Chapter 22
They entered the palace and were immediately summoned to the "General's" throne room and meeting hall that was adjacent to the Throne Room. Echo was sticking close to Clarke. She could tell that this wasn't a normal meeting. Ledo was sitting on the small throne, that he must have brought there. Other commanding officers were there as well as some of the high ranking leaders and families of Agedza. Had Nia been there, Echo would have thought that were celebrating a huge battle with one of their neighboring clans. A battle that would gain them land and resources.
Ledo looked happy...too happy. Neither Clarke nor Echo liked it, but they knew that they could say nothing about it. He watched them as they entered and took their places, against the wall, watching the rest of those assembled. Echo because it was her job, and Clarke because she was still Echo's sekken. It was Echo's job to watch and learn. She was a good spy, but Ledo didn't realize that she wasn't going to report to him anything that she deemed "a problem." And, it wasn't just because she was about to be the "problem."
Clarke looked on with rapt attention. She'd seen gatherings like this before on the Ark. They were never good then, either.
"My people of Azgeda," Ledo started his announce.
"His people?" Echo and Clarke both heard one of the courtiers mumbled under their breath.
"Our Glorious and Righteous Queen Nia has sent word to let us know that we have finally taken Polis and without spilling a drop of Azgeda blood."
The crowd cheered. Clarke and Echo looked at each other, worried. If Nia held Polis, then...
"The False Heda is dead. Slain by our great and rightful Heda Ontari. The treacherous Fleimkepas have passed the Fleim on as tradition dictates and Ontari has recited the lineage."
The crowd cheered again. Echo leaned slightly into Clarke. She knew that there was more between Lexa and Clarke. She knew that there had to be. Lexa had done way to much for all of Skaikru, and she knew it was to keep Clarke happy. She'd reached out to them in winter to save them, protect them, and hope to heal the rift between them, because she knew it was something that Clarke would have wanted. She also knew that Lexa had not only sent spies, trackers, and scouts after the woman when she left Arkadia. Lexa literally raised a small battalion and had them combing the forests of all of Trikru to find her. She knew this, because Echo was a spy. A spy that still have friends in the Capitol. A spy that sent word that Clarke was safe for the time being and cared for. A spy that let Lexa know that Clarke was alive, but a spy smart enough not to tell her where Clarke was. Echo didn't want to start another war, but she wanted to make sure that Lexa was aware that she'd been taken. She'd never told Clarke that Lexa's immediate response was to go to Arkadia.
"In the battle between Heda Ontari and the Trikru nomonjoka Leksa, Heda used a blade that our own great Wanheda designed. They are calling this blade Wanheda Blakenswison Gon Natjus," Ledo shouted to the crowd as he pointed over to Echo and Clarke. (Wanheda's Black Blade for Black blood...Excalibur!)
Clarke felt ill. Ontari had used the blade that she'd given her to kill Lexa. Her knees felt weak, but she knew that she could falter now. Not there, not in front of all of them, and especially not in front of the General Ledo. He was watching her for any sign, of well, anything. Clarke managed to show him nothing.
"Our glorious Heda Ontari kom Azgeda has requested that Wanheda come to Polis to show her support of the new Heda and to help foster peace among the clans as we rightfully take our place as the leaders of the Kongeda," Ledo yelled to the people as cheers roared through the assembly hall.
Clarke felt ill. Echo was still by her side. Ledo was still watching them both. Clarke knew that she was going to have to make some sort of gesture, and she knew that it had to be the right one. She hadn't spoken out against Azgeda, ever while she was there. She had, however, spoken out against Nia. She didn't see them as one in the same like some of the generals and Nia would have the people believe. She also knew that Ontari was going to try to keep the Kongeda together for the betterment of all.
Too bad they'll only have months to see how Ontari would be as Heda, Clarke mused. At least this time, I might have swayed her some to see how she was just Nia's puppet and nothing more. Her blood did make her special, but Nia was just using Ontari to further her own power. She didn't care about Ontari. Like everyone else in Nia's life, Ontari was a pawn and very disposable.
A quick elbow to Clarke's side had her off the wall and moving towards Ledo. She wasn't going to join him. She refused to be that close to the man. Her instincts were telling her to run away from him or kill him. Either would make her happy, but she knew that she wouldn't get out of the chambers alive if she tried. Once she was suffiecently to the front, but still within Echo's full line of sight, Clarke stopped and turned to address the crowd. She knew that they would want her to say something. She was being claimed as the Wanheda, so she would have to claim the title not only in Azgeda, but also in Polis. Her life hadn't been her own, truly, since she was put in solitary. This was just another test of her resolve, and it was one that she would have to pass.
She met Echo's eyes and held them. Looking at Echo over the crowd, Clarke smiled. She was projecting happiness and jubilation, but all she wanted to do was scream. She had to keep it together until she finished her improtu, little speech. She could break down, again, later with Echo. For now, she would just her eyes on her fos and focus on that as she lied to the people of Azgeda before her.
"People of Azgeda, today is a glorious day as Ontari has taken the mantle of Heda for us all. She is now the Flame Bearer and Azgeda will once again flourish in the clans. As Wanheda, I know the Ontari had the power to become Heda. I gave her that sword as gift and to help her on her journey to be Heda of the Kongeda, the Heda kom jus. I am the Great Wanheda and I commanded that she would live to be our Heda!" Clarke felt the words on her tongue turn to ash. "I will be happy to join our Heda in Polis and show the Kongeda that I support Azgeda and all its glory!"
The crowd roared at her words. She looked at Echo and saw her give a small nod. She knew that it was a silent affirmation on a job well done, but she also knew that she was approving of what Clarke had said and didn't say before the masses. Her words would be sent out with scouts and messengers throughout all of Azgeda. Clarke had done well not to make anything sound bad and to make sure that she was raising Azgeda above the rest. She saw Echo's eyes flick to her right, so Clarke turned sharply to see that Ledo had crept closer to her.
She could smell him. It wasn't pleasant, and all she could think about was dunging him in bathtub and then holding him down until he stopped struggling. At least then he would be cleaner going to meet keyron.
"I will be personally escorting Wanheda to Polis per our Kwin's wishes. We will celebrate tonight and leave in two days. Spread the word to all the people that Wanheda has commanded that Ontari would become Heda and it has come to pass," Ledo told the crowd.
Cries of "Heda en Wanheda" filled the hall. Clarke smiled and beat her chest. She tried to duck away from Ledo and return to her spot with Echo. He caught her by the arm and spun her back around. She didn't have to look to see that Echo was already moving across the hall to Clarke's side as the hall emptied, the assembly and announcement obviously over. Clarke didn't wince. She didn't react by pulling against him. She wasn't going to give him the luxury of a frail reaction that she could tell that he wanted. Instead, she fixed him with a glare. She stared him down and then the hand that he'd forgotten was still holding her arm. She slowly moved her hand to the dagger on her side. He was either going to remove it or she'd do it for him.
"I want to speak with you alone," Ledo told her.
"I need to report back to my Fos and prepare for the journey, Ledo."
"You are still a sekken?"
"Sha, Ledo, I am. I've not completed my warrior training. But, more than that, I haven't been release by Ekou per Nia or Ontari's orders," Clarke told him.
"Ekou, she is not a gona?"
"No, Ledo, she is a fisa," Echo said as she came up on Clarke's right side.
Ledo might not have understood that Echo was protecting her "weaker" side, but she knew that Clarke did. Ledo didn't know how well they worked together, but if wasn't careful, he was going to find out. Echo's hand briefly touched Clarke's back. It was a silent signal, but she knew that it was received. Clarke sank back into the hand, but Echo felt the muscles in Clarke's back relax.
"She bears no marks of either," Ledo countered.
"Because she is Skaikru, Ledo, not Azgeda. Until she is a gona in Nia's eyes, she is still Skaikru and will not take the scars. And, even after that, as Wanheda, she might take the scars. It is her choice," Echo stated. "Is there something that you needed from her?"
"I need to speak with her," Ledo said.
"Then, speak," Echo replied.
He bristled. Echo wasn't only a Royal Guard, she was Nia's prized spy. He couldn't do much to her, but he could make her life a little harder while Nia was away. She knew what he wanted, and she wasn't about to give it to him. As long as she breathed, Ledo would not get closer to Clarke than he already was.
"She's expected to travel with me to Polis."
"I am sure that Nia asked for a small contingent to go with you. Clarke will travel with you, as will I. She is still my sekken, regardless of the fact that she is Wanheda. Do not worry, Ledo. I will have her ready and saddled to leave when you ask," Echo said, shutting him down.
They could both see the man get angry. Clarke's hand tightened around the hilt of her dagger. Echo's hand flexed enough that her fingers started to dig into Clarke's back. The blonde didn't relax, but she tilted her body just enough to the right to allow Echo to feel it without Ledo seeing it.
"You need to release her and give her the marks before we go," Ledo demanded.
"I will only do that when I am comfortable doing that as both her fos and as a member of the Royal Guard. You are neither. Nor, are you our Kwin. Klark kom Skaikru will be able to choose her marks, either as gona, which I will give her, or as a fisa, in which her mother would," Echo started and then pulled away from Clarke, essentially getting in front of her right side and putting herself more in between Ledo and Clarke. "Now, I am sure that there are some letters for Wanheda from Heda and our Kwin. I will have those now, and we will go."
Ledo snarled at Echo, but he reached back to some low level warrior and was handed the scrolls of parchment. Echo recognized the seals on some of them and not on others. She assumed that those were from Raven and Octavia, not needing a seal to dictate they were Skaikru. She looked them over and nodded. She stepped back pushing Clarke with her and away from Ledo's hungry gaze.
His eyes made Echo shutter. He was a walking nightmare, but he was good in battle and raiding. Even Nia must have been slightly weary of the man. She tended to leave him back in Troi when she went "visiting," but it was more than that. Nia didn't ever let him try out or be in the Royal Guard. He might be a general, but she'd kept him in place. And, after Echo and Clarke ran away from Azgeda, he would be transferred away from Troi until Praimfaya. Echo knew enough to stay away from the man unless it was warrior/spy business. And, she knew that she'd just pissed him off by not giving him what he wanted in Clarke. And, that scared her for Clarke, not herself. She would take his punishment or treatment, but Echo would be damned if Ledo put a finger on Clarke's body. She was also confused as why he wanted to speak with her alone so bad. He either wanted Clarke for himself or he wanted her power, but with a man like Ledo, it could be both. That sickened Echo to no end.
They made their way out of the assembly hall and to Echo's room quickly. She practically shoved Clarke into the room. Pointing at two bag, Clarke got the idea. They were packing and they were leaving. It would look like they were just packing to leave with Ledo, but they both knew the truth. They would be running in the night. They would have to leave quickly and without as much of a trace as possible.
"Can we stay in the cave long?" Clarke asked her as she set both of the backpack style bags on the edge of Echo's bed.
"No, we can't. We'll go there and wait to see what happens in Troi. We'll have to move at night. They won't try to catch us at night."
"Why not?"
"We are going North and then East, remember? The Ice Fields are dangerous enough during the day. To cross them at night is tantamount to suicide."
"Yet we are going to do it."
"Somewhat, yes, but we are going in a different direction than they will think."
"Meaning?"
"Ledo will send forces for us to try to pick up our trail. You did good in following the farmer's path to get to the cave. Our trail out of the village will be hidden. We'll still to the rocks and the cliff for the most part in the beginning as we head for Lake Hu (Huron). From there, we will turn East and cross the Ice floes. When we get close to Delphi and the Lake people, we will turn again. He will expect us to head South into Delphi and to seek asylum in Ronto (Toronto), but we will be North of there. We will have to keep moving though. We can't stay on the floes that long. Following the edges of Lake Hu for as long as we can, we'll head deeper into Azgeda and nearer to the Dead Zone. Once we get to Tawa (Ottawa), we'll have to start more South to get around the edge of the Dead Zone."
"How long will this take us?" Clarke asked.
"I don't know. How long can you run?" Echo asked her seriously. "If we make it that far without being captured, Nia will enlist Sangeda in the hunt."
"I'm not worried about crossing a desert, Ekou. I know how to hunt in one. I will take it from there. We will keep moving at the edge of the Dead Zone. It will actually take us right to Beka's palace. Depending on where we come out into the Dead Zone, it will be four to five day walk. We will need lots of water."
"Will a horse make it?"
"Last time I went by the sea by boat," Clarke answered truthfully.
"Then, we will have to risk them. We can't get on a horse until we are off the Ice though. Besides our weapons and our lightest armor, what else do you need, Klark? We won't be able to come back for anything. And, we can't leave anything that would tell them where we are going."
"I know that, but the only think that I can think of would be some medical supplies. Do you think that we can get enough without arousing suspicion? Or, do you think that we are being watched now more than ever?" Clarke questioned.
"We are definitely being watched, but I'll deal with it," Echo told her. "Until we leave, you do not leave my side or this room. Ledo has some sort of want when it comes to you and I don't want you to get hurt for no reason. I know that you can defend yourself. I know that. I'm not questioning that. I'm questioning his intentions when it comes to you," Echo told her.
"He is inappropriate?"
"He has been in the past, but he also might just want your head."
"So, he can go to Nia as Wanheda?"
"It is a definite possibility."
"I will do as you ask, but only if you are as equally as careful around him."
Echo nodded. She reached over and grabbed Clarke's arm. They shook them in the typical Grounder fashion.
"We still have time today to gather up some things," Clarke stated.
"We do."
"Then, we should go to the market and get some things. I want to go see Huron and Erie, too. You need to tell them that we are leaving for Polis."
"They will know that we are lying," Echo replied.
"I know, but Ledo won't. He is watching us. He has his own people following us. They are probably outside the room now, just waiting. Huron and Erie are my friends and they are believers in Wanheda. I don't want to leave them without saying goodbye. Erie will know the truth and will explain everything to Huron after we leave. By then, all he will know is that we ran from Ledo and Nia. They will keep our secret."
"I know, but I don't want to put them in harms way."
"You know that they are already, Ekou. They have been outfitting me and making us weapons. They are already on Ledo's list of people to look at for helping us leave, even if they don't do anything. We need to warn them. I owe them that much."
"You are right. We will go. We will find things that you want for your medical kit. It will look fine because Ledo now knows that you are also a fisa."
They made their plan. Leaving the packed bags at the end of Echo's bed, they prepared to go to the market, especially to Huron and Erie's smithy. Clarke had a few other places that she wanted to go to get some things that would help her make the med kit that she feared that they were going to need. She knew that the next few weeks were going to suck...worse than being cold on the Ark.
She didn't know how right she actually was at the time.
