"Ambassadors of the coalition, today we honor our covenant. The clan that stands against one of us, stands against us all." Lexas voice rang out over the hall.

"Bring in the accused" Titus ordered

The doors opened, and Queen Nia and Azgeda was dragged inside, her chin held high despite the guards at her arms.

"Queen Nia of Azgeda has confessed to the destruction of mount weather resulting in the death of 49 members of Skaikru. Wanheda, what say you?" Titus asked

"Skaikru demands justice." Clarke said firmly

"Ice nation does not answer to this girl-" she starts

"Silence" I cut her off. My voice carried sharper than i intended, but it made her pause.

"The punishment of your crime is death. Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Titus asked

"I need no defense. She does. Today is judgement day. I call for a vote of no confidence." Nia's eyes turned to me, cold and sharp,

"Take this Queen to meet her fate." Titus snapped.

"I wasn't done. I wasn't talking about Heda. I was talking to Haiplana. Only one can hold the crown. She has slaughtered my men before. Now she must be taken down. There would be no 13th clan if it weren't for her. She was one of them. She used to be Skaikru" nia spat

My jaw clenched, but I said nothing.

"Take her away" Titus ordered

"Not so fast. Haiplana no longer." A man from another clan rose. Two more stood in agreement.

"Take them away too" Titus barked

"Wait!" I shouted, raising my hand. The guards froze.

"Diana, please let us execute-" Titus starts

"Let her make her move" I interrupted. My voice was calm, though my heart thundered in my chest.

"Commander, Haiplana- what is this?" Clarke asked, her eyes daring between us.

"This is a coup." I said flatly

"This is the law. Their law. A unanimous vote of the ambassadors or death are all that can remove a commander or Queen from power." Nia corrected.

"It's not unanimous." Clarke said quickly

"We don't recognize the legitimacy of Skaikru." Nia sneered.

"We do. Yesterday Skaikru took the brand. They are the 13th clan. This vote of no confidence fails. All these coup plotters will suffer the exact same fate as the ice queen." Titus countered.

Nias gaze sharpened.
"She won't take our heads. Because she knows our armies will retaliate. None of us here want war." She said

I took a step forward, meeting her eyes.
"We both know what you want, Nia. You want revenge. If you think I'm unfit to be Haiplana kom uf- Issue the challenge, and let's get on with it." I said, my voice even.

Her lips curled.
"Very well. You are challenged." She said

"And I accept your challenge." I reply

"So be it. Single combat. Warrior against warrior to the death. Queen Nia of Azgeda, who do you choose to be your champion?" Titus asked
"My son Roan. Prince of Azgeda." She answered

"Haiplana. Who will fight for you?" Titus turned to me.

"I am Haiplana kom uf. No one fights for me." I spoke, my voice carrying through the hall.

Later, in the training hall, Lexa tested the nightbloods.
"What are the three pillars of being a commander?" Lexa asked

"Wisdom"
"Compassion"
"And strength" the children answer

"Train hard and remember, you are each worthy of your nightblood " I told them before Titus led them away.

But Lexa stopped one.
"Aden stay." She said

Clarke studied him as Lexa introduced him "Clarke this is Aden. Aden is the most promising of my novitiates. If I should die today, he will likely succeed me. Clarke worries about our people. Tell her what will happen to them when you become Heda Aden" Lexa said

"If I become Heda, I pledge my loyalty to the thirteenth clan." He said, bowing.
"Thank you, Aden. Now go join the others" I dismissed him, and he obeyed.

"See? Nothing to worry about." Lexa said softly

"I'm sorry if I'm worried the fate of my people lies in the hands of a child." Clarke shot back

"Then you worry for nothing. I've sent Indra to raise an army from the villages near Arkadia. Your people are protected, as we vowed they would be." I assured her

"This is not just about my people. You don't stand a chance against Roan." Clarke said, turning to me.

"You've never seen me fight." I answered

"No, but I saw him kill 3 men in the time it took the first one to hit the ground." She said

"Do you wonder why Nia chose to challenge me, not Lexa?" I asked stepping closer. Clarkes silence  was answer enough.

"When I was first named Haiplana, I led a small army to ice nation to negotiate. In the night they attacked us- killed every soldier under my command. So I killed every last one of theirs. Nia has feared me ever since. That's why she won't fight herself. But if you're right, Clarke- if I fall the ambassadors will chose another nightblood to take my place. Youll have to accept that" I said

"Like hell I do" she muttered, storming out.

Hours later, Lexa came to me as I readied my sword.

"She worries for your life" lexa said

"She shouldn't" I replied, testing the blades balance.

"She also worries about what will happen to her people if you die." She added

"Nothing will. I'm not the commander. Her people will be safe under you" I said

"The people believe you are the reason Skaikru is the thirteenth clan. You stayed with Arkadia after the mountain. If you fall, there are those who would use it as an excuse to make Skaikru their enemy again." She said

I studied her for a moment.
"Tell me what she said, Lexa" I spoke

Lexa hesitated before answering.
"She told me you deserve the name Wanheda. Not her." She spoke

I shook my head.
"Power and death dorm belong together. I don't want the name of Wanheda. Clarke carries it whether she likes it or not" I said flatly

Lexa looked at me again, as if weighing whether to reveal more.

"Tell me, Lexa. What else did she say?" I asked

Her eyes softened.
"She said...if you die today, there are some among her people who will never forgive her. One especially" she said

The air caught in my chest. I didn't need to ask who.

"Bellamy" I whispered