I sat quietly behind that tent for god knows how long before I heard the thundering sound of horse hooves. I got up tiredly and moved wincing heavily at the cut across my abdomen and arm. I was starting to feel the pain now that the adrenaline left my system.

I held my arm realizing I had been bleeding slowly while I sat and limped my way out from behind the healer's tent to see who had arrived. It was one of the warriors I had sent to Polis. He pulled on the rains of the horse as it came to a heel and jumped off quickly to move towards me.

I looked at him with a grim look feeling light headed.

"You have word from the Commander?" I asked quietly.

He nodded looking just as grim as I.

"She rides for Ton DC with the others, she sent me ahead to tell you she is coming and she is bringing Anya. They will be taking care of the prisoner."

I nodded.

He looked me over and then at the bodies still lying around the camp.

"We have told her what has happened and what you did Sky Princess…It is an amazing feat in itself that you kept these men from killing more of our people I just want you to know that."

He reached out for me and I flinched away.

"I understood what I had to do. I am the Chief's second in Command. I would die for this Village."

He put his arm down and nodded solemnly.

"We will follow you well."

I looked away.

I didn't want the burden. I hadn't wanted this at all. I just wanted to heal with my mother but duty calls me for being so close to Lexa.

"You already are a Legend Sky Princess. Your stories will pass through the villages like wild fire now. Killing 17 men on your own at once. Marking yourself on your own during the marking Ceremony, It is unheard of. I am honored to know you as my Leader besides the Commander, Princess."

He went to one knee and I wanted to throw up again.

"There's no need to get on your knee."

I said in English as I turned away.

"When the Commander arrives I will be in the healer's tent."

I didn't bother to hear his reply. I had things to think about as well as get ready for. I was furious and I was going to kill the person that had ordered these men to come kill off this village.

I walked away back into the tent I had been standing outside of to find my mother with her head bowed as she still sat next to the Chief.

I pulled up a chair next to her and sat down as well. I looked over Nomon and sighed. If only I hadn't been out hunting I could have seen this coming. My mother touched my arm and I flinched.

I looked at her and she was looking down at the blood dripping down my arm and pooling in my shirt.

"Take your shirt and armor off. I will at least clean your wounds." She said.

I hesitated and she looked at me with a glint in her eyes that said not to argue so I didn't.

She helped me unbuckle my armor and take my shirt off, then she went to get medical supplies.

I sat there covered in soot and blood on my arms and face and neck while my upper body that had been covered by my shirt was white and had only a sheen of filth across it. I looked down at my hands covered in dried blood still and knew even if I cleaned it off it would still be there. My hair was covered in a layer of gray and red from the massacre and I felt unlike myself. My abdomen wound flowed with clean blood down to my pants and I watched it drip onto the floor. It wasn't life threatening but it was still bleeding worse then I first thought, same with my arm. That one would have to be cleaned thoroughly.

My mother came back with a bucket of water and began cleaning and I felt the stinging pain and it was welcoming. I didn't feel anything besides anger and despair earlier so the fact I could still feel pain was something I welcomed. Half way through my mother applying herbs to my arm wound and wrapping it with medical cloth there was a thunder of more horse hooves. I closed my eyes. Lexa was here.

My mother finished applying herbs to my abdomen after having me stand up and she wrapped it. There was a huge commotion outside the medical tent as Lexa began yelling Commands to what I assumed were her men.

"GET THOSE TRAITORS OFF MY COURTYARD. WRAP THEM FOR THE BURNING CEREMONY! SECURE THE HOUSES THAT HAVE BEEN BURNED! I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE REMNANCE OF WHAT THEY DID DO YOU HEAR ME! THE DEAD ARE GONE THE LIVING ARE HUNGRY!" she roared across the camp.

There was an answering roar as Lexa stormed into the healer's tent and then stopped as I watched her standing there as my mother finished tying the bandage behind me. We were all silent as my mom stood up and put her hand on my shoulder and then went back and sat down where she was without a word.

I looked into her eyes and my eyes answered the fire within them. I moved then, walking with purpose over to her and she walked with just as much purpose and then we were standing close as she stared me over.

Both of our eyes were hard as steel and our faces stone. She put a hand out to my face and wiped away the soot under my eye across my cheekbone and then did the same to the other side as I leaned closer she put her hands on my shoulders. She looked at the dried blood in my hair and across my face that hadn't the faintest emotion across it, across my neck and then saw the bandages.

"You killed them all." She said. She was stating a fact not asking a question.

"All but one." I said as I gritted my teeth and the anger awakened again.

Our faces were so close then it was like we were all that could keep us together.

I put my hands out and held her Commanders Jacket and looked at the red cape across her shoulder. She was in full armor and ready for battle.

"Ayna has gone to see the prisoner. She will get the information."

I looked down then.

"I want to kill them all Lexa…and yet I know that can't happen with what you are trying to do…" I said so quietly that if she hadn't been in my personal space she wouldn't have heard it. "I want to kill the one that commanded such a catastrophe…and yet I know we are unable to get our hands on the one that did. I know it in my heart."

I felt Lexa grip my shoulders tighter.

I looked up and her eyes were on fire as she hissed out.

"Nothing will stop me from killing the one that killed my mother."

She looked behind me and I moved to the side as she walked over to the body that lay there.

I saw her shoulders shaking as she looked at the woman that had raised her and I couldn't help the sorrow that over took me.

"They will know the pain I feel Clarke…They have declared war against me…and I will answer it."

She turned to me and I saw the tears that didn't dare drop.

"We WILL kill them all if that's what it takes…"

I stood there at a loss knowing what was happening to Lexa. Her anger and sorrow were consuming her.

I walked to her and took her into my arms. She stiffened and I squeezed harder, she softened then as she leant against me grabbing my bare back with her gloved hands and she dug her nails there as her body shook with quiet sobs and pain. I curled my face into her neck as she did the same and I felt the warm tears across my neck and shoulder and I let them drip down my chest as she wrapped her arms around my neck and shoulders and I rubbed her back. This would be the last time she was going to show her weakness and I was going to take it because soon we would be at war and there would not be a Lexa that showed this even to the closest of her family and loved ones. She was the Commander. I would hold her now so that she could remember this moment. I would be by her side, for however long she would allow me to be.

I felt movement, Lexa and I looked over to see my mom there. Her eyes were tired and empty and she put her hands on our shoulders. Lexa and I loosened our hold as all three of us looked at the Chief one last time.

"I think it's time to honor her." My mother said quietly.

Lexa and I nodded.

"Get her ready as well as the other of our people that were killed…Clarke and I have some business to attend to." My mother nodded and then left to get the Ceremonial cloth.

Lexa moved to retrieve the shirt I had been wearing as well as my armor and helped me into it again.

She buckled the last piece of my light armor and then she looked at me.

It was still covered in our enemy's blood.

"I will mark you myself when all of this is done." Lexa said quietly.

I nodded.

"I only wish I had been here when the assassins came." I said.

I bawled up my fists at my words as I shook with fury.

"I could have saved her Lex…"

I felt a hand grip my chin as I looked at Lexa with burning eyes.

"We both could have been here Clarke…but we weren't…do not dwell on the past…dwell on the people still alive that we need to kill…we will have blood…" she said it with so much determination I knew we would.

I nodded and then she let go and moved to exit the tent.

"Come Clarke of the Sky people…we have a prisoner to get blood from."

I instantly followed Lexa out of the tent as the sun burned my eyes; I put a hand over my brow and looked at the Village in front of me.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at us and as we passed all of them bowed.

I realized it wasn't just for Lexa, I looked over and Lexa looked on with approval.

"These people are thankful Clarke…you saved so many with your bravery. You show no sign of weakness in the face of danger."

We continued on as I nodded back to the people that bowed to me.

"Lexa…there is something I wish to speak to you about…"

Lexa turned to me as we stopped outside of where we could hear screams from inside, Anya doing her job as torturer well enough to elicit such screams.

"What is it Clarke."

"I want Anya to take over Ton DC…and I want Indra to be her second in command."

Lexa's eyes widened.

"I realize they are with you because they are your mentors but now that they are not and you are in full Command…I want to come with you to this battle but I also want two capable warriors to look after our home…I could not do my job well…my Chief was killed right under my nose and I could do nothing but kill the men that were the reason for such a thing happening…"

I bit my lip hard as I refrained from the tears that wished to spill as I lowered my head to my Commander.

"The only thing I can do now is be a part of this war. If you'll have me." I waited for her reply looking at the ground and then when I blinked the tears away I looked up and Lexa was looking at me in such a way I hadn't seen in a long time.

"I will allow you to be by my side when this war begins Clarke."

I felt relief. Some of my burden lifted from my shoulders.

"I will speak to Anya and Indra as well. We will leave tonight after the burning Ceremony. We have much to discuss in the Capital."

I nodded and then Lexa turned to go into the dungeon like prison.

I looked back one last time behind me and then steeled my face for what awaited me inside the prison.

Lexa's POV

It was devastation. The pain I felt when I was told what had happened in my home. I knew something was wrong right away when I saw the last 5 remaining warriors besides Clarke and my mother arrive at the gates of Polis. I had been in a meeting with the 11 clan leaders that I had alliance with and we were discussing how to get the last nation to agree. The Ice Nation. I instantly excused myself as the leader jumped off his horse and told me what had transpired in my ear.

I instantly demanded the fastest rider to leave to tell Clarke I was on my way and turned back to find Costia standing there looking concerned. I felt fury overtake me as I screamed at my men to get the horses ready. Costia grabbed my arm and I wrenched it out turning on her with my anger.

She tried talking me out of rushing off but I clipped back at her. The look of hurt that crossed her face was enough to piss me off more so I turned away and immediately climbed up and took off towards Ton DC. I didn't have time to deal with frivolous things. My mother had been killed at the fact that Clarke took care of 17 men had my mind reeling.

How could this happen…11 of the leaders of the nations were sitting in that Council room and yet the one that wasn't had tried to massacre my home. How did she even know this information about me? Clarke was smart enough to acquire a prisoner and I was going to squeeze as much information out of him before I murdered him for the death of my mother.

I find myself leaning against the wall next to Clarke as Anya screamed at the boy that sat in that chair bleeding and crying like the weak traitor he was. Clarke was smart to acquire this one. He had been spilling his guts out since Anya had begun and it was almost amusing that the Ice Queen would send a boy to do a man's job.

He spoke truth to what we were seeking.

I was beginning to understand the Ice Queen a little better as the boy spilled everything to us. Clarke was shaking as more words of treason flew from the boys lips and then we heard what we wanted to hear.

"Our people do not wish to be in the Alliance with a weak Heda…she found out the information about the Commanders mother leading this Village from a spy within your borders." He spat as blood hit the ground.

I felt my muscles tense as I walked up and pulled back and punched him in the face.

"Who is the spy?! Speak the name!" I roared in his face.

He was shaking as he looked unsure between us.

"I do not know…I was just a second…this information was not given to me…"

I punched him again and he squealed.

Anya whipped him and he screamed.

He had finished his use.

"Bring him out and tie him to the pole. He will die by a thousand cuts and fire for the crime against my village."

Anya nodded and then Clarke stopped me as I looked at her.

She was staring at the boy with so much fury as she walked over to Anya who handed her the whip and then she pulled back and hit him across the face with it as he screamed louder than before.

"You're lying!" she screamed.

The boy cried as blood dripped down his face more than it already was.

"I KNOW YOU KNOW WHO THE SPY IS!" she whipped him again as my eyes widened.

The boy begged for mercy and then she whipped him a third time and the boy screamed wait as Clarke got ready to hit him in the face again with the whip.

Clarke lowered the whip.

The boy coughed up blood and he breathed raggedly.

"It's a She…it's a girl…"

"The name!" Clarke roared loudly in his face.

He opened his mouth to continue but then he chocked and coughed blood out into Clarkes face as he began foaming at the mouth.

I grabbed Clarke away from him and Anya hissed.

"Poison! How!"

I looked at him and sighed.

"It must have been a safety measure that the Queen had ready…the warriors must have been shot with poison that had a late reaction time and if they weren't back at a specific time for the antidote then the poison would spread so that they couldn't be tortured long for information…"

Clarke wiped the blood from her face and growled.

"I was so close!" she threw down the whip and then stormed out of the prison.

Anya looked at me in concern and I shook my head.

"I think it's time for the burning Ceremony…bring the boy."

I turned around abruptly and followed Clarke out of the prison.

She was standing near the wooden prier as men set all the bodies of the guilty below and the innocent few on top. My mother was brought out last and then it was ready.

"Today we say goodbye to those we have lost. This should not have happened, but it did, and as such…we will have blood for those we have lost today. It does not stop with these 21 men, it will stop with the one that has commanded such a thing."

Everyone was silent as I spoke.

"Clarke of the Sky Crew did not waiver when she killed these men and that is a debt that will not go unpaid. She is rightfully apart of our people!" I roared and everyone roared back chanting Clarke's title.

Clarke stood still as she looked at the prier silently.

"She will be joining me on the hunt to find the one that did this! And we WILL come back victorious, this I promise you."

The chanting and roaring grew louder.

"It is time to set these souls free! Blood must have Blood and we will make sure of that!" I was handed the torch and I passed it to Clarke.

Clarke glanced at me as she took it and it became quiet. I went to the fire close to me and took the Ceremonial poker from it and moved to Clarke.

Clarke reached towards the Prier.

"Yu gonplei ste odon." She set the prier on fire and then I helped her removed her armor until she was only in the tank top she had on underneath her shirt.

She stood silently even as I began pressing the poker to her shoulders. The sizzling of burning skin was all that was heard above the roar of the fire that Clarke looked into as the bodies of the fallen burned. I did two consecutive lines on her left shoulder until the last mark was made. And then the poker was taken from my hand by a warrior and then we stood as her back bled from the burn wounds. Clarke did not even shake from the pain.

It was done but no one moved as they all watched the fire grow bigger. No one wanted to leave the Skai Prisa that they all had become to admire and respect as she mourned for those lost.

I looked on as well numb to the thought that I would never see my mother's face again.

"Lexa."

I jolted from my thoughts as I looked to Clarke that stood next to me.

The fire had died and all that was left was ashes and some wood.

"That spy he talked about…we need to find her…"

I looked back at the smoldering remains in front of me.

"We will Clarke."

"And then War…" she whispered.

I looked on as the people of Ton DC dispersed back to their duties.

"And then War…" I whispered back.

HEY GUYS! I'M BACK! You all miss me xp I just want to thank everyone that reviewed, fav'd and followed my story :D wow guys more then 100+ followers that's pretty awesome. You all make my day when you review. I try and reply to each and every one of you and if you're the guests that leave reviews thank you so much I love that you all get excited for what awaits in this story.

I will do my best to make this spectacular XD

Artemis :)