Clarke stood in the hall and looked at the door to her suite, then turned for the stairs. She took her time and made her way to the sub basement, to the Fleimkepa's sanctuary. Clarke knew it would be quiet there, insulated by tons of dirt and concrete. Two large pillar candles were on the worktable, giving her just enough light to make her way to the table she laid on to receive the Flame. Clarke got on it again, laid down and closed her eyes.
She didn't think she would sleep, but she did, at least for a while. Then the dreams started, all washed red with the blood she spilled. No one heard her scream or roll over, gagging. Clarke hung her head over the side of the table and puked. It was dark from the wine she drank all night, like blood pooled in dirt.
When she finished, Clarke rolled off the other side of the table and stumbled off to find water.
There were, of course, guards in the hall. Clarke didn't realize they followed her down, still wasn't used to the idea that they would always be there. She was glad now, though. "Water."
One of them handed her a canteen and Clarke drank. She handed it back and started for the elevator, then changed her mind. At the ground floor, Clarke sent one of them to tell Lexa to meet her at the stables.
While they did that Clarke and the guard started tacking their mounts, Clarke told him, "I know you won't stay here, so I just don't want to see you unless there's a problem."
"Sha Heda."
"Thanks." Clarke led her horse out and tied her to a rail.
Lexa's horse was more work. He really only liked Lexa but tolerated Clarke because she always gave him treats. This morning, he got an apple from the box at the door, but wouldn't cooperate until she gave him another. When he was ready, he joined the others at the rail and Clarke began to pace.
It felt like hours before Lexa arrived, saddlebags over one shoulder, the guard with the other, looking concerned. Lexa handed Clarke her saddlebags and took hers from the guard. Minutes later they rode out the gate, having said nothing.
"Do you have somewhere in mind?" Lexa asked as they rode away.
Clarke shook her head.
"May I?"
"Sure."
Lexa changed their direction slightly. The river was broad and shallow about an hour from Polis. One spot she favored had a small beach between the forest and the river, and she thought it would be a good place today.
When the guard woke her, Lexa moved as quickly as she could, wondering why Clarke wasn't beside her. Clarke's saddlebags were still packed from her trip and Lexa had packed hers after Clarke said she wanted to ride. She had to stop in the kitchen to gather some food, certain Clarke hadn't eaten since they left the feast.
Although Clarke looked her way sometimes and smiled each time Lexa looked back, she was far away. When they arrived, they left their saddlebags under a tree and gave the horses to the guards.
They walked onto the sand and Clarke sat, looking toward the horizon that was just beginning brighten. Lexa sat beside her and they silently watched the sun rise.
100 – 100 – 100
From the dais, Murphy searched the crowd. Roan leaned over. "She is at the hospital."
"Mochof, Haihefa."
"Heda will be busy for the rest of the day," Roan added.
"Mochof," Murphy repeated. He hadn't had dinner with Trea because there was too much going on. He hadn't even had a chance to see her before leaving.
He stood and let Clarke do her thing and stared at her for a second when she basically told all of Polis he was one of her inner circle. It was one thing to stand behind her and another entirely for her to shove him front and center. He still didn't quite believe Clarke when she casually referred to him as a hero.
Eventually, it was finished. Murphy slipped away as soon as he could, moving against the crowd. It finally thinned out, and once he got away from the city center, emptied. He walked to the hospital, then walked the halls until he found her. "Heya," he greeted her with a big smile.
"Heya, Murfee," she smiled back.
"When is your shift over? Heya, Nyko."
"She may go with you now, Murfee."
Trea turned around to protest but stopped when Nyko raised one finger. "We will be fine without you here, but I am not certain about Murfee."
Murphy grinned at him, appreciating the backup, and mouthed, "Mochof."
"You will go and keep an eye on him."
"Mochof, Nyko."
"Just be at your next class with Fisa," he reminded her.
"Sha."
Murphy nodded at Nyko before returning his attention to Trea. "Shall we?" he asked and offered his arm.
She smiled and took it. He walked her to one of the small gardens around the Tower.
"You are well?" she confirmed while they walked.
"Tired, and I probably should have bathed, but I didn't want you to think I just left."
"I know you would not."
"Things have been kinda crazy, huh?"
Trea shrugged. She grew up with constant warfare, Nia attacking her perceived enemies and being attacked in return.
"It's crazy for me."
"How?"
Murphy shrugged this time. The ways his life changed since he came to Earth were beyond counting. That he just came back from a war that wiped out an entire kru was messing with his mind, as was his habitual worry about Clarke and Raven. He was ready to return to Azgeda, but those two had become closer than blood to him and he would miss them.
"Anyway," he changed the subject, "tomorrow's a feast day so I wanted to ask you to spend it with me."
"After noon. I work at the hospital in the morning."
"Great." He couldn't stop smiling. "Guess I should let you go back there."
"I don't think Nyko would like that."
"Uh, OK, but I need to clean up."
"I'll wait here."
"Nah, c'mon up. You can wait in the common room. Roan's gonna be down there for a while."
They went into the Tower, up the stairs to Azgeda's suite, talking. He left her in the common room and went to bathe. It took longer than her thought it would because the first round left the tub filthy and him marginally cleaner. He used the pitcher to rinse himself, quickly cleaned the tub, and refilled it partway. He had to do it one more time before he was satisfied, and then took time to shave before combing his hair and dressing.
"Much better," Trea approved when he rejoined her, and he forgot to apologize for long he took.
They headed out. Murphy asked Trea to take him to her favorite place to eat, and they spent hours in one of Polis' many taverns, talking and slowly drinking beer after Murphy ate a huge meal. They were still there at supper time and ate again, but didn't linger. People were beginning to look at him. He left a small pile of coins on the table and they went out into the crowd again.
Polis was loud and happy. War was over. Heda did her duty. They were confused about her ideas of justice and being asked for their opinions was something new, but the traitor died. Many were starting the celebration early. Murphy, like Clarke, wanted some peace and quiet. The last month was exhausting. They wandered aimlessly through Polis, trying to stay out of the crowd.
"Come back to the Tower with me," Murphy invited. "We can talk there."
Except that Roan told Murphy that he was expected in Heda's suite within the hour. "Really, dude?" Murphy mumbled.
"Really. Bring drinks."
"Sha, Haihefa." Murphy looked at Trea. "Sorry."
"I will wait for you at the Azgeda guesthouse tomorrow." She smiled at him. "Or the hospital if you are slow."
"I'll probably be slow, but I'll find you."
She kissed his cheek. "Os nat, Murfee."
"Os nat, Trea." When the door closed behind her, he touched his cheek and grinned. Then he gathered some bottles and headed upstairs.
He went to Raven's suite first, and pulled her across the hall. Miller, Harper and Monroe were the last to arrive a quarter hour later. There was plenty of alcohol but no food. As were the people in Polis, the people here were happy, except, he noticed for Clarke. He couldn't get to her, though, getting sidetracked by a new conversation each time he tried. Murphy relaxed when he saw her with Lexa. Raven was talking animatedly to Luna. Roan was talking with the other Skaikru, and he watched them slip out the doors unnoticed, thinking, 'Good for you.'
Murphy was tired, too. It had been a long day, as nice as some of it had been. He was looking forward to sleeping in a bed and getting more than a few hours rest at a time. It would be great not to be kicked by Raven and Clarke, both restless sleepers.
Once he got to his bed, Murphy couldn't get to sleep. He found many comfortable positions, but none felt right. He got out of bed and pulled the furs onto the floor. He rolled up in them and was asleep in a minute.
When Murphy got up, Roan was at the table. Murphy couldn't tell if he'd been to bed or spent the night drinking, but took advantage of his presence to ask Roan about the day. Murphy was relieved to find out there would be no ceremony, just a big party.
"A day or two after everyone sobers up, you will receive your marks. Klark has asked to watch, but it is your decision."
"She should be there."
Food arrived and they both ate. There wasn't any more talking to be done. Murphy finished, excused himself, and went to find Trea.
He skipped the guesthouse, correctly guessing she would be at the hospital. Nyko didn't have to make her leave this time.
