Messengers came and went. Raven had one of Clarke's sketchbooks and was trying to figure out how to cobble together a working generator. The others were sharing messages. Riders were sent to eat and rest before heading out again.
At dawn, Lexa kissed Clarke's cheek and went to the Natblida. When they talked about what Lexa would tell them, Clarke saw the relief that they were all too young to fight. Aden was nearly old enough to be apprenticed to a Fos, but Lexa was not certain who it would be. She was busy with Fair and Ontari was too inexperienced. She would find someone worthy of Aden, but it might take a while longer.
She was having breakfast with Ontari and Raven when Miller was let in. Clarke excused herself to speak with him. "What's up?" she asked.
Miller looked at her like she was stupid for a moment. "War," he answered. "Again, and this time, we want to fight."
"All of you?"
"About a third. We'll leave someone reliable in charge."
"OK," Clarke said, knowing she had no say in who decided to go with her this time. "You obviously have a good grapevine, but when I know we're leaving, I'll make sure you know."
"Thanks. Can I, uh, talk to Heda for a minute?"
"C'mon." Clarke returned to the table.
"You remember Miller," she said to Ontari.
"Sha, your seken."
Miller bowed. "I came to thank you on behalf of Skaikru, and tell you that although there aren't a lot of us, many will march with you."
"Mochof, Miller."
"Pro, Heda."
"You may leave."
He bowed again and nodded to Clarke before he left. Clarke went back to breakfast. The one thing she'd learned about war was that she should eat when she could.
100 – 100 – 100
Lander, or someone advising him, proved less stupid than Clarke anticipated. There was no immediate attack on Polis. Instead, they nibbled at borders and harassed like raiders. Then they destroyed a village, and that was when Ontari led a portion of the troops gathered in Polis into the field. That night, Roan took advantage of the darkness and launched a second army that marched parallel to Ontari's track. They both had radios, so Raven stayed in Polis preparing what she could. When the time came, she would take the rover where it was needed.
Clarke and Lexa stayed in Polis with the remaining troops. The city was well guarded, and it was unlikely they would have to fight. Raven gave them radios, too, so they could keep up with what was happening.
Although plans rarely last the initial meeting with the enemy, the one Ontari was using was fairly simple. She would attack Lander head on. Roan would flank him. It should have been easy, but it wasn't.
Nothing went correctly. The weather made everything worse, downpours between thunder and lightning. They were fighting in hills and forests, and the slick ground made it difficult to find footing. The soldier in front of Roan slipped and two arrows hit the Ice King. Murphy was at his side, and dragged him from the field. He had learned enough from Clarke to look for exit wounds, and he hoped to find them, but they weren't there. Healers were far away, too valuable to risk.
Murphy ran through his options. Finally, he broke the arrow shafts off and hoisted Roan up. Somehow he got them off the field and found a horse. When he got Roan in front of him, Murphy tied them together and set the horse toward Polis.
100 – 100 – 100
As soon as Murphy was inside the gate, he sent guards to get Abby while he got Roan to the hospital. When Abby came in, Murphy left.
He rode back to the army, helped them haul the wounded, fought when he had to, and wondered what the hell happened. By the time he got back to Polis for the last time, he was beyond exhausted but went directly to the hospital anyway.
Ontari, filthy with blood and mud, paced. Clarke and Lexa talked quietly on a bench, both looking worried. Clarke hadn't looked so worried since Lexa was in the tank, but Murphy kept that to himself.
Clarke saw him. "Still in surgery.'
"Fuck." Murphy knew long surgeries weren't good. "Heda, I will bring word as soon as there is any change," he said, looking pointedly at her armor.
Ontari nodded and left them. Raven was in the Tower, worrying. Ontari turned off the radio hours ago, needing to concentrate fully on keeping those around her alive and moving. Ontari led a running rear guard fight to allow an orderly retreat. She was pissed about it, and especially furious that her spies had been bought off and returned false information.
Raven was waiting for her. She pulled Ontari to the bathroom without speaking, stripped her, and put her in the tub. She didn't say anything or ask any of the million questions she needed answered. Instead, she did what servants would normally do, bathe Ontari and when she was out of the tub, apply salve to the worst bruises. Ontari let Raven lead her to bed.
Once they were comfortable, Raven asked what she thought was the most important question. "Are you OK?"
"No."
"How can I help?"
Ontari shook her head. She was exhausted and dispirited. She lost the battle and many soldiers died. Many were wounded. Roan was in the hospital right now, being worked on by Abby under the bright lights Raven installed, with tools Raven ensured worked. He might yet die, and Lander would not stop coming for them but they were safe for the moment inside Polis' walls, and Ontari had no idea how to handle any of it.
Had this happened while Nia was alive, and had it been Nia injured, Ontari would be deciding whether to run. The punishment she would receive for such a transgression would be enormous, and Ontari understood the calculus of punishment. She did not understand how to react to such a loss when no such threat loomed.
"Go to sleep." Raven kissed Ontari's head, cradled on her chest, and kept her breathing even. It took a while, but Ontari finally slept.
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke couldn't take just sitting and waiting any longer, and went to help the healers. Lexa stayed although she thought of dozens of things that needed to be done. She would not leave until Roan was out of surgery, perhaps not until she spoke to him. While she waited, she mentally reviewed Polis' defenses. There were places that needed to be shored up with materials and troops. Raven's mortars, barely used in the battle, would be useful fired from heights, maybe even from the tower.
The citizens had to prepare, too. Lander would try to wait them out, but Lexa had the dual advantages of knowing the land and having the trust of Trikru. With archers in the trees and other fighters camouflaged in the forest, they would use guerrilla tactics to harass the approaching army. Villages in the way needed to temporarily evacuate. Polis' residents needed to gather food and water.
Lexa had been pacing, but now she lowered herself to the floor in a spot out of the walkway. She meditated and sought counsel from her predecessors. Together, they planned the defense of Polis.
100 – 100 – 100
Abby expected the waiting room to be full, but only Murphy, sprawled sleeping in a chair, and Lexa, cross legged on the floor, remained. Lexa got up after a few seconds, went to Murphy and shook him awake. They both looked at Abby silently.
"I think he'll live. I removed the arrows and repaired as much as I could. Right now, he needs to rest."
"I want to see him," Lexa said.
"I figured." Abby looked at Murphy. "Not until you get cleaned up."
Murphy looked at himself. He had forgotten in his exhaustion that he was filthy. "I'll tell Heda," he said, and loped out of the waiting room while Lexa followed Abby deep into the hospital.
Roan was paler than Lexa had ever seen him, propped up in bed. His chest and shoulders were heavily bandaged, and he had a drain leaving either side of his chest. For all that, he was resting easily now, breathing slow. She picked up his hand, held it between both of hers, and told him the things he needed to know.
"You are safe," she began. "Wounded, in hospital in Polis. Ontari is safe. We prepare for a siege." Lexa sighed. "I will be back. Klark and Murphy and Ontari will be here when you are awake. Rest. Heal." Silently, she added, Do not leave, my friend. We aren't finished yet. She could hear Roan laughing, as he always did when he thought she was being too serious, and squeezed his hand tightly between hers before leaving the room.
Abby waited outside. "Can we talk?"
Lexa held in her sigh. There would never be a good time to talk with her mother-in-law but perhaps Lexa could keep her from bothering Clarke too much. "Of course. Let me arrange Roan's guards and I will be right there."
Abby followed as Lexa went in search of Azgedagona. She found two guarding the hospital entrance and sent one to get backup. They arrived quickly and Lexa explained what she needed. That settled, she returned her attention to Abby.
Clarke saw them walk by and excused herself. "Hey," she called from the doorway.
Lexa turned around immediately.
"Roan?"
"Survives."
Clarke nodded. "See me before you leave, please."
"Sha."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Just doing my job."
"I know. Thanks." Clarke went back to her patient.
Abby and Lexa continued to the small room that Abby used as an office. It was cluttered but there were two chairs on one side of the desk and Abby sat in one. Lexa sat in the other.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I will speak with Heda soon, and Roan as soon as he is able. Prepare," she said. It was another word like duty, heavier than it seemed. "There will be more wounded."
"Please don't make Clarke fight."
Lexa laughed. It was as if Abby did not know her daughter at all.
"That's funny to you," Abby asked, anger creeping into her tone.
"I do not make Klark do anything. She will fight because this is her home. She will fight to defend her friends. She will fight to defend you. Klark will do what she must, as she always does."
"If you ask her to stay here and help in the hospital, she will."
Lexa shook her head. "You cannot protect Klark. You cannot ask her to stay here while others fight and die, and if you do, she will refuse."
"She's all I have."
"I think if you look around you will find that is not true." Lexa stood up. "I must speak with Heda. We have much to do."
Abby tried to stop her, but Lexa didn't allow it. In the hall, she hurried toward where she had last seen Clarke, and waited in the hall until she sent away the warrior she treated. While Clarke rinsed her hands, Lexa entered the small space and closed the door. Clarke dried her hands. When she turned around, Lexa was right there. They both needed the embrace. It lasted several minutes.
"I saw Roan," Lexa said.
"What did Mom want?" Clarke asked at the same time, then said, "You first. How's Roan?"
"I do not know. He was breathing well and did not seem to be in pain."
"I'll check on him later. What did Mom want?"
"For me to ask you not to fight."
Clarke rolled her eyes. "Did you tell her to fuck off?"
"Not in those words."
Clarke huffed a tired laugh and buried her face in Lexa's neck. Lexa held her a minute longer before telling Clarke, "We have much to do."
"Don't we always?"
"Sha." Lexa fiddled with the ends of Clarke's braids. "I will be with Heda."
"I'm coming with you. They can handle the rest. Let me tell Nyko." Clarke separated from Lexa, but kept hold of one hand.
They found Nyko in one of the treatment rooms, and he thanked Clarke for her help. She and Lexa headed for the Tower.