Chapter Nine
**Tristan's POV**
Tristan was already irritated.
He'd taken command of Anya's forces the moment he arrived and secured the area. Standard procedure when someone of higher rank showed up nothing personal, just protocol.
He saw the Great Sage doing what he always did: calming everyone down, mediating, making impossible situations somehow manageable.
What irritated Tristan the most and he was sure it did for Anya as well, was that these were just *kids*.
Most of them not even out of the age of apprenticeship as a warrior or skilled worker. Children really barely trained barely prepared, thrown into a meatgrinder that would kill seasoned adults.
He could see the regret in Anya's eyes as she filled him in on what had transpired and why.
The flares, the misunderstanding the deaths, all of it preventable all of it tragic.
---
Tristan sat and listened to everyone's side of things.
Then he started asking the kids about their lives on the Ark. How they came to be here what they'd learned to survive. He learned that any crime no matter how small only had one sentence. To be floated, which he interrupted as a death sentence. The fact that all of these children were here was proof enough of this claim. Someone had at least thought of a way in which the kids might have a chance, then told them that their crimes were forgiven. This part made Tristan smile, if they were pardoned then none were banished anymore. Which means if he could talk a few of these kids into joining up with clans that were friendly, he might be able to save some if the Commander chose war.
He never raised his voice, never tried being intimidating not that he had to, given his size and position. But he tried being patient, he allowed the kids to vent their frustrations and anger and fear everything. Many found it easy to talk with him, he didn't treat them as stupid children he showed them respect and understanding. And he even made positive comments when he thought they were clever.
The one named Bellamy had organized the kids efficiently, despite the chaos, that showed leadership potential.
The boy Lincoln had injured... Finn, he believed, had recovered well. Tristan had inspected the wound with permission and found their young healer Clark to have some skill. Not perfect, but competent enough given their limited resources.
He noted every outstanding child and kept a list in his head. Such as the pretty girl who fixed and upgraded a radio to not only give audio but visual communication, *most impressive*.
He knew that if true peace was to happen, these invaders needed something to give in return for a home. From what he could see of their limited skills, most of their people would starve or *become* the meal before the year ended.
Their technology and understanding would be helpful in some regards. But since the Sage had set up many classes and schools with the books and tools of the old world over the generations, their own people were relearning to use old-world tech.
They'd even started rebuilding some useful things for their cities.
Like the wind tower.
It had taken ten years, but they'd created the world's largest wind-power generator. Well, largest *now*, compared to the old world. The tower would still look primitive, much of it stone and wood construction, with the important mechanical elements housed elsewhere.
Tristan didn't get the science himself, he just knew it worked. And a large part of the capital city had power again because of it.
Many of the Sky children still seemed completely terrified, which to be fair Tristan could understand.
He would be terrified too, flying somewhere in the sky his whole life, looking down at the world, never knowing what it was truly like until being dropped into it with no warning.
---
The talk with their leader, Jaha, had been short.
Tristan had informed him that the hostility with the children had ended. But the parents or whoever was responsible for sending the children would have to answer for the burnt village, the lives lost, and the supplies destroyed.
Jaha had started to argue.
Tristan had ended the transmission, he had learned what he needed to learn from the kids the Sage and Lincoln, and the Great Sage had already spoke to the man, so he saw no need to bother with it himself. Peace had to made face to face like warriors not by screen like cowards.
Then he'd ordered his warriors to fan out and create a proper perimeter with proper lookouts. Standard security protocol. If the Mountain Men caught wind of this gathering, things could get complicated quickly.
He'd also had his warriors start handing out extra rations to the kids.
These children looked half starved.
---
With the help of the Great Sage, the kids found themselves relaxing more and more as the day wore on.
Apparently, it was a Sky holiday and they wanted to celebrate.
Tristan was considering whether to allow it when two sickly, skinny boys approached with nervous steps.
"Umm, hello, Mr. Scary Commander Guy," one of them said.
Tristan raised an eyebrow. "*Judge,*" he corrected. "I am the enforcer of the Commander's Laws, as written by the First Commander and the Great Sage themselves. But to save on ceremony, you may call me Judge, Or Sir Tristan."
The boys exchanged glances.
"Oh. Um, hi I'm Monty, and this is Jasper, the other boy shyly waved. "Today is kind of a special day for us, it's Called Unity Day," then he explained how it was a celebration of the stations coming together or some such.
"And we made... well, alcohol. And we wanted to spread the wealth, as it were."
Tristan stared at them in confusion.
Then he started laughing.
It started as a chuckle, then grew into a full, genuine laugh that made both boys jump.
"If you share some with my men," Tristan said, still grinning, "they may start celebrating this holiday of yours as well. Go ahead. I'm sure a party will help calm the younger folk. Maybe bring our people a bit closer."
The boys lit up and ran off to spread the word.
Many people had heard what was said, and word quickly spread of the party.
A bunch of Grounders pulled out their own horns of ale and started passing them around camp. Within minutes, songs could be heard sung in both English and Trigedasleng.
Some kids tried teaching Grounders their songs, some Grounders tried teaching kid's traditional chants. It was chaotic and loud and slightly off-key.
But it was working, Tristan knew that the Woods Clan was one of the most welcoming, but there were many such as the Ice Nation who would kill these kids just as soon as look at them.
But for now, people were smiling. Laughing, even.
Tristan watched it all from a distance, arms crossed, expression carefully neutral.
He was no fool, though.
He made sure not to drink any himself. And he made sure that those on watch stayed sober as well.
The next few days would determine if this peace would last.
Or if Tristan needed to really declare war.
For now, he let the children have their celebration.
And he watched and waited, hoped that the Sage's faith in these Sky People wasn't misplaced.
Because if it was, if they planned to make a foul of The Great Sage, Tristan would be the one who would happily clean up the mess. He would allow no one to make a foul of the great Sage
And he was very, very tired of good at cleaning up messes.