Brady was not easily intimidated, he was Clarke's second and as such he'd spent a lot of time around a lot of very scary people. Scariest of all was when Clarke was truly angry. He still remembered the first time he'd met her. He didn't think she realized he'd been conscious when she ran a sword through his first's chest. Clarke wasn't like his original first, she would never leave him to die because it was easier. So, Heda's guards didn't scare him like they intended with their glares as he followed Nyko into the commander's building. It was only their second day in the Trikru camp and already he was being dragged in front of Heda. At least, he thought it was because of something good, he was pretty sure. Nyko seemed excited not angry.

"Heda!" Nyko exclaimed, bowing briefly before eagerly looking back up at their leader.

Brady dipped his head cautiously, his arms full of the papers Nyko had insisted he bring. Why Heda needed to see the medical sketches he had no idea, but whatever.

"Nyko is there a problem?" Heda questioned.

The man was practically vibrating next to him. "No problem, Brady show her the papers! Heda it's amazing the knowledge!"

Brady shuffled over to the table and started laying out the pages of the medical text Clarke had been helping them each make. The pages were loose in his volume since he hadn't finished up all of the pages yet. Once they were spread out, he took a step to the side giving Heda room to look down at the table.

He scrunched up his face, watching as the woman stepped to the table and slightly shifted several pages to see them better. Clarke had trained him to watch people, to examine them, to understand, but he couldn't read much from the commander. Her eyes were bright and sharp clearly taking in information, but he wasn't sure what she thought of it.

"These drawings of the inside of a body, how did you get these?" She looked up at him, face blank but focused.

He felt himself swallowing. "Eh, Clarke likes us to draw our own diagrams from experience so we cut up the bodies of some of the dead to practice on." He shrugged.

"The dead?" The commander's voice was hard.

Brady was careful, "Our enemies, before we burn the bodies, or bury them. You got to learn through experience and a mistake on the dead is no big deal." Shrugging, he thought about how to word it better. "Like if ya gotta take a leg offa someone if ya already have done it on a dead person ya'll do alright with the live one."

"Do you ever kill people to be able to study them?" The commander asked watching him with sharp eyes.

"Naw, Clarke hates pointless killing. Though she does want to get ahold of a reaper. If she can see what's wrong with em on the inside maybe she can fix em."

The commander's eyebrows rose in surprise he noticed. He'd thought Clarke would have mentioned that but then again despite Clarke working with them, Trikru weren't trustworthy. He noticed Nyko looking excited though.

"Has your general captured any reapers yet?"

Brady shook his head. "Naw, keeping a prisoner like that when the camp isn't settled is stupid."

Nyko nodded, "Still, if she's able to save the reapers." He drifted off in thought before snapping back to attention. "My apologies, with all the legends about the general being able to breathe life back into the dead I didn't know what to expect. Clearly, she's taught you well." He moved to pull a drawing of the digestive system forward.

"Eh, you mean CPR?" Brady scrunched up his nose. "It's not like it's magic." He pulled a sketch of the circulatory system out of the pile. "See, a person ain't really dead till their brain stops working. And tha' takes a bit dependin' on the injuries." He pointed to the heart. "So if ya can get the heart pumping again and get thuh person breathing some of thuh time ya can still heal someone."

"You're saying the general truly can breathe life back into the dead?" The commander asked clearly surprised.

"Naw, dead is dead. But, if ya ain't all thuh way dead just mostly dead than sure. Anyone can do it if they know how." He shrugged, it was one of the early lessons Clarke had beat into all of their heads.

Nyko clapped him on the shoulder. "How does this work exactly?"

He pointed to a diagram of a man. "See here? Ya compress thuh heart to keep thuh blood going. Than if they ain't coming back ya haf to breath for them. Close thuh nose, make sure the throat is clear then breath into their mouths. Then more compressions. I can show ya on a person better than a pic though."

"Heda!" Nyko turned to look at the commander, he was actually smiling.

The commander held her hand up. "Yes, go learn this technique." She leveled her gaze on him and he felt the weight of it. "I thank you for sharing this knowledge with us Brady kom Azgeda."

He bowed slightly as he gathered up his papers and left with Nyko back to the medical tent. Clearly, Clarke underestimated herself when she said she wasn't a great healer. He'd been expecting to be completely overwhelmed by Trikru medicine. Oh, their medicinal supplies were far superior to theirs but technique wise clearly Azgeda was superior. He felt a slight hop in his step at the well of pride he felt at that.

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Three years three months ago:

Octavia and Jakob were galloping south as fast as their horses could take them. The bandit problem in the north was worse than anyone had thought. The fort had been attacked the night before, sixteen dead of their own to the twenty dead of their enemies. As they road Octavia hissed in pain as the stitches in her side pulled. Shifting so less stress was on them, she rose up higher in her saddle.

Riding was amazing, she could feel her heart beating in time with her horse's. Their muscles straining as they worked together to fly over the roads, the wind biting into what little of her face was showing. She'd wrapped a piece of linen around her face to help with the stinging sensation of the freezing air battering her face. According to Jakob, it would be warming soon. She wasn't able to enjoy the experience properly though. No, they were riding desperately to the nearest outpost to beg for reinforcements. Half the fighting force in the outpost was dead, it was dubious whether they'd survive the week without more manpower. The only good thing to come out of the whole thing was Dax and Harper earning their brands in the battle.

"Pay attention to the road." Jakob snapped at her.

She clenched her teeth. "Easy for you to say, your friends aren't back there."

"Worrying about things outside of your control is weakness. Control yourself and maybe you'll make a warrior." He replied in his usual condescending manner.

"You're not worried about the others?" She asked incredulously.

"If they die they die, if the fort falls it falls. It is outside of my control. Our task is to rouse the next outpost to either reinforce or to retake the fort. Complete your task, let anything that is useless in that endeavor fall away or you will fail. It is not the warriors place to question or to worry. That is the leader's burden."

Octavia glared at his back as he and his horse galloped beside her. "I won't just forget my friends."

"Then a time will come when you will fail where you could have succeeded."

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Present time:

Monty easily swung out of the saddle before handing his reigns to a second, Percy if he was right, who had run up to help. He smiled at Raven, who was helping Bolt off of the horse the seconds were sharing. He'd fallen asleep a few miles back and didn't seem too keen on waking up.

"Need any help there?" He asked, grinning at the fond expression that would filter across Raven's face anytime she showed affection for her seconds.

"I've got my minions. Nut wake up your brother you two need to get your horse taken care of before you can rest. You can sleep in my tent tonight till we can find out proper sleeping arrangements for you later.

Monty groaned as he realized they still needed to report to Clarke. God, and figure out how to contact Bellamy again because there was no way he'd be ok without another report soon. He was brought out of his musing when he was physically lifted into a tight hug. Wheezing, he twisted slightly, "O, I can't breathe."

"Too bad," Octavia huffed into his shoulder as she let his feet touch the ground but kept her arms wrapped around him.

Huffing, he wiggled enough so that he could return the hug. He laughed when he felt Raven's arms encircle the two of them.

"You losers are leaving me out!" Raven complained.

"Never." Octavia replied. Finally, she pulled back. "Did you guys get in contact with everyone?"

Monty felt the smile on his face fall. "Yeah, but we need to talk to Clarke. Can you take our horses so we can go report immediately?" He felt bad about it but he was dead on his feet and Clarke needed to know about the mountain as soon as possible.

Octavia instantly became serious as well. "Of course, Bellamy and the others are alive?"

"Of course." Raven said like it was a given even though life was hardly a given here on the ground. "But, we found out what's causing the jamming and Clarke needs to know. We'll fill you in tomorrow."

Octavia nodded, "Go, I've got the minions and the horses."

Monty gripped her arm in thanks before following Raven towards the command tent. He noticed that Raven was noticeably limping, riding for long periods of time always made her limp more pronounced. He didn't mention it though, she'd give him the silent treatment for days if he dared do so. The tent was organized the same as always and he felt relief at seeing Clarke bent over a map. She looked up and he found himself and Raven being pulled into a tight hug again. He wrapped one of his arms around her while he grabbed Raven's hand with the other. It was good to be back.

Clarke finally pulled back. "Were you successful then?"

Raven snorted. "Of course we were successful, when are we not?"

"Bellamy and the others are alive and unharmed." He added quickly before Clarke could ask.

Her shoulders fell, tension draining out of her. She sat down on one of the stools easily. "Good." Pushing some of her hair behind her ear, she looked at them. "But, it's not all good news is it?"

He hated seeing the resigned expression on her face and wished he could do something about it. However, he'd long ago accepted that hiding bad news was unacceptable. They survived because there were no secrets, no lies. Trust, dedication, and luck were how they'd survived and how they would continue to do so. "We know why the signal was being jammed."

Clarke's face shuttered to her command face, considering and firm. "Tell me."

Raven half sat half collapsed on the bed letting her leg rest. "The mountain, they're like us."

"Explain." Clarke's voice was an order.

Raven ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "They have tech. The jamming signal is coming from the mountain. For a multi-channel signal like that with that level of amplification it has to be intentional. If I had to guess, they have their own communications on a separate encrypted channel. Without better tech and tools I can't even begin to crack into their communications. Clarke I think they're like the ark. Technologically advanced, insular, it fits and our orders were to go to the mountain." She trailed off.

"You think the ark knew about the mountain?" Clarke asked seriously.

Raven bit her lip. "I don't know. I mean thanks to you we know the ark's air systems were failing but the ground wasn't supposed to be survivable. Why waste a drop ship on a test doomed to failure?"

Monty decided to add his opinion. "I don't agree with Raven, if the ark had known, they'd have come down."

Clarke seemed to think for a moment before speaking again. "If the council knew about life on the ground, there would have been no purpose to my father's actions or his execution." She leveled her gaze on Raven consideringly. "If Jaha's message to us was correct, was a military bunker. It would make sense for some survivors to colonize a defensible position like that. It would mean the fog is definitely a weapon then and not the curse the Trikru think it is."

Raven seemed to cave slightly. "I'm sorry. I just...I don't want the ark to be gone and for a moment I could think they might have survived. That Finn might have."

Clarke stood up. "If the ark is still alive, then they've killed thousands of people to keep themselves that way. You know better than anyone that the chance of that is slight." She gave Raven a look of empathy. They all knew any loved ones left on the ark were in all likelihood dead.

They talked long into the night about their trip, Bellamy's discussion with Nia, the wagons that should arrive within the month, and anything else they could infer about the mountain. Finally, Clarke left them to get some sleep striding out into the night. He didn't even bother to change, just stripped off his weapons and face planted on the bed.

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Lexa was awoken by a commotion outside of her house. Deciding to leave it to her guards to take care of the issue till morning, she rolled over intent on getting what rest she could. When she heard the voice of general Klark angrily demanding to speak to the commander though she accepted defeat. She didn't bother doing more than pulling a jacket over her sleeping clothes before opening the door.

"General, what brings you here at this hour?" She took in the scene. Klark was glaring down her two guards. She was fairly disheveled and unaccompanied.

Klark looked up at her, clearly determined. "We need to talk."

Motioning for her guards to stand down, she spoke. "Come in then."

She poured herself a glass of water from a clay pitcher before turning to face the general. "So, what is so urgent?"

"I have information on the mountain." Klark replied.

Lexa narrowed her eyes. Something was very wrong, the general was being guarded and was clearly not pleased with whatever information she'd gotten. "Why are you afraid?" Because that's what this was. The woman before her was scared, and not of the mountain.

Klark huffed, "Because if how the information was found exactly gets out, you won't be able to keep the other generals from taking my head due to the implications."

"What implications?" Lexa's eyes narrowed, she was wide awake now.

"I told you before I wasn't born in Azgeda." Klark sat down and seemed to search for words. "I was born in the ark. That's not important, what's important is that when they sent one hundred prisoners we were told to go to , that there were supplies there our people had left there generations ago. Of course, it all went to hell and we ended up Nia's 'guests'. So, I assumed that my people's ancestors left supplies and long ago some other group colonized the mountain, that there was no connection."

"But, something has changed your mind." It wasn't a question, Lexa gripped the hilt of her dagger as she watched the general.

"Yes, my original people used old world tech. The weapons that ended the old order, we could use them. Guns, bombs, poisonous gases. Raven is my expert on old world tech, we've done our best to use what we could scavenge to give us an edge. It's not much, but we were able to scrounge enough to be helpful, especially with communication. Particularly a piece of tech called a radio. It allows us to communicate over great distances. If you want to understand how I'm not the one to ask. However, when my army arrived our radios stopped working. I sent Raven to ascertain where and why. Without communication I can't stay in contact with my forces within Azgeda. She found out why. The mountain is releasing a signal to break up communication. The only reason to do that would be to prevent any of the tribes from using that tech against them. It means they're using it themselves."

"Are you implying that your people are allied with the mountain?" Lexa found keeping calm was getting incredibly difficult.

"No, if that were the case my family would not be the only members of my people left alive. Even if I'm wrong and some of them have managed to scrape by and survive until now they've done abominable things to do so. If they were allied with the mountain I would have been executed and you'd be fighting an enemy with far more firepower than you are prepared to handle." Klark pinched the bridge of her nose. "But, you could have guessed that."

"Indeed." Lexa sat on her throne examining the general before her.

"Raven is brilliant. Within a month a convoy from Azgeda should arrive that will contain the tools she'll need to break through the jamming signal. If she does that we can listen in on the mountain."

"Explain."

"Radios are used to communicate over distance. The mountain is a stronghold. Who do you think they'd use their radios to talk to?" Klark raised an eyebrow at her.

"To give orders to their soldiers." Lexa breathed. The opportunity was incredible. If they knew their enemies orders the possibilities were endless.

"Not to mention now that I know that the mountain is similar to the ark, I have a better idea what strategies they will use during this siege and how my family can help turn their advantages against them."

"If you appear too knowledgeable about the mountain and how it works the others will believe you are connected to the mountain." Lexa nodded in understanding. If the generals decided that Klark was working for the mountain, or worse Azgeda was working with the mountain she wouldn't be able to stop a war from breaking out. "So, you came to me."

Klark waved a hand in a vague shape. "Azgeda is my home and my warriors are my people. I will not sit on information that could win us this war because it would be safer for me. We have some routes to explore in ways to move against the mountain with this new knowledge while we wait to see what they do in response to our siege. I am hoping we will be able to hide my and my people's direct involvement with the new strategies and ideas as much as possible."

Lexa released her dagger and drummed her fingers against the arm of her throne. "Am I correct in assuming that the courses of action you're referring to would involve this radio, any equipment we can get off a dead mountain soldier, and the reapers?"

Klark nodded. "If you can hold any items we get from the mountain men in your camp, I hope that will put off suspicions. You can call healers, scouts, and anyone who knows anything of old world tech to consult on the technology of the mountain so that the contributions of my warriors may be more anonymous and be made as a tribute to your command."

It was a tempting proposition. Not only would it provide a plausible way to use Klark's potential knowledge of the mountain but it would force relations between the armies as well. "Tell me what's your plan for the reapers?"

"Capture several of them, see if I can find a way to cure them. If I can, capture and heal as many as possible. If I can't kill them all. They are a weapon of the enemy. If we can't take it, we break it." Klark's eyes were hard and Lexa had no question she would kill every reaper personally if that was what was required.

"Why bring all this before me now?"

"It was vital that you know this information and I need your help if I am to protect my people from the fall out of using it. You would not have blindly accepted any information I gave without knowing where I got it." Klark scoffed. "We don't trust each other but for now at least we have the same goal, to take the mountain. I will do nothing to endanger my people and you won't endanger the alliance. Call it a calculated risk."

Lexa leaned back in her throne and considered what the general had brought to her. This could lead to the fall of the mountain and it would give her the credit for any successes, second hand at least. Still, Klark was right, she didn't trust this general. She did trust however that this woman would do anything to protect her people. So, that was the question, if this was a trap how would it benefit the general's warriors? She frowned slightly, with the formation of the siege they were all cut off from close allies if the coalition disintegrated. Klark's forces were in enemy territory. Even if no one attacked them, it would take at least two days to cross the border into Azgeda lands. With Trikru attacks though it could take longer, the losses would be catastrophic. So, at least for now open war wasn't a goal and if they took the mountain any plans to discredit her as Heda were pointless.

Standing, she offered her arm. "Then it seems we have a common goal."

Klark was clearly relieved. She stood as well and clasped their arms together. Her grip was firm and Lexa wondered if she was falling into a trap as she gripped Klark's arm in return. If it was, she was unsure if she could avoid it since she couldn't see it. Staring at the brands on the general's face, she had to remind herself that for all the qualities of a leader this woman exemplified she was still from an enemy clan and not someone that should be trusted. She could not trust the safety of her people merely to her instinctive sympathy with the leader of an untrustworthy clan. No matter how admirable Klark may appear.

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Octavia slipped silently to the cave where she and Lincoln had been meeting. She needed to speak to him, she couldn't avoid telling Clarke any longer. Lincoln needed to know so he could inform Indra before she heard from someone else if it hit the gossip chain. It amazed her how war camps were gossip hotbeds.

Upon entering the cave, she instantly knew something was wrong, there had clearly been a struggle. The remains of the fire had been kicked around and the carefully arranged pots of salves were shattered across the floor. Examining the remains of the fight more closely, she found droplets of blood dried on the ground. Someone had hurt Lincoln and taken him somewhere afterwards. The only person who knew about them was Burka. Octavia clenched her hands and turned before heading back to the Azgeda line as quickly as her feet would carry her.

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Three years three months ago:

Clarke ran her short sword through the chest of the bandit in front of her. His hands scrabbled over hers before going limp and his whole body crumpling. She tried to pull her sword out of his chest but it was stuck on one of his ribs. Cursing, she rolled away, barely dodging an ax swing where her head had just been. They were being overrun, holding their ground was going to get the rest of them killed. Waiting for reinforcements was folly.

Scrambling back to her feet, she tackled her newest attacker who was still over extended from his ax swing. She didn't even bother to draw one of her knives as they toppled to the ground. She just raised her fist and started pummeling him. He kicked his legs wildly trying to unseat her. She lost her balance for a second and that was all he needed to get a hit in across her face. Her left hand yanked the knife out of her boot while with her right she swung at him again. He crossed his arms over his face to protect himself from her strike. She didn't hesitate, driving her dagger into his armpit. He cried out in pain. Taking the advantage, she grabbed the handle of his dropped ax.

She didn't have the strength or the room to properly swing at him so she just yanked the hilt as hard as she could into the side of his head. It hit with a wet thunk. The body under her went still. Her lungs were heaving with the effort to breath in the cold air that was burning her lungs from the inside out. She rose into a crouch quickly looking for her next target. She was in time to see Zhara, captain of the outpost and man in charge of this pride filled lunacy, get his head cleaved in two. Swiveling her head, she took a quick measurement of the fight since none of the bandits seemed to have noticed her yet. There were only eight of them left. Echo was clearly unable to stand. Keaton was bleeding heavily from a head wound. Dax had an arrow sticking out of his arm and was being pushed back by the two enemies he was trying to face off against.

She didn't bother checking the others conditions visually, there wasn't time. "FALL BACK TO THE CELLAR!"

Clarke had no authority over the Azgeda warriors, not even the seconds, but they listened to her. She ran to Echo's side, heaving her arm over her shoulder, and started to drag the woman with her. Harper made it to the cellar first ripping the doors open. Clarke felt her left foot give way under her, toppling her and Echo onto the flagstones hard. Swearing, Clarke rolled over onto her back. There sticking out of her calf was an arrow, she was pretty sure adrenaline was the only reason she couldn't feel the pain that should accompany such an injury.

Harper darted forward to help her but Clarke snapped at her when she realized her intention. "Get Echo in!"

Harper did as ordered without question, grabbing Echo under the armpits and dragging her into the cellar. Echo was half unconscious and didn't struggle. Clarke yanked out a knife from around her waist and threw it with all of her strength at the archer who had hit her and was now aiming for one of the last standing warriors. It didn't hit a vital point that she could tell, but a knife in the thigh had to hurt the woman.

With the last of her energy, she struggled to her feet once more half limping half stumbling towards the cellar. Atom grabbed her arm and pulled her the rest of the way into the room. The doors were slammed shut with a resounding crack.

Clarke didn't even bother to breathe a sigh of relief. "Barricade the door!"

In a series of movements that caused excruciating pain to all involved, they managed to drag several crates and barrels and create a semi reliable barricade. Clarke limped to Echo's side while ripping a piece of fabric off her shirt before dropping beside her and trying to stop the bleeding. "Everyone put pressure on anything bleeding that you can't fix yourself. Harper heat up a dagger, we don't have time for stitches."

Clarke may not have any authority but the others were listening to her orders. She had no idea what they would do now that they were effectively trapped. Still, they had at least bought themselves some time. An hour at most before the bandits got tired of waiting and trying to break their way into the cellar and started a fire. Hopefully, it would be enough time to come up with a plan.

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Present:

Charlotte jerked upright, screams echoing around her. She felt hands on her shoulders and she struggled against them. She was unable to dislodge the person on top of her though. Panic flooded her veins as she bucked wildly all of her training falling by the wayside. Her lungs burned and she couldn't seem to breath. It was only when she felt the suffocating pressure in her lungs that she realized the screaming had stopped.

Her eyes finally registered Brady's form above her trying to hold her down. Gasping, she stopped struggling. She folded into the fetal position as soon as he released her on realizing she wasn't fighting back anymore. Great wracking sobs broke out amongst heaving breaths. She tried to concentrate on the feel of the furs under her, the fabric against her skin, the firm hand on her back.

She felt the uncomfortable sensation of cold sweat rolling down her back and face. She was unsure of how long she lay there before she opened her eyes again, her chest aching but her heart beat calm. Brady was sitting next to her in all his gangly glory, it was accentuated by the way his sleep clothes hung off him all wrong. He was glaring across the room. Letting her eyes follow his gaze, she saw Anya leaning against the wall of the room she'd been given. The woman's eyes were closed but her position spoke of discomfort. She glanced at the door and saw Aden and Tris standing guard.

Slowly, she sat upright. She didn't shake it off when Brady wrapped a fur around her shoulders. Her eyes flickered round the room again. "My apologies if I woke you." Her face was burning as she stared at the floor in shame.

"If you don't need anything I'll leave." Anya said.

Charlotte shook her head, unwilling to look at the Trikru there any longer. She heard the steps of the woman leaving and her door being closed. Brady pulled her into a hug.

"I'm a staying with ya whether ya like it or nawt." Brady pronounced.

She looked up at the stubborn set of his jaw. Leaning her head into his shoulder, she nodded. It was weak to take comfort from someone outside of her family like this. He was Clarke's second though so she supposed that made it better. She didn't think she could handle being alone right now anyway, with the nightmares so close to the surface. Her time sleeping and training in the dungeon, hearing the prisoner's screams, still haunted her. Especially when there wasn't anyone there to remind her that she wasn't alone in the damp and cold with nothing but screams for company.

She didn't fall asleep again, just stayed pressed into Brady's side. The second's snores told her he had fallen asleep. She sat and gathered herself, letting the ache in her chest slowly dissipate with each breath and beat of her heart.