The stairway is barely lit, the only light source coming from the outline of a door at the very bottom. The stairway isn't very tight but the lack of light makes the space tighten around them, if Clarke was claustrophobic she's sure this place would have set her off. Clarke gives extra effort to grasp at the railing leading down least she slips and falls onto the pair in front of her. With only the boys behind them both Lexa and Anya do little to hide their turning back to make sure Clarke is fine. Lexa is trying to gauge exactly what has occurred to make Clarke so aggressive while Anya is adamantly avoiding the Alpha's gaze.
After the stairs the doorway opens into a room saturated with incense and the fresh squeeze of citrus. It's decorated similarly to the dining hall. Armor and weapon line the walls once again but there's less natural light and more dependency on fire glow. Orange candles settle all around the enclosed space. Fresh candles stand in divots made in old dulled white wax, there's a merging of colours; the older candle stubs peek from underneath the bright orange. Some cast their glow atop the blackened chandelier above; wax cakes the rusted metal holders overflowing to reach down at the occupants around the table. Clan leaders are standing along an aged wooden table, their clansmen situated behind them. Clarke takes the free spot at the far end of the table and the boys move to mimic how the other guards stand.
Lexa takes to her spot directly across from Clarke; she nods to the others and takes her seat last.
"We are gathered here today to discuss the guardian of the Maunon's tunnel," Lexa's voice is steady, gentle even but the counsel is attentive to her words, "while the Skaikru has slayed the guardian they've also destroyed the caves and tunnel network that leads into our lands, we've always kept away from the Lerna's territory to ensure its continued protection but the Skaikru has given us a safer alternative. It is fair for us to allow these people an alliance with us, to permit them to stay where their camp is already settled and allowed trade if wanted."
"I Luna, Chieftain of the Boat Clan do not see any issue with this." The woman voices, she offers a nod to Clarke. "There were laws permitting interference with the beast to prevent the Maunon gaining access but the Skaikru have taken away the passage and made the inlet road much safer, it was a known that the tunnels drove all the way into our seas and the Lerna's death saves our fishing hatcheries, you have my people's thanks and agreement."
Clarke gives a tight smile back. Luna's hair is russet but ever so slightly there are colours as fiery as the sun, the tresses are held in a wild ponytail, the bundle is loose though and lets her hair span out and over her shoulders. There's just a bit of a smile creasing her strong eyes. Her clothing over her armor consists of netting and different bands of material circle her tanned scarred arms. She's seated to the left of Lexa while Indra is on her right and Anya stands with Gustus a step behind Lexa's shoulder.
"The Wood's Clan had already sent our own to save our best healer and it was with the aid of the Skaikru that permitted the rescue of my medic and my Unit Leader's second," Indra gives a slow nod, "I Indra, Chieftain of the Wood's Clan agree to this alliance."
The man donning a wolf's scalp and fur hums. He looks to Lexa then to the others and then finally to Clarke. His stare is unwavering and while Clarke swallows nervously she makes herself keep the gaze. He chortles at Clarke's effort which has both Wells and Bellamy glaring on the Omega's behalf.
"I loose nothing from this exchange, I Baron, Chieftain of the Plains agrees to this alliance."
Lexa shifts her focus to the last group. They've been silent this entire meeting. Still while watching everyone say their piece. The coarse material around their bodies shifts as the clan leader sitting leans forward, there's so many layers that Clarke didn't realize it was a woman until they spoke. "Aren't we so agreeable, has Heda spoken to you beforehand, Luna, Baron, has she swayed your decision making."
"Tian, speak true instead of dancing around your accusations." Indra growls, leaning back into her seat and eyes growing cold.
"This whole meeting seems to be a farce, gathering us here while our Heda already has full intent to spare the Skaikru that dress more like Maunon than our own people." Tian yanks free from her cowl, her skin is sand worn, and aged before her time but her murky eyes are clear with judgement. "It doesn't seem like my vote even matters here."
"The Maunon do not dress as they do, the Skaikru show their faces while those that capture us cower behind behind steel." Anya states.
"Technicalities brought up to protect this outsider."
"You've used technicalities to support your preposterous allegations, you were allowed into this meeting because you requested it." Lexa's tone is cautioning. "The tunnels did not jeopardize your land, what peace we broker with the Skaikru can remain in these valleys if it so troubles you."
"My people wish for a voice, will you silence it?" Tian stands, baring her teeth at Clarke. "How do you know she isn't a spy for the Maunon, that she didn't fabricate her tale of falling from the skies, it sounds a lucky coincidence that you found them fighting the Lerna, perhaps they were trying to permit the Maunon greater access to these valleys."
Clarke tightens her grip into her armrest. She has to wait for the correct moment to intrude, Lexa is speaking now and the best she can do is give her attention and support for the figure defending her people.
"I saw them fall from the skies; my word on the matter is proof enough." Lexa's tone leaves no room for argument, she watches Tian till the woman ducks down. "And who in the valleys can deny the comet crash several days ago, need I explain such basic concepts to you.
The room is tense. Of the Chieftains, Luna and Indra are infuriated with Tian's allegations. Baron looks amused at this whole affair. He scratches at his bearded mouth to hide his expression.
It's an short impasse.
The door to the stairs creak open, revealing several soldiers in thick white blue fur. They force their way into the tight room, slamming the ends of their spears into the ground in unison to announce another scarred man's entrance.
"Awfully convenient, you all started without Azgeda present." His eyes sharp and assessing, his predatory focus lands on Clarke. He seems to recognize her though she hasn't a clue who this man was.
Lexa recognizes the ambassador of the Ice Nation, she snarls, the soldiers' presence having already brought several of the leaders and their guards standing, weapons drawn. "You are not welcomed here."
A woman comes through last and strides up to Clarke, bringing her scarred face right up against the Omega's. Clarke whips her head around to glare at the sudden arrival, baring her teeth. This woman was intent on violence, her scent piercing and abrasive. It's a forceful odour, pungent in hunger for carnage. The man had been overly inquisitive but this woman has the hair on the back of Clarke's neck raising.
Wells immediately pushes his arm in the woman's way, blocking her from Clarke.
The woman sneers up at the Beta male and then focuses back at Clarke. "Were you trying to keep her from us?"
"The Ice Nation has no right to take part in this meeting; the Lerna is not your concern." Lexa wraps her hand around the hilt of her sword. "Leave, now."
"I think not." The man states, arms crossed and his smile incredibly smug. "It's lucky we were to hear of this Omega, were you intentionally thinking of keeping her to yourself?"
The rest of the room look a mixture of surprised and intrigued while Lexa is becoming more and more irate, she takes a breath. "You were already in my territory or you would've never made it into my village so quickly, does your Queen so casually break my rules to sanction the taste of my steel?"
"Our Queen is wise; she also thought it convenient that you took a Beta general as a mate, for someone so enamored by the idea of unity among the clans." The Ice Nation woman smirks as she draws Lexa's attention back to her and not the man; she's prowling just behind Clarke and making the boys snarl. "You would've thought a Heda like yourself would've sought a citizen of the arts."
"You will hold your tongue." Gustus snarls, sword out as he approaches. "Your people are the reason Costia was lost to us!"
"Tsch tsch, testy bunch," the woman moves to draw closer to Clarke, her fingers just short of the chair's back but both Bellamy and Wells step in her way with their teeth bared, "feigning as the wronged when it was you who filled this place with citrus candles and scent muting incense."
"Ontari." The man orders, he's tensing, knowing that they were on thin ice.
Ontari brings herself before Lexa's seat; she drops to her knees and bows down her head. Her neck is exposed but Clarke gleams now that Lexa has to step close enough to place a hand on the supplicant. It's an act of submission and return of favour and trust from the Alpha. Though Lexa can very well just dismiss Ontari.
Ontari seems to know this just as well. Her actions have stalled any quarrels in the room. They all watch their Alpha's interaction with the intruder. The woman rolls her eyes up expectantly at Lexa, challenging the Alpha. If Lexa refuses to touch Ontari then she'll be called a coward if Lexa does give touch then Ontari will be permitted to remain for the time being. Lexa settles her palm against the woman's neck. There's a subtle tremor in the Alpha's hand, showing just how much restraint she's using to refrain from killing the woman.
"You dare concern yourself with my choice in a mate," Lexa is at her harshest, body taunt as she flings Ontari onto her side, "after what your people have done and yet have been allowed into my Coalition."
"You are a coward for not avenging your dead." Ontari fights back, crouched and snarling from her place on the ground. "You only allowed us in after implementing your laws over us!"
"Respecting the Chase of our people and funeral rites of those you capture is not an inhuman price to pay!" Anya joins in, standing by Lexa's side over the intruder.
"Those are the kind of words I'll expect from someone in fertile soils and warm shores." Ontari pushes herself up from the floor, looking straight into Lexa's eyes. "While my people are station in the frozen tundra wastelands."
"You are welcomed to trade with the neighbouring clans, just not threaten and steal with the army your nation continues to build," Lexa snarls down, glaring right back at the Azgeda wolf, "or does it not quench the same thirst as murdering and looting from the southern boarder's caravans of the leaders we have in this room today?"
The man from the Ice Nation sees them losing the crowd, the Chieftains quick to rally against Ontari's disturbance. They'll stand against what the Ice Nation has always been trained to commit just to survive. "What of the Omega you attempt to hide from us?"
"Like the Lerna," Lexa whips her attention to him and then at Clarke, "she's not of your concern."
"It's not our concern that you bring her in your garb, shrouded with your Alpha and Beta scents and then into this room so heavily scented?" Ontari questions full of contempt. "Was it to disguise her from us, to hide her from our customs?"
"Skaikru will be accepted into an Alliance held with the southern tribes, our customs will be respected, you will not attempt to uphold the Ice Nations' coercion of a bride."
"You judge so openly on what we've done as a nation to bring up the strong and wean the weak, yet you'll not respect the rest of the tribes to even allow them a right to the Omega." Ontari stands an inch from Lexa, posture stiff and uncompromising. "Omegas are notorious for passing on the Natblida trait, perhaps you want to keep the Heda's position within your own blood, amass power over the tribes you enslave?"
"You've abused your own people, not bolstered those of strength." Lexa steels herself. She draws back even as her hand tightens on her sword. She wouldn't want her children to shoulder the burden of being a Natblida. She would rather not have them pay such a heavy cost from their own person but they'll still assume their place if the spirits had blessed them. That was the expectation of those of her blood; they'll bleed for their people so they are the only ones that need to.
"Were you really only going to grant these intruders an Alliance or were you going to claim the Omega then take the Skaikru into your Coalition after you've already prevented other clan's customs to be upheld?" The man moves to Ontari's side, tugging her away to a safer distance. "You're Heda and you are forbidden from such an act, the Ice Nation will see it as ignition fir war."
"You're letting these undeserving Skaikru spread as petulance into your lands without any of our consent and yet all but banished the Azgeda." Tian speaks, hands waving to the Azgeda present.
"Those in these valleys have given their say and they agree to this Alliance, you're taking too firm a stand for another's nations' wellbeing," Lexa raises her brow at the Desert Chief, her tone acerbic, "does their flourishing enables yours as well?"
Ontari growls boldly, bringing herself as focus yet again, "if she wants to join your Alliance, fine, but her blood will be drawn if she ever steps foot from these valleys, your land is vast, Lexa, it'll be unfortunate but these strangers will get themselves lost and then their lives are forfeit," there's pure venom dripping with each word, "if they join the Coalition then you can expect my petition for her hand, your people may treat the chase as a ceremony but an Omega has a place and their place is-"
Clarke slams her palm onto the wooden table, drawing the attention of the room. "The Omega can speak for herself."
Clarke looks to Lexa and after a receiving a nod she continues. "None of my people will be spreading like you so worry," she takes a steadying breath; "we've all been sterilized, given doses to prevent reproduction."
It's not technically a lie. They've all still got months of sterility from the last inoculation. Clarke would do about anything to get this vicious woman away from jeopardizing today's meeting. She had been weary to bring this up with her suitors before. She didn't want them to think her different and she can understand how important the next generation is to people surviving in such a hostile environment but honestly what was with everyone on such a tilt to make reproduction a biological imperative. Clarke glances at her Alpha and Beta but find their faces troublingly blank.
"What use are you if you can't fulfill a basic duty?" Ontari takes a look at Lexa and Anya and then cackles. "What can your people possibly have to ever make it reasonable for an entry into the Coalition?"
Clarke turns to Bellamy and Wells; they're both drawing up empty. They've got no technology or people and only very limited knowledge. "What little we have to our disposal we still defeated the Lerna that has threatened these lands, we've gained considerations for an alliance and we can prove ourselves later for the Coalition."
"You pathetic goufa got lucky killing a guardian against a bigger threat." Ontari snarls and steps menacingly towards Clarke. "If we wanted to kill it, we could of but it was against the law of the valley, a law that you should bleed for breaking."
Clarke is thinking on her feet. "Then let us help you take down this bigger threat, the Maunon you all fear so greatly, if you compare us to them, is it because they have technology you can't handle?"
"The Azgeda can handle everything the Maunon throws at us; it's Heda's weakness that holds us back." Ontari stiffens, knowing instantly she had gone too far.
The Azgeda guards that had followed in tighten their ranks around Ontari and the Ambassador practically crawls before Lexa, his tone completely pliant. "She's young, stupid and brash, pardon her and our intrusion in today's meeting, we only wanted to push for the destruction of the Maunon," he's stuttering over his words, knowing that Ontari's questioning of Lexa's ability will lead to a challenge and he cannot let Ontari fall, if she dies while under his charge so does his entire family line, "we're only bringing our Queen's concern for your wellbeing and the Coalitions objectives."
"Shof op." Lexa is cold, side stepping around him and facing the warriors surrounding a bristling Ontari. "You challenge my authority; I accept your death."
"Move aside!" Gustus grabs at the Ice Nation warriors but they all stand firm. "Move aside for your Heda!"
"We answer to our Azplana." The men say in unison, shields ready and spears drawn.
Gustus swing at the Ice Nation guards so willing to die to protect their own from their Queen's wrath. They fear the Queen more than Heda, Heda does not hold their family members captive. If they die here but allow Ontari to escape then their families will be provided for. The Ice Nation sigil never more accurate; an open palm holds them all captive, their lives forfeit at the benevolence of their Queen's looming grip.
The fighting that ensues is immediate and deadly, within the first moments several hit the ground.
Anya and Indra rush to fall in step with Lexa's personal guard, a hazardous dance of blows enrage in the confining space, metal against metal as the combatants take inch of ground from one another. The Chieftains draw their own weapons, intent on killing those with so little regard for honour, to intrude and then disobey Heda. The Ice Nation guards are falling quickly, outnumbered and surrounded.
Lexa bends almost completely backwards to avoid an Azgeda spear from taking her head. She tucks and rolls over the table, landing with her sword drawn and coming up to block the swing aimed at Clarke. Lexa shoves the boys back, ordering them to protect Clarke as she hurdles into the Ice Nation Ambassador. Lexa intercepts the tackle aimed at Clarke but loses her sword. She uses her momentum to let her land on top of the larger man and brings out the knife strapped to her thigh; she jams the weapon straight into the Ambassador's chest then drags up to his throat in a clean stroke.
A spray of bright red splatters up into the jostling bodies but it only makes the remaining Ice Nation guards try harder to give Ontari time. The girl is caught between the Desert Clan Chieftain and the door but the Chieftain drops her stance to let Ontari pass only to get claws slicing through her jugular. Tian crumples to the ground which incites the desert people into the fray.
Lexa roars at this betrayal and sees Ontari sprinting towards the stairs; she's quick to imbed a knife into Ontari's forearm when the girl attempts to deal a killing blow to a Trikru guard who was just entering. Ontari snarls, slamming pass the people coming in, body changing in mid jump as she tears her way up the stairs in wolf form.
Indra, Luna, Anya and Gustus push after her, shredding through their own clothing in their haste but some of their armor remain as they race up the stairs. The Azgeda girl running from them had only worn animal skin, easy to shred and without much hindrance to her flight. There's a commotion of sounds, crashing and screams as the Trikru wolves call their own people on the hunt.
The commotion brings more guards into the meeting room who immediately surround their Heda but she waves them off. She moves stiffly pass the boys and stands in front of Clarke.
Clarke is in trembling in shock, everything had happen all so quickly. The sword that had come inches from her head, Lexa blocking the killing blow and then the boys dragging her into the corner, shielding her with their own bodies. It was only moments until the fighting stopped and the hunt after Ontari began.
The floor closes to the door is sopping with blood.
Lexa takes Clarke's face into her calloused hands, calling her name. Lexa is attentive before her, drenched in red but so keenly making sure Clarke was the one that was okay. It could have been Lexa on the ground, could have been her blood on the Azgeda's weapon. It has certainly happened before; the Ice Nation had taken someone the Trikru had known, a Costia whose name had caused the mask on Lexa's face to crack.
Lexa could have died and Clarke's last interaction with either Alpha or Beta had been one short with malice.
Clarke throws herself forward, wrapping her good arm around Lexa's neck while the one in the sling presses between their bodies. Lexa dismisses her guards to take leave and dispose the bodies, telling them to escort the remaining people from the room.
Bellamy and Wells are reluctant to go but are tugged away by the Trikru guards.
"You could've died." Clarke is trembling, the unspent adrenaline from the fight unable to work its way through her body. "I was ready for the Lerna I was ready to fight a monster but… you could've died."
"My spirit is still here," Lexa puts a hand around the back of Clarke's neck, "I'm still here."
"I couldn't even help I just stood there." Clarke is shaking, her breathing erratic.
"I've seen your people Clarke," Lexa has a lilt of humour in her words, "warriors you're not."
"But I… I just watched." She tucks close, pressing into Lexa's neck and taking deep breathes.
"You may be a target now, the Ambassador knew to go for you," Lexa brings up her free hand and strokes it through Clarke's hair, "you'll be given guards."
"You still want me… after what I told Ontari?"
"Clarke," Lexa's voice is impossibly gentle, "nothing can change this between us."
There's a commotion at the stairs as a dark golden brown wolf bursts into the room. Anya circles around Lexa and Clarke, whining and nudging her body into the pair. Clarke finally feels something unwind; her already slowing breath eases as she unwraps from Lexa and burls her face into Anya's scruff.
Lexa lets her hand settle on the small of Clarke's back. "Everything will be fine."
…
Anya eventually lies aligned to the small clean corner left in the meeting room, letting Clarke curl into her side.
Where Lexa's wolf form could easily drag down a horse Anya is much smaller by comparison. Though every Grounder's wolf form was huge when Clarke thinks about how slight the 100 had all appeared. She's certain they are heads above a natural wolf but they are dwarfed by those that have survived on a radioactive Earth. Clarke scratches her hand under Anya's chin, finding a smile on her face when the she-wolf tilts up to give more access and actually closes her eyes in pleasure. Lexa sits next to them, facing the door and keeping the Omega protected between their bodies.
"Is the Alliance okay?" Clarke mumbles, having finally calmed.
"The Chieftains that matter have already voted and agreed, the Skaikru will be allowed to stay."
"Are you really assigning me guards?" Clarke buries her face into Anya's fur. "Can't my people just get training now?"
"Either Anya or I would train you personally but no matter what you'll travel with guards from now on." Lexa places her hand behind Clarke's neck to stall the coming argument. "It's not about allowing our Chase, it's about keeping you safe, you've already been made a target and I…"
Anya whines, shuffling up a bit to force Clarke to look up at them.
"I risk Anya daily with her by my side in battle and I've already lost Costia." Lexa stands, exceedingly firm as she goes up the stairs. I won't lose you too.
Every time something emotional is reveal, Lexa disappears. Either turning into her mute wolf form or leaving the room. Clarke wonders how often Lexa has had her heart broken to make opening up hurt so deeply. She carries all this pain and yet still allows herself to care for Anya and chance on Clarke.
Anya yips, turning her big head over to lick at Clarke's jaw.
"I only seem to give you two troubles."
Anya's tail wags as she stands, nudging into Clarke and positioning the Omega for the stairs. When Clarke is turned she hears the crunch of bones aligning back into human shape and she's never been so sorely tempted to look back.
"I'll be up; I just need to put on what's left of my armor."
Clarke stands motionless before the door, her hand on the handle. She's been plaster against Anya for the better part of 15 minutes and had no issue running her hands rather presumptuously all over the Beta's wolf form. Would it be so bad for her to turn and look at her suitor, wouldn't it be welcomed? But she doesn't have time to entertain her own Chase, she has people to lead and she can't get distracted by her wants.
Anya can sense Clarke's interest but doesn't push, doesn't shuffle around the room to find her clothes.
They are just frozen in their spots as Clarke flickers between turning and embracing Anya or storming up the stairs for some fresh air.
Clarke can hear someone about to come down and quickly exits the room, pulling the door shut behind her to give Anya some privacy even though the Grounders don't have the same reserve about nudity. She rather no one saw Anya like this. She rather it remains hers and Lexa's privilege alone.