267 lives lost at Runai

328 lives lost at Tuneco.

595 total.

There was no hard evidence that existed to prove which clan committed the attacks on the villages. All they had was what little information they could go on about the Dreamwalker. She knew it would not be enough for her ambassadors to take up arms so soon. They required hard proof not word of mouth. She had two weeks before the meeting in Polis, two weeks to think, plan and possibly find their proof.

Lexa felt extremely discouraged. Whoever coordinated those attacks was a step ahead of her. Whoever this puppeteer in the shadows was she was pulling the strings with such skill that Lexa could not help but feel worried and threatened. If she really could see all then what chance would they have? The warrior who sacrificed himself in front of Lexa in the woods only made matters worse. It only increased her nerves and fear of this woman.

In their culture all life is a gift, it goes hand in hand with reincarnation. 'If death has no cost then life has no meaning'. This man took his gift and squandered it by taking his own life. Their people found no honour in such an act; that man would not receive another life to come back with. He would get no other chances. For him to have such beliefs and still take his own life in fear of this Dreamwalker shook Lexa to the core.

Fear plays a big role in the hearts of men, her Heda within reminded her.

She shivered in the night air and adjusted her hood to better cover her ears once more. The air was biting at her cheeks the closer they got to TonDC. Icraus moved swiftly up and over logs, through the trees and brush. He kept Lexa safe in his back like the trusted mount he was. He had been running for hours but he was still ready and willing to get her to her destination. When she was almost to TonDC she kicked Icaraus into another gear leaving her warriors behind, she couldn't wait for them any longer.

As she made her way through the worn down trail Lexa had to slow Icarus as she came across a body. She immediately recognized him through the darkness as one of her runners. She had sent the man from Runai to TonDC to inform Clarke of their movement to Tuneco. He obviously never made it. Lexa saw a large hole in his back. A spear had gored the man. That makes 596 murdered. These new enemies were too connected and far too coordinated for her liking.

She snarled and kicked Icarus into a blistering run again. She rubbed at the icy pains in her chest and tried to ignore the worry in her veins. She had to find Clarke; she had to get to TonDC.

"Ryder?" Lexa loudly greeted the man when she saw him emerge from the shadows. She set her jaw and swallowed the lump in her throat. She did not like the feeling coming over her right now. She still clutched at her chest. She halted Icarus and he puffed white breath into the night that mingled with her own.

"Heda," the man bowed slightly emerging from the dark.

"Ou ste Klark?" Where is Clarke? She demanded. Her voice was steel with her emotions; her throat was raw and dry. They were just outside of TonDC now and seeing the man only confirmed her belief that something was wrong. The look on his face confirmed the feeling inside her. She rubbed her chest again.

"Arkadia. She said you will find her there." Ryder answered gruffly in Trig.

Lexa swallowed. Clarke had gone back to Ark. Not good, she wouldn't have left unless something was wrong. Whatever was happening at the Ark and what happened in the villages could all be connected, "Do we have any information?"

Ryder shook his head and lowered his gaze, "Not enough. Just a radio warning from the bird girl."

Raven.

Lexa growled, "Inform a runner from TonDC, post him here for our men. They are to find us at Arkadia." Ryder looked at Lexa again and she set her jaw. She didn't need to hear how foolish and dangerous this could potentially be, it was Clarke and she was going. Right now. She raised her right hand to silence him before he even spoke, "Pleni." Enough. She was pissed, she was worried, she was frustrated, she was afraid and she was overwhelmed.

She took it out on Ryder, "You were to stay close to her! You should not even be here right now if she is not. You failed your duty to your Heda."

She watched Ryder flinch at her words before he adjusted his head and licked his lip, "Wanheda found a way around that command Heda."

Of course she did. Clarke always found a way. Lexa's lip twitched just slightly, that girl was entirely too clever for her own good. She adjusted and softened her posture somewhat; this was not Ryder's fault. Clarke did what she felt she needed to do.

"We speak of this later. Catch up." Lexa kicked Icarus into a fast gallop leaving frost and half frozen dirt behind her. Icarus was her fastest steed; she would be at least an hour ahead of her men if they kept going full tilt. She gripped the reigns tighter in Clarke's hand made muff and bent her shoulders forward trying to brace herself against the cold wind. Icarus pulled left sharply and she felt a tiny branch slice open a small cut on her cheek. Lexa didn't even wipe away at the blood now dripping from the cut. In fact, she barely felt it.

Her body felt oddly numb. And she knew it wasn't from the cold night or the hard ride.

She could feel the adrenaline in her veins and the warmth in her heart pumping but it lacked its usual effect. She felt dull except for the sudden sharp icy pains in her heart. She worried for Clarke whenever she felt them. They were happening more and more as the hours went on. Lexa knew the feeling was originating with Clarke – Lexa was feeling Clarke's emotional pain. A few times her head went foggy and her body would buckle slightly in pain but she remained upright on Icarus. She was determined to get to Clarke. If Lexa was feeling like this, she didn't know what kind of state she was going to find her little lionheart in. She shivered at the thought.

She felt weak and tired. She felt emotional. She felt dread and despair.

The sun was rising and Lexa was riding through the trees almost to Arkadia when she heard it. A haunting, bellowing, shrieking cry echoed around her. Lexa clutched at her heart, "Clarke." She just knew it was coming from her. She felt it. She began to panic. It felt like her heart was shredding inside her for each new wail she heard Clarke make.

This was taking too long; Lexa grit her teeth and decided to risk it. She turned Icarus to bolt through the tree cover into the open space. And then she saw her.

Clarke was on her knees and continuing to shriek in despair. The sound was hollow and unlike any she had ever heard her make. It terrified her. As Lexa got closer she saw she was covered in blood. It was on her hands, her legs, her chest and face. It was in her hood and in her hair creating a twisted blonde and red disaster. Lexa couldn't sense and real physical pain from Clarke right now, meaning very little of the blood on her was her own.

She launched herself off of Icarus while he was in full stride and he thundered on a few feet as Lexa landed softly at a full run. She swiftly crossed the distance to Clarke. She took a few shaky breaths when she reached her. Clarke looked so distraught. She didn't hear her approach, she didn't hear Icarus thunder by and she didn't see Lexa beside her. Lexa moved her hand into Clarke's hood and hair to rest it soothingly on the back of her neck. I'm here.

She felt Clarke instantly sink into her side and clutch to her for dear life. Her screaming was muffled only slightly, it broke Lexa's heart.

"You found me," she heard Clarke choke out between her next shattering chorus of wails. Her voice came out so broken. Lexa folded to the ground around her and held her tight.

"Always," Lexa said quietly in her ear as she hugged her close.

It is then when she feels the eyes on them. She can sense it.

She looked around quickly into the morning, she saw no one.

Her heart began to beat harder in her chest. They needed to move. Lexa lifted Clarke's chin, she sucked in a sharp breath when she realized Clarke's blue eyes were leaking bloody tears. Clarke was infected. Now she knew what had happened at Arkadia.

Lexa panicked all over again. Clarke had an even larger battle on her hands now, she realized. This was not good, "I am right here Clarke. But you need to come with me. We are being watched. We aren't safe."

Lexa swung Clarke's arm over her shoulder and quickly helped Clarke move towards Arkadia. Some of the men Clarke had brought with her came running out with a board to be used as a stretcher. Clarke continued to cry and clutch to Lexa's hand even when they got her on the board. Lexa directed them into the woods to the right of Arkadia where she then ordered her men to set their camps in the tree cover. They would not be staying in Arkadia. She couldn't risk her people getting sick with the fever. Her black blood made her immune so Clarke could stay with her. Lexa was informed of the casualties within the Ark's grounds. She felt every loss, just as Clarke had. They were their people. She had her men begin to remove the bodies from the Ark. They would have the funeral pyres tomorrow in the field outside Arkadia. The remaining Arkadians would have to set up their own camps as well for the next three days while the Ark aired out and was cleaned.

Lexa left word for Abby of Clarke's condition. She knew she would worry but Lexa requested they not be bothered for the rest of the day. Clarke was her priority right now.

When the tents were up Lexa had Nyko help her check over Clarke. She saw bruises and a couple scuffs on her face as well as a somewhat healed split lip. Clarke was physically okay for the most part. She had not coughed up any blood nor did the bloody tears continue. It was shortly after Lexa arrived to Clarke's side that her tears returned to their salty clear drops. This is when Lexa finally breathed a little easier. She now knew Clarke would be okay. She smiled warmly while looking at the blonde. She was so strong. She just needed rest now.

Nyko left the tent and Lexa helped Clarke get out of her clothes so she could wash her body. The clothes may as well be burned, the blood would never come out. Clarke said nothing but sobbed softly as Lexa cleaned her up. Her crying was much weaker now than what it had been a couple hours ago. Her breathing was slowing and she was even feeling warmer to the touch again. She was calming down. Lexa sighed as she gently scrubbed the dirt and blood from Clarke.

"Come on Clarke," Lexa led a naked Clarke to the bed. When she got in Clarke curled into a ball, hugging her knees to her chest. Lexa put the furs over her and quickly changed out of her gear and clothes. She then slid into the bed beside Clarke and the blonde instantly grabbed for her and pulled herself closer. Lexa felt their naked bodies ignite against each other in the wonderful heat they always shared. It both came from and went to her heart. It soothed them both. Clarke folded herself around Lexa so her head was on her chest. Lexa put her arms around her and kissed her forehead. They said nothing. Lexa simply began to hum Clarke's song as she stroked her hair and let the blonde finally drift off to sleep. She pulled Clarke closer and had her other arm protectively around her. She had Clarke's head tucked in safely to the crook of her neck and she could feel her soft puffs of breath on her skin.

They can deal with the world tomorrow.

For now, they will sleep.

It was the middle of the day.