Clarke was led out of the ring of bushes and across the camp again, this time being led to the largest tent in the centre of the camp. Two men guarded the entrance, one of them lifted the flap at their approach. Clarke ducked inside and blinked, the interior was surprisingly well lit. Lanterns hung from every pole around the tent. The Commander sat on a throne of antlers, and seated on the floor around her feet were five very familiar children.
They all looked at her at once. Then the children emitted an excited squeal and leaped to their feet, surrounding Clarke and greeting her like a litter of hyper active pups. Clarke blinked in bemusement, not understanding a word they were saying, though she was glad to see them. The hard knot of anxiety eased in her chest, relaxing a tightness that she hadn't realized was there.
IlIlIlIlIlIlIlI
Lexa watched as Indra walked across the room, unnoticed by the sky girl, to speak with her Commander.
"You're late." Lexa chastened her.
Indra stood straight, shoulders back, angling her body so as to be able to observe the sky girls interactions with the children. "She carries her injuries well, but the fact remains that she is injured. Progress was slow."
"A sprained ankle is hardly an immobilizing injury." Lexa mocked.
Indra cast her a disproving look. "No, it is not. However, a sprained ankle, a partially dislocated shoulder, bruised torso, bruised ribs, and a goose egg by her temple, collectively I remind you, are. I thought you said she hadn't been beaten?"
Surprise flashed in Lexa's eyes briefly as she looked at the girl. "She took a backhanded blow across the face and a kick to the gut, that's all. She must have received the rest earlier."
Indra hmmed. "How did she come to be here?"
"Augustus brought her in. Said he found her walking in the woods."
"Alone?" Indra was surprised by this. Sky People always travelled in groups, finding safety in numbers. And guns. "Unarmed?"
Lexa nodded. "It seems it was her goal to get captured so as to help the children. Her compassion for them is admirable."
Indra scoffed. "It was foolish. Her heart is bigger than her brain."
"I wonder..." Lexa mused.
Indra glanced at her Commander and raised an eyebrow.
Lexa chose to ignore the implied question. "Have you treated her injuries?"
"Yes, Heda." Indra answered, returning her attention to the girl in question. "Sky Girl has been fed, cleansed-you owe me for that one, by the way. I've seen pigs that were cleaner!-provided with clean clothes, and given the gifts of gratitude owed to her. The debt is paid."
Lexa shook her head slightly, eyes focused on the girl. "Not completely. The children's debt has been paid, but the debts of their parents and village have not. The debt of heart remains."
Indra cursed vehemently, careful to keep her voice low so as not to attract the children's attention. "I will not offer up a favour to branwada!"
"Then I will offer it up for you. The debt must be paid. To leave it as is would dishonour our people." Lexa said, voice allowing for no disagreement.
"You and your pride!" Indra scowled, secretly pleased with her Commander. She had taught her student well. For a moment she allowed herself to bask in her pride, though she was mindful to not let it show. She has grown. Anya trained her well.
"My pride and the pride of our people are one. You know this. A debt left unpaid by them, even to an Outsider, reflects poorly on me. A commander who does not pay her debts is unworthy to lead her people." Lexa droned.
"Alright! Enough with the lecture!" Indra begged, lips twitching in an attempt to hide her amusement. She had given Lexa the same lecture years ago, when a much younger girl hadn't wanted to give up her favourite dagger to someone who had lost hers saving Lexa's life during a raid from a rival tribe.
"But she'll lose it! She always loses her weapons." Lexa had complained.
"That is not your concern. The debt however, is. A warrior must always pay their debts, leaders more so. Those who do not honour them are not fit to lead, as they bring dishonour to their village." Indra lectured.
Lexa scowled. "But it's my favourite!"
Indra's eyes flashed in annoyance as she cuffed the girl. The girl took the blow, glaring at her sullenly as Indra finished her lecture. "I care not! Pay your debts Lexa. Do not lose your pride to a mere dagger!"
Lexa had given the girl her dagger and had been chosen as Anya's second soon after.
Costia had never lost the dagger.
Lexa nodded towards the prisoner turned guest. "Sky Girl is beginning to look overwhelmed, and it is late. The children should go to bed, you can unite them with their families tomorrow."
Indra smirked. "You wish for me to rescue the maiden in distress?"
Lexa's lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile as she nodded.
Indra sighed. "Only for you, Heda."
IlIlIlIlIlIlIlI
Clarke looked up as the brown woman from before approached them, speaking in the language she had yet to learn. The children giggled, lining up infront of Clarke from youngest to oldest. Or shortest to tallest, Clarke wasn't sure with the last two. The tallest oldest? Clarke wondered, stepped forward and spoke.
Her former guard translated. "They would like to thank you for helping them before, and are glad to see that you are well." Her lips twitched. "They also say that you smell much better now, and ask that you take care to smell like this always."
Clarke laughed at this. "Tell him that's the smell of warriors ready to do battle."
She obliged, then snorted as his response caused everyone who heard to laugh. "He says that that is not true. Warriors bathe."
The smallest child reached forward, touching the pouch at Clarke's hip. Clarke understood. She smiled warmly at the girl and nodded. The girl grinned, revealing dimpled cheeks and two missing front teeth, lowering her arm.
Clarke knelt down, reaching out to the girls bandaged arm. "Does it still hurt?" She asked gently.
The child understood the gesture even though she did not know the words and nodded. "Thank... You..." She said hesitantly, glancing at Indra to see if she got the words right. She grinned at her nod, then looked back at Clarke. "Thank you!" She said with more confidence.
Clarke smiled at her, then turned to the next child. She touched his leg, just above his knee. "And you?"
He bit his lip, then turned to speak to the scarred woman.
"He says that it is still sore, but is better than yesterday. The salve you gave him helped."
Clarke smiled warmly at him. "Good. I am glad you are well. All of you."
The third child, a girl, had a bruise and a small cut by her temple. Clarke had been worried for her more than the others, fearing a concussion. She paid careful attention to her as she too said her thanks, her worry easing as her Doctor Clarke questions were translated and answered by her former guard.
The last two boys stepped forward, Clarke belatedly realizing that they were twins, and spoke as one. "Thank you, Clarke of the Sky People, for helping us. Sorry we gave you a hard time before."
"You're welcome. I'm glad to see that you're ok." Clarke said, smiling. They had not been injured when she had found them, but they had been stubborn. Even with the acid fog approaching they had refused to follow her to safety, even going so far as to throw rocks at her. They had not followed her until she had picked up the semi-concious girl and ran for it. "Perhaps next time someone tries to help you, you won't be so quick to throw rocks at them." She teased.
They nodded solemnly after the brown woman translated. They replied, eyes betraying their mischief.
The brown woman snorted. She almost smiled as she translated. "They say that in the future, their aim will be much better. Only one rock."
Clarke laughed at this too. She received a hug from each child as they left, being shooed off to bed by the warrior turned babysitter. The other guards left with them, leaving her alone with the Commander.