ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ 𝐹𝒶𝓁𝓁 ↠ ᴏʀʙɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ [1]

☆ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ-ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ

"You as well, Arthur."

"We thought something had happened to you when you sent that girl to tell us a message."

We release each other and I remember who he is referring to. "Ah, Penn was her name, correct?" I ask.

"That is correct," Arthur nods, "We were worried because normally you would deliver your message yourself. But the message was received loud and clear. But Lexa does not know if that is possible. We have heard the news of the killings of our people and the burning of our villages."

"That is what I am here to discuss with her, as well as you," I inform him.

He nods, "Well then, let us go meet with Heda then."

Agreeing we make our way to the Commander's tower, or as we know it, home. Polis is set up in a way that protects the commander above all else. The entire city is surrounded by barriers that are guarded every single moment by a legion mixed of training and senior warriors. Just inside the wall are guard barracks at the entrances. If continued within the city, the next destination would be the market.

On the first look, the market would seem to be a defenseless area of civilians and young children. But on the other hand, each shop is armed with weapons for the second layer of defense. In many of the towers surrounding the market, there are archers posted for aerial support.

Arthur and I had just made our way to the bottom level of the tower. Now each level is armed with warriors, but the first level is the most heavily guarded besides the commander's level. Here on the base of the tower lies the elevator, powered by the work and effort of five or so men and women who turn the machine, allowing the elevator to travel up the levels of the tower. Without these workers, one would have to climb the rickety deathtrap some would call a ladder.

"Arthur?" I get his attention once we step into the elevator.

"Yes, Leigh?"

I hesitate with my next question, unsure if I want to know the answer. "What is it that Heda wants to do about the invaders? I mean, she hasn't even gotten any information from me. She said that she wouldn't do anything without that information. So what could she possibly-"

"Leigh," Arthur cuts me off. I glance up, expecting to see a questioning gaze, but instead, all I get is understanding. "Lexa will inform you of everything once we get upstairs and you will get to make your case. She is not unreasonable. You of all people know that."

And he's right. I learned that first hand, kneeling in front of Lexa as she decides my fate. Many people, including the clan leaders, were calling for her to strike me down. For me to take the place of the failed and runaway, Luna, in the conclave from years before. They saw it as a redo from the gods. But instead of killing me, Lexa placed her hand under my chin and spoke liquid authority.

"Dula yu gaf kom wan op?" Do you wish to die?

I had tried to avoid her gaze. A part of me wanted to be done with life. At the young age of nine, I felt my life might as well be dead. But Lexa saw that, and would not give in to that part.

"Oma seken yu na," she declared, shocking all the clan leaders in the throne room. She had pronounced me as her second, challenging every single one of the members of her people in the room.

One man stepped forward, disagreeing with her decision. And with one nod, Lexa had ordered a knife to slit the throat of that man at the hands of a warrior. No one else spoke. Except for Arthur that is.

He whispered to me, "Badan klin Heda." Swear your loyalty to the commander.

With a bowed head, I spoke the words that changed my life for the better. "Ai badan yu op en nou moun." I serve you and no other.