Wednesday, 03/11/2149
"Remember your objective," I begin to say, but Raven cuts me off, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Build the kiln, teach at least five people how to use it and how to shape and mould glass. Once we have enough glass, we'll construct the glasshouse and figure out a way for it to thrive in the desert. When all of this is done, I'll contact you." she says, feeling the weight of her mission.
"I'll miss you," I whisper, pulling her into a tight embrace that feels too brief.
"you'll have Mrs Crockett here if you need an engineer," she says moving towards the rover filled with supplies
Raven, James, wick and two guards hop into the rover and wave before driving off
As I make my way to the elevator, my radio crackles to life with urgency. "Orella, this is Lexa. Come in."
I hastily pull the radio off my belt, holding it to my lips. "I hear you, Heda Lexa."
"Echo has arrived with the package."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Good." The radio goes silent, leaving a buzz in my ears as I turn it off and clip it back to my belt. The elevator doors slide open with a hiss, and I step inside, pressing the button for level seven.
Bursting into my bedroom, I quickly pack a bag, switching into my winter riding clothes—sturdy and warm, ready for the journey ahead. As I sprint from my room, I seize the sword from my duchess, its hilt familiar and reassuring in my grip, and dash as fast as I can, nearly colliding with Miller.
"Where are you going?" he asks, brows furrowing with concern.
"Heda called; I'm needed in Polis. Tell Bellamy to hold down the fort!" I shout, urgency propelling me forward.
Reaching level zero, I spot Arlo awaiting me, his expression serious yet resolute. I nod in acknowledgment, bypassing the usual greetings. In a heartbeat, I leap onto Selene, and the world around me blurs into a thrilling rush as I race toward Polis.
in my rush, I turned a day's trip into half a day's ride, the guards once seeing my face let Arlo and me into the city and we ride up to Heda's Tower. handing out horse off to two sekens we make our way inside, taking the man-powered elevator we reach Heda's floor, Titus is waiting for me
"SkaiOslaya, heda is expecting you," he said, his voice firm and steady. We followed him through the cavernous halls toward the throne room, where two guards swung the heavy doors open with a flourish.
"Arlo wait out here please" I instructed, glancing back at my companion. He nodded, stepping back into the shadows.
"SkaiOslaya, Heda," Titus announced, bowing slightly before taking his position beside Heda's throne
I get down on one knee with my head bowed, "heda" I look up and she gestures for me to rise which I do
"Leave us, Titus. Bring me Echo and the prisoner," she commanded, her voice sharp as a blade. Titus bowed and exited with the guards, leaving me alone with the weight of her gaze.
"Tell me, Orella, how is your clan faring?" Heda's voice sliced through the tension like a honed blade.
"Good" I replied, a grin creeping onto my lips, "we've grown in numbers since last we spoke, I made allies with skaikru Kane whose chancellor has promised to join the coalition and Kane remembers" Heda's eyes glimmer as she ponders the memory of Kane.
"Good, maybe skaikru will make better choice with Kane in charge from the beginning" she repeated, nodding along with me.
Just then, the heavy doors creaked open, announcing Echo's arrival, dragging a man with a bag shrouding his identity. With an air of ritual, she knelt before Heda and me, a knight presenting her captive.
"heda, SkaiOslaya I have done as you asked" I approached Echo, a mix of excitement and trepidation bubbling within.
"Very good, Echo," I praised, all the while her eyes sparkled with pride, although her face remained a stoic mask. I reached for the bag, yanking it off the man's head in one swift motion.
He squinted at the sudden light, our gazes locking like arrows finding their targets. I shifted to the side, allowing Heda to witness this unmasking too.
"Heda, I wasn't expecting it to be you," the man says with disbelief dripping from his voice.
"You were expecting your mother," she replied, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
The man nodded slowly as Echo, with a swift kick, sent the back of Roan's knee crashing to the ground, forcing him to kneel before us—a true emissary of power and intimidation. "this is her spy after all" he says gritting his teeth
"actually she is my spy as I rescued her from the mountain" I interjected, revelling in Roan's shock, which was as palpable as the cold air surrounding us.
"Now hold still; otherwise, this will hurt," I warned, stepping closer, my hands poised around the sides of his head. With a deep breath, I closed my eyes, summoning the vibrations of my power as it surged through him like wildfire. I could hear him grinding his teeth, the tension spilling into the air between us.
I dove deeper, hunting for the memories of his past life cluttered within his mind, hidden behind a golden lock. Thankfully, I possess the key.
With a mental twist, I unlock those memories but hold them tightly, ensuring none escape my grasp. As I sift through them, I cherry-pick the significant fragments, stripping them of the emotions tethered to them until only the pure memories remain—cold and vulnerable Once I had what I needed, I locked the remaining memories, emotions included, back up tightly and pulled back from his mind, opening my eyes to find Roan looking at me with dawning recognition.
"Orella" he whispers, the name hanging in the air like the last note of a haunting song. I nod, allowing my hands to fall away, and turn to Heda, who gazes back at me, completely stunned, as if she has just discovered a new world.