Raven found it increasingly difficult to blend in. Although gonasleng was the language of Polis, the way she spoke made it obvious she wasn't Trikru. The way she dressed fooled many, but once she began to talk, they began asking questions. When she got to ask questions, she didn't get the answers she sought.
On top of that, her exit from Polis was now blocked by guards. The only way in or out of the city was through the gate, and guards checked everyone who went by. She saw Skaikru walking through the city every day, and even saw Clarke and the new commander together in the market. She also heard all of the rumors: that Clarke killed Lexa; that she was unduly influencing Ontari; that Titus disappeared, possibly killed by Clarke; that Clarke was preparing to become heda. There was no proof of anything, and no evidence that anyone had the information Allie wanted.
Raven was bored and tired, and spent an evening drinking in a pub. She didn't notice Harper and Monroe enter, and knew she was screwed when they stood on either side and put their arms around her waist.
Raven sighed. "Let me finish my drink."
"No problem," Harper answered. With her free arm, she waved at one of the guards who regularly stood watch on Skaikru's floor. He came to see what she wanted.
"Wanheda wants to see our friend. Will you help us make sure she gets to her?"
The guard nodded and stayed near them. Raven finished her drink and stood. Harper and Monroe took a firm grasp on her arms and the guard followed them from the pub. In the street, he flagged down another, and the four of them walked silently to the tower.
The guards on Clarke's door refused to let them in, but one of them reluctantly went in to wake her and give her the message that Raven was there.
Clarke sat up when she heard her title, and woke completely when she heard the guard's message. "Bring her in to the common room. Anyone who's with her, too. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Who is Raven?"
"She's a tech genius," Clarke answered while getting out of bed. "We need her. If you want Mom's machines running, we need Raven."
"Then she will stay." Ontari sat up.
"She has one of Jaha's chips." Clarke found pants and a shirt and pulled them on. She jammed her bare feet into her boots.
"Do you wish me to come with you?"
"No, I'll tell you everything later. Get some rest. At least one of us should," Clarke added before slipping out the door.
She looked at her friends. Except for the guards, it would have looked like they came to visit.
"We found her in a pub," Monroe said as Clarke approached.
"Thanks. You can go if you want."
"We'll stay, if it's ok," Harper answered.
"Hi, Raven."
"Long time no see, Clarke."
"How are you?"
"I'm great. There's no pain, and nothing to worry about."
Clarke nodded and walked behind her. She pushed Raven's head down and pulled her hair aside. After a few seconds, she found the chip and returned Raven's hair. She walked around so she could see her face. "You know it's not real, right?"
"Of course it's real. I walked here from Arkadia with the army. Allie's going to bring the City of Light to everyone."
"No, she's going to destroy the world again. Do you think Finn would want that?"
Raven looked puzzled.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." Clarke sighed. "Why are you in Polis, Raven?"
"Allie sent me."
"Why?"
"She wants to find the rest of the Ark."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Are you the only one she sent?"
"I think so."
"Where are you guys hanging out?"
"We stayed in the Ark."
"When are you supposed to go back?"
"Next week, with or without information."
"How many of you are there?"
"Not enough."
"How many, Raven?"
She looked puzzled again. "I don't know."
"How do you not know? You know everything. You keep track of all kinds of random information."
"I'm here to do a job."
"Answer the question, Raven. How do you not know how many people are hiding in Arkadia?"
"I," Raven faltered, "I forget."
"What else have you forgotten?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"More rhetorical," Clarke sighed. "Harper and Monroe are going to search you."
"I have nothing."
"No chips? No weapons?"
"Nothing," Raven repeated and stood. She slowly moved away from the chair and stood with her legs spread and arms out. "Nothing to hide. You look sad, Clarke. You should join us in the City of Light."
"I have too much to do here."
"Are the rumors true?" Raven asked while Harper frisked her and Monroe searched her jacket.
"What rumors?"
"Did you kill Lexa and Titus?"
"No." Clarke blinked away the tears that wanted to fall. "What will happen if you don't return when you're supposed to?"
"They will move to Farm Station."
"How will they leave Arkadia? There are soldiers everywhere."
"Not everywhere. There are many exits."
Monroe handed Raven's jacket to her. Harper finished checking the seams of Raven's pants and stood up. "All she has is a few coins."
"Ask the guys on the door to get a few guards to take Raven to the others."
Monroe nodded and went to do as Clarke asked.
"You're going to be locked up with some other people who want to go to the City of Light. You'll probably see my mom soon."
"Nothing you do can hurt me."
"I know. And we won't do anything to hurt you. It's just while we figure out what's going on."
Two guards entered the suite.
"Take her down and lock her up with the others."
"Sha, Wanheda."
Clarke, Harper, and Monroe watched Raven leave with the guards. "Thanks for finding her," Clarke said.
"It was luck," Monroe answered.
"Let Miller know in the morning. I'll try to see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Clarke."
"'Night," Clarke answered distractedly. She stood and debated whether she should wake her mother now or tell her in the morning. Clarke decided to see her mother after her training session and walked back to her room.
Ontari was waiting for her, and Clarke shook her head. She put her night clothes back on and got into bed. When Ontari pulled her close, Clarke went without protest. She was surprised by how quickly she drifted toward sleep.