Chapter 43

Normally Lexa would have held such a meeting within her tent, but now that she was sort of sharing it with Anya and their little addition, she insisted on a separation. Another large tent had been erected for that purpose and the commander's throne had been carried over there as well.

Indra had proclaimed the arrival of a delegation of the Sky people some time ago, but Lexa had seen no reason to hurry Marie. They could wait for her; they should see right from the beginning that she would not play by their rules.

Marie seemed uneasy about the whole situation once they left their tent.

Warriors in their armour, visibly carrying weapons and war paint as well were strewn around the commander's tent and had formed a path for the commander and her small entourage. Gustus had waited for them as well of course and admittedly, the burly warrior must appear frightening to Marie as well. Lexa could easily spot how tense Gustus was which made his own features turn into a hostile grimace while his dark eyes gleamed dangerously with suspicion. The man had cautioned her more than once that he regarded an alliance with the Sky people as unwise and he feared for Lexa's life.

Anya seemed antsy about the meeting as well. Although Marie had kept both of them busy and diverted during the early morning, the general's jaw was tightly clenched now, broadcasting her inner turmoil and her brown eyes flitted over their surroundings suspiciously as if she suspected someone pointing a gun at her.

Lexa could feel that Marie was using all her strength to keep hold onto her own hand and she subtly caressed over the child's small hand in her own on their way, hoping to sooth the child a little. She would not let anyone harm the little blonde girl.

Gustus proceeded them towards the second large tent, opening the tent flaps for his young leader.

Lexa stepped inside at a lot slowed pace than she usually would have, but she did not even try to get the young child to let go of her hand. Anya was following them closely and Lexa just hoped that Marie would be willing to stand with the general for some time during the meeting. It would look more than weird if the child insisted to sit on her lap.

Lexa suddenly second-guessed that taking the little girl with her to the meeting had been a good idea. But the Sky people had already caught sight of her and it was too late now to retreat and make a fool of herself. Lexa did not stop to greet anyone of the Sky people yet instead she bypassed them in silence, sitting down on her throne as gracefully as she could with the child still clutching her hand in a surprisingly strong grip.

It was obvious that all of the Sky people recognized Marie on first glance and they did not appear surprised to see the child with her either. Markus Kane must have informed them about Marie's whereabouts.

Lexa was surprised though that Marie waved at younger blonde woman, exclaiming a squealed "C'a'ke" obviously pleased to see her.

The commander did not like the reaction of the older woman standing behind the younger one. By the way the younger blonde was looking at Anya, this was the one who had escaped from the Mountain with her. She appeared confused to see the general as if she had expected the woman to not have made it back to the commander.

"Commander" Markus greeted her first in a polite tone and a kind expression.

Lexa had not expected the man who she had sent to the Sky people first to be here as well. Although his skin was dark, the bruises left by her warriors were easy to spot and he seemed to be on edge, eying the guards standing in the tent constantly. Lexa had given strict orders that the Sky people were not allowed to carry weapons to this meeting in exchange for her word that they would be allowed to leave this tent again unharmed.

The others seemed to come to their senses as well and repeated Markus' greeting while Lexa stayed silent, letting her gaze travel over all of them. The Sky people did not look impressive to her in any way and she could only hope that they indeed could aid them in the fight against the Mountain. The fact that these people had decided to send a young innocent girl to earth together with a bunch of youths all untrained and without guidance did not broadcast them in a good way.

Marie did seem content for now to continue holding her hand, standing leaned against her legs and looking up at the commander with her large trusting grey eyes.

Lexa's eyes were drawn back to the young woman who introduced herself as Clarke.

"Commander" she said in a pretended sounding voice obviously trying to hide how insecure she must be feeling "My name is Clarke Griffin and I escaped from Mount Weather with Anya".

Indra visibly tightened the grip around the pommel of her sword at the disrespect Clarke was displaying by speaking up without being asked and addressing Anya without her proper title.

Marie had cocked her head to the side, obviously listening closely to Clarke's words for a moment. The child seemed to lose interest as quickly again though and looked around the tent in curiosity.

Lexa watched the child from the corner of her eyes, but she made a show of turning her head towards Anya for a moment, waiting for the general to approve Clarke's words "Clarke kom Skykru" she finally answered the woman when her green eyed gazed had returned to her "My general thinks that your people have the knowledge needed to bring down the Mountain Men. What is it that you can offer?" Lexa felt the little girl tug at her hand a second later, while she was still holding her gaze locked with Clarke in a mute hard stare. She finally let go of the small hand, trusting her guards and Anya to protect Marie if needed.

Anya had more leeway to openly watch what Marie was doing and turned her full attention on the blonde child. The way with which the older woman was watching the young child was not sitting right with her at all.

The young girl seemed oblivious to the fact that most eyes had turned onto her the very moment she had let go of the commander and walked through a corner of the tent, letting herself flow down on the ground and reach for something. Anya turned her attention back to the Sky people as well though, when a guard stepped closer to Marie. The child seemed to have found something to play with and she hoped it would keep the girl occupied for a while.

Before Clarke could say something, the older woman spoke up. She looked similar to Clarke and Lexa guessed that she could be her mother. "We have technology…" the woman began.

The atmosphere in the tent tensed abruptly when Lexa held up a hand to silence the older woman. All of her guards, including Indra and Anya were glaring at the woman yet again speaking without being addressed.

Lexa did not acknowledge the older woman otherwise; her gaze was still locked with Clarke's and she waited in silence.

Clarke seemed to take a deep breath before she answered "Like my mother just said we do have technology and guns which can help…".

Indra let out a slight growl. None of their warriors would wish to fight in a war alongside someone armed with guns, but Lexa had already anticipated this and she had to agree that being sided with Sky people and their guns gave them an advantage they had not had before.

"How?" the commander spoke the single word with a slight arch to her brow and in a cutting tone. She would have expected this people to be better prepared. Lexa narrowed her eyes at Clarke staring the blonde down from her sitting position.

Clarke appeared speechless and her mouth opened and closed a few times without uttering a single word. She swallowed visibly "I thought we could work out a plan together…" she answered in a feeble tone.

Lexa's lips thinned, but before she could answer, Marie let out a piercing shrill scream and she immediately got to her feet in a single quick motion, hurrying over to the girl.

Lexa felt her heart beat faster in her chest, suddenly afraid that she had overseen something and Marie could have gotten hurt somehow. She did not care right now what this display would portray to the Sky people.

Marie had just gotten to her feet when Lexa reached her. Her little hands were frantically reaching towards her own head and it took Lexa a second to realize what had spooked the child. A grasshopper was tangled in the child's blonde hair.

"Eeewww!" Marie exclaimed in a shrill tone. She stopped her own attempts to remove the insect at Lexa's quick urging.

"It's alright" Lexa tried to sooth the young girl, quickly removing the grasshopper from Marie's hair "It is gone" she reassured her in a calming tone, showing the insect to Marie for a moment, before she let it drop to the ground.

Marie shrieked again though when the grasshopper made a jump to flee and tears began to trail down her cheeks. She had stretched out her arms towards Lexa, already standing in direct contact to her legs.

Lexa lightly sighed under her breath. She knew that the girl would not calm down on her own now, so, she ignored everyone else in the tent and swooped the child into her arms. She whispered a few more calming words directly into Marie's ears, too low for anyone else to hear.

"I will keep you safe, my little one."