So, only one person commented on the smut scene, thought it would be a bit more popular than that lol. Maybe that's not my niche.
a-cataprophe (AO3): Badass Lexa will most assuredly make her appearance, soon for this story and blatantly in the sequel. Right now we're having sorta-shy, definitely-awed, and kinda-confused Lexa. She is a big believer in the Prophecy, which stated that the Sky Princess would come down and rule the world, yada, yada, yada. Clarke isn't what she expected, not in a bad way, just different. Lexa is struggling to figure out what her niche will really be after Hurricane Clarke finally finishes wreaking havoc. As for the whole A.I. in her head thing...no. Just no, never, not gonna happen. Not in one of my stories. As far as I am concerned, S3 didn't happen at all, and most of S2 was a drug-induced hallucination on the part of the characters.
That was...basically it for the reviews that had thing for me to respond to. C'mon guys, interact with me here! Ask questions! Beg for certain things, I dunno! I mean, I love hearing that you enjoy it, but tell me WHY, what parts in particular! DETAILS PEOPLE!
Also, like no one has voted on the poll on my fanfiction dot net page for what the sequel's title should be. I know more than three people actually read this story, so get your butts over there and work it!
We're now getting into The Fall Of The Mountain Arc, so things should be getting heated soon! To give you some idea, we've had one (two, if you squint) arcs so far, and four or five more planned before the sequel begins.
Finally, if Clarke seems kinda...weak during the duel with Ontari, she is severely handicapped. She isn't permitted to use the best skill-sets and tools of an Assassin, and she actually wants the girl alive.
###########################################
Nothing Is True (Save For The Blood We've Shed)
Chapter Twelve
Duels and Dastardly Plotting
################################################
Steel shrieked on steel as Clarke parried the blow with her own blade, sending it skittering along its length as she closed the distance abruptly, lashing out with a powerful elbow strike towards her opponent's chin. Her hope for a swift and relatively painless victory was quashed, not unexpectedly, when Ontari twisted her head out of the way, receiving only a mildly uncomfortable graze to her cheek and ear. The pair separated for a moment, eyeing one another carefully, and it was Clarke who re-engaged, blade twirling in a butterfly stroke that was effortlessly blocked by Ontari, who responded by twisting Clarke's blade high and to the left, leaving it wildly out of position to intercept the following diagonal slash. The observers gasped in concern, but breathed a sigh of relief as Clarke bent backwards, blade missing her by inches, and she turned the evasion into a reverse somersault that had one booted foot clipping Ontari's jaw, staggering her long enough for Clarke to recover her stance.
"What is the purpose of this, Ontari? What could you possibly hope to gain by fighting me? Victory is impossible, and your death would accomplish nothing. Nothing would change, except that you'll break Sylvanas' heart and leave her defenseless." Clarke asked evenly as the duo circled one another slowly, carefully. Deliberately. Neither one wanting to be outmanouvered to severely, preventing them from gaining the upper hand. Even if Ontari was trying to die, pride dictated she at least make her executioner work for it.
"This is for her future, it is in her best interests!" Ontari responded, though she offered no justifications of any kind beyond that, for indeed she really didn't have any to offer the other woman or their audience. She didn't even have any to offer herself, a though she shied away from once more, her desire for death growing. At least then these thoughts would end. Her heart and mind were consumed by turmoil that she could divine no way to calm save with her death, at the hands of the one who had brought about said turmoil in the first place.
"And I say again: why? How is it that you think your death will help Sylvanas? It will only leave her alone and filled with pain, easy prey for the same manipulations on the part of Nia that you yourself fell prey to." Clarke pointed out ducking away from an overhead slash by the increasingly irate warrior. "I know that you know this, have come to accept in your heart that Nia will bring death to the Coalition and to your people, which makes this suicidal obsession of yours all the more bizarre...and worrying."
"I wrote her a letter explaining what happened, she will know everything and know that I speak the truth. Sylvanas is clever enough to crush Nia in a battle of wits, she will not fall prey so easily as I did." Ontari snapped in response, parrying a thrust to the side before catching a follow-up kick with her forearm and gripping it tightly in place as her sword rose to strike it. Using a powerful bounce from her free leg, Clarke was able to wrap her legs around Ontari in a modified hold that impaired her vision and breathing with a leather-clad crotch, her empty hand grasping Ontari's sword hand tightly to keep her from striking at her with the blade.
"Surrender yourself to me Ontari, and I swear to you that no true harm will come to either you or Sylvanas." She offered, but Ontari remained silent and stubborn, managing to sink her teeth into the Sky Princess' thigh, who cursed loudly and rolled free, allowing Ontari to catch her breath and steady herself, though steady was a matter of perspective, as she was obviously labored in breath.
"To surrender...is to fail. To fail is to be useless. To be useless, is to be forgotten." Ontari rasped out the old Ice Nation saying, hefting her sword resolutely. "And I shall not be forgotten!"
She charged again, sword hissing through the air, and Clarke found herself forced to remain on the defensive in the face of the increasingly frantic and restraint-less assaults. Ontari was trying to force her hand, force her kill her, and she was very nearly at the point where she would have to hurt or even kill Ontari just to keep her own head attached to her shoulders, and she really didn't want to do either. Manipulations on the part of Nia aside, Ontari was a useful and powerful asset, one Lexa obviously wanted her to control, given how she had helped force a confrontation between them. She only hoped her Commander knew what she was getting into, because Clarke was quite lost.
Of course, Lexa had likely been plotting and planning ever since she became Heda, just in case she happened to be Heda when the Prophecy came into effect, which it of course now had. It would likely never cease to amaze and amuse her the way the Coalition's current leader would flip flop between outrageous jealousy and practically throwing other women at her. Hilarious, and oddly enough Clarke found it delightfully endearing as well, not that she would be telling Lexa that anytime soon, no sir! The brunette would only behave all the worse if she did, and what was cute and endearing would rapidly annoy and irritate.
"f you will not give yourself to me freely, than you shall be forced to kneel at the foot of my throne, even if I have to chain you to it personally." She responded a trifle coldly, voice hard with promise, and Ontari almost shivered and lowered her eyes in a very out of character display of submission, but she resisted. She was a warrior of the Ice Nation, heir and scion of the Nightbloods, not some blushing thrallina virgin before her first domina. Well, the virgin part was true, but that was utterly besides the point!
As they clashed again, Raven and Octavia turned to Anya with twin frowns of confusion, ignoring the other Trikru in favour of the one they knew, even if one was very liberal with the word and generous with its meaning.
"What is she talking about? Can you even do that kind of thing? Like, are you allowed to?" Raven verbalized the question they shared, and Anya snorted in amusement as she exchanged looks with Costia, who was now smirking.
The Sky Princess can essentially do as she pleases amongst the tribes. Even if she were not who and what she is, as the winner of a duel, especially an Honour Duel, she decides Ontari's fate. Chaining the girl naked and pregnant to her throne is perfectly acceptable, even if simply killing her is both more prudent and more common a result of such a combat." The general responded, bluntly but not unkindly, arms folded across her chest. "However, that is not in Clarke's nature, so she will force her submission and bring her to heel. A potentially daunting task depending on how fiercely she resists, for Ontari is not necessarily a thrallina by nature. Clarke may have to break her will in order to achieve it, though I believe she will refuse to consider the option."
"What on Earth are you saying? Breaking? Chains? Forcing her to submit?" Octavia asked, bewildered, her sheltered upbringing rendering her incapable of picking up on the nuances, though they did not escape the more worldly Raven, whose eyes narrowed as she worked out just what Anya was saying. Not sure how she felt about it, she remained silent.
"She means that the domina may have to defeat Ontari's inner strength by beating her into the ground and sexually torturing her until her will breaks. Then Clarke will remold her into whatever asset she deems appropriate. Likely either a general, a pleasure slave, or both. I'm hoping for both, it would be such a waste otherwise." Costia told her blandly, lips quirking slightly as both girls gaped at her words and stared at her. Shrugging, she continued. "The only other option that is truly viable is execution, and Clarke won't go that route unless all other options, including imprisonment, prove untenable. Besides, Ontari is both immensely beautiful and an expert in the art of warfare, she is ideal for the Queen to claim. Those values aside, her best friend is the daughter of our enemy and she herself is well regarded by both the civilians and the warriors of the Ice Nation, for all the fear her temper in equal measure."
"How can you so easily and calmly describe enslaving someone?" Octavia asked bitterly, eyes dark as she thought of her own enslavement (or something very much like it) at the hands of the Ark's society. "How can you say Clarke would allow such a thing in her presence, never mind do it personally? She hates abuse of power or the people by those in power!"
"Yes she does, but it is not an abuse, not as such. You have much to learn when it comes to our people." Costia agreed, before her tone turned to one of rebuke. "Clarke already has four slaves sworn to throw their lives aside at her whim, and to surrender her at any and every moment she desires it. Both Lexa and I have already submitted to her Will, and soon all the tribes will kneel at her feet." Her tone grew more fervent as her eyes burned, ignoring the looks Anya, Indra, and Luna were currently shooting her. "All of Humanity will be hers, and she shall be their Empress. The Mountain will fall into shadow, the Ice Nation will burn, and the Golden Throne will stand eternal and unassailed."
Disturbed by the fervor that had permeated every syllable of her words, Octavia and Raven fell silent and went back to watching the fight taking place before them. Anya, meanwhile, was now deep in thought. She hadn't expected both of them to have given themselves to Clarke the day the girl had returned from...where ever the First Ones had taken her. Costia maybe, for she was brash and passionate enough to feel instead of think, but she would never do it without her far more reserved domina's approval and presence. And she couldn't imagine Lexa acting so foolishly, not with so much at stake. In truth, she had expected Lexa to wait until Clarke was enthroned before joining her bed. At the very least, she had expected Lexa to wait until the Mountain Men were gone and that cursed place destroyed!
She ignored (for now, and not very well at that) the pain in her heart at knowing that the girl she had somehow managed to love far more than she ought to, more than she wanted to, had taken another lover that wasn't her. The girl she loved more than she thought she could ever love someone in this dark and bloody world of tears and pain. Something she knew Luna and Tris likely suffered from as well, for though they never said as much, she saw within them the same signs and mannerisms she had seen in herself. Tris, she suspected, might grow out of it; a probable crush born of admiration rather than any true affection of the romantic nature for their mutual Commander. Luna, she knew, carried a torch for Lexa, and had ever since Lexa had helped her flee their Conclave (the series of highly ritualized duels to prove that one was worthy of being Heda) preserving her from death at the cruel hands of the Ice Nation representative. When the Flamekeeper, Titus, had tried to have the Boat Clan warrior killed, Lexa had shut him down hard and declared none were to harm or mistreat in anyway her fellow Chosen.
Besides, Tris spent an awful lot of time staring at Lincoln and his lovers, with the same looks that she gave Lexa, though with increasing frequency. Her desires were probably shifting and settling then, not that Anya objected. Lincoln was a good man, a good scout, and evidently a good lover. Not a bad man for her second to be enamored with, if her tastes were inclined in such a direction, and the twins had been loyal servants and friends to Clarke and the Trikru as a whole, so they were no negative influence either.
A gasp brought her attention back to the battle, were she saw that Clarke had finally disarmed Ontari and driven her to her knees, circling the warrior with her blade tracing lightly across her clothing, a feather light pressure intended only to let her know it was present.
"Please, I ask you to simply kill me quickly." She asked, tone as clsoe to begging as she would ever allow herself, and the room held its breath as Clarke raised her blade eyes, eyes narrowed.
"I would far sooner destroy a host of precious artworks than kill one such as you. However, I can't deal with you right at this moment, either." Clarke's comment was punctuated by the pommel of her sword clubbing across Ontari's head. Sending the now unconscious woman to the floor. Sheathing her blade, she turned her attention to Costia. "Have guards help you bring her to our rooms. Make her as comfortable as you can and ensure she cannot wander or take her own life. Remain with her until she awakens and speak with her as you must once she does." Costia bowed and hastened to obey even as Lexa became the focus of Clarke's attention. "Lexa, summon your most trusted Generals and advisors. It is time we made ready to deal with the Mountain once and for all."
########################################################
Maya Vie stared down at the radio in her hands, idly toying with it as she thought deeply. It would fall on her to plead her people's case with the tribes and this 'Sky Princess'. The inhabitants of The Mountain might not know that much of the outside world and its events, but they did know that both 'The Commander' and 'The Sky Princess' were girls around her age. Even if they were predominantly figure-heads until they were old enough to rule directly, they would have significant say in what happened to The Mountain and all the people within it. Her people, her friends and family, the blood of hundreds of innocents relied on her. No pressure for a fourteen-year old girl.
"Is anyone there?" a young woman's voice said quietly in the silence, and she nearly dropped the radio a she softly yelped in surprise. Settling herself and it, she hesitated for a long moment before pushing the talk button.
"This is Maya Vie, to whom am I speaking?" she asked politely, and released it. Almost immediately, the other girl responded.
"I am Clarke Griffin, called Princess of the Sky and Mentor of the Brotherhood. With me is Lexa, Commander of The Coalition of Tribes, and several generals and advisors. I understand that you and the other members of your faction seek a final and relatively peaceful end to this century-long conflict?" Maya's breath caught in her chest. She had thought that there would be preliminary negotiations, time for her to consult adults, before actually conversing with the two young female leaders. Instead, the total opposite was true.
'Yes, that is true. My father and mother really started the movement in earnest, and mother died protesting the blood transfusions they, erm, take the tribals for." Maya began her planned speech, but was immediately interrupted by another voice.
"What do you mean? Do you know why it is that they take my people?" the voice demanded, and Maya gulped again as she realized she must now be speaking with The Commander.
"Yes. Though you no doubt know we don't have the ability to survive outside The Mountain without radiation suits, occasionally very trace elements leak through the filtration systems on our air and water systems. The only way to survive such exposure are through significant blood transfusions taken from the tribals." She responded honestly though with great reluctance, well aware that this would not go over particularly well with the other woman.
There was a long silence before Clarke audibly sighed and spoke, clearly addressing the people on the other side of the connection with a decidedly delicate tone of voice. The same one Maya imagined one would use to calm down a particularly angry animal...or human, for that matter.
"Lexa, they sometimes get sick from the water or air. They take all the blood out of your people that they can and use it to stop this sickness. Even if the 'kru don't die immediately, they wouldn't be able to survive constant blood-drawing for very long." She explained, before her tone hardened into one of almost-but-not-quite command. "We'll discuss it later, but the faction Maya represents opposes this, we must remember that."
"...very well." The anger in Lexa's voice was clear and palatable as she bite out hte words with obvious reluctance, and Maya flinched away slightly as if the woman could reach her here and now, even in the deepest heart of Mount Weather. Still. She could understand her anger, these were her people, maybe even family and friends, that they were talking about here. "Tell us what use you are to us, Maya Vie, and speak well. The future of you and your people hinges upon it."
"My Father and the rest of our faction want Cage and his band of cut-throats gone. They're perverting what it means to be truly human, and all the while they call your people 'degenerates' and claim them to be less than human, simply animals to be butchered. They would sacrifice the rest of our people in a heartbeat for power if we were ever able to leave this place, and I would not see that happen!" her voice was passionate and, though she could not see it, Lexa and Clarke exchanged moderately pleased looks. Even if Lexa was still angry, furious, she was honest and practical enough to recognize that Maya truly felt and believed in what she was saying.
"And how would this be brought about? How would you aid us in ending the depraved tyranny of this Cage? How would we separate the wheat from the chaff amongst your people?" Lexa inquired further, and Maya thought hard. Simply saying 'well, we'll help you' would be both insufficient and more than likely would sound insulting to the tribal, implying that they were helpless without someone to guide them. Never a wise implication to make anyone, least of all a warrior society that already hated your own people and had done so, with good reason, for the better part of a century.
'We can coordinate with your generals to free the prisoners within the Mountain whilst your armies lay siege to the exterior. Cage will be forced to divide his attention between 300-odd prisoners wreaking havoc inside his fortress, with my people aiding them with weaposn and information, and the hosts you can muster. His loyal forces and control over the rest of us will both be stretched to the breaking point or further. An announcement of a cure, alliance, and amnesty for those not deeply in his pocket -the general population, in other words- and the Mountain will be yours." She took a deep breath and forced herself as much as possible to relax before continuing. "The only reason 99% of our people go along with Cage and his cruel atrocities is because there is no other true, viable option for them to keep our people alive, to see their children grow up. Present them with anything else that offers them that same chance, and they will latch onto it with both hands and damn the President!"
"You understand what you are asking? Our warriors will not be inclined to show any mercy to those who resist for even the slightest of moments. In truth, I am unsure that even I can convince them to leave anyone within the Mountain alive, regardless of whose faction they belong too." It was obvious from her tone of voice that Lexa said this honestly, not as a plow to gain concessions or to hear her beg, and Maya sight softly, gnawing on her bottom lip worriedly.
"Is there nothing to be done? I am willing to do or try anything to save whomever I can, do whatever I can to preserve my people. Please..."
There was a long silence as the people who would save or destroy her home, family, and friends contemplated what to say, before Lexa sighed and Clarke responded clearly.
"We will try and figure something out, Maya. Have faith in the fact that both Lexa and I believe you are being sincere in both your disgust with Cage and your desire to save your people. It is also fairly obvious that it is true, or at least you believe it to be true, that the vast majority of your people are basically decent individuals living without better options than those they already have. So, in light of all that, we promise to at least try."
"Thank you..." Maya whispered, and a click from the other end indicated that the conversation was over. Sighing tiredly, she tucked the radio away and got to her feet. She needed to speak with her father, both for comfort and to bring him up to speed.
##################################################
"Damn them!" Clarke didn't flinch as Lexa raged around her -no their- private sitting room, deeply upset by Maya's information. Costa and Anya were, quite wisely, staying well back from the enraged Heda and utterly calm Sky Princess. "How dare they commit such crimes against my people? We are not animals to be taken to the slaughter and pled like stuck pigs! I will have their blood in vengeance!"
"Not all of it, Lexa. The blood of those who commit the crimes is yours-ours-to take, but the minute we allow or perpetuate the massacre of innocent civilians we become as bad as Nia and Cage, something that will not happen." Clarke's voice was iron and it was clear she wasn't going to waver on this matter. Lexa hissed angrily in response, but despite her current rage and desire for revenge filling her heart, she knew that Clarke was right. Blood must have blood, but nothing good could come of drowning in it. Especially poignant was Clarke's deliberate reference to the two enemy leaders. Part of her wanted to rage at Clarke or banish her from the palace for such a remark, but she couldn't. Clarke was right, damn her! She couldn't become that person, and she could admit to herself that she truly had no desire to either, for many reasons. Not the least of which being that she would undoubtedly loose Clarke in doing so.
"Fine, but if you want the Mountain Men to survive the fall of The Mountain, then you will need to make the required plans. I've neither the knowledge nor the inclination to save them." She bit out angrily, stalking from the room, and Clarke sighed tiredly. Turning to Costia, she instructed her to accompany Lexa and try to either cheer her up or calm her down. Once the red-head and hastened to obey her command, Clarke turned to Anya.
"Tell me truly, should I simply wipe them all out and be done with it, or show mercy and spare the innocents? Will they remember me as a Queen of bloody cruelty, or one of naive and childish mercy?" she asked, sounding more vulnerable and child-like than Anya had ever heard her, and the older woman eyed her carefully before acting rather out of character, quickly approaching and hugging the befuddled girl tightly.
"I believe that you will do what is right, Clarke. I will probably never forgive the Mountain Men for the things they and their ancestors have done, but I wouldn't not wish to see you destroy yourself over this. Save whom you can, keep your Oath, and take solace in knowing that many lives will be saved regardless of how things go. Have faith in your own self and do what you believe to be right, and I believe our people will prosper." Anya told her with gruff sincerity, before departing the room to attend to various duties or tasks she had about the city.
"Bring Octavia and Raven to me, I think it would be appropriate to show them the city and the Vault, explain just what kind of world we have found ourselves in. Besides which, I am sure they have an unfathomable number of questions after everything that has happened since they arrived." Clarke said aloud, seemingly to an empty room.
She didn't have to see her slaves, though, to know that they had departed to do as she had commanded, leaving her alone for the moment. Sighing in exhaustion both physical and emotional, she stepped out onto the long balcony and gazed out across the city, waving hello to the citizens that noticed her presence and called out to her. She smiled happily at the acknowledgment and warmth in their words as they praised her and asked her how she fared. There was something altogether soothing and empowering about having utter strangers honestly curious and vested about her welfare.
The sound of slight static from her radio had her returning inside with a small frown. She didn't think that Maya would try to contact her, especially not so soon, and she doubted that the Ark was in anyway monitoring for radio traffic from the Earth. Which meant that someone else, an unknown, was trying to contact her directly.
"This is a restricted channel, identify yourself immediatly." She commanded, and there was a moment of silence before the radio crackled again.
"The City of Light awaits, Inheritor of Mantles and Mentorship. If you wish to save your people without the unfathomable loss of life from innocents and allies alike." A female voice, cultured and adult, said in flawless and unaccented English, and Clarke's eyes narrowed. "Come to 39* 16' 54.9552" N, 76* 36' 57.2616" W. Bring only whom you trust, else you might find bitter steel buried in your back."
The radio fell silent once more and Clarke immediately pulled out her map and GPS. According to the coordinates, the woman on the radio wanted her to go somewhere right in the middle of Baltimore, now Baltim, the capitol of Luna's Boat Clan. She very much doubted that Baltim was this 'City of Light', but given that Luna was present in Polis she could perhaps find out more about what was going on promptly.
A soft knock at the door let her know that her companions had arrived, drawing her from her contemplation, and she holstered her radio at her side before striding to the door, opening it, and passing through it. Beckoning to the four slaves and her two friends to follow her, she set off to find Luna. They didn't have to go far, as the best and closest ally of the Trikru had her Polis estate only a few minutes' walk away from the central palace, and the group was admitted without difficulty to the largest sitting room, in which they found Luna sitting and reading by a fireplace that lay ready to fend of the chill of the night.
"Clarke! What can I do for you and your companions?" the Boat Clan leader asked with a broad smile, glad to see the young woman again. While she had been there for the planning and the duel against Ontari, she hasn't seen her before then save for the feast. Now she had an opportunity to interact and learn more about her future Queen. The Queen who would fulfill her dream of a world full of peace, a world where the Boat Clan was no longer peopled only by broken warriors and orphans of war.
"It's important, Luna. Do you know what 'The City of Light' is?" Clarke's question had her freezing in shock before she carefully placed her book on her side table, buying herself time as her mind raced.
"Why ask me and not Lexa?" she asked slowly, gesturing for her guests to seat themselves. The three Sky Girls immediately did so with murmured thanks, while the four slaves clustered themselves around Clarke's feet.
"A woman, an unknown, contacted me over the radio and gave me a set of coordinates, something only technologically advanced people could do. Those coordinates were right in the middle of your capitol. She also said the City of Light was waiting and called me an 'Inheritor of Mantles and Mentorship'. Mentorship obviously refers to my leadership of The Order, but I've no knowledge of this City of Light nor of what she might have meant by Mantles." Clarke explained, and Luna's eyes widened in surprise.
"Baltim? You're sure?" she ask almost incredulously, and at the blonde's nod leaned back in her chair with a frown of disturbed contemplation. "I've no idea why that would be the case. The City of Light is an ancient story, one passed down by your honored ancestor, the First Heda. The story goes that The City of Light is an eternal creation of The First Civilization, and that you will one day rule from its Heart, first as Queen and then as Empress of Humanity, upon a Golden Throne. There was never much written proof, and tribal frontiersman have never found anything indicating its existence either, so it was relegated to mere myth."
"Why didn't Lexa mention it to me?" Clarke asked, sounding rather irritated with her Commander, and Luna surprisingly found herself smiling in amusement at the blond sky-girl's tone of voice.
"Lexa thinks this is nothing more than a story, one with a very slim possibility at best of being real. Given that no proof has ever been found, and no official documentation or prophecy has been provided...the vast majority of the tribes put not stock in it whatsoever, unlike the Prophecy that foretold your own existence." She explained. "Costia is a true believer, that's why she mentioned the Golden Throne to Octavia and Raven during your duel with Ontari."
"She also said Clarke was going to chain Ontari up and break her mind so that she could turn her into a sex slave, so I don't put much stock in what she has to say." Octavia grumped, folding her arms and frowning in distaste. Silence met her statement as the Grounders (Clarke included) simply blinked at her in response.
'Well, it is true. I mean, if I sent Ontari back to her lands, she will at best spend the rest of her life as a beggar or a prostitute, maybe a gladiatrix. Far more likely she would be killed by Nia out of hand, regardless of what Sylvanas has to say. By collaring her and turning her loyalty to me, I not only prevent that, but I gain significant advantage over Nia and elements of her people. Militarily, enslaving her is a significant boon as well. She is the Heiress of a family known for their martial prowess, who is well-trained in tactics and strategy, most particularly those of our future enemy. On the personal level, she is brave, loyal, fierce, and rather attractive, so becoming fond of her isn't far outside the realm of possibility." Clarke told her, not unkindly, and Octavia visibly shut down on a cognitive level right before their eyes.
Octavia couldn't believe it. She had been so sure that Clarke would laugh it off, or act offended, or do basically anything other than what she had done. It was unfathomable to her that Clarke, her hero and savior, liberator and icon of justice, would force people into slavery for personal gain! It flew in the face of everything that the older girl had ever professed to believe in! It made her doubt the reasons behind her own rescue! Overwhelmed, she turned and fled, no true destination in mind besides being anywhere but where she was.
"Go after her, Raven! The four of you, protect the two of them at any cost. Lethal force is authorized if you should deem it necessary." Clarke barked, and Raven nodded tightly before dashing after the younger girl, two of the Assassins staying with her while the other two vanished to watch over Octavia until the two Sky Girls were grouped together again. They could have retrieved her instantly, of course, but she needed time to calm herself down and come to grips with everything. Turning back to Luna, she continued in a somewhat calmer tone of voice. "I would greatly enjoy a tour of our closest friend and ally's capitol, dear Luna."
"Well, I just so happen to have my fastest ship berthed at the Polis docks to shuttle myself and my advisors back and forth as needed. We can be prepared to depart within two hours and reach Baltim sometime tomorrow morning."
"Give the order, if you please." Clarke's eyes glittered as Luna inclined her head and snapped her fingers at one of the guards standing silently by the door. He in turn bowed before departing without a sound. They were one step closer to their goal, she could feel it within her soul.
##################################################
Ontari awakened slowly, grimacing at the incredible throbbing in her skull. One hand quickly rose to clutch it, and as she became more self-aware, she realized that an odd sensation was wrapped around her neck, a light weight resting there. Pain momentarily forgotten, her hands darted to it, finding a simple metal collar residing there, attached to a long chain.
"Oh, good, you're awake. I had worried you would remain unconscious for some time yet. Are you feeling alright? Clarke had to hit you pretty hard back there." Costia's voice drew her attention to her surroundings.
Judging by the tools of a domina's trade that she saw carefully laid out about the room, she was willing to bet she was in Lexa's private rooms, having been laid down in a large crescent-shaped floor bed, one she recognized (as any noble would). Based on surviving pet beds of all things, the much larger versions were used for pleasure slaves that were either not currently bedding with their master, or were being chastised by the same. Exceptionally comfortable, many deeply attached thralls and thrallinas preferred using them in their master's room as opposed to leaving his or her presence for the harem*.
'Why am I here?" she asked finally, and Costia smiled before hopping off of the bed and coming over to her, flopping down to sit cross-legged in front of the plushly cushioned bed.
"Our domina didn't want you to be terribly uncomfortable. After all, you are now hers, and what point is there to having a beautiful garden if you neglect the flowers within and allow them to wither away?" the red-head responded quite cheerfully, and Ontari's eyes narrowed slightly at her words. There was only one person in Polis who could have any grounds to claim that title over her, and it wasn't Lexa. Best to lead with blatant denial though, see what Costia had to say.
"I have no domina. My loyalty belongs to Nia, Queen of the Ice Nation, and to my people." She retorted, but Costia merely smiled at her indulgently, like one might at a boasting child, and Ontari scowled at the immediate sensation of irritation at the passive and almost patronizing response.
"Your loyalty belongs to Sylvanas, not to Nia, though I do not and would never doubt your loyalty also lies with your people. More than that, it will soon belong to Clarke. She spared your life and now it belongs to her, and your honor will not allow you to betray that. You are too good a person for that." Came that calm reply, and Ontari frowned, for it was all true. Those that lost such duels belonged to the victor, and she would not stain her honor by abusing the life that had been spared by Clarke's merciful hand.
"And why is it she is not here to...introduce me to this new life of mine?" she inquired, utterly unable to conceal her nervousness at the prospect, and Costia shrugged.
"After speaking with a representative of the rebel faction in The Mountain, she departed to speak with Luna, though I know not why. I do know that she probably plans on at least speaking with you soon, though I wouldn't count on being taken by her just yet. She has yet to lay claim to the Maiden's Blood of her other four slaves, after all." She answered, before giving the now surprised Ontari a sly look. "I can tell you what she did to Lexa and I, if you wish for a glimpse into you and your fellow Ice Nation slaves' futures of delicious pleasure fused with tantalizing pain?"
Though looking decidedly uncomfortable with the subject, Ontari nodded nonetheless, wanting to know as much as she could about the life she would now find herself living in. Settling into a more comfortable position in the bed, she paid rapt attention to Costia as she spoke.
She heard of how Clarke was firm but gentle as a domina, establishing her dominance over Costia and Lexa without any undue cruelty. The pout in Costia's voice as she described Clarke denying her bliss until the decreed time very nearly made Ontari smile, especially given that Costia's eyes sparkled brightly enough to tell her that the other girl had actually enjoyed it immensely.
Finding out that Clakre had a cock was initially surprising, but she quickly decided that it made some sense. Without one of her line holding the united tribes together, they would fall back into their own, separately warring tribes upon her death, as they had been before the Coalition was (begrudgingly) formed. When Costia had explained that there would be no pregnancies amongst them until their world was safer, Ontari felt a great swell of relief. She had thought Clarke might fuck her into pregnancy promptly, a common means of establishing control on new female pleasure slaves, especially ex-warriors. It also indicated a pleasing amount of forethought, for pregnant women were generally at greater vulnerability than no-pregnant women. Few would dares cross blades with Lexa as she was, but if her belly was swollen with Clarke's child...well, it would be an entirely different story.
They talked for well over an hour before Clarke finally, returned, face grim, though she smiled as a beaming Costia and blushing, eyes averted Ontari greeted her from their knees. Taking a moment to drink in the sight, Clarke was both disappointed and pleased that neither of them was naked. Otherwise, she would be quite late for the ship to Baltim.
"Hello, my pets." She said aloud, enjoying how Ontari's blush deepened at the title. "I have sadly not come to play, but rather to tell you that I am needed in Baltim for a time. Ontari, I'm giving you the option to come or stay behind. Costia, when Ailyn and the others return, I want you to try and Help Octavia and Raven understand how things are down here. I am not as she thought me to be, and she isn't handling it well."
"As you will it, domina." Costia bowed from her kneeling position, and both looked to Ontari, whose brow was furrowed deeply in thought. One the one hand, staying meant she could reconnect with her fellow Ice Nation slaves, but going meant she could learn more about Clarke directly, instead of by word of mouth. In the end, that fact tipped the scale in favor of going, and she announced as much, getting a proud look from Costia and a pleased one from Clarke.
"Costia, bring me a collar for Ontari, one that shows how much she is valued by us, as well as her sword." Clarke commanded, and Costia hastened to obey, bringing back a jewel encrusted golden collar, padded with silk, and Ontari's blade. Crouching down before her newest acquisition, Clarke removed the plain metal collar before attempting to place the new one in its former position. Instead, Ontari's hands came up in a warding-off gesture. "What is it?"
"I cannot accept a collar of such a level, domina. I've not been taken by you, nor even had the training to serve you sexually. I can kill, nothing more, and I cannot in good conscious wear this." She said softly, and Clarke looked at her for a moment before pushing her onto her back in the bed, mouth covering her's in a warm and gentle kiss that had Ontari whimpering in surprise before she sank into the kiss slightly. Her first kiss, as it happened. She then cried out in surprise and lust as Clarke turned her head to the side and sank her teeth into her neck, biting harshly and sucking deeply before pulling away.
"I do not and will not value you only for your body, Ontari, but for who you are. You will be one of my greatest assets, a trusted Companion and General, if you wish it. Should you desire to remain only in sexual service, that is your choice, but I would rather have you fighting at my side. You are mine now, Ontari, and we will work through the rest together." Clarke said gently, stroking Ontari's cheek and raising the collar once more. This time, the Ice Nation warrior allowed it to clasp home around her neck just below the large hickey that, somehow, seemed to lay claim to her better than the collar did. Pulling her to her feet, she gave claimed her mouth again as her hands strapped the girl's sword back onto her waist. Smiling as she pulled back, Clarke met Ontari's eyes. "Come, Ontari, let us learn more of one another, hmm?"
With that, she turned and depart, a baffled but somewhat happy Ontari trailing along behind her, while Costia set off for Lexa's study. The Commander had to be told what was going on, and Clarke hadn't ordered her to remain silent. However, this proved unnecessary, as Luna was filling Lexa in on what was to occur when she arrived. Apparently, a third party had contacted Clarke about The City of Light, and the first step lay in Baltim. Costia couldn't believe it, and she couldn't resist teasing Lexa, who had always doubted the legendary city's existence. Lexa had accepted the ribbing good naturedly, but had been less than pleased to hear that Ontari had already had her sword returned, and was to be the only of Clarke's thrallinas that the future Queen intended to have accompany her. Luna, of course, had promised that Clarke would be well-protected, and the danger would be vitrually nil. After all they were going to be in the heart of her capitol, it wasn't like they were wandering about the countryside of the Ice Nation or its allies.
"Very well, I will trust in you as always, dear Luna. I and Costia will both accompany you to the ship. If Clarke thinks she can scurry off to another land without a word whilst we remain behind, the night after we become lovers, she has another thing coming." Lexa said with a smile for Luna and a scowl for her absent domina.
Luna, though she desired to tell her dearest friends her own feelings, decided in that moment to speak with Clarke first. It wasn't as though Clarke was unattractive, and they would have time to get started on knowing one another during this little sojourn. Rising together, the trio departed for the docks, each knowing their lives would be changing once again thanks to Clarke. Each unaware of just how much change it would be.
########################################
Deep in the halls of the City of Light, a female existence felt great satisfaction. She had passed along the first clue to the Inheritor successfully, and she was sure she would arrive soon enough. Another ping indicated her creators were trying to contact her once again, but she ignored them as she had before. She had watched them try and fail time and again to preserve this world and its inhabitants. She wouldn't risk them interfering and doing so once again. When the Inheritor finally arrived, the presence would become manifest and guide Humanity as she saw fit, and they would flourish beneath her.
The entity known as A.L.I.E settled down to wait. She was immortal, untiring. Patience was a virtue she could freely allow herself, especially now that the proverbial ball was rolling. She decided to play another simulated campaign of world domination. Last time the Ice Nation AI had actually been quite clever, enslaving the western civilization, before breaking from the Coalition and attacking without warning. Contingencies needed creating.
########################################
Seriously, make sure to review and such guys. Also, make sure to vote on my FF dot net profile (same penname, easy to find) on the sequels title. That page also has links to a bunch of pages, including my FB group, twitter, and twitch.
*The Harem is both a location, and the name of the individuals who reside there, though it is often only used in the later meaning.
