After the first meeting, Ontari looked ready to run someone through. The Trishana ambassador was adamant that their heda would not bargain. In the end, nothing changed. Ontari didn't threaten the ambassador, but it was a near thing.

The lunch break between meetings gave Ontari a chance to calm down. Marcus left Clarke and Ontari to eat on their own. He wanted to have lunch with Abby and give her the chips. Clarke's hangover only got worse during the meeting, and she wanted to stab the Trishana ambassador a few times herself.

Instead of eating in Ontari's quarters, Clarke suggested they go out into the market to find something to eat. She drank two mugs of water before they left. The bright sunlight didn't help her headache any, but it was her suggestion, so she had to tough it out.

"Klark, I have nothing to barter," Ontari said as they approached the market.

"Roan left me some coins. We'll ask Titus tonight. I'm sure he'll say something stupid like you aren't supposed to pay, but that's not fair to the merchants. What do you like to eat?"

"Anything is fine."

"You don't have any preference?"

"No. Azplana," Ontari started and stopped.

Clarke fought to keep temper under control. Nia's cruelty damaged Ontari, and each time Klark learned more, she wished that Nia's death had been far more painful than it was. "You don't have to talk about it. Just, if something looks good or smells good, stop and we'll try it, ok?"

"Sha."

"Many of them will call you, but you aren't obligated to answer."

"There is so much to learn."

"Sha, but you will."

It seemed like Ontari sampled everything in the market. Clarke was content with a skewer of meat and another of vegetables, but Ontari wanted to try everything. Clarke managed to pay for about half of it. Many vendors flat out refused to accept her coins for anything their Heda took. It frustrated Clarke, but she thanked them and made note of who they were. She could send the guards back with coin, or ask Skaikru to pay more to make up for it.

Ontari was still eating as they walked back to the tower. Marcus was waiting for the lift, and they rode up together.

The meeting with the Podakru ambassador was much better. Their request was a test for the new heda, and quickly resolved. That clan was also concerned about an Azgeda heda using the armies to wipe out smaller clans, but Ontari was adamant that she wished to maintain the peace. She used Roan's words about their children to convince her that so long as Podakru met its obligation to the coalition, they would be left in peace.

When the meeting finished, Clarke and Marcus offered a critique of both meetings. They were both careful to stress the positive. Clarke and Marcus left together. Clarke needed to re-read the messages Roan left for her, and she wanted to talk to Marcus.

They went back to the Azgeda suite together.

"You wanted to talk?" Marcus said.

"Yeah, I don't even know where to start. Please tell me Mom isn't going to kill me when she sees me again."

"She's upset, but I doubt she'll kill you."

"Thanks for talking her down."

"You're welcome, Clarke, but I somehow doubt that's all you have on your mind."

"You don't know the half of it."

"I'm here to help."

Clarke sighed. "There's so much going on. There was stuff I left out yesterday, and stuff I'm finding out every day, and I'm meeting Titus tonight, and his crazy ass scares the hell out of me."

"One thing at a time, then. What did you leave out yesterday?"

"Lexa and I made up. And we didn't just stand around and say, 'I'm gonna miss you, be safe.' We really made up."

"I'm sorry, Clarke. I can't imagine how much that must have hurt you."

"I appreciate the thought, Marcus, but it doesn't help. It feels like I'm losing my mind when I hear her in my head, and she takes over Ontari's body. And Ontari, she's a mess. You can't let her know you know, but she doesn't know how to read. The only training Nia gave her was in how to fight. She didn't feed her properly. She wasn't allowed to have any attachments to anyone. I don't know how she's not a basket case."
"The A.I. may be helping with that."

"So far, the A.I. is almost entirely Lexa."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing. If she's giving Ontari advice and helping her keep the coalition together, it can't hurt."

"I guess, but it's seriously weird when Lexa takes over. I hate it. It's not fair to anyone. I've told Lexa that, and she keeps coming around with these cryptic messages. She tells me that blood must have blood, but I don't think she's talking about war."

"What else would she be talking about?"

"I don't know. She keeps telling me I'll figure it out, but all it's doing is making me feel bad. She's been quiet today, though."

"Any idea why?"

"Maybe she's waiting until we talk to Titus tonight."

"We?"

"Ontari won't let me talk to him alone, and frankly I'm glad. Lexa said she's gonna come out and talk to him. I'm worried he'll just use that as an excuse to kill both of us. He can control Aden. He's a child. Titus can't control Ontari. He can't control me."

"What do you want from him?"

"I want him to keep his word to Lexa and leave me alone. I want him to teach Ontari what she should have learned, but keep his opinions to himself. I want him not to bother Murphy."

"Why should he?"

"Because I can destroy everything he believes in and burn this world down."

"Would you really do that?"

"If it will keep me alive and Skaikru safe."

"What is Ontari going to do about us?"

"I don't know. We haven't had a chance to talk about it. She told me at Arkadia that 50 isn't enough for a kru."

"There might be survivors from other stations, like Farm Station."

"I don't think bringing up Farm Station is going to help us any."

"You know what I mean."

"What are the odds, Marcus? Realistically."

"Infinitesimally small. What happens if Skaikru is disbanded?"

"She won't banish us. The first time we talked about it, she said we could join whatever kru we wanted. I don't think Trikru will accept any of us."

"Doubtful."

"Can we just stay in Polis without belonging to another group?"

"You, me, and Mom, for sure. The others, I don't know. I'm kinda part of Azgeda now, though. Both Roan and Ontari refer to me as Klark kom Skaikru en Trikru en Azgeda."

"Will Trikru acknowledge you?"

"I don't know. I'd kinda like to keep it because of Lexa, though." Clarke sighed. "I thought we'd have so much more time. Feels like the story of my life. Dad, Wells, Leksa."

"None of us is given any guarantees, Clarke."

"I know. I just want a chance to catch my breath."

"I thought that was what you were doing after you left us."

"I was running. I was so mad at everybody. Lexa, the Wallaces, myself. Do you know how much blood is on my hands? I killed people by the hundreds, and they weren't all warriors."

"But you survived, and you're trying to keep anyone else from having to face the same situation."

"I am so tired."

"That doesn't change. Being a leader is a full-time job."

"I know. And I know you know, but it's different down here. There's a lot more at stake."

"You're doing a good job, Clarke."

"Thanks."

"Anything else?"

"Not now. I have some things to do before supper. Tell Mom I love her and I'll see her as soon as I can."

"I will. I'm here if you need to talk again."

"Thank you, Marcus. I really appreciate it."

"I'll let you get back to work," he said, and left her at the table.