Ai Hod Yu In
Chapter 5
In the few days since finding out the truth about one another, Clarke, Marcus, and Nala had only grown closer. The truth of the matter was that all the secrets had meant they had put up walls. With the walls gone, Clarke finally felt free to trust her newest friends. During their morning talks, Clarke would tell Nala about her nightmares and the people she missed. In return, Nala had confided in Clarke just how scared she was for her daughter. After hearing more about the conclave, Clarke could not blame her. She would never want to be around such a bloody way of life.
She was walking in the village with Madi today. It was so nice out that it simply didn't seem right to spend the day cooped up in the house. There were people she didn't know today, though. That always put her on high alert. She made her way closer to the shadows and the people, hoping to hear more.
"Osir souda ge a natblida," one of the two murmured. Clarke grew even more on edge. She didn't know who they were, nor what they said. She did know natblida, however. She was holding one right now.
"Come, Madi. Let's go somewhere a little safer, huh?" she asked, turning and making her way to the forest. It would likely take a few hours or so for these people to leave. Until then, Madi would be safe with her. She would protect her, just as she had promised.
She sat in a clearing far away from the village and let herself dive deep into her thoughts. Recently, she'd been thinking it might be time to go home. She could go right now, and no one would know. She could pretend Madi was hers. Madi would be safer that way. She knew instantly she could never do that to her friends, though. Nala and Marcus would be devestated in that case. She couldn't leave alone, either. She had to stay to protect Madi and Gustus. Which only left making her move to Shallow Valley permanent. There had to be an open home somewhere. She could live there forever, watching over and protecting her younglings.
For the first time, Clarke really thought about how she felt about Madi and Gustus. It was as much as she would imagine she would love her own children. It hit her hard. Any child of hers would be a target. She could never do that to a child. That meant that Madi and Gustus had to be it for her. The only kids she'd ever have even a slight part in the upbringing of. The love of her life was gone, and she wasn't sure she wanted to try to replace him. Finn was too special, even with how lost he was in the end. She was alone, even now in this village surrounded by friends. Always alone.
Or maybe not so alone right now, she had to admit after hearing a twig snap. Someone was here right now. Suddenly, the men from before attacked her. She quickly drew her knife, throwing it at one. It hit him in the chest, causing blood to flow from his mouth and his body to drop. Clarke grabbed another knife she kept on her, and just in time. The man was already to her. He cut her thigh with his spear, and she slashed his arm with her knife. They fought continuously, each hit doing nothing but make him mad, each cut missing by inches. Clarke looked over at Madi, and gained the strength. She kicked his sword out of his hand and stabbed him the same as she did his partner.
After that, she automatically ran over to Madi. Luckily, the little girl had been nowhere near the actual fight. While Clarke herself was covered in bruises and cuts, Madi was unharmed.
The second one laughed, and Clarke finally realized that he was still alive. His breathing was shallow, but he was still mostly in better shape than Clarke.
"Why do this?" Clarke asked. The boy was younger than her. He had blonde hair. He was a person, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
"For my Heda." he murmured, eyes drifting shut.
"Yu gonplei ste odon." she whispered, about to return. It should be safe now. The threat was gone. She'd have to talk to Nala and Marcus about her plan once she came back. They were better planners than her.
"Have fun at home." he laughed, finally breathing his last breath. A feeling of dread consumed her. He was too happy. Something was wrong at home.
Once again, Clarke Griffin's life would change forever. However, this change may not be as welcome as the last was.
