"I don't think it's a real place," Murphy said. "Jaha as much as said that the only way to reach it is to swallow the chip. Last time I saw him, he found a way to make the A.I. portable. He called it Allie or something, talked to it, listened to it. I saw it. It's a hologram of a woman."
"A hologram is like a statue that's alive. It looks, sounds, and moves like a person, but you can walk through it. You can't kill it with a sword or arrow," Clarke explained.
"What about a gun?" Roan asked.
"Same thing. It's not tangible. The only way to destroy it is to shut down the program or destroy the power source," Clarke said.
"So this Jaha has a woman who is not a real person who instructed him to give computer chips to people. Why?"
"I don't know. There were a lot of people missing from Arkadia, including him. They might still be hiding there, or they might have escaped to the woods or hid in a cave," Clarke said. "I really need to talk to Marcus about it. Mom might know something, too. I imagine she asked for a chip so she could study it, see what it does."
"We know what it does, Griffin,"
"We don't know for sure, Murphy." Clarke thought for a minute while Roan looked from one to the other. "Did you know the heda before Lexa?" she asked Roan.
"I knew three of them. Lexa lasted longer than any other."
"Did you know them well?"
"No. The only person who knew all of them well is Titus."
"I don't want to talk to him yet. I don't know enough."
"This is all frustratingly mysterious to me, Clarke."
"I wiped out one entire culture at Mount Weather. I don't want that to happen again."
"This has something to do with Lexa's death and Ontari's ascension."
"It does."
"Is Ontari in danger?"
"I don't think so," Clarke answered, remembering the look on Titus' face when he realized what he did.
"I will double your guard. I believe Murphy will be safer away from here."
"What?" Murphy squawked.
Roan looked at him. "Titus will not move directly against Wanheda."
"He won't," Clarke agreed. "Lexa made him swear not to try to hurt me."
"You know something, Murphy. You and Clarke do not wish to share it with me yet, but it puts you in danger. Clarke is safe here. She has a rank and power. Ontari will protect her. Clarke desires you to be safe, so you will come with me to Azgeda lands."
"And if I don't want to go?"
"Jail. Death. Something worse," Roan answered.
"Fuck," Murphy said.
"Guess you're gonna be Roan's bitch," Clarke smirked, and Murphy gave her a dirty look.
The door to the suite opened and a guard entered. "Heda sent me to find out why you are not at the feast."
"We are on our way," Roan said, and the three of them and their guards made their way to the feast hall.
It was immense, even bigger than the arena. Clarke thought it occupied most of the first floor of the tower. It was full of torches, people, tables of food, tables to sit at to eat. There were open spaces for dancing and the drunken brawls that sometimes broke out late in the evening.
Roan's guards took Roan and Murphy to a table very near Ontari's. The guard sent to fetch them led Clarke to Ontari's table and seated her next to the heda.
"Why are you late, Klark?"
"Roan and I had to discuss something."
"Is all well?"
"Sha, Heda. There is nothing to be concerned about."
"Then enjoy your meal. After you eat, you may visit your Skaikru. They are over there." Ontari pointed, and Clarke saw Skaikru seated together at two large tables. "Tomorrow, we will get to work."
Clarke nodded and sipped her wine. A few seconds later, heaping plates were delivered to her and Ontari. She ate, knowing Ontari would insist. It was impossible to clear her plate, but Clarke put a significant dent in it. She sipped her wine and accepted a refill. When she ate her fill, Clarke leaned back in her chair and looked around. Despite the size of the room, it was loud, and Clarke knew if she went into the streets, they would be loud, too.
Ontari touched her arm, and Clarke startled. She immediately apologized, but Ontari wasn't insulted. "A toast, Wanheda," she said softly. "May this be the first of many successes."
Clarke didn't answer, but she tapped her goblet against Ontari's and drank.
"Go to your friends. They are as concerned for you as you are for them. I will send for you tomorrow."
"Until then, Heda," Clarke answered, and stood. She left her wine goblet at the table and tried to ignore the eyes following her.
Abby stood up when Clarke was near. They hugged liked they had been separated for months. "You look wonderful, Clarke."
"I am so glad you're here," Clarke answered. "Is everyone all right?"
"Yes. We're all safe. The commander has been quite solicitous of our needs."
"Good," Clarke answered, adding, 'I think' to herself.
"I need to talk to you and Marcus about some things. Can we meet for breakfast?"
"That's fine with me, but you should check with Marcus."
"You guys aren't locked up or anything, are you?"
"No, but we're separate from the rest."
"And the others?"
"I don't know. Ask them. How do we find you?"
"I'm with the Azgeda delegation, but I'll come to you."
"There's a story behind that, I'm sure."
"There is," Clarke agreed. "It can wait. I'm going to talk to the others. Enjoy the evening. I'll see you for breakfast."
Abby hugged her again, and Clarke accepted her comfort for a few seconds.
Clarke spoke to Marcus next, and he agreed that a breakfast meeting was ideal. She spoke to Roger and Fay next, crouching between their seats so she could hear both of them. They told her she was correct that Ontari wanted radios first, but had so many questions about other things that they'd taken to writing them down. "She said there's a library here that might help us."
"Then take advantage of it," Clarke said.
"There's supposed to be a workshop for us, too," Roger said. "I'm scared as hell, Clarke. I don't know much."
"You know more than me," she comforted him. "Learn as much as you can. Maybe we'll get lucky and find Raven or Wick or Sinclair."
"I hope so," Fay said.
"You'll be all right. If you need me, send a message with the guards. They always know where I am. Enjoy your evening." Clarke stood and looked around. She went to Miller next, knowing he would tell her the truth.
The seat beside him was empty and Clarke slid into it. "How's it going?"
"Too good to be true," he answered. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"Me, too," Clarke sighed. "How's everybody else?"
"We're all cautious but glad to be eating regularly."
"Anything I need to know?"
"I don't think so. They put us in a bunch of rooms on the same floor. There are guards, but we were told we're allowed to come and go as we please."
"I think you're safe. The commander gave a speech telling everyone to get to know Skaikru, to learn from us and teach us. She said Skaikru are her guests, so if anyone messes with any of you, they'll have to answer to her. If I find out different, I'll make sure you know. Pick your lieutenants, Miller, because you're in charge of them now."
"What about your Mom and Mr. Kane?"
"Heda has plans for them. You won't see them much. Besides, they were never in charge of us, were they?"
Miller smiled for the first time. "No, they weren't."
"Am I still your leader?"
"Always, Clarke."
"You're my seken, my second in command. If you need me, send a guard to get me or give me a message. I'll try to check in with you every day. I'm going to talk to everyone tonight. You take care of each other, and I'll do my part to keep you safe. Deal?"
Miller offered his hand, and Clarke shook it. "Deal," he answered.