Common Grounders

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The young woman squatted in the the tree as she saw the commander walk by. The woman was not much older than her at eighteen. She was not sure how old she was , but she had followed her many times during the five years that she had been on her own. Mikha had seen what war could do and even worse, she had seen what happens when two people betray everything they had been raised to believe. Her parent had done just that. A crime for which they lost their lives for. Nia Kom Azgeda was not forgiving in those kinds of circumstances and she had initially tried to kill her as well, but then changed her mind and sent her to train as a warrior. Mikha had done alright for about three years and then one of the guard tried to molest her. After killing him, she escaped. She had been on the run ever since. Over the years she had learned to take care of herself. She had managed to stay hidden from others and had avoided the Azgedans like a plague. But she had come to one conclusion. There was no one in this world she could trust. She did not affiliate herself as a member of the Ice Nation. Nor did she affiliate her herself with any tribe. The thought seemed to make her seethe with anger as she hated the thought even. She had her reasons, as war had taken everything that she held dear. Her parents had died for that cause. Though she understood very little until she had gotten older.

So why was it today of all days that she was risking herself just to see what the commander was up to. She knew that she was in danger. If they were one on one she could take her. But Lexa never went anywhere lately without her bodyguards. She didn't see them as yet, but she knew they were there. She could smell them with her keen sense of smell. Mikha had developed that over the years. So the scent of someone coming reached her before they did, giving her time to make her escape. But now....now she was probably playing with fire. Lexa was not someone to mess around with and she knew it. Yet she thought that she was safe and getting away with spying on the Trikru commader.

Derrick

[Derrick]

LEXA KOM TRIKRU

Heading back to Polis after visting one of the villages left her a little more tired than usual. There hadn't been much rest on her part, having spoken to the leaders and then got dragged along by one of the children; though she was respected as Heda and could have easily put the child in her place, it seemed unnecessarily cruel. Lexa interacted with her people as much as she could so long as they remained respectful. What did it matter if she spent a few minutes letting a child talk about how they wanted to become a warrior and asked for her Heda's blessing? Respect didn't just come from being an authoritative figure; it came from being there for her people.

Having stopped for a moment to rest and get something to eat, Lexa left her horse with her bodyguards before deciding to take a walk to stretch her legs. Armed with her swords on her back and daggers at her hips, she was more than prepared for anything that might happen. As rewarding as being Heda was, it was still very dangerous. Not everyone agreed with her decisions and it wasn't unusual for Heda's to be attacked as they traveled. Should anyone try she was more than confident in her own ability, and had no qualms with sticking a dagger through their throats. In fact she had stabbed a grounder in the throat but that had been some time ago. Most usually tasted the biting steel of her sword.

The same sword that rested upon her back, sheathed and waiting to be used on the enemy.

The air felt unusually warm on her bare skin and she moved through the forest floor avoiding any loose sticks that would no doubt snap under pressure. Her step matched her small, lithe frame, quiet movements that didn't even stir up the grass around her. Something seemed amiss, her keen senses picking up that she wasn't alone; the feeling of being watched loomed like a shadow over her. Wasn't the first time and surely it wouldn't be the last yet she was mostly alone with her guards several paces away - if someone was truly watching her then she might have felt she was in danger. If she wasn't so confident in her own ability to protect herself. Lexa had been training and fighting since she was a child. She'd killed her own Natblida siblings, some who had as much, if not more, training than her.

Her expression remained neutral even as her gaze kept their icy appearance. She padded forth, paused for a moment as if studying her surroundings. "I know you are there. If you don't come out then I'll have no choice but to force you out."

blood must have blood

@mikhajay

[Deleted]

Mikha remained where she was. She was a good fighter, in fact she could probably take Lexa on toe to toe. Give her a good run for her money even. But she would lose in the end. She had some formal training and she was one of the top warriors of the Ice Nation. Had she been old enough to fight. One thing was for certain, The Heda would do exactly what she said. If she had to force her out, she may end up killing her in the process. Mikha would fight to the death on that. She had grown wild from her years of hiding and she moved more like a wolf than a human now. Her eyes revealed the wildness in them, but yet she still understood the languages of the Ice Nation and the Trikru. Her parents had taught her both and she had picked up on the others. She still hadn't moved. If she dropped down. It would be over. Lexa could easily take her down But what choice did she have? She was still not going down without a fight. She could still smell the guards a few paces away. But she didn't want Lexa to force her down either.

After a moment she landed on the ground behind the Commander in a crouch her head down at first, before she looked up to look at the commanders back. She was on the ready if she had to pull her weapons out. But pulling weapons on the Heda would get her instantly killed. She knew that her guards were close and they could easily subdue her. But that did not stop her from standing with her hands at the ready to fight if she had to.

The young woman watched the commander closely, wary of what might happen now as she had revealed herself. Her clothing was a combination of Azgeda and Trikru. But she was Azgedan and it was apparent to anyone with a trained eye that she was, though she had tried to deny it. Lexa was one of those that would know instantly. She would know her people and Mikha was not one of them. She remained perfectly still at this point. She had not spoken for years really. But she was perfectly fine in that aspect. She just did not have the need and she was not about to start speaking in this very moment. Her thoughts were going crazy as she waited and wondered what the Commander would do next.

Derrick

[Derrick]

LEXA KOM TRIKRU

Seconds, that was all it took. Seconds from when she spoke to when someone dropped from one of the trees, Lexa slowly turned around to fact the intruder with the same neutral expression she always wore. She studied the other girl with cold eyes, taking a few paces forward before stopping, her hand that reached for her sword pulled it free from it's sheathe and pointed it her. Though she wore Trikru clothing as well, the rest was clearly Azgeda; Lexa was not stupid enough to not recognize those that came from the clan that had, for so long, been the enemy.

"You're not Trikru and yet you're here in Trikru territory. Tell me Azgeda, who are you and why are you here?" All she could assume was this was an assassination attempt, a very poor one as all things went, and that alone allowed her to bear arms the way she did. She had been watched and if she had been so much as a step careless, who knows what might have happened. Well, Lexa knew; not many could hope to fight her and win but that didn't maker her completely untouchable. If, by some slim chance she had been successfully attacked and killed, her guards would hunt down her murderer.

Thing was, she didn't want to fight. Though her body thrummed with energy, with adrenaline that made her as taut as a wire and ready to defend to the death, Lexa remained where she was rather than start an assault. So far all the other girl hadn't decided to launch an attack her way either which helped Lexa decide against beheading her. I'm not Nia. Lexa did not torture, kill and then cut someone's head off and send it to their lovers bed. "Are you alone or is there more of you in my territory?" Lexa asked, the very real threat of an ambush now on her mind. Her eyes swept the area, not hearing so much as a twig snap.

Azgeda was not Trikru. The forests were friends to Trikru, not to their enemy. She would be safe. For now.

blood must have blood

@mikhajay

[Deleted]

Mikha had still not moved since she stepped back a step. She hand still had not reached for her weapons and she knew that until she did, the Heda would not kill her. She had been traveling for some time never pausing long enough to realize whose land she might be on. She had almost forgotten that there was divisions in land as she had not been caught until now. But then that was the wild side of her talking. When the Heda asked her the questions, she had to formulate human thoughts in her mind. Her survival skills would not work in this situation. as she tried to formulate her thoughts she seemed to have an inner conflict with herself. Her wildness seemed to resist her human side. She lowered her head once more as she tried to come back to reality. But, reality was not as it seemed and she knew that. One does go a little crazy when left to their own devices for years. Especially, when they started out as child in this aspect. She lifted her head after a moment, knowing that she was expected to answer the question. But she was still reluctant. Something that she could not help. She had been hiding for so long, that for her to be caught would be difficult to say the least. She had seemed to avoid getting caught for the most part. But then she had killed to save her own life. To keep her from being hauled back to Nia, not that Nia was worried about her. Nia didn't care one way or the other.

When her eyes met Lexa's the look in her own had changed slightly. Though she still portrayed the wild side of herself for the most part, there was a spark of intelligence in her eyes that wasn't there a moment ago. She had to force herself to speak as she was being faced with that issue. Not that she would say much, but disrespecting the Heda was not a good idea in her opinion. The very thought of disrespecting someone in authority, even if it was supposed to be an arch enemy made her cringe at what the repercussions might be. Though she honestly could say that she was not afraid.

"ai laik....M.....Mikha.....kom Azgeda. ai laik splita."  (I am Mikha of Azgeda. I am a runaway/outsider.)

Even though she spoke the language of the Grounders, she also spoke the language of the Skaikru. She knew Lexa would have understood her either way. But somehow, she was comfortable with their own language. Mikha was one of the few that had learned both. Which was not exactly good, because even though she was a warrior, by her own right, she had not completed formal training in Azgeda according to their standards. She had learned a little from all the tribes and from the Skaikru. Though for the life of her she would not ever pick up an actual gun. Explaining why she was on Trikru lands? that was a different story. She was just a runaway. She hoped that Lexa would understand that part.

[Derrick]

Lexa's eyes never wavered from the girl in front of her. Azgeda were a tricky lot and lead by a Queen as slippery as an eel, she could not afford to let her guard down. Even with someone as 'weak' as the girl before her. Though she looked weak, that didn't mean she actually was. Lexa had used the same rouse by pretending she was simply a weak girl from Trikru and not the actual Heda. Though now she couldn't exactly pretend she was anything other than who she was. The gear, the weapon, the cold look in her eyes. No amount of lying would get anyone to believe otherwise.

The girl spoke and Lexa couldn't help but wonder the authenticity of the words. It was rare for grounders to leave their clans, Azgeda especially but it happened. Usually for good reason although not an easy choice to make. Leaving the clan to become a loner was dangerous. If they got into trouble they had no clan to back them. They had to go to outposts for supplies rather than rely on those in their clan for such items. One of the reasons why many didn't choose that path. Lexa wasn't about to ask why the girl, who introduced herself as Mikha, left Azgeda. Though she could demand to know so she could better figure out if she was being lied to or not, Lexa also knew that it might have been something incredibly horrible for her to leave.

And as cruel as she could be, Lexa could also be kind in her own roundabout way.

"Mikha of Azgeda." Lexa spoke in Trigedasleng. "How can I be sure you're not sent to kill me? You claim to be a runaway and yet you stray onto my lands and watch me." Lexa had to be certain that this was not something to lull her into a false sense of security; and though she spoke with authority, her blade stayed by her side, making no move to slit the throat of the Ice Nation girl. One couldn't blame her for being overly cautious and it was better that she deal with this situation rather than her guards; they would do what was best for their Heda and that meant removing the potential threat. Not in death but haul her away to be taken prisoner. Lexa didn't want that which was why she was dealing with this herself.

@mikhajay

[Deleted]

Mikha was not exactly sure how to prove this to the Heda, as she was just as distrustful. She knew what she looked like to others, but she was not one to be trifled with. She had sent grown men running off screaming in the opposite direction, when they realized that she could easily take them down. But she knew from watching the commander that she would not be one she could take down. She lowered her eyes and sighed. Tossing her knives onto the ground at the Heda's feet. She knew what Nia would do if she caught Mikha bowing to the Heda. But she had no choice. Not really. Lexa had not asked her to bow. Nor had she even given her the inclination that was what she wanted. She even pulled the crossbow off her back and tossed it and the quiver of arrows she made on the ground. Then she bowed her head all the way and made sure she was in kneeling position and remained still. She hated this. She had never bowed to anyone and as a child she had not even bowed to Nia. But it didn't matter to her really. Nia had probably forgotten about her by now. She tended to do that when she had so many subjects at her command. 

She remained quiet for the most part. Mikha understood the actions of the Heda. She herself as a warrior was always cautious when it came to the actions of others. But this time she wanted nothing more than to show the Heda that she meant her no harm. If she had meant her harm she would have attacked her long before now. But she also didn't mention that she had been following Lexa longer than she thought she had. Mikha was not trying hurt anyone. She just wanted to be sure that she was not ambushed and killed. She had gotten away with following grounders before and they were none the wiser. Her mistake this time was getting to close. She knew that Lexa was able to sense her. That was part of her training. Most of what Mikha knew had come from being in the Ice Nation guard at a young age. After a moment she took a deep breath. Then spoke in the language of the Arkers. She knew that this was risky, but then she had to know by now that she could speak both. Mikha held herself like a proud warrior for the most part and even though she was more wild than human right now, she still had the training. 

"I do not wish to harm you or anyone. The reason I left Azgeda are not something I am ready to discuss. I can tell you this. As long as Nia is queen I will not go back. My loyalties do not lie with her. The only person I can trust right now is myself."

Her head remained down as she spoke respectfully to Lexa. She did not feel loyalty to any clan at the moment, but she would be respectful of Lexa just the same. The fact that she seemed nervous about her because of who she was hurt slightly but then it was to be expected. She didn't look much like a girl at the moment her hair was still braided, but it was stringy and dirty, her hands were dirty and she even had smudges of dirt on her cheeks. She looked like she had been on the run. But like Lexa, she was a warrior first and she had not shown emotion for a long time. 

"I want no quarrel with the Trikru nor the Heda. Whatever my people have done to you, I have had no part in and I do not condone their actions.".


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[Derrick]

Instead of Trigedasleng, their conversation shifted to English and Lexa knew that she was facing a warrior; or at least someone who trained as a warrior. In most tribes, only the warriors could speak both and for Lexa she had learned when she arrived in Polis. She was content to simply listen for the time being, letting the words mull over in her head. She'd heard enough, raising up her hand for silence as she debated. "Your reasons for leaving are your own." Reasons didn't matter to her as much as future actions did.

Lexa watched in silence as Mikha tossed her weapons to Lexa's feet, every weapon the girl had on her were now a pile before her. Then she did something Lexa had not asked, nor expected. She bowed. That was huge for any grounder, especially an Azgeda bowing to Trikru.

It wasn't Azgeda that did anything, well not entirely. Though Nia had killed the love of her life, Azgeda were not wholly innocent either. They were just as quick to kill wandering Trikru members even though they were part of the same coalition. "Not many leave the shelter and safety of their clan." Lexa continued to watch the girl, Mikha, for any signs, any flicker anything that would cause Lexa to doubt the very integrity of her words.

"If I find out you've been lying I will personally cut off your head myself." Lexa warned her before she stepped around the weapons and stood in front of Mikha. Slowly she sheathed her sword, taking her time in case the situation shifted and then she extended her hand. "Rise Mikha of Azgeda." Lexa took a few steps back and nodded towards the weapons. "You are still marked as Azgeda, no matter the fact you're a loner. If you are seen you will be killed. Do you have a destination or are you simply hoping to kill and loot those that fall by the blades you carry?"

@mikhajay

[Deleted]

Mikha stood slowly, not making any sudden moves as she gazed at the Heda. She had no idea how to answer that question. she had a cave she stayed in at times. But for the most part she had become much like the nomads. She didn't really have a home. Running away from her own, left her a bit distrustful and frustrated. Though she had no choice. She would not let the guard that was training her take her innocence that way and that was the only part of her innocence that she had left. She really had no where to go. But just wander the woods trying to stay alive. She had done it for five years. Finally, in the end she just told the truth. 

"I have no destination. I kill animals and hunt for vegetation when I can so I can eat. But killing people is wrong."

For the most part she was honest. The fact that she had killed before was irrelevant to her and her reasons were merely killing in self defense. At thirteen she was trying to save her life. Now she was eighteen, she was in better control. In almost five years, she has lived, wandering through boundaries. Hiding and eating what she could find. Basically, that was just enough to keep her alive. She had not eaten in three days and she still had the energy of a warrior. She knew killing was wrong. Something that set her apart from her people. Though in this moment, Lexa had nothing to go on. She knew what she saw. A girl from a clan that she distrusted. Though, Mikha tried to deny that she was from the Ice Nation. She couldn't hide it. very easily. the markings that decorated her face set her apart. She had not liked earning those. They were painful. But then it was not her choice. It was a ritual. She was basically dirty compared to Lexa and she hated it. Being a nomad on the run did not give one a chance to get up in the morning and make themselves presentable. But there was nothing she could do about that. 

"I have no where to go. I wish I did...."

She wasn't pleading with Lexa, nor was she trying to get her to take her in. She was merely stating a fact. But the reason she had not been seen for five years was because she had leaned the art of mot being seen, smelled or heard. But she hadn't taken into account that she had gotten too close to Lexa today. So that was shy she was seen. 

But before she could blink Lexa's guards surprised her from behind and pulled her wrists behind her back. She wondered if they had come to check on her. Then found her standing there. But Mikha remained absolutely still. She knew that Lexa would take the situation in hand and good or bad, things would turn out as they should.

Derrick