The common area was empty. Clarke went to her room. She removed her sketchbook and the chip from her pockets, and turned to put them on the bedside table before she bathed.

Another chip sat there. She stared at it for several seconds. The only other chip she knew was in Polis was the one Titus took from Murphy, so he must have left it in her room to provoke her. She slowed her breathing and picked up the chip. It was identical to the one she'd been carrying around. Clarke tucked both of them into the notebook and finished undressing.

While she soaked in the tub, Clarke tried to think where else one of the chips might have come from, and kept coming back to Titus. Even if someone from Skaikru had the chip, they wouldn't have been admitted to Azgeda quarters if Clarke or Murphy weren't there. If Murphy were there, he would have kept the chip. She made a mental note to have Miller gather any chips Skaikru had.

Why would Titus surrender a chip to her? Was he trying to set her up? If so, what was his plan and why would he violate the oath he swore to Lexa on her deathbed? She didn't think Titus would dishonor himself or his heda in such a fashion, but fear made people do stupid things. Were these chips different from the one in Ontari's neck? Was Titus suggesting that Clarke had a chip or should use the one he left?

Clarke knew strategy was not her strong suit. She spent hours learning to play chess, and lost most games because she couldn't envision all the possibilities. Since coming to Earth, she'd been flying by the seat of her pants, but she couldn't count on that good fortune against people who spent their entire lives making plans, backup plans, and counter plans. She wasn't even positive yet that Roan wasn't setting her up.

Miss you.

"Aargh!" Clarke went under the water. In her head, she said, 'Will you please give me some time to think?'

She stayed under as long as possible, and was relieved to hear nothing but her heartbeat. Clarke surfaced and began washing up. She removed the braids from her hair, rinsed it again, and got out of the tub.

She went to her room and dressed, put the chips in one pocket and the sketchbook in another. When she went into the common room, Murphy was waiting. "Griffin."

"Murphy."

"Where the hell is he taking me?"

"To his capital, I guess. You'll be safer there than here."

"Reverend Crazy was here earlier."

"Yeah, I figured. He left the chip he took from you on my night stand."

"The guards didn't let him in."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Did anybody else come?"

"Not while I was here."

"Make sure Roan knows Titus was here. Don't tell him about the second chip, though. Not yet."

"I hope you know what the hell you're doing."

"Me, too." Clarke sat at the table. She picked up one of the morning reports and tore it in half. She wrote a quick note and picked up the pouch of coins she left on the table earlier. Clarke handed both to Murphy. "Take this note to Miller, please. They're two floors up. Then go to the market. Haggle. Get yourself a decent knife. There's more than enough there to cover it."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Until I figure out how to fix this mess, we're kinda stuck with each other. I don't like you walking around here without a weapon. I know the guards are supposed to protect you, but somebody got in here today and that means the guards can be bought or persuaded."

"You don't have a weapon."

"I'm an ambassador." She grimaced. "I'm supposed to fight with my words."

"You're screwed."

"I know." Clarke sighed. "I have to go."

"Later, Griffin. Thanks." Murphy raised his hand.

Clarke raised her hand in acknowledgment while she walked to the door.

100 – 100 – 100

As she suspected, it was only the two of them at lunch. Lexa started as soon as Ontari laid eyes on Clarke. Miss you, Klark.

"Heda."

"Ontari," she corrected. "I should not have intruded on your breakfast with your mother."

"It's your house and your food. If you want our company when you eat it, we can't really complain."

"Sit." Ontari gestured toward a new table near the balcony. "Lunch will be here soon."

"Mochof." Clarke sat parallel to the door and balcony. She didn't want to put her back to either, and carefully didn't look at the bed.

Ontari sat to Clarke's left and faced the door. "You know something about why I act this way."

"Sha," Clarke sighed. Speak true.

"Why will you not tell me?"

"I don't know everything yet, and I do not want to put you in danger."

"I am heda, Klark. I am not in danger."

"That's what Lexa thought," Clarke said without thinking. Speak true.

"You did not kill her."

Speak true. "No." Ai hod yu in, Klark. I will protect you. You are safe. Clarke bowed her head and covered her ears.

"Klark," Ontari said quietly and put her hand on Clarke's wrist. She gently pulled it away from her ear. "I will say what she says if it will help."

"It won't." She felt like her heart hadn't stopped breaking since she saw Lexa's eyes open wide in the doorway.

"You know who killed her."

Clarke could hardly hear her over Lexa's attempts to comfort her. "Yes," she whispered back.

"Tell me."

"I can't. Let her tell you. Ron ai ridiyo op, Leksa." Death of a thousand cuts had nothing over the grief that grew and lessened but never left. "Oh, now you're quiet," she muttered.

"She is not quiet, Clarke, but she will not tell me."

"I'm sorry this is happening to you, Ontari."

"You are the only person who speaks kindly or truthfully to me."

"I'm sorry for that, too. You should bring someone from Azgeda you trust."

"I trust no one," Ontari said. "Not even you."

"I won't betray you, Ontari."

They looked at each other for several seconds. The sound of the door opening broke what was happening between them. Plates of food were put in front of them, with mugs and two pitchers, and then they were alone again.

"We meet the Floukru ambassador today. Luna is still uncertain about staying in the coalition. We will talk to the ambassador. You will help me convince him that the alliance is vital. If that does not work, someone will have to travel to their capital to speak with Luna."

"I'll do what I can to keep that from happening. So will Marcus." Clarke paused. "Titus will not like two Skaikru giving you advice."

"Titus is full of words, but they do not serve me." Ontari paused and looked at Clarke. "He fears you. He fears no one else, not even me, but he fears you."

Clarke nodded. Every time she heard his name, it came back in a rush, the stunned look on Lexa's face, the black blood on her hands, Lexa's last words. Life is about more than just surviving. She lost her appetite and pushed the plate away. Clarke got out of her seat and walked around the table to the balcony. She looked out across Polis without seeing it, her hands clenched. Clarke didn't realize at first that she was shaking.

I will not leave you, Klark. Clarke walked to the far end of the balcony and leaned on the low wall. She thought about climbing over it and flying to her death. You will not leave me. She decided against it, not because of Lexa's voice, but because she couldn't leave her friends, her family, unprotected. When she told Lexa that there might be a day in the future that they no longer owed anything to their people, she knew it would never happen.

Clarke turned, put her back against the wall and slid down it. She wrapped her arms around her legs and tried to get some control over her emotions. Clarke lost that battle when Ontari knelt beside her and put her arms around Clarke.