Clarke opened map on the floor of her tent. Murphy crouched beside her. "We're headed here," he said, pointing to place on the coast. "If we go though here, it should give us a direct path."
"What's it like?"
"Forest, like the rest of it. If you don't like it, we can find a river and follow it to the coast."
"What's there, besides, we hope, a boat?"
"Nothing. A hut and a pier."
"We should have just sent scouts out to see if it's there."
"But then you'd miss all this."
Clarke rolled her eyes, folded the map, and put it back in her pack. She and Murphy left the tent and started helping tear down the camp. When that was done, they began walking again.
100 – 100 – 100
"You said a girl came with the boat and saved you from Jaha," Clarke said.
"Yeah, Emori. Her brother was with Jaha."
"Who is she?"
"One of the outcasts from the Wasteland. Something was wrong with one of her hands, so she got kicked out as soon as she was big enough to take care of herself."
"Cold."
"Yeah."
"So what happened?"
"After we left the boat, we decided the easiest way to get what we needed was to ambush traders on the road, and you know how that went."
"She got away?"
"As far as I know."
"Maybe you'll find each other again."
"Maybe," Murphy said.
100 – 100 – 100
The second day on the road was exactly like the first. Raven and Abby were in the middle of the group with the Natblida. They weren't speaking to each other and the Natblida were mostly silent, too. When they stopped to make camp for the night, Ontari appeared to help Raven down off her horse.
"Thanks, Commander," Raven said, and stood for a few seconds with her hands on Ontari's shoulders to steady herself.
"Walk with me," Ontari requested, and Raven slowly limped away from the activity with her.
"Do you need something?" Raven asked.
"Company. The guards get annoyed when I try to help. I do not understand why. I can pitch a tent."
"Because you're Heda. They want to do things for you."
"Like people want to do things for Klark."
"Exactly. And sometimes the best thing both of you can do is let them do it."
"I am still getting used to it. Nia showed me no special favor, although she claimed to favor me above others, even Roan."
"From what I've heard, Nia was a sociopath."
"What is that?"
"Somebody concerned only with what she wants."
Ontari nodded.
"So I guess you want us to tell more stories around the campfire tonight."
"The Natblida are very interested."
"Only the Natblida?"
"I am one of them," Ontari answered with a small smile.
Raven laughed. "OK, so I'll tell you more about Skaikru's adventures."
"I will massage your leg, if you wish."
"I'd like that. I'm still really torqued at Abby, and I don't want to start a fight with her."
Ontari turned them around. "My tent is nearly ready. If you will wait there, I will get the ointment."
"Deal."
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke kept them walking as long as possible and they made camp in the twilight. There was no arguing tonight over who would do what. Murphy collected canteens and went to fill them. Clarke followed him and gathered firewood on the trip back. She and Murphy went again to collect wood. When they returned, the guard preparing their food asked for more wood, so they made a third trip.
While they waited for food to cook, Clarke took Murphy to her tent and opened the map again. She held a candle over it. "Any idea where we are?"
"Closer than we were yesterday."
"So no."
"Not really. All the trees look alike. But we can't be far. It took Emori and I four or five days to reach the main road, and we didn't rush. Ithink tomorrow we should start going more toward the east."
"OK." Clarke folded the map and tucked it away.
While they ate, Clarke told the guards what Murphy said. For the first time, they asked where they were headed.
"We're looking for a boat."
"What kind of boat?"
"We would call it a tugboat," Murphy said. "Not too big, really sturdy and powerful."
"Not one that Floukru uses?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen any of theirs." Murphy pulled a stick off one of the logs destined for the fire. In the dirt, he drew a rough outline of it.
Clarke snorted and took the stick from him. She scuffed his attempt out of existence and quickly sketched a tugboat from memory. It was another thing Wells was interested in, so she learned more about boats and ships than she ever wanted to know, but it was paying off now.
"Yeah, like that," Murphy said when she finished.
The guards all took careful looks at it and nodded once it was committed to memory.
When she finished eating, Clarke went to her tent and laid down. Sleeping alone was odd. She was used to having Ontari near. It took her a long time to sleep. Her dreams were disjointed and Clarke woke in the morning feeling off kilter.
100 – 100 – 100
Raven fell asleep while Ontari worked on her leg and back so Ontari covered her up when she finished and went to make sure a plate was set aside for Raven. After the meal, Abby talked about living on the Ark, something as foreign to those listening as Earth was to everyone who came down.
When Abby finished talking, Ontari sent the Nightbloods to bed and went to her tent. Raven still slept in Ontari's bed, so Ontari wrapped up in her cloak and stretched out on the ground beside it.
100 – 100 – 100
The breeze picked up and the air smelled fresher as Clarke and the others neared the coast. The forest slowly became sparser until it was replaced by dunes. The climb over them was slow, but the view was worth it.
"The ocean," Clarke said softly, almost reverently. She spent hours looking at the blue that covered most of the planet, but never imagined she would see it. She turned to Murphy. "You didn't tell me it was the ocean," she said.
He shrugged. "It's just water."
"It's not just water. It's where we came from. Our bodies and the oceans have nearly the same salinity."
"It's cold and wet."
"Beautiful."
"Whatever, Griffin. We're looking for a boat, not sightseeing."
"No reason we can't do both." Clark dropped her pack and pulled out her notebook. She took a few minutes to sketch the beach and try to capture the waves. She promised herself that when everything was settled, she would return. She felt relaxed and energized, and hoped the feeling would stay for a while.
100 – 100 – 100
"Raven, you must wake up."
"Huh?"
"We leave soon. The guards want to take down the tent."
"I was here all night?"
"Sha."
"You should have sent me packing."
Ontari shrugged. "You need to get up," she said. "You can wash over there," she pointed. "I will bring some food." She was gone before Raven could answer.
Raven sat up and sighed, then got out of bed and made her way to the basin of warm water. She quickly washed her face and hands, then tried to smooth her hair. She was on her way out of the tent when Ontari returned holding two plates and mugs.
Ontari put them on the table and pointed at a chair while she sat. Raven sat opposite her. "Sorry I took your bed."
"I am glad you rested."
"I do feel better," Raven admitted.
"We should reach Arkadia today."
"Then the work begins."
"Sha." Ontari paused to eat, then said, "I had Clarke give me a tour after the battle, but she did not know how to answer my questions."
"About?"
"Your tek. Its purpose and how it works."
"That's definitely not Clarke's strong suit."
"You will be able to explain?"
"I'll do my best," Raven promised.
"That is all I ask. You may visit your Trikru friends tomorrow, but after that, you have much to do. The sooner we return to Polis, the better."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong. I feel better when all of us are together."
"All of us?"
"Clarke. You."
"Lexa."
"She is always with me, but she does not like to be away from Clarke."
"And you?"
"And I what?"
"You don't like to be away from Clarke, either."
"No."
"Why?"
"Partly because of Heda Lexa."
Raven nodded.
"One day, we will tell everyone the complete story."
"I can't wait." Raven finished her breakfast. "Can't wait for chess tonight, either," she said, and stood up.
Ontari stood, too. "I look forward to that, as well." She paused for a moment. "I am happy to massage your leg and back if you do not want Fisa Abi to do it."
"You have better things to do," Raven said, and started for the entrance.
Ontari stepped in front of her. "How I spend my time is up to me. If you do not want me to help you, I will not."
"I didn't say that," Raven said begrudgingly.
"Good. I enjoy our time together, whatever we are doing."
Raven smiled. "Me, too."
"Then it is settled. I will see you this evening." Ontari started to step aside, but Raven put her hand on Ontari's shoulder to stop her.
"Thanks."
Ontari smiled and Raven let her go.