Chapter 20

The storm had passed. Lincoln and crews had been hunting. They had an abundance of meat. Clarke and Raven were given choice cuts at Lincoln and Octavia's request. No one questioned why, and no one knew what happened in the beginning of the storm. Monty and Raven got a visual display working and started really hardcore working on the calculations to the get the Ark down. Clarke was more worried about dealing with Lexa and getting into Mount Weather.

She'd spent the majority of the storm hatching and developing her plan. She knew that Octavia would have some problems with it, but she feared Lexa's response. What she was proposing was underhanded and frankly, not something that she wanted to do, but it would be effective. Thinning the herd would allow them to do what they needed to do on the inside, while getting Lexa's army close enough to deadly when needed. Clarke was aware of everything that could go wrong, but she was still counting on the egos of Cage Wallace and Dr. Tsing. That was one constant that she'd learned to use against them.

"So, we're going to do this?" Raven asked.

"We are if Lexa agrees."

"And, if she doesn't?"

"Then, I'm still doing it. I just need to know that she isn't going to kill us all for riding them of this problem. It might make her look weak, but she will be able to say that she had a hand in it. We have to be smart about this and make sure that she gets to put the 'W' in her win column. We can't undermine her," Clarke added.

"Why not?"

"Because we need her to stay in charge."

"So, if we take down the mountain without her help or say, it could hurt her?" Raven asked.

"Yeah, a lot."

"So, we just tell all the tall, dark, and broody people that we did it on her orders. We come up with a back up plan that means something to them. Can we take some of them with us?" Raven asked.

"We could and we should, but again, we need to have Lexa on our side. You ready to go see her, again? It's time we get moving. I don't want Mount Weather striking before we're ready."

"So, you think that Monty is just going to volunteer for this?"

"No, I think that Harper is going to get him to do it," Clarke answered as Octavia came towards them in the dropship. "What's up, O?"

"Lexa decided not to wait. Tris is here. She told Lincoln that Anya, Lexa, and some guards are just outside our camp. They want to speak to the Skaiprisa and hear what other tales she has," Octavia explained.

"Do you think that she is ready to meet Wanheda en Skairipa?" Clarke asked. "Because I'm ready to show her the truth and save some lives. How about you two?"

"I'll get Harper and Monroe. Who are you leaving in charge while we're gone? Not Bellamy, please," Octavia replied.

"No, John, Lincoln and Wells, Bellamy is coming with us. I can't trust him enough to leave him alone. Get the crew together. Chores can't stop just because we aren't in camp. I'll talk to John and Wells. Octavia handle Lincoln and Bellamy. Raven, think you can get Harper and Monroe, armed and ready?"

"On it, Captain," Raven quipped as she saluted and left the drop ship.

"Are you sure it wise to take him with us?" Octavia asked as soon as Raven was gone.

They walked out of the drop ship. Clarke was looking over the camp, happy with how fast they were moving together to repair things. Lincoln wasn't seen as an outsider. He was being helped and listened to. The Hundred was learning how to survive on Earth. They all knew how to adapt and overcome, but now, they were actually starting to thrive under his tutelage. Watching them gave her hope that this time they would get it right, this time they would save as many as they could and they would be ready for when Praimfaya came.

"It isn't a matter of want, O. It's a matter of protection for us all. As much as we both love Bell, we both know that he acts rashly, impulsively, and selfishly when it comes to himself. He says that he came down to protect you, but it was also to keep himself alive if Earth was survivable. He killed all the Grounders because he was afraid of what Lexa was proposing. He's like the Old Guard from the Ark. He wants power, but he doesn't know how to go about getting it. He had good ideas and is personable, so he gains followers. Unfortunately, he is always out to save himself. I figure the closer we keep him to us, the better off we'll be," Clarke explained.

"But, what are you going to do when we end up in Mount Weather?"

"I'm taking him with us. I need him to be taken into the tunnels and to the harvest chamber. I need him to tell the prisoners that we are coming for them."

"And, what am I supposed to do with that?"

"Break out of quarantine, get him out and start reeking some skairipa havoc. He needs to get to Monty and Raven and get a radio. Then, he'll do what we need him to do. You'll be with him on and off in the air vents. I know that you managed to get out of your room without them knowing. Show him what he needs to know, help him see that you are grown and care for yourself, but make him understand that you're in charge while doing it," Clarke told her.

"I can do that," Octavia reasoned.

"I know."

Octavia nodded and went off to do as asked. Clarke looked around but knew that she wouldn't have to look far to find John Murphy. He was by the fire. Wells was suspiciously with him. They looked to be becoming friends, and Clarke wasn't sure that she was ready for that. Still, it made her smile. She knew that if they became friends that they would be able to over power Bellamy and keep things in check for her as well. She wasn't going to dissuade it. Instead, she would foster their friendship. At least until she made Wells an ambassador to a kru.

"Murphy!" Clarke said loudly as she approached.

"Clarke? What's wrong? Does it have something to do with the half-pint that's waiting at the edge of camp on the big animal thing?" Murphy questioned.

"Yes, nothing, and yes. It's called a horse. We're going out with her to meet the leader of the Grounders and secure our position here. I need you and Wells," Clarke told them as Wells just smiled at her weirdly. "To make sure that everything and everyone stays safe. Monroe, Harper, and Bellamy as going with me as guards. Raven and Octavia are going as my generals. I need you, two, along with Lincoln to keep them safe and working. I don't think that we'll be gone too long, but only let them out for chores, water, food, no wandering. I don't need them accidentally doing something that would get us all killed. Let Jasper and Lincoln lead the teams leaving the camp. Wells, keep on the wall and whatever else you're engineering. Murphy-"

"Keep them fed, dry and clean. Got it, Mom. Just keep us alive, yeah?" he replied.

"Yeah," she stated. "See if you can make some of that rabbit stew again for dinner. I know someone that likes it."

"You do?" Murphy questioned, perking up at her request.

"Not like that, but I'll get her soon, John. I need time and some leeway first. I promised you I would find her and I will. Might need your help in it, but I know that once we find her, you'll be able to get her to join us," Clarke explained. "First things are first, John. We have to save ourselves before we can have any real fun."

"This isn't fun?" he quipped.

"Not by a long shot, my friend. Wait until you see Polis. Then, you'll really understand why I want all this," Clarke told him.

"Well, then, don't keep her waiting," Murphy stated and Clarke smiled larger.

"Wasn't planning on it," Clarke replied and stepped away from the firepit towards the repaired gate. "O, Rae! Let's go."

Octavia came followed by Bellamy, Monroe and Harper, all armed. It was just going to be the six of them. Tris was waiting there with the some horses. Clarke wasn't that surprised but she was happy to have the transportation. It seemed that Lexa was...being impatient. Clarke planned on using that in her favor. She knew that Lexa was going to balk when she heard her plan, but she also knew that it was best one that she'd come up with yet.

"I want a guard with each of us. Bell, you ride with O," Clarke told them as she gave O a look.

Octavia nodded, grabbed her brother and stowed her sword. She watched as Tris watched her. Octavia helped him up on the horse and then pushed him back. Once she was happy with where he was situated, she mounted and grabbed the reins.

"Ready, Skaiprisa," O told her.

Clarke gave her a quirky smile. "Monroe with me, Harper with Raven."

They all mounted. It took a little bit more time, and one point, Octavia dismounted and with the help of Tris got them all ready. Clarke was in front of Monroe and Raven was in front of Harper. Octavia lead them to where Tris mounted and then began the trek to Belle. Raven ended up by Tris as they rode two abreast. Octavia and Clarke took up the rear.

"Do you think this is town that we burned with the flares?"

"I don't know, O, but I hope it is. At least this way, I know that we've saved someone. Hopefully, it'll be the beginning of us stopping the repeat. I'm getting really tired of getting back here and dying over and over again."

"Are you upset with me for giving it to your mom?" Octavia asked her.

"Not upset, really. I'm just curious as to why you didn't give it to Raven first. We need her brain and her bombs, so why didn't we give it to her?" Clarke mused.

The rest of the ride was quiet. Clarke was lost in her head. Raven was slowly mapping things in the tablet, and looking at her calculations. They could tell that Tris was intrigued with Raven and the tek, but she was smart enough to not say anything. Octavia was on guard. This was a new patch of land to them, in the fact that there had never been a village there for them to visit.

They came over a rise and looked down into the small valley below. It wasn't a village like any they had ever seen. Clarke and Octavia looked to each other and down at the village. It was small, very small. It looked to only house about five to six houses. If Clarke didn't know any better, she would think it was an outpost or a trading post. It was too close to the Mountain to be one, and it was too far in Trikru territory. It might be a place of meeting, or trading, but that wasn't its primary purpose. For now, Clarke didn't know what it was, but she was happy to see the few people there were happy and hale.

"Welcome to Belle, Skairprisa," Tris said as they rode into the small encampment.

She saw Lexa and Anya waiting for her. Gustus and Indra were standing before a great big tent. Clarke mused that it had to be Lexa's. Ryder and Nyco were also there. There was a slew of guards that she recognized but never learned their names, too. They stopped near them, but not close enough to see the green in Lexa's eyes. Tris made sure that they were in a position that they were surrounded. The village was to their left and they could see the people watching them and whispering. She knew that they must be a sight. Maybe that is why they were meeting there and not at TonDC, but Clarke thought it was more of the fact that this little village was close to the Mountain and in between the TonDC and the Hundred. It could be a somewhat neutral and less populated area for them to talk. Whatever the reason, they were there now. It was time to discuss the future of the Hundred, Mount Weather, and the coming Arkers. She knew that Anya would want her dead by the end of the night, and probably Indra, too. But, they needed each other if they were all going to survive. She just needed to convince Lexa. If she could do that, the rest of them would fall in line, for the most part.

"Skaiprisa, welcome to Belle."

"Thank you, Heda. We are glad to be here to meet with you again. I hope that everyone survived the storm."

"We did," Lexa answered as she raised her chin at Clarke defiantly.

"You still don't trust me."

"One storm warning doesn't convey a need to trust, Skaiprisa."

"You are right. But, we have more news and more reasons for us to work together. I am sure that Lincoln and Tris have told you everything."

"They have kept me informed," Lexa stated and then she regarded Clarke further. "That doesn't displease you, either. You are glad that I know what you are doing. Why?"

"Because you will see that we aren't a threat, and we aren't from the Mountain. We just want to live in peace, help each other survive, and find a way to do so without too much bloodshed," Clarke told her.

"You speak of bloodshed like you are one to have been to war many times, Skaiprisa, but you can't be older than eighteen summers. What do you know of war and hardship? You say that you've fallen from the sky, but you know our ways. I find this very hard to believe."

"I know, but you can ask any of us the same questions. We will all tell you same thing. We are from the stars and we only want to live here in peace."

"So, I shall," Lexa said as she turned away, coat flowing out behind her. She stopped suddenly and faced them again, "All of you come. I wish to speak with you all. Gustus will take your weapons."

"And, my guards?"

"Will keep one knife a piece," Lexa offered.

"That should be fine," Clarke replied. "But, I ask that Octavia, ai Skairipa keeps her sword. She stays with me at all times, so you will have your eyes on her."

Lexa looked to Gustus and Anya. Clarke could tell that Gustus wasn't that happy about it, and she knew it was only because he wouldn't be in the tent with them while they were talking. Anya seemed to bristle at this request, but she didn't voice her opinion. Indra however spoke up and said in no uncertain terms that Lexa should just strike them down where they stood and let her lead a group of warriors to destroy the camp and take their supplies. She was sure that they would make good servants or dead bodies. Indra wasn't particular to either. She made it known that she didn't trust them, especially Clarke.

"I find that acceptable," Lexa stated.

Clarke turned to her people and made them all give Gustus and Tris, by default, their spears, bows, and swords. They disarmed and handed over their weapons. She saw Bellamy hesitate, but Octavia reached over and took everything from him, handing it to Gustus personally. She even took Bellamy's knife on his side. She popped him upside the head and pointed her finger in his face. Clarke couldn't hear what she told him, but she saw him hang his head and lower his eyes. Monroe and Harper stepped up closer to him. Raven cocked an eyebrow and turned nothing over. Anya was watching her. Clarke gave up her own knives to Tris, and then moved to step forward before Anya stopped her.

"The Bird?"

"She doesn't carry weapons," Clarke answered.

"She is general without weapons?" Anya asked as she looked her over again, head to toe, with lost of disdain showing on her face.

"Not all generals need a sword to strike fear into their foes, Onya. I like to call her the commander of boom, but she hasn't yet to build a bomb. She listens to me. She's smart. A thinker, a strategist, she builds things for war. She doesn't fight from the front, but from behind, making sure that those on the front are as safe as they can be and as deadly. Trust me. She is not someone that you want to cross. She doesn't need weapons to kill you. She'll use your brain, and trust me when I tell you that it will hurt," Clarke told her in Trig.

It was on purpose. She knew that none of her people would know what she said, but all the Grounders around them would. Lexa cocked an eyebrow at the confession and looked to see that Octavia was holding back a laugh.

"She could kill me without a weapon?" Anya asked.

"Sha, Wormana, she could. Don't test her. She doesn't like it when people tell her 'No.' She feels like she has to prove them wrong," O added.

"What is that you carry?" Anya asked her as she tapped the top of the tablet in her hands.

"A tablet," Raven asked.

"Tek," Clarke added for us to keep in touch with our people in the stars and back in camp. "Plus, it has our plans to help you with your Mountain problem. That is if you'll hear us out."

"We shall see what you plan, Skaiprisa. First, I want to speak with you and your guards. Come, let us have a drink and talk," Lexa replied and waved Clarke forward into the tent.

Clarke nodded and followed her to the tent's flaps, then she turned and looked each of people in the eyes and told them, "Behave and let me do this."