Hey guys, so this chapter is a little longer than usual, but no one is going to complain about that right. I just want to let you know that there is a little bit of toruture in this chapter. It's not too bad, but I'm going to give a warning anyway. I hope you all enjoy!
The feast was held out in the center of Polis. There were many long tables spread out for people to sit, and plenty of tables piled high with all kinds of food from all of the different clans. Lexa had delivered a short speech to begin the feast and when she was done, that's when when the party went into full swing. There was plenty of food, and with that food came plenty of drinks.
Those at the celebration didn't seem at all concerned with their alcohol consumption, and early on, a lot of people were feeling the effects. Clarke was sitting with Roan, chatting as they usually did. She could feel Lexa's eyes on her more often than not and occasionally they would meet each others eyes with a soft smile. It didn't take Roan long to notice. "You and the Commander seem to be getting along well," he prodded.
Clarke saw the smirk on his face and knew there was no point in lying, "Yeah we are. I just can't help it."
Roan nodded. "I know. I've known how much you cared about her for a long time, even when you didn't. I'm happy for you Clarke, but you need to be careful. You know this is what my mother wants and any type of relationship puts both of you in danger."
"I know, and I appreciate your concern, but what more could your mother possibly do to me? I'm here, I'm serving her, there is nothing left. She clearly wants me alive and she won't use the mountain against me when she still needs me to work for her. I know she wants to harm the Commander but I don't see how she's going to be able to that. Lexa is is well protected here. She can handle herself and I will have her back. Besides, we haven't really had the time to discuss much of anything between us yet. Your mother has ordered me to get her to fall for me and to make her trust me and I don't have a choice in that. If our feelings for each other are real it'll be more believable for Nia and maybe Lexa'll be able to find a way to help me, to help us," Clarke said as she took a sip of her drink.
"Playing both sides is a dangerous game Clarke," Roan commented.
"I'm not playing both sides. I'm on the Commander's side. All I have to do is figure out a way to take out Emerson. Until then, yes, I will follow Nia, but she does not have my loyalty." She couldn't do anything about Emerson here in Polis, but she could come up with some ideas on how to get to him when she returned. When she had first started out spying on Emerson, she was an inexperienced assassin. Now she was the best of the best and she would find a way to get to him and the threat he posed. All she had to do was plan out what she could on her own, eavesdrop on Nia and some of her more trusted advisors to learn anything she could and stay ahead of the game in Polis, and convince Lexa and Skaikru to leave Azgeda alone and let her figure out her own problems. It may not be the most sound plan ever, but it was what she had and she was going to run with it.
"One slip up and you'll be in some deep trouble," he said and then shoveled some more food into his mouth.
Clarke sighed and then looked slightly to her left to lock onto Lexa, "I know, but I think it'll be worth it." Roan smiled at her and nodded. It was clear how much Clarke cared for the Commander and if the looks the Commander occasionally gave Clarke, she felt the same way. He was happy for her. After everything she'd been through, she deserved a little happiness. This was a dangerous game and Clarke would need to be careful if she wanted to succeed, but if anyone could do it, it was Clarke. The two of them returned to a less serious conversation as they continued to enjoy the feast.
Meanwhile, Skaikru were all sitting together at one of the tables. Kane, Abby, Monty, and Harper were on one side and Bellamy, Raven, Octavia, and Lincoln were on the other. Kane was trying to keep the conversation light, but it was clear no one was interested in what he was talking about. Abby was staring at Octavia, looking over each of the bruises and gashes that were across her face, "I can't believe Clarke did that to you."
"I'm the one who challenged her to a match. She tried to talk me out of it and she even gave me a chance to give up during the fight, but I didn't take it. I just think you should be impressed by how much she's learned. She was incredible," Octavia gushed, thinking back to the match. Clarke had used a few moves that Octavia had never seen before and she was dying to ask Clarke to teach her how to do them.
"I have to agree with that," Raven chimed in. "After Lincoln carried O away, I stayed to watch her other matches. She fought literal giants and she still kicked their asses."
"And the way she disarmed that assassin in the meeting today. That was real skill. She had him disarmed before I really even realized what direction he was coming from," Octavia added enthusiastically. She leaned into Lincoln's side and he wrapped his arm around her smiling at his loves enthusiasm.
"One thing is for sure," Bellamy grumbled. "That is not the same Clarke who left Arkadia after the mountain." He was still bitter after Clarke held her sword to his throat. His pride was hurt and he didn't know how to react to what he had seen so far from the blonde. They were co leaders once, he had trusted her with his life, trusted her more than he trusted anyone, but right now he barely recognized her.
The rest of the table hummed their agreement before Lincoln stepped in. "She's following the orders of Queen Nia. Queen Nia is the most ruthless leader in all of the coalition, and yes, Heda is ruthless when she needs to be, but she has compassion. Nia doesn't. Even the simplest mistake in Azgeda can result in the harshest of punishments. I don't know what happened to her in the two years she was missing, but if she was with Nia, then I am not surprised that she has changed. Most people do not survive her wrath."
The table went silent for a moment thinking over what Lincoln had said before Bellamy spoke, "Well if Nia is so evil, then why is Clarke following her. She does whatever Nia asks without so much as a word. She held a sword to my neck today because I got too close to her."
"I doubt it is that simple. The Ice Queen must have something on her," Lincoln replied, wrapping his arms a little tighter around Octavia.
"If that is the case then why won't she tell us anything?" Abby questioned.
Instead of Lincoln answering it was Kane, "Come on Abby. If this Queen is holding something over Clarke it is likely that if Clarke talks about it, then Nia will use it."
"Then we should talk to the Queen. Demand that she return Clarke to her people, and if she doesn't then we should take her back."
Lincoln snorted at that, "The Ice Nation army is the biggest and most ruthless in all of the coalition. Even with your tek, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"Well we can't just do nothing," Abby shot back.
"We have to talk to Clarke," Kane said. "See if we can get her to tell us anything, but if she doesn't, there isn't much we can do Abby." Kane didn't like it, but he knew he was right. War with Azgeda was not something that Skaikru could handle and if Clark didn't give them anything, then there was no way they could help. It was up to Clarke. Abby narrowed her eyes and grumbled to herself, and Kane reached for her hand. The two had grown close over the last two years, and his touch seemed to help calm Abby some, but her frustration was still simmering deep below her outward expressions.
While this conversation was going on, Lexa was speaking with Luna. Just like Roan had with Clarke, Luna noticed Lexa often looking at the blonde. "How are you doing with her here?" Luna asked.
"What?" Lexa asked blinking rapidly as she pulled her attention from Clarke and looked to Luna.
"Lexa, I know you care for her. The last time I saw you talk about someone the way you talk about Wanheda-"
"Clarke," Lexa corrected.
Luna rephrased, "The last time I saw you talk about someone the way you talk about Clarke, it was Costia." Lexa flinched slightly at the name of her ex love, but she held herself together.
Lexa said nothing. Luna stared at her with a raised brow, waiting for Lexa to step up and say something, "She's forgiven me. I didn't think that I would ever see her again let alone be able to earn her forgiveness, but she's given it to me. I want to help her, but she won't talk to me," Lexa sighed. She was very pleased with the direction her and Clarke were going, but there was still a lot she didn't know. "She told me a broad story of where she's been, but she clearly skipped out on a lot."
"Lexa she was with Queen Nia for somewhere around two years. You know how brutal she is. Maybe Clarke isn't ready to talk about it yet," Luna offered and she took a sip of her drink.
"If she doesn't talk to me, I can't help her," Lexa replied. She felt helpless, and out of every emotion that Lexa was used to feeling, helpless was not one of them.
"Maybe you can't help her with Nia." Lexa glared at her, but Luna continued what she was saying, unfazed by the look after being on the receiving end of it so often throughout her life, "Whatever happened to Clarke, whatever is going on, it's clearly something big. There may not be anything the Commander can do. If you really want to help Clarke, I think you just need to be there for her. I think instead of the Commander, Clarke may need Lexa." Lexa blinked owlishly. She wasn't expecting Luna to say anything like that and she really hadn't thought about it that way. As the Commander, she was so used to being in control and solving her own problems, but with this she couldn't. It was frustrating and it was not a good feeling, but she couldn't shake the thought that maybe Luna was right. Lexa opened her mouth to say something back, but her attention was drawn away as Queen Nia walked up to Clarke. She watched as Clarke's conversation immediately stopped and both her and Roan stood up and bowed their heads, before returning to their seats. Nia took a seat across from them and they began talking, but they were too far away for Lexa to hear what was being said. Then she someone moving in their direction. When Lexa saw who it was she knew something bad was about to happen.
/
Abby stormed up to Nia. Kane and the rest of Skaikru were hot on her heels, but Abby made it to where she was sitting before they could stop her. "Just who the hell do you think you are?" Abby demanded as she sent a seething glare in the Queens direction.
Clarke tried to pacify the situation, "Mom, stop. What are you doing?" but before anything else could happen, Nia had a dagger to her mother's throat.
The celebrations of the party came to a halt and everyone froze to watch yet another dangerous situation unfold. Marcus, Raven, Octavia, and Bellamy came up from behind Abby. They had tried to stop her, but Abby had moved too quickly and escaped their grasp. They all froze in place when they saw the blade of a knife pressed up against Abby. The Commander and Luna were making their way over from they had talking, which was the opposite side of where Skaikru had come.
"Mother, please. This is supposed to be a celebration. Let's not do anything rash," Roan said, standing up from his seat and holding his hands up towards his mother.
Nia turned to look at Clarke, "This is your mother?"
Clarke nodded, "Yes my Queen. Please, I beg you not to harm her. I will take whatever punishment you see fit in her place."
Nia turned back to Abby, her teeth barred, "You are lucky I am in a good mood. I have taken people's heads for less." Nia lowered the knife and it seemed like the entire party took a collective sigh of relief. Abby stumbled backwards into the arms of Marcus who dragged her back and away from the Ice Queen. Nia then turned her attention to the Commander who had walked up from behind Nia, "It seems I have a punishment to deliver. Is your whipping post set up?"
Lexa grit her teeth. She knew this punishment was for Clarke and she was not interested in letting it occur. She opened her mouth to tell Nia that the punishment wasn't going to happen, but she felt Luna gently grab her elbow. "There is nothing you can do to stop this Lexa," she whispered. Lexa let out a low growl, but she knew Luna was right. The Queen had been spoken to in an extremely inappropriate way and by someone who wasn't from her clan. Clarke had offered to take the punishment instead, and Lexa had no say in the internal affairs of other clans. There was nothing she could do to stop this.
Lexa nodded and led Nia out to the section of Polis where two wooden poles were erected on a platform. The area was basically empty, other than the stage, to make room for whatever crowd would gather for the punishments that would be handed out. The platform was lit up by a good number of torches and Queen Nia, Roan, and Clarke made their way up onto it. Lexa, Luna, and the Skaikru all stood in the front row in front of the platform and everyone else who came to watch stood behind them. The feast had come to an end, the people of Polis either going to watch Wanheda's punishment or returning to their homes for the night.
"Since I am feeling generous, your punishment will be only twenty lashes," Nia said as one of her Ice Nation warriors handed her the whip.
Lexa felt her entire body tense and she clenched her fists to the point where her nails started to draw blood. What Nia was offering wasn't generous. She heard the sounds of the Skaikru beside her all gasping, but she didn't turn to look at them. She kept her eyes on Clarke and never once moved them.
Clarke turned to Roan and handed him her weapons. It was warm in Polis, and since she didn't need to dress formally for a feast, she didn't have more than a thin blue long sleeved shirt on. She turned to show him her back and he used a dagger to cut through the fabric of her shirt to expose her back. Clarke kept her eyes trained on Lexa who was standing in the front of the crowd. Their gazes were connected and neither one of them could take their eyes off the other. Clarke could see that Lexa was struggling with processing what was about to happen. Her eyes gave away her emotions and Clarke could read a lot from her eyes, and right now what she was fear for her. "When this is done, help me cover myself up. I don't want anyone to see me like this," Clarke requested of Roan. Clarke's back was a nasty patchwork of scars and in a few places her skin was melted to show the brands of Azgeda. Her months of torture and her time of training had damaged and scarred most of her body. Her clothing covered just about all of it up, but now she was exposed, and Clarke didn't want anyone, especially Lexa and Skaikru, to see what she had been through. Not yet.
Roan agreed easily. "Ste yuj," he murmured and he took a few steps away from her and the posts. Clarke took a deep breath and made her way to stand between the posts. She reached up and wrapped the leather straps that were attached to the post around her hands. She took a deep breath and she stood tall. She gave a nod in Lexa's direction in an attempt to reassure her. Then she pulled her eyes away from Lexa because she knew she wouldn't be able to look at the brunettes face while this was happening.
A moment later, Clarke felt a slight sting against her back and she heard the cracking sound of a whip. She could see some people in the crowd flinch and heard a few more gasps, but not a word came from her own mouth. She had been through much worse than this.
At the seventh lash, Clarke felt her skin start to break open, and a few lashes after that she could feel her blood coat her back more fully. She was still standing tall and had yet to make a sound, which was a surprise to just about everyone in the audience.
When the twentieth lash hit, Clarke unwrapped her hands from the leather straps and then Roan was at her side. He held up a light cloth and wrapped it around Clarke's body to keep it covered like she had asked. She smiled at him in thanks. "You know you don't have to be a badass all the time. You can show pain every once in a while," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Your mother ordered me to promote Azgeda strength in any way that I could. I did. Besides, that barely felt like anything compared to Azgeda's other forms of torture," Clarke responded blankly. Roan shook his head slightly. This girl was incredibly stubborn and incredibly strong, and she had suffered through much more than she ever deserved.
Then Queen Nia walked up from behind them, "I would suggest teaching Skaikru their place."
Clarke bowed her head, "I will make sure this doesn't happen again my Queen.
Nia smirked, "I should hope not. Go see a healer, I need you well for tomorrow." Nia's eyes trailed out into the crowd where the Commander looked absolutely livid. "It looks like you are doing well with the Commander," she whispered to Clarke. "Keep it up." With that, Nia left the stage and made her way back to Polis Tower, a grin on her face the entire way.
Most of the crowd dispersed after that, returning to their homes as the feast had already ended, but there were a few people who stayed behind. Clarke walked without any assistance down the steps of the stage, but Roan stayed close to her side just in case.
When Clarke got to the ground she was met by her mother. "Clarke," she started, her voice trembling, her eyes wet with tears.
Clarke held up a hand to silence her, "Stop." She looked up to meet the eyes of all of the Skaikru, all of those that she had once been so close with, "You all need to stop being so reckless and respect Queen Nia. If anything else happens she will call for your punishment, maybe even death, and I will not be able to stop her. I am a part of Azgeda now and you all need to accept that." Clarke put Skaikru in their place and pushed passed her mother, not sparing any of Skaikru a second glance. When she passed them, she walked up to Lexa who was standing with Luna. Clarke could see the war of emotions that was going on within the depths of those green eyes. "A pleasure to meet you Wanheda," Luna said, cutting into the silence that had fallen over the group, "I'm sorry it is under such circumstances. I am Luna, Heda kom Floudonkru."
Clarke reached out to grasp Luna's outstretched arm and was barely able to hold back a wince as the skin on her back pulled. "Unfortunate circumstances indeed, but it is nice to meet you Luna," Clarke said before turning her attention to Lexa, "Commander, would you be able to show me to a healing tent?"
Lexa immediately responded leading Clarke through Polis towards Nyko's tent, which was closer to the tower. Roan and Luna walked a few steps behind them, to provide assistance if needed, but more to give the two an opportunity to talk. "Are you alright?" Lexa asked.
Clarke smiled as best she could, "Lexa, you need to stop asking me that. Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Lexa shook her head, "I will always worry about you Clarke. I'm sorry, I should have stopped Nia from punishing you."
Clarke stopped and turned to face Lexa, "Hey, stop that. There was nothing you could have done and you know it." Lexa couldn't hold her eyes to meet Clarke's. Clarke reached out so her hand brushed over Lexa's. She didn't want to be too intimate in public, but she knew Lexa needed something to help ground her and she hoped her touch would do that. "Lexa this wasn't your fault. I'm okay. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." Clarke watched as Lexa's eyes filled with tears, but not a single one dropped. "I'm okay and I will not be going anywhere any time soon. I promise you that," Clarke reassured. When Clarke grasped Lexa's wrist, she finally looked up into those gorgeous ocean blue eyes and the sky met the earth for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. She took a few deep breaths before nodding her head and leading Clarke to Nyko. When they arrived, Clarke entered Nyko's tent with Lexa beside her. She collapsed down onto the bed and let out a long groan. She had been through worse pain, that was true. If she was in a fight or if she really needed to, she could ignore and fight through the pain, but in Nyko's tent she didn't have to. Nyko asked Clarke to take of her shirt, but at the request she hesitated. Nyko could sense her discomfort and asked Lexa to leave the tent so he could work alone. Lexa glared at him for a moment, but Clarke reassured her and she slipped outside. Once she was gone, Clarke remover her shirt.
Nyko spent a good bit of time going over her wounds. Clarke felt uncomfortable the entire time. This was the first time someone other than her usual healer had seen the full extent of her injuries. She could see the looks that Nyko was giving her the entire time, but he had been respectful enough not to bring it up. Eventually though, she couldn't take the looks anymore, "It looks worse than it is."
Nyko stopped what he was doing and he moved to meet Clarke's eyes, "I have never seen anyone look worse than you do."
"You do not know how to talk to a woman," Clarke aimed for levity, but it clearly didn't work.
Nyko narrowed his eyes, unamused. "What you have been through Wanheda… You are lucky to be alive."
Clarke held his gaze for a moment. She wanted to argue, wanted to downplay it, but she couldn't. He was right, she was lucky to be alive. "I guess I just wasn't ready for my fight to end," Clarke replied. "And you can call me Clarke." Nyko nodded at the response and he returned to finishing the dressing on Clarke's back.
When Nyko was done, he laid Clarke on her stomach on the bed. "Get some rest," he ordered. Clarke didn't argue and within minutes, she was passed out.
/
Clarke awoke with a start, her body jerking slightly as she took a sharp breath in. She winced as she felt pain shoot across her back and she remembered where she was exactly. She was lying on her stomach after receiving her twenty lashes from the night before. Her bed was surrounded by a curtain to separate her from the rest of the tent. She sat up from the bed and saw that there was a set of her own clothing on a stool beside her bed. Roan must have brought it for, she would have to remember to thank him for it later. Clarke didn't know what time it was, but she assumed it was early since she generally always woke up early, and she couldn't hear much of anything from outside the tent to suggest otherwise. She changed into her clothing, careful when she pulled on her new shirt and she attached her weapons to all of the separate sheaths she had for them, but instead of wearing her sword on her back like she usually did, she attached it to her hip.
When Clarke was fully changed, she pulled back the curtain that separated her from the rest of the tent and started to make her way outside. She figured she'd get some light training in before the next meeting of the Summit. When the curtain was moved aside, Clarke could see into the tent and the sight before her took her breath away. Lexa was asleep in a chair right outside the curtain, and Clarke had never seen the older girl look more peaceful than she looked in that moment. Clarke stared at Lexa, unable to look anywhere else when a voice snapped her out of her trance. "It's not polite to stare," Lexa said, her eyes still closed.
"Sorry," Clarke replied sheepishly.
Lexa opened her eyes and she immediately took in the blonde already up and ready for the day, "Are you alright?"
Clarke narrowed her eyes, "I told you to stop asking me that. I'm okay Lexa."
"I'm never going to stop making sure you're alright," Lexa replied. They were the only two in the tent at the moment, so Lexa was able to talk openly to Clarke.
Clarke pulled over a stool and sat down across from Lexa. "How long have you been out here?"
"I stayed here all night."
"I wish I would have known that. I'd have told you to go to your room and sleep in a real bed," Clarke replied. There was no way that the chair she was in was suitable for a good amount of sleep.
"And I wouldn't have listen," Lexa replied honestly earning an eye roll from the blonde.
"Lexa you need to rest. The Summit is only going to get more intense, and enough has already happened. An assassin got into your throne room and went after Queen Nia. The same could happen to you," Clarke voiced a fear that she had had since the assassin had attacked. Polis was known to have strict defenses and assassins rarely were successful within Polis walls, especially within the tower. If someone could get in to go after Nia, someone could definitely get in to go after the Commander
"Then Indra will take care of the threat just like you did, and I am more than capable of protecting myself. I'm not concerned about that Clarke," Lexa comforted.
"Well I am. I just got back to you. I don't want to lose you," Clarke admitted quietly.
Lexa stood up from her seat and moved closer to Clarke, "You won't." She stopped directly in front of where Clarke was seated and brushed a strand of blonde hair behind the girl's ear. She slid her hand down from Clarke's ear so she was caressing her cheek and leaned down to capture Clarke's lips in a tender kiss. Clarke melted into Lexa's touch and she wrapped her arms around the girl's hips, pulling her in to her own body. Lexa broke away to change the angle before returning her lips to Clarkes.
The two stayed in each others arms for a while longer until they heard rustling coming from outside. They broke apart just as Nyko entered the tent. "Heda, Clarke," he addressed the two women in the room. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Clarke replied, but all she got was a doubtful look from Nyko and a concerned one from Lexa.
"I have some business to attended to before the next Summit meeting today," Lexa started. "Nyko, before Clarke leaves I would like for you to check her wounds again."
"Sha Heda," Nyko said as he started rummaging through some of his supplies.
"I told you I'm fine," Clarke started to debate, but the stern look from Lexa told her she didn't have a choice. She let out an exasperated sigh and moved back to her bed so Nyko could check her back. When Lexa was satisfied that Clarke was going to stay, she left to prepare herself for the meeting that would be happening in a few hours.
Clarke allowed Nyko to check her injuries and then left to get something to eat. She ate her breakfast alone, feeling the eyes of almost everyone on her as she did so. She was still not used to being the center of attention, but what could she do about it? When she finished, she made her way up to her room where she spent a little bit of time before meeting the others and going to Lexa's throne room.
Again all eyes were on Clarke, word having spread to those who weren't present, about Wanheda's punishment the previous night, and now she was in the throne room walking around like nothing had happened. It looked like Skaikru wanted to come and talk to her, but thankfully were cut off when Titus entered the room announcing Lexa's arrival.
The meeting went well in Clarke's opinion. There was an issue between Delphikru and Ingranrona that Lexa needed to look into, but other than that, it went well. The meeting came to an end and all of the clans were dismissed except for Delphi and the Plains Riders to further discuss their issue. Queen Nia requested for Clarke to follow her to her room, and she did so. When they arrived, Nia sat down in her chair and Clarke stood at attention in the center of the room, "I think tonight is the night The Shadow will make her first appearance."
Clarke felt her heart speed up instantly. This was a conversation she had been dreading ever since arriving in Polis, but she held herself together and bowed her head, "Of course, my Queen."
"I want you to take out Julius kom Sankru," Nia ordered.
"The Sankru Ambassador?" Clarke asked, unable to hide her surprise.
"Yes," Nia clarified. "He is in the way of creating a stronger relationship between Azgeda and Sankru and I want him gone."
"It will be done," Clarke said and she quickly exited the room. She had been expecting The Shadow to make an appearance, but she was expecting an easy target, not someone as important as an Ambassador. She didn't think she would have much of a problem with it, but this would definitely send a message to the clans that The Shadow was in Polis and no one is safe.
Clarke set out immediately to find the ambassador and begin to watch his movements and learn about his guard detail. She watched him for a while and wasn't concerned. He was light with the protection, as no one often sent assassins in to Polis, especially after an ambassador. She found him at one of Polis' taverns and he was already drinking and it wasn't very late in the day. He wasn't very smart and he definitely wasn't careful about his actions. Clarke was out in the open as she spied on him, which may not have been the wisest idea considering everyone knew who she was, but she figured she would be able to see more if she was able to get close instead of having to hide somewhere in the shadows to spy on him. She was sitting at the table closest to his, but she was forced to stop watching him when she heard someone call out her name.
Clarke turned to see who had called her and saw Octavia and Raven heading in her direction. "Mind if we sit?" Raven asked. Clarke held out her hand towards the open seats in invitation and the two girls sat down. The two girls looked like they wanted to say something, but they were struggling to get it out. "We just wanted to say sorry about everything that happened yesterday between Skaikru and Azgeda," Raven finally managed to apologize.
"It wasn't either of your faults," Clarke said, looking at Raven, as she was unable to meet Octavia's eye after the beating she had delivered to the girl. The limp she had was gone, and the bruises across her face were starting to fade, but still visible.
"I don't know what you've been through Clarke, and clearly you've changed from the person we remember, but I'm really glad you're okay," Raven said with sincerity.
Octavia nodded and added on, "Yeah and I really need you to show me a few of those moves you used in our sparring match. I want to be able to do them."
Clarke was touched by the sentiment. She wasn't expecting to hear anything like this from the two Skaikru. She finally looked up to meet the green gaze of Octavia, "You aren't mad at me?"
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?" Octavia said. "Besides I'm the one who challenged you even after your warning. I'm serious about those moves though. I want to learn them."
"I'd be happy to teach them to you," Clarke said with a smile. She was very happy to be getting along with these two once again, she had missed them over the past two years.
The three of them talked for a while longer before they separated. Clarke had returned to her room and was changing her clothing into her black assassins uniform. Even though what she was about to do was a bad thing, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Her, Octavia, and Raven had talked for hours sharing a few stories and reaquanting themselves with each other. It was the last thing Clarke was expecting, but she sure as hell wasn't going to complain about it. When Clarke was fully dressed and armed she pulled out a small pot full of black paint. Usually Azgeda warriors wore white paint, but because she was an assassin and needed to blend in with the shadows, she used black. She covered her eyes to create a mask similar to the Commander's, but without the three drips. Once the mask was painted over her eyes she drew a single line down from where the center of her eye was to her chin.
Once the paint was on, Clarke was ready, but she needed to do one more thing before she left for her mission. Clarke left her room and entered Roan's, but he wasn't there. She waited for only a short while until the door opened and he entered. He walked into his room, not noticing Clarke's presence. "You should be more aware of your surroundings," Clarke said, coming out of the shadows from the corner of the room causing Roan to jump much more than she would ever be able to get him to admit.
"I hate assassins," Roan grumbled to himself before he took in Clarke's appearance. "I guess my mother has given you an assignment."
"Julius kom Sankru," Clarke said with a nod.
"An Ambassador? Is that wise?" Roan asked, not really thinking the question through.
"It's not like it's my choice," Clarke said with a smirk. "It won't be a problem. The man's a drunk, it'll be quick and easy."
"It generally is for you," Roan commented. "What do you need me for?"
"I don't know. I guess I just wanted to talk before I do this. Once it's done there is no going back."
Roan nodded and took a seat on the edge of his bed, "Yes. The Shadow will become the talk of the Summit and you'll have to sit through it. Plus, this is a major hit and it clearly plays in to whatever twisted plan my mother has."
Clarke pinched the bridge of her nose, "Yeah. Well, here we go. I doubt anything will happen, but if someone comes looking for me will you cover for me?"
Roan nodded, "Of course. Good luck and be careful."
Clarke left Roan with a reassuring smile and then left the room to go down to the tavern where Julius would be. With Clarke in her black assassin gear, she couldn't take the elevator down, so instead she took the stairs hiding in the shadows and using whatever she could to keep from being seen as she descended. It took awhile, but Clarke made it out of the tower without an issue. Once she was outside, she made her way to the tavern, using whatever cover she had to get to the tavern unnoticed.
Luckily for Clarke, Julius was sitting at a table outside and was already heavily drunk. There were only two guards standing near him, but they left a little space between him and them.
Clarke had been watching them for a while from the roof of the tavern, her best vantage point, and when she saw her opening she dropped down. She crept her way over to him and before anyone saw anything, her knife was in and out of the side of his neck. Julius reached up to cover the wound as he started gurgling and choking on his own blood. His guards were by his side the next instant, but it was too late. The two of them spun around, searching for the killer, and one of them caught a glimpse of a figure in black before it disappeared into the shadows.
At this point, the people around the area were running around in a panic and the Polis guards arrived to check out the scene. Clarke was already well gone at this point and there was no way to track her. She made her way back up to her room with no problem. She cleaned herself off and changed back into Azgeda colors before laying down on her stomach on her bed. She finally noticed that her back was aching so she decided not to move anymore for the rest of the night. Clarke was grateful that the Commander was still involved in that Delphikru issue because she was a mess and didn't want Lexa to see her like this.
/
Clarke didn't sleep well at all that night so she made her way to the training grounds early that morning. It didn't take long for Roan to join her, "I see you were successful last night."
"I told you it wouldn't be a problem," Clarke responded as she walked with Roan to take a seat away from the training pits. She had been out there alone for a while and her back needed a chance to rest.
"Are you ready for the meeting today?" he asked, already pretty sure he knew the answer.
"Not even a little," Clarke responded dryly.
"How's your back?"
"It's been better, but it's also been worse. I checked it in the mirror this morning and it looks like it's starting to heal. I was actually surprised when I looked at it. Your mother didn't hit me nearly as hard as she usually would," Clarke answered.
"I would expect not. She needs you able to move around and follow her orders. She doesn't need an injury to hold you back. I suspect it was more of a show aimed more at the Commander than anything else," Roan explained.
Clarke nodded, it would make sense. Her back did hurt there was no doubt, but in the moment it didn't feel like more than a sting. It took quite a few lashes for Nia to even break skin and she was able to walk around just fine and move her body relatively freely.
Clarke and Roan spoke for a while longer before returning to their rooms to prepare for the meeting. Clarke cleaned herself up and met Nia out in front of her room. She was smiling, clearly excited about what was going to go down in the meeting, while Clarke was feeling the exact opposite. With a deep breath she followed Nia and Cyrus with Roan beside her into the elevator and to Lexa's throne room. This meeting was going to be hell.