Healing Hearts chapter 17 Lincoln

Lincoln, figured out the direction the Ice Nation warriors were headed. He had been to Polis many times, and he had friends there. Knowing where they were going, made the journey quicker. He did not have to focus on the tracking as closely.

The group was still cautious; they didn't want to run into a hunting party unannounced.

"So tell us about Polis," said Monty." Are you sure it's safe for us to just walk into the city?"

"Polis has a law. It's a sanctuary city. No clan wars, it's neutral," said Lincoln. "All the clans, well most of them; they have Clan houses. There's a spokesperson there that represents the clans. They're not the clan leaders, but they have authority. They will take Bellamy there. Take him to the speaker. The speaker will determine if they are to travel on to Ice Nation."

"That's where the Queen is," said Monty, "the Ice Queen."

"Sounds like a character from a kids fairy tale," said Jasper.

"The Ice Nation is ruthless, they play by their own set of rules, but in the city, they don't announce it," said Lincoln.

"If Polis is neutral, a sanctuary city, how will they be able to keep one of our people prisoner?" asked Monty. "Does the city have some sort of police force or guard that enforces the law?"

"There is a city council, but controlling the Ice Nation, it's close to impossible," said Lincoln. "The city council is run mostly by Ice Nation. Those in the Council that represent the others know to turn a blind eye.

"So what's the plan,' asked Miller. "We just walk into the Ice Nation house, tell them they took our guy, and expect them to just hand him over? Because I have a feeling they aren't going to cooperate."

"We'll go to TreKru house, I have friends there, maybe they will help us," said Lincoln. "We have to be careful, when we get to the city, do not speak. You can't speak our language, and we don't need added trouble."

Lincoln's group arrived in Polis around midday. The kids were nervous, they didn't want trouble, but they stood out, not fooling anyone. They were easy to spot. Their clothes and weapons were a dead giveaway. There were a lot of stares and whispers.

They saw vendors and a lot of crops and furs for sale; Teas, herbs, medicines, pottery. The kids followed Lincoln to a small brick building.

"Wait here," he said as he led the group to an out of the way ally. "Don't talk to anyone. I'm going inside. I need to see if they'll help us."

He went inside, where he spoke to a woman. He came out a back door adjacent to the ally and motioned for the others to come inside. The group followed him in. "This is Coral. She's going to help us.

Coral was older. She seemed kind, unlike most grounders the kids had ever met. She smiled when she met them. "Your all welcome here, I have known Lincoln since he was a boy. He tells me you are looking for one of your people," she said.

"Coral says that Ice Nation had The Sky Warrior in the games yesterday," said Lincoln.

"Sky Warrior… that has to be Bellamy," said Jasper.

"What do they mean by games?" asked Monty.

"The games are battle games, they pit warriors against each other," said Lincoln.

"They are bringing him back to the games tomorrow, but it will be a match with swords," said Coral.

"Swords?" said Monroe. "Bellamy doesn't fight with swords."

"Ice Nation will bring their best swordsman," said Coral.

They don't want to look weak," said Lincoln. "Bellamy won't stand a chance."

"Why bring him here just to kill him in some stupid sword fight? They could have killed him in the woods when they attacked us?" asked Monty.

"They want to show the other clans, that Ice Nation is more powerful than the sky people. It's all about power. They need an audience," said Lincoln.

"It may as well be a public execution," said Jasper.

Everyone got quiet.

"We have to do something," said Monty breaking the silence.

The group tried to come up with a plan. They learned the Ice Nation carried their prisoner via caged wagon from their back ally. It would be guarded. While the group were trying to come up with a plan, Coral brought them clothing, that would help them blend in and not be seen so easily as sky people.

Miller thought they could attack the guard wagon on the way to the games. Lincoln worried about that plan, thinking it would be cutting things close. The group tried thinking of different options. There was a knock on the door. Lincoln opened it and Coral was there with a woman.

"Someone's here I think you will want to see," said Coral. "I'll leave you all to talk." Coral left the room, shutting the door behind her.

"Are you here for Bellamy?" asked Echo.

"Who are you?" asked Lincoln.

"I'm the only hope you have, look we don't have a lot of time. I'm trying to figure out how to free Bellamy and Clarke from…"Echo started.

"Clarke's here?" Monty interrupted her.

"Yes I assumed you knew," said Echo. "They are holding her in Ice Nations house, she's locked a room. Bellamy's in a cell in the basement. He's in bad shape, and tomorrow…"

"Yea some sword match thing," Miller interrupted her. "How do we know you're here to help, why do you even care?"

"I owe him my life. He saved me from the mountain men," she said. "Look I'm getting them out, I could use your help, but we don't have time to waste. You can trust me or not, but I'm your best shot. I'm Ice Nation, and I can get in. I know the layout and where the guards are posted, but once I do this, I can never go home again," Echo said.

"How did you know we were here?" asked Jasper.

"I have eyes watching," said Echo. "A friend in the market; Serge, he saw you arrive. Your clothing and guns were a clear giveaway. He's helping me to break them out. He was in the mountain also."

"The problem is, Bellamy. He is injured and I don't know if he can ride," Echo said. "They broke his ribs, I don't know the extent, but it's bad, and he has a broken arm."

"They want him to sword fight with a broken arm?" said Jasper.

"So a quick escape is going to be difficult," said Lincoln.

"I say go in and kill the guards," said Miller. "Then just walk out."

"We can't just kill them like that," said Lincoln. "Every clan would look at it as a call to war."

"But executing someone publically in the pretense of a game is okay?" shouted Jasper.

Monty shook his head. He looked at Echo. "Tell us, do you have a plan that will work?"

"With your help, I think we can do this," she said as she shook her head and looked at the whole group.