Chapter 56
Clarke was surprised to wake up to find Echo in the tent with her and Madi. She'd barely heard Octavia come in the night before, but now it was Echo. She could only guess when they'd switched for watch. She didn't wake them as she made her way out the tent. She grabbed her sword and stepped out. She was surprised again. Octavia wasn't on duty. Instead it was Palla.
Their eyes met over the fire. Blue searching brown, but neither of them spoke. Clarke looked over to the other tent and pointed. Palla just nodded. Clarke crossed the camp and found Octavia sleeping in there, covered in furs and blankets. Clarke reached in and grabbed some clothes. Looking back at Palla, she just entered the tent and changed. She didn't care if Octavia saw her, but for some reason, she didn't want Palla to.
She changed her shirt quickly in the early morning cold. As soon as she had, she heard Octavia wake. Once again, blue met green and held.
"Morning," Octavia said in greeting.
"Morning. Why are you in here and not with Madi?"
"I wouldn't have fit with you, Madi and Echo. I woke Palla for her shift as she requested. I climbed in here and thankfully there was still some residual body heat for me in the furs. Is it time for breakfast?" Octavia replied.
"I don't know. We don't have anything. It is still early though," Clarke replied.
"I'll go get something. Stay with Palla and Echo. I'll be back soon," Octavia told her as she stripped off the furs and grabbed at some clothes beside the bedroll.
Clarke turned quickly. She'd seen Octavia back at the river near the drop ship, but this was different. Sure, they'd shared tents back on Earth. They'd shared rooms when needed as well. They were friends. They were both members of Trikru, Skaikru, and Wonkru together. They'd shared a bed. They'd fucked, but something about that morning was different. They could both feel it.
"No worries, Clarke. Stay here. I'll get us something to eat."
Clarke just nodded before they both exited the tent. Octavia reached over and took Palla's bow and a few arrows. She pointed at the forest and headed into the trees. Palla nodded at Octavia and watched her go.
"She commands us like we aren't the leaders," Clarke stated.
"She does what she thinks she has to do in order to keep your safe, Clarke. She is going to get food. She made sure that you were safe through the night with either herself or Echo beside you and Madi. She made sure you stayed warm. She's keeping her promise to you. She is doing her job as your guard. I am sure that if you were back on Earth, she would have been doing the same. She was born to protect and she has the head of a warrior. She thinks things through, Clarke. Don't fault her for wanting to make sure that your life is cared for before hers. It is her job," Palla told her.
"I know that."
"Have you talked to her again?"
"Since?"
"Everything went down and she became your second?"
"We've talked a little."
"Then why do you still question her?" Palla asked.
"I don't. I trust her. I trust Echo. I just think that it is amusing that someone who doesn't want command or doesn't want to be in a leadership role can command the Commander and the Commander of Death like it is nothing."
"She's been through a lot, Clarke."
"I know she has. I respect her for it. We all have. But, Octavia is special. She's going to be one of the best jusgona that we have, alongside Echo."
"I have no doubt in that," Palla replied.
Echo poked her head out of the tent. She saw that Clarke and Palla were talking, softly enough on the other side of the fire as to not wake them. She noticed that Octavia wasn't with them. It didn't bother her, but she wondered where her jusgonasis was. She didn't get out of the tent yet, though. She sat back and looked down at Madi.
"Gyon op, strik natblida," Echo told her as Madi started to move under the furs.
Madi rolled over and looked up at Echo. The words startled her. The last time she'd heard something like that, Clarke was waking her in time to see the ship from Eligius landing in their valley. She smiled at Echo. She knew that Echo didn't know that and she knew that Echo was trying to be gentle with her.
She noticed the Echo treated her differently when they were with everyone than when they were alone. She didn't know why, but her memories for Lexa gave her an explanation. Echo was giving her some normalcy. She was letting her not have to wear the mask of heda all the time. She was letting her be herself, just like Clarke did. She appreciated it, but she hoped that she would get to be at the same level with Octavia and Raven, soon. She wanted that because they were the closest to her mother, to Clarke. She needed to know not only that they had her back like Clarke did, but they would act in her best interest, too. She knew that Echo would, but now, she wanted to know about Octavia and Raven.
"Nou wochop deyon. Beja, Eko. We need to get back and check on the others," Madi told her as she sat up.
"Sha, Heda, we do."
"Is everyone awake?"
"I didn't see Okteivia, but Klark and Paylah are by the faya."
"Let's go," Madi replied as she gathered up a long sleeve shirt from under the base of the furs and a jacket.
They both emerged from the tent. Clarke looked up and into the blue eyes, that were so like her own, of Madi. Echo was right behind her, but she could see the stress in Clarke's eyes. Both Madi and Echo questioned her without saying a word.
"Octavia is out getting breakfast," Clarke answered.
"We need to leave after we eat to make good time. The weather should be good, but it could turn at any time. I don't think that we want to spend another night out."
"When will the snows start?" Echo asked her as she sat down across from them and added a little to fire.
"The rains are harbingers of winter with the cold in the mornings. The snows are not far behind. The farmers will be pulling their harvests, rain or shine for the next few weeks. They'll process it for storage and we'll have vegetables and fruits for the cold months. The Ranchers will be checking the barns and stockades. They'll drive the cattle down out of the pastures and to the stockades and barns for the winter. It never stops for them. Rains make it harder. The snows make it impossible," Palla told her.
"I can help if needed."
"Being Azgeda?" Palla asked.
"I know snow," Echo replied. "Aeolus and the rest of those from Azgeda can help with the harvests and drives if needed. We know how to prepare for winters like this."
"Good, then help your people. They will need your knowledge. We've been doing this for generations now, Echo. We can handle it, but thank you for the offer," Palla replied.
"Are the belay lines set?" Clarke asked.
"For the barracks?" Palla questioned.
"They are. Aeolus and I set them a few days ago. We wanted to make sure that they were up. He had the artisans paint different colors on the poles to denote depth. We are laid out and maps are being drawn up to help, but honestly as soon as the snow banks that much a map isn't going to help," Echo told them.
"Is there anything else to do?" Madi asked, but they could all hear it in her voice. She wasn't asking as a frightened child. She was asking as Heda. She was trying to make sure that her people were prepared for the winter.
"Sha, Heda, we are," Echo replied. "Bellamy and Indra have been leading many hunting parties. We have been smoking the meat and storing it in salts. The fresh fruits and vegetables that we were given by the Village have been prepared and stored as well. Furs and blankets have been distributed. Wood has as well for fires. There has been assigned a barracks leader per building. They are to report to Raven or a member of the Jusgona if they need more supplies. Raven has sent up a ration report for the supplies. Guards are to be posted at all the supply houses. The builders are the only ones that have been using supplies as they have been preparing Gryfondor for settlement come the Spring Thaw."
"You've been busy," Clarke stated.
"As it is my job to be. I've sworn to protect our people, Wanheda. As soon as we knew about the extent of the snows, Aeolus and I started preparations with both Heda's and Palla's blessings. Should I have come to you as well?" Echo asked her.
Clarke realized her mistake the moment Echo opened her mouth. She wasn't Heda and she knew it. Madi watched her, waiting to see what her response would be. She knew that Madi was coming into her own as the leader and Clarke was taking on responsibilities that Madi didn't want to deal with. It was a compromise, but it was just how they worked. Madi looked at the bigger picture and the immediate needs of the people. Clarke was looking to to the future. She was in charge of the building of their new settlement and Madi was letting her lead that endeavor. Madi was more worried about being defensible and safe for the winter.
"No, Echo, you don't have to do that. Heda's blessing is enough. Thank you for helping our people prepare," Clarke replied.
Octavia walked up to see Clarke and Echo staring at each other. She hadn't heard the conversation, but she was sure that Clarke had overstepped her bounds as Wanheda again. She just shook her head and moved passed them, letting herself be seen with her catch.
"What's that?" Echo asked as she stood to help Octavia clean the catch for breakfast.
Octavia held up the bird she'd caught. It was covered in gray and brown feathers. Echo knew that they would take them for arrows, but she still stared at the animal. It resembled something that she'd used to hunt in the early parts of the Fall season when the leaves began to turn.
"It looks like a turkey, yeah?" Octavia asked as she butchered it further to prepare it for the spit.
Echo looked at it and shook her head in affirmation. She gathered up the good feathers and put them carefully in a pouch that she carried. Then they both moved back to the fire to cook it. Octavia pulled out her pouch and a smaller pouch inside.
She seasoned the meat quickly and then tossed the other pouch to Madi. When the little Heda opened it, she noticed more berries like the ones from the night before. She took a handful and then passed the pouch to Clarke.
"You found a prakey?" Palla asked as she looked at the feathers Echo hadn't kept but was burning to clean up their campsite.
"A prakey?" Clarke questioned in clarification.
"Yeah, it is a small bird that lives on the land in a small nest. They don't get very big, but their meat is juicy and tender and is good for jerky for the Winter. We use the jerky in stews and soups in the winter months because it rehydrates well and doesn't stay hard like tack jerky," Palla answered.
"Looked like a small turkey to me," Octavia stated as she rotated the spit over the fire.
"It is most likely a Terran version of the turkey, but they are smaller. They usually don't get bigger than ten pounds, but they can feed a small family. We usually hunt them as soon as the leaves turn. But, the leaves haven't turned yet, so the hunts haven't started. They usually aren't out so soon in the rains. You are lucky to have caught it out and about and fully grown," Palla told her.
Octavia shrugged. She didn't know how to respond to the statement, but she took it as a compliment from Palla. She knew that the older woman knew her land and hunting on the few hunts they'd gone on together. For Palla to tell her that she was lucky was a big deal and it made Octavia smile as she continued to rotate the spit, cooking the bird.
"I'm going to water the caballos. By the time I am back, the bird should be done. We need to ride quickly. I'll set a fast pace, so be prepared," Palla said as she stood and walked away from the fire.
Echo followed her to the caballos. She gathered two while Palla took three. They walked away from camp and into the forest. Echo didn't question Palla, just followed along behind her quietly.
Madi moved over to where Octavia was and sat down. Clarke took that as a notion to start breaking camp. She went to the smaller tent and began to pack.
"Do you think that we should assign a jusgona to Palla?" Madi asked her.
"That is your call, Heda," Octavia replied.
"I am not sure if we should or not. I think that it would help us with diplomacy after we get the settlement up and running, but I don't know that she wants it. I just feel like we should have someone with her. She seems to prefer to be with us and I have a feeling why. I would feel better knowing that she was protected as well."
"Who would you send? We haven't had the trials yet and there is only Aeolus and Miller. I don't think that we should spare one of them for the job. But, I understand your want to protect her, Madi."
"Then, we will wait for the trials. Once I know who all the jusgona are, I'll know who better to assign to the project. And, we both know that Clarke is going to want to be an ambassador whether she says so or not."
"That is true, ai strik Heda."
"Octavia," Madi turned to address her.
"Sha, Heda."
"I want you to spend more time with Palla. Train with her more and such. If she goes to the Village, ask to go along."
"You want me to be her shadow?" Octavia asked.
"I want to know more about her."
"Why?" Octavia questioned, knowing that it wasn't her place to question Heda to begin with.
"She cares for Clarke and I believe that Clarke is starting to care for her."
Octavia looked at Madi for a minute and then over to Clarke. She wasn't jealous. She wanted Clarke to be happy and she knew that she wasn't the person to do it, but to hear Madi say that it might be Palla made Octavia take notice of them both. She didn't know why, but she felt like Clarke was betraying Lexa in someway. She knew that it wasn't rational, but she also knew that Clarke couldn't ever have Lexa again, either. Lexa was gone. Her memory lived on in Madi with the Flame.
When she turned back to look at Madi, she saw the resolve in the young woman's eyes. She wanted Clarke to be happy as well. There was no distrust between Palla, Wanheda or Heda. It was more of Madi wanting to make sure that her "mother" was cared for.
"What about Lexa?" Octavia finally asked.
"I think Lexa would understand, Octavia. It has been over a hundred thirty one years. Clarke has mourned her long enough. Lexa will not be back, but there is nothing to say that her soul can't find another host," Madi told her.
Octavia really looked at her this time. Studying her blue eyes and trying to find answers to questions she wasn't sure she really wanted to voice. Then she watched as Clarke finished packing up the tents. Finally, Octavia nodded at Madi.
"I'll do as you ask, Heda. I will be her shadow and I will deem her worth for Wanheda. When do you want me to start?" Octavia asked her.
"Now," Madi replied as Echo and Palla came back into the camp.