Ontari went down to the Natblida after she and Raven had breakfast. The morning messages said that four of the leaders would arrive today and the rest in the next two days. She would be there when Lexa was pulled away from her regular duties.
Bel kom Trikru was first to arrive, an hour into morning lessons. When Lexa excused herself, Ontari led them in a discussion of what they'd learned so far that morning.
Bel wasted no time. "You angered Indra," he said.
"That was not my intention."
"Despite that, she believes you to be who you say, and I will accept her word though I have many questions."
"Mochof. I will answer all of those questions when all of the leaders dine together three nights from now."
"I look forward to it," he said, and walked away.
Lexa wasn't sure what to think as she returned to the Natblida
Just before lunch, Luna, leader of Flokru, arrived. Ontari and Aden herded the Natblida away.
"It looks like you," Luna said.
"It is me. I helped you escape Polis before our Conclave. We went out through the east tunnels so you would be closer to the coast."
Luna smiled and embraced Lexa. "It has been a long time."
"It has, but I was always glad you were safe."
"How are you?"
"Well. Happy. You?"
"The same. Do you have time now?"
"Sha. Marketplace or Tower?"
"Pub."
It was busy but they found a table. The service was quick, so they were able to eat and talk. Luna asked a lot of questions, but none about Lexa's resurrection apart from confirming Clarke's involvement. Lexa didn't have to explain that everyone would get the whole story from the participants; Luna was familiar with how Polis worked. She let Lexa leave relatively quickly, but stayed to have another drink and mull over what she learned so far.
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke sent a guard to collect Abby and another to collect Marcus after confirming with Ontari that they, too, were expected at the reveal dinner. Marcus arrived first, was measured, and sent on his way. Abby arrived while Clarke was being measured.
"Why did you interrupt me this time?"
"There's going to be a big deal dinner in a few nights, and you're going to be there. If I have to get something new to wear, so do you," Clarke said in a matter of fact tone.
"Is this about Lexa?"
"Yes. All the clan leaders will be there, so everybody has to dress up."
"Who's everybody?"
"Everybody. Clan leaders. Ambassadors, I guess. Honored witnesses."
"Should I bring my kit?"
"There's not going to be any bloodshed, Mom. It's dinner followed by lots of talking and probably some yelling."
"Where's Marcus?"
"He's been and gone."
"Wanheda, we are finished."
"Mochof," Clarke said as she stepped down. She gestured for Abby to take her place and let Abby lean on her while she got up on the stool.
"What are we getting?"
"No idea. I'm sure Roan told them what he wants."
"Sha, Wanheda."
"We're letting the king of Azgeda dress us?"
"He's buying."
"I'll be sure to thank him when I see him."
"Good idea."
"I heard you met with your friends this morning."
"Yeah," Clarke sighed. "They're gonna get back to me."
"About?"
"Whether we stay in Polis or get some land."
"We have a choice?"
"They have a choice. You're essential to what Heda wants to accomplish."
"And you?"
"I'm staying."
"Hmmm."
"Just say whatever it is."
Abby shook her head. "I don't have anything to say, Clarke. You're an adult, you make your choices, you pay the price."
"Yup."
"Fisa, we are finished."
"Thank you. Let me know when you need me again. I'll be happy to come to you." Abby got down without help. "Clarke, I'll see you later."
"Bye, Mom."
Everyone finally cleared out. Clarke checked the time and decided to wait for Lexa.
100 – 100 – 100
"I don't know what we should do," Miller said and looked around the table at Bryan, Harper, and Monroe. "Clarke will be in Polis. I don't know if we're safer here or…" he faded out./
"Living here will be easier than starting from scratch," Harper said.
"What are we going to lose if we go our separate ways?" Monroe asked.
"Whaddya mean?"
"In the beginning, Clarke said we might be farmed out to different clans. I wouldn't mind that."
"We wouldn't mind that," Harper corrected.
"I like it here," Bryan said. "It's not easy, but it's easier than trying to build a village out of nothing."
"Has anybody talked to you guys at all?" Miller asked.
"Not yet," Harper said. "Guess we should start talking to them."
"Yeah, we don't have long to make a decision. We'll start at one end, you start at the other," Miller directed.
100 – 100 – 100
Soon after Ontari and Raven finished dinner, the door to Ontari's suite opened and two seamstress entered, one carrying a wooden box. Before she knew it, Ontari lifted Raven onto the over turned box and she was being measured.
"Uh, what's all this?"
"You will attend dinner with the clan leaders and must have a new outfit."
"Fancy?"
"Yes. I spoke with Lexa, and she told the dressmakers what to make for both of us."
"Everybody's getting dressed up?"
"Sha."
"Cool."
It didn't take long to finish, and Ontari got Raven down from the box and sent the seamstresses on their way. "Chess?" she suggested.
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke saw little of Lexa for the next few days. They were both busy during the day and worn out by the time they reached their chambers. The day of the feast, they slept in. Mid-morning sun lit their bed before they opened their eyes, and they spent a while talking before getting started on their days. They parted with a kiss and Lexa went to the Natblida and Clarke told her guards she wasn't available to guests.
That didn't mean there weren't interruptions. The seamstresses. Murphy. Roan. The messengers coming and going. Clarke's anxiety about the coming night. Still, she managed to get some work done before leaving to prepare.
She was in the bath when Lexa returned and joined her in the tub. Lexa's body looked and felt more each day like Clarke remembered.
"Are you going to get new tattoos?"
"Perhaps. Will you mind?"
"No. I kinda miss your old ones. The one on your back was so interesting."
"I will tell you about it another day."
"Tonight," Clarke began.
Lexa waited.
"Tonight, what's the worst that can happen?"
"I do not think anything will happen. I have spoken with everyone. They say they believe me."
"Then why do you look as worried as I feel?"
Lexa smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "They could surprise us."
"Surprise us how?"
"If I knew, they wouldn't have that advantage." Lexa climbed out of the tub. "Don't be too long. I want to do your hair."
100 – 100 – 100
The mirror was old, dim, but it did its job. Raven looked at herself and thought about fairy tales and transformation. The woman she saw in the mirror wasn't just some wrench jockey or the youngest zero g mechanic in half a century.
It hit her for the first time what a big deal tonight was. She would be at Ontari's side, not as an advisor or aide, but as heda's chosen. "No pressure," Raven told herself, knowing it was a lie, and waited for Ontari.
She didn't wait long. Ontari was preceded by a pair of servants who recognized Raven with a nod on their way out. Moments later, Ontari entered the room, and Raven lost her breath for a moment.
"The only symbol of Ontari's power was the gear fixed between her eyebrows. She was in a simple black gown, sleeveless with an open back. Her hair was braided even more intricately than Raven's, and Raven wanted to trace the patterns.
She didn't notice how Ontari looked at her, in wonder and a bit of awe, or understand the single word that Ontari murmured, but she got the gist when Ontari's face lit up with a smile.
"You look, just, wow," Raven said finally.
"Meizen," Ontari repeated as she tried to order her thoughts. She had to be alert tonight, and Raven's appearance was definitely a distraction.
"Meizen?" Raven repeated.
"Beautiful."
"You, too."
Ontari smiled and approached Raven. They kissed briefly before Ontari settled on Raven's strong side. Raven's brace wasn't visible under her dress, and tonight she would go without her crutch. She understood, as Ontari did, that neither of them could appear weak.
100 – 100 – 100
"I must thank Roan," Lexa murmured when she got her first view of Clarke in her dress.
"You like?"
"Very much," Lexa assured her with a bright smile. She walked to Clarke and made small adjustments to how the gown laid on Clarke's shoulders.
Clarke leaned in for a quick kiss. As she pulled away, she told Lexa, "You look amazing."
Like Ontari, Lexa wore black. Her gown was decorated with subtle silver symbols that reminded Clarke of stars as they glimmered when Lexa moved. Clarke's gown wasn't anything she would have chosen, but it was beautiful. Nearly white at the top and falling to black at the bottom hem, its colors bled into each other, featuring Azgeda's pale blue and Skaikru's brighter shade of the same color.
"Sit," Lexa directed. We do not have much time."