The first thing Lexa registered as she woke was pain. The right side of her face seemed to have a pulse of its own. She lifted her and gingerly felt her swollen eye and nose. She opened her eyes and was pleased to be able to see from both eyes once again. The lack of vision had been keeping her on edge, she had felt almost naked with only one eye. As she shifted in her bed she became aware of a hand on her stomach. She turned slightly and saw Costia asleep next to her. The girl was lying on top of the furs on her stomach, in her sleep draped her arm across Lexa's midriff. Lexa wondered when the girl had fallen asleep and if it had been intentional. Costia still wore her clothing from the day before and seeing her above the furs made Lexa think that she hadn't been able to help herself falling asleep.

Lexa reached across the bed and pushed a few strands of the girl's red hair from her face. She was sleeping so peacefully. Lexa didn't want to move and risk waking her. However, she knew she needed to speak with the council members. She needed her people to see her, she needed to speak with Anya.

Slowly, so as not to wake Costia, Lexa slid from the bed. Her body ached and protested. She dressed in silence taking special care around her bandaged arm. To her surprise Costia didn't even stir as she pushed the door open and left the room.

It was still early yet so most of the habitants of Redwood still slept but Lexa knew one person who would be awake. Who would no doubt be training.

On the third knock Lexa heard Anya's voice call. "Who's there?"

"Your Heda." Lexa said clearing her throat. The door was unlatched and swung open.

Lexa felt like smiling instead she resided herself to simply saying.
"And who said war wasn't beautiful?"

As swollen as Lexa imaged her face was Anya's was much worse. There had been so much blood on her face yesterday that Lexa had not seen the true extent of her First's injuries. Anya's eyes were blackened and her face was covered in deep gashes. She stood awkwardly on an injured leg and one of her arms was in a tight sling with a splint.

Anya examined her apprentice with distasteful eyes. "I'm surprised you allowed Rooknum to injure you this severely. Have I taught you nothing?"

Lexa shook her head. "This was not Rooknum's doing." Her First raised a disheveled eyebrow.

"It was his corpse." Lexa said smartly. "It had good aim, apparently."

A shadow of a smile crossed Anya's bruised face before she stood aside allowing room for Lexa to enter. The Commander strode into the smaller soldier quarters.

"That Healer of yours works wonders." Anya said sitting at the small wooden table in the room. Lexa hid a smile. "I've never seen a healer stop a bleeding wound so efficiently. I'm sure I'd look much better than I do now if she hadn't been called away to aide you."

Lexa sat in the chair opposite her mentor. "I do save the best for myself." She said in a mock arrogance.

Anya nodded knowingly.

"I'm sure you have heard why such actions took place in the council room." Lexa said cutting to the point of her visit.

Anya nodded. "In truth." She said fiddling with a knot within the table. "I am surprised only one council member drew on you."

Lexa creased her eyebrows. "You disapprove?"

Anya said nothing for a moment. Then raised her eyes to the girl she had all but raised since childhood. "I do not understand."

"Understand what?"

"Why you wish to unite the clans." Anya leaned back in her chair. "The Ice Nation murdered a town of your people, the Boat People killed your mother and father, your elder brother was taken as a slave by the desert clan. Yet you want to invite these people into your home and your council."

Lexa looked down at the grainy table. She had not thought of her brother in years. He had been taken before she had been discovered as a Nightblood, he and many other children of her village.

"My brother was taken by slavers, my parents killed by bounty hunters, my town slaughtered by mercenaries. I cannot hold an entire clan at fault for such acts."

"Blood Must have blood." Anya hissed.

Lexa slammed her hand on the table. "I know the words." She snapped. She knew her first to be strong and wise but she also knew her to be one minded, this was why she was not a member of the council. Anya was not a thinker she was a doer. "I know what other clans are capable of, but I also know what we as a people are capable of, and it is more than what we are." Lexa suddenly found herself on her feet. "Blood must have blood. But no more than is needed!"

There was a knock at the door and Lexa realized that her yelling must have summoned a guard. Glaring at her first Lexa crossed to the door and opened it.

"Wake the members of the council." She instructed the guard. "Call for a meeting within the hour."

"Yes Heda." The guard said obediently and he made his way down the hall. Lexa watched him go; letting the rage she felt diminish. She turned back to her First who was standing.

"You have always shown such strength." Anya said solidly. "I call you Heda but I still see my young apprentice." She paused for a moment carefully selecting her words. "But should you succeed in this endeavor. You will be the strongest I have known and you will truly be my Heda."

The two women stared at one another in silence. Should this have been any other two individuals in this position they may have hugged. But not these two soldiers.

Lexa nodded and swiftly strode from the room. She needed to gather her and Costia's notes today would be the first of many days. The day the coalition was to be conceived. How long until it would be born Lexa did not know, but she did know that this is why the former Commander's spirit had chosen her. This was to be her purpose and she would succeed or she would die trying.

XXXXX

The sun was low on the horizon when Lexa finally left the council room that she had been nearly imprisoned in for the two days. Though her body craved rest she knew she was much too sore to actually sleep. She began to make her way down the stairs to the bathing rooms in the basement of Redwood; desperate from some form of relief from her mental and physical pain.

The bathing room was empty as she had requested it to be but the candles were glowing brightly. The dark cavernous room held half a dozen large round hot springs their water dark but clean and hot.

The hot water felt blissful on her sore muscles as she lowered herself into the largest tub, taking care to keep her stitched arm from getting wet. She sighed and leaned against the edge of the tub staring at the ceiling.

The last week had been grueling. If she had thought that Costia had questions and concerns about the Coalition the Elders convinced her that this would be thrice as difficult as she anticipated.

To their credit most Council members were agreeing to the idea of uniting the 12 clans but they were just as unclear as to how to actually begin the process. She had been glad that Titus had been incredibly supportive of the idea. She also was slightly suspicious that the main reason the Council had had a change of heart was Rooknum's demise. Lexa had reminded them of how strong she was, how fearless she could be, how she could turn tables that appeared solid as stone.
After days of debate it was decided that riders would be sent to the leaders of each clan. These riders would bare the kings and queens or leaders of the clans all information about the council to be formed. The next step would in the process be determined by their reactions. Lexa had no doubt that she would need to personally travel to most if not all of the clans to convince them. This however was dangerous; many in the clans wanted her dead. She would need to take the equivalent of a small army to accompany her. It would take time, patience, and of course luck.

As the steam of the water billowed in intricate patterns Lexa felt her eye lids grow heavy. Her muscles were soothed and the pulse in her nose seemed to have abated, she felt her toned body grow wrinkled under the water but did not care. Perhaps she would close her eyes for just a moment then she would return to her room to Costia.

XXXXX

Air. There was no air in her lungs. She inhaled sharply but instead of clean fresh air her lungs filled with burning hot water. Suddenly strong hands gripped under her armpits and pulled her to the surface of the water.

Her first breath felt like knives in her chest but it did start to clear her foggy head. The Commander sputtered and gasped. She gripped tightly on either side of the tub steadying herself.

"What the hell were you doing?" Costia screamed.

Through water filled eyes Lexa could make out the vague outline of the girl standing in the tub. As she vision cleared the healers furious face came into view. The girl's face was pink with rage, the steam billowing around her red hair gave the impression that she herself was steaming, it would have been intimidating if the girl didn't look so out of place in the tub, she still wore her healer's uniform which was not completely soaked.

"What happened?" Costia demanded her voice higher this time snapping Lexa from her thoughts.

Lexa rubbed her eyes trying to regain her last conscious memory.

"I must have fallen asleep." She confessed.

"And you almost drowned because of it?" Costia's voice continued to rise in pitch.

Lexa checked her arm to see how the stitches had faired against the water. Costia had out done herself, they showed no damage.

"Lexa! Look at me." Costia shrieked causing Lexa's ears to ring.

"I'm alright Costia." She said calmly sensing that there was more than just anger within Costia.

"That's not the point. Do you know what would have happened if I hadn't gone looking for you?" She yelled.

Lexa chuckled. "I would have been the laughing stock of all 12 clans and beyond the sea. The great Commander drowned in a bath."

"Lexa please." Costia whined.

Lexa reached out and took the girl's hands.

"I am alright." She said kissing her knuckles.

"Thanks to me." Costia grumbled, deflating at Lexa's touch. Sensing this Lexa stood so that she was eye level with the healer. Suddenly aware of how naked she was. She had become so accustomed to feeling no shame in her life that it was easy enough to forget. Still, as she stared at the healer she felt the girl's eye dart slightly, taking in her body.

"Thank you for pulling me up." Lexa said quietly knowing the healer was putty in her hands now.

"You need more sleep…" Costia mumbled not looking Lexa in the eye. "You need to be more careful."

"Why should I when I have you to look after me?" Lexa said her nose brushing against the smaller girl's. She felt Costia smile.

"And you always will." The girl said closing the gap between their warm bodies. It had been days since Lexa had seen Costia, let alone kissed her so this form of contact was like heaven. Costia rang her agile hands through Lexa's soaking hair. Lexa reached behind the healer and felt at the back of her uniform until she found three buttons; one by one she undid them with practiced ease and the girl's dress dropped heavily into the tub.

"You'd better not fall asleep again." Costia said as Lexa placed her hands on her hips and pulled her naked body towards her.