As dusk finally falls on Denocte, Katniss knows that it is time to meet her new Sovereign. He has summoned them.for a meeting, a meeting she is expected to attend. All afternoon she had been doing as she always does, patrolling the boarders. The activity is second nature to her and it offers her a quiet moment to reflect. She thinks about the past sovereigns, all the women that have come before: Isra, Antiope, Morrighan. She remembers them all and how strong they were. She wanted to be the next one, but her court had chosen differently. And knowing that her court new best, she was happy for Ira, happy that he was able to step forth and lead them into a new era of peace.
All around them leadership was changing and Katniss wondered just how safe their boarders would remain. Already she had told herself to increase her patrols, train her soldiers, and prepare the court should something sinister arise. Already she knew that she needed to speak to Ira privately, but she was confident that the request could wait a few days. After all, he needed to get used to his new roll and all the people who demanded his company. She would wait her turn.
But as she comes down from the mountain, she’s overwhelmed with a sense of urgency and so her feet seem to pick up the pace as she moves forward. She is not the first to gather, but she will not be the last. Finnick flies down from the sky above, perching himself on a nearby tree. She can feel he is close, although she cannot see him.
Katniss listens quietly when he begins and she cannot help but think that she would have done the same: putting her court’s needs before her own. Perhaps she is more like Ira than she originally thought.
He speaks of the lack of champions and she knows he speaks true. She does not remember the other sovereigns putting much stock into champions, not quickly filling their roles, although they needed to be filled. In this moment, while she doesn’t know who Ira is, she knows that at least he knows her by name and title. Never had she announced herself as Denocte’s Champion of Battle, feeling as though titles were far too formal. Perhaps she needed to start.
First a sickly looing mare comes forward, putting her own name in the hat for Champion of Healing. She is a medic, trained in Dusk Court’s famous hospitals. This makes her think of Kibou and how much he wants to train to be a healer like his father. Katniss makes a mental note to have him seek Luvena out. Perhaps she can help him in his studies. After all, she wants to cultivate his thirst for knowledge.
Next comes Cicatrix, one chosen to be Champion of Wisdom. Kibou has spoken of the individual and their bonding over fizzy candies. It makes Katniss chuckle and she makes note that she needs to thank the individual for being a friendly soul to Kibou. The child was growing into a young and impressionable stallion, Cicatrix had so much that they could teach Kibou.
And then comes Renwick, a young soldier that Katniss has not been given the opportunity to meet individually. She makes note that she needs to meet all her soldiers, to allow them to see a name to a face.
Stepping forward, she looks at Ira, the flames of the torches flickering over the dark scars that scatter her body. She looks like a warrior: tall, strong, covered in scars. She holds her head high, arched, the picture of confidence. “…and I hope to show you my own worth.” She does not feel the need to identify herself as the current Champion of Battle. He would know her name and perhaps he could connect the dots. Perhaps an individual meeting might be necessary. But until then, she watches him with a curious gaze, watching to see if he has what it takes to lead Denocte.
