Raven could tell Ontari was aggravated when she returned. Their breakfast had just been delivered, so they sat at the table to eat.

"You gonna tell me what happened?" Raven finally asked.

"Lander attacked Clarke."

"Idiot."

"Sha. But he lives."

"You didn't let him walk away, did you?"

"He is in a cell until I decide what to do."

"But that won't be right away."

"No," Ontari sighed. "I wanted to banish him, but Clarke said it would cause more problems."

"Give Lexa and Clarke a chance to figure it out," Raven suggested.

"They will dine here tonight."

"So you can talk business."

"Sha."

"Should I make myself scarce?"

"No." Ontari reached for Raven's hand, squeezed gently. "You are always helpful."

Raven smiled at her. "Nice to be appreciated."

They finished eating and moved to the balcony. Ontari and Raven both preferred to be outside when they could.

"You are sure about this?" Ontari asked.

"I'm sure," Raven said.

"We will have to do it more than once. Clarke received the blood several times."

"OK. I can keep an eye on how fast they're multiplying."

"Is there another way to make natblid?"

"Yes, but we don't have the ingredients or equipment right now."

Ontari nodded. "Ready?"

Raven nodded and held out her hand, palm up. Ontari quickly cut across it with her dagger, then opened an identical wound on her hand. She grasped Raven's hand with her free one, then methodically squeezed to keep the black blood falling into the cut on Raven's hand. When it began to seal, she stopped.

Raven watched intently, fascinated by the speed at which the nanites worked to repair the small injury. Ontari held her palm out to show Raven that it was already healed. "Soon, you will heal quickly, too."

"And you'll have your own personal natblida," Raven teased.

Ontari grinned at her. "I will train you," she promised.

"Deal," Raven grinned back. "We doing anything today?"

"Whatever you want."

"I need to get started on the hospital stuff. The minions found enough solar panels, so we need to start installing them."

"Tomorrow," Ontari suggested. "Give the natblid a chance to work before you test it."

Raven laughed. "Fine. One day won't make a difference."

100 - 100 - 100

Murphy sat by the fire sharpening his blades. He had a bottle and mug with him, and felt like he was finally getting warm. It wasn't as comfortable as he thought it would be so he moved back to the table. He had just settled again when Roan returned. Murphy stood up and Roan waved at him. Still, Murphy stayed on his feet until Roan was seated. He filled a mug and passed it to Roan.

"Haihefa."

"Murphy."

"I feel," he began, and stopped. "I have done what you asked me to do."

"You have," Roan agreed before sipping from his glass. "Do you expect a reward?"

"No. I just want to go home."

"Home?"

"Azgeda."

Roan appraised Murphy over his mug. He looked much different than he had the night Roan rescued him from the dark cell. In the months since, Murphy learned and worked. He was silent unless he had something to contribute, kept up with his training without being told, and most importantly, stood by Clarke, kept her safe, and advocated for her.

Murphy returned Roan's gaze. He didn't fear the Ice King now. He respected Roan, more after the many talks they had where he explained what he wanted for Azgeda and the Coalition. Murphy wanted to see how it would all work out, but mostly he wanted to be away from Polis. There were too many people. Murphy wanted room to breathe. After spending so much of his time alone, the crush of people always around Clarke was suffocating. When it was the two of them and guards, they were fine. He was fine. But more people meant more danger, and it always found Clarke regardless of her intent. If Roan ordered him to stay for Clarke, Murphy would, but he missed Azgeda's wide open skies and the friends he made there.

""When we met, I did not think you would last the battle with Skaikru. I thought you would anger Heda or Klark enough for one of them to kill you." Roan paused to drink. "You were part of Klark's deal and I brought you along to appease her. I never thought we would be here.

"I have no issue with you returning to Azgeda. If you wish to join us, I will ensure that you receive your marks."

"Mochof, Haihefa."

"Heda, Wanheda, and the Fleimkepa must agree."

Murphy nodded. He would talk with Clarke. She would support him with the others, if necessary. "Is there anything you need from me?"

"Help finishing this bottle."

Murphy held in his grin. "As you command," he replied, and refilled their mugs.

100 - 100 - 100

Clarke and Lexa arrived at Heda's suite for dinner separately. They hadn't seen each other since that morning. Lexa's day with the Natblida continued uninterrupted. Clarke, on the other hand, had her schedule upended by events at the training ring. She'd been speaking with the other ambassadors all day, starting and ending with Rock Line, without reaching a resolution. She was still angry at Lander, but continued to feel that enough blood had been shed at her hand or direction.

Clarke was last to arrive. She did her best to put on a smile for Lexa and their friends. They talked about every and anything until they finished the meal and servants took the dishes away.

Lexa began. "I will speak with Lander if you wish, Heda."

"Lexa," Ontari reproved.

"I will speak with Lander if you wish, Ontari."

"Clarke, you are the wronged party. Why should Lander not be banished?"

Clarke sighed. "Rock Line is small, but rich in resources. Trade is just beginning to get normalized."

"They are always suspicious," Lexa confirmed, "and Lander has always been condescending to women. Many women marry out of their clan, more than come in because of the attitude he fosters."

"Clarke says there is no heir and to remove him will cause great problems."

"There will be infighting. There is no clear contender to replace him."

"There are two," Clarke said. "One who follows Lander, another who does not."

"Names," Lexa demanded.

"I couldn't learn them. If there is a civil war within a Coalition member, is the rest of the Coalition obligated to do anything?"

Everyone looked to Lexa for the answer, even Raven who had been following the discussion disinterestedly. "No," she said after a few seconds. "They may seek help from neighbors, but it is not wise to interfere with another kru's internal business unless they cannot manage it."

"And if he is banished, there is nothing to stop him stirring up more trouble," Clarke observed.

"He must be punished," Ontari insisted.

"Take a hand," Raven suggested, and all eyes swiveled to her. "Uh, you want him to know you're done with his bullshit but give him another chance, right? He disrespected all of you. He raised his hand to Clarke. Remove it."

Clarke closed her eyes in a grimace as soon as Raven's suggestion registered, but Lexa and Ontari considered it. It was an elegant solution to a problem that could only effectively be solved with violence.

Lexa looked at Clarke to judge her reaction. She put her hand on Clarke's shoulder.

"I'm not doing it," Clarke said flatly.

"I will do it," Ontari and Lexa said simultaneously.

"I will do it," Ontari repeated. "It is settled. I will take his hand, and he will never return to Polis. Is that sufficient?"

Lexa nodded, but Clarke was looking at the table

"Clarke," Ontari prompted.

"Sha, Heda," she answered tiredly. A few moments later, she excused herself.

Ontari gestured to Lexa to go with her, and waited for the door to close behind them before turning her attention to Raven. She smiled at her. "Mochof."

"I didn't do anything."

"You found a solution to a vexing problem."

"Glad to be of service," Raven smiled back.

They lost several seconds just looking at each other before Ontari directed Raven to the bed for her nightly massage.

100 - 100 - 100

"It's going to make things worse," Clarke insisted to Lexa. "It's gonna piss him off and he'll do something stupid, and we'll be right back where we were except with Rock Line in turmoil. Grounders and turmoil are not a good mix."

"He will be grateful to leave with his life and return to his people."

"You know him. He's going to seethe about being publicly humiliated by a bunch of girls. Twice. Twice in less than a day, Lexa. I talked with all of the ambassadors today, and they just wanted to comment. The ones who like me warned me to be careful. He won't change."

"Then he will die." Lexa talked over Clarke's protest. "He will die because he will not change. Sometimes there is no other choice. Nia had to die for Azgeda to change. If Lander will not obey Ontari as heda, despite his oath to do so, he will die. If he continues to insult me, he will die. If he attacks you again, he will die. I know you do not like killing, Clarke. I know that it hurts you. But some people understand nothing except might makes right. When they have power, they bully, like Lander. Like Nia. Like Ontari would have had Roan and you and I not aided her." Lexa waited for Clarke to respond.

Clarke started undressing. They would never reach an agreement on this subject. Knives and swords were still drawn too quickly. Old disagreements refused to die out. Distrust between clans was another problem that left Clarke's head throbbing.

Lexa moved in front of her. "Niron," she coaxed, and waited for Clarke to look at her. "We cannot fix everything at once. Some things must happen in their own time."

"I know," Clarke sighed. "I'm just tired." She leaned forward to rest her head on Lexa's torso.

Lexa bent down and kissed Clarke's head while putting her arms around Clarke.

"All he had to do was be quiet." Clarke put her arms around Lexa's waist. She pulled back and looked at her. "I don't care what Ontari says, I won't be there."

Lexa nodded and bent down to kiss Clarke again.

100 - 100 - 100

Clarke didn't sleep well, and finally decided to get up before dawn. She dressed silently and left Lexa a note before leaving their rooms. Murphy was waiting in the hall. He knew Clarke wouldn't want any part of whatever Ontari did to Lander. Murphy fell in behind Clarke, who took her time walking down the stairs. It took half an hour to reach an exit, and from the Tower, Clarke led Murphy to the stables.

She saddled her favorite mare while Murphy saddled his horse. They rode out of Polis as the sky turned from black to blue. She guided her horse off the road and let her pick their path. Murphy rode behind her silently. Clarke would talk when she was ready. It would take longer if she felt like he was pushing her for something. Today, Clarke was determined she wouldn't hurry. This was solely for her enjoyment. They sneaked out before their guards arrived, so they were alone. Clarke didn't care. She had no plans to be back in Polis until late in the day. Ontari would undoubtedly punish Lander by noon. He would be out of the city within hours and she would miss all of it.

Clarke and Murphy meandered north. The weather was pleasant and it was nice to not be responsible for anyone else for a brief time. She was tired of the unending responsibilities. Since arriving on Earth, Clarke felt like she had done nothing except fight. She fought the other members of the 100, Grounders, Lexa, her mother, and the Mountain Men. She killed more people than she could ever count, and sometimes that weight was as suffocating as her daily responsibilities to Skaikru and Azgeda. She had hoped that when Lexa returned, things would improve. Some things had. The Natblida were thriving. Ontari was settling into her new role and flourishing as much as her charges. Skaikru were preparing themselves for whatever was next. Every time she tried to make time to discuss with Skaikru what they wanted, something came up.

Clarke stopped at a stream to let the horse drink and tried to remember how long she'd been on Earth. It felt like forever. She still appreciated the beauty of her new home, and her astonishment that air could have texture and different pleasant odors. After the thin recycled air on the Ark… Clarke tried to stop there, but any thought of the Ark always led her first to her father's execution. His watch was long gone, taken from her in Mount Weather.

Clarke shook her head to clear those memories and looked at Murphy. "You know me too well."

"The only woman I lived with longer was my mother. She was nuts and I learned to pay attention so she didn't take it out on me." Murphy smiled at Clarke. "You're way easier to read."

"Thanks, I think."

"You don't want any more death on your conscience."

"Yeah, but Lander's going to live. Ontari's going to take his hand and banish him from Polis."

"Is that gonna work?"

"Lexa and Ontari think so. I think he's a stupid vindictive prick."

"That's how he acts."

There was silence for a beat.

"I've done everything I can for you, Clarke."

"I know, Murphy."

"I wanna go home."

"You found one." Clarke wasn't surprised, having heard him say it before.

"Yeah. I'm almost ready to get my marks."

"Then go. You don't owe me anything. I owe you a lot, though, so if you need something…"

"In the unlikely event that happens, I will ask," he said solemnly.

"Lexa says yes, too. If she wants to talk to you, she'll find you."

"Does she know she says yes?"

"Not yet." Clarke didn't look the least bit bothered by that fact. "She will though, because I'll ask. Ontari, too."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

They looked at each other for a few seconds before Clarke gathered her horse's reins and mounted. They wandered game trails for a few more hours before Clarke reluctantly turned them back to Polis.