Chapter 60

Octavia was awoken as the camp started to come down. The captains were brought into her tent with Miller. She put on all her armor. Her sword was clean and strapped to her side. She looked every bit the "Red Queen." She stood before the maps of the valley and listened at Miller gave his speeches and final orders.

The maps were put up. The tents were down. The wagons would be moved to strategic locations, medical supplies at the ready, as the men and women retook the valley. Octavia was leaving nothing to chance. She even remembered the words that Indra told her once upon a battle. "Plans are good until the battle starts, then you just try to survive." She gave the captains a different version.

The moon was shining down on the all. Each company was broken down with their captain in front. A select group was behind Miller, waiting for Octavia to make the call to battle. She wished that she had Helios at that moment. She could picture herself riding him, leading the army of Wonkru, at the front of her troop as they went to battle. She smiled as she walked to the front of the company that she would be leading with Miller. She drew her sword and called for the charge.

All them moved out towards their respective objectives in the valley. It was time to win the valley. Octavia and Miller found their section and started to move into the valley. Octavia took the deepest breath that she'd taken since she landed on Earth. This breath was deeper than the one she took when the drop ship door opened and she was the first to step foot back on the ground. This was deeper then the first breath that she took when she exited the bunker. This was like returning home. This was what she was dreaming about for six plus years, minus all the armor and war.

Miller looked to her and then, she signaled for them to move. They started into the valley. Octavia was noting everything that they saw as they headed for their grouping of caves. She was trying to remember areas that she wanted to explore more once everything was settled. She knew that Clarke and Madi had a house that they were using in the village, but she wondered if Clarke would let her build another house out in the woods, away from the village, for them to share. She knew that it was too early to think about that, but Wonkru had already built them a house in Polis to share. A girl could dream.

In the early morning, Octavia woke and gave the signal for them all to head for the village. She was done waiting. Today, she would own Eden and then, she and Clarke would rule over the last survivors of Man. Today, they would be the victors and they would celebrate in their new home. Today, everything that they had suffered in the bunker would be dealt with as they started to recolonize the Earth.

As they moved closer to the main part of the village, Octavia sucked in a breath. There was a flash of blond hair and Octavia's blood ran cold. She couldn't make out the bearer's eyes, but she saw that Echo was following her, closely, and almost undetected. For Octavia that could only mean one thing, the blonde was Wanheda, her Skaiprisa, and Clarke.

She hesitated. Octavia didn't hesitate, but she hesitated when she saw Clarke with Diyoza. She turned back and eyed Miller. He looked as furious as she did. He was, however, waiting for her instructions. If Octavia called for them to attack the village, they would. They would lay waste to the entire thing, but he needed for Octavia to give the order. So, like Octavia, he watched and waited.

After a few minutes, they both saw Diyoza and Clarke come back out of the building they had been and sit down at table, across from each other. Echo had made sure to stay close. Somehow, she wasn't sure how, but she knew it the moment that Echo met her eyes. There was a silent conversation between the spy and the bunker leader, but in the end, they both agreed that Clarke was to be protected at all costs.

"Eko kom Wanheda, I know you there, quit lurking in the shadows."

"Sha, Wanheda, tu Osleya kamp raun heir."

"Sha, but she us our Osleya. Don't forget that. You might be my warrior, but she is still our leader," Clarke told her. "But, just in case this goes sideways quickly, have your knife ready. I'll run behind you. Diyoza becomes our prisoner. She lives. Understand?"

"Sha, Wanheda."

"Mind cluing me to what you are saying?" Diyoza questioned.

"I was just letting Echo know that I knew was near me and that she didn't have to hide," Clarke told her.

"It seemed like more than that," Diyoza countered.

"It was."

"And, I don't need to know?"

"Not really, no, not yet," Clarke stated.

"And, when will I?" Diyoza asked.

"After we talk," Clarke told her with a smirk.

"You brought me out here to talk?"

"I did and I think that you'll want to listen to me," Clarke stated.

Diyoza gave her a pointed look, and it was everything inside Octavia not to storm in there and cut the Colonel down. She decided to wait. Echo was closer now, acting more like a guard than a spy. Clarke looked around the village some from where she was sitting and smiled as she started to recognize some of the gona had already been brought in and were working on separating the prisoners without them knowing it.

"And, why is that?"

"Because I know your secret and I didn't need to talk to my mother to find it out," Clarke told her.

"My secret?"

"Yes, your secret. The one that you are protecting so closely that even most of your compatriots don't know about it. The one that you are willing to risk everything for," Clark hinted at and gave Diyoza her own pointed look.

Octavia moved a little closer. Miller moved with her, as he ordered their men to fan out and protect Wanheda and Octavia should something happen. They moved stealthily. Until they were mere yards from Clarke and Diyoza. Miller and Octavia both let out an old Trikru call and Clarke just smiled, knowing what it meant.

"And, what is that?"

"So, where is your little personal pyscho at today? Hmm? Oh, don't tell me that you are afraid of him now that you have Eden to yourselves," Clarke teased her. "I know that you don't trust him, Diyoza. I could see that before. You let him off leash just enough to get out of him what you want, but do you think that he doesn't understand that he isn't your King on the chess board? Does he know that he is merely a pawn now?"

"I don't know what you are talking about," Diyoza answered.

"Oh, come on. Lying doesn't become you, Colonel, and we both know it. Can I tell you something?" Clarke asked her and paused. "In the week or so, I was in the bunker, I did a little digging. Seems that Monty was more than happy to help me find out about all of you. We didn't have a direct link to your ship, but we could dig through the archives that were preserved in the bunkers records. It seems that they wanted to be able to warm people about the Eligius Programs. Seems that Becca wasn't exactly a friend of Cadogan's and he wanted to make sure that future generations know that they couldn't trust anyone from Eligius. So, that would include you, Colonel Charmaine Diyoza. It's been over a hundred years since you've even seen Earth. Captured in 2043, for becoming a terrorist. Seems we have lot more in common than you think."

"Yeah, and what's that?"

"We both were put in prison for doing what we thought was right. You for realizing that the governments were going to destroy the world if someone didn't stop them, and me for trying to find a way to save the people on the Ark. We both did it for the right reasons, even if we went about it in the wrong way."

"Yeah, sure," Diyoza replied dismissively.

"You have changed. You want peace and you have hope. I can see it in your eyes. You want a chance at normal, with no wars, to live without just having to survive. I do, too. And, we can do that together. And, I can make sure that your daughter has that as well," Clarke told her, staring her down coldly.

"You don't know what you are talking about?"

"Have you met my mother, Diyoza? I believe you have. I believe that you should know that I was trained under her. I was somewhat of a prodigy. And, I could be wrong, but I am guessing your around four months. Far enough along to hid it a little longer behind body armor and baggy prison clothes so your psychotic baby daddy doesn't know that you are pregnant, but you can't hide it from me. Besides, I know a lot of combinations for foods down here. Did you think that I missed that you mixed sour berries with your turnips last night?"

"That is just how I like them?"

"Sure, sure it is. It is also the main reason that you were so interested in getting my mother her. You wanted her to check on the status of the baby, but that wasn't just all. You needed her for something else. It took me a while to put it together, but it all made sense as I was walking through the forests last night, sneaking through my former home to watch you and your people."

"And, what did you learn?"

"That Murphy is still a pain in the ass."

"McCreery will kill him when he finds him."

"That is if he can find him before my people do, Diyoza."

"And, how many should I expect?"

"As many as are needed," Clarke answered.

"Am I supposed to be scared?"

"No, you aren't. You're supposed to be planning how many of your people you can save with my help. Because I also watched you turn him away. Things are well in paradise. He isn't 'doing' it for you anymore, but I think it is more of the fact that you've realized that you can't let a homicidal maniac raise your child. You have your flaws, Colonel, but being stupid isn't one of them. I've read everything that I could read on you, legal and illegal for the times that it was recorded. You had quiet the track record. You were good, effiencent, but moralistic. And, that I think is how we are going to strike a bargin today."

"A bargin?"

"A truce if you will," Clarke stated.

Diyoza cocked her eyebrow and leaned back, clearly amused with Clarke's words.

"Ai loufa kom Wonkru en Wanheda," Clarke said a little louder than she had been speaking.

"Sha, Wanheda," Echo replied.

"Be a dear for me, would you? Go to my house. I am sure it is the one that Mom is in and bring me the tin box with all the symbols of the coalition on it. Bring me my tea pot, and four cups. But, also tell me mother, that I will be along shortly to help her with her project. Make sure that Raven knows as well. And, tell my Little Bird, that I'm going to need a call made soon."

"Sha, Wanheda."

Everyone just watched as Echo walked away, doing Clarke's bidding. Diyoza watched her go and stared down Clarke, wondering why she let her protection go. They locked eyes for a minute and then Diyoza's eyes went wide. She turned her head and looked around.

"You won't see them," Clarke told her.

"How many?"

"Right now? Near us? At least a hundred, but scattered through out the Valley ready to strike as soon as I give the word, more," Clarke stated.

"And, you want to have tea?"

"It helps calm me."

"And, you aren't calm right now?" Diyoza questioned.

"No, I am not. I am fucking furious, but slightly sympathetic. I'm also a little parched and I wanted my damn tea. I haven't had any in weeks, thanks to you, but that is something that I plan on rectifying in a few minutes. Besides, I don't think that you know who I really am. Kane might have told you things, but I am sure that he glossed over a lot of it. He tends to see things and twist them to make us more human, but you and I, Diyoza. We are more than human. We are the monsters in the night that our mothers warned us about. We are the ones willing to bear it so others don't."

"And, we are willing to tell our soldiers to die for us?"

"I was never willing to do that. Life is precious, all of life. From that babe in your belly, to Octavia's as she led on high, but you and I understand what it is like to be in charge, to be the commander and the political leader. We've both faltered and we've both won."

"Only you were given a title for you destruction," Diyoza countered.

"And, medals and the rank of Colonel mean nothing?"

Diyoza smiled at her. Clarke understood her. Clarke could almost be an equal, if she'd let her. Too bad she'd have to kill her the first chance that she got.

"Oh, stop, Diyoza, you aren't going to kill me because you need me."

"And, why do I need the Great Wanheda?" she asked.

"To kill Paxton because you can't," Clarke told her as she started deeply into her eyes.

In the brush, Miller turned to Octavia and muttered, very quietly in Trig, "Remind me never to piss her off again. She's scary when she's calm. Fuck."

Octavia just smiled. She knew that this wasn't part of the mission, but she would let Clarke play for now. If Diyoza made one wrong move, then the Valley would be painted red with the blood of all the prisoners before an hour was finished.

"Why would I want him dead?"

"Do you seriously want him teaching your daughter anything?"

"No, I don't."

"Then, you will let me kill him. He kind will not survive in our new world, but you can. I'm not asking you to bow to me or Octavia or anyone else. I am just asking that you work with us and follow our laws. Join our tribe, if you will, when you would like. We will help you learn to survive on this Earth, our Earth, because yours is buried under all that sand out there. We've learned to adapt and overcome what this planet has come up with, and trust me it likes death, but since I've become the 'Commander of Death' or the legendary Wanheda, in the Grounder's language of Trigedaslenge, I've come to realize that Death is not my friend. They all believe that I can just determine who will live and who will die, but they don't understand the cost I bear of those decisions on my soul. See Grounders take kill marks for every life they take," Clarke started.

"You don't bear any," Diyoza replied.

"My body isn't big enough to hold the total," Clarke replied.

"Confirmed kills?"

"All of them."

"How many?" Diyoza asked.

"Well, there was Atom, a fellow delinquent. It was a mercy killing, but I still killed him. But, he was just the first in the first few weeks on the Ground. I killed a warrior named Caliban, just because he was the one guarding me. It could have been anyone. And, then I killed 300 warriors in a ring of fire. Oh, and then, let's see, I helped Raven destroy a village, but I never really got a count for those lost there. To save Bellamy, I allowed a missile to hit TonDC killing over 250. Octavia and my mother were there. I was willing to sacrifice them for one man, in the hopes to save forty-four. Still think that I won't kill everyone here," Clarke told her. "And, we haven't even started with Mount Weather. That was another 350 plus, but that was after I had already shot the last President of the United States, or at least that is what he called himself, Dante Wallace, the leader of the Mount Weather bunker. Shot him him cold blood because his son was a maniac and threatened my mother. See a theme here. Don't fuck with my people or you die, it is that simple. So, I'm trying to give you an out. You have less than 400 now. I killed a few to save my daughter. She killed a few trying to figure out how to get me away from you. So, I'd say your closer to what 380 now? A little less, right?"

"Something like that?"

"The desert is a bitch trust me. So, that leaves how many sick, around a hundred? And, you can't deny that they are sick because Mom hasn't just seeing you. So, what is it? Cancer? Some crazy alien disease? Hmmm? What is it that you needed my mother so damn bad that you were willing to kill to get her?"

"We don't know," Diyoza answered. "But, you mother is working on it. She's had some results. Not all of the good, but not all of them bad either."

Clarke just nodded, as she felt Echo come back with her items.

"Shall I start a fire for the tea, Wanheda?"

"Sha, Eko. En, ai nomoun en Reivon?"

"Fine, Wanheda, working on the fisa equipment to boost something," Echo answered.

"Boost something?" Clarke questioned aloud, but then went quiet.

She seemed lost in Echo's movements as she started a small fire and then set the kettle on it for the tea. She handed the tin to Clarke to dish out the leaves and powder to make her tea. Octavia watched as she readied enough powder for four cups. Looking around, she wondered who the other two cups were for. She should have known better, but she realized that she wasn't looking for the most obvious answer. She was more worried about Clarke and saving her then she was about some damn tea.

"What does FIE SA mean?"

"It is fisa, and it means healer. Why?"

"I've heard the locals refer to your mother as it many times, almost in awe."

"Yeah, well, after they watched me perform CPR for the first time, they were a little excited. Can imagine how crazy they thought all the tech and medicine that was in the bunker was considering how they were living before? It would be like some Natives from the Wild West jumping into a time machine and coming into the twenty-first century with all the tech and such. Being in the bunker and us joining them as part of the coalition that eventually became one tribe, Wonkru, they've been a little more receptive to it. But, it is always something when we seemingly bring someone back from the brink of death, especially if it is me," Clarke told her.

"So, they see you as some sort of God?"

"No, more like a mystical being that they don't want to piss off. They know that I am human and mortal, but by their legends Wanheda is not someone that they want to cross. And, those that have tried have all died."

"Why would they try if they are afraid of you?" Diyoza asked.

"Because for them, they gain the power of those they kill. If they could kill me, then they would gain my power over death. But, then they would constantly be a target, too. It is a vicious cycle, but most of the most hardened warriors never challenged me. It was always the young ones trying to make a name for themselves. Well for the most part," Clarke told her.

"For the most part?"

"Yes, my former Queen, the Queen of Azgeda, tried and failed," Echo added.

Diyoza turned to look at Echo. It was obvious that she forgot the woman was even there. Echo, however, was still doing her duties as a gona kom Wanheda, even if it was just making her tea. She poured the cups and handed one to Clarke. Clarke cocked her eyebrow at Echo and then tilted her head ever so slightly at Diyoza. Echo gave her a deep nod and then handed the next cup to Diyoza. The Colonel took it reluctantly, but she didn't drink.

"Take a cup for yourself, Echo."

"Sha, Wanheda," Echo answered as she poured a third cup.

Clarke motioned for her to sit on a log near the fire, near them and drink. Echo did as she was bade. She held the cup, reverently, and blew across the top, attempting to cool it.

"It isn't poison, Diyoza."

"Forgive me if I don't trust either of you," Diyoza replied.

"Why would I poison you? I need you. Besides, if I poisoned you, I would be poisoning myself. The tea was all made in one pot. What good would come of it?"

"Why do you need me?" she asked, still holding the tea.

"Echo, drink the tea," Clarke commanded and they both took a large sip. "If the tea was poisoned, in five to ten minutes, you'll know. But to answer your question, I need you because you are the leader of your group. If we want a good integration and harmonious living, we need to be able to work together. I know what you need, but you have no idea what I need. For this to work, I need you on my side. McCreary will die, and we both know it is more than for his crimes. It is because he is undermining you now. He will cause trouble and we can't have trouble if we are all going to survive."

"You need me and you are willing to help me with what I need?"

"Let's change this a little, shall we? I know everything that you need and that is just by being here. I need this land, too, but that it is obvious. I'm talking about the non obvious things that your people can help us with. Things that you as a tactician and soldier may not think of. We can get back to all of that. What is it that you want to name your daughter?" Clarke asked her as she took another sip.

"Who said anything about me having a daughter?" Diyoza countered.

"You still don't believe that I know that. Fine, fine. The tea will help settle your stomach among other things. I helped deliver many babies when we were on the Ark before I was put in lock up. I also delivered a few in Polis, the former capital, where the bunker is. I have seen many pregnant women in my day, but there is something to be said about old wives tales. I think it is a girl, and I've only ever been wrong once. So, I'm thinking you are going to be due some where near the end of Winter to Early Spring. Which means if you don't give me what I want and help me, that you will be suffering trying to give birth with your fellow prisoners, who will have turned on you by then. They will see you as being pregnant as being weak. It is another reason that you've hidden it so long, besides the fact that didn't want your baby daddy to know that he'd procreated," Clarke paused for effect. "Am I wrong?"

"No, you aren't."

"Then, what will be her name?"

"Are names important to the people of Wonkru?"

"They can be," Echo stated.

"Hope. I want to name her Hope. I want her to the Hope for a new generation. I want her to be the Hope that people need to keep us going."

"And, I am willing to help you with that," Clarke reiterated.

"So, what do you need me to do," Diyoza replied as she took a drink of tea and Clarke smiled.