Hi everyone!

I finally finished the next chapter.

I hope you'll like it.

Chapter 6

They should've been back by now.

That was all Clarke could think of.

Lincoln and his father had headed out to TonDC for their usual trades. Normally it'd take five days for them to arrive back from their travels to and from TonDC, a week at the latest. But never two weeks.

Clarke had done everything in her power to stay occupied in the last two weeks. She had helped her mother sorting out the house and collecting more firewood to keep their house warm during these cold winter days. She had helped her father working on new fur clothes. She had helped other people with taking care of the horses, preparing the meat the hunters had brought back to the village, and other duties that had to be done.

She woke before the first light hit the ground and went to bed when the moon already hung high in the night sky.

Days turned into a week, a week turned into another one.

All those duties she had taken over to stay busy didn't change the fact that they should have been back by now, and the worry sat deep inside the pit of her belly.

Reports about raids had increased in the last few weeks. Clarke had voiced her concern towards her parents and Nyko, but they had told her that there wasn't much they could do. They had tried to calm her down, telling her that the weather had worsened and the snow fell merciless. Travels between the villages came to a complete stop due to the bad condition of the roads. It was possible that they were just sitting out the weather in TonDC before making their way back.

And Clarke wanted to believe them.

Honestly.

Yet she had a hard time doing so.

Now, no amount of work could distract her from the many thoughts running through her mind. She had come to the decision that she'll give them another day before she'd set out and look for them. As crazy as it sounded considering the weather condition. Though she knew that Lincoln would do the same if the roles were reversed.

Clarke had secretly packed a few things she'd need for the journey to TonDC and hid the bag under the bed, fully knowing that if her family would find it they'd talk her out if it.

At the end of the next day Clarke finished her work early and went home to pack some food, ready to go to bed early so that she could leave before the first sunlight in the morning. The blonde entered the house and went over to the kitchen filling her arms with different food, though not too much. She could hunt for her own on her way to TonDC.

Walking over to her room she reached for her bag under the bed to put the food inside of it. Her heart began to beat faster as she couldn't find it.

"Searching for something?" The voice of her brother rang out from behind her.

Turning around Clarke saw Nyko holding up her prepared travel bag. The blonde's shoulders sacked as she sighed dejectedly. They had found out.

"Nyko-"

"What did you think you would do, huh?" Her brother asked with an arched brow. Though there wasn't much to say in Clarke's mind. The bag surely told him everything he needed to know. "Clarke, the weather is too bad for travels like this one. And Azgeda enter more and more Trikru territory. You'd be an easy target out there on your own."

"I know my way through the woods!"

"I didn't say that you don't."

"It sounded like it."

Nyko took a deep breath before putting the bag on the ground, behind him. "I just said that that it's a dangerous time to be out alone, travelling between the villages. Azgeda has gotten bolder these days and they're used to this kind of weather. You're my little sister. I worry about you. I'll always worry about you, despite knowing that you can handle the things being thrown your way."

"Lincoln would look for us, too."

It was only a whisper of words but Nyko heard it. He stepped closer and put his arms around his sister. Her small frame fit easily into his bigger one and he asked himself where the time had gone. He could easily remember the times she was little enough to fit in the pit of one of his arms. "I know. He's a good guy."

"What if something happened?"

"I'm sure they're fine."

Clarke pulled slightly back to be able to look into Nyko's eyes. "You don't know that."

"No, I don't. But I know those two. They're both great warriors. Lincoln's father is a hard sparring partner and Lincoln isn't too bad, too. And if he knows how to use those muscles he'd been sporting lately than there'll be finally some power behind his blows." The blonde had to laugh at this, weakly hitting her brother for his comment.

"What? I can easily think back to a scrawny boy with long twigs as arms!"

"Please, don't tell him that. He'd been working hard on those muscles."

"Good, I was afraid he'd stay forever like that." Nyko huffed a lough. Clarke shook her head smiling before she sobered up. Seeing this, Nyko put his hand on her cheek to make her look up at him. "I promise you, as soon as the weather gets better and they're still not back, I'll travel with you to TonDC to look for them, okay?"

"You'll come with me?"

A nod. "As soon as it's safe to travel."

Instantly the blonde wanted to argue. She wanted to finish packing her bag, grab the warmest fur clothes she had, strap her bow and quiver and start looking for Lincoln and his father. She thought of all the reasons of why she couldn't wait any longer, ready to overrun her brother with them.

Yet deep down Clarke knew that Nyko was right. It wasn't the best time for travels. The odds for safe travels were against her and she also knew that Lincoln wouldn't want her to be reckless.

Leaning forward Clarke let her head rest on Nyko's chest, nodding briefly to show her brother her agreement of his plan. She more felt the sigh than she heard it, just like she felt the strong arms returning around her, enveloping her once again in a soothing embrace. "Everything will be fine."

Much to Clarke's delight it had stopped snowing the next day. The blonde couldn't stay still as she searched for her brother the moment it had stopped snowing. She knew it had just stopped but she wouldn't wait until it began to snow again.

She was just rounding the corner of the house Clarke had been told Nyko was in when she heard a commotion on the other side of the village. The blonde made her way curiously towards the noise seeing that it was normally never a good sign. Just like her other people had been drawn in by the noise and a small crowd had gathered together in front of the source.

Clarke squeezed herself through the people, her eyes widening in surprise when she finally noticed the reason for commotion.

There were two people standing just outside of the village.

Lincoln and his father.

Her blue eyes quickly scanned them, searching for any life threatening injuries though couldn't find any. They looked a little worse for wear, a few cuts and some bruises. But fortunately she couldn't detect anything serious. She also noticed the lack of weapons, trading goods and the wooden cart they had left with.

Unable to wait any longer Clarke broke away from the crowd and ran towards her best friend. As soon as she was close enough she threw her arms around Lincoln and felt his immediate response as his arms slung around her, pulling her body as close to his own as he could.

"I was worried."

"I know." Lincoln responded, not letting her go just yet. "I know you, Clarke. I knew you'd be worried. I was worried, too. I thought you'd do something stupid."

"I almost did." Lincoln huffed. It was almost frightening how good they knew each other. "What happened? Normally you never take this long?"

Finally they pulled back from their embrace. Some people were still standing and observing the scene in front of them, though most went back to their work. She took note of Nyko's presence as he looked over Lincoln's father for any injury that might need treatment.

"The weather delayed our journey back home. After three days we tried our luck and began our trip back home. Because of the weather it took longer than usual. Midway on our way home we got into an ambush. They bore the typical Azgeda marks. There were six of them and we were only two. But out of nowhere there was this girl. She can't be much older than us. She helped us fight of the Azgeda. Let me tell you, she knew what she was doing. Damn, you should've seen her fighting. She was remarkable."

"Does someone have a crush?" Clarke teased.

"Please, it's not like that. She was nice, she helped us, and I'll probably won't see her ever again. But it was quite a sight to see her fight."

Later that day they Clarke and Lincoln sat in front of a fire inside Lincoln's house. They had spent the evening in silence, both deep in their thoughts, drawing each on their own. They didn't need words. Just being in each other's presence again was enough for the two friends.

The blonde watched as her friend stood up and left to tend to the fire. Curiously Clarke glanced at the open page of Lincoln's sketch book, staring at his latest drawing. Her fingers traced the fine lines of a girl with a wild mane.

She instantly knew that this must be the girl that had helped her friends she considered as family.

Whoever she was Clarke was thankful for her helping them and she knew that if she'd ever get the chance, she'll thank her for it.

After the first few days Clarke found herself in an oddly comfortable routine. Her days began very early in the mornings joining the others at first meal. Until now she managed to keep her distance from Tremot though she often noticed him glaring at her from afar, probably just waiting for a chance to meet her alone. At least now he had another person he could shoot daggers at during their lessons besides Lexa.

Lexa herself was still a somewhat mystery to her. As eagerly as she had put herself protectively in front of Clarke back then, she still didn't warm up to her. The cold and empty bed early in the mornings became a normal sight, only meeting the others at first meal and then moved with them to their first lesson of the day. Whenever they had some time for their own, Lexa disappeared silently to god-knows-where. Although they still didn't exchange words there was a strange understanding between them, acknowledging each other whenever they met.

And somehow Lexa, with her calm and steady presence, became a constant in her life she appreciated.

The blonde kept her touring through the tower mostly between the lessons when she was sure Tremot left the tower and wouldn't be lurking around a corner waiting for her. In the short time she had been in Polis she met quite a handful of people.

Clarke made sure to stop at Muele's booth now and then to listen more to his many stories of his travels through the different clans. The man at the booth on the right side of Muele's, Tarko, was a skilled blacksmith and Clarke had admired the beautiful crafted daggers, swords and other goods he made with his own hands. Tarko had even shown her how to make her own dagger, albeit Clarke had difficulties getting the hang of it. But she had fun and an amused Tarko had told her that within time she would have no problems forging her own weapons. Every beginning was hard after all.

Her constant presence at Muele's and Tarko's booths got the attention to the woman having the booth on the left side of Muele's, Mira. Mira sold a variety of herbs, healing pastes and other healing equipment. The black haired woman and Clarke had often conversed about different healing practices seeing that Clarke herself had wanted to become a healer and Mira had some knowledge through her husband and daughter, whom just like Clarke was training to become a healer like her father.

There were some more vendors Clarke saw regularly, though Muele, Tarko and Mira were the ones she spent most of her time with when she was out in Polis. A soft smile formed on Clarke's lips as she thought about Mira and her constant nagging about the little injuries she got through their fighting lessons. They may know each other just for a few days yet she fussed over her as if she was her own daughter, showing her a kindness not many people had these days.

Right now Clarke and the others followed Tristan towards the training grounds outside of Polis. She walked quietly besides Pinto and Olev, listening to their conversation while ignoring the burning glare Tremot shot at her back. Clarke was thankful for the buffer Beori and Nadora made behind her. Lexa and Khalan were walking in front of them directly behind Tristan.

It didn't take long for them to reach the area and while the others just lined up next to each other almost boringly waiting for Tristan's orders, Clarke's eyes moved curiously over the place since this was the first time at this place.

It was a beautiful area surrounded by trees, though one could still see Polis without trouble. Because the training area was a little heightened Polis lay to its feet and the blonde let her eyes wander over the many houses and booths, trying to locate the area her friends had their booths in. Of course the highlight of the sight was the tower of Polis, proudly standing in the middle of the city with its blazing flame on the top of it. The sight was almost as breathtaking as the one from the upper levels looking down on the city laying below.

Clarke put her attention back to the reality as she heard Tristan beginning to pair them up with each other, waiting for her name to be called up. The teacher looked now to Clarke and stopped for a moment before he announced her training partner, almost as if he wasn't sure with whom he should pair her up. Clarke may have improved a little, but was still no match to most of them. Only Olev seemed reachable since he wasn't the best at fighting like the others.

"Clarke and Tremot."

Clarke's breath caught in her throat as soon as the words slipped from Tristan's lips, her heart instantly beating at a quicker pace and she felt her hands becoming clammy. Was their teacher serious? She stood no chance against Pinto, Nadora or Beori, even less Khalan or Lexa. Tremot with all of his muscles, broad shoulders and aggressive fighting style seemed untouchable.

Her blue eyes flickered to the huge boy who already stared satisfactorily at her, a sick smile on his lips. Of course he was happy about this situation having literally gotten the opportunity to beat her up without anyone minding it. She wouldn't even be surprised if he had orchestrated all of this, having waited almost patiently to show her what happened if she'd go against him.

This time she couldn't hope for Lexa to sweep in and help her out.

Sighing the young nightblood grabbed the wooden staff they would be training with and moved towards Tremot whom already waited for her with his own staff, swinging it skillful around. As she moved closer she suddenly felt a presence coming up to her and turned her head slightly, surprised to find Lexa next to her with her eyes on Tremot as if to silently warn him to not overstep during their training.

"Go for his legs, that's his weakness." The brunette murmured quickly to Clarke and distanced herself again moving over to her own training partner while leaving a stunned Clarke, wondering if Lexa was starting to care for her or if she had some ulterior motives. Maybe she just cared enough about Clarke to not let her end up as a punching bag without giving her any pointers to even out the skill level between her fellow nightblood siblings.

"Looks like this time it's just you and me, little girl." Tremot taunted her as she closed up to him. Clarke may have no chance against him, but she would do anything she could to wipe his jeering smirk from his face.

"Did someone tell you already that you talk too much, big boy." Clarke countered boldly and a scowl took over Tremot's face. She knew that she shouldn't anger him any more than she already did, but she couldn't help herself. She would definitely not cower before him and pleading him to go easy on her. No, she would take anything he'll deal out with her head held high. She won't show him any weakness.

Tremot gripped his staff with both of his hands moving sideways while his eyes were resting on her, and she moved in the opposite direction readying herself for the oncoming attack. For the first few seconds they circled each other, no one dared to attack first. The sounds of the others a distant noise at the back of their heads.

It was like flash during a thunder storm as Tremot suddenly closed the distance between them, staff raised and bringing it down onto Clarke's as she quickly tried to deflect the hit, the brute force hitting her almost threw her backwards if she wouldn't have put her whole weight against him. The joints of her hands and arms throbbed painfully for a few seconds.

Clarke tried to step back as fast as she could to avoid Tremot's next attack before she had the chance to recollect herself. She was already at a disadvantage strength-wise meaning she had to be quicker than he was. Though she wasn't able to move away in time and Tremot's staff came hard down on her right side, surely leaving a nasty bruise, and before she could do anything else she found herself on her back as she hit the ground like a sack of corn trying to get some air into her lungs.

Blinking while she coughed heavily Tremot towered over her, his sick smile back in place. It was obvious that he was beginning to enjoy their current training session. It took her some times to breathe evenly again, her right side hurting like hell.

"Don't tell me you're already done, little girl."

Clarke just looked at him, choosing to stay silent and concentrated as she slowly stood up and grabbed her staff again. Again, they started to circle each other. The blonde girl couldn't defend herself from Tremot's next attack as he first feinted an attack on her left side though suddenly changed his stance and brought down the staff on her right side – again. The pain in her side grew with the hit. She would have to pay more attention to defend her right side better. It was obvious that he'll most likely go for that spot again.

As much as she'd like to Clarke didn't find any opportunities for her own attack. Surprisingly Clarke was able to deflect the next two hits but she noticed that they weren't as forceful as before, making her wary of his plans. She knew that he was likely waiting for the right moment to place a forceful blow against her body.

Once again Tremot approached her frontally his staff raised high in the air and just like before Clarke deflected his attack with her whole body weight. As their staffs glided against each other Clarke wondered if he'll go for her side again, but it only took a few seconds for her to notice painfully that it probably didn't even cross his mind as the end of his staff made contact with her cheek and she felt something wet moving down on the left side of her face.

Automatically her hand moved to her cheek and her fingers got coated in black liquid. Tremot actually did draw blood with his attack, and the content look on his face told her that he had been aiming for it.

Clarke started to get furious but urged herself to stay calm. Furiously swinging her staff hoping to land a hit wouldn't help her. She'd have to stay focused and keep waiting for the perfect moment. Now and then she could she the others staring at her for a short moment before they pulled their attention back to their own training.

The blonde evened out her breathing again, closing her eyes briefly to recollect herself. Lexa had told her to go for his legs, so Clarke pondered how she could get close enough to him without being hit.

The female nightblood received two more hits before she saw her chance to place her own hit. Again, Tremot attacked directly staff raised but this time Clarke jumped in his direction letting herself fall to her knees, noticing Tremot's surprised expression as she had used the height difference in her favor. Clarke held her staff in the middle with both of her hands and quickly pushed the end of the staff as hard as she could in the middle of his poplit. Tremot automatically fell on his knees and Clarke hoped her hit had hurt him at least a little bit.

The blonde quickly drew her staff back and readied herself for her next blow before Tremot got the chance to recover. With all her might she swung the staff around, feeling herself losing her balance. Her staff kept course however and connected with Tremot's head, instantly breaking at the contact. Clarke ended up on her left side on the ground as she watched Tremot landing on his right side.

Hands pressing against the dirty ground Clarke slightly lifted herself and looked curiously towards her training partner whom surprisingly glanced right back at her, still somewhat confused at what had happened. Clarke knew that the little thin staff wouldn't do much harm to the huge and thick head of Tremot though Clarke was pleased to notice the nasty gash close to his eye.

Blood must have blood, she thought bitterly.

Clarke didn't know how much time passed by while they kept looking at each other, however Pinto's teasing remark drew them out of their thoughts.

"Oh Tremot, how are you feeling down there?" A huge smile was on the blonde boy's lips.

Her eyes somehow found Lexa's who stood next to a joyful Pinto, the corner of her mouth turned upwards clearly amused by the sight of Tremot being bested by the little girl. A quick and barely noticeable nod showed Clarke that Lexa seemed satisfied by her realization of her earlier hint to go for his feet.

Tremot got up to his feet and turned to face the still lying Clarke, his earlier scowl on his face but this time with an angry glint in his eyes. Luckily before Tremot could say or do something Tristan's voice rung out.

"Enough for today."

Her training partner huffed annoyed that he couldn't get another few hits in and turned around, making his way back towards Polis. One after the other started to follow him. Clarke quickly got up and moved to follow the others back to the city.

As soon as they arrived back each of the nightbloods went their own way and Clarke's feet moved instantly in the direction of her friends' booths. The first to notice Clarke's arrival was Muele and his eyes scanned her carefully as soon as he noticed the little cut on her face.

"I hope the other one looks just as bad, if not worse."

Clarke smiled at him. "Oh believe me, it ended on a good note. Both of us lost a few drops of blood."

"That's what I want to hear, my friend." Muele chuckled and his good mood immediately jumped over to Clarke.

Clarke's eyes moved to the side and took note of Tarko's empty booth, guessing that the man was currently at his forge creating new weapons. Muele's attention got sidetracked as a customer asked him something about his colors. Clarke waited patiently as she suddenly felt gentle hands on her arms turning her around.

"Oh my, look at you!" Mira exclaimed as she examined the cut closer. She murmured something under her breath which Clarke couldn't quite understand and turned around, eyes searching for something or someone, Clarke didn't know. "Costia! Could you please come over?"

A girl around her age moved carefully towards them her black locks fell effortlessly over her shoulders, light brown eyes gazed at her curiously. The girl, Costia, was around her height, only a little bit shorter than Clarke.

"Clarke, may I introduce you to my daughter Costia? Costia, this is Clarke." Mira smiled as she introduced the two girls to each other.

Costia smiled kindly at Clarke and the blonde already felt at ease around her. She had the same smile as her mother. "Hello, Clarke. My mother has told me a few things about you. How do you like Polis so far?"

"I love the city. I try to spend as much of my free time walking through the streets and enjoying the busy life as I can."

"Costia, could you take Clarke back home and take care of that cut of hers?" Mira asked.

Clarke shook her head, immediately declining the idea. "Please, you don't have to do that. It's not a big cut. I'll take care of it when I return to the tower."

"Oh, please. I'm happy to help. We don't live far. It will only take a few minutes." Costia insisted.

The blonde looked between mother and daughter, both staring at her with a certain expression that told her that she wouldn't be able to talk herself out of the situation. Sighing Clarke nodded and both women smiled satisfactorily.

Mira's family did indeed not live very far from their booth, their walk only consisting of a few minutes. Costia pointed to a chair and told Clarke to sit down as she gathered a few utensils. Carefully Costia cleaned the cut.

"I've never met a nightblood personally." Costia let out.

"Well, we're just like everyone else. Only with black blood instead of red."

"And the fact that one of you will become our new heda in the future."

"The emphasis lays on the one of us." Clarke replied bitterly. "Everyone else won't see much of this future."

Costia worked in silence for a moment, not continuing their current topic. It must have been obvious to the other girl that the topic was a sore one for Clarke. She hummed slightly as she put some paste on the wound. "What are you doing in your spare time when you're not enjoying a stroll through Polis?"

"Not much. I don't know a lot of people here and I don't own much." Clarke shrugged.

"Well, what did you use to do before you came to Polis?"

Clarke smiled as she thought back to her home. How she missed it to be surrounded by her family and friends. "I was training to become a healer like my bother. Sometimes my friend Lincoln and I were just rummaging through the forest. And at other times I just sat down somewhere and drew something."

"You like drawing?" It was a rare activity among the clans. Not many were talented enough to live off of art such as painting and drawing, though they were precious dealt with. People whom were talented enough mostly work alongside leaders drawing up maps and other useful works.

"Yes," Clarke sighed. Her fingers craved the feeling of charcoal moving against paper. It had been quite some time since she last had drawn something. "Though I hadn't had time to look for some utensils until now."

Wordlessly Costia got up and moved out of the room leaving Clarke on her own. However it didn't take long for the girl to return, some papers and a little pouch in hand. "Here, I don't need them anytime soon. I'll get some new."

"Oh no, I can't accept this. You were already nice enough to clean my cut."

"I insist. There aren't a lot of people out there who can draw. I need to support you." Costia smiled.

"Okay, but I'll pay for it."

Costia shook her head. "You don't have to. If you want to you could draw me something. That would mean more to me than anything you could give me."

Clarke stared at the girl waiting to see if she'd change her mind, but Costia just continued to smile at her. Clarke relaxed and smiled back, accepting the papers and the little bag. The prospect of drawing during her free time already lightened her mood further and her heart fluttered excitedly.

"Deal."

I hope you like this one.

Please drop a comment with your thoughts on your way out. Thanks!