A/N: Next chapter will be in Lexa's POV. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Bloody politics
The Commander froze, listening intently.
Clarke avoided her gaze and played with the furs with her left hand, still holding the book in her right hand. ''I fear this will change what you think of me, and of my people. But I'd rather you hear it from me than from someone else.'' She explained.
Wordlessly, Lexa sat in the chair, facing her. When Clarke remained silent, she finally pspoke up. ''I will try to keep an open mind, and I will listen to your whole story before I form my opinion.''
''Thanks.''
She paused, unsure how to begin. She put aside the book and settled cross-legged on top of the bed.
''As I told you, my parents were important people on the Ark. My mother was the chief of the healers, and was part of the Council, one of the elected leaders. My father was not a leader, but he was chief of the engineers, so he was often consulted.''
''A little over a year ago, my father discovered that something was seriously wrong with the filtering system – that is the tea leaves problem I already explained. He ran several diagnosis, until he came to the final conclusion that the Ark had roughly a year and a half of air left, and that there was no way for us to fix the problem. I overheard him discussing it with my mother, and soon the three of us agreed that we should warn the people. We hoped that with everyone working on the problem, we might find another solution – even if it was only to decide who to save and who to sacrifice. It didn't seem right to let such a decision solely in the hands of the Council.''
''My father tried to convince the Chancellor to announce the problem, but he refused. Elections were approaching, and he feared he would lose the position if he made such an announcement before the people voted. He threatened my father, so my dad recorded what he wanted to tell the people and gave the message to my mother to hide it. Then he asked my mother to denounce him to the Chancellor.''
She avoided the brunette's eyes, aware of the hypocrisy of her next words. ''You see, on the Ark, all crimes are punished by death, no matter how small. By asking my mother to denounce him, my father ensured that she would be spared. He was arrested and executed before my eyes.''
''I was under eighteen, which means that, by law, they couldn't execute me – not until I reached that age, at least. But the Chancellor suspected that I knew what my father planned, so he put me in prison. And to make sure I wouldn't tell anyone about the oxygen problem, I was put in solitary. For eleven month, I wasn't allowed to see or talk to anyone. The guards gave me my meals through a flap in the door, when they didn't just steal it. My mother managed to give me charcoals to paint, as well as digital books, so I wouldn't go crazy.''
''I knew the Council would probably execute me as soon as I turned eighteen, unless my mother released my father's message before my birthday. But then she would probably be executed herself, and there was no guarantee it would spare me.''
''When my cell door opened a month before my birthday, I was convinced they were going to execute me early, that they had found some loophole that allowed them to or that they discovered the tape my mother had hidden.''
''Turns out, the Council had decided to see if the ground was survivable. But since they expected it not to be, they chose to send all the kids that were in prison. That is what the Hundred are – delinquents. A few committed real crimes, like murder or even rape. But most, like Murphy, just stole food to survive. Or punched a guard when they dragged their parents to execution.''
''Even if we didn't survive, sending us down meant them had one more month to come up with a solution. That's what we were. Lab rats. Sacrifices. Knowing the Council, I am pretty sure they didn't warn the families of the kids – for those that still had one.''
She had spent the whole time staring at the floor, afraid she would not be able to finish the story if she saw the disapproval on Lexa's face. She had tried to be as matter of fact as possible, but knew the Commander must have perceived the bitterness in her voice several times. Now, she was unable to raise her head, so she just waited for Lexa to say something.
''I was right. Your system of electing leaders is a bad one.'' She eventually said.
Clarke's head snapped up. ''Er… Yeah?'' She eloquently tried.
Lexa smiled softly. ''I cannot blame you for wanting to protect your people. I am… uneasy knowing that Murphy once stole, but it sounds like food was much rarer than here. I have not forgotten Raven's story either. I will watch him closely, and certainly not tolerate such behavior if he displays it again, but I believe this past crime can be… ignored, given the circumstances.''
''I thank you, Klark, for sharing your story with me. I assure you it has not lessened the respect I have for you. Quite the opposite in fact.'' She concluded.
Lexa rose from her seat and locked her green eyes with Clarke's. ''And I promise that, once everything is settled between your people and mine, you will always be welcomed here, if you do not wish to return serve a leader that discarded you so easily.''
Clarke felt her eyes fill with tears and lowered her head to hide them from Lexa. ''Thank you, Lexa.''
The next day, Clarke awoke feeling somewhat lighter. She worked on her drawings until breakfast. She shared the meal with Lexa and was glad that the brunette made no mention of their late night discussion. They discussed chess – Clarke was eager to get started on the carving, it was a form of art she had never tried before – and her progress in the library. Lexa refused to believe that the blonde had already filled a few shelves, so Clarke rolled her eyes and told her to just come and see this afternoon when the debate turned into a useless ''That's not possible!'' against ''I tell you I have!''.
Lexa begged Clarke to attend a meeting with the ambassadors. The young woman was reluctant, not wanting to appear like a fool with her limited knowledge of Trigedasleng, geography and general politics of the Clans – hell, she barely knew the names of all the clans – but relented when Lexa stared at her and promised that she would introduce her to the rest of the Nightbloods afterward.
The meeting was less boring and humiliating than Clarke had feared. English was used several times, and discussing trading arrangements was strangely similar to the way her mother related the Council's debate about rations. Observing the ambassadors interact and who was defending which trade road helped her roughly locate each clans. She also better understood what Lexa meant when she said that the Coalition was young and still fragile. Old – and perhaps current – alliances were easy to decipher. She thought she could identify at least three such groups, but would have to ask the Commander to make sure she was interpreting correctly. She wondered why Lexa had insisted on her attending despite the lack of knowledge, but thankfully she did not have to actually interact with the ambassadors.
She also noticed the way the Azgeda ambassador was glaring at her as she remained besides Lexa, and mentally agreed that his clan was a likely candidate for the assassination attempt.
She was a little disturbed, though, that almost none of the ambassadors dared to look her in the eyes. The people's cheering made her uncomfortable, but this avoidance made her feel somehow less than human. She noted that many ambassadors displayed the same reluctance with the Commander, and wondered if it was because they were both supposedly chosen by the Spirit, or if it was solely that her unexplained and silent presence made them uncomfortable.
With a discreet snicker, she realized that her sudden arrival must have perturbed many political moves. No wonder Lexa had insisted to have her seen by her side while attending the official representatives of the clans. All those who doubted the existence of the Healing Nymph had now seen her.
She had been surprised, actually, when Lexa had not bothered to introduce her at the beginning of the meeting, letting the ambassadors guess who she was. Then again, her physical appearance was easily recognized.
Still, the ambassador from the Delphi Clan eventually used a lull in the negotiations to ask.
''Heda.'' He said as he bowed respectfully – too respectfully, Clarke thought, for one who had supported all the demands of Azgeda – and jutted his chin towards the blonde. ''Is this the Healing Nymph people pretend you have found on your trip to the border between Azgeda and Trikru?''
Clarke bristled and clenched her fists at being observed and referred to as if she were some kind of property.
The Commander's face remained impassible. ''She is.'' She replied, her accent and warning tone letting everyone in the room know that she had noticed the disrespect and would not tolerate it.
The Ice Nation's ambassador spoke up, sneering. ''And when will you return her to Azgeda, Commander? Clearly the Spirit intended her as a gift to our queen – her hair and eyes prove her relation to Azgeda. Did you steal her from our lands?'' He accused smugly.
Lexa's face darkened, and the dagger she had been twirling between her fingers was suddenly stabbed in the armrest of her throne. ''Azgeda threatens me?''
''Azgeda demands that you return what rightfully belongs to our queen.'' The ambassador bit back while most of the ambassadors stepped back, preferring to stay out of the way of the escalating disagreement.
Clarke was fed up of being talked about as if she weren't there and strode from beside the throne to a few feet away from the accusing ambassador to snarl in his face.
''Azgeda and its queen have no claim on me. I have never set foot in your Nation. I saved the Commander, and I chose to stay by her side. So your queen will have to find her own Nymph. I am not some trophy you can bargain for.''
The ambassador smirked at her. ''And what proof do we have that you are truly sent by the Spirit? People are easily bought to spread false rumors. Isn't it convenient that the only ones who supposedly witnessed your prowess are from the Trikru and Polis?''
Exasperated, Clarke stepped closer and grabbed the decorated dagger the man wore by his waist. The ambassador immediately assumed a disarming stance, but Clarke had not even thought of attacking him and had stepped back.
She looked down at the dagger and then back at the assembled ambassadors, taking time to lock eyes with each one before she plunged the dagger in her chest, repressing a grunt at the pain. She fell to one knee before pulling the dagger back out, startled by the unexpected burn that spread from the knife.
She felt the usual tingling as her self-inflicted wound healed and quickly rose again, observing. ''Is it usual for ceremonial daggers to be poisoned?'' She asked casually, tossing the bloody weapon on the table.
She heard Lexa rise from her throne. ''It is not. Such things are forbidden inside the city.'' She declared, confirming Clarke's suspicions.
The ambassador did not seem worried. ''I grant you that your powers were not pure invention, but it does not change the fact that the Commander is biased. Only Trikru has benefited from your powers. Heda's distrust for Azgeda is well known. Was she the one who ordered you to take my dagger and claim that it is poisoned?'' He challenged.
Lexa intervened calmly. ''These are matters easily solved. The Nymph has agreed to heal any people beyond our healers' talents should they apply for her help. Any villager, from any clan, is welcomed to come to Polis and ask for her help. Later, we might organize a trip through all the clans, but the Nymph has other duties to attend in the capitol.''
Her eyes narrowed. ''As for the poison, we can easily test the dagger. You will trust the word of the Delphi ambassador, I assume?''
Without waiting for an answer, she picked up the knife, grabbed said ambassador's arm and sliced his skin. The wound was not very deep, so the man would not die for a loss of blood, but it would most likely leave a scar.
Lexa released his arm and returned to her throne almost lazily. ''We still have some trade agreements to settle. Let us resume. If our ambassador from Delphi dies before we are done, we will discuss Azgeda's punishment.''
Clarke also resumed her place on the right side of the throne, dazed by Lexa's handling of the situation while the two ambassadors broke in cold sweat.
The Commander announced the next subject that needed to be discussed, and the other ambassadors slowly started to debate over trade roads and taxes again.
Predictably, the Delphi ambassador fell to his knees a few minutes later, holding himself up with a hand grasping the table. Lexa instantly gestured for her warriors to restrain the ambassador from Azgeda and called for the meeting to pause. Clarke caught her eyes and glanced at the fallen official with an interrogating look. After some deliberation, Lexa nodded and Clarke quickly walked to heal the man under the surprised stare of the other ambassadors.
''Welcome back, Ambassador.'' She grinned at him once she let go of his newly healed arm.
The Commander's voice resonated through the room. ''The ambassador from Azgeda has betrayed the trust of the Coalition by bringing a poisoned weapon in this neutral city. As punishment, I demand death by a thousand cuts, and his head shall be sent to his queen to remind her to choose her next ambassador more carefully.''
She paused and let her eyes travel around the room. ''Is there anyone who would petition for another punishment?'' She asked loudly.
Clarke watched curiously the ambassadors that had supported Azgeda during the first part of the meeting. Not one even dared to look up from the table or the floor.
The Commander nodded in satisfaction. ''Execution will take place at dusk. Negotiations are dismissed until tomorrow.'' She stated, and everyone quickly bowed and exited the room. Clarke got the feeling that known allies of Azgeda were especially eager to leave the presence of their Commander, perhaps afraid that she would ask for their blood as well.
Clarke slumped in the nearest chair. ''Are all your meetings like this? A knife in the chest is still painful, you know.'' She remarked.
Lexa glared at her. ''Next time you plan to do something as stupid as that, warn me. What if this poison had killed you?''
She rolled her eyes. ''You know it can't.''
Lexa exploded, screaming. ''No, I don't!'' She took a deep breath and lowered her voice. ''Yes, you can recover from most injuries, but there are still things that can kill you. Azgeda is the most brutal and devious of the clans. They have highly trained assassins, and more kinds of poison than I care to know! How am I supposed to know the one he chose will not harm you?''
Clarke's smug expression fell, realizing how worried the other woman had truly been. She rose and brushed her hand with Lexa's before withdrawing, not wanting her to interpret the gesture as anything more than friendly reassurance.
''Lexa.'' She started soothingly. ''No poison can kill absolutely instantly, so you need not worry if I ever do something like that again. Really, the only sure way to kill me would be to…''
Lexa interrupted her by placing her hand against her mouth. ''Don't, Klark. You never know who might be listening.'' She cautioned.
Clarke nodded in her hand, repressing the urge to kiss it as she felt her tremble slightly, adrenaline still pumping from the stress of the meeting.
Lexa sighed. ''After your display, I fear assassins will try to kill you for your power, or even as a challenge. You are not to go anywhere without guards, and the number of warriors escorting you outside the Tower will be doubled.''
''That's really not necessary.'' Clarke tried.
''It is non negotiable, Klark. At the very least, I hope the disagreement will convince you to think twice before doing something like that again.'' Lexa stated firmly. ''Now, let us visit the Nightbloods. Then you may have the rest of the morning to yourself.''
Shaking her head, Clarke followed her out of the room.
There were six younger Natblidas, who had apparently been told about her by Aden and Strina. They greeted her excitedly and begged her to read to them at night like she had for the two oldest. She promised them that she would, but decided against reading Tolkien to them. She estimated that their ages ranged from three to eight, so she hoped to find an easier book this afternoon. Preferably with bright images.
She spent an hour discussing the first part of The Hobbit with them, refusing to spoil the rest of the novel but encouraging them to debate on what seemed good and bad in the Shire's way of life. She was surprised by how mature and articulate they were in their remarks, and smiled at Lexa's proud mien. Aden and Strina in particular would not have sounded out of place in her old literature or philosophy classes.
When Titus arrived, all the children sobered up and assumed more serious attitudes, which Clarke took as her cue to leave – now followed by two guards.
She made her way to Raven's room to check on her progress with the radio. The latina's table and bed were covered with parts and pieces of metal and Clarke wondered if the girl had even slept – and where.
''So? How is it going so far? Think we will have a working radio soon?'' She pressed when Raven looked up from whatever she was doing – Clarke could just see a lot of intertwined wires.
The brunette harrumphed. ''Oh, ye of little faith! Are you doubting my genius? Radio is finished, of course.''
The blonde's jaw drop, flabbergasted. ''Already? Have you tried to reach the Ark yet?''
Raven pointed over her shoulder to the box resting on her bed. ''Radio is this way. But it doesn't work.'' She warned.
''Weren't you supposed to fix it?'' Clarke drawled, irritated to have her sudden hope crushed so quickly.
''Hey, don't look at me like that!'' Raven exclaimed. ''Not my fault we don't have electricity to power the damn thing! I am trying to find a way to make some.''
Clarke felt her shoulders drop a little and apologized with a smile. ''Oh. I didn't think of that. Any ideas yet, then?''
''A few. Depends on how much the Commander wants those things.'' The Latina said with a shrug.
''Tell me. I will run it by her when I see her next.'' Clarke promised.
''Well, the best thing would be to retrieve the solar panels from the dropship, and set them on the roof of this tower, or outside the windows – depends on where we put all the machines and how much wires I have. But obviously, that is going to take a while, and I will have to accompany whoever is sent to disassemble the whole thing without breaking it. Because those babies were in a really bad shape, so there is no way I am letting those heretics handle any more tech.'' The brunette argued.
''For the short term, I can put together a dynamo system, but I will need someone to power it up. I can't do all the adjustments while cycling. And I am used to zero-G, not sports.'' She continued.
''Cycling?'' Clarke asked, puzzled.
''I remember seeing an old broken bike down there. I can make a crank if you think the Commander would prefer that.'' Raven offered with a wicked smile.
''I don't think she will care about that. The bike will do.'' She chuckled. ''I should be able to ask her today, so I will let you know.''
''Thanks, Griffin! Wanna stay for lunch? I could use a break – and a nap.''
''So you were up all night.'' Clarke sighed. ''Where are you going to sleep exactly?'' She asked, waving at all the junk that littered the bed.
''Oh, I'll just throw all this on the floor. Except the radio, of course. Would be a shame after the night I spent working on it.''
They spent lunch learning more about one another. They had shared their stories about the dropship and all that happened after, and had passed by each other in the Ark a few time – the most significant encounter being when they healed her heart so she could train as a zero-G mechanic – but then it had been mostly professional. Now, their progress with contacting the Ark and their current safety allowed them to relax and discuss inconsequential things. Soon, they were playing a game of twenty questions, and Clarke found herself blushing at the crude questions Raven deemed necessary.
''So. Do you like the Commander?'' The Latina asked with an evil grin.
Clarke prayed that none of her guards were listening at the door. She wasn't sure who would be in most trouble between her and Raven, and she had no wish to find out.
''She is a fair leader.'' She answered diplomatically.
''Nope, Griffin. You have to say the truth, that's the game.'' Raven insisted.
Clarke glared. ''She is a fair leader.''
''And you still didn't answer the question. Out with it, Clarke! It's obviously going to be a yes, so why don't you say it?'' The brunette cooed, and Clarke blushed.
''Why ask me if you already know?'' She mumbled, suddenly very interested in peeling her orange perfectly.
''Cause I wanna hear you say it.'' Raven pressed.
Clarke scratched one side of her orange where part of the peel had stuck to the fruit.
''Come on, Griff! How are you gonna say it to her if you can't even admit it to your best friend?'' Raven exclaimed when Clarke stayed silent.
She shook her head, eyes still trained on her dessert. She carefully started to part the segments, laying them artistically on her plate.
''Since when are we best friend? You have spent the last hour humiliating me.'' She grumbled.
''Since I decided to help you with your love life. Big bad Commander seems to have some interest in you, and I have seen the way you looked at her yesterday. What the hell are you waiting for? And leave the damn orange alone! Just eat it. Has your mom never told you not to play with your food?'' She added exasperatedly.
''She is the Commander. And I am supposed to be the ambassador for the Ark or whatever. Isn't there a universal rule against relationships with the diplomat you are gonna negotiate with?'' She whined, hoping Raven would just let it go.
Sure, she had encountered boys and girls she had found cute before, but her rather privileged status and then her seclusion meant that she had no real experience of a relationship. Lexa was older, more experienced, and she was not as certain as Raven that the Commander had any romantic interest in her. They were just becoming friends.
''Bullshit! If anything, that's just another argument for the negotiations, eh?'' She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Clarke buried her head in her hands, mortified.
Raven sobered up. ''Seriously, though. We have both lost a lot of people lately. All the friends we have down here are trapped inside Mount Weather, and your mother is either in the Ark or dead.'' Tha latina stated plainly. ''We both know that. I only had Finn down here, and I have lost him as well. Take what happiness you can, Clarke. Life seems short on the ground.''
Clarke thought back to the Natblidas. Lexa had been fifteen when she ascended. Only a few years older than Aden and Strina. And from the way she talked about it, there had been quite a few Commanders in less than a century. How short exactly was her life expectancy? She could have died the day they met. Probably would have, if Clarke hadn't been here.
She shook her head sadly. ''I have to think about our people first. And Lexa lost a lover once. I don't think she ever quite recovered from that. What if I confess, and things become awkward?''
Raven sighed. ''Whatever you say. I gave you an advice, and I stand by it. I don't think I'll ever recover from Finn, but I don't have to forget him to start something new with someone else, you know? It doesn't have to be true love – everyone is allowed pleasure and comfort. Soon, we will contact the Ark, you will do your job, and then you are free. What then? You will just be her healer. Surely the healer can do personal check-ups, right?'' The brunette suggested.
Images flashed through Clarke's mind and she blushed again. ''God, Raven, can you stop with the innuendos? I am not gonna start anything. Not until we resolve this whole mess with the Ark.'' She tempered.
Raven threw up her hands. ''Okay, okay! I'll just have to see if the Commander is less stubborn than you.''
Clarke felt the blood drain from her face at the idea. ''Please don't.''
''Just joking. I don't have a death wish. Now, shoo! I have a dynamo to prepare until you can convince your Commander to let me borrow that bike – and someone to ride it.''
The blonde decided to flee the room without commenting on that last remark, and ran to the library with her gaze stuck to the floor. She really hoped the walls and the door had been thick enough for the guards not to hear her conversation with the mechanic.
She resumed her work in the dusty room, sighing at the amount of books that still littered the floor and the tables. She rummaged through the crates, looking for a child book first. She eventually found a few tales from the Greek and Egyptian mythologies. She would just have to reread a few before tonight, to avoid reading the most gruesome ones to a three year-old.
She put the two books aside and resolutely turned back to the crate she had started on the previous day. She piled up the books she did not know on the nearest table, and then carried the books she recognized to the shelves.
As she put them away – novels on the bottom, more practical books on the top – she glanced at the left side of the room. She had only set very few books on that side of the room. She was of the opinion that any book had something to teach you. Her criterias for non-useful books had simply been on the topic – if it was something that only made sense in the old world, like a Guinness record book.
She would probably have to talk to Lexa about more specific criterias; or adding more shelves to the right side of the room.
She fell into a comfortable rhythm, chuckling from time to time when she stumbled on a book she had enjoyed before, like those Shakespearean tragedies. She imagined quoting one to Lexa. If the wording from Tolkien confused her, it would be amusing to see her try to puzzle out the words of the Bard.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and a glance at the windows made her realize that the sun would soon be setting. The doors opened before she could answer, and she rolled her eyes while Lexa strode in. Why did she bother to knock if she never waited?
The brunette looked around, eyes bulging at the sight of the full shelves.
''You really have made impressive progress.'' She admitted.
''I told you so.'' Clarke said smugly. She had a feeling that the Commander wasn't exactly used to being proved wrong.
Green eyes narrowed at her tone. ''You will have to give me a summary of how each one of these books could be useful for Hedas, but we do not have time for that now. The execution is scheduled in a couple of hours.''
''Okay.'' Clarke said, confused of why the Commander reminded her of that.
''You have to attend.'' Lexa continued. ''By rights, you get the second cut, because his dagger hurt you.''
The blonde stepped back, raising her hand in a pacifying gesture. ''Wow! No! I took the dagger to hurt myself. I am glad I did since he probably planned to do something with it – what kind of idiot would prance around with a poisoned knife all day without cause? – but I don't see why I have to go and cut the man?!''
Lexa's face was a mask, her tone even as she replied. ''That is our way. All those that were affected by his actions have the right to cut him. You exposed him. You cannot not be here to witness his death.''
Clarke slammed her fist against the wall in frustration, growing further irritated when the other woman didn't even flinch at the gesture. ''I am a healer! And not just because of my abilities! I chose to study medicine, and I took an oath never to harm someone intentionally. You can't ask me to execute someone!''
She noticed the brunette's eyes widen at the mention of an oath, and seized it. ''Your people value vows, right? Then don't force me to betray mine! I will not hurt someone, unless it is to defend myself or someone else.'' She argued.
''I did not now you had to swore such a vow.'' Lexa apologized. ''I will explain why you shall not take your turn with the knife. You are still expected to attend the execution, though. You must witness justice.''
Her voice softened as she continued. ''I know you do not care for death as a punishment, and I can understand why since it was bestowed so easily where yu ome from, but I cannot allow such an infraction to go unanswered. His aim was most likely you, me or my novitiates.''
''Your novitiates? Why? Don't they need them to receive your Spirit if you die?'' Clarke wondered, confused.
''There are some who would wish to ensure the Spirit of the Commander left this life forever.'' Lexa stated simply. ''That is why the Natblidas must always be protected.''