Fair was fascinated by Raven and Aden planning ways to slow the advance of unfriendly forces. They both sketched ideas, and the other improved or amended it. He was able to explain clearly to Ontari and Lexa the benefits of placing their traps. Roger and Fay watched over Raven's shoulder, listening closely so they understood what was needed. After little more than an hour, Raven handed the drawings to Roger and Fay, who decamped for the workshop.
Raven looked around, saw the food that was brought in while she was busy, and attacked it. Ontari joined her although she wasn't really hungry. Lexa excused herself and took Aden and Fair with her to get something quick to eat while bag lunches were prepared for the rest and their guards.
Aden knew better than Fair where to find everyone. Lexa was pleased and impressed with their ingenuity. Many of the impromptu repairs included traps that would definitely slow anyone trying to get in and possibly injure them.
Once they had seen all the other Natblida, Lexa went to check on preparations for battle. Fletchers were busy making arrows. Smiths worked on blades and armor while leatherworkers made armor, quills, scabbards and sheathes. The urgency of their tasks was obvious in the speed of their work.
As they walked back to the Tower through the market, Lexa pointed out other preparations. Cooks and bakers were preparing extra food for Polis' troops, things that were quick, portable, and easy to eat. Aden snagged another sandwich when he had the chance. He was always hungry these days.
100 – 100 – 100
Lexa went with Clarke to see Roan that evening, but he was asleep. Clarke checked him, pleased that there was no fever and that what was coming from the drains was normal post surgical fluids. They walked back to the Tower, and Lexa made Clarke come to bed with her. She knew that otherwise, Clarke would pace and worry. Lexa also knew that without sleep, Clarke's anxiety ramped up exponentially, and there were plenty of real problems to worry about without Clarke's mind creating more.
They were both awake before dawn and recognized the futility of trying to sleep more. Instead, they dressed and went to check on the work being done outside the walls. Clarke wasn't surprised to see Raven directing the Natblida in hushed tones. They were all dressed in black and stayed in shadows while they buried pressure mines, set up trip wires, and laid obstructions that would be invisible until stepped on. Fair was beside Raven, marking a map.
"Aden?" Lexa asked softly and Fair pointed.
"Heda is with him," she volunteered.
"At least they got the adult child ratio right," Clarke murmured to Lexa as they moved away.
Lexa covered her mouth to keep her laugh quiet. "And the yongons are the adults," she added.
"Sha."
They stopped and observed Aden directing his fellow Natblida. Beside him, Ontari filled a map. Aden saw them and alerted Ontari, who waved them over.
"Almost done," Aden reported proudly. "This is the inner belt. Spikes are being set outside both."
"Excellent work," Lexa said.
Aden answered with a huge smile. "Mochof." Then he went back to it.
100 – 100 – 100
Lexa and Clarke joined the Natblida, Ontari, and Raven for breakfast. Lexa told all of them to get a nap. There would be plenty more work for them later. Except for Aden and Fair, they all went to the dorm when they finished eating.
"You, too," Lexa scolded gently.
"Raven and Heda are going to get some sleep," Clarke pointed out. "They will call you when they wake."
The yongons, obviously tired, acquiesced. Clarke didn't wait to see what Lexa had to do. She needed to check on Roan again, and Skaikru, including those in the hospital, and it seemed like a million messages had arrived in the few hours they rested. She jogged off, waving a hand at Lexa before she slipped out the door.
Roan was awake but uncomfortable and complaining that he wanted real food. "They keep bringing gruel," he told Clarke with disgust.
"I'll talk to Mom, but I'm pretty sure I'll get overruled." She lowered her voice. "When I come back later, I'll bring you something."
"Mochof," Roan answered with a sneaky grin. "How is Heda? What is happening?"
"Heda is fine. She got many of our troops back safely. She is busy with Lexa and Raven planning and executing defenses."
Roan's sneaky grin got bigger. He liked Raven. "With Reivon, things will be interesting."
"And loud." Clarke grinned back. "All the Natblida love her, even the big one ."
"Has she sent the Natblida to safety?"
"They're helping. They plugged the holes in the walls yesterday and laid traps last night and this morning. All of them are supposed to be napping."
"You look like you should be with them.'
"I'm not the one who got shot with two arrows."
"How did I get here?"
"Murphy. You need to give him his marks, Roan. He brought you back and then went back out. I have no idea how many wounded he dragged back here. I don't even know all he did. I keep getting bits and pieces in reports."
"Where is Murphy?"
"Taking a break, I hope, but I'll send him to you."
"Do not interrupt whatever work he is doing. Let him know I would like to see him when he can."
"You're his heda now. He'll be here soon."
"He looks to you."
"And calls Azgeda home. You better take care of him. He's the best friend I ever had."
"He will be as safe as a warrior of Azgeda can be."
Clarke offered her hand and they shook. "I'll be back later," she told him, and went in search of Skaikru.
She found Harper's room. Monroe was in a chair beside her bed, her injured leg propped on another chair.
"Hey," Clarke said.
"Hey."
"You OK? Harper?"
"Arrow to the stomach. Dr. Griffin says it's touch and go."
"Mom will save her if it's possible," Clarke reassured Monroe and went to the other side of Harper's bed. She checked her over. Pale, but not sweating. Two IV bags hung at the head of the bed, as they did on Roan's, replacing fluids and adding precious antibiotics to ward off infection. She looked at Harper. "You did good," she said, and looked at Monroe. "You, too."
"Thanks."
"You know where the rest of us are?"
"Harper's the only one here. Everybody else got kicked out."
"Good, I hope. I'll go check on them, too."
"You don't need to."
"Yeah, I do. You guys didn't have to fight. Heda wouldn't have insisted. But you did, so I need to make sure that everything is as OK as it can be for now." She stopped for a moment, looked intently at Monroe. "If you need something, if Harper needs something, if any of you need anything, tell me. You're not bothering me or interfering with anything."
"Got it."
"I mean it."
"I got it, Clarke. Go see the rest of us." Monroe slouched in the chair. "I'm gonna take a nap."
100 – 100 – 100
Clarke was surprised to find Murphy helping Skaikru with the building, and after they exchanged greetings told him Roan wanted to see him.
"Thanks," Murphy said, and took off for the hospital.
Clarke looked around. People were working even though they were bandaged. She found Miller. He gave his report while walking her through but sent her away after 10 minutes. "We both have things to do. When we need you, I'll let you know."
Clarke nodded. "See you later."
Miller was somber. "May we meet again," he answered.
While she hurried back to the Tower, Clarke wondered why that felt like goodbye.
100 – 100 – 100
Murphy heard Roan in the hall. "I do not need it."
"Yes, you do," Abby insisted.
"Jok," Murphy muttered and hurried. He was able to slip in behind Abby, reach around, and remove the syringe from her hand.
"Who? What?" How dare you?"
"You really wanna go there?" Murphy asked when she turned around.
"Do not interfere with my treatment of my patients," Abby said sternly.
"What is it?" Murphy asked.
"Morphine."
"I do not need it," Roan repeated.
"You heard Haihefa. He knows how much pain he can tolerate. If he needs something, we'll get it from Nyko or somebody. Save this for somebody who needs it." Murphy offered the syringe to Abby. "Somebody will need it."
She took it silently and left.
"Mochof, Murphy."
"She's a good doctor, but her people skills suck."
"Sha, unlike Wanheda."
"They're more alike than you'd think."
"I did not ask you here to talk about Fisa."
"Didn't think so. What do you want me to do?"
"Protect Klark."
Murphy nodded. At their brief meeting, Clarke looked exhausted and all kinds of stressed.
"Come every day to keep me updated. If Klark needs the army, send Kemp to her. He is in charge until I return."
"Sha."
"Finally, find Trea. Quietly. I need something for pain," Roan admitted, "just not Skaikru medicine."
"She will be here soon, Haihefa. Is there anything else?"
"Not now."
"I'll see you later," Murphy promised, bowed, and left to find the healer Roan wanted.
100 – 100 - 100
The Rock Line, Blue Cliff, and Shadow Valley ambassadors waited in the hall outside Azgeda's suite. Clarke greeted them courteously despite the rebellion of their leaders, and wondered what was up when they all entered the suite behind her.
They sat around the table, something else that got Clarke's got attention. "What do you need today?""
"You offered the protection of Azgeda," the Rock Line ambassador said without prelude.
"I did," Clarke answered. "When you need it."
"If Lander reaches Polis, he will kill me for staying."
"In that case, Bandrona, welcome to Azgeda." She looked at the other two. "You, as well?"
"Sha," they answered quietly. There was no fight in any of them. They had all warned their leaders about facing off against the quartet of women in charge of the Coalition, and had all been dismissed. While Ontari's armies lost the first battle, there were still more of them in Polis than the in the opposing force and Ontari could summon reinforcements.
"OK," Clarke said. "You can take rooms on the hall Skaikru was in. I'll put guards at the entrance."
"Mochof, Wanheda."
"Pro. Is there anything else?"
"Not unless you require something?"
"Not now." Clarke smiled at them as best she could, so they made their goodbyes and left. A moment later, Clarke was at the door, ordering the guards there to find somebody to put with the ambassadors.
Then she went back to the table, piled with messages, and started reading. Most of them were too dated to be useful but she set some aside to check again.
When the door opened, Clarke was too deep in her reading to look up. She knew whoever it was had to be safe because the guards let them in. She finished the note in her hand and looked up to see Murphy.
"Haihefa said I'm with you until you don't need me." He pushed some papers aside to put the tray on the corner of the table. "So we'll start with lunch."
"Murphy, someday you're gonna get a medal."
He laughed. "I'll settle for my marks."
"Pretty sure it will be soon."
"As soon as I get home," Murphy answered. "So wrap this shit up. Abby is driving Roan crazy."
"He's not the only one.' Clarke reached across the table and Murphy handed her a plate.
He poured water for both of them and passed one to Clarke while she ate and read.
Halfway through her sandwich, she sat up straight. "Shit, we have to go meet Lexa." Clarke dropped everything and headed upstairs, Murphy on her heels.