It Is Justice

The next day I am escorted to the throne room again. Everyone is already there, and Lexa is sitting in her throne. I stand with everyone. "We are gathered here to honor the commanders that were before me, those who live on within in me, as in will live on within one of you." Lexa says. I hate when she talks about her death. I don't want to think about that. Then the doors burst open. "The flamekeeper said we would be heard!" One of the men that just came in said. "Titus what is this?" I barely hear Lexa say. "Something you need to hear Heda." I see another man come in with Octavia. Her hands are behind her back and there is a gag in her mouth. "Octavia!" I yell. "Forgive me for intruding on this holy day commander, I am Semet of Trikru. And I come seeking justice." He says in trideslang. "Explain yourself. Why are you holding Octavia of Skaikru prisoner?" Lexa asks. "She is a prisoner of war. I brought her here to bare the crimes of her people." "What crimes? What happened?" I ask. "Skaikru attacked there village." Titus says. "Please Commander. I beg you. Avenge us." Semet says. "Jus drein jus daun!" I hear someone say. I hear more people say, "Death to Skaikru!" "You will show respect in this chamber!" Titus yells.

The room is cleared, and the only people left are Lexa, Titus, and I. "How dare you bring this to me on ascension day!" Lexa yells at Titus. "I didn't bring this here. You did. Against my advice, you made Skaikru the 13th clan and they rejected this, murdering hundreds of your people, and you decided to forgive their killers! This provocation is proof! Blood must not have blood has failed. All that can stop this now is war." "Clarke?" Lexa asks me. "Clarke's opinion in this matter is not exactly unbiased." Titus says. "Titus is right. I would do anything to save my people, and you know that. But I know them. Not everyone agrees with Pike. Kane doesn't, Octavia doesn't-" Titus cuts me off. "Your people did not vote for Kane!" Titus yells. "Some of them did." I say. "We need to give them time to see that they made the wrong choice and fix it." "And you believe your people will take him out themselves." Lexa says in understanding. "What if they don't? What if they use this time to plan their next attack? We must act now Heda." Titus says. "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-" Lexa stops him by  putting up her hand. She tells us to gather everyone into the throne room, and that she has made a decision.

Once everyone is in the throne room, Lexa speaks. "Today I call upon the armies of the 12 clans to match on Arkadia." Seriously? She's going to let my people die? "Not to attack. But to contain." She says. I look at her, and she only looks at me while she's talking. I'm so relieved. "We will blockade the 13th clan. We will keep them from the lands they wish to possess. We will give them time to take out their leaders from within." I hear people talking, and Titus looks angry. "Once they rise up against them, we will welcome them back as one of us." They start talking again. "You heard the commander. Send riders to tell your armies to set up a blockade around Arkadia. Five miles should be enough to keep them away from our villages. What are their orders Heda?" Lexa looks away from me. "Any Skaikru member caught across the line will be subject to a kill order." "Heda how is this vengeance?" Semet asks. "It is not vengeance. It is justice." Lexa replies. "Skaikru killed my sons, my brother, and my wife! If the spirit of the commander will not protect us, then what will?" Semet yells. "You mind yourself Semet." Titus says to him. "Death to the commander!" Semet yells as he runs at Lexa. What if he kills her? She can't die. I don't know how I'd manage. But right as he gets close to her Titus steps in front of her and gets his knife, stabbing him and slitting his throat. "Blood must have blood." I hear Titus say to Lexa.

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