Nia stood off to the side as Lexa address the room. To her left stood the young nightbloods in training. Nia's focus settled on Aden who she knew Lexa had favored in ascending after her. Fox and Jade sat interested in what was currently going on around them, they had not once seen ascension day in the capital.
"We gather here on this ascension day to honor the commanders that came before me, those who live within me as I will live on within one of you." Lexa announced to the room.
Nia never liked the talk of Lexa's ascension. The thought of her losing her sister before they had yet to live their lives was unspeakable to her.
Before they could go on their attention was pulled to the doors where commotion could be heard. A minute later a group entered though and stood before the commander.
"The Flamekeeper promised we would be heard!" The person in front said drawing Lexa attention to Titus.
"Titus, what is this?" She asked needing an explanation to what was happening.
"Something you need to hear, Heda." Titus whispered to Lexa.
Nia was invested into the group but shifted slightly forward when she noticed the person they had brought forward. With her bring in Polis she had no knowledge of what Octavia was doing or even keeping in contact with those in Arkadia. So seeing the girl now made her wonder what had happened.
"Octavia." Clarke commented once she had noticed the younger girl bounded.
"Forgive me for intruding on this holy day, Commander. I am Sement of Trikru and I come seeking justice." The person in front began to speak.
"Explain yourself. Why do you hold Octavia of Skaikru prisoner?" Lexa questioned trying to figure out what was going on.
"She is a prisoner of war, Commander-brought here to bear witness to the crimes of her people." He explained to the room but still not saying what actually happened.
"What crimes? What happened?" Clarke asked wanting further details.
"Skaikru attacked their village. Because their warriors were lost when your people massacred the army we had sent to protect you, their village was defenseless." Titus was the one to provide the information that he was told.
"Please, Commander. I beg you. Avenge us." Sement pleaded to Lexa putting her in a very difficult place.
Blood must not have blood would be a very difficult concept to put into place but now was a time where it was really tested.
"Blood must have blood! Death to Skaikru!" Shouts began to ran out though the people. Clans were outraged that Skaikru was still taking actions against them without consequences.
"You will show respect in this chamber!" Titus commanded though the room. He wouldn't allow them to get out of hand with so much at stake.
When they were able to get the room settled Lexa exited the chamber taking those who advised her with her. Titus, Clarke, and Nia followed behind her and Nia knew that this outburst that Titus arranged was not pleasing to her.
"How dare you bring this to me on ascension day!" Lexa roared out once they had entered her chambers. Titus had blindsided her with this predicament and now she was forced to deal with the safety of her people over the reckless actions of others.
"I did not bring this here, heda. You did. Against my advice, you made Skaikru the 13th clan. They rejected this, murdering hundreds of your people, and yet on the very field where they dies, you decided to forgive the killers, but this provocation is proof. Blood must not have blood has failed. All that can stop this now is war." Titus advised his position of sticking to the ways that they have lived by for decades.
"Clarke?" Lexa questioned the girl first trying to figure out where her standpoint was.
"Clarke's opinion in this matter is not exactly unbiased." Titus pointed out.
"Titus is right." Clarke supported knowing her standpoint would be to protect her people. "I would do anything to save my people. You know that, but I know them. Not everyone agrees with Chancellor Pike. Kane doesn't. Octavia doesn't."
"Your people did not vote for Kane." Titus commented.
"Some of them did. We need to give them time to see that they made the wrong choice and fix it." Clarke added an alternative.
"And you believe your people will take him out themselves." Titus argued back.
"If they don't, if instead they use this time to plan their next attack, we must act now, heda. Make an example of the 13th clan. Show the other 12 what happens when they defy you. You got them back when you killed the Ice Queen, but the coalition is still fragile. If you don't act now-" Titus was trying his hardest to persuade Lexa into taking the action they normally would.
But what no one had noticed was the two girls having a silent conversation with one another. Growing up together meant they had a better understanding of what the other was thinking. It was this bond that help them both make better decisions because they had the support of one another. And when the idea of what they would do entered their heads they gave an reassuring nod and Lexa silenced the two's bickering.
With the idea in mind everyone entered the throne room once more. All eyes on them now as Lexa stood among them. All anxious to hear what the commander had decided.
"Today I call upon the armies of the 12 clans to march on Arkadia. Not to attack, but to contain. We will blockage the 13th clan. We will keep them from the lands they with to possess. We will give them time to take out their leaders from within. Once they rise up against them then we will welcome them back as one of us." Lexa announced so the whole room would hear.
It was quiet as they all came to terms with the orders but none chose to speak out especially with Nia standing close by. Since she had taken her swear she had gained a new positon throughout the clans. Now she had enforced her warrior status and no one would dare cross her.
"You heard the commander. Send riders. Tell your armies to set up a buffer zone around Arkadia. 5 Miles should be enough to keep them away from our villages. What are their orders. Heda?" Titus was reluctant to make the announcement but did so regardless.
"Any Skaikru caught across the line will be subject to a kill order." Lexa ordered after taking a look at Clarke knowing she wouldn't like the orders.
"Heda, I do not understand. How is this vengeance?" Semet spoke out wanting to grasp the situation.
"It is not vengeance, my brother. It is justice." Lexa responded back.
"Skaikru killed my sons. And my brother. And my wife. If the spirit of the commander will not protect us, then who will?" Semet called out to the room making Nia take a step forward protectively. She had been sworn to Lexa and that meant protecting her from threats.
"You mind yourself, Semet." Titus commanded also taking notice of his movements.
It all happened suddenly like any attack it needed to be quick. Semet yelled out, "Death to the commander!" A knife was pulled out and he was charging toward her. Lexa stepped back and Titus ran forward but it was Nia who was quicker.
She charged in front and grabbed ahold of the knife. But since she came in from his left she had a harder time to attack him. So she held the arm with the knife and kicked at the leg he had been limping on. Once he was at his knees she used her right to pry the hand open and brought the knife slashing back. She got two cuts in before embedding the knife in his throat.
The whole room seemed to stand in shock as they looked at her. Nia stared at them with fire in her eyes as if daring them to making a move against Lexa but no one moved an inch.
"Blood must have blood." Titus stated to Lexa seeing how this new way was taking effect.
As she glanced around she noticed all in there staring at her with uncertainty. She needed everyone's focus on the task that she set before them. And she knew exactly how to do that.
"Nia kom Trikru." She addressed as she took a step forward. Nia turned and looked and wondered what she was doing. "You were sworn to your clan and to your commander. You swore to abide all orders and have proven yourself a warrior many times over. Your clan is in need of a general. I, Lexa kom Trikru, commander of the blood, am appointing you to lead your people until it is resolved with Skaikru."
This higher position came as a shock to Nia. Not once in her life did she think she would be chosen to lead her clan. That position was reserved for the greatest warrior among them. But with Indra being injured someone would have to take command. And with her being sworn to her clan and Lexa she had to take it and lead her people through this.
"Yes, Heda." Nia bowed her head and turned to gather her things. The blockade would come into effect soon and she needed to be ready to do what she had to.
Everyone watched as she walked across the floor and no one questioned the commander's decision. This was a new Nia kom Trikru that no one seemed to see. Her father's warrior persona had rubbed off on her in a way that she had fought to keep hidden. But now her people were at risk and she would fight to keep them safe.