldier. A young woman who had recently lost her eye. "You're fight is over." Lexa said drawing her knife and cutting the woman's thigh. The soldier spat at Lexa and narrowly missed her face.

"You are no Heda of mine." She hissed. That caused Lexa more pain than the vile mixture of saliva and blood the girl had spat at her. Feeling the eyes of the citizens on her Lexa plunged her knife into the girl's chest. One could not speak to the Commander in such a fashion and not be killed. She needed to remind her people of how strong she was especially if she was going to form a Coalition. Lexa turned her back on those to be killed and briskly strode into Redwood. She turned back one last time to see her people before her. She turned just in time to see Aden plunge his knife into the shoulder of a large Azgeda warrior.

"Call for the Council." She said sternly to Gustus. "We have much to discuss."