I watched as Thayer opened her eyes, returning from her trance like state. She looked around disorientated, but with a sense of peace about her I'd never seen before. "Stay still," I said as I finished stitching the incision on the back of her neck.
There was unrest in the room as those present awaited to hear her words, for Thayer to confirm That Flame had taken to her body. I wiped the last of the black blood from her neck as she thanked me and rose to her feet. The clan leader of Trishanakru spoke out first, "We must hear the naming of The Commanders!"
Thayer looked around the room and breathed deeply before closing her eyes. She began to reel off name after name and the clan each past Commander belong to. There were so many. It seemed the life of a Commander  was always destined to walk beside death. She paused for a moment before speaking aloud her sisters name. When she finally spoke she said it with such pride that I felt it in my heart.
The leaders were satisfied Thayer had bonded with The Spirit of the Commander. They all bowed to their new Heda as did I. "Clan leaders, please rise," Thayer requested, already so regal in her new role as Commander.
"I have heard The Commanders speak, I have listed to their warning of what awaits us and also to the hope we now have for our survival. Wanheda speaks the truth, dark times lay ahead, but united we are strong, untied we can survive."
There was a buzz in the room as the clans leaders all had so many questions but there was the matter of completing Thayers accession.
I looked to her and offered her the headpiece Lexa had once worn. She smiled and gently placed it upon her forehead. Secondly, I stood in front of Thayer and clipped the shoulder armour and red sash of The Commander to her body. She wore it well just as her sister once did.
Thayer faced me with knowing look in her eye, "Wamplei nou laik eno." My heart skipped a beat as I translated her words in my mind... 'Death is not the end.'

The clans had all been updated on the steps that were to be taken to ensure our survival. Thayer wasted no time in retrieving the journal of Becca Pramheda from its hidden place in The Flamekeepers Temple. 'Seek Higher Things,' those words blazed across the old parachute that was once a part of Becca's escape pod, it now hung from the wall covering the loose stone that held the key to our future. I waited in The Commanders chambers for Thayer to complete her duties. Her words to me earlier than evening played on my mind. 'Death is not the end,' she was letting me know Lexa's consciousness endured in The Flame, she had survived. I should have been happy but my heart still ached. Thayer entered the room and walked over to me as I looked out into the night. "Your thoughts weigh heavy, Wanheda. We will do whatever it takes to get our people through this. I promise," she said with conviction.
"I know," I replied, holding back my sorrow. She frowned at me, knowing my mind was elsewhere.
"You're thinking about Lexa?" She queried.
"Am I selfish for doing so?" I asked apprehensive of my words.
"No. You loved her. It's not selfish to think of those we've lost. Lexa will always love you, she will always be with you," Thayer spoke with a knowing smile.

We both turned to look over Polis, the silver glow of the moon washed over the land. I felt Thayer take a hold of my hand . Our fingers entwined as she held it by her side, "Through all of this we will rise from the ashes, we will thrive. We will do this together, for our people, for each other and for Lexa."
Her words eased my soul. I squeezed her hand tightly as we stood in this quiet calm before the storm.
Thayer once said she didn't have the heart of a Heda yet all I could see was a powerful Commander standing by my side. Lexa was right, the next Commander would protect me, she would protect us all. Thayer Kom Trikovakru, Kom Trikru you bring us hope and one day, if we survive our fate, maybe you will heal my heart.