The guards knocked again and Clarke growled before she broke away to see what it was this time, after she told them she wasn't available.
"I am sorry, Heda," the guard apologized.
"Clarke, you need to come and get their oaths before there's a riot at the gate," Miller said.
"What?" Clarke raised her hand and gestured. Lexa joined her.
"The people at the gate are getting restless. Some of them have been out there since before dawn."
"How many?"
"A lot. Like a hundred, maybe."
"Let's go." She took the stairs, always quicker going down than the elevator.
As they approached the gate, they saw a double line of guards keeping people out. Clarke pushed her way through them. Seconds after she popped out, Lexa was on one side and Miller on the other.
"Heya," Clarke yelled. "Wish I was taller," she groused.
Lexa turned around and two soldiers lifted Clarke so she was seated on their shoulders.
"Heya," she yelled again.
Miller let out a piercing whistle that got their attention. He pointed at Clarke. "Heda's here."
They were all silent then, eyes glued to Clarke. "Heya," she greeted them for the third time. "Sorry it took me so long to get out here. Fleimkepa is with me. That's Miller kom Skaikru, my seken. He's gonna ask you some questions and then we'll get things moving."
Lexa spoke up then. "Before you enter Polis, you must swear loyalty to Heda."
Before another scrum could break out, Miller called the first group forward. He checked them against the list while they went down on their knees and promised Clarke they would serve her.
Clarke tried to get the guards to let her down but they refused until the crowd was much smaller and manageable. She kept a serious look on her face as groups and individuals swore loyalty to her and her position.
Raven, Sas, and Brook returned and were ignored apart from a nod from Clarke. Rather than get in the way of traffic, Raven took them to the workshop. The crates weren't going anywhere and she knew the guards would bring them in when they could.
Lexa stayed at the gate with Clarke while they waited for stragglers. During a break, Clarke asked Miller why there were so many. "I sent messages and then the guard wouldn't let me in."
"Sorry. I'll make sure they'll know you're an exception. How many so far?"
"A hundred and twenty six."
"They have all given Heda their oaths?"
"Yes." Miller showed Lexa his clipboard. "That check means they did that. The H means they're in the hospital, and the other letters are where they're sleeping. I'll make you a copy tonight."
"Mochof, Miller."
"Pro, Fleimkepa." He glanced at Clarke and she gave him a thumbs up.
"That reminds me," Clarke said to Lexa, "we need to check on that thing Mom told us about."
"Sha."
"You mean the nightbloods?"
"Yeah."
"Unless she found some, they shouldn't be there." He held the list out to them again. "Him and him," he said, pointing at their name. "They told me."
"Great." Clarke looked at Lexa. "Why are there natblida in the Wasteland?"
"I do not know."
"Huh." Clarke looked at the group closing in on the gate. "Miller, these are the last ones tonight. Get tents out here for anybody who comes in after them."
"Will do."
"Thanks. I know this isn't your job."
Miller shrugged. "It beats some of the stuff I do," he told her, and took a few steps forward to greet the group and get their information. When he finished, Clarke talked to them for a minute before Lexa stepped in. They all gave Clarke their oaths and Miller walked them to the hospital.
100 – 100 – 100
The Natblida were more interested in hearing about the moving pictures Brook and Sas saw than anything, but ate their dinner and sat quietly in their seats after clearing the table.
"First, I want to thank Brook and Aden for helping me in the meeting today. You all heard the alternatives I've offered to the krus, and I'm sure you heard them grumbling about them."
"Sha."
"I don't know which kru will decide to do what. Honestly, I think they'll let the Nomads have Rock Line if it doesn't cost them anything but soldiers."
"That is an accurate assessment," Lexa agreed.
"Do you understand why I offered them those choices?"
"To make them think it was their idea," Fair said.
"I'm not sure they'll go that far," Clarke said, "but letting them pick lets them think they have some control over the situation."
"What will you do if they refuse?"
"They won't."
"Why?"
"Who am I?"
"Heda."
"Who am I?" Clarke repeated.
"Wanheda," Raven answered. They looked at each other, remembering all they did.
"That's right. Who wants me to get mad?"
"No one," Lexa answered.
"Including me. So we'll talk again tomorrow and every day until they come to their senses. It might take a while, but they'll come around. I'm not going to hurt any more of our people. There are other ways to get them to agree."
"Like what?" Raven asked.
"Taxes. Trade. I don't need to use force all the time but as Fleimkepa continues to remind me, blood must have blood until it doesn't."
"What does that mean?"
"That one day, everyone will do as Heda wishes and use words instead of weapons," Lexa explained.
"I want to accomplish that before one of you is heda," Clarke told them, looking at each. "War should not be a solution."
"Peace is the goal," Lexa agreed. "We have it, and now Heda must keep it."
"I will," Clarke said confidently. She stood up. "I'm leaving you with Raven for sky story time and I'll see all of you at tomorrow's meeting."
Raven glared when Clarke looked at her, but Clarke just smiled. "Good night."
100 – 100 – 100
They walked to the hospital while torches and lamps were being lit. Abby and Nyko were gone but the night crew told them where to find the Nomads, who Abby had kept together in one ward. It was lively and cheerful but immediately went silent when Clarke and Lexa entered.
"Sorry to bother you," Clarke began.
The Nomads looked at each other. No one spoke to them like that.
"Miller told me, he's the guy who checked you in, he told me that two of you are natblida."
They got out of beds. Clark thought in retrospect that she should have been able to identify them because they were the only ones who weren't bandaged. They were close in age, both about Aden's age, Clarke estimated. They had a strong resemblance to each other. She pulled out her dagger and pricked her finger. Lexa offered hers without being asked.
"Your blood looks like this?"
Neither answered. They held out their hands. Clarke pricked their fingers and the black blood welled up. "Mochof," she told the boys and turned to Lexa. "They're all yours."
"I am Fleimkepa," Lexa explained. "Natblida are supposed to come to Polis when they are young."
The bigger one bowed and pushed his brother down. When they stood up, he ignored the dirty look he got. "I am Joplin. This is my brother Gary. When our parents died, the villagers threw us out."
"How long ago?" Clarke asked.
They shrugged. "We were about this tall," Gary estimated, putting his hand at his shoulder.
"Why?" Lexa asked, and got shrugs again. "Come with me," she told them, and they followed her out.
Clarke thought about it, and decided to see if anyone would talk to her. She went from bed to bed, but got one or two word answers. At the door, she apologized again for disturbing them and wished the good night.
She knew Lexa would be busy with her new students for a while, and stopped into the first pub she encountered. It went silent when she walked in. "Was it something I said?" as she walked to the bar.
She didn't have to ask for a drink and accepted the mug. "Mochof."
Clarke drank slowly at first, hoping the chatter would start again. When it remained silent, she drained her mug and wished them good night.
Raven was waiting for the elevator when Clarke arrived. "Sky story time. Really?"
"How'd it go?"
"I don't know why they won't ask these questions when you're there."
"Like what?"
"Like does your mother hate us? Did we really kill everybody on Rock Line? Why did Skaikru massacre the Trikru army?"
Clarke sighed. The elevator arrived and they got on. "I'll talk to Lexa."
"Skip the middleman. Talk to the kids."
"You spend more time with them I do. Why won't they ask me?"
"Tradition. Titus."
Clarke growled.
"Yeah, he was a dick," Raven said. "Plus you're always busy and I think you scared them with Wanheda."
"She scares me," Clarke admitted. The elevator stopped. "Come have a drink."
"Thanks."
Clarke picked up the bottle and two mugs on her way to the balcony.
"Nice view."
"I know. It makes me think of Monet." Clarke poured and handed a mug to Raven.
"Water lilies or the cathedral?" Raven asked and took a drink.
"The cathedral."
"Yeah I can see that. All I see on my side is trees. I like it."
"I liked that room. Until, you know."
"Didn't know it was there."
"Ontari replaced everything," Clarke assured her. "She wanted me to move in there."
"I'm kinda glad you didn't."
"Good. How's it going with your sekens?"
"They're awesome. Full of questions, but that's good."
"Yup." Clarke put her feet up on the ledge. "Guess I'll have to stay and listen to them tomorrow."
"I'm taking the kids and heading to Arkadia as soon as you dismiss us."
"I don't think they'll have to come any more, but we'll see."
"Nice touch using the kids to guilt them."
"I learned from the best," Clarke said bitterly.
"He's dead, Clarke. Let it go."
"I keep trying but it doesn't work."
"If I can forgive Murphy, you can kick that dead bastard outta your head."
"I'm trying," Clarke repeated. She reached for the bottle without looking and refilled her mug. "If you look at things objectively, I'm a bigger bastard than he is."
"No."
"He floated almost 200 people while he was Chancellor. He kicked us off, let 300 die. Ark station and Farm station had survivors, maybe 200 each. That's like 2000 people. I'm pretty sure my body count's higher."
"So?" Raven emptied and refilled her mug. "I helped you with all of it, Clarke. If you're a bastard, so am I."
"Here's to us," Clarke said and offered her mug.
Raven tapped hers against it. "We survived."
Clarke laughed, but not because she was amused. "Like every European crown in the Age of Discovery, we conquered. Fucking look at us. Heda. Tekheda. Roan's gonna use Murphy. I'm probably gonna have to put Miller in charge of Rock Line cause I can't be there all the time."
"They got gold and jewels."
"I'm sure we can get those but why?"
"Gold's for tech connections."
Clarke chuckled. Raven always had an answer and every time Clarke fact checked her, she was right. "Jewels?"
"You get 'em, I'll find a use for 'em."
"I have no doubt." Clarke smiled, her bad mood gone.
Lexa called her name.
"We're on the balcony." Clarke sat up in her seat. There were only two chairs on the balcony so they'd have to share.
It took a few seconds longer than Clarke expected for Lexa to join them. She was happy that Lexa removed her robe, though, and ignored Raven to sit in Clarke's lap and drink from her mug.
Raven smiled at them. She was happy for them and missed Ontari. She knew better than to drink to excess because it always made for long nights. She heard Ontari say one word and nodded. It was enough.
"Did you get the boys settled?" Clarke asked.
"Sha. It is unfortunate but I cannot give them the time they need until we settle things."
"They'll be fine for a few days, if it takes that long."
"Hmmm." Lexa answered.
"And on that note," Raven said, "I'll say good night. See you tomorrow."
"Night," Clarke said.
"Os nat," Lexa said.
"Tired?" Clarke asked.
"Sha." Lexa laid her head on Clarke's shoulder.
"And worried."
"Sha," Lexa said again and sipped from Clarke's mug. She put her head back on Clarke's shoulder while the blonde emptied the mug. She put it beside the bottle.
"Let's get some rest," Clarke said and picked Lexa up as she stood, and put her on the bed.
Lexa let Clarke undress her and watched Clarke strip. She got in bed and they snuggled together. Lexa was asleep quickly. Clarke matched her breathing. She didn't sleep but was able to meditate.
The hedas were waiting for Clarke to offer their opinions of her plan. Clarke's answer to every one was, "I didn't ask you." Eventually, they left her alone except for Ontari and Lexa. She looked at them and finally said, "I'm tired. I'm gonna hang out here. Go talk to your girlfriend."
"Mochof." Ontari left them.
"Hi."
"Heya."
"In the world, we're asleep in bed together and unless something godawful happens, no one will bother us." Clarke opened her arms and Lexa came for a hug.
"That sounds nice."
"It is." She let Lexa go. "You OK?"
Lexa smiled. "Always with you."
Clarke smiled back. "Me too."
They walked for a while before Lexa said, "You should get proper rest."
"I will."
"Now," Lexa said.
Clarke was back in bed wondering how she got bounced out of her own head.
She didn't think about it long, though.