In the hall, two guards accompanied her to the lift. Neither of them spoke, but they were careful of her safety, not letting her enter the lift until they checked it thoroughly and making her wait before letting her exit it.

Two Azgeda warriors stood at the door outside the heda's suite, and they hurried to open the doors for Clarke. She took a deep breath before entering the space, but stopped as soon as she was through the door. It looked the same.

The chair she sat in to sketch, the couch where Lexa napped. The bed. She closed her eyes, then covered them when she couldn't stop the tears. She wiped her eyes and looked toward the balcony. Ontari stood there wearing black leather, her hair intricately braided. She looked at Polis, and Clarke wondered what she was thinking.

She didn't have to wait long to find out. Ontari turned and walked to her. "Wanheda."

"Heda."

"Klark kom Skaikru en Trikru en Azgeda. Skaiheda. Skaiprisa."

"Sha."

"Don't be afraid," Ontari said softly.

Clarke's stomach lurched. "You aren't her."

"She is in me with all the commanders who came before. She swore you an oath, and I am honor bound to uphold it."

Clarke stared at Ontari, watched her eyes shift from green to brown.

"You are under protection of Azgeda, and now you are under my protection. I am sending you to Skaikru as an ambassador to attempt to crush their rebellion with a minimum of bloodshed."

"Roan said Skaikru will be welcomed back to the coalition if those who massacred the army are surrendered for execution."

"Roan speaks true. I will not wipe out your people if they will act sensibly."

"If they won't?"

"They will force my hand. My army awaits me."

"What about those who have nothing to do with the new chancellor's stupidity?"

"I cannot tell innocent from guilty. If you can, they can leave, join what kru they choose. But there will be no more Skaikru if they persist. This is the best I can do, Wanheda. They cannot make me look weak as they made Lexa look weak."

"Lexa wasn't weak."

"We both know otherwise. You made her weak. Hodnes laik kwelnes. First Costia, then you."

Clarke struggled to control her breathing as her hands became tight fists at her side.

"You leave tomorrow night, after my ascension ceremony. Take that thieving Skaiskat with you unless Roan has other plans for him. Either way, make sure he knows there will be no reprieve if he repeats his actions." She pointed at a pile of cloth and furs on the floor at the foot of the bed. "Take that with you. It stinks."

Clarke did as instructed. She walked out holding the bedding. She wanted to bury her face in it, but refrained. She wondered whether Ontari was being cruel or kind with this gift. When she reached the Azgeda suite, she ignored Roan and Murphy to go to her room. She closed the door, leaned against it, and gave in to her desire. Clarke buried her face in the fabric and fur, smelled Lexa at first, and the two of them next. She stumbled to her bed, dropped the pile on its foot and climbed in. She was careful not to cry on it, but kept her face close enough to keep the scent in her nose.

Clarke silently cried herself to sleep.

100 – 100 – 100

While she was gone, Roan and Murphy shared a drink. It was easier for Murphy to not be an asshole when Clarke wasn't around. Something about her brought all of his snarkiness front and center. It probably had to do with their different stations on the Ark, and her actions versus his after they landed.

He knew Roan was sizing him up, deciding his future. Murphy was truthful when he told Roan he'd heard nothing good about Azgeda. He'd always heard they had a queen, though, so apparently there had been a regime change. There was probably a story to go with that, too. He doubted Roan would tell him, but maybe Clarke would.

When he poured the second round, Roan asked, "What is Titus' interest in you?"

Murphy sighed. "Reverend Crazy?" he asked.

"Sha."

"When I got picked up, the guards found something on me he was interested in."

"What was that?"

"I think I should talk to Clarke before saying anything about it."

"Why are people so loyal to Wanheda?"

"She's an inspiration to us all."

Roan laughed. "You do not like her."

"I'm grateful she didn't let that nutbag kill me and that she got me out of that cell."

"Still, you dislike her."

"I don't know any more," Murphy admitted. "I keep getting mixed up in all this crazy shit, and I'm tired of it. I'm down here and I want to live, but you fuckers are crazy with your tattoos and your drama and your feuds. I'm sure we haven't helped things any."

Roan shrugged. "In my opinion, Skaikru has been a great help. I am sure there are others who disagree."

Food was put on the table, and a second bottle was put near Roan since the one they were drinking from was almost empty. Murphy ate again, glad to have food. It felt wonderful not to be hungry. Plus, it would soak up some of the alcohol so he didn't say anything to get him in more trouble. He recognized that his status as a guest was tenuous, reliant on his ability to stay in both Roan's and Clarke's good graces.

"I have a task for you, but I am not certain you can complete it."

"Depends on what it is, and what my incentive is."

"I believe your life to be sufficient incentive," Roan answered.

"True."

"So you will do as I ask, and if you are successful, we will see what happens next."

"Anything you say, your highness."

"Your majesty," Roan corrected.

"Your majesty."

Roan refilled their drinks. "Clarke is going on a dangerous journey. You will accompany her, keep her on task, ensure her safety."

"I can't fight," Murphy protested.

"You will have guards. There are other ways to keep her safe."

"Oh, make sure she doesn't lose her shit over Lexa."

"Sha."

"You don't know her very well, do you?"

"Well enough. Wanheda is dangerous as both ally and enemy."

"Yeah, that's true. It's probably safer if she's pissed off at you."

"I will bear that in mind."

"Where are we going?"

"Wanheda will carry a message to Skaikru."

"Why do you keep calling her that?"

"It is the title she earned for taking down the Mountain."

"I thought you guys blew it up."

"After Wanheda removed the danger."

"Crazy fucking grounders," Murphy muttered. "So we're going home?" he asked Roan bitterly.

"Sha, to save at least some of Skaikru."

"Good luck with that."

"You should hope for that, Murphy kom Skaikru, for you have no inherent value. You are here because that was the price for Wanheda's agreement to aid me."

"They don't want me back, trust me."

"I cannot imagine why."

Murphy laughed. "I'll give you the top five reasons when we get back."

"Good."

The door opened, and Clarke raced through, carrying something in her arms. Murphy saw only her side, but Roan saw her face and realized what she carried. While Clarke was upstairs, Ontari had two trunks delivered to Clarke. They held Lexa's clothes and personal items. Clarke carried something more intimate and probably more precious to her. Roan couldn't tell from Clarke's face how Ontari gave it to her, but knowing the new heda, she'd been at least rude about it.

Roan sighed and returned his attention to Murphy. "You leave tomorrow night on horseback."

"I don't know how to ride."

"There is no time to teach you. You will ride with a guard."

"Whatever you say, your majesty."

Roan drew his dagger and slammed it into the table between Murphy's fingers. "You are responsible for Wanheda. If she returns with as much as a scratch, you will pay ten times over."

Murphy sat up straight in his chair. "Got it."

"Good," Roan said and retrieved his dagger. "Rest," he ordered. "It may be the last you have for a while."

Hodnes laik kwelnes. = Love is weakness.
Skaiskat = Sky boy