A.N: I'm on a roll, lol. Freshly finished Chapter as of maybe ten minutes ago. Enjoy.
Alec's superstitious nature meant that entering through the main gate wasn't an option. It wasn't until they began the trek around the outside of the walls of Polis, that Clarke realized that using a different entrance would add an extra half an hour to their journey.
By the time they finally approached a much smaller side gate, Alec and Miller were practically carrying Lincoln, his legs were merely dragging behind him as they walked.
Even Octavia looked worse for the wear having twisted her ankle when she swapped places with Miller supporting Lincoln just before they spotted Polis in the distance.
With every step she took she swore colorfully, her limp extremely obvious. She wouldn't be able to train on that ankle until the swelling went down at the very least.
Clarke wasn't even surprised when they turned the corner and were met by a unit of Polis warriors, their weapons were drawn.
It's a good thing they weren't trying to secretly invade polis because they would have failed spectacularly.
"Halt, this entrance is for Coalition warriors only. Remove any weapons immediately and state your reason for being here." The Warrior at the front demanded brandishing an incredibly sharp and unmistakably deadly sword warningly.
When Alec pulled back his hood, the warriors immediately dipped their heads and raised a clenched fist and held it over their hearts.
"Fos Wormana. I am Atticus, Captain of The Polis Guard. Forgive us, we did not know... Or expect your return." The man at the front replied only lifting his head after Alec did not respond verbally.
With a nod from Alec, Atticus stood upright and his warriors copied him but kept their gazes lowered to the ground.
"I never send word of arrival. It ensures limited interference from outside forces. Heda is aware, send word Skaikru and I have arrived." Alec murmurs, the Captain swallows nervously his eyes flickering to the other members of the traveling party before waving his hand and one of the warriors at the back falls away silently and disappears from sight.
An uncomfortable silence falls over them. And Octavia breaks it when she speaks from leaning against the wall grimacing in pain and keeping her foot raised, so only her toes touch the ground.
"Fos Wormana. I don't think I've heard that phrase before."
Alec smiles, a huff of laughter suppressed. "Always so curious, always trying to learn. Fos Wormana is not a phrase. It is a title. One bestowed upon me by Our Heda. It means The First War Chief. It is a title I haven't used or heard since I traveled to Floukru."
"Got it, Bad memories," Octavia replied quietly.
"No, Not all bad," Alec replied, before silently turning to face the shadows as a tall woman peeled away from the shadows.
"You're late Alec. You're never late." A tall blonde woman, with sharp cheekbones, spoke her expression and voice void of emotion.
"Yes well, we had quite the run-in with a particularly vicious Ripa. So an unavoidable delay. It is good to see you Onya. Last I heard you were appointed to lead the Rangers. You're a long way from your assigned territory."
"And you're extremely well informed for a man who has been hiding from the world for the past three years."
"And I would hate for my first action upon my return, to be the removal of your tongue. You may be the Commander's first but I am and will be until my fight ends, the Fos Wormana of the Commanders Great Coalition."
"But this one time, I won't act hastily, next time may be different," Alec replied his voice equally void of emotion.
Tipping her head in acknowledgment, Anya turned and "Weapons in the bin." Anya waited silently as Clarke silently removed her gun holster at her hip and the other removed their swords and daggers.
"You're guards may retain one sword and one dagger. You may keep your set." She murmured before gesturing for them to follow her.
"Welcome to Polis," she spoke dryly as the small gates opened into a large courtyard with long one-story buildings making up three sides of a rectangle which ran along in front and to either side.
"Holy Shit," Octavia whispered as she took in the surrounding buildings immediately around them and the others that spread out behind them.
"Quite," Anya replied a glint in her eyes showing her amusement at Octavia's reaction.
"I will act as your guide until your meeting with the Commander but until then. Since it's after dark and you and your traveling companions look like you had a difficult journey. For now ill just show you to your rooms within the tower."
" And will someone get Lincoln and the little warrior-to-be some horses? At the speed, they're moving it'll take all night to get to the Commander's tower."
"Wow, you're concerned. Thanks for Noticing Onya." Lincoln huffed from where he was still leaning on Miller.
Anya just blankly returned his stare as two horses where removed from a nearby stable and murmured, "You're welcome." Before turning away as the wall guards helped them to mount the horses.
"These quarters are where the coalition Warriors and the Polis Guard are stationed. Beyond it is the marketplace, which is deserted by this time of night but during the day its ..."
Clarke allowed Anya's words to drop into the background. If she had been shocked by the farm lands surrounding Polis, the city was even more amazing.
Here was a completely independent thriving civilization on the ground. With old-world ruins, repaired and reused alongside new builds mostly made of wood. Yes, the Floukru had shown her that the human race had survived and adapted but Polis represented something else entirely.
The warrior escorting them alongside Anya remained silent and separate until they came to the foot of the stairs to the Tower. Where they silently helped Lincoln and Octavia down from their horses. Something, Octavia was extremely reluctant to do, judging by the frown on her face when Alec helped her down off the back of the horse.
Clarke knew she was gapping but couldn't seem to stop herself. She still found it difficult to believe that her surroundings were real and she couldn't even begin to imagine the city alive and bustling filled with people from different clans all living in peace with one another.
It truly hit Clarke how oblivious and self-absorbed the Ark's belief that they were the last of Mankind and that they were the last capable of innovation and the creative drive required to bring about change. It fully hit home with Clarke, when Anya led them to the door of an Elevator which opened with the turn of a handle.
"You have a working elevator. There are torches and lanterns for light. Do you use electricity? To what extent." Clarke asked in surprise
"It manpower operated," Anya replied before waving them inside. Once everyone was inside and the doors were closed the elevator began to rise at first in jerking motions, then more smoothly the higher they rose.
It took everything in Clarke to settle her stomach as it churned warningly. How ironic a girl who lived her entire life in space and fell to the earth was afraid of heights. The others didn't appear to share her fear they merely just seemed amused by Octavia's palpable excitement as she smiled widely.
After several minutes when they came to a jerking stop, Clarke quietly signed inwardly in relief but she could feel Anya's gaze upon her as though she knew what was going through Clarke's mind.
As soon as the doors opened Clarke strode out and waited as the rest embarked. She purposely ignored Anya's stare, it was only when Alec loudly cleared his throat and when that didn't jar Anya's scrutiny from Clarke, Alec walked forward and collided his shoulder hard enough with Anya's that she was shoved forward a step before she regained her balance.
"Subtle Anya. But if you will, we'd like to retire for the night." Alec growled warningly.
"Of course Fos Wormana." She sniped before striding ahead down the hall, not waiting for the others to follow.
Without pausing she flung open a set of double doors at the end of the corridor. "These will be your quarters for now or perhaps the duration of your stay, I really couldn't say, nor do I care. If you need something, bother one of the servants, not me. Got it? Right. I'll be back here first light tomorrow to give you that tour." With that, she spun on her heel and walked down another corridor and disappeared out of sight.
"Well, she's so polite and chirpy." Octavia quipped sarcastically as she limped over to the sofa and collapsed gracelessly down on it, yelping as her foot hit the ground when she bounced in place.
"Well someone may dig out some bandages and other supplies, so I can wrap that ankle and check that head of yours, Lincoln. The sooner we all get some sleep, the better. When Anya says first light I actually think she means before sunrise."
Octavia groaned as she brought a cushion up over her face.
Despite her protests, Alec and Miller insisted on organizing and standing watch. Both wouldn't let Clarke argue or share the watches. Alec's response that she had a big day before her was true but Clarke felt awful that the two who had basically carried Lincoln the whole last leg of their journey wouldn't get a good night's rest now that they had arrived at their destination.
But Alec's response had silenced any more of Clarke's arguments.
"This may be peacetime and Polis may be neutral territory, it doesn't mean that various factions wouldn't attempt to remove you and your people out of misguided fear of the potential threat that you could pose."
So when Anya arrived just as the sun began to rise in the sky the next morning, Clarke and her party were awake and waiting. Being up so ridiculously was worth it, to see the expression on Anya's face when she turned the corner and seen them dressed and waiting outside their room.
Rolling her eyes, Anya spun on her heel and started back down the corridor she'd come from and left them trailing behind her. Thankfully this time she used the stairs.
When they left the Tower Clarke froze in wonder at the bustling people that moved across the courtyard and the surrounding streets as the market came to life with the dawning of a new day.
As they traveled through the market Clarke was in awe of the vast services and products created and sold within the market. It was truly awe-inspiring the combination of old-world crafts in a world that had survived nuclear destruction.
In spite of initial weariness, the traders and artisans showed when they realized these new comers weren't Floukru like their clothing implied. But Clarke in particular had a way of interacting with them in such a way it was impossible not to be pulled into discussing their trade or craft. And Lincoln and Octavia's carrying on between one another couldn't be mistaken for anything else but two people, circling each other because they were interested in one another as more than friends.
As they were leaving the market place Clarke was turning to speak to Alec when a small body collided with her back, entangling in her legs, and knocking her to the ground.
The sound of Clarke's laughter as she spotted the frightened child and set about untangling their limbs from one another drew shocked gazes from the people nearby.
"Are you okay?" Clarke murmured as she helped the young girl to her feet.
"I... I wasn't looking where I was going. It's my fault." The young girl of about six years old, whispered fearfully, shrinking in Clarke's gentle hold on her shoulders and letting her hair fall forward and hide her face.
Clarke's face softened as she smiled and gently swept the wild curls back from the child's face.
"It's okay, no harm done." Kneeling down to the girl's height, Clarke's voice remained soft.
"I wasn't really paying attention either. Polis is so beautiful and different from anythingI've ever seen before." Clarke looked around expecting to see a worried parent nearby but was surprised when no one stepped forward to claim the child.
"My name's Clarke. What's yours? Are your parents nearby?"
Bashfully, the child dropped her head hiding her green eyes from sight and played with the ends of her long curly hair.
"Hi Klark, I'm Mia. I-I don't have- My parents were warriors, they... I live in Polis house now."
Due to the confusion evident in her expression, Alec knelt beside Clarke and explained.
"Mia here, is a resident of Polis house, its where lost children of the coalition live under the care of a local woman."
"You mean, she's an Orphan," Octavia said bluntly.
"Yes," Anya explained her voice and expression void of emotion.
"We were abandoned. Some of us might have one parent still alive in the Ark in space. They might die or have already died. We don't know. But we don't call ourselves orphans, we're the delinquents. Right, Clarke." Octavia explained while jokingly nudging Clarke.
"Maybe, on the Ark we were. Now were Skaikru, Were family." Clarke explained keeping one hand on Mia's shoulder while she silently reached back and squeezed Octavia's hand and Miller placed his hand on Octavia's shoulder, linking them together to one another in the silence as the crowd watched the interaction.
"We need to go before Anya gets anymore annoyed at us," Clarke joked. Anya huffed and began to walk away slowly, staying within sight while Clarke said her goodbyes.
"But I'd like to visit you at Polis house. We all would, once things are settled. Would that be okay?" Clarke asked.
Nodding Mia ducked her head and smiled. "We'll see you soon Mia," Clarke whispered as she reluctantly released her hold on the girl's shoulder and began to follow Anya.
Clarke Couldn't help herself from looking back one more time as the girl smiled softly to herself, twirling her hair between her fingers before she began to walk away, quickly disappearing into the crowds of the marketplace.
By the time they finished the tour of Polis, it was long past midday and Octavia was limping badly as they circled back to the Warrior bunkers and the courtyard. Today was vastly different than last night's first view. During the day it was being used as various fighting pits for different warriors to train in.
The clothing alone provided some insight into the presence of various clan Warriors.
Anya's suddenly stopped beside an older dark-skinned woman who although not only tall, and despite her smaller frame exuded strength from her muscles body.
"This Is Indra. She is one of the Commander's Trikru Generals. She commands TonDc and the surrounding forests.
Clarke watched as Alec and Indra silently greeted one another. But Clarke and the others received nothing more than a frown.
As they continued walking in between the chalk-drawn circles for fights, Indra following along behind them. Clarke's attention was drawn to a group of warriors in light-colored leathers and fur.
A feeling of hostility and animosity surrounded and was projected toward this group. And despite the heat, they were dressed for cold temperatures and they seemed to be staring daggers at Clarke and the others while they spoke in some foreign language that Clarke had never heard before.
"Azgeda," Anya said.
The confusion was evident by Clarke's expression. "Those warriors practically undressing you while glaring at you and the other Skaikru at the same time. They are Ice Nation."
When they realized Clarke and the others were staring at them, the one in the middle made a particularly rude gesture whilst pointing at Clarke.
Octavia went rigid at her side and tried to step forward to confront them. The anger at them completely ruined, when she stepped forward warningly and yelped as her ankle gave way. It was only Indra's quick relaxes that stopped her tumbling to the ground.
"Oh great, another Branwoda (fool), who can't control their temper." She scathed under her breath.
"Leave it, Octavia. If they want to behave like buffoons, let them. Besides, there's no training on that ankle, never mind fighting on it until it heals."
"Besides I think she likes me." The one who made the gesture jeered as he broke in, his English crystal clear as his gaze raking over Clarke's form, making her skin crawl as he looked her body up and down.
"You wish," Clarke replied, letting her own gaze sweep over his form, implying she found him lacking.
"These are the mighty Skaikru that the tree monkeys fear. Their bitch of leader doesn't even have properly trained guards. Crippling yourself, amateur move Gaga (girl)." He replied shrugging off Clarke's remark.
Miller stepped forward but Alec grabbed his arm holding him in place.
"Watch your tongue. Or I'll remove it." Alec growled warningly, his body shaking in anger.
That's when it registered with Clarke, these people's Queen had orchestrated the grizzly murder of Alec's Daughter.
"Alec, it's fine." Clarke murmured as she placed a hand on his neck cradling his jaw forcing him to break his gaze from staring daggers at the Azgeda warrior. Both Indra and Anya looked on in confusion by Alec allowing Clarke's intimate touch.
She paused and before she began to speak, her face went blank, and her voice soft.
"You never said your name, Warrior."
"Colt Kom Azgeda."
"Am I meant to be frightened of you because you're Ice Nation?" Clarke replied smirking, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she stepped out of Alec's reach and began to move to the side.
"The Big bad Azgeda. One of the most ferocious Clans in the Coalition. The people who would stoop to kidnapping innocent people, torturing them to find out what they know and cutting off their heads. Cowards who have no honor." Clarke continued circling him.
The Silence that fell over the yard was deafening as Clarke continued to speak, she let her hands fall loosely to her sides as she watched Colt as the color drained from his face.
"You know my people have a saying for someone who can't keep their mouths shut, they're usually trying to compensate for what they're lacking. Some might say honor, in your Clans regards." Clarke snapped, watching as the other Azgeda warriors' eyes dropped momentarily.
"But in your case, I'm guessing it's something a little more ... telling," Clarke remarked letting her gaze drop briefly, staring pointedly at his crotch before flicking it back up to meet his gaze as she smirked.
Colt puffed up in anger, his face going bright red before he suddenly charged at Clarke shouting.
"Skaikru Bitch!"
Clarke waited until Colt was within reaching distance before she spun, ducking under his arms and delivering a kick to his lower back causing him to go crashing into the ground, sending dirt up into the air.
"Got it in one, did I?" Clarke mocked.
"Alright you're fast," Colt gritted out as he fought not to cough from the dust he inhaled when he landed as he pushed himself upright and onto his feet.
"Let see you save yourself without your precious Maun weapons."
With a battle cry, Colt widely swung his arm out and tried to backhand Clarke while simultaneously retrieving a dagger from a sheath on his right hip. Clarke Levered backward and as his dagger drove down towards her chest it collided with a clang against one of Clarke's daggers that she removed as soon as Colt began to charge her again.
The crowd watched in silence as Clarke and her opponent circled one another. Blocking each other blows before colliding back together as the daggers clanged and slid off one another.
Alec rose a hand to his forehead pinching the bridge of her nose. "She knows better than this. " Alec spoke exasperatedly.
"What! Alec do something before he kills her!" Octavia screeched as Anya and Indra looked on in shock and Lincoln kept his arms tight around Octavia, holding her back from the fighting pit.
In the distance from a window in the warrior's Bunker, The Commander watched as the Skaikru leader baited the Azgeda Warrior into attacking her.
Ryder and Gustus who had stationed themselves either side of her watched in shocked silence as the Skai girl avoided Colt Kom Azgeda' s first charge, appearing behind him while he crashed to the ground.
The Flamekeeper, rushed to join them looking out the window as the fight unfolded.
When Colt withdrew his sword from the scabbard on his back, the girl widened the space between them, returning her dagger to its holster before she initiated a charge of her own. At the last second, she dropped to the ground under his guard, skidding between his legs, swiftly rising to her feet, a dagger in both hands. One hand swiped out at the back of his arm the other dropped lower to his opposite leg.
Suddenly his sword arm went limp, his sword dropping to the ground uselessly while his left leg buckled, leaving him kneeling on one knee.
"Looks like Alec has done more than befriending the Skai girl. I'd recognize elements of that fighting style anywhere, he's trained her." Gustus spoke his voice croaking out in shock.
"Stop messing around Clarke." Alec bellowed in annoyance.
Clarke huffed a laugh. Colt used the distraction and swung his remaining left hand down holding his dagger, aiming to embed it in Clarke'sthigh. Before Colt could make contact, Clarke left hand swished up and across his left wrist, the dagger falling from his grip while Clarke swiped it out of the air and into her own hand, while she simultaneously used her other hand to slice across the back of his right knee.
Colt was left kneeling shocked on the ground, completely unarmed as Clarke stood over him smirking.
Suddenly her hand swung out to the side and Colt's stolen dagger was imbedded in the forearm of the raised arm of the second Azgeda Warrior who began to charge as soon as Colt was unarmed.
She swiftly grabbed Colt's lost sword and she came within reaching distance she drove the sword into his foot, pinning it to the ground. She launched herself into the air, wrapping arms and legs around her attacker. As she swung around him, She retrieved the dagger and used the hilt to aim a blow at the base of his skull, he harshly crashed to the ground unconscious. The remaining Azgeda warriors flinched and stepped backward hands raised to show that they had no intention to attack.
Alec approached the center of the chalk circle where Clarke stood and the other two Warriors were left, one unconscious on the ground the other completely incapacitated and he began to speak.
"You're getting cocky Clarke. You could have unarmed him on his first charge. I always tell you-"
"Yes, Yes, No playing, No fun." Clarke snarked at Alec's deepening frown.
Spinning the daggers through her hands, "Kidding. Don't use excess energy. Remove one target and be ready for the next." Clarke recited as she flipped her daggers to one hand while keeping Colt's dagger in her left hand before sending it back behind her through the air and pinning the raised hand of the Azgeda warrior to a tree, as he prepared to throw a dagger at her.
"I wouldn't do that again. Alec will be more of a pain in the ass than I am if he gets involved. And I believe he has quite the motivation and appetite for spilling Azgeda blood. After all, he's owed." Clarke spoke dryly.
"Speaking of appetites, I'm starving." Clarke suddenly spoke as she walked over to join her friends. "It's gotta be lunch by now. Anya's had us up from the crack of dawn."
"Right, Lunch. " Octavia gaped as she turned and limped after Clarke as she started weaving through the silent crowds of Warriors.
"Send a messenger to Anya. Have her extend an invitation to the Skai leader to join me in the throne room." The Commander spoke as she watched the girl walk through the shocked crowd of warriors.
"Right away, Heda," Ryder replied.
"No. Let her have Lunch first. Apparently, the Skai leader likes to play with daggers when she's hungry." The Commander murmured as she turned and left the room. Leaving her two guards and her Flamekeeper to hurry after her.