Lexa stood to the side as her guards erected her tent after their horses had been tended to. She hated just standing there while her people did things for her that she was fully capable of doing on her own, but she knew what was expected of her. She tried to lead by example whenever possible but had learned over the years when it was better to allow her people to care for her in whatever way they were able. After only a few minutes of standing idle, she grew tired of it, her body slightly aching from literally months on horseback, and she asked one of the children to show her to their meeting place. The little girl eagerly grabbed Lexa’s hand, practically pulling Lexa along behind her. Lexa could see the mortified faces of the adults around her but didn’t pay them a bit of attention. She cherished children for many reasons, not the least of which was that they treated her with curiosity and respect and without a hint of insincere wonder. They knew she was important, of course, but it was rare that they actually grasped what her role truly was until they were at least ten.
“Thank you, little warrior,” she said to the girl when they arrived at the small building, noting the wooden sword tucked haphazardly through a piece of rope around her waist, and the girl beamed and skipped off to her next adventure.
The interior of the building was well kept, the walls, windows, and doors kept clean. Lexa smiled at that, knowing that it was simply the state of things since she had refused to send word ahead that she was to visit. There were tables and chairs lined up neatly throughout the building, some of the walls had been partially removed to make it one large space instead of several smaller rooms. She heard a pair of voices from an area off to her left and turned to investigate. Her hand was on her hilt as she walked, but it was out of long habit, not because she expected any sort of danger. She found a pair of women, not much older than herself, chatting animatedly over the dinner they were preparing. Like most of her people, this village took their meals together, so there was plenty for the cooks to do throughout the day, not only at meal times. A small grin curled up the edges of her lips as their conversation turned to her visit, it was truly amazing how quickly news spread even in the larger villages, and how they were disappointed that they hadn’t been able to welcome her to their village. “Your hard work and support of this village is more than welcome enough,” she said, stepping out from the shadow where she had been standing.
“Heda!” they gasped, one of them dropping the large knife she was using to cut up vegetables. “Did you need anything? Can we get you something?”
“No, thank you. I just haven’t been here in a long time, so I am just letting myself explore.”
“Thank you for the meat, Heda, our best hunter was felled by a boar a few weeks ago, so meat has been scarce.”
Lexa nodded her head once in acknowledgement. “I will see if any of my hunters are looking to relocate,” she said decisively.
“No, Heda, we couldn’t possibly --”
She cut them off before they continued. “You didn’t ask, I offered. It is my duty and pleasure to make sure that all of my people are well cared for, not only those who live in the capital.”
“You have ever been a wise and just ruler, Heda,” one of the women said reverently, touching the back of her thumb to her forehead just between her eyes.
“Thank you for feeding my people,” she said by way of acknowledgement before turning to see if there was anyone else in the building.
