They allowed the Guardsmen to open the gate and I see that Raven is the first one to exit. She is not running but when she gets a little closer, I could see that her gait is not as perfect as it was. She walks with a slight limp and on one of her legs is a brace. I keep my distance as I don't want to be further reminded of my actions towards her that resulted in her disability.

Clarke goes into Lexa's empty tent as I pick up my knife from the ground. I go by Lexa's tent and sit next to it. Taking a rock and sharpening the blade with it. They remove him from the post and place him on the ground. Raven fast walks to his body before kneeling by him. Her body shaking in tears.

Abby and Marcus approach the tent with Wells right behind them.

"Is Clarke in there, Costia dear?" Abby asks me.

I just point to the tent with my knife before continuing my task. I would appreciate it if she wouldn't call me that again. Coming from her it's condescending. They go in with Wells following them. Probably so he could comfort his best friend because I thought I heard her having a breakdown in there.

Gustus enters the tent with Lexa, father, Indra, Anya, and Titus right behind him as Raven casts her tear stricken face at me. I deserve the hatred she might feel for me and though I deserve every word she will give me, now is not the best time since she's paralyzed by grief.

I turn to walk away –

"Costia, wait," Raven says.

Looking back at her, I could see that while her face is stricken with grief yet there are no signs of anger on her face. Cautiously, I take a step towards her.

"Raven, I'm…" I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disable you."

Raven wipes her eyes. She doesn't say anything.

"If you hate me for it, it's okay," I say. "I deserve it."

Raven looks at me. "I don't hate you. I mean I did right after your heel face turn and right after you shot me but I don't hate you anymore. Not after seeing the look on your face when you saw me strapped to the operation table. And Wells told me that you didn't mean to. I trust his word. In fact, I forgive you for everything that has happened."

She forgives me? She forgives me for stabbing her in the back and shooting her in the spine?

"Seems like Bellamy and Octavia don't but their feelings are valid," I say. "I deserve it anyway."

"Costia, I don't want you to carry this guilt on your shoulders, especially if we're going to be allies," Raven says. "You don't need to carry the self-loathing anymore."

I nod. It's noble of her to forgive me but I don't deserve it.

Anya comes out of the tent. "Pack up everything and dismantle the tents. The trip to TonDC begins shortly."

Must be that Wells and Clarke agreed to the ceremonial cremation. I'm positive that Abby and Kane are not thrilled.

"What did she say?" Raven asks.

"We are traveling to TonDC to cremate the bodies," I say. "So they we can send them back to the Earth."

Raven's eyes swell up more. "Probably part of this clan and name bereavement that your people practice. We can't lay him to rest."

"I'm sorry," is all I can say. I look to see Clarke emerge from the tent and heading towards Raven. This is going to be ugly. "I'm going to make sure we have herbal remedies and antibiotics. Can't afford to have anyone risk death of infection on a day long trip."

I walk away and go into one of the tents where some of the supplies are located. Gansey is carrying a barrel of whetstones and I walk past him to the table where the medicinal supplies are located. I examine the contents, making sure that they are at an adequate amount before snapping shut the cases before carrying them out the door.

Approaching the wagon, I see Wells conversing with father and Indra while Kane is talking to Lexa.

As I place the medicinal boxes in the carriage, I see Anya and Abby talking. Judging by Anya's folded arms, the conversation is not going well.

"Our people do not torture people to death like what you were going to do with Finn," Abby argues.

"Torturing people to death for mass murder is different from floating people into space for just existing," Anya says. "We don't execute people for petty crimes."

"That was to conserve resources," Abby argues. "It was unethical but it wasn't barbarism like yours."

"If only you knew how transparent you are," Anya argues, cocking her head to the side. "I think I understand you perfectly. You were brought up to believe that this planet was uninhabited. A belief that you perpetrated to your children. Because you thought that the planet was void of life, you think that we shouldn't be here. And since we shouldn't be existing, our lives are expendable to you. It's not an issue of ethics you have; you are just being a hypocrite."

That's Anya. Anya is very good at telling people how it is and calling them out on their malarkey. Abby needs serious ice for that burn. Anya walks away and I push the boxes farther into the wagon before approaching father, Wells, and Indra.

"The medical supplies are all accounted for," I say. "Can't risk anyone getting sick with something along the way."

"Good," says father. "Go find your brother and make sure that he doesn't leave unarmed. We never know if we might encounter Reapers on our way to TonDC."

"Yes, father," I say before walking off.

I hear additional footsteps and see that its Wells that is joining me.

"Coming to check on me?" I ask him.

"Mostly," he says. He sighs. "I'm sorry for what happened with Bristol. I wanted to tell you earlier but I didn't get the chance to."

I take a deep breath. I knew he was going to express his condolences though I didn't expect them soon because of the process regarding the truce and the alliance.

"Thank you," I say. "That means a lot."

Up ahead I see Nigel and Corrine nearby a wagon; taking the rolled-up rugs from Anton and tossing them into the wagon.

"Nigel!" I shout as we walk closer to our direction. After his head turns to my direction, I say, "Father wants you to take your sword with you in case we come across any Reapers."

"I already have it on me," he says rolling his eyes. He mutters something under his breath.

"That is my brother in case you should know," I say. "Father removed him from Anya's unit because he almost got killed."

"What did he do?" Wells asks me.

"Long story short, he let in a deceiving Azgeda warrior into our territory and nearly got himself killed," I answer. "Father placed him in his unit to keep a eye on him."

"I like to hear the long story," says Wells.

"Nigel might die of embarrassment though," I say as Nigel comes closer.

"I'm going to tell father that I have my sword so that I can get him off my back." Nigel looks at Wells. "You're one of the Sky People, are you?"

"Yes and I heard a bit about you after I landed on the ground," says Wells, offering his hand. "Wells Jaha."

Nigel takes it without hesitation and shakes it. "I'm Nigel, but you know that already. So, what prompted you to fall from your Space Castle?"

Wells hesitates and drags his foot on the ground. He looks at me and says, "I wanted to tell you, Costia but Clarke didn't trust you with the information. In fact, she told the others not to say anything about it."

"About what?" I ask. I knew there was a reason why they all came down here but I never actually thought to pursue that question. Looking at it I should had.

"They sent me, Clarke, and ninety-eight others down here to test the Earth's survivability because the life support on the Ark was failing," Wells answers. "That's why Clarke's father got executed. He found the flaw last year and they executed him because he was going to go public with the information."

It's like someone smashed my skull open and drained the contents of my brain. Clarke didn't want me to know that the real reason they came down was that the life support was failing? Her mother turned in her husband because he was going to public with that information when she should have known better since people were being floated left and right for minor infractions?

People shout in discomfort and anger, with the word traitor being distinguishable. I look to see Lincoln walking towards the group of people packing items, with Bellamy, Raven, and Octavia near him. Lincoln's presence was predictably going to be met with a hostile reaction.

"Take him out of here," Lexa orders.

Rangers move in on Lincoln; with Bellamy and Octavia springing in front of him to protect him.

"Wait!" Wells shouts. "He should come with us."

Everyone looks at Wells strangely. As if he was speaking a foreign language.

"I apologize but he was exiled for pursuing sexual relations with someone belonging to the enemy," Titus says. "He escaped execution after he refused to leave."

"That was before the truce," Wells points out. "That was when we were your enemy. What he did shouldn't matter anymore, now that we are civil. This happened at his village and he has every right to go."

Father, Anya, and Indra exchange looks and whisper to each other while Titus consults with a pondering Lexa. She and Anya exchange a look before Lexa looks at Wells.

"Alright, we'll take him back," Lexa answers. "But he has a mark on him. Only due to this alliance he will remain with his clan."

"What mark exactly?" Octavia argues, stepping forward.

I approach Octavia and say, "Don't push it with Lexa. She can get quite nasty if you show her even the slightest disrespect."

I love Lexa. She's like a sister to me and everything feels partially unresolved but Lexa is also the ruthless Commander who punishes people severely for insubordination. There's a reason why people steer clear from the area below the balcony window of the Commander's Tower.

Octavia glares but she doesn't say anything.

I go to father and Anya, saying, "Everything could have been avoided if we knew why they came down."

"What are you talking about, Costia?" father asks. "Did they say something?"

"Apparently they didn't trust me to know that the reason they came down was because the life support on their space home was failing," I say. "They sent them down first to test the Earth's survivability and with limited knowledge about Earth Skills."

"What?" Anya says, her face flushing red. "It could have been avoided. If we knew before the flares we could have integrated them into our clan sooner."

Father doesn't say anything though he turns to look at Abby, who's with her daughter and a oriental woman, and glares at her. "She sent her daughter down to a planet they weren't sure was safe for human life and she had the gall to criticize me for treating you as the warrior you are."

We left when the sky was still black but as we continued on, the sky lightened and gradually the sun peeks above the horizon. Along the trail of combined Skaikru and Trikru, both groups stick to their peers; though Lincoln and I are an exception. Raven is riding on the wagon carrying the body of the murderer.

Most likely to avoid contact with Clarke.

"You still think this truce is a bad idea, don't you?" Clarke asks Bellamy.

"I think we're wasting our time with politics while our friends are in trouble," says Bellamy.

"If we didn't use politics, it would be harder to focus on getting our friends out with the clan watching us like a hawk and treating our every move like a threat when we have other options," Wells says. "Besides, we're not the only people to have our people held captive in that Mountain."

"Wells is right," Clarke says. "Also, we need their army to get into Mount Weather and you know that."

"Their army has been getting their ass kicked by Mount Weather forever," Bellamy says. "What we need is an inside man. Someone to be our eyes and ears."

I roll my eyes and say, "In case you don't know, our clan has tried at least four times seventy years after the bombs to take on Mount Weather and yes, one of them was an inside man but he was drained before he could do anything."

"So you actually tried taking them on," Bellamy says, interest in his tone, but though not hostile, it's guarded. "What were the other three things your clan did?"

"First attempt was biological warfare," I answer. "It most likely didn't work because the attack group was ambushed by the Mountain Men."

"And they sterilize everything that comes in and keep out contaminated objects," Clarke says.

"The second attempt we sent an assassin into Mount Weather, because we thought that the only problem was the leader," I continue. "The assassin never came out but we assumed it worked because the reaping ceased for five years until it started up again."

"Perhaps someone wanted to go back to harvesting blood of people against their will and usurped the new leader for that reason," Wells deduces.

"That's what we assumed," I confirm. "Then we did the inside man thing and that failed. Fourth attempt was a full frontal assault. The Mountain Men responded with Acid Fog. Killed three hundred and fifty people."

"Then you gave up just like that?" Bellamy says.

"What was the point if they kept using tech to thwart our attempts?" I ask. "Everything we do, they stop us at every turn but if you think you are some special snowflake and think you can succeed getting in without drained, you're mistaken. The only way for your plan to work is if someone among them freed you and the odds are slim to none. The Mountain Men only care about themselves and everyone outside is expendable."

Clarke bites her lip before saying, "See. That's why I don't want you to go. It's too dangerous."

"Clarke, if you can get out, I can get in," Bellamy says.

"I can't lose you too, okay?" Clarke replies, looking at Bellamy.

We're quiet as we walk down the gravel path; the sun casting light on the trees. Everything is tranquil as it always has been in the forests.

"When do you think it's safe for your father to know the extent of our friendship?" he asks. "I mean, I know we kissed twice but that doesn't make for a serious relationship."

I look back and look at my father who's riding on his horse with Anya beside him; though Lexa, Titus, and Gustus are riding in front of them. Too far back to see whether they are having a conversation or not.

"He's going to find out anyway," I say. "That is one thing that can't be hidden. He was fully aware of my past relationship. He didn't mind that my first partner was the Commander when he knew she was supposed to be celibate."

."Wait. Hold the phone," says Clarke, her eyebrows raised. "So you're saying you and Lexa were once an item?"

I nod. "We were best friends first before it blossomed into something more but we ended it five years ago. We're just friends now."

"Why did you end it? Did something happen?" Wells asks me.

"The Commander is supposed to be celibate throughout his or her incumbency," I answer. "Romantic relationships, regardless if it's either just emotional or sexual, is forbidden. They say that love is weakness to the Commander's power. That romantic feelings to another individual will cloud their judgment when making a political decision."

Bellamy shakes his head. "When you said that the Commander sent you to our camp, ex-girlfriend never registered in my mind."

"That is because I never told you as that was irrelevant information," I say.

By nightfall, we set up camp by the cluster of buildings that are a few miles away from TonDC. As we pitch up the tents, I notice that the Sky People have pitched their tents a half a mile from ours. This demonstrated their distrust of us and I could say the same for us. Early into an alliance after everything has happened, it's bound to be shaky.

As soon as someone begins to boil soup for dinner, Wells approaches our collection of tents. Though Abby is a few feet from him.

"Wells, come back," Abby says to him. "I don't think that they want anyone else to join."

"He's okay," father says to her. "He's not hurting anyone."

"Oh, it's just that, I thought it would be better if he stayed with us, because we're his people," Abby answers.

"Communication between both groups will help this alliance," Anya reminds her. "If we don't talk to each other, it will fracture and it will break before we could bust our people out of that Mountain."

"I see your point," says Abby stiffly before going back to her side of the camp. Passing her are Clarke and Bellamy who are joining our collection of tents; though the latter shows hesitation. He still doesn't trust us.

"Decided to follow his gesture?" father asks as they both take a seat.

"If Wells thinks it's a good idea to sit here, we should trust his judgment," Bellamy answers.

Father turns his gaze to Bellamy. "I am surprised you are walking upright," father says with a smirk. "Usually people are six feet under if they make the mistake of attacking me from the front."

"I don't want to imagine what they look like after you are done with them," Bellamy says snidely. "Considering that you done a number on my face."

"I would watch your tongue if I were you," father threatens, "because I wouldn't hesitate to rip that tongue from your mouth a second time."

Bellamy scowls at the threat and father just turns away from him since he didn't get the desired result. As Indra returns to our collection of tents and Lexa comes out of hers, Clarke spaces out like she sees something.

Something that sends her chills.

"Costia, mind if you tell me the long version of that story involving your brother and the Ice Nation warrior?" Wells asks me.

Nigel groans and turns over in his blanket. "Please, don't tell it. I'll die of embarrassment."

I chuckle. "Anya told the Commander, so it would not be different if I told Wells."

Nigel sits right up; his face drained of blood. "You told the Commander?" he demands to Anya. "Why?"

"I have always told Lexa what was going on in my unit," Anya answers. "She always asked those questions."

"If it makes you feel better, Costia repeated the story to me a few days later," Lexa continues.

My brother grabs his blanket and pillow. "I am not hungry. I'm going to bed so don't bother waking me up when the soup is ready."

He walks to the tent that he, father, and I share with Anya.

Bellamy looks after him and says, "Guess being a warrior doesn't stop him from acting his age."

"He's a warrior but he has that trusting streak," Indra says. "Something that his father says it could get him killed."

"Nigel nearly got himself killed because of that," Anya says. "He would have been dead if I wasn't there."

"As incompetent as he is, he still has some use," father says. "He's good at preventing the enemy from leaving during battle."

"If he's an incompetent warrior, why do you keep him?" Clarke asks.

"We're a clan of over two thousand people," father answers. "We need all the bodies we can get to throw at the enemy."

"He's only a boy," Bellamy says. "He shouldn't be fighting at the age he is."

"When we train our warriors, we work closely with them," Anya says. "The mentor has to keep tabs on their Second. To make sure they are in a position to ensure their survival. Your people just dumped you here without any resources to help adapt."

"Nor do we execute people for petty things and for having another child," I point out.

It's been five hours since I fell asleep in my area of the tent. I snapped my eyes shut and think of pages of pages of books that I have always lost myself to help me sleep. However, thinking such thoughts doesn't help for I find myself standing on a snowbank strewn with arrows and bodies. In front of me is the murderer with that assault rifle. His eyes black and soulless like the last nightmare.

I have no time to react when he shoots and my eyes fly open. I bolt right up. My copy of A Song of Ice and Fire falling from my lap. I look next to me to see Nigel still a few feet away from me. Curled up in his blankets and out like a candle. Father and Anya sleep across from us and I feel like they are trying hard to not move closer to each other.

I take a deep breath and slip on my boots before venturing outside. Some of the guards are sleeping on the ground. I notice that Bellamy has retreated back to the Sky People collection of tents while Clarke is sleeping in the gap. Wells is sleeping much closer to our collection of tents.

Is it worth the risk? Lincoln has a mark on him because of his relationship with Octavia and the same could happen to me. However, the odds of them finding out about our relationship are high considering the alliance. I take a deep breath and approach his sleeping bag before slipping into it.

My movement seems to stir him awake. He turns over and cracks a smile. "Can't sleep?"

"I tried but I couldn't," I say, nestling my head against his chest.

"We are right out in the open," he says. "You said earlier that your father wouldn't mind but what about the others in your clan? The alliance is a few days fresh and everything is shaky."

I take his hand and kiss it. "What is the point of hiding when they will find out anyway?"