The snow poured out of the clouds as I rode for Polis on my horse, Bartok. A few more minutes, that's all I have to save them. Just a couple more minutes and I can save them all.

Little did Clarke and Aden know that there was an assassin in the tower, aiming for them both. The snow whipped my already frozen cheeks as I pushed Bartok faster, his steamed breath on the winter air.

The rhythmic thumps of his hooves are the only thing reaching my ears as I lean forward on him. The green of the pine trees are nothing but blurs anymore until I finally reach the opening from the forest, revealing Polis.

When I reach the gates I don't bother stopping for the guards or slowing down through the town as I rush straight towards the doors, bursting through them and jumping off Bartok at the same time.

"Octavia what the-" I didn't stay long enough for Abby to yell at my urgency and ran straight to the elevator. The two workers pushing the box lifter were waiting for more people to enter.

"If you want the Commander to live then you need to get me up there now!" At first they were startled by my loud voice then they looked at the seriousness of the situation and did as they were told.

Just as the doors slid closed Abby jumped in, looking very worried. And she should be.

"Octavia what's wrong?" She asked immediately.

"Clarke and the Commander are in fatal danger. I have reliable information that an assassin is in the building ready to kill them," I answered as I pulled out my sword. My stomach felt like I left it on the first floor and I was already sweating.

"How did you come of this information? Are you sure?"

"I am absolutely sure, a great man died getting this message to me…" I thought back to how Alec rode to me on his horse, three arrows sticking out of him as his dying last words was something of an assassin, Polis, Commmander, and Clarke. As soon as I heard that I rode from Azgeda all the way to Polis in two days flat, hardly any breaks.

"Then we have to warn the guards, they can help flush him out and we can catch-"

"No, I know where he went and I am going after him - alone," I added as an afterthought.

"This is my daughter we're talking about," by now we were near the top and I could feel the sweat on my palms.

"Abby I know but please just trust me, I will handle this. I have a pretty good idea to where he is," I reassured her. The only place he could get to the Commander and Clarke at the same time was the throne room, where they currently were discussing with the ambassadors about the 13 clans.

"Octavia no, I can't just sit by when my daughter is in danger, I won't," she grabbed my arm and gave me a pointed look saying she wasn't taking no as an answer. Reaching into one of my boots I pulled out a rather large and deadly dagger and handed it to her.

"Just don't get killed, ok. If you die Clarke will have my head," I finished just as the elevator opened with a squeal.

The hallway was lit with torches leading to the throne room doors at the end of the hall with two guards posted outside of it. Using my training from Indra I came up with a worthy lie.

"Ai name ste Okteivia kom skaikru en yu laik released kom duty," I lied with ease. I knew they wouldn't allow me to go anywhere with my weapons. At first they looked at me like they knew I was lying but I kept a straight face and eventually stared them down enough to leave.

As soon as they left I ran down the hallway to the right with deathly silence, Abby, not so much. When I reached my destination I realized I wasn't tall enough to enter the vents.

"Abby," I put away my sword and whispered so quietly even I could barely hear. "I need you to lift me up, hurry."

"Octavia-"

"Now is not the time to argue with me, if you want Clarke safe, do it."

She didn't need to be told twice as she cupped her hands and got ready. I backed up and prepared myself to jump into the open hole in the top of the wall, no bigger than the crawling hole I hid in on the Ark.

"Octavia, please save Clarke," she pleaded right before I was about to go.

"I will, Abby. Just in case I'm not back in a couple minutes go in and warn them." And then I ran and jumped into the hole with ease. My slim but muscular body fit easily with room to spare in the crawl hole.

Cobwebs were already pulled from their original form telling me I am not the first one in these tunnels recently. I started crawling fast but quietly to my destination, trying not to cough on the old and stale air.

In just about a minute I finally reached my destination, a small cave like space above the throne room made for the Commander to hide in if the fort was under siege. I stood up and didn't bother brushing off my knees and pulled out my sword.

Eyes peeled, I walked towards the center of the room, winding my way through crates and packages. Everywhere I looked there was no sign of light, just blackness and cobwebs. The balanced weight of my sword made it easy for me to hold up for the small amount of time it took me to get to the center.

And there he sat. The assassin, just as I expected, crouching on the edge of the open trap door in the ceiling, ready to jump down and strike the Commander. Clarke would most likely be next.

I crept up to him, careful not to make a single sound, sword in my hand ready to strike. By the way he was crouching I could tell he was ready to jump the 15 foot drop onto the Commander and strike him down quickly, not expecting.

Ten feet away. The only sound in the room was my heart beating and the voices of the meeting going on below us.

Six feet. I readjusted my grip on the sword, preparing myself for the kill.

Two feet away.

It happened so quick, I had no time to even stop the blow that crashed into my face. An elbow, I'm pretty sure was the cause of the now gushing blood pouring from my temple. I almost fell from surprise but my training with Indra mastered my balance and I recovered quickly.

Hearing the blade rather than seeing it, I brought my own sword up to deflect his and as metal crashed on metal I finally gained back my senses.

Even though my head was pounding from the first blow, I kept fighting against his skilled swordsmanship and eventually gained the upper hand and tripped him to the ground.

Falling, his sword went crashing to the other side of the room so he reached into his boots and brought out two daggers, just like the one I gave Abby. Knowing there was indeed a threat, I did the only thing I knew would help. And since stealth wasn't an option anymore, I did the only thing I knew would let them know there was a threat above them.

"Assassin!" I yelled, not caring if people thought I was crazy, just needing them to know there was danger above them so they were ready. The assassin gave me a hated look.

"You're going to die for that now," he screeched at me before lunging for my legs. I took the chance to stab him in the shoulder as we went crashing through the trapdoor, me on the bottom.

It was almost as if time slowed down as we fell the 15 feet. The assassin held both my legs together in a bear hug as my sword stuck out of his back, me letting go of it to grab my head trying to protect it from the crash. Then I waited. Waited for the fall and the pain. And it came.

All that I could feel was pain. All I could see was black. All I could do was try my hardest not to move. Voices filled the room. More pain. Trying to fight the blackness and open my eyes but it's too strong and soon enough, I give in to it.

-8-

The next time I wake I'm once again surrounded by darkness. At least I'm alive, though. The last thing that comes to mind was handing Abby a dagger and going after the assassin...then nothing.

I lay on something soft, just enjoying the silence and comfort of no pain until I notice something in my hand.

Slowly I fight the urge to sleep again and open my eyes. Not expecting the brightness, I quickly close them and open them again rapidly until they adjust to the newfound brightness.

The first thing I notice was a small throbbing pain everywhere, not as bad as when I fell but still bad. The next thing I notice is when I wake up there's Bellamy sitting next to my bed, holding my hand.

Bellamy.

I haven't seen him since Clarke saved us here at Polis against Ally. Since I killed Pike. Six months. It's been six months since Lincoln died, Clarke saved us all, I killed Pike, and moved to Azgeda.

Oh Bellamy was gonna kill me for coming back and almost dying.

I looked around my room and noted the exits and possible weapons if needed, then attempted to sit up.

Bad idea.

I let out a load groan of pain as I gently layed back down with a now forming headache. The bed I was in was sitting up a little and had many pillows under me. I haven't even slept in a bed for six months so this was like heaven. Minus the pain.

"O, hey how do you feel?" He immediately asked.

"Ugh, not so loud Bell," I whined.

"O, I'm whispering. It's ok, Abby said you have a severe concussion. What's the last thing you remember?"

"I remember handing Abby a dagger and going after the assassin then...nothing. It all goes black. Ugh Bell why does my leg hurt so bad…" I asked. My left leg was throbbing badly with pain and I wanted to know my injuries. "Tell me how bad it is." He hesitated at first, clearly wanting to talk about other stuff.

"You fell 15 feet from an opening into the throne room and landed on your back, and cushioning the assassin as he fell on you also. You have five broken ribs, a broken leg, a severe concussion, and two broken fingers on your right hand. You're also bruised all over and had stitches across your temple. Octavia you were out for two days."

As he was talking I took stock of all my injuries, noting especially the broken leg. A strong warrior and assassin in training can't train on a broke leg. Nor can she ride. As if reading my mind Bellamy spoke again.

"Looks like you'll be staying at Arkadia for a while as soon as I can get us out of here."

"Bellamy I don't want to go to Arkadia. Not yet." My mind instantly went to the image that's been haunting me for six months.

"O, we can't stay here. We have no idea where that assassin came from so Aden and Clarke are going back to Arkadia for awhile. Besides, I just got you back and don't think I've forgotten, we'll talk about it later. The Commander wants you to come as well."

"That's not my problem. I'll send for a rider to get Indra from-"

"No. You don't understand, ok. The assassin. You didn't kill him so we took him to the prisons and locked him up. We were gonna interrogate him, but he escaped yesterday. A partner helped him on the inside and they got away."

"Heh, so I had my ass handed to me, saved the Commander and Clarke's life, almost died, and he escaped? That's a shame, I wanted to interrogate him with tactics Indra and Alec taught me."

"This isn't a joke. He could come back for you, he's seen your face. We leave at first light for Arkadia. Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake. And, uh, the Commander wishes to speak to you. He's waiting outside for you now." With that, he kissed my forehead and left.

Why did the Commander want to see me?

Sure I saved his life but Commanders weren't usually known for showing their gratitude towards an injured warrior. To them, casualties are an everyday thing.

My thoughts were left behind as the door creaked opened and in came the red headed young Commander. I attempted to sit up but he stopped me by holding out his hand.

"Rest, Octavia kom skaikru." I eased back down, grateful for not having to sit up. I was drained of energy. "I came to see how you are faring," he said.

"So I heard, Commander. May I ask why?"

"You may speak freely. And I came to see how you were doing because anyone who would give their life for me deserves to be rewarded. What you did took great bravery, and courage. You seem fearless, and from what I've heard you are called Skai Ripper, death from above. Seems fitting, given the situation." He smiled a bit at his small joke.

"I need no reward, Heda. I would give my life if it meant peace lasts any day at the blink of an eye."

"And that is why, Octavia kom skaikru, I have a great offer for you. As you know every Heda needs a...what shall I call it. Protector? Yes I shall call it that," he started walking towards me and took a seat in the chair Bellamy was just in.

"They need to be trained, of course. Greatly trained before they can actually help me. That is why I came here, Octavia. I wish to personally train you in the art of swordsmanship. I've been practicing since I could walk, and I can teach you many things. So, what do you say, Octavia kom skaikru?"

By the end of his speech, I was left gaping in surprise at this chance I've been given.

To train with the Commander.

The Heda.

"May I answer your question with a question, Heda?"

"You may speak freely, Octavia."

"Why me?" After seeing his confused expression I elaborated. "I mean, you could be picking a Nightblood that's just come of age to start training, but you wish to spend your time training me?"

"As I said Octavia, you are brave, courageous, strong, and extremely intelligent when it comes to fighting. I wouldn't have anyone who doesn't have those characteristics. I wish to start training as soon as you're ready physically, but that doesn't mean we can't start with bookwork and lessons. I've had someone picked for that and I hope you take a liking to her. That is, if you say yes."

I just sat there for a minute, looking at my wrapped fingers and just thinking. I had no idea what to say. Sure, I wanted to train with the Heda but that would mean becoming his second. And that also means leaving Indra. I've been loyal to her since she recruited me before attacking Mount Weather, but this was the Heda.

"May I speak to my current First before I give an answer?"

"Yes but if you happen to say accept my offer, you will be riding with me. Not Skaikru. If you say yes, you will pledge your loyalty to me."

"I understand, Heda. I will obey any rules you wish to place and will be loyal to you and only you."

"Very good Octavia kom Skaikru. Until we meet again," he leaned down and we gripped hands, then he left.

His offer left my mind filled with choices and decision's to make. How will I tell Indra? Indra doesn't even know I left Azgeda. She doesn't know I'm in Polis and can't ride back. She might think I've run away.

The door was left open so when I saw the blond walk by it I took my chance.

"Clarke!" I yelled to get her attention. It worked as she stopped and walked into my room.

"Hey you're awake," she said as she approached my bed smiling. "What's wrong are you in any pain?" She questioned urgently, her smile fading.

"A little, but I'm fine. I wanted to ask you if you could do me a favor?"

"Anything, Octavia. You saved my life, I owe you forever."

"Clarke you don't owe me anything. You saved my life when Lexa tried to kill me after Ton DC. Anyways, could you send a messenger to Azgeda and send for Indra. Tell the rider the basics of what happened and have her come to Arkadia."

"Sure, Octavia. Let me just check your leg cast quick before I go." She started pulling the blankets off my leg.

I wasn't prepared for what was really there. Under the sheets sat my left leg, casted with a strong cloth up to above my knee. As she started unwrapping it the pain got worst, but I didn't say anything.

All that covered my skin was black and purple. Bruises all over.

"How long do you think until its healed?" I asked innocently.

"Well, its broken in two places so for both of them to heal, if you stay off it, then anywhere from 6-10 weeks."

When the wrap was off she threw it away and grabbed some cream.

"You'll have to change your wrap every two days and put the cream on it to help the bones," she started putting cream on it as I let out a small grunt of pain and she eased up. "Sorry, and as for your ribs, you can change that bandage once a week until they hurt no more, there's nothing else I can do for them. Next is your fingers," she finished applying the cream and wrapped my leg again. Once she finished she moved to me and help me sit up. "There's nothing to be done for them, just keep them taped like they are now and they'll be just fine."

She then proceeded to help me take my shirt off and for the first time, I noticed I was wearing clothes from the Ark. A plain gray T-shirt and some black sweatpants, not my grounder clothes.

"Clarke whose clothes are these?" She lifted my shirt above my head and started undoing the wrap on my ribs little by little, with extreme care and ease, the entire time watching her own hands work.

"Well when you fell we had to cut you clothes open and take stock of you injuries before we moved you and after we fixed you up, Raven offered to give you an extra shirt and sweatpants she had," by time she finished my ribs were wrapped up again and she moved to my fingers. "Anyways, since we are going to Arkadia I figured I'd just take out your stitches in a couple weeks."

"Ok but when do you think I can start physical training?"

"Not for awhile," she answered almost immediately, clearly expecting the question. "You should get some rest for tomorrow, its gonna be an uncomfortable experience for you on a horse."

And it was. After Clarke left I fell instantly asleep and woke to Bellamy shaking me and calling my name. Since we didn't have any crutches in Polis he carried me outside in the cold winter air wrapped in a blanket to the stables.

When we got there he put me on the horse first then jumped up behind me. I tried telling him that I can ride on my own but Clarke saw my protesting and gave me doctors order, no riding alone.

As we rode into the afternoon, only stopping to switch horses, the snow started coming down. Bellamy and I rode with Clarke on one side of us and Abby the other, Raven riding silently behind us with Kane, and the Commander and a small escort in front of us.

By time night fell, since Arkadia wasn't that far away from Polis, we were at the gates after a very uneventful and unpleasant day. We all rode to the stables together as Aden told his escort to return home, minus two people.

One I noticed was a man around my age dressed in complete grounder garb. He had a muscular build, short sandy brown hair with curls, and a bow and quiver slung on his back. I noticed throughout the entire ride he was always scanning the trees and riding further ahead of the group, looking for threats. I also noticed he had small deadly throwing knives placed all around his body in easy reach positions.

The second was a young girl no older than me with jet black hair, perfectly straight. Small freckles decorated her face and she wore plain grounder garb as well, though slightly more dressy. I saw she was always riding next to Aden and had no weapons other than a small, more decorative than deadly, dagger. Her horse was also jet black.

As we all walked into the HQ of the ship, me unfortunately being carried, we were gazed at by the Arkadians as a threat. Even as outsiders I would think by their judgmental looks.

Aden and his two friends walked behind Clarke, Bellamy, Kane, Raven and I as we made it to the bunks.

"It's not much Commander, but this room is all we have. It fits five people, of your choosing if you evenwantpeople, who stays," says a young man who seems scared at talking to the Commander.

"Thank you, we will fit this room to your specifications accordingly. Roman, my eldest cousin," he says pointing to the mysterious man he kept with him,"will be staying. Along with my sister, Eretria."

If my jaw dropped a little at this I kept it well hidden at the mention of it. He had a sister, avery prettysister, whom I think we are all surprised he chose to come to Arkadia.

"I would also like Clarke to stay, as we have lots of work to do as to peace, and also because she invited us here. As for my last selection..." he said almost unsure,"Octavia."

My head snapped up at the mention of my name. Was he asking me to stay?

"Would you like to join us?"