Chapter 10: Polis

Roan, the exiled prince of Azgeda, swung his blade to cut threw a particularly overgrown bush. The three Skaikru people he was now escorting to Polis were struggling behind him. He repressed the urge to sigh and roll his eyes. Not for the first time in the five hours they had been walking, Roan wished he had let the bounty hunters kill the two men. The kid didn't speak at all, but Kane was beginning to get on his last nerve.

In all of his years fighting, Roan had never met a warrior who asked as many questions as Kane was. First, it was about his loyalty and how could they be sure he wouldn't kill them and take Clarke to Queen Nia. Kane hadn't liked his answer: they couldn't trust him nor could he provide any reason that he wouldn't betray them. Then came questions about his facial scars. Kane seemed to know enough about the different grounder clans to realize he was from the Ice Nation.

Even more frustrating was that Kane didn't seem to be intimidated by a glare and instead continued to press for an answer. Part of Roan was impressed by this- he had heard rumors that the Skaikru leader was a worthy warrior and leader. But no one had mentioned Kane being stubbornly persistent. The only entertainment Roan currently had was reminding Kane that he would be dead if not for Roan. That usually shut him up for a while.

The girl they called Wanheda was more puzzling than annoying. Clarke had a great likeness to the sketches that had been circulating between bounty hunters, but there was a fierceness missing from her eyes. Roan had known ruthless warriors in his time, but Clarke held pain within her. She carried her dead on her shoulders. A warrior couldn't afford that- it makes them weak.

Roan paused at a creek to collect some water. They were only about an hour away from Polis now. Kane walked up beside him and said, "I still don't understand what you gain from brining Clarke to Lexa."

"Who said anything about Lexa?" asked Roan as he squatted next to the edge of the creek and drank his water.

Kane kept a careful eye on where Clarke and Monty had taken a seat before answering, "The only person at Polis that would want Clarke alive is Lexa."

"Well, you aren't an idiot," Roan smirked and Kane rolled his eyes.

"Neither is Clarke. She's going to Polis for protection, not for herself, but for her people. She thought that if Wanheda stayed in Arkadia, it would bring a war we wouldn't be prepared for. I want to know what you gain from not turning us in to Azgeda. Why would Lexa send you to bring Clarke back- not someone like Indra, who Clarke already trusts?"

Roan rose to his feet to stand eye to eye with Kane. He knew that Kane was about a minute away from putting a bullet in him if he didn't provide an answer. And Roan didn't blame him. "There are many who feel that the Heda should consume Wanheda's power by killing her. Lexa would be seen as weak if anyone knew she was trying to bring Clarke to Polis safely. I provide a certain set of skills and am very discreet."

"I'm not doubting your skills, just your intentions."

The urge to punch Kane in that mouth that was always moving came to mind again. But Roan couldn't fault the warrior for wanting to protect his charges- even if that meant trusting someone else to do it. Kane seemed like an honest man, so maybe honesty was the best course of action. "Lexa has promised a pardon for my exile in exchange for the safe return of Wanheda."

Kane opened his mouth as if to reply, but must have thought better of it and shut it again. With a stiff nod, Kane walked away from Roan to join Clarke and Monty, who were sitting upstream. Roan was shocked that Kane had nothing more to ask or demand a further explanation. In fact, if he had known five hours ago that Kane wouldn't have asked him why he had been exiled and just accepted that answer, Roan would have already told him.

For what felt like the thousandth time, Roan pushed the thought of throwing Clarke over his shoulder and just leaving Monty and Kane behind out of his mind. He capped the pouch he had just refilled with water and followed Kane to Clarke and Monty. "We are not far now. We'll go in the back where Indra is supposed to be waiting for us. The less people who know you are in the city, Wanheda, the better it will be for everyone."

Forty-five minutes later, the group found themselves at the entrance to a tunnel that Roan assured them led into the Heda's tower. Kane visibly relaxed when he saw that the guard waiting to escort them to Lexa was led by Indra. Kane hadn't see the esteemed warrior since the explosion before Tondc and although the grounds and sky people had left each other on not so great terms, Indra looked happy to see him as well. Or at least she didn't look as if she wanted to kill him, and that was good enough for Kane.

"Welcome to Polis, Kane kom Skaikru. The Heda is waiting for you." After greeting Kane, Indra's eyes flickered over Clarke, and if Kane didn't know better, he would have thought that Indra was nervous to see Clarke again. Then again, after the way Lexa and Indra abandoned Clarke at Mount Weather, he couldn't blame her. "Clarke, it's good to see you."

Swallowing her pride, Clarke answered, "You too."

"If we stay out here telling each other how happy this occasion is, we're all going to end up dead," muttered Roan. Indra glared at him, but nevertheless turned on her heel to lead them into the tunnel. The walls were bare and from the look of the dust and dirt, this passage wasn't used very often. They pushed through a door and found themselves in what appeared to be a hallway in the tower.

Clarke didn't realize she was holding her breath until they were ushered into a lift by the two guards flanking Indra. She did notice that all of the grounders were ignoring Roan's presence and he was keeping silent at the back of the group. Kane and Indra made small talk in the lift, mainly about the city of Polis and the people gathered here. Clarke was only half listening, even though she probably should be paying attention. But now that the fear of not making it to Polis had vanished, the ever pressing thought of seeing Lexa again was beginning to nag at her.

She had thought about this moment so many times when she was living alone in the forest. Sometimes she had imagined screaming and shouting and forcing Lexa listen to her rant about how betrayed she felt. In her dreams, the yelling always helped. But Clarke had a feeling that in real life, it wouldn't be as satisfying. So she tried to imagine what she wanted to say to Lexa- the abandonment at Mount Weather was one thing, but the betrayal of Clarke's heart was another. But a part of Clarke was constantly thinking that she had read the signs wrong, that Lexa was just manipulating her all along.

"You ok?" Clarke nearly jumped out of her skin at Monty's question. Her friend was looking at her with pity in his eyes and that only made Clarke feel worse.

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

Monty hesitated before replying, "Because the last time we saw Lexa was at Mount Weather."

"We don't have time for grudges," Clarke insisted, but she knew Monty saw right through it. Kane could let go of what happened in Mount Weather so easily in order to save his people now. But Kane had been betrayed by the Heda of the grounders, not the woman he had kissed in a war tent.

"What are you going to say to her?" asked Monty.

Clarke paused for a minute to think. The lift clanked to a stop and the guards rolled open the door. Indra and Kane led the way with Clarke and Monty not far behind and Roan bringing up the rear. They stopped in front of doors that Clarke assumed would lead to the Heda's throne room. Turning her head to Monty, she whispered, "Nothing. I have nothing to say to her."

The doors to the throne room opened and the group proceeded in. Seeing Lexa upon her throne, her eyes covered in the dark paint, lips firm in a grim line, and muscular arms covered in black leather took Clarke's breath away. In her head, Clarke had distorted her perception of Lexa. The anger, grief, and anguish had marred Lexa's beauty in her mind. It was easier to think of Lexa as the enemy, than as the woman she had kissed.

"Mounin, Skaikru," said a bald man with tattoos circling his head, in the most unwelcoming tone of voice. He seemed to be speaking for Lexa, who was staring straight ahead at her guests.

"Mochof. Ai don kom hir gon sis Heda au," spoke Kane in rough trigedasleng that Lincoln must have taught him while Clarke was away. She was impressed by his attempts to learn the language of the people they were asking for help. Indra also looked mildly impressed, but the man standing between them and Lexa looked as if Kane's attempts to speak his language disgusted him.

"Although it is an honor for you to learn our language, everyone here speaks English, Councilor Kane," spoke Lexa from her throne. The bald man glared at the Sky People before turning back to Lexa, who dismissed him to the side of her throne with a wave of her hand. "I must say it is a surprise to see you here in Polis."

Kane looked relieved that he didn't have to carry out the entire conversation in trigedasleng. Now more confident, he stepped forward to seek the Heda's help. "I am no longer a Councilor in Arkadia. I've come to warn you and your people about what is to come. Our new Chancellor seeks war with your people."

The bald man hissed and started to speak, but Lexa cut him off. "Let him talk, Titus. He has come to us peacefully."

"Charles Pike leads the Sky People now and he seeks justice for the lives that the Ice Nation took from him. He also has plans to expand Arkadia into Trikru territory." Kane glanced sideways to observe Indra, who cursed under her breath, but otherwise did not interrupt him. "Unfortunately, there are many who see his point of view. But there are those of us who don't want a war."

"A war is what you will get if Skaikru attacks Trikru or Azgeda," replied Lexa firmly. "But if Azgeda has committed crimes against your people since the truce went into place, you deserve justice."

Kane hesitated before saying, "I'm not sure that the attacks took place after the truce was made."

"Then I don't know if I can help you." Lexa leaned forward in her chair to look closely at him. "But you are hear in peace, so maybe we can reach an agreement."

"That is all I ask, Heda," murmured Kane respectfully.

Lexa's eyes finally left Kane to look at Clarke and Monty standing behind him. "I'm glad to see you alive, Clarke."

"No thanks to you," spat Clarke bitterly. All the talk before to Monty about how she had nothing to say to Lexa had been forgotten as soon as she had laid eyes on her. Lexa briefly closed her eyes at Clarke's less than friendly words.

Before Lexa could reply, Titus stepped forward with a snarl, "Lexa had you brought here for your protection! You will show the Heda some respect!"

"She isn't my Heda," Clarke practically growled at Titus before stepped in front of Kane to address Lexa. "You ordered some guy to kidnap me and bring me here against my will?!"

"I was keeping you safe," responded Lexa calmly, but a faint pink color had rose in her cheeks.

"You didn't think I could protect myself, but I was the one who brought down the Mountain. I am Wanheda! You turned tail and ran away!"

"Clarke…" warned Kane as a few of the guards muttered angrily, but the young woman was full of guilt and anger and she was finally able to burn some of it.

"We came here to warn you of what Pike has planned! I didn't come here for safety!"

Lexa rose to her feet and walked down the dais to stand eye to eye with Clarke. Lexa's heart was beating quickly and her throat felt dry. Clarke had every reason to scream at her and accuse her of a number of awful things. But she was the Heda, not Clarke's friend. Not that Clarke would consider her a friend any longer. With an even tone that she had spent years perfecting, she said, "I think it would be better if I discussed these problems with Kane. I have a room made up for you and you can wait there until I have settled the matter of your bounty with Queen Nia."

"That's it? That's all you have to say- after all that you've done…you send me to my room?" Clarke was breathing heavily now and her hands were balled into fists. Monty tentatively walked to Clarke's side and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Clarke, maybe we should let them talk." Giving Lexa one last glare, Clarke allowed Monty to lead her back to the door. A guard motioned for them to follow and with a slam of the door, they were gone.

Clarke left an uncomfortable silence in her wake. With a small sigh, Lexa walked back to her throne to sit down again. Clearing her throat, she addressed those in her throne room, "I would like to speak to Kane alone. Titus and Indra may remain, but the rest of you are dismissed."

The guards vacated the room on her order, but a frowning Roan remained behind. "What of our deal, Heda?"

"I will speak with you at another time. Please, leave us," repeated Lexa as she tapped her fingers on the arm rest of her throne, obviously annoyed by Roan's persistent presence. Titus stepped forward as if to physically remove Roan from the room.

"We will speak later. I expect you to hold up your end of this bargain," said Roan before finally exiting the room, leaving Lexa with Titus, Indra, and Kane.

Kane spoke first, his faced lined with worry. "What can you do to protect Clarke?"

"I plan on ending the bounty, but Queen Nia will be hard to convince. But all of the leaders of our coalition will be here soon, so I can discuss it then. We will hold a vote." Lexa glanced in Titus' direction as if to gauge his reaction as she continued. "One way I have thought of to end these troubles, and those you bring to me to today, is to make Skaikru the thirteenth clan of the coalition."

"Heda!" cried Titus in surprise. "The others will never have it! You could ruin all you have worked towards!"

"My goal as Heda was to bring peace to the twelve clans, was it not? And have I not succeeded in this?" challenged Lexa. "But now there is a thirteenth tribe that threatens that peace. If I bring Skaikru into the coalition, Queen Nia will be forced to withdraw her bounty on Clarke's head and Chancellor Pike will not attack! There will be no war! What do you think, Indra?"

Indra stepped forward when she was addressed by name. "I hesitate to agree with Titus, Heda. But perhaps we should take caution before naming Skaikru the thirteenth clan."

"I agree with Indra, Heda," interrupted Kane as he ran his fingers over his beard nervously. "I have no authority to make this decision for my people. Pike is chancellor now…"

"And you think he would not agree?" asked Lexa.

"I think he wants blood."

"We are not that different," muttered Indra under her breath. Kane couldn't help but agree. Blood must have blood. He had heard that too many times in the presence of grounders. And Pike was just as blood thirsty.

"If I call on this Chancellor Pike to attend the coalition proceedings as a guest, do you think he would come?"

"The others will never allow it!" repeated Titus, this time more fervently. "Heda, think about what you are saying! A truce is one thing, but welcoming a man who is openly declaring war against your people to sit at your table is another!"

"We have resolved our problems with the Sky People before, even if that relationship is strained now, I do not wish to see war."

Kane nodded in agreement. "Many of my people do not want to see us fighting again. I believe that we should give Pike a chance to respond and perhaps we can settle all of this without bloodshed."

Lexa thought quietly for a moment. "There would be much to discuss, especially if your Chancellor is planning on taking Trikru land."

"We will not stand by silently, Heda, if Skaikru attacks our villages," warned Indra.

"I agree. If your Chancellor does not see reason, we will have no choice. But I learned a great deal from our previous experiences…especially from Clarke," admitted Lexa without a trace of resentment. "Sometimes, it is easier to prevent the bloodshed than to talk after so many have been killed needlessly."

"I'm happy to hear you say that," replied Kane. "I would offer to speak to Pike for you, but I'm afraid I've committed treason by coming here. Perhaps you could send a messenger..."

"It will be done," ordered Lexa firmly. She stood gracefully and presented her hand for Kane to shake, as Clarke had taught her before. "I'm afraid I was not prepared for you, but rooms are being made up as we speak for you and the other boy."

Before Kane could reply, a guard opened the door of the throne room. Titus immediately said, "Chit yu gaf?"

"Ai don som kom tel Heda op."

"Gouva klin,"demanded Lexa.

The guard stepped forward, glaring all the while at Kane. "Veida tro kom Skaikru don jomp Trikru op en don frag fiti em op."

Indra stepped forward in anger and Kane knew enough of the grounder language to realize that Pike had attacked her people. Seething, Indra cried, "Jus drein jus daun!"

With dark eyes, Lexa turned back to Kane. "I'm afraid it may be too late for peace. Your Chancellor has committed acts of war."

"I understand," answered Kane bitterly. He tried to avoid eye contact with an irate Indra or the smug Titus. "But I ask for asylum for my people who do not wish for war."

"I will speak to the leaders during our gathering. But I cannot make promises, Kane." Lexa addressed Indra now, "Go prepare your warriors. But you will wait for my orders. Only engage with Skaikru if they threaten your people."

Indra and the guard left without another word. Lexa once more spoke to Kane. "You will have a place here until a decision is made. But you will be confined to your rooms."

"I understand."

Kane was then ushered out of the throne room and down several floors on the lift before he was guided, or rather roughly pushed, into what he assumed were quarters of his own. He could hear shouting out of the window and what he saw beneath the tower took his breath away. Thousands of grounders had gathered in Polis and were learning of the Sky People's treachery against Trikru. Warriors shouted their solidarity for revenge and were preparing to march to protect their families.

He turned away from the window with an empty feeling in his chest. He was too late. He may have succeeded in protecting Clarke, but he was too late to prevent a war. And by the looks of all those who had gathered in Polis, the war that was looming was one the people of Arkadia would not be able to win, no matter how many guns and bullets they had at their disposal. Pike had no idea what he was doing and now, Kane was trapped here, away from his people.

There would be no sleeping tonight. He trusted Indra to wait to attack Arkadia directly, until Lexa could discuss it with the other leaders of the coalition. But he didn't trust Pike to send their soldiers to attack anyone he deemed a threat. As he sat in an uncomfortable chair all night, Kane's only prayer was that Abby remained safe behind the walls of Arkadia until he could find some way to stop all of this.

Translations:

Mounin: Welcome

Mochof: Thank you

Ai don kom hir gon sis Heda au: I have come here for Heda's help (very rough/incorrect translation by Kane)

Chit yu gaf?: What do you want?

Ai don som kom tel Heda op: I have something to tell the Heda.

Gouva klin: Explain/Tell me

Veida tro kom Skaikru don jomp Trikru op en don frag em op: An army/enemy troop of the Sky People attacked Trikru and killed 50 of them. (very rough translation- still getting the hang of this language thing)