Lightning Only Strikes Once - Clexa

Chapter 84: My True North

"What are they arguing about?" Raven mutters to Lexa.

They've all been stuffed into a corner of the village leader's house. They're not tied up and have been given some food, but their weapons have been (very politely) taken from them and three armed guards stand by the door. "The village leader – Iryala – thinks we are Natblida assassins sent from Polis by the new Commander," Linkon translates quietly, overhearing Raven's question. He has better hearing than the rest of them. "But the man has heard rumours that the Azplana has a Natblida servant, and he thinks you are here from Nia to spy on them."

Outside of Polis, many do not know the exact role of Nightbloods. They know that once a child is discovered to be a Natblida, they are taken from their family to serve the whole clan – Natblida are more resilient, less likely to become ill or die of injury, and learn to fight easily and well, so they become a useful tool for the clan leader. They are also considered lucky – in fact nearly supernatural – even outside of the Trikru Commander. Historically, they have been made guards or, yes, assassins, by the other clans.

Most Nightbloods have always been found near Polis, however, in Trikru territory, where the Conclave then kills most of them, leaving only their redblooded relations to pass black blood to their yongon. It was only once the twelve clans became allied that the few Natblida from outside the Trikru began to also be sent to Polis, since the Commander was no longer just Commander of the Trikru. Before that they belonged to their clan – now they belong to the alliance, and to the spirit.

So it is understandable that all some village Azgeda know is that Nightbloods are taken when they are young, that they are important, and that they do not live to become old.

"Then perhaps I should speak to them," Lexa says calmly, and stands. She walks to the doorway to find three swords pointed at her. "Withdraw those or I shall make you eat them," she advises the gona standing there. Something in her voice, soft and dangerous, must convince them, since they let her through.

Iryala has a knife to her throat a second later.

"I am Saska," Lexa tells her, ignoring the blade. "I serve the alliance, not Nia. My friends and I are here to deal with your Skaikru infestation." She meets the Iryala's eyes.

"She killed our people. Slit her throat," the man standing nearby growls.

"Slit my throat, and you will starve," Lexa points out. "How long before you do not have enough food to satisfy the Skaikru? Three hundred people eat a lot, especially when they also take up your time expecting you to wash for them, clean for them, protect them from wild animals and enemies, and whatever else they ask of you, so there is less time to hunt and gather." She meets the man's eyes. "If you kill me and keep serving the Skaikru, you will starve. If you do not provide the Skaikru with food, they will shoot you. If I am Nia's Natblida and you harm me, her gonakru will kill you. The only version of events where you survive is the one where I am telling the truth, and you choose to trust me. I suggest you go with that."

There's a moment where anything could happen, and then Iryala lowers her blade slowly, admitting defeat. "Stand down, Malus," she tells the man beside her. "The Natblida is right. We must do something, or our fight will be over. I choose to believe her." She looks back to Lexa, and her mouth twists wryly. "You are here to kill the Skaikru? Why? I do not believe it is to aid us."

Lexa shrugs. "I do not need to kill them to bring about their death. They stole something Heda requires, and I am here to bring it back." She hesitates, then says, "They brought it here in a large Maunon vehicle. Is that still here or has it gone north to Nia?"

"It is still here," Malus speaks up, though his voice is filled with distrust. Lexa suddenly realises they have matching bonding tattoos on their necks – so this is Iryala's houmon. Perhaps they lead the village together. "I have seen it when we bring food to the village."