Clarke slid the small scalpel across Ontari's skin deftly. The thick black blood of their heritage spilled across her skin as she drew the patterns of a warrior and a leader into her friend's flesh. Finally, the careful patterns were done. Grabbing a bowl of the white dye mixed with the seaweed that helped prevent infection, she began to pack the slices guaranteeing the scars would turn the traditional white. Ontari was remaining stoic for it all, though Clarke could feel the tension in her as she bit down to keep from crying out from the pain.

At last, she pulled back, her fingers stained black. "Ontari kom Azgeda, as your first I have nothing left to teach you and I welcome you as a sister in arms. May you serve well and wisely, bringing honor onto yourself, your first, your clan, and the coalition."

Ontari's eyes flickered open at the last word. A smile attempting to form but stopping due to the painful pull of the skin on her face. "I will."

Reaching out, she offered her arm, happily squeezing Ontari's as she accepted the gesture. "I'm proud of you. Now, if you wish it, you may take the marks of a Trikru warrior as well. Since I was your first, you are allowed if you so wish."

Eye's wide, Ontari dipped her head. "I would be honored to bear your clan's marks."

Standing from where she'd been kneeling so as to have better access to the girl's face Clarke hauled Ontari to her feet as well. "Then Nyko will give them to you." Leading them out of her tent, she walked towards Nyko's. Opening the flap, she was pleased to see he was going over healing herbs with the skai boy, Wells.

"Heda." Nyko bowed. "How may I serve you?"

Clarke's face softened at the sight of the healer, she'd always been drawn to the trade. If she hadn't had black blood running through her veins, she would have liked to have been a healer. Then again, she didn't have a clue who her parents had been. She might have been a simple farmer for all she knew. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she spoke. "Ontari will bear the marks of both her clan and mine, as is fitting of the first warrior to be trained by both."

He looked surprised but not unhappy with the implicit order. Turning to the Skai boy, his new second, he began to give instruction. "Grab the bottle of black ink and my tools."

Ontari dropped down onto a cot and pulled her shirt off, freeing up her skin. As Nyko took a seat beside her and began to organize his tools he looked up at Clarke. "Which mark will she be taking?"

"The mark of a leader." Clarke didn't need to use her eyes to know he was surprised. It was not a mark given to newly minted warriors. Usually, the mark of a specific skill was used. Anya, had been given the mark of the tracker. Gustus, the mark of a fighter. The mark of a leader usually came later.

Nyko didn't say anything against it though. "Very well."

Clarke stood there and watched as the needles were pulled in and out of her friend's skin repeatedly. She knew from experience it wasn't a pleasant sensation. Ontari seemed to be lost in her thoughts, perhaps meditating shallowly. Still, Clarke didn't leave. She knew Ontari would be by her side for only a short time longer. Then, she would be off on her own journey. It ached to know she was going to lose another one of the handful of people she truly cared for individually. She'd always known this day was coming. She'd known Ontari could not remain with her forever.

It had been and still was her greatest wish for her family of the blood to find purpose outside of their conclave. To have futures without the imminent threat of inevitable slaughter above their heads. Still, for every one of them she managed to get away from that, there was another family member leaving her side to face the dangers of the world. Oh, she'd still see them on occasion, but they would not be hers to care for personally any longer. It was the price for their lives and it was one she was eager to pay. It still felt like she'd been hit in the stomach without warning however.

So, she stood and watched as Ontari took the final steps before she could walk out as a warrior in full. The black of the ink mixed with the black of her blood on her shoulder where the mark crawled up and over her shoulder blade. Nyko finally sat back, wiping the last of the fluid away. "She should stay here for a few hours, sleep, drink some of the tea. Then, I can apply a cream that will help it heal."

"Very well." Clarke turned her attention from the healer to her friend. "I am proud of you this day Ontari. When you're released come find me. We'll have your future duties to discuss."

Ontari smiled happily, though her eyes were half lidded from the toll the scarring and tattooing had taken. "Sha, Clarke."

She left her friend behind as she made her way back to her tent. As she was acknowledging her guards, she heard footsteps approaching. Turning, she was surprised to Lexa and the mechanic girl Raven. She arched her brow in question.

"Heda." Lexa dipped her head, Raven following a second later. "We had a proposition we were hoping you would consider."

Clarke knew she could use the distraction lest she become too morose from the loss of Ontari as a constant companion. "You're fortunate, I have time to listen this afternoon."

She could hear them following her as she entered her tent. Normally, she wouldn't use it for meetings like the one she was sure she was going to be having with the two behind her, but she felt the need for the added armor her throne would give her. Once she was seated, she spoke. "Now what is this proposition?"

Lexa was in the stance Clarke had come to associate with a warrior at ease. Feet shoulder length apart, hands clasped behind her back. "We believe we can tell you where the second entrance into the mountain is."

She sucked in a breath startled. "How? We have failed to achieve that. If you could do that…" The opportunity, the vague partially formed plans for the mountain she'd been building for years snapped into prominence in her mind. They could win. They could win with far less death.

Clearing her throat, Lexa began, though she looked uneasy. "There was a war in our people's history long ago in a city that no longer exists. The city of Troy was besieged but the Greeks had no way to get past the walls of the city. So, they surrendered and built a great wooden statue of a horse and left it behind in front of the gates of Troy. The warriors in the city came out once the armies had retreated and brought the beautiful symbol of their victory inside allowing their enemies to retreat unmolested due to the sign of surrender. That night, they celebrated their victory."

Clarke relaxed into her throne, listening intently. She knew using a story of victories past to give insight was a common method of explaining tactics, especially foreign ones. No offer of goodwill could be offered to the mountain, nor would she ever surrender to them, but she knew the story was not finished.

"However, the Greeks had not retreated, not really. They had merely left the sight of the city. Inside the horse, were a handful of warriors who lay in wait till the sun went down and the guards were heavy with drink. Then, they snuck out, cutting the throats of those they encountered till they reached the gates and threw them open; allowing the army that had crept back in silence to enter into the city. In this manner, Troy was burnt to the ground though their walls were never breached." Lexa gestured to Raven clearly meaning for her to continue explaining their idea.

Raven had a light in her eye Clarke decided would be a sign of things to come. "So, we were thinking, you can't conquer something if you don't know anything about it. I have a radio already built, and the tech finders Anya assigned to help me get stuff from bunkers have found some cool toys. I could build a beacon, a sort of…" She frowned tilting her head, searching for the words. "It's… dang you guys don't even know what a beacon is…"

"We do use beacon fires you know." Clarke waved her hand. "How is this beacon different from that?"

"Well it's better. It would allow me to track an item around inside the mountain. Whatever path is taken to get it in, where it is taken once inside the mountain, I'd be able to map." Raven gestured to the map. "I can map it with coordinates horizontally and vertically, though it will be less accurate that way."

Clarke rested her chin on her hand. "Tell me, how do you mean to get this beacon into the mountain?"

Lexa took a step forward and spoke, clearly interrupting Raven. "We let a person get taken into the mountain who has the beacon with them."

"What?!" Raven exclaimed.

Clarke's eyes narrowed, ignoring the mechanic's outburst. "If the beacon is noticed and removed from the person who is sacrificed, what will you do then?"

"I didn't say they would be carrying it. We put it inside of them." Lexa said confidently.

"Woah! Wait up." Raven yanked Lexa's shoulder so she was forced to look at her. "You didn't say anything about human sacrifice, or cutting someone open to stick my beacon into them!"

Lexa didn't falter. "Are you saying you and Wells couldn't put the beacon into a person without causing significant damage?"

"No, but that's… what the hell?" Raven spluttered.

"We know the mountain takes people. With the recent culling, they will be more desperate for bodies than usual, making them more likely to accept a person with minimal injuries. Hiding an insertion site would not be complicated."

Clarke rapped her fingers against the arm of her throne. "No one who has gone into the mountain has survived. Whoever had the beacon would be lost forever."

"I know." Lexa's spine straightened. "That's not all we can offer on the mountain." Reaching into the bag, she had had slung over her shoulder she pulled out a piece of tech that Clarke didn't recognize. "This is a camera. It's how the mountain knows to send out the fog."

Clarke was on her feet in a second. "What?!" Her voice was deadly.

Lexa didn't falter to her credit. "Wells noticed it in the woods during the culling. We acquired one yesterday to prove our point. It's clearly not something your clans use, which by process of elimination means the mountain. The ark uses the same technology. Cameras are like eyes that allow them to see outside of their stronghold. Raven can build emps… a small weapon that can destroy them. We can blind the mountain and get the beacon inside."

"Very well." She turned her attention to the still confused looking Raven. "How long till you'd be able to send a person with a beacon to the mountain?"

"Tomorrow." Raven swallowed. "It would take me a week to build enough emps to take out of the cameras though."

"Go, I will consider this plan of yours and get back to you in the morning then." Clarke wondered when she'd gotten this soft that she would be reluctant to do this. "Raven, this plan is not to be spoken of to anyone not necessary for you to build this beacon."

Raven bowed shortly and then left with only a slight side eye towards Lexa. With Raven gone, Clarke sat back in her throne and took in the second in front of her. She had met a great many people in her time, both as a nightblood initiate, and then as Heda. In Lexa, she recognized a dangerous sort of loyalty. A passion and calling to lead as well as a complete disregard for self in the face of the needs of her people. She would have made an excellent nightblood, truly. However, she had also seen many with similar potential fall and knew the signs of someone prepared to make themselves a martyr. It filled her with sorrow. "You mean to volunteer for this mission."

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Lexa was less surprised than she would have expected that Clarke saw through her so easily. She didn't bother protesting, after all, she was right. "I'm the best choice."

"You're their leader. They may have sworn themselves to me, but you hold their loyalty." Clarke stated, her eyes narrowing fractionally.

"I have the best chance out of everyone to survive." Lexa nodded sharply, reassuring herself that her decision was final. "I have the technical and military training to have a better chance out of anyone else to survive. If I die, I do so protecting my people."

"You have a great deal of promise, you would throw it away for a chance in a million?" The woman spat in disgust. "That is nothing but waste and foolishness."

Lexa shook her head. "I cannot ask someone else to go. If I survive being captured, I can help from inside the mountain. It's a matter of who is the best for the task, no matter how narrow the margin by which success is measured. It would be a waste to send in someone less suited without even a shred of hope."

"Hope?" Clarke's voice was bitter. "There is no hope. You're lying to yourself if you believe there is." She sighed, looking tired. "Being a leader means having to look at your people and tell them to go and die for you. It means knowing that your life matters more than any individual under your protection."

She clenched her teeth. "I can't ask for my people to do what I am not willing to do myself."

"It's not a matter of willingness, it's a matter of what is best for your people. Your people need a leader, a representative as they merge into the clans. Without you, who will protect their interests? A leader must perform a different sort of sacrifice. Do you think I have never wished that I could die in the place of one of my people? Do you think I would not sacrifice my life in an instant if I thought it would be better for my people? A leader's task is to take on the burden of seeing the bigger picture of weighing and measuring one man's life against another. Sometimes a life of service accomplishes more than a death with valor. For a true leader, a life lived for your people when death is an option is the true sacrifice. Our lives are not our own, they belong to our people." Clarke said sharply.

"Of course, I know you would sacrifice your life for your people. You would not lead from the front if that were not so. You fought shoulder to shoulder with your warriors in the spear line. Was it smart to risk the Heda in such a way when there were plenty of other warriors? They follow you because of your willingness to fight with them. You are the one who holds the coalition together. Surely, if you can risk your life for your people than so can I. My people will survive without me. After all, they are your people now." Lexa tipped her chin up in defiance.

Clarke's jaw ticked to the side. "You are being purposely obtuse. You are the one who has gained the most respect from my people. You are the one whom your people follow, whose example they emulate. They may be my people in name but they are yours in truth. Their integration will not go so well without you"

"If I do this, I prove without a possibility of doubt that my people hold value worth the risk they will pose to you once the ark get's here. Besides, I trust you. I know that my people will be safe with you" Lexa's eyes flashed with determination.

"Why would you trust that?" Clarke asked sharply.

Lexa was annoyed Clarke was being difficult just for the sake of it. "Because of everything you have done. I may not have known you long but I know you. You are fair, and just. You believe in your people and would protect any of them to your last breath. So yes, I trust you to protect those that have sworn themselves to you when you know they can help all of your people, if you just give them a chance."

"You know me?" Clarke spat. "You don't know anything Second. I won my conclave because I poisoned the children I grew up with as family. That picture you saw? I poisoned all of them. Killed two of them by driving a blade into their bodies. The man who all but raised me lives only till I can replace him. I have ordered torture, murder, and death and you think your people are safe with me."

"You did all that because it was necessary! Don't try and trick me! I know you are ruthless when you need to be, but I also know you are merciful when you can be. I know that you spared one of those children and I know that you have been merciful to us when you had little reason to be." Lexa exclaimed. "If you wish to defeat the mountain, this is a necessary mission. Let me protect my people's home, no matter how new."

Clarke fell silent though, a look of anger still marred her face. "There is nothing short of ordering you into the prisons that would keep you from volunteering for this mission, is there?"

"No, there is not." Lexa stated clearly. She knew she'd won when Clarke seemed to mold further into her throne.

Shaking her head, Clarke sighed. "It is a waste. However, I will not order someone to sacrifice themselves when there is a willing volunteer. I do ask that you think about which will serve your people more, an impossible chance or your continued presence. Think carefully, I will expect your answer tomorrow."

Lexa bowed. "Sha, Heda." She paused before she turned to leave. "I won't change my mind though."

"I know." Clarke said simply.

Lexa closed her eyes and stepped out into the sunlight. Standing outside with her eyes closed, she felt the sun on her face. She could hear the sound of humanity around her, feel the breeze against her skin, smell the campfires, horses and trees. Oh, how the trees smelled. Opening her eyes, she decided she had some things to do before the next day dawned.

Her first stop was to see the Blake siblings who were arguing… again. She felt amused as she stopped beside the two bickering their heads off at each other. "What's the matter today?"

Octavia whipped around to face her, nostrils flaring. "He's trying to say I can't accept Indra's offer to become her second!"

Bellamy crossed his arms. "She's a village chief, we'd be separated. I can't watch your back if you're in a different village than I am. That's not happening."

"She's one of the best warriors among the Trikru. She's being offered an enviable post." Lexa said, trying to calm the irate older brother.

"Oh, it get's worse!" Octavia half growled. "He went and talked to Lincoln and is going to be his second so he can follow me to TonDC. I'm not a little girl, I don't need you to follow me everywhere. I'm not a prisoner anymore."

Bellamy threw up his hands in frustration. "You're my sister, my responsibility. I can't let you go running off to war without me by your side."

Lexa grinned. "Why exactly is it a big deal that he's going to be Lincoln's second? It's a good match from what I can tell."

"Because we kissed and now suddenly Bellamy is his second and is going to be around him all the time!" Octavia glared knowingly at her brother. Truly, he'd be dead if she had laser vision.

Bellamy just looked vaguely smug though he was clearly caught. "Just looking out for my sister."

Lexa couldn't help it, she laughed. "Octavia, you are going to be an amazing warrior. Even with your brother sticking to you like an annoying barnacle."

"Hey!" Bellamy protested.

Holding her hand up to silence him, she continued. "This way you can kick his ass in training whenever you want. Plus, it's a good thing having your boyfriend and your brother getting along well enough not to try and kill each other."

Octavia muttered mutinously. "What if he converts him to the overprotective side?"

"Then, you'll have two males to humiliate in front of their clan." Lexa said, unrepentantly shrugging. "You have family, a purpose, a clan, enough food, supplies, and air! Take a second to appreciate that the future is yours to make of as you will."

Octavia bit her lip. "Fine, but he has to let me spend time with Lincoln without hovering."

Lexa swung on Bellamy before he could protest. "Bellamy, name one other male you would rather see your sister with than Lincoln."

He stopped and sorta gaped at her and opened and closed his mouth a few times. "Monty?"

"You think Monty is going to be able to protect your sister when you're not around better than Lincoln?" Lexa probed.

Bellamy's shoulders slumped. "Fine."

"Would you two mind checking in on the rest of our people?" Lexa asked. "The little one's look up to you O, and the others will follow you Bell."

"Of course, more running in the woods?" Bellamy asked, looking smug.

Lexa rolled her eyes. "No, just wanted to check in on Wells before my shift at guard duty."

"Alright, we got it. Go take a breather princess." He said, waving lazily at her.

Smiling, she shook her head before moving towards the healing tent. The flaps in were tied up letting fresh air into the tent. She could see Wells grinding something with a pestle and mortar with Costia looking over his shoulder. She noticed there was a certain softness to how they were in regards to each other She felt something ease in her chest as she spotted their matching blushes. Letting her feet fall solidly to announce her presence, she made her way into the tent.

Wells looked up before holding a finger to his lips. He tilted his head towards one of the cots. Lexa followed his line of sight and spotted Ontari passed out and drooling on the cot. Biting back a laugh, she lightened her footsteps and settled softly across from the two wakeful occupants of the tent. Keeping her voice low, she spoke. "Is she alright?"

"She took her marks as a warrior today." Costia explained in a low murmur. "It is a long and painful process. Once she wakes, creams to help her heal will be applied."

Lexa noted the fresh wounds on the girl's face and the raw and angry skin on her shoulder around a new tattoo. She noted the dried crusted liquid around her injuries. It dawned on her, that it was the first time she'd seen evidence that the nightbloods truly had blood that was as black as night. Shaking herself, she returned her focus to her friend. "Heda accepted our idea. We will likely attempt to get the beacon into the mountain tomorrow. You're help will be needed."

Wells looked curious but didn't pry, he knew enough that she would have told him the details if she could have. "Good, we can repay some of the debt we have incurred."

Costia looked fondly at him. "You have more than repaid it already."

"I was hoping you would keep an eye out on the others in the area." She ran her thumb along the soft leather of her jacket. "I'll be away from the region soon enough. I trust you to look after them"

"Of course," Wells smiled good naturedly at her. "Be sure you come and visit. I already checked and guards get furloughs every so often to visit their families. So, I expect you to come see us."

Lexa swallowed a lump in her throat but kept her voice light and easy. "Of course, first furlough I get, I'll come see you."

Wells reached out, resting his hand on top of hers. "Lexa, is something wrong?"

Shaking her head, she flipped her hand over and held his for a moment. "No, just making sure everything is in order. It's all just been moving so fast we've barely had time to handle it all."

He nodded in agreement. "It's going well though. I mean, it's still dangerous but if the plan works, we'll be okay."

"Yeah, we're going to be great. The coalition is more a home already then the ark ever was." She agreed with him.

"I have to get this done or Nyko will have my head. See you at the evening meal?" He asked hopefully.

"Of course, Costia would you mind if I had a word with you briefly?"

Costia looked at her in surprise but agreed. "That's fine."

Rising, she left the tent with Costia following a few steps behind her. A small part inside of her noted that it was just far enough to be prepared if Lexa tried to attack her by surprise. Waiting till they were away from most people, she turned and met Costia's eye. "I need you to promise me something."

She looked considering as she closed herself off slightly. "What is that?"

Lexa wondered where to begin. It was important that she get this right. "Wells is my best friend, the closest thing to a brother I have." She was pleased to see some of the defensiveness fall away from the girl as she spoke of Wells. "Our parents were friends, so we practically grew up together. He has been there for every significant moment of my life and I for him."

Costia cocked her head to the side. "You're keeping part of this mission a secret because he would not approve?"

"It's a suicide mission." Lexa said shortly. "I've already volunteered. Heda's given me the day to change my mind but I won't. I need you to take care of him for me."

Her eyes widened in understanding and surprise. "You… why me?"

"Because he loves you… or is beginning to. I know you feel something for him as well. Plus, I know you have the ability to keep him safer than almost anyone." Lexa gave a self-deprecating smile. "You'll do better than I ever could."

"Why would you sacrifice yourself? Your people need you." Costia sounded confused.

Shaking her head slowly, Lexa considered how to explain it. "The leaders on the ark sacrificed everyone but themselves, I don't want to be like them. Besides, if I give Clarke what she needs to take the mountain through my death, I will have protected them far more with that act than I ever could alive."

Costia seemed to understand, her face softening. "You are very brave Lexa kom Kongeda."

"I'm just doing what is best for my people." Lexa said with a shrug.

"No, you're doing what is best for your people at great expense to yourself. To sacrifice your life for one's people like you are planning is… it is the best death any warrior could have. I will pray that the spirits care for your soul till it is time for it to find a new vessel." Costia said, voice full of warmth. "I will protect your brother in all but blood. You have my word."

"Thank you." Lexa felt her emotions sloshing around inside of her trying to break out of her. However, she was sure of her path and would not allow herself to break. "I am sorry I judged you for your profession when we first met."

Costia smirked, shaking her head. "You did what any leader would do."

"You wouldn't happen to have any advice for what I should do while I wait then?" Lexa shoved her hands into her pockets to hide the way they were shaking.

Costia considered it before replying. "You should ensure you have no regrets. Tell the one's you love that you love them. Thank those you owe thanks to. Eat well, sleep well, look up at the stars and give your burdens to the spirits."

"That's… thank you." Lexa lifted her arm offering it to Costia.

With a small smile, Costia accepted it, grasping her forearm and squeezing it. "It has been an honor to know you, if only for a while."

"It has been my honor to know you as well." Lexa replied.

They parted slightly awkwardly. Lexa headed to the campfire where there was a deer roasting. Taking a knife, she cut off a more generous slice than she would usually allow herself and sat down to eat it. She gave herself time to appreciate each bite, the flavor of the meat and spices cooked into it. Looking around, she saw the Trikru and the occasional delinquent running about. It was good. Her people would be safe, they would be cared for. She was going to guarantee their place amongst these people she had at first thought of as savages. Now, she knew that they were good people, and her people deserved a chance at this life.