I decided to attempt to get some rest. I doubted that my brain would allow such a thing, but it had been a long past few days. Not long after dawn, Leo appeared at the entrance of my tent. I pulled myself out of bed and went to him.

"What news of the Sky People?" I asked.

"They defeated the Mountain Men, Heda."

"They're alive?"

"They came out of the mountain right before dawn. Their Commander led them out."

"Clarke of the Sky People made it out alive? You're sure, Leo?"

"Positive." He said with a nod. I dismissed him while I gathered my thoughts. She was alive.

I had left them for dead, and against all odd they came out of it alive. We didn't know what had happened inside the mountain, but at least they were alive. I wasn't sure if I should be expecting a retaliation from the Sky People, but I knew without a doubt that Clarke would be furious with me if we ever crossed paths again. I decided the best thing to do to protect my people was to send a few of my men to keep an eye on what the Sky People's next move would be. If they were going to attack, I wanted to be prepared. My men didn't leave TonDC until dusk. I only sent five of them out.

A week later at dusk one of my warriors returned. "What news do you have?" I asked upon seeing him.

"They're regrouping. Some of their people were injured badly. Clarke of the Sky People is not among them, Heda."

"What do you mean she is not among them?"

"We haven't seen her, Heda."

"You haven't seen her? Their camp isn't very big, she can't be hiding. Is she inside their ship?"

"We do not believe she is, Heda. Her friends and mother are all accounted for, she has not been around any of them. Her mother seems to be worrying over something."

"Was there any sign of her in the woods?" I asked pacing the tent.

"There were faint tracks leading away from the camp. They were recent enough, but we lost it in the creek. If it was from her, she's covering her tracks."

"Find her, Tumnus." I commanded him.

She had left the mountain with her people. She was alive, Leo had sworn to me. So where was she? If she wasn't at their camp, maybe she was back at the mountain. I knew from past experience that Clarke would do whatever necessary to protect her people. We had that in common. She did not like to attack, but would do what she had to do to survive. If she was out in the woods alone, one of two things was possible; she was either planning her next move, or she was in danger. My people and the Mountain Men weren't the only threats these woods had. Clarke had seen that with her own eyes, so why would she put herself in danger by going off on her own?

I knew she was becoming skilled with her gun, but she was useless with any other weapon. The gun she had would eventually run out of ammunition, and when that happened she would be left helpless. I didn't want that to happen, but I couldn't help her if I didn't know where to find her. There was also the whole, she might try to kill me upon seeing me business. I had to do something though, I couldn't just let her die alone in the woods.

I made preparations to go after her myself. My people would be fine under Indra's command for a few days. Clarke was too important to me to leave finding her to my warriors. I knew they wouldn't bring harm to her, but I couldn't promise she wouldn't attack them. I hoped she wouldn't attack me first, and ask questions later. If she could just hear me out, maybe I could fix this situation. I would leave at dawn. I made sure to pack only what I needed. I couldn't afford to be weighed down.

After a restless night, I got ready just before dawn. I didn't know what I should expect to find, but I knew time was of the essence. Leo, my guard, agreed to go with me. I didn't need a lot of warriors or guards to follow me around, but the woods were not a safe place to be alone. As we had discussed, Leo was waiting at the edge of the village with two horses.

"Heda." He said nodding in my direction.

"Leo."

We got on our horses and headed towards the mountain. It was the only lead we had to find Clarke. By early afternoon we reached the mountain. Someone had been here recently, there were dozens of pyres that were still smoking.