Lexa walked with slow methodical steps with Jod by her side. Her first was silent as he escorted her to the edge of the mountain territory. The silence was comforting in a way. She hadn't expected an escort at all, though she did appreciate the company. It helped prevent her from getting too lost in her own thoughts. There were far too many unpleasant thoughts to dwell on for her not to welcome a bit of company. Even in a best scene scenario she had days at most. A shiver of disgust ran through her. It just had to be fucking cannibals. They couldn't just be a normal freaky cult, no, they had to eat people.

"I will hunt near the border." Jod said finally, breaking the early morning hum of the forest. "If we are seen, it will not give away your mission."

"Thank you." She said softly. Honestly, she'd expected him to be disappointed in her. He'd put a lot of effort into making her into a warrior only for her to go wasting it all at the first opportunity.

His mustache twitched as he looked at her. "You have been Kongeda for less time than a babe, and yet you already understand what it means more than most."

She looked up at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Sacrifice, strength, loyalty, bravery, cunning, duty. You have shown all these attributes in the time that you have been my second. Not to mention, that you have grown skilled in our ways, even if you still have much to learn. In the most important ways though, you are one of us." He slapped his hand down on her shoulder firmly. "I am glad to have had you as my second."

Lexa was not going to cry, she wasn't. "Thank you." There was definitely not a croak in her voice.

He nodded firmly. "You have faced almost certain death three times now. At your people's foolish execution, when you fought an army of ripa with only children, and when you came to Heda with nothing to offer. Now, you face it a fourth time. We will see if death takes you or returns you to us once more."

She considered his words for a moment. "You say that like death is a person."

"A spirit not a person." He said in that fond, yet exasperated voice he'd perfected for when she didn't know 'basic' Trikru things. "There are many spirits and they affect us all. Some choose avatars, humans to imbue with power, or to reside within. Such is the spirit of Heda. Heda is the ruler of the spirits and few among them dare challenge their monarch. The spirit of the dead is Wanheda. We have not had a warrior blessed by the spirit of death in many years." Reaching out, he grabbed her, pausing her in her step.

Lexa turned so she was facing him. He reached out, pulling a small dagger from a sheathe. She watched curiously as he pricked his finger with the tip of it. Reaching out, he drew a symbol she could not see on her forehead with his finger. "There, may Wanheda guide you."

There was nothing she could say to that. It filled her with a sense of peace she hadn't expected though as they continued on their way. Lexa ran his words over and over in her mind. Really, she should have asked more about their religion when she had the chance. Now wasn't the time to get distracted with it too much. On the other hand, when else would she have the chance? "So, Wanheda isn't a person as well as a spirit like Heda?"

"No." He made a sound of amusement. "If Wanheda chose to inhabit a human, it would be a symbol of a time of war. For a person to be shown to be the avatar of Wanheda, they would have to have killed so many that it could not cover two men's backs. Not just as a leader kills through the hands of their warriors. Only the kills made personally, by one's own hand would be marked on their backs. The numbers a person would have to kill to be considered an avatar of Wanheda have only been seen in the worst of wars." He grimaced at the idea of such a thing. "An avatar of Wanheda has also been known to show the ability to bring the dead back to life."

"Is it common for spirits to have human avatars?" Lexa asked curiously.

Jod smiled. "It is rare, though some spirits choose an avatar for celebrations every year. For instance, it is common for the spirits of the harvests to choose a member of a village during the festivals. Minor spirits can do such a thing. To be bound to a human like the great spirits though? That is incredibly rare. Heda is the only one to always have such an avatar. Those with the black blood are the only ones able to survive the ritual and accept the spirit into them. A great many years ago the Flame was stolen but all who tried to claim it were killed. Fortunately, we were able to recover it." Jod spoke seriously. "The Flame is the true form of Heda. For it to be lost is to lose everything our people follow. We are Heda's people as Trikru."

"Your clans worship different spirits." Lexa realized as several things suddenly started making sense.

He nodded. "Yes, Azgeda worship the spirits of the sun and the moon principally. We were at war with Ouskejon at the time of the loss. Our Heda of the time died and the body was not recovered. So, the Flemkepa of the time went to the clan and requested the body and Flame in exchange for a concession of land. The Exalt was a rash and foolish man. He demanded the Flemkepa place the Flame inside one of his warriors. Now, the Flemkepa was wise and agreed so long as the guards of the Exalt swore a blood oath not to harm him in exchange for him performing the ritual."

"So, a great and powerful warrior of Ouskejon was brought before him and he performed the ritual placing the Flame inside the man. The warrior died screaming in agony as the Flame ripped itself out of their body. The Exalt ordered a hundred of his warriors to line up so that each could be judged to see if they were worthy by the spirit. Each one died screaming. Then finally, when the last of them was dead the Exalt roared out that if the Flame would accept none of his men surely it would accept him, for he was the greatest of men. So, the Flemkepa once more performed the ceremony and the Exalt died as the spirit once more rejected the greatest warlord of the time. The remaining guards cursed at the Flemkepa and ordered him to go, and never return to their lands and to take the Flame with him so that it could kill no more of their people."

Jod's voice remained low but there was a seriousness that told Lexa this wasn't just some story. "There is a monument to the folly of the Exalt that led his clan and himself to ruin by trying to bend a spirit to his will."

Lexa considered this, it had the air of a remembered history. It did make a certain amount of sense after all, Clarke did have blood that ran black. It left her inclined not to simply dismiss it as legend. "Who became Heda when he returned?"

"Bottar the Cruel. He avenged our losses without mercy. He was the Heda our current Flemkepa was trained under. There are many named for his exploits." Jod answered easily like the events weren't within living memory.

Well then. Lexa considered what she'd heard. Well then. A part of her believed and a part of her was dubious but she found that in this moment she hoped it was true. That there was more than the cycle of life and death and science of the Ark. "Thank you for accompanying me. For telling me of your spirits."

"A first is the guide to their second. What sort of first would I be if I did not accompany you on the path you have chosen?"

They walked together in silence after that. Lexa felt her aches turning into a single hum of discomfort in the back of her head. It was… it was peaceful. The early light of dawn had suffused the woods. She was… she was alright with what was going to happen, well mostly… fucking cannibals.

Jod stopped walking at the side of a great tree with rough bark and a faintly glowing moss growing on its side. "I will depart for the hunt here then. Your journey is between you and the spirits from here on out."

"Thank you, for being my first." She held out her arm and smiled softly, burying her nerves as he gripped her arm. Releasing the hold, she unslung the bow hanging on her back and walked further into the woods. Notching an arrow, she began to look for animal tracks heading towards the mountain. It didn't take long to find some promising tracks. She wasn't entirely sure what they were from, but they were heading in the correct direction.

Walking on cautious feet, she tried to use all the training she'd received in walking unheard as she made her way. Using her peripheral vision, she spotted a camera. Keeping her face controlled, she deliberately tripped while in the range of its lens. Recovering from her fake stumbling, she headed further towards the looming mountain. There was less animal life than she'd expected. Though, it made sense considering the fog. Still, the tracks of what she was fairly sure was a deer persisted.

Crossing a small stream, she kneeled and took a cautious sip. Her eyes darting about guardedly. She knew she was in the open. While she was uncertain there was a camera trained on her, she had a fairly good idea that she was on film. Straightening, she continued on into the trees. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She was uncertain whether that was from truly feeling eyes on her, or just her anticipation of such a thing.

It was as she was creeping round a small patch of bushes with long thorns on them that she heard a twig snap. In the back of her mind, she felt a hysterical part of herself want to laugh at the cliché. Instead, keeping her face blank she pulled back the string of her bow and began to pretend she'd assumed it was her prey that had made the noise. There was a sharp prick on the side of her neck.

Lexa let her bow string go slack and reached up, feeling woozy as she blinked. Pulling the small thing from her neck, she stared at it. A dart… clever. Well, at least she'd be alive for the next part. Her eyes rolled up in her head as she collapsed already unconscious before she hit the ground.

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Clarke tapped her finger against her forearm as she stood, arms crossed, and brows drawn together. She was standing behind Raven and watching the lights on the screen that the Skai girl claimed would track Lexa's progress. While she was aware the screen was a map of some sort, blinking lights on a series of black squares formed by lines was not like any map she had ever seen and she had seen a lot. "Progress?"

"Her pace changed about a quarter of a mile past what I think is a stream on this map." Raven pointed to the leather, intricately detailed map she'd been given to work with for this mission.

"So, she's been taken."

Raven shrugged stiffly, her face tight. "I believe so. She stopped moving for longer than the agreed on twenty seconds. Afterwards, her pace has been slightly slower and at a two-degree variance. Still, I can't be positive."

She breathed in sharply. Well then, the girl had succeeded in the first part of the plan. Unfortunately, it was also the easiest part, getting taken. "Will we know when they've reached the tunnels?"

"This isn't an exact science. However, once they start making odd turns we'll have a pretty good idea they're in them. After that, one of your scouts should be able to locate the entrance of the tunnels that they used to bring her in with me directing them." Raven shrugged. "I can lay out a grid system with the map and plot out her route after she stops moving."

Clarke stared at the map, hoping it would give her answers. She needed to know exactly where the entrance to the mountain in the tunnels was. Everything hinged on her ability to stop up their foul bolt holes completely. Burying her enemies alive didn't work if you didn't block all the holes. Everything had to be covered if her plan for the mountain was going to work. "Where is she now based off your best guess?"

Raven looked between the map and the device, a few times. "Here, roughly." She pointed to an area where Clarke knew there were several entrances to the tunnels.

"Then they're in the tunnels already." Clarke stepped to the side and forced herself to sit down. There was nothing to be gained from pacing endlessly. Even if it felt like if she rested for a moment she would inevitably fall into the thoughts she had been avoiding about the parting between her and Lexa. A Heda wasn't allowed to be human and even if she was there was no use dwelling on thoughts of a doomed second.

"Definitely in the tunnels, look." Raven pointed to the screen of her device.

Clarke was up and leaning over her shoulder to look before she'd even processed exactly what had been said. She could see what was happening on the screen. At least she was fairly certain she could. The small blinking light that represented Lexa's position was moving in a new direction. As she watched, she could see it changing direction again. She must be traveling through the twisting tunnels. Her left hand gripped the back of Raven's chair. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the wood while staring at the single blinking light. Months of dangerous work to discover their underground entrance could be saved by this mission. She wouldn't have to order her warriors into the enemy's warren.

Raven made a few notations on a piece of paper before pointing to the light. "I think that might be your entrance, they've been holding still there for a bit."

"Are you sure?" The magnitude of what she was being told was just now hitting her. Sweet spirits, victory was here. This was the brink, wasn't it? If this was their entrance inside the mountain, she could block it up, trapping them inside for the rest of their hopefully short lives. With no way of getting out and harming her people.

"I'm not positive, but I'd lay good odds on it." Biting her lip, the woman began writing numbers down on her piece of paper. "Wait, no they're moving again."

They both watched as the light only traveled a short distance before stopping again. Clarke breathed out before asking, "Do you think she's in?"

"We'll see if she moves again, but she might be." Raven kept writing numbers and began to carefully write on the map. "I can at least plot out the course they took her on so far for you. How much longer are you gonna hang out with me Heda? Cause I can always send someone if there's more movement."

She considered her reply. There wasn't anything she could do here, but leaving when something as significant as this happened felt wrong, completely against the grain. The decision was made for her when Anya stepped into the room. "Heda."

Clarke turned, straightening from where she'd been bent over Raven's chair. "Report." She ordered, knowing the woman wouldn't have interrupted unless something had happened.

"Azgeda forces have been spotted two miles out of our position. King Roan and his army will be here in time for the evening meal. Your orders?" She asked. The lack of spite in Anya's voice told Clarke their alliance had already improved things dramatically between their clans. Which considering Anya's feelings towards Azgeda when she was a second and her initial disapproval of the alliance was fairly surreal. Clarke was nearly killed because of her people's displeasure when she'd first forced the alliance on her people.

Despite the history between their clans, the news hit Clarke like a breath of fresh air. She could feel the muscles in her back relaxing, her shoulders falling slightly. The support and presence of Roan would be deeply reassuring. "Have enough food for his forces prepared in addition to what was already going to be cooked. Send a warrior to give him directions to where he can set his men's tents. Also, inform him I will expect him in my tent for the evening meal."

"Of course." Anya smirked at her meaningfully. "Should we break out anything special?"

"No, if all goes well we will need the food for a victory feast, spirits willing. We will serve alcohol and sweets then. I need everyone prepared to march to war till then." She glanced at the blinking light that was moving once more. "It seems Lexa's plan has been successful. The beacon has worked. We'll know they're secret entrance soon."

Anya sucked in a sharp breath. "Truly?"

"Did you ever doubt me?" Raven snarked from where she was still sitting, though she was throwing a look at Anya. "Told you I could do it, you should know better than to bet against me by now cheekbones."

Clarke watched in some amusement at the furious look in her former first's eye.

Anya drew herself up. "A day will come when your arrogance will get you killed branwada."

"I know that means fool and I'm the furthest thing from a fool." Raven rolled her eyes in an exaggerated fashion. "It's not arrogance when it's fact."

Reaching out, she gripped Anya's shoulder. Clarke could see the bouncing leg and anxiety wafting off the young girl and knew she was riled up for a fight. Her friend and leader being on a suicide mission was taking a toll. "Enough. Anya see to it that my orders are seen to."

Anya dipped her head. "As you say Heda."

She waited till her mentor had left the room before returning her attention to the screen and the mechanic. "Do be careful young one. Anya will not always be merciful if you continue to disrespect her."

Raven blew out a breath. "If she can't take a bit of teasing, she's not much of a warrior."

"Constantly needling her is foolish. Especially when it is by her authority you have this house and are able to work your mechanic trade. Do be cautious. I won't step in if she takes measures to remind you of your place." Clarke cautioned, ignoring the point about Anya. The woman had always had a short temper and trying to defend that was a losing battle.

"Eh, she likes it. Nobody challenges her in this place." Raven remarked while her writing tool still scratched away at the paper.

Clarke held in a snort. She had to agree, she hadn't seen her first this engaged with a single member of her village in a long time. "See that you don't push too far."

"Got it." Raven looked at her seriously. "Where do you get off calling me a young one? Like we're the same age, scary badass warlord or not."

It took a great deal of restraint not to gape at the girl. She hadn't been shown that little respect since… well since that morning when she'd been unceremoniously kissed. Which she wasn't thinking about, at all. Skai children were odd. If only she could decide if it was refreshing or concerning. "Speak to me like that in public and I'll have your tongue."

"What like literally?" The girl asked in disgust.

Frowning, Clarke considered the word. Silly Skai people and their odd use of language. "If you mean a warrior would cut it out of your head, then yes."

"You people are crazy." Raven muttered while turning back to her screen.

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Clarke had to stand straight and formally to receive Roan. It itched to not be able to greet him as the trusted and dear companion that he was. Still, until he'd bowed to her, she had to remain in her role as Heda. She kept her hands braced together behind her back as she stood watching the Azgeda line arriving at the village. Her warriors and guards were arrayed about her in a sign of her power. The civilians peeking over shoulders to see the events. This, like most of her life was a performance. A demonstration that she was Heda, and specifically to reaffirm that Azgeda stood with her. It never mattered what the reality was, what mattered was what her people perceived it to be.

Sitting high and straight in the saddle, Roan rode towards her. He was resplendent in the clothing and furs of a king, his crown of bones resting on his head. His horse was moving at a trot as he rode till he was before her. Swinging out of the saddle with an elegance that required being raised on a horse, he dismounted. His guard on either side of him dismounted as well. A second, who'd been on foot, jogged up taking the reins from the king.

Roan swaggered towards her, all broad shoulders and confidence. There was a light smile on his face as he dropped down onto one knee before her. "Heda, I have come to swear my allegiance, and the allegiance of my people to you, the flame, and the coalition. I have brought my army as you have commanded."

She stood tall, letting the silence build as everyone watched. This was the moment her people would remember. It would set a tone for the two armies that would be working together. As such it was vitally important to strike a balance between authority, and friendship. Finally, she spoke in her firmest voice. "Will you take the brand after giving a formal pledge Roan, King of Azgeda?"

"I will." He said solemnly from where he remained kneeling, his head bent in respect.

"Then, I accept your pledge, your loyalty, and that of your people. May the ceremony be held at dawn tomorrow as it will begin a new day and a new era between our people." She spoke more to the crowd then to Roan. The excitement of the assembled people could be felt. Good, authority had been established. "Rise."

Roan stood and smiled widely at her. She stepped forward, throwing her arms around his shoulders and hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped around her, lifting her off her feet as he returned the action. In a low voice that was meant for her alone, he spoke in her ear. "It is good to see you Clarke. I have missed your presence."

"And I yours." She breathed in his familiar scent. The leather, fur, sweat and the sweet spice the people of Azgeda used to wash themselves. It was a relief she was permitted to show her affection for him publicly. After all, it was a sign of the new 'friendship' between their two peoples. "I have missed you at my back."

The stubble on his chin scratched at her cheek. "I have returned to it and will watch it as long as I remain in your presence."

Releasing him, she huffed as her feet hit the ground again. It really was irksome how much taller than her he was. Still, it just meant in a fight she'd have to take out his legs first. "Come, I have much to discuss with you. There have been changes since we last spoke."

He fell into step behind her. "Your last missive said you had taken the children that fell from the Skai under your protection?"

"I have." She stepped through the flaps and into her tent. "Since then they have proved their worth. Their leader has given us the entrance of the Mountain."

Roan made a surprised sound in the back of his throat. "How is that possible?"

Clarke sat on her throne feeling her exhaustion from her lack of sleep the night before. "I couldn't explain it well. These Skai people, they have old world tech from before the clans. If you wish, I can have their mechanic explain it to you, but even with the explanation I still failed to understand it completely. What I can tell you, is a piece of tech was placed under her skin. She then allowed herself to be captured. One of the Skai fallen, the mechanic, is able to track the piece of tech from great distances. Even now, she is charting the course taken by the girl into the mountain. By the end of the evening meal, a map through the tunnels and to their secret door will be complete."

Crossing his arms, he sat down on her bed. "I see. Then your plan for the mountain will be much expedited."

"We should be prepared to execute them soon. Prepare your men. I do not wish to wait till they can either attempt to steal more of our people, or create more ripa. Now, while they are weak, is the best time to strike." Clarke declared. She could feel the familiar thrum of war in her veins. Her blackblood was practically vibrating with it. The whispers of the flame dancing through the back of her mind. It spoke warnings and caution, but this was her chance.

He reached up taking his crown of bone off and setting it down beside him on the furs covering her bed. "When we claim this victory, what will become of the Skai fallen?"

Clarke tapped her finger against the arm of her throne. "I will take them with me to Polis, at least those that have not already found places here. A few should be sent with you for training. I promised Lexa, their leader, that I would protect them, I accepted their oaths. They have proven their worth beyond what I expected."

"Indeed." He nodded. "If they are all as brave as this former leader of theirs then I would be glad to have a few in my ranks."

She smirked. "They're horribly disrespectful and can barely speak any Trig. You may send any that go with you back for sheer foolishness. Though, I admit they are amusing."

"Really? How has the great Heda allowed such disrespect to live?" He teased with a pleased smirk. "I must be doubly sure to take some with me if they are amusing enough to survive failing to show you the proper respect."

Clarke leaned back in her throne at ease with Roan's presence. It had been stressful not to have him by her side for these past weeks. She was going to have to get used to it though. Now that he was king, she could not expect him to remain in Polis by her side any longer. "You will certainly live to regret it. I hope you take a few just so I can see your face after dealing with them."

"Is that a bet?" He asked curiously.

She cocked her head in consideration. "Perhaps over dinner we can discuss the details? For now, there is information on the Boudalan contingent we should discuss before their arrival."

"You mean why they did not arrive before I did, despite not having a nation to settle before leaving?" He remarked wryly.

She nodded. "Indeed. It would seem a sickness has beset their contingent. We will have to be prepared to move without their support. There is no way to know how long it will be till they will be able to join us. Or how many will survive."

"You could summon additional forces from another of your neighboring clans? Ouskejon is closest to our current position." He said calmly.

She raised a brow at him. "You want to wait for a message to get there and a force to be called up and then sent to our position? Being a king has changed you. Just a year ago I seem to remember you trying to lead a charge against a bandit camp with just your guards."

"I've grown wise in my old age." He deadpanned. Shaking his head in amusement after a moment, he continued. "No, I know your plan for the mountain. It is brilliant for its simplicity. We could do it without the added army. Still, do you think the coalition will accept a victory over the mountain with only two clans represented?"

She drew a dagger and spun it thoughtfully as she talked through the politics. "It won't be the victory of two clans. It will be the victory of myself and my scouts. Your presence is incidental. After all, you are here to re-pledge your allegiance and as a show of force for the invaders from the Skai, I expect them to fall shortly."

His eyes widened in understanding. "You're going to have my men hold the defensive line and take the Mountain with just your personal warriors? Spirits, that's insane."

"It'll work. It's not numbers that will bring the Mountain down. This way it is Heda's victory. Not ours." She proclaimed coldly. It was a viscous play. It would add to her reputation and position while clearly showing to other clans why she was to be feared. Sure, a larger force would be reassuring. However it was not worth the political backlash which would be enough to threaten the careful balance she had to keep. Not to mention, there were two doors to bury. With the fog, limited suits and an unknown timeframe for the attack small highly trained teams was the best option.

Whistling, Roan shook his head. "You've always had a suicidal edge to your plans. Brilliant, but riskier than anyone I've ever followed."

"Which is why I'll continue to win." She gave him a vicious smile that was all teeth. "They didn't bow to me because I was reasonable."

"No, we bowed because you're terrifying." He agreed.

Clarke stared at the light from the fire as it flickered across the walls of the tent. "I mean to build a fortress atop their front entrance. It will allow me to keep a garrison to watch the mountain to ensure they don't attempt to dig themselves out of their tomb."

"But the fog?" Roan frowned. "Even if you succeeded in building such a thing, your warriors would die at their posts."

She shook her head. "We know how to build walls that keep out the fog. It is just time consuming and requires a great amount of material but we do know how. Before this Skai mechanic was mine, I assumed it would take years of slowly building to achieve it. Now, she has made suits that will allow my men to walk through the fog. I will have my garrison stationed on the Mountain within the year."

They fell silent. It was companionable and she had missed his steadying presence. She was grateful she hadn't had to kill him during the forming of the coalition. His loss would have been unfortunate. Their peace was interrupted by the flaps to her tent being thrown open and four of her guards entering with three Skai children restrained between them.

Roan rose to his feet, his hand on his sword, placing himself between the throne and the apparent troublemakers. Clarke's face hardened as she took in the situation. "What is the meaning of this?"

One of her guards answered her. "These three were caught making a ruckus outside of your tent. They refused to desist and so we decided to bring them to you."

The oldest, Bellamy she thought, spoke up passionately. He was practically vibrating with anger. "You sent Lexa to her death!" He spat.

"You dare speak to Heda in that manner." Roan growled darkly. His arm not drawing his sword only due to her quickly taking a grip of it. She would not allow the Skai children's foolishness to send them to their death less than a day after she had promised to protect them.

Bellamy's eyes turned to Roan. "I dare when she breaks her oaths. We swore our loyalty to her in exchange for her protection, but I can see that's meaningless."

Clarke cut off the angry noises from her guards and Roan. "ENOUGH!" She released Roan's arm and stepped back dropping into her throne. "Roan."

His jaw ticked as he stepped back, though he kept himself partially in front of her and didn't take his hand from his sword. It was probably the best she was going to get at the moment. Turning her attention to her guards and the Skai children, she considered her next move. The dark-skinned boy who was apprenticed to Nyko looked fairly sick and clearly guilty. There was a rat faced boy wearing what she recognized as Lexa's jacket kneeling beside him. It made sense, two of Lexa's captains and the healer who would have been able to tell them what was happening. "Release them, they couldn't scratch me even if they attempted to."

Her guards released the boys stepping back. Though it was clear they were prepared to strike if they so much as twitched.

"Now," she let her gaze fall on the seeming ring leader Bellamy. "What makes you think you have the right to question my orders or my honor?"

"You have no honor." He hissed between clenched teeth.

She had to resist stabbing him herself. Not since she'd been a nightblood, whom Titus took pleasure in demeaning, had she been spoke to like that. Well, at least not where she could hear. There had been many whispered insults when she had first made the alliance with Azgeda. "Hold your tongue boy." She snapped drawing her dagger and moving into his space and raising it to his neck before he could move. If she hadn't of made her promise to Lexa, she would have stricken him down by now. "If you disrespect your Commander one more time, you will not live to see the sunset, oath or no oath."

He finally seemed to listen. Though, he didn't lower his eyes from where they were burning at her. She sheathed her dagger sharply. "Because you are acting as a child I will treat you as one. Lexa kom Kongeda together with Raven kom Kongeda came to me with a plan. After consideration, it was accepted. Her sacrifice is one to be honored. Know that it is because of the sacrifice she is making that you still live after speaking to me in this manner." She leveled a glare at them down her nose. "I did not require, suggest, or in any way order her on this mission. It was her idea, and her choice from beginning till now."

"Clearly, Wells has told you of this mission and should have told you Lexa's reasons for taking it. You question your own leader's honor by challenging her mission in this manner. She has sacrificed her life to guarantee your lives. All of you owe her your lives." She looked towards her guards. "Take Bellamy and Wells to the post. Ten lashes to each. Wells for speaking of a mission he was not permitted to speak of. Bellamy for disrespecting my authority." She returned her gaze to the boys. "If you have questions of your friend's motives, I suggest you ask Raven. Now, get out and be grateful I have not taken your lives."

The boys looked slightly mutinous but between Wells and the guards the three of them left. As soon as the tent flaps closed once more she slumped and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Still want some of them?"

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Lexa woke up groggily. Everything ached and she let out a low sound of pain as she reached up rubbing at her eyes. Wincing at the white lighting, she started to take in her surroundings. She was in a cage. Suddenly, she felt like she was going to throw up whatever was in her stomach. There were people, nearly naked curled up people, in the cages, hundreds of people with gaunt sick looks in their faces. The cages were worse than what would be expected for an animal. Dear god they were alive.