"Raven is gone. How is that possible?" A.L.I.E tilted her head to the side.
"I don't know," Thelonious Jaha answered. "Is she unconscious?"
"No. She is gone. I cannot reach her. She is the second. One other has been taken."
"Perhaps we should advance our plans."
"Perhaps."
100 – 100 – 100
So far, the best part of Ontari's day had been the lunch break with the Natblida. Titus left her with them, and for the first time, they began to open up to her. She decided then that Titus had the afternoon off. She needed to speak with the Natblida, and they with her, without interference or worry that anything they said would get back to Titus.
When he returned, Ontari excused herself to them and walked toward Titus. He waited at the door, and all of the Natblida turned to watch what would happen.
"Heda," he acknowledged with a brief dip of his head.
"Fleimkepa," she answered. "The Natblida and I will spend the rest of the day together. Your services are not needed."
The Natblida recognized the look that crossed Titus' face, and so did Lexa. You must order him.
Titus began to protest, emphasizing the lessons they all needed, and Ontari raised her hand. "Return to your quarters, Titus," she said firmly.
He looked at her for several seconds, then past her to the Natblida, who immediately lowered their heads. "Sha, Heda," he finally said, and turned to go, muttering to himself about the disrespect shown him despite his position.
When Ontari returned to the Natblida, they looked much happier. Ontari felt Lexa's joy at being with them again. She was fond of them, and made certain they were treated better than she had. It was one of the first things she argued about with Titus, and she didn't give up until she won. Aden was the first Natblida to come to Polis after her ascension, and Lexa spent as much time as she could spare with him. As others joined him, she made time for them eery day whenever she was in the city.
They all preferred to be outside, even behind the city walls, so Ontari stood up. "Show me your favorite places in Polis."
They began chattering immediately, reminding Ontari of the small flocks of game birds kept at Nia's court. She let the two youngest take her hands and pull her forward, and looked over her shoulder to see Aden shepherding the rest behind her.
Polis was larger than it seemed when she rode around its walls. The Natblida knew every nook and cranny. She thought they would be fond of the market, but instead brought her to different places: the armorer; the library; an old church whose stained glass windows somehow survived; an old well with water that tasted like the forest; shortcuts through alleys; and finally, the stables. Fair left them there, talking with the horsemaster and grooms, so she could attend her lesson with Titus, which had been moved to the hour before dinner to allow her time to read after her meal.
Fair was surprised when the elevator stopped until she saw Clarke, who smiled at her. "Heya, Fair, how has your day been?"
"It was good, Wanheda. Heda asked us to show her around Polis after lunch."
"Bet that went over well."
"We will see. Heda sent Titus to his quarters. What did you do today?"
"I worked with my mom. She is a fisa, and some of my friends need some help."
"The ones in the cells."
"No one's supposed to know about them," Clarke answered with a frown.
"We go everywhere," Fair told her. "Heda Leksa gave us the run of Polis."
"Have any of you spoken with them?"
"No, Wanheda. If you put Skaikru in the cells, there must be a reason."
"They didn't do anything wrong. They just need to be away from the others until my mom can help them."
"Does Fleimkepa Titus know?"
"Sha. He could help us help them, but has refused."
Fair nodded. "He does not like you."
"No, he doesn't," Clarke agreed. "We don't have to like each other to work together."
"Like Heda Leksa and Azgeda."
"Exactly."
The lift shuddered to a stop. Clarke and Fair walked down the hall to Titus' quarters. Guards stood on either side of the doors, and Clarke told hers to wait with them before knocking on the door.
Titus called for them to enter, and the guards opened the doors for them. Titus stood on the far side of the room. He pointed at a table with three chairs and Clarke and Fair sat. Titus joined them a few seconds later.
He began without preface. "The world ended in fire, and people nearly ended in ice. The first commander came from the sky and saved those she could. The Natblida were the first clan. They walked the land without fear, ate the animals and drank the water. They made shelter in the Tower. When others came, seeking what the Natblida had, the strongest were initiated into the clan and the weakest destroyed. There were few Natblida then, as there are now, and each was precious. Each life lost had to be balanced by the death of the one who took it. Jus drein jus daun.
"The Commander sent the Natblida into the world after the first winter to learn what it was like, who survived, and how. She sent them to seek the knowledge they needed to thrive, and before the second winter, they returned, bringing gifts and trophies, telling tales of others who survived. Winter passed in planning who would survive, who would join them, which of them would remain in the world gaining knowledge.
"When spring arrived, the Natblida went into the world again. They were instructed to choose the strongest as mates, for the clans needed to be greater in number to survive. People were needed to hunt, fish and farm; to prepare skins and furs for clothing and bedding; to gather firewood; and to protect those who had those skills.
"The clans we acknowledge now, except for Skaikru," he added sourly, "are those the first Commander deemed strong enough. Yujleda. Boudalan. Louwoda Kliron. Ouska Ejon Kru. Ingranarona. Defilkru. Podakru. Sangedakru. Floudonkru. Trigedakru. Azgeda. Each was chosen by its strength, skill, and knowledge. The Fleimkepa is the only one who knows the reasons each kru was selected. Each year, the clan sends one person to add to the history.
"The Fleimkepa holds the knowledge of all the clans and their histories. With that and the help of previous fleimkepas, the fleimkepa aids heda. He shares with heda the relationships of the krus, their strengths and weaknesses, who is reliable, who is not, who can be trusted," he finished with a look at Clarke.
"If the first commander came from the sky, why do we not honor Skaikru?" Fair asked.
"The first commander brought knowledge. She was wise and strong. Skayon are weak. They know only violence, and bring death to all near them. They do not know how to hunt, how to protect themselves, how to do anything without their precious guns. Guns are the weapons of cowards, those who unwilling to face their opponents."
Clarke was glad that Ontari was occupied with the Natblida. She was certain that both Ontari and Lexa would have plenty to say in return. Clarke held her tongue despite the look of disgust she received from Titus and the one of curiosity from Fair.
"How did the first commander recognize the natblida?"
"She made them from the most strong and intelligent."
"How did she make them?"
"That is a lesson for another day."
"Does the fleimkepa write the history?"
"Sha, the records are kept in the sacred space."
"Can anyone read them?"
"Only Heda."
"Why? Doesn't the history belong to all?"
"It does, and it is told every year in the hall of each kru. Not all of the details, but the things that must be known by all."
"So the future will have stories of Skaikru?"
"Sha," Titus said sourly.
"And Wanheda."
"Sha," he repeated.
Clarke bit her lip to keep from laughing. She would speak with Fair later about antagonizing Titus, but for now, she was enjoying it.
"How did you aid Heda Leksa?"
"I listened to the ambassadors and sorted the truth from their exaggerations. I told her all of her options. I reminded her of the lessons she learned in her youth: Love is weakness. Heda must be alone, for she belongs to all and cannot belong to one. Jus drein jus daun."
"Heda Leksa said jus nou drein jus daun."
"Lexa was wrong."
"Heda Ontari says the same. Is she wrong, too?"
"Jus drein jus daun is our way. Heda will understand why it is the way of our people."
"Can we not change?"
"We are done for today," Titus said. "Leave me, Fair. Wanheda, I wish to speak with you."
"I can't," Clarke said. "My mom needs me. I'll see you tomorrow." She followed Fair to the door. In the hall, she bit her lip again and said, "Come with me. We'll take the stairs."
"Sha, Wanheda."
Clarke told her guards to give them space to talk. They waited for Clarke and Fair to reach the first landing before following.
"You don't have to fight my battles, Fair."
"I do not understand."
"Your questions."
"I want to know the answers."
"Titus thinks I'm coaching you to ask them."
"You are not, Wanheda."
"You know that and I know that, but Titus won't believe."
"I will ask questions. It is necessary to learn."
"It is," Clarke agreed, remembering how she pestered Pike with questions when he was her Earth Studies teacher. "Go find the Natblida. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Leida, Wanheda," Fair said, and raced ahead.