Sunday, 19/10/2149
Waking before the sun has even risen doesn't get any easier, but waking up in a real bed, enveloped in warmth and not squished by three children, makes the process infinitely more pleasant. After moving into Mount Sienna yesterday, I didn't want to spread out much but that plan went out the window which we do not have as no one wanted to sleep on top of each other anymore
some people did stay together, like my children and I have a room together, when I went to pick a normal family sized room bellamy, miller and the others didn't let me and basically forced me to move into the presidential suite. it has a master bedroom with an attached bathroom and toilet, a main bathroom and two 'child' size bedrooms. The Oval Office is at the end of the hall with the command centre in the middle of the two rooms, all on level seven.
As I dress and leave the children under Murphy's watchful eye, I take the elevator to Level Zero, raven, Octavia, wells and Digg join me and Bellamy on the way up. The previous day, a sturdy stable had been built to accommodate Octavia, Wells, and my beloved horses, Helios, Eos, and Selene.
Waiting out the front blast door were the guards Heda had promised to send as our escorts to Polis.
"I am Arlo Kom Trikru," announced one of the guards, his solemn voice echoing in the crisp morning air. "My sister Sienna died protecting you here. You remember Hassen, Kassidy, and Ved." I nod solemnly in acknowledgment, my gaze meeting theirs.
grabbing his forearm, "I am honour to meet you Arlo, I am Orella Kom Sky Valley Clan" The others introduce themselves to him and to Hassen, Kassidy and Ved as only Octavia had met them
As we ready our horses for the journey ahead, I swiftly radio Miller to inform him of our departure and urge him to keep everyone safe in our absence. With a final farewell, we set off towards Polis, our spirits high and determination unwavering.
we arrived at Polis yesterday, despite leaving before first light we still arrived as the sun was setting, we greeted heda and went to bed.
I awaken to the sound of urgent knocks on the door nearby, Bellamy still lost in slumber beside me. "Come in," I call out, and in strides a young girl with a message.
"Heda requests your presence in the throne room, SkaiOslaya," she announces. I am taken back by the title, I know heda said the news had spread but was not expecting people to call me it
"thank you" She nods and walks out but I hear her stop just outside the door
"Bellamy" I shake him awake, he squints an eye open at me
"I'm going to meet with heda, you can stay here and sleep if you wish"
"what time is it" I get up feeling the cool air on my bare legs as I walk over to the window
"I don't know but the sun is barely up" he nods and rolls over
I start dressing. As I slip on a fresh shirt and turn, expecting Bellamy still in bed, I find him already prepared, waiting by the door. Together with my newly assigned guard, Arlo, we make our way to the throne room. The guards by the door announce my arrival before shutting the heavy doors behind us.
"good morning heda" I greet her as I see her sitting regally on the throne, the room is empty except for Titus and the two guards standing next to the doors on this side
"Morning, how did you sleep"
"well, although I am missing my children"I confide, noting Titus's startled reaction to my revelation.
"You have children, Orella?" heda questions with genuine interest.
"Lilly is 14 winters, Charlotte is 13 winters and Will is 11 winters, I did not give birth to them but they are mine and I love them, you understand" She nods I can tell she is thinking of her night bloods
"Now for the reason I call you here, we must discuss your clan" heda shifts focus."You only have land and the mountain, what are your plans forward"
"I have outlined the main village area, and come spring, I plan to start building homes for my people, it should only take around 6 moons to build homes for all of my people," I say
heda looks impressed, "you will build a home for each of your people in 6 moons, impressive" I shake my head
"Orella and I decided to build homes to fit four people, so one home per four people" heda nods her head in understanding
"and from there your village will grow from just homes"
Seizing her interest, I propose a way to aid the coalition. "Yes heda, I have also thought of ways to help the coalition," I say, heda perks up at this
"greenhouses, a greenhouse is a special structure that is designed to regulate the temperature and humidity of the environment inside which means the greenhouse allows for plants, vegetables or fruits to grow all year round, if we built a greenhouse in Sangedakru They would be able to grow almost anything which I hear from Arlo kom trikru would be a massive improvement, there are other ways I have thought of but this is one of the easier ones" Titus sets forward looking at me suspiciously
"and you can do this"
"I can't but my people can" I assert, confident in their prowess.
"and what do you wish for in return for building this greenhouse," Titus eyes me skeptically, probing,
"well one of the things needed to build a greenhouse is glass, Arlo tells me that glass is hard to come by and trading for it is expensive, but Raven knows how to make a machine called a kiln to make glass but one of the things needed is constant sunlight and sand and that's what Sangedakru has, if we build a kiln and teach them how to make and shape glass, we will build a greenhouse and what you ask we get out of this trade is glass which then can be made into other things like more greenhouse for other clans" heda looks impressed
"you have thought hard about this" heda says, I nod she continues "we can discuss this further with the ambassadors, today will celebrate you talking down the mountain" heda says.
The people of Polis buzzed with excitement, a flurry of activity preparing for the grand celebration that awaited us tonight. Some weaved through the streets, hanging colourful decorations that danced in the wind, while others tended to pots of aromatic simmering stews bubbling over open flames. The air was filled with tantalizing scents of roasted meats and freshly baked bread.
Nothing had ever happened like this on the ark, and I felt a rush of excitement building inside me as the evening approached. The anticipation stirred my senses, tingling with a mix of curiosity and thrill.
The celebration, albeit tinged with a hint of morbidness, was a well-deserved tribute to those who fought against the mountain and won. Mount Weather's insidious scheme had drained the blood of over 10 thousand people, to keep their measly 300-something people alive. The weight of any lingering guilt dissolved in the face of this justice. I didn't need to save any of their people but I did.
Indra has taken the opportunity to show us around the polis, it's mostly for Bellamy, Raven, wells and Diggs who have never been to Polis before but I am enjoying seeing polis as a young woman. many things were difficult for me in my last life I had many injuries from war so walking long distances was not something I did often.
Walking through the streets of Polis is like a dream, Bellamy is walking next to me pointing out things I might like to see, and the others are behind us doing similar things, the breaze is cool but not freezing as its the mild of autumn.
"One day, our village will feel like this," I declare with a grin, casting my gaze on Bellamy as he walks beside me.
"That's a lot of people, you plan on stealing people from other clans?" he jokes
"No, but as word gets out about who I am, people might start flocking to us" I reply confidently. Arlo chimes in from behind us, his voice full of wisdom
"If you take in just one clanless Frikdreina, many will want to join your clan" He then falls back into step behind me, positioned to my right.
Bellamy's face shows confusion, prompting me to explain, "Frikdreina means freak or mutant, When a child is born with a deformity, clan people usually leave the infant to die so that 'nature can reclaim them' but not everyone does this and so they get cast out of their clan and become known as clanless" Bellamy nods, but his expression remains troubled.
As the day drifted towards dusk, the sky ablaze with the fiery hues of the setting sun, a surge of excitement pulsed through my veins. It was time to prepare for the grand celebration, and our group eagerly made our way back to Heda's towering fortress, anticipation swelling with each step.
Standing in a group off to the side where heda told us to stand, we watch as heda walks onto the stage with the ambassadors standing side by side at the back.
"Today marks an extraordinary milestone in our history. Not only have we conquered the mountain, but we have also welcomed a new addition to our coalition. The Sky Valley clan, our newfound ally, has pledged to bring immense prosperity Their leader, Orella, is the living legend whispered about in warriors' tales for close to thirty winters, known as SkaiOslaya, Heda's voice resonates powerfully
The vibrant sea of faces around us erupts in jubilant cheers, filling the air with an electrifying energy. Caught up in the moment, Heda's gaze sweeps across the crowd until it lands on me, standing steadfast amidst the excitement. A knowing nod passes between us, a silent acknowledgment of our shared journey and the unspoken bond that continues to strengthen our spirits.
heda gracefully descends from the stage, her radiant energy enveloping my group. "Great speech, heda," Raven exclaims, her admiration evident in her voice. With a slight look of confusion on her face, heda leads us to a grand table, exuding a regal air as she takes her place at the head.
"Orella, please," she gestures towards the seat to her right, beckoning me to join her. Bellamy settles in beside me, his presence reassuring, while the others follow suit, forming a united front on one side of the table.
From the buildings behind Heda, a cheerful parade of people spills out, each carrying a dish of their own creation, One by one, they placed their offerings on the table before us. Soon, the table was a vibrant mosaic of plates, bowls, platters, and bottles overflowing with a colourful assortment of food and drinks. The enticing aromas mingled in the air, teasing our senses and painting a feast fit for kings.
"This feast is a celebration of Orella and her people, a tribute to their courage in toppling the mountain that once loomed over us," proclaims Heda, her words swirling with reverence. The crowd, a mosaic of voices and colours, gathers around scattered market tables, their faces lit with admiration. As Heda takes her first bite, the air buzzes with anticipation and a chorus of cheers fills the space, blending harmoniously with the joyful clinking of cutlery
As I savour the first bite of grilled fish, a burst of new flavours dances on my taste buds. Excitement surges through me as I eagerly offer a taste to Bellamy.
With a mischievous grin, I guide the fork to his mouth, watching with anticipation as his eyes widen in surprise. "Isn't it amazing?" I inquire, he nods looking at my fork curiously as I take another eagerly awaited bite.
"Don't worry, sharing a fork is just the beginning of all the wild adventures we have ahead," I tease. Ignoring his raised eyebrow, I swiftly continue to feed him another bite, "Looks like you're too busy enjoying this feast to chat!" Laughing, I join in the indulgence, relishing each new flavour that graces my palate.
Octavia's head suddenly pops into view, her wide eyes meeting mine as if I am divulging scandalous secrets. Her arched eyebrows speak volumes, a mix of surprise, curiosity and disgust sparking within them. I just laugh around my mouthful shaking my head.