Chapter 82

Clarke sat outside wrapped up in some sort of furs. Madi was beside her as warriors of all shapes and sized ran through their paces down in the Pits. Echo and Octavia looked over them, and Clarke could see them pointing out to a few. She wondered what it all meant, but she had some clue. She knew that Echo and Octavia were part of Madi's jusgona and as such were responsible for her well-being, protection and any that Madi deemed worthy of such. Clarke knew that she one of those people.

Aeolus was moving around the crowd, but Clarke noticed that he kept flicking his eyes back to where she was with Madi. He'd been taking his job seriously since they returned to the barracks. Not that he hadn't before, but he seemed to be a little more on edge. She could only figure that it was because they all knew that Echo and Octavia were heading back to the Village soon.

Bellamy was out front with Indra. Miller was heading for Octavia and Echo. Indra seemed bothered by this display in a way, but Clarke couldn't tell why. It was like she was on edge. She had only seen her like this twice. The first time was when she and Lexa found her on the battlefield outside of Arkadia after Pike and his people wiped out three hundred sleeping warriors because Pike believed that they were the "savages." The other was when Clarke was dealing with Octavia in the bunker after the failed attempt to take Eden by force. Indra was on edge and it was affecting her.

"I'll be back," Clarke told Madi as she stood up and crossed the expanse to Indra's side.

Madi watched her go and said nothing. Clarke knew the second that both Echo and Octavia's attention diverted from their conversation to her. It didn't stop her. If anything, it made her more resolute on her new mission in speaking with Indra. She knew that the other two women wouldn't disturb her, but they would watch and wait. She was after all still Wanheda, so even thought Indra was Madi's general, they all knew that Clarke would command them all in battle, only second to Madi. But this wasn't about getting the soldiers ready for war. This was to find out who would be assigned as guards to Heda en Wanheda. This was a trial by combat to see who was the best of the best.

"What's wrong?" Clarke asked Indra as she came up on her right side.

"Miller is one of my captains and I know that Octavia is going to try to convince him to compete," Indra stated.

"Would you deny him?"

"No. Never. I know he is capable. He was one of Octavia's personal guards in the bunker."

"You don't want to lose him?"

"No, I do not," Indra replied.

Clarke nodded. She knew that Indra wouldn't fight for him. She would praise him if he succeeded. She knew that he was a good warrior and he represented Skaikru favorably. He fought and bled with the Grounders. He made alliances with them. He taught them and learned from them. He was a poster child for those in the bunker that assimilated into Wonkru. He was someone to emulate. Indra didn't want to hold him back, but she didn't want to let that raw talent and expertise go, either.

Clarke reached over and touched Indra on the shoulder. The darker warrior looked at her hand and then up into Clarke's blue eyes with a cocked eyebrow in question. Clarke didn't move her hand. She knew that Indra wasn't a touchy feelly person and she was overstepping, but she also knew that Indra allowed her more leeway than others just because of who she was.

"I'll be back in a minute," Clarke told her, hoping that Indra would understand what she was about to do.

Clarke crossed the Pits to where Octavia, Echo and Miller were standing. Aeolus was back with Madi and surveying the scene before them. Octavia, Echo and Miller all turned and saluted as soon as they all recognized that Clarke was there.

"Oh, stop. We are all friends here," Clarke told them.

"That doesn't matter when this is an official gathering, Wanheda," Echo replied.

Clarke nodded in understanding. She knew what was about to go down. She also knew that she had to watch it, even if she didn't want. She looked around and saw Niylah with her mother as they set up a triage table off to the side. Then she looked around at all the warriors and guards that surrounded the Pits in general.

"How many applicants do you have?" Clarke asked.

"Well according to Aeolus and Miller," Octavia started.

"Fifteen," Miller finished.

"Do I know any of them?" Clarke questioned.

"A few were guards that supported Lexa and three from Skaikrum," Echo answered.

"Who?"

"Bellamy for one," Octavia said, but there was something in her eyes.

"Why?"

"He is trying to prove himself. He's been working with Indra. He's good, but I don't think that he'll finish the course," Echo added.

"He won't," Miller stated. "I know he won't. He doesn't have the stomach for it. He's better as a guard."

"And you, Miller?" Clarke questioned.

"I am not competing. I will remain as the head of the Guard, just below the Jusgona, and always at the command of Heda en Wandheda, second to only Indra Wormana, Oktevia Skairipa, en Ekoazripa," Miller explained.

"And, your job today?"

"To watch and survey, to protect and defend, and to fight the applicants," Miller answered.

"You have to fight all fifteen?" Clarke asked.

"No, he doesn't. He'll have to fight his fair share, but by the time we get to that, we will have weeded out most of the field. At most, he'll fight one or two. But, he'll be given ample time to rest between fights," Octavia stated.

"And, you will both fight?" Clarke questioned her two warriors.

"In the end, yes. It will be part of their final test. It is why I requested that your mother be here. We won't be pulling anything."

"I know and I know you wouldn't have it any other way," Clarke replied. "Who were Lexa's guards that are competing? What are their names? And, are you sure that they are still loyal to Heda?"

"Sha, Wanheda, they are. They've already pledged themselves to her. To join the jusgona would be an honor for them. They were not jusgona for Leksa. Heda Leksa never had jusgona, just guards," Echo told her. "But to give you names, they are Tomac, Penn, Omas, and Uther."

"Really?"

"Yes, Lexa didn't have them because she wasn't going to let anyone die for her. Gustus, Ryder, even Anya, begged her to select some, even take on handmaidens trained to be assassins at her side, but she refused. She told them that she was never better than her warriors. If her warriors didn't have guards, then she wouldn't. When the assassination attempts started, Gustus formed a group of guards and handmaidens to protect her. They were to stay at her side and protect her, but they were never considered jusgona. And, Lexa never treated them as such. Her guards were always seen and always noticed. They were on display. For the most part, jusgona aren't. Some are, as a show of strength, but when we are fully staffed, you and heda won't know how many protect you," Echo explained.

"Even privately?" Clarke inquired with a cocked eyebrow.

"Even privately, Wanheda."

"And if I refused them?"

"Heda wouldn't allow it," Octavia stated as she turned to face Clarke more fully. "You would still be protected as the mother of Heda en Wanheda, same as Abby. You would never know, because they would change out enough to report in to us."

"Would they be celibate? Would they have families? Are they all single?" Clarke questioned.

"They would be able to have their own lives, yes, Wanheda, but while on duty, they live and die for their charge," Echo said.

Clarke's head raised in acknowledgement and understanding. It wasn't an ideal life and it was most assuredly be full of pain and strife. But, she knew that didn't matter to them. It was a high honor to even be considered for the trials. It was even a higher honor to be accepted into the fold and become jusgona. So, right now, there were fifteen individuals of Wonkru who were already considered among their greatest warriors. Those that won the right to be jusgona would be the elite.

"And, what of our wormana? Is she not elite? Is she not worthy of being jusgona?" Clarke asked for her own edification.

"The Wormana is jusgona, but her position keeps her out in the open and at Heda's side even in battle," Echo said.

"And, what would that make me?" Clarke questioned.

"You are as always Wanheda, sekken Heda, en Hedanomon," Octavia answered.

"So, I couldn't be jusgona?"

"No," Echo stated.

"Why not?"

"No offense, Klark, but you don't have the stomach for it. You aren't ruthless. You react when you fight. Jusgona can't just react, they have to be proactive and ruthless all the time. Spy and assassins make the best, because they have no qualms about doing what has to be done. Like you say, we bear it so others don't have to," Octavia told her Trig.

Clarke wasn't sure she liked Octavia's answer, but she respected it. She knew that Octavia was right. She honestly didn't have the stomach for war, no matter how good she was at it. Clarke did react when provoked and it was genuinely devastating, but she never deliberately set out to start a war or to kill anyone. The jusgona might have to do that on Heda's behalf or request. And, Clarke would always try to talk whomever out of it. She nodded and reached out for Octavia's arm, shaking it in the traditional Grounder fashion.

"I know you both do and I am honored that you would do that for me...for us," Clarke stated. "Now, what do you need me to do? Do I need to call everyone to attention or something?"

"No, that would be Indra's job as she is the one presenting them for application," Echo told her.

"Then, I will go let her know. Prepare yourselves, ai jusgona and battle well. And, let the victors know that I will personally praise them for their efforts. I'll also be with Mom helping to patch anyone up as this progresses, depending on the bloodshed," Clarke told them.

They all saluted her and she returned back across the Pits to Indra. Bellamy had left her side to join the other applicants, Clarke decided. She saw Omas, Uther, and Penn talking with Bellamy. Looking further, she finally found Tomac off to the side with some of the other applicants. Most of the ones he was talking with Clarke couldn't identify the clans they were originally from, but two of them were definitely from Skaikru. This made her proud.

When she got back to Indra, she reached out to shake her arm. As she held her arm, Clarke leaned it to whisper something in her ear. She'd noticed that some of Miller's men had surrounded the general.

"Miller isn't competing. He's staying with the two of them to help with the applications and to make sure that everyone is safe. Do not worry. He is still your Captain of the Guard, ai Wormana," Clarke told her and then backed up.

A small, almost, smile crossed Indra's mouth. She shook Clarke's arm harder and nodded. Clarke knew that it was in appreciation for the information and also as a sign of respect.

"But, Octavia and Echo have told me that they are waiting on you to call the applicants to attention to begin the trials. So, ai Wormana, let's start shall we. I'll let Heda know that we are about to begin."

Indra gave her a deeper bow. Clarke smiled and walked back to where Madi was sitting. She returned to her seat and wrapped herself back up in the furs that were there.

"So?" Madi asked her.

"Miller is staying Captain of the Guard. Bellamy is actually completing but I don't think that Echo or Octavia will let him succeed. And, four of Lexa's own personal guards are competing. It seems they will always be in service to their heda," Clarke told her with a smile. "All we are waiting on now, is for Indra to the trials."

"Good."

"I think she is waiting on you, Madi," Clarke told as she met Indra's eyes from the edge of the Pits where they were sitting.

Madi turned and saw Indra's gaze upon them. She lifted her hand and then dropped. Indra nodded, turned and immediately started barking orders to the supposed applicants.