Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 122

Lexa's POV

We have made sure everyone has taken me seriously and have stretched. Clarke checks on Raven, no doubt both about how her leg is doing and how she is doing about her first close up kill.

When she is satisfied, everyone checks their weapons and sharpens or cleans them. It is going to take a while before I can get all of the blood off of my swords.

Then Clarke and I lead the way, heading into the tunnel in this cave that we did not come in from. The others follow behind us. We are silent, the tenseness so thick it is almost visible like a fog. We keep our weapons out just in case.

Clarke and I pause every few yards to stop and listen. It is a while before we hear anything. There is a familiar gruff voice that I have not heard in years. So Pakstoka really is their leader. I take in a breath and we push forward, not stopping at all this time until we get near the end of the tunnel.

"Eni enform (any reports)?" Pakstoka asks.

"No, kapa (sir)." A shaky voice says.

The smacking sound of a hand hitting flesh comes through the tunnel.

"We should move," I whisper.

If I know Pakstoka, he is most likely going to send the man he slapped out to find out information. There is only one tunnel in and out of his cave (that we know of, it is more than likely he has a hidden escape route) so we will be caught in no time.

We walk forward, keeping our movements as quiet as we can. Clarke and I walk first into the cave. It is covered in rich tapestry and there are shelves covered in jewels and gold. Pakstoka is sitting in a throne, much like my own in Polis but when I look closer I can see his is made of driftwood.

The cave itself is rectangular in shape, with us at one far end and with Pakstoka on the other.

He makes an intimidating sight, even after all these years, after he has aged. His beard is whiter than it used to be, and the hair on his head is more silver than anything. The scar over his eye is still as apparent as it was the last time I saw him. His unseeing eye still feels like he is looking right through me.

Pakstoka sits regally, looking at us with an almost bored expression like he is not surprised in the least to see us. He is surrounded by guards, pirates that glare at us. These must be his best warriors, the ones he has trained to die for him.

We take a few steps forward, allowing our comrades to come into the cave. Pakstoka's eyes flick over them impassively, giving nothing away.

"Finally, Heda. I wondered when you would get here." He says, his voice deeper and more gravelly than I remember. "Frankly, I expected it to be sooner. Perhaps you have lost your touch."

"Look at how much blood she has on her sword. She hasn't lost her touch," Raven responds.

Pakstoka turns to look at her. "And you are?"

"Raven Reyes kom Skaikru. I would say it's nice to meet you, but that would be a lie."

"Ah, I have heard of the people who fell from the sky." He refocuses on me. "You allowed them to become part of your branwoda (foolish) Coalition. I have heard you have even taken a mate from amongst their ranks."

"A mate?" Octavia asks incredulously. "What era is he from?"

"This one. Could she be among these women?" Pakstoka leans forward. "Which one of you has the power to destroy the Commander herself?"

My jaw clenches and I resist the urge to stand in front of Clarke.

"I am Clarke kom Skaikru and I am Lexa's girlfriend." Clarke says. "Remember that. I want your last thoughts to be of the two women who killed you."

Pakstoka laughs heartily, making his pirates jump, looking absolutely terrified. "You have guts, strik gada (little girl). But that will not save you."

He stands and two pirates immediately come over, beginning to put on his armor. That overconfident man has a shoulder guard similar to mine and Clarke's. They hand him his shield and sword.

"Another shield and sword wielded?" Clarke grumbles beside me.

I smile softly but keep my eyes trained on Pakstoka. He glowers down at us.

"Attack their friends. Leave the Skaigada (Sky girl) and the Heda to me." He orders.

Clarke and I come towards him, and I manage to stab a pirate in the chest that is heading toward our friends and comrades on the way. I twirl my swords, hearing the beginning of fight behind us.

He smirks confidently and we pause just out of his range so he cannot hit us without moving forward. I watch his good eye as he takes us in, squinting at us. His eyes give away his moves, just like they used to. I guess he still has not learned much from last time.

I dodge his first attack easily, knocking his sword out of the way. He simultaneously tries to hit Clarke with his spiked shield but she moves out of the way effortlessly. Using how he is leaving himself open, I kick him in the chest as hard as I can manage from this little distance and he stumbles back with a scowl.

He comes at us again with more determination in his eyes, a fire burning behind them. Like Clarke has said, it is like a dance with three people trying to kill each other. I always love when she puts it like that, it sounds so brutal but so elegant at the same time. Which, to me, that is what fighting is like.

He gets in a few good swings, but their damage is minimized by our armor. We get him back more than twice as much. He leaves himself wide open too often. As I am trying to simultaneously fight him and think of a way to exploit his weakness to end the fight, I and just distracted enough for him to get me. His shield is shoved against my arm, knocking me off balance and grunting in pain as the spikes dig into my skin.

In case you're worried, remember that my stories all have a happy ending and that I don't kill off main characters! :) Lexa will be okay! Next chapter, more fighting Pakstoka! Thank you for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!