The Price of Peace

[Marcus Kane]

salvation comes at a price Marcus was worried about what they would do to Jaha. Either they would be using him to verbally send a message--or they were going to send his body as one. Marcus needed to find out, but everything that had happened in the last 30 seconds alone had his head spinning. "You're the commander?" He asked the girl that he had thought was the slightly crippled water girl or something--in hindsight, he didn't realized he should have questioned harder why they left her with them. But he hadn't. Marcus had come seeking peace, and one of the grounders that his men had caught, had kicked him in the face, and he had awoken here. Only to fall into this stone pit, and find Jaha--who Marcus had thought died on the Ark with no air--alive and also prisoner! The whole thing would be ridiculously amazing once he managed to make sure the man wasn't about to die here. "What are you going to do to him!?" He asked, with an urgent tone, though he knew enough to keep it respectful. Not submissive, but not authoritative. He was on in their camp now, and he didn't hold the power here. The girl--who was no longer looking like a timid anything--was where he had addressed his question too. Her men where dragging Jaha out of the cold room, and Marcus wondered if this would be the last time he same his friend. If they would be killing him soon as well. He didn't know her intentions, but she was angry that one of his men--though he didn't know which one right now--had killed 18 villagers! He didn't know who would do such a thing, but right now he needed to keep Jaha alive, then he would deal with the village. TAG: Derrick

[Derrick]

LEXA KOM TRIKRU

There was certain advantages to appearing timid and weak; people didn't take her seriously enough to consider her a threat and because of it she had been able to learn much for the Skaikru that occupied the same prison she was in. Difference was, she was not an actual prisoner; she had wanted to watch them, see if their motives were true or if they were lies to keep them alive for a few moments longer. Because of their actions displayed, Lexa had declared their intentions were sincere and both men wouldn't have their throats cut.

Still, there was going to be a cost. Skaikru had a choice; to leave her territory or die. It was a merciful choice because she could very easily march her army towards Skaikru and have them all executed. Though seething with anger at the massacre of one of her villages, Lexa knew that letting emotions rule rather than logic would not get them anywhere. If there was one thing she was good at, it was ruling with logic. She wanted to avoid as much bloodshed as she could while still adhering to their rule; though they ruled in number, Skaikru had something they did not have - guns.

Blood must have blood but not all had to die. It was a fine line and she knew she had to step carefully. Think of all possible outcomes and choose the one best for her people. The one they call Jaha was going to be sent back, alive, to Skaikru with a message. He had two days which would begin when he arrived back at camp rather than when he left here. In 48 hours they were to have their answer.

"Does that surprise you?" Lexa inclined her head, her eyes glinting icily at the question, her gaze never wavering from his. Being Heda was what she had trained for since she was a little girl. To her age was nothing but a number, especially when she had the Flame in her neck."You want to know whether I have ordered his execution or if he will live to see another sunrise." Lexa spoke the non-question without averting her gaze. "I have a message for Skaikru. And he will deliver it. I have ordered that he arrives there safely." Jaha was lucky; if it was up to her people his head would be sent on a pike.

"You are more worried for him than yourself? A noble but pointless sentiment."

blood must have blood

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

salvation comes at a price "Does that surprise you?" She asked, and Marcus debated on his reply. He was a logical man, and had played the political games on the Ark for years. He knew that insulting the woman before him would get him no where. So he would not speak on her age, or even his surprise that she had done so much for someone so young. When the others had spoken of a commander, he had thought of an old man or woman, with a battle worn face. "Yes," he admitted, because he would not lie to her. "I had not expected the fragile girl to be a commander of an army." In truth, the tactic was brilliant! Marcus was greatly impressed by that. She had learned everything she wanted by letting the old men dismiss her presence! It had been a smart move. "You want to know whether I have ordered his execution or if he will live to see another sunrise." He did! He really did! Jaha and Marcus had not always seen eye to eye but they were friends. He respected the wisdom of his friend, even if he didn't always agree to the fact that Jaha broke rules, and followed others. "I have a message for Skaikru. And he will deliver it. I have ordered that he arrives there safely." Marcus exhaled, and breathed in a deep breath, unaware that he had been holding it in slightly until she spoke. Good! Jaha could get back to their people, and he and Abby could deal with things. "You are more worried for him than yourself? A noble but pointless sentiment." Sentiment. In truth, Marcus hadn't thought about his own life, or what would be happening to HIM after Jaha was dealt with. He still didn't know. It was her word, sentiment that almost made him laugh ironically, though he didn't. Jaha had told him once, that he was unaffected by sentiment. Now he was being told he held some for Jaha. Ironic indeed. The words then had hurt, but now he didn't dewel on it. "I worry about all my people, before myself." He began, "I want to protect them, as I can tell you want for your people." If he could work out some sort of understanding with her, maybe there could be peace and a future between the people. "Allow me to speak for my people, and explain what has happened before. We don't want a war." He hoped she would be open to talking with him. He wanted to learn more about her people, and try to live in coexistence with them, TAG: Derrick

[Derrick]

LEXA KOM TRIKRU

Sometimes a different approach to getting information was needed and much more effective. Acting like she was a prisoner like them had done that; she knew she wouldn't get what she needed any other way. "I wouldn't have gotten what I needed if you knew who I truly was." There was no apology in her tone of voice. She had nothing to apologize for, not even feeling bad for the deceit. "Sometimes it's the most unassuming that you must look out for."

Kane continued to speak and she listened without commenting for the time being. Though his words could easily be lies, Lexa doubted such a thing, not when his actions before proved to be true. Leading was not always easy, if it was everyone would do so. And being Heda was both difficult, rewarding and incredibly lonely. She had twelve clans to think about, figuring out a solution that wouldn't render the alliance asunder. Though she couldn't please everyone, there were solutions that presented itself that didn't result in war. Sometimes it took a bit to see it clearly but it was there.

"You understand what needs to be done for your people." The lengths leaders must go to ensure the safety and protection of those they were sworn to defend and lead. "Then you must understand that I am do to everything I can to ensure the safety of my people." This one understood more than the other; his willingness to die proved that. No hesitation, putting the lives of his people before his own and she could respect that. She did respect that otherwise she wouldn't bother talking to him.

Anger simmered just below the surface, barely kept in check. "Tell me, if you didn't want a war then why did one of your men go into one of my villages and slaughtered eighteen innocents? Innocents who were no warriors, gunned down as if they were nothing?" Lexa kept most of her anger inwards though her words and voice still had that bite. Those green eyes flashed, daring him to make up excuses for that murderer. Killing in battle or wars was something she understood; outside against those that had nothing to do with it was unacceptable. "If you wish to speak for your people then speak. I also do not wish for war but jus drein jus daun. Blood must have blood."

blood must have blood

Marcus Kane

[Marcus Kane]

salvation comes at a price "Sometimes it's the most unassuming that you must look out for." A lesson that Marcus would not soon forget. While he had not thought the grounders simpletons, he had falsely assumed that they had regressed from civilization. He had assumed their tactics were rudimentary. He was quickly learning how far it was from the truth. They fought smartly, and it was only their brutality that he didn't admire. The rest had him keenly observing. She spoke of how he should be able to understand how she needed to ensure the safety of her people, and he did. Just as he wanted the safety of his. Surely that meant avoiding a war. However, as she had said before, there was eighteen dead because on of his men had gone into a village. He didn't know who or why. He had ordered most the weapons be be locked up, and only the guard to have them. He was beginning to wonder if there had been someone working against that. . . . no . . . not someone. Abby. Damn it! She had given the kids guns and sent them to find her daughter. THIS was why that was a bad idea! He wasn't even sure that had been what she was talking about, but he didn't know what else it might be. He needed more information! "If you wish to speak for your people then speak. I also do not wish for war, but jus drein jus daun." Marcus frowned slightly, at the unfamiliar words, but when she clarified, the weight of them removed the frown, as he braced for how this might end. "Blood must have blood." She wanted someone to pay. Marcus looked down for a moment, schooling his words in his head before he looked back up and spoke to her once more. "That is a tragedy. I did not know this happened before I came, and I can assure you that my people have laws. Murder, of anyone, does not go unpunished. I cannot explain what happened, without trying to talk to the ones who did it, but with Jaha returning, I know he will see justice served." Whatever that may be at this time. "The fault lies with me." He gave her someone to blame, and he did blame himself too, but right now she needed someone to blame. "We sent 100 children down here, and things escalated between our people. This has led to both sides killing each other. I want to break this cycle. My people will not let this go. Once the person who did this is punished, I hope we can move forward." TAG: Derrick

[Derrick]

LEXA KOM TRIKRU

A leader listened to their people, just as much as they listened to their enemy. Listening was just as important as fighting because sometimes there were things that one could pick up and use to their advantage. She listened to villagers, and she listened to leaders, both with equal amount of interest so long as she wasn't being threatened. He spoke of tragedy and though she didn't speak anything she still felt the word cut her to the quick. How many times had she suffered tragedy? From being torn away from her parents at a young age, to losing the previous commander, fighting her Natblida siblings, losing Costia. Now she lost eighteen people in her village, including those she knew more than just passing faces.

One of her guards that had been stationed there to keep watch opened their mouths and she lifted up a hand for silence. She stared at his face and though she had no reason to do so, she believed him. Believed he was sincere and that he had nothing to do with it. "I believe you had no prior knowledge of this. However, we are to serve justice. It was my people he murdered." She turned to her guard, and nodded once. He gritted his teeth before leaving the pair alone. Lexa had nothing to fear from Kane and she got the vibe that he wasn't going to try and stick a dagger between her ribs.

Lexa felt her jaw stiffen the way it did when she felt the anger rise up. It took her a few moments of keeping herself composed before she spoke, her jaw still set, her eyes still with that fierce intensity. "You did not go into my village and massacre my people." She was not going to accept him blaming himself for the turn of events. "The blame lies with the killer, and the killer alone." Her people and Skaikru had been at war since that dropship landed in their territory. Lexa had acted in the best interest of her people and that was to have Skaikru exteriminated. They could not afford to have another presence like the Mountain Men.

Much like letting Azgeda into her coaltion despite the Queen killing her beloved, Lexa knew that the best course of action for her people would be peace between them and Skaikru. She could not fight Skaikru, the lingerings of Azgeda and the Mountain Men all at once. No matter what she decided here and now, she still needed to wait the two days before riding to their camp; she had given them two days and she would abide by that. Considering peace between their people was fine on her end but she knew Kane did not the true extent of such a punishment. "Tell me, Kane kom Skaikru. Will you still ask for peace when you know what is in store for the killer?" Lexa tilted her head, studying him.

He knew nothing of their ways and she had to remind herself that when dealing with Skaikru. "He will suffer the pain of eighteen deaths; one for each innocent life taken. Everyone who grieves will have a turn with the knife. If he lives at sunrise, I'll end it with the sword." She needed him to understand the gravity of the situation, she couldn't have any surprises for he might very well break his word at the last minute if he found this out later. "Blood must have blood. It is our way. Our peace will begin with his death."

blood must have blood

Marcus Kane