The Conclave
Clarke stared in awe as they got further into Polis. She had never seen a city that large, in fact, she had not even seen a real city so she was thrilled by the magnitude of it. Lexa kept her face void of any emotion, but she was enjoying the way Clarke seemed to be absorbing everything within her sight.
Long streets were filled with tents in which all sorts of items, food and animals were sold. It wasn't rare to find pottery by a butcher or goats been sold next to exotic silk dresses. Clarke went from tent to tent as she discovered wonders and little treasures hidden within them.
After a few hours, they finally got to the main tower in Polis. The building, yet old, was the grandest and most luxurious Trikru had, and so it was used for the greatest rites and people in their clans: Commanders lived in there, as well as captains from several clans. In it alliances were made and wars declared, novitiates were trained to become the next Heda, and more importantly, the ritual of Ascension took place.
Only two living people could know at the same time what the ritual consisted of: the Commander at the moment, and the Fleimkepa, who performed it, therefore passing on the flame of past Hedas onto the next one.
They left their horses and walked into the great tower. An elevator took them to the highest floor in the building as the tension between the three women kept growing. Clarke couldn't bare it anymore and threw herself onto Lexa's arms for a long, heartfelt hug. They pulled apart just before the doors opened and they walked into a room full of people.
Other six novitiates, around Lexa's age, stood stoically as they listened to their teachers. Though every Natblida went to Polis for training, they were also taught by the great warriors in their villages, as well as the Fleimkepa, Titus. Silence filled the room as he walked in.
"Get your armours on. The Conclave will begin now. May the spirit of the Commander choose wisely."
Time flew by as Lexa dressed for the battle. In a few minutes all the Natblida were ready to fight. They might've gotten to know each other over the years, even become friends, but they all knew who they were and what they had to do. And they were ruthless.
Lexa looked at Indra and Clarke for what could very well be the last time.
"Lexa." Indra swallowed, nervousness betraying her voice "you can do this. Frag em op. Kill them." She and Lexa shook hands the grounder way, holding firmly each other's forearm before letting go.
Lexa then looked at Clarke in the eye. There was no need for words, there never had been between them. Before Lexa turned around, Clarke stopped her
"Lexa..."
"Yeah?"
"I..."
Clarke bit the inside of her cheek, not brave enough to say the words out loud.
Lexa sighed and smiled the tiniest of smiles
"I know"
And with that she turned around and walked away from Clarke. Away from safety and into a fight to death that would end with a new Heda. One of them would make it, only to live a life of great power, which was often more of a burdain than an advantage.
A loud horn sounded as the novitiates walked into the fighting pit. The crowd loudly cheered as Titus made the announcement they were eagerly waiting for.
"Let the Conclave begin!"