Chapter Text
Walking towards the gate, Clarke was feeling a bit apprehensive if not scared. Not much scares Clarke these day, however at the moment she is indeed, a little scared. In the past three years she’s been through a lot, much more than she would have expected she would ever encounter, even in her wildest dreams. Yet here Clark is, riding towards the gates of Polis, feeling apprehensive and nervous at what is to come. She of course, hides these feelings under a mask, for if she did not she would have already been dead long ago.
As she approaches the entrance to the city, Clarke notices the guards visibly tense once they identified her as Azgedon. They stiffen even more as they recognize who she is.
“ Wanheda .” One calls to her once she stops her horse.
“I seek entrance into Polis.” Clarke states, her voice void of emotion.
“Why did you come assassin?” The other asks, distrust leaking into his words.
“I am here as the replacement for the Azgedon ambassador who had an...unfortunate accident, as you may know.” She replies. When the two still hesitate for a moment she continues talking. “You know, Heda would not appreciate a delay in meetings any longer.”
That seems to convince the two, and after checking her over for weapons, many of which they were unable to find, Clarke is allowed into the city.
____
“ Heda! ” The messenger bows.
“Rise. What is it that you came to tell me?” Lexa asks, having no time to make idle talk.
“The replacement for the Azgedon ambassador has arrived.” The messenger answers, however the way he shifts his weight tells Lexa there is more information that he is not keen and sharing.
“And?” She presses.”I do not have all day. Say what needs to be said.”
“And, from reports from the guards, the replacement seems to be Wanheda .” The messenger practically mutters the the last word.
“Thank you, you may leave.” Lexa dismisses, making sure to keep her voice calm and collected, knowing that the Ice Queen undoubtedly has spies in the tower, noting her reaction.
The messenger quickly runs off, making it clear that he is glad that he is able to escape the tense atmosphere.
“ Heda, ” Titus approaches her, “surely you cannot let this stand! An assassin serving as an ambassador? Nevertheless an Azgedon one, and one as deadly as Wanheda. This is an abomination! Surely you will not let this stand!”
“ Daun ste pleni Titus! You and I both know that I can’t do that, it would be considered an offence to the Ice Nation. They are already looking for a war and we can’t afford conflict with them, not with the threat of the Mountain still looming over us, and our unsteady alliance with the Skaikru.” Lexa raises her voice forcefully, sick and tired of her old mentor putting his opinion where it is not welcomed.
“If you had listened to my advice, then there would be no threat of Skaikru.” Titus persists.
“Ryder!” Lexa calls, having enough of the conversation.
Not even a minute later her persona guard appears. “Yes, Heda? ”
“Please escort the Flame Keeper out, and bring Wanheda in.” She commands. Ryder just nods, then shuffles Titus out of the room.
Once Ryder leaves the room, Lexa sits down in her throne and sighs, knowing that today will be a long day.
____
“ Heda will see you now.” A guard says to Clarke, before turning around and leading her to what she assumes is the throne room. As she’s walking through the halls she can’t help but notice how ornate some of the walls all and anger fills her.
“Here the great Commander lives in her grand tower, while in some parts of Azgeda, children are starving to death. Just like the Ark, where the rich ruled and the others are screwed. I suppose some things never change.” Clarke bitterly thinks. Her thoughts are halted, however, when they come to an abrupt stop before two large doors.
“If you so as look at her the wrong way, I will not hesitate to kill you.” Another guard whispers in her ear before opening the two doors, and leading her in.
“So, you’re the one who led the attack that killed over 300 of my warriors.” The Commander states, playing with a knife, as Clarke walks into the throne room. Clarke can’t help but look the girl over, searching for any weak points, however after not finding any, she allows herself to glance at the girl before her and take in her. The girl seems to be a bit taller than her, however it is hard to tell as she sitting down. She is wearing a black jacket and her red pauldon that allows everyone to identify her as Heda . Her face is what surprises Clarke most, as she has not ever been this close to the young leader. As she stares at the Commander and sees her warpaint and long brown hair, she meets green eyes, which not even the stories even came close to describe the intensity of.
“And you’re the one that declared the war that would end up in more than 2,000 Azegdan deaths, we could play this game all day Commander, however we both know that is not why I am here.” Clarke responds, struggling to keep any tone of hostility out of her voice.
“You are correct, we have much to discuss... Wanheda .” The girl says, making sure to trail off at Clarke’s title. “That is your name correct?” She asks.
“Something like that.” Clarke struggles to keep an amused grin off her face.
“Very well. Now amuse me Wanheda ,” again, she puts emphasize on the name, almost in a mocking tone, “why would Nia send one of her best army leaders and assassins as the replacement for an ambassador. Surely the Ice Nation has many others that are more, passive, to fill the role?”
“Ah there it was.” Clarke had been anticipating this question since she left the territory of the Ice Nation. “Well Heda , I think if there’s one person to understand that a person can be equally as good in politics as they are in battle, it’s you. I can guarantee you that I am more than capable of fulfilling this role and that the queen would only send her best.”
The Commander’s only response is a slight nod, however Clarke knows that she does not believe it, not that she should since it was a bunch of crap, but unless she wanted to offend the Ice Nation, there was nothing she could do but accept it.
“Well it is getting late, and there are many meetings to attend to tomorrow due to the lack of absence of an ambassador so rest up, ambassador.” Clarke turns to leave but before she can make an exist the Commander talks again.
“And do not think Wanheda , that I am, as well as many others, are not keeping a close eye on you. Do one thing that is suspicious, and you might find yourself with a similar fate as the previous Azgedon ambassador.”
Trying to keep her cool, Clarke tries to exist however, she can’t help herself and before walking through the doors, turn arounds and utters, “I’d like to see you try.”
Clarke paces her room, unable to go to sleep. She knows she needs the rest, however she also knows that a peaceful slumber is a rarity for her after everything that she’s went through and done. She knows that even the slightest error on her part, will be her death sentence, whether it is from The Commander or her queen. Despite receiving praise from Nia, Clarke also knows her queen does not trust her, which is why she sent her to Polis in the first place. To both annoy the Commander and unsettle her as well as get Clarke as far away from her as possible. Clarke lets out a sigh. This is her life now, whether she likes it or not.
___
Lexa was annoyed, if not also bored. It had been two days since meetings had recommenced and she remembers why she never missed them. Even though the mountain and their new alliance with Skaikru was their biggest problems, several of the ambassadors took it upon themselves to try to direct the meeting’s focus towards menial problems such as one clan seeming to favor one over the other. Though Lexa did admit that the these were issues that would need to be addressed, the Mountain and the Sky People possed a much bigger threat.
With the Desert and Lake Clan ambassadors arguing over something not important once again, Lexa directed her attention over the Wanheda. The assassin was unlike any assassin and Azgedon that she had ever met. Though she did don the clan’s clothing, and gave off the same unnerving, cold, and calculated vibe, she also was not as openly aggressive, and arrogant was many of her clan. She seemed to acknowledge that there was power to wisdom and not just brute force. Though she did speak a few times, she also listened a lot, which unnerved Lexa even more. She knew that the other girl was studying all the others there and taking mental notes, but for what, Lexa did not know.
She still did not trust the girl nor her motives, especially since she knew what she was capable of. Lexa wouldn’t trust just a regular assassin on a good day, nevertheless an Azgeda one, and Wanheda was no ordinary Azegdon assassin either. Though she was young, Lexa knew better than anyone else never to underestimate anyone due to something so foolish as age. She needed to remember that this was the same girl who led attacks that left over 1,000 of her warriors dead, and that number of casualties was nothing compared to the ones that were caused by other acts of the assassin such as poisoning their water. This girl was ruthless on the battlefield, having the ability to kill warriors in one swipe of her sword. There were even rumors that she had the ability to bring warriors back to life. Though Lexa wasn’t one to believe gossip, she also did not want to deny that there was a possibility that they were true.
A yell jolted Lexa from her thoughts, and she then notices that most of the ambassadors have separated into groups and are attacking each other.
“Nou, daun ste pleni! Aik yu nou ambassadors? Yu act like children!” Lexa shouts, halting several of the ambassadors, The ones from Desert and Lake Clans, the ones who started the argument, ignore her, however. The Lake Clan ambassador quickly draws his sword and stabs the other ambassador in the leg. Just as he is getting ready to take another jab, he lets out a scream as a knife is lodged into his hand. Lexa looks around it is does not take her long to realize it was Wanheda who threw the knife. Before she can say anything, Wanheda rushes over to the injured Desert Clan ambassador.
“I need a fabric of some sort.” She shouts, but all of them are too shocked to respond. “Now people, or he will bleed out!” That is enough to awaken the Boat people’s ambassador from the trace and she quickly rips part of her shirt off and hands it to Wanheda. “Mochof.” the assassin replies as she puts pressure on the wound.
“Gustus!” Lexa yells.
“Yes Heda ?” Her most loyal guard replies, after running into the room a few moments later.
“Get two healers in here, one for the Sankru ambassador and the other for the ambassador of the Podakru .” Lexa commands.
“ Sha, Heda. ” Gustus responds before running off.
“The rest of you, except for Wanheda , and the injured may leave now.” The rest of the ambassadors are quick to go, undoubtedly wanting to discuss what happened with each other.
Gustus returns to the throne room within minutes with the healers who quickly relieve the Ice Nation Ambassador. After making talking with the healers about what happened, the assassin turns to leave, however Lexa has other plans. “Wait, Wanheda , I believe we need to talk.
___
“Why did you do it?” The Commander asks Clarke getting right to the point, after leading her into another room.
“Why’d I do what?” Clarke counters.
“Why did you, an Azgedon, stop of the violence? Everyone else just stood by and watched? This is a strange move for an Azegdon to make, your clan is not known to be peacemakers.” The Commander states.
“Is that an insult, Commander?” Clarke questions, allowing a bit of hostility into her words.
“It wasn’t intended to be one.”
“I would be more careful with your word choice then, some from my clan are not as...understanding as I am.” Clarke states.
“You still haven’t answered my question though, Wanheda.” The Commander responds, completely ignoring Clarke’s unspoken threat.
“Do not judge someone based off of where they come from, Heda . I might come from Azgeda, but that does not mean that I follow the mindset of some.” Clarke answers carefully.
“Are you not as loyal to your clan as you claim?” The Commander’s green eyes bore into Clarke’s as she says that, almost challenging Clarke to make an error in her speech.
“I am as loyal to Azgeda as you are to the Coalition and your people, Heda . Do not make the mistake of interpreting my choice to not follow the actions of some in my clan as anything but that.” Clarke stares The Commander right back in the eyes. Something seems to change in the Commander’s demeanor, however before Clarke can understand what it was, the Commander starts talking.
“You are dismissed, ambassador, thank you.” and with that, the other girl walks out.
___
Lexa was never much of one to overthink things. Yes, she was a thoughtful person and always thought things through, she had to, she was Heda after all, however she had never been one to over analyze anything. That was one of the things they taught you as a Nightblood, never waste time over thinking something. Either exert that energy into other things, or go back to the problem later when new information was presented. There was no point in wasting precious time and energy on a matter if there was nothing new to think over.
Yet here Lexa was, pacing in her room, thinking about the mysterious Azgedon ambassador. There was so much to the girl that was unknown. Even her childhood was a mystery and other than learning that Nia took interest in the girl about three years ago, her scouts found nothing that would even indicate her existence prior to that.
There was so much to that girl that Lexa did not know about, and in her case, where Wanheda was an assassin, lack of knowledge could prove to be deadly. She did not even know the assassin’s motive, since she was not like any other assassin that Lexa had ever met. Azgedon assassin were known to be calculating, smart, and manipulative, all things that Wanheda was, however unlike the ambassador many lacked empathy, kindness, and any yearning for peace whatsoever.
For having the fearsome title “Commander of Death” the girl was sure not what Lexa expected. Of course she did live up to her title, Lexa could tell that she was most certainly a threat, however she lacked the arrogance and aggressiveness that she expected one with that title to carry.
The girl was also just as impressive in politics as she most likely was in combat. The Azgedon did not speak often and mostly listened, however when she did talk, it was to bring out good points, a skill that Lexa found many of the ambassadors lacked. If the girl was not an assassin and from the clan that took her lover's life, then perhaps Lexa would have been able to even have befriended her. That, however was not the case, and until she knew more about Wanheda and who she truly was, Lexa had to be wary of her.
“ Heda! ” a messenger barges into the meeting. Though the meeting itself was not particularly important nor interesting, Lexa couldn’t help herself to feeling a bit annoyed, after all, it was disrespectful to disturb a meeting, unless an emergency had occurred.
“ Sha messenger? Why don yu come en interrupted disha meeting? The news yu bring better be important.” Lexa calls about, trying to keep her annoyance and worry out of her voice.
“ Heda, the information ai bring ste urgent. Onya has been injured. ” The messenger looks nervous, as if expecting her to explode. Idiot. Lexa thinks. Surely this news bringer knows that his Heda possess more self control than a child.
“ How ?” Lexa demands, getting impatient as the messenger is leaving out important details.
“Em was traveling kom polis kom talk kom yu gon the Skaikru en ona the way was attacked by a bandit. The bandit has been taking care gon, onya killed em, ba nou fou getting a swis kom the chest. Em ste in the infirmy nau, however the healers laik unsure gon how kom treat her without causing her kom loose seintaim much jus.” If Lexa had been paying attention, then perhaps she would have heard Wanheda gulp at the mention of Skaikru however she was too worried about her old mentor to notice.
“ Mochof messenger gon informing me. Tel the healers ai will be ona ai way.” Lexa then turns to the ambassadors. “ Ai laik sorry, however disha meeting ste nau odon. Ai don kom attend kom a very urgent situation, as yu may don heard. Osir will resume disha meeting another day, yu laik dismissed. ”
Most of the ambassadors disperse, however Lexa notices that Wanheda has stayed.
“Heda, ai heard the messenger mention gon trouble kom taking out swis. Ai can help, ai laik very experienced kom taking out swis, ai don odon so kom a countless noma gon ai gonakru.” Wanheda offers.
Lexa studies her going through an internal debate on whether or not she should let the blonde in front of her help. On one hand she had helped with saving the Sankru ambassador so she obviously had some sort of training in healing, however on the other hand, she was an Azgedon assassin, someone that she has never trusted and why should she now. Besides Anya was important to her, would she really take that risk and trust this stranger with the life of her former mentor? Weighing her options Lexa decides that it is Anya, and she deserves all the help she can get, and if it is a member of the Ice Nation that gives her it, then so be it. Besides, there would be many other healers there, and if anything went wrong, well Lexa could just kill her right there and then. Lexa nods her acceptance of the girl’s offer and the two of them run to the infirmary.
___
Clarke can’t help feeling a bit nervous. From the way that the Commander looks at her, to her demanding that she hurry up, she was making Clarke feel a bit on edge. Clarke takes a deep breathe and remembers her mother’s lessons, and her teaching Clarke how to tune everything out, a skill that was necessarily since the ER and OR could become a hectic place. So Clarke instead studies the woman in front of her.
The girl looks to be about thirty years of age or so, and has blondish-brownish hair. Her breathing is ragged and her lean body shakes whenever she breathes in or exhales out. Just as the messenger said, a knife is lodged into her chest, lodged in her left breast. Clarke can’t be sure if the knife was or is puncturing the girl’s heart in any way, and she needs the girl’s clothes off to take a closer look. As she moves to undress the girl, a hand stops hers.
“ Nou think bilaik ai nou know chit yu laik trying kom do az nation assassin, even in ai weakened state. ” The woman says, her voice barely above that of a whisper.
“ Ai laik trying kom heal yu. Though ai may be an assassin ai laik seintaim a fisa, en a good won gon bilaik. Ask your heda taim yu laik so unsure.” Clarke responds.
“ Em ste right Onya. Em ste an experienced fisa, ai don seen her heal myself. Teik her help yu. ” The Commander gives her approval. The woman, Anya, does not respond but instead takes another shaky breath and nods her consent.
Clarke gets to work right away, taking the girl’s amour and shirt quickly, having much experienced in doing so after many battles. After taking off the girl’s amour, top, and bindings, Clarke looks down and examines the knife and it’s location. It is lodged only two centimeters away from what would have been a fatal stab, the woman’s heart. Clarke leans down to listen to the woman’s breathing and takes her pulse, and concludes that her heart was most likely not punctured. She lets out a sigh of relief.
“ Chit ste em?” The Commander asks, worried.
“ Nothing foto. The swis did nou puncture the tombom which ste good. Hogeda ai don kom do ste be very careful when taking out the swis en stitch her up. ” Clarke answers. After the Commander gives Clarke a nod she gets back to work.
“ Can yu ge me supplies gon stitches? ” Clarke asks one of the other healers. Once they nod and go in search of the supplies, Clarke gets back to work.
“ Nau ai will need en kom shof op hir while ai teik out the swis. Taim ai so move em mo than an inch o so, the swis could puncture the tombom en em will bleed out. ” She says without looking up. Taking a deep breath, Clarke puts her hands on the handle of the knife and slowly pulls it up ever so carefully, knowing that there is no room for error. After several minutes the knife is out, and Clarke calls for a healer to immediately put pressure on the wound while she inspects it. Looking the knife over Clarke searches to see if there is any poison on it, however the blood on it makes this task difficult. After wiping some of the blood off and rotating it around, a tiny bit of residue catches her attention. She quickly identifies it as poison and curses.
“ Chit ste the matter? ” The Commander asks.
“ Em ste chit ai feared, der ste poison ona the swis. ” Clarke tells the other healer, “ Der was poison ona the swis, ge the needed medicine, ai can teik odon nau. ”
The other healer’s efforts seemed to have been somewhat successful since woman is not bleeding too heavily. Clarke quickly gets to work and stitches her up, and by the time she is done the healer is back with the medicine.
“ Ai work hir ste odon. Ai think yu can teik odon kom hir. Call gon me taim yu need any help, ba em beda be fine. ” With that Clarke gets up to leave, however before she can the Commander approaches her.
“ Mochof wanheda, don a good sheidgeda. ” Clarke nods, and then heads for her room, exhausted.
___
“Hey.” Lexa smiles as Anya starts to stir after being asleep for several hours.
“Lexa,” Anya grunts, “it has been a while.”
“It has.” Lexa agrees.
“You know, I had the craziest dream.” Anya begins.
“Yeah?”
“Ok so I was on the way to Polis to see you, and then a bandit came out and stabbed me in the chest.” Her old mentor looks at her, expecting her to laugh or call her crazy, however Lexa just stares back at her, face void of emotions.
“Anyways, this is where it gets crazy. Once I got here, an Azgedon assassin healed me. Crazy right?” Anya looks at her once more, expecting some sort of reaction from her, however all Lexa does is sigh.
“ Onya , that was not a dream, an Azgedon assassin, Wanheda , did indeed heal you.” At this Anya bolts up, but stops after letting up a hiss, putting a hand to her bandaged chest.
“How could,” Anya hisses, lacing every word, “how could you let an Azgedon, nevertheless an assassin, even touch me. How could you let them heal me, after what they did to Costia, to my parents, to Trikru ?” The girl is practically shouting by this point.
“ Onya , Wanheda is no ordinary assassin, or Azgedon for that matter.”
“You are right, she is worse .” Anya hisses.
“She might live up to her reputation, however there is much to the girl that is not of normal Ice Nation warriors. She is the new Ice Nation ambassador and proved her healing skills when there was conflict during a meeting.”
“A delegate from the Ice Nation stopping conflict instead of engaging in it? Leska , are you sure that you have not had too many drinks recently?”
“I am quite sure.” Lexa laughs at her friend’s bluntness. “Ask the Sankru ambassador, the one that she healed.” Anya gasps at that.
“Unless much has changed, then the Sankru and Azgeda have never had the best relations, what has changed now?”
“Nothing.” Her first narrows her eyes at this. “Like I said, she is different than any other Azgedon I have ever met. She does not lack compassion and empathy but is instead filled with it.”
“ Heda , have you gone mad? This is an Azgedon that we are talking about, one from the same clan that we have always grown up hating. I understand why you had to let them into the Coalition, but trusting an assassin? Even I did not think that you would be that foolish!” Lexa also flinches at Anya’s use of Heda , instead of her actual name.
“ Onya , you know me well enough to know that I value your safety very much, and that I would not just carelessly put it in someone else’s hands unless I believed it to be the right thing to do. Now I am not asking you to trust Wanheda , but I am asking that you give her a chance and to not dismiss her immediately. She might end up surprising you.” Lexa gets up to leave.
“Yeah, with a knife back.” Is the last thing she hears as she leaves the infirmary.
___
Clarke day was....uneventful to say the least. She had been in meetings for hours and was bored out of her mind. The topics that were brought up were minor things that honestly did not matter in the least. Clarke did not know how the Commander could stand being in meetings like those 24/7, and if Clarke didn’t know better, thought that she saw the other girl send a few unamused looks her way. Either way Clarke needed to do something active or she would lose her mind, which is why she now found herself in the training arena.
Training had not always been a comfort to Clarke, especially when she trained under Nia, however now it was a solace to her. It was almost as good as a remedy as painting was for her, however there would always be a void in her soul that only painting could fill. Clarke had long since accepted that that void might never be filled ever again.
Clarke had been warming up, practicing strikes with a sword, when a Trikru warrior approached her.
“ Ah the great Wanheda, how about ai show yu how a real gona fights. Yu assassins nou know how kom gonplei fair, why dont ai show yu how? ” The warrior asks.
“ Ai laik nou looking gon trouble, however ai could use someone kom spar kom. Chit laik the rules? ” Clarke responds, knowing that she can take on the warrior, despite him being almost twice her size.
“ No poisoned blades en no deadly hits. Anything else ste fair game. ” He responds.
“ Very well. ” She says as she takes all the daggers and knives on her that have poison on their blades. Clarke and her opponent then start to circle each other.
Clarke assessing him, nothing that he may be big, but does not appear to be quick. He attacks her first with his sword, however she quickly dodges his attack. Arrogant and confident. Clarke notes. After failing to hit her several times with his sword, he then runs at her, however Clarke sidesteps, and he falls to the ground. He growls at this, and quickly gets up once again.
Clarke decides she has played enough of defense for now and once he lunges for her again, she takes the butt of her sword and strikes him in the stomach with it. In any other sparring she would have normally struck with her blades, however she knows that if she injuries him too severely, this spar could turn ugly, fast.
Some cheers and some boos arise from this and makes Clarke aware that they have an audience. She knows that now she has to be even more careful.
The warrior gets back up once again, swearing as he does. He tries attack her again, but she uses her speed to her ability and dodges his attacks once again, frustrating him.
“ Chit games laik yu playing Wanheda? ” the warrior growls.
“ Ai laik playing no games. Ai laik sparring fairly, laik ai nou? ” Is her response.
The warrior attacks her once again, and this time Clarke decides it has been long enough and dodges his attack once more, and before he knows it, she has hit in the back of the legs, and he is on the ground, with her on top of him, holding her knife to his throat.
“ Give up yet? ” Clarke asks him, tauntly.
The warrior closes his eyes, as if saying the next words pains him. “ Sha. ” He says with a sigh.
“ Very well, good match gona. Em has been fun. ” She says as she gets up from him and extends her arm to help him up. He takes her hand, however to her surprise flips her, and now she finds their roles reversed, with her and on the ground and the warrior on top of her.
“ Nice try wanheda, however em ste your fault bilaik yu teik your guard down. Disha ste gon ai clan en gon emo bilaik yu killed in your attacks. Any last words fou yu gonplei ste odon? ” He whispers into her ear, as he presses his sword against her neck. Clarke knows that she could easily stop him, heck within five seconds she could have him off her and killed in several ways, however she knows that will not help her and will only lead to more trouble. Clarke instead accepts her faith, besides it’s not like she has much to live for anyways.
“ None, ai laik sorry gon the losses gon sonraun, en taim ai wamplei gives yu closure, den so be em. Go ona nau, kill me, may em be everything yu wanted en mo. ” Is all she replies. She braces herself to feel the blade of the sword swipe across her neck but before it can, a voice interrupts them.
“ Em pleni! ge off her gon her fou ai come der myself. Yu know the punishment gon attacking an ambassador, fool. Guards seize em! ” The Commander’s voice rings out. The warrior immediately gets off of Clarke and sure enough, is grabbed by two guards. Clarke then gets off and brushes herself off and goes to grab her knives and daggers that she discarded. The Commander then approaches her.
“ Wanheda, ai would like kom don a word kom yu in ai tower. ” The brunette then proceeds to walk away and Clarke shrugs and follows her.
“You are the either the most noble or stupidest person I have ever met!” The Commander yells as soon as the doors in her throne room close. She is pacing and looks furious.
“You know, for a second there you sound like you care about me.” Clarke tries to lamely joke, not sure how the handle the Commander like this or how she’ll react to a joke. One of the first things Clarke learned was that the Grounders were not notorious for their sense of humor.
“I do care. I do care if perhaps one of the best and easy to deal with ambassadors were to be killed, yes I would care if a person of your expertize in healing were to be killed, yes I would care if a warrior of mine killed you since it would start a war between our clans, so yes, I do care about you.” The other girl has stopped pacing and is looking Clarke directly in the eyes now.
“You were ready for him to kill him, how could you allow him to? Do you really value your life that little?” Clarke is not sure who this girl in front of her is now, it is surely not the stoic Commander that she has grown to know.
“I have done things that...I am not proud of. I have taken away countless lives without so much as a second thought, so why should I be the one to say that someone cannot take mine? It would be hypocritical of me and honestly I have lost that right the instant that I valued one person’s life over the other’s.” Clarke responds, truthfully. The brunette studies her for a moment, most likely trying to determine whether or not Clarke is being sincere or is just putting on an act.
“ Wanheda , I will say this, you are not what I expected.” The other girl seems to decide that Clarke is being truthful.
“And same to you Heda. ”
“Also, I haven’t thanked you for saving Onya , she is very important to me.”
“There is no need to thank me. I took an oath long ago that as long as have the ability to heal someone, I will. Besides, I need to do some good to balance out all the evils I have done.” Clarke does not know why she has told the other girl this, but it’s out of her mouth before she even debates whether or not to say those words.
“Still, she is very special and I do not know what I would have done if I had lost her.” Clarke just nods her head at this.
“One last thing, Wanheda , after all you have done, call me Leska. ”
___
Ever since Lexa told Wanheda to call her by her name, the two had begun to interact with each other outside of meetings. Sometimes the blonde would linger after meetings and the two would talk of other things, while others they went on walks. On days where the Azgedon seemed a bit on edge the two would spar. This was much to Titus and Anya’s dismay, who still did not trust the Ice Nation ambassador whatsoever.
“I still cannot believe that you even associate with her outside of what is required, nevertheless allow her to spar with you! At any time she could use a poisonous blade and kill you, and do not put it pass Azgeda to do just that.” Anya spits out, during dinner one night.
“ Onya , I know that it is not wise, however after all that she has done, she has, at the very least, gained my respect and trust. Now, I will not have this conversation again, we have more important details to discuss. You were coming here to talk to me about the Skaikru , were you not?”
“Yes.” Her old mentor sighs. “I was coming here with the news that the Skaikru has officially accepted the alliance, and that apparently some their people are stuck in the Mountain as well, so they are devoted to the cause. They have vowed that they will assist in the technological aspect of the fight against the Mountain, and can be ready to attack whenever.”
“That is good. That is very good, how long ago was this?” Lexa asks.
“About a month ago, Heda , Indra is keep our alliance in my absence.” Anya explains.
“Good, I know Indra will do her best to keep everything between our people peaceful. I think that within a few weeks, we will be able to take on the Mountain. As soon as you are fully healed, which should be within the next week or so, we can proceed to attack the Mountain and give our people justice once and for all!” Lexa grins.
___
Clarke was walking back from another one of her and Lexa’s talks, when suddenly she finds herself pushed against a wall. Her natural instinct is to reach for one of her daggers and quickly take out of her attacker, however she knows that she cannot do that, not in Polis.
“What are you doing to Lexa?” The attacker yells as she hits Clarke's head against the wall. Clarke realizes she recognizes the voice.
“ Onya, isn’t it? I’m glad to see that it looks like you made a full recovery.” Clarke finds her head being slammed against the wall once again.
“Shut up, Azgedon scum. Lexa may be blind, but I am not. Whatever you are trying to do to her, know that I will not allow it to happen.” The shouts.
“Firstly, keep slamming my head against this wall, and I fear you might just give me a concussion. Secondly, I am not trying anything.” Clarke responds calmly, even though her instincts are particularly screaming at her to kill this Trikru warrior on the spot.
“Like I believe that even for a second. Fine, you know what assasin? If you aren’t going to tell me, I’ll fight it out of you.” The girl then proceeds to punch Clarke in the face and though Clarke knows that she could easily dodge the punch and have their roles reversed in mere seconds she doesn’t. Instead she knows that she needs to show this girl that she is different than others in her clan.
“Nothing? Okay well then how about this?” Anya then takes a knife out.
“Still not going to fight?” She asks when Clarke again gives not reaction.
“Fine.” She then cuts Clarke along the arm. It takes all of Clarke’s self control, but she again doesn’t react and instead just stand still, allowing the girl to do whatever she pleases.
“Where is your fight Azgedon? Are you not an assassin and warrior? Why don’t you live up to your title, “Commander of Death”.” The other girl says the name mockingly. Clarke does not respond which only infuriates the other girl more and she then proceeds to wrap her hand around Clarke’s neck, ready to choke her.
Just then Lexa comes running down the hall.
“ Onya ! Stop this at once.” The girl hesitates, but after a moment releases her hold on Clarke’s neck.
“You know the offence of attacking an ambassador, yet you still do this? If you are so ready to disobey orders, then you must be ready to face the consequences.” Lexa says to the other girl.
“It-” Clarke rasps, still trying to recover from almost being choked. “It is alright, she was only looking after you, she should not be punished for that.” Both of the other girls look at her in shock.
“I am fine.” Clarke continues. “Your friend here almost managed to give me a concussion at most.” She attempts a smile.
“Fine, but Onya , do not think we will not discuss this later.” Lexa says.
“Yes Heda .” The other girl replies.
___
“So...you were really ready to punish Onya for doing what you should have?” Titus asks her.
“Oh, and what would that be exactly?” Lexa raises her eyebrows.
“Kill that Azgedon assassin the instant she got here.” Titus spits out.
“Titus, do not question my decisions, I know what I am doing.” Lexa says, with a sigh, having had this conversation with her old teacher many times.
“You may think you do Heda , however when she has a knife to your throat, you might think otherwise.”
“ Leska , listen-” Her old mentor tries to say.
“No Onya , you listen . It is not your place to question my decisions and it is certainly not your duty interrogate Wanheda . I told you, Wanheda is not threat and yet you still did not believe me! No, it took you almost choking her and her letting you, to finally realize Gee, maybe Lexa has a point here ! Do you know how bad that could have been had it been any other person?” Lexa interrupts, her anger evident in her voice.
“Yes Heda, I am sorry I have doubted you, and I know that the outcome of that interaction could have been a lot worse. I might still not trust her, however I do realized that she is neither an immediate threat to you nor an ordinary Azgedon.” Anya admits.
“I know.” Lexa agrees. “Anyways, as long as you agree to not threaten Wanheda again, you are free to leave.”
“Of course, Heda , again, I am sorry.” Anya then turns to leave, however Lexa swears she hears her old mentor mutter something along of “An Azgedon who doesn’t attack a Trikru even when being, threatened? Who thought that was possible?” and Lexa can’t help but smile.
___
Everything had been going pretty well. Though the meeting was still relatively boring, the ambassadors had been able to settle many issues, and Clarke was even optimistic that the meeting might end early, however that was soon to change.
“I have an announcement!” Lexa says. All the ambassadors turn their attention to her.
“For too long the Mountain has haunted us and the original goal of this Coalition was to defeat them, and now we might have the ability to do so.” The brunette goes on to say.
“How, what has changed, Heda? ” The Trishanakru ambassador asks.
“What has changed, is that we now have an alliance with the Skaikru after negotiating with them for quite a while. Their knowledge of technology will help our efforts to overthrow the Mountain tremulously.” Clarke feels numb, even after three years, the mention of her old people makes her feel paralyzed.
“Why tell us now Heda ?” Another ambassador asks.
“Because, your clans need to know that in a week we will meet up with the Skaikru and plan to take down the Mountain. All you ambassadors need to come to help with strategizing as well as keep your clans at bay.” It is those words, as well as the prospect of having to face her people once more, that Clarke feel her world crashing down on top of her.
___
Translations:
- Heda : Commander
- Wanheda : Commander of Death
-Azgeda : Ice Nation
-Azgedon : Member of Ice Nation
-Nou, daun ste pleni! Aik yu nou ambassadors? Yu act like children! : Stop, that is enough! Are you not ambassadors? You act like children!
- Mochof : Thank you.
- Sankru : Desert Clan
- Podakru : Lake People
- Sha : Yes
- Why don yu come en interrupted disha meeting? : Why have you come and interrupted this meeting?
- The news yu bring better be important : The news you bring better be important.
- Heda, the information ai bring ste urgent. Onya has been injured. : Commander, the information I bring is urgent. Anya has been injured.
- SkaiKrui : Sky People
- Em was traveling kom polis kom talk kom yu gon the Skaikru en ona the way was attacked by a bandit. The bandit has been taking care gon, onya killed em, ba nou fou getting a swis kom the chest. Em ste in the infirmy nau, however the healers laik unsure gon how kom treat her without causing her kom loose seintaim much jus. : She was traveling to Polis to talk to you about the Sky People and on the way was attacked by a bandit. The bandit has been taken care of, Anya killed him, but not before getting a knife to the chest. She is in the infirmary now, however the healers are unsure about how to treat her without causing her to loose too much blood.
- Mochof messenger gon informing me. Tel the healers ai will be ona ai way : Thank you messenger for informing me. Tell the healers I will be on my way.
- Ai laik sorry, however disha meeting ste nau odon. Ai don kom attend kom a very urgent situation, as yu may don heard. Osir will resume disha meeting another day, yu laik dismissed. : I am sorry, however this meeting is over. I have to attend to a very urgent situation, as you may have heard. We will resume this meeting another day, you are dismissed.
-“ Heda, ai heard the messenger mention gon trouble kom taking out swis. Ai can help, ai laik very experienced kom taking out swis, ai don odon so kom a countless noma gon ai gonakru .: Commander, I heard the messenger mention trouble about taking the knife out. I can help, I am very experienced with taking out knives, I have done so countless times with my warriors.
- Nou think bilaik ai nou know chit yu laik trying kom do az nation assassin, even in ai weakened state. : Do not think that I do not know what you are trying to do Ice Nation assassin, even in my weakened state.
- Ai laik trying kom heal yu. Though ai may be an assassin ai laik seintaim a fisa, en a good won gon bilaik. Ask your heda taim yu laik so unsure : I am trying to heal you. Though I may be an assassin I am also a healer, a good one at that. Ask your commander if you are so unsure.
-“ Em ste right Onya. Em ste an experienced fisa, ai don seen her heal myself. Teik her help yu .: She is right Anya. She is an experienced healer, I have seen her healr myself. Let her self you.
- Chit ste em? : What is it?
- Nothing foto. The swis did nou puncture the tombom which ste good. Hogeda ai don kom do ste be very careful when taking out the swis en stitch her up. : Nothing bad. The knife did not puncture the heart which is good. All I have to do now is be very careful when taking out the knife, then stitch her up.
- Can yu ge me supplies gon stitches ?: Can you get me the supplies for stitches?
- Nau ai will need en kom shof op hir while ai teik out the swis. Taim ai so move em mo than an inch o so, the swis could puncture the tombom en em will bleed out. : Now I will need everyone to be quiet while I take out the knife. If I move so much as more than an inch or so, the knife could puncture the heart and she will bleed it.
- Chit ste the matter? : What is the matter?
- Em ste chit ai feared, der ste poison ona the swis. : It is what I feared, there is poison on the knife.
- Der was poison ona the swis, ge the needed medicine, ai can teik odon nau. : There was poison on the knife, get the needed medicine, I can take over now.
- Ai work hir ste odon. Ai think yu can teik odon kom hir. Call gon me taim yu need any help, ba em beda be fine. : My work here is done. I think you can take it from here. Call for me if you need any help, but she should be fine.
- Mochof wanheda, don a good sheidgeda. : Thank you Commander of Death, have a good night.
- Trikru : Tree People
- Ah the great Wanheda, how about ai show yu how a real gona fights. Yu assassins nou know how kom gonplei fair, why dont ai show yu how? : Ah, the great Commander of Death, how about I show you how a real warrior fights. You assians do not know how to fight fair, why don’t I show you how?
- Ai laik nou looking gon trouble, however ai could use someone kom spar kom. Chit laik the rules? : I am not looking for trouble, however I could use someone to spar with. What are the rules?
- No poisoned blades en no deadly hits. Anything else ste fair game. : No poisoned blades or deadly hits. Anything else is fair game.
- Chit games laik yu playing Wanheda? : What games are you playing Commander of Death?
- Ai laik playing no games. Ai laik sparring fairly, laik ai nou? : I am not playing any games. I am sparring fairly, am I not?
-V ery well, good match gona. Em has been fun. : Very well, good match warrior. This has been fun.
- Nice try wanheda, however em ste your fault bilaik yu teik your guard down. Disha ste gon ai clan en gon emo bilaik yu killed in your attacks. Any last words fou yu gonplei ste odon? : Nice try Commander of Death, however it is your fault you let you guard down. This is for my clan and everyone you killed in you attacks. Any last words before your fight is over?
-“ None, ai laik sorry gon the losses gon sonraun, en taim ai wamplei gives yu closure, den so be em. Go ona nau, kill me, may em be everything yu wanted en mo. : None, I am sorry for the losses of life, if my death gives you closure, then so be it. Go now, kill me, may it be everything you wanted and more.
- Em pleni! ge off her gon her fou ai come der myself. Yu know the punishment gon attacking an ambassador, fool. Guards seize em! : Enough! Get off of her before I come over there myself. You know the punishment against attacking an ambassador, fool. Guards seize him!
- Wanheda, ai would like kom don a word kom yu in ai tower. : Commander of Death, I would like to have a word with you in the tower.
- Leska : Lexa
- Onya : Anya
- TrishanaKru : Glowing Fores