Chapter 17
They rode until they hit the border. After dismounting, they worked their way to the edge of the camp that Raven had prepared for them. Octavia led them as they neared the wire. She knew that she would have to call out to make sure they could get in without getting electrocuted by the fencing. Echo was beside her and could feel the anxiety rolling off of Octavia's body. She knew that Octavia hadn't come lightly to bring her back.
"You look wrong," Octavia stated as she knelt down behind some brush and waited to use the radio to get Raven's attention.
It was dark and later than she wanted. Octavia knew though that it couldn't be helped. They'd left TonDC as soon as they good. They made good time until they got to Lexa's warriors line. They ditched the horses, returning them to the Trikru before they got to camp to make sure that the cameras from Mount Weather couldn't see it. She knew how much it meant to make sure that they weren't seen.
"Fence is down," Octavia heard over the little radio.
Octavia smiled. She hadn't in called in, yet. She knew that Raven was probably watching the area for them. She was just as worried as Octavia was about Clarke.
"This way, and just to be safe don't touch the wires," Octavia told them as she led through the fence.
Once inside, Octavia didn't waste anytime as she moved them towards Clarke and Lexa's tent. She sent Callie, Monty, and Harper to Raven as soon as she saw her come out of her tent. They just nodded at each other as Dax, Octavia, and Echo continued on towards Clarke and Lexa. As soon as they were outside the tent, Octavia and Echo both turned to Dax.
"Hook up with Messi and the other guards for your rotation, but be ready to be on Clarke come the morning," Octavia told him.
"Sha," he answered.
"And, Dax?"
"I know: protect her with my life, don't let her dismiss me, and stay in English until after the Mountain is dealt with. Luna gave me orders, too. I will do my duty and protect her like she's done for me. Besides, I don't want Gustus or Fio coming to break my head. I'll watch over the Princess and make sure that none of our people try to hurt her," Dax answered. "She needs to be more worried about them than the Grounders."
"I am not as worried about them as I am those in the Mountain," Echo added.
"Noted, and I'll make sure that she's fine when she isn't with the warrior queen."
Octavia shook her head and watched him step over to Messi and Jacov to talk. She knew that the boy, almost man, needed guidance and an outlet for his anger. Protecting Clarke gave him both. Gustus had also taken a liking to the boy and planned on training him more fully when he could. He saw how devoted he was to the mission, and even Lexa liked him as one of Clarke's personal bodyguards. Echo reached over and touched her shoulder. With a slight nod to the flaps of the tent, they entered without any challenge or acknowledgement from those inside.
Lexa was in the front part of the tent going over notes that had been delivered by either Tris or Jersey in their travels. Octavia moved over towards her, but stopped on the way to pour them all a cup of ale. She sat down across from Lexa at the table and pushed one of the cups towards her. She sat the other side of the table beside her and waited for Echo to take the seat and the cup.
"Sit down Echo. You have travelled far and done great things this day. Rest," Lexa commanded, unusually in English towards her.
Echo nodded at Heda, but she didn't immediately take her seat. She walked to the hessian netting that separated the sleeping area from the front and looked behind it. She saw Clarke sleeping. When she was satisfied with Wanheda's condition, she moved back around and sat down at the table. Lexa just cocked an eyebrow at her but said nothing about Echo's need to make sure that she was okay.
"What news do you bring me?" Lexa asked them, still in English.
"Farm Station has made the trek safely to TonDC," Echo told her. "There were a few minor injuries, but Nyko took care of them all. There will be no lasting issues from any of them."
"And, what of Clarke's Aunt?" Lexa questioned.
"Her godmother Callie was their leader. She came back with us. I sent her to find quarters and possibly Abby and Kane," Octavia told her.
"Godmother?"
"It is an 'old world' position. Usually a close family member but more often than not, they were friends of the family. This person agreed to help raise the child and take it in should something happen to the parents. Sometimes, they were known to step in and take the child should one parent die," Octavia explained. "But, Clarke always knew that Callie was her godmother. She just calls her Aunt Callie, even though there is no relation there. Callie would have been the closest thing that she had to an aunt. And, her father thought that Theolonius Jaha made a good 'uncle.' Clarke did, too, until he had her father floated."
"Isn't he the one that sentenced her to prison?" Lexa inquired.
"Yes, he was, with Kane's approval. It was all kinda messy, Lexa. Don't try to make it make sense. It will only hurt your brain."
"I don't understand, but if you tell me not to worry about it, I will not," Lexa told her.
"Just don't worry about it. Raven, Abby, and a few others took care of Jaha. Wells is his son, but he isn't that terribly upset that his father isn't here. He knew that it was the best for us all to survive. Wells trusts Clarke and knew that she wouldn't have done it without reason. He also knows that his father kinda lost it after his mother died. And, for all that Jaha tried to get Clarke and Wells together, that wasn't happening. They are more like siblings then they will ever be lovers. I think that Jaha hoped that Wells would be able to soften and somewhat control Clarke, and when that didn't work, all bets were off."
"He thought that his son would make a good houman for Clarke. The boy cannot fight well. He is like Luna. He likes peace. He will not do good in war. How could he protect Clarke if he cannot fight?" Lexa questioned.
"Up there, we didn't have to fight. We had to be smart and skilled in making sure that we survived with what we had. Wells is good at that. He is an expert strategist and a good engineer. Leave him with Raven, but teach him how to defend himself. He'll surprise you. He is also good with words. He will make a good ambassador. He will need guards, though. He and Luna will get along well, but they will both help in the wars. He has a good head, Heda. But, you are right, he isn't warrior. He'll fight for you, though. And, he'll want to fight for and by Clarke," Octavia stated and then took a sip of the ale. "Old habits and all that. They're best friends, Lexa. He's going to be in your life, and she's going to keep him there. She respects his thoughts and plans."
"This is good to know," Lexa admitted. "Then, we will make sure that he starts attending meetings. If he is as good as you say, he must start showing it soon for the others to see it. He will not be taken seriously otherwise."
"I'll talk to Clarke and Wells about it," Octavia replied.
"I left him in TonDC with Bellamy. They are in charge of the survivors from Farm Station for now. Indra knows to go to them for any issues. Anya is also watching them and learning. Luna is keeping her calm though," Echo stated.
"And, what do you think of the news from Luna and Anya?" Lexa asked Echo.
"I find it troubling."
"And, what do you think of it, Octavia?"
"I think that someone has a death wish," Octavia responded. "Everyone knows that it is suicide to go against Heda, much less the entire Kongeda. So, why are they? It doesn't make sense. The Sangeda while fools aren't that stupid."
"You are right, they aren't. I've sent word to Polis to see the ambassador soon. I want to know what he thinks of this."
"And, if you don't like his answer?" Echo inquired as she sipped her ale.
"Then, we will do what must be done. I will not let the coalition fall, Echo. Not when we are so close to almost total antihalation," Lexa added.
Clarke whimpered, and Octavia stood up. She picked up her cup and downed it. Looking them over, she shook her head at both of them, raising her hand before speaking to them.
"Let me go check on her. You both need to plan. I'll help her sleep," Octavia told them as she moved towards the hessian netting. "How long has she been down this time?"
"A candle mark or more," Lexa answered.
"Okay, I can work with that," Octavia said. "Don't stay up to late, the both of you. She's going to want to talk to you both in the morning proper."
"We will do our best, Octavia. Please attend to Clarke. We will find lodging else where," Lexa replied as she stood up, Echo following her.
Octavia knew better than to argue with her. She also knew that Lexa would be back before sunrise to check on Clarke. Even though they knew that the bed was big enough for the three of them, she would leave Octavia and Clarke to be comfortable. She was the head of a massive army and a kingdom. Lexa could slum it for a few hours and not even be slighted. However, as long as she could manage it, Clarke would not. She didn't hear them leave as she moved around the smaller sleeping area.
Octavia dumped her boots and took off her over coat. She sat them down beside and underneath chair that was there, respectively. She rolled her shoulders before disarming a little. She didn't doubt that Clarke had a knife or ten on her somewhere, but she wasn't about to get in that bed without one herself. After she felt like she would be comfortable enough to sleep, Octavia crawled into the bed with Clarke and held her. The blonde fidgeted for a few moments before she settled down into Octavia's embrace. She knew that the older girl would be surprised when and if she woke to find that it was Octavia holding her, but she wouldn't complain about it too much. Shimming a little into the mattress, Octavia got comfortable holding her and fell asleep with Clarke in her arms.
Lexa and Echo exited the tent together. Lexa took up her normal Heda posture, hands behind her back as they strolled through the tents. Echo wanted to laugh, but she knew she shouldn't. She knew that one could take Heda out of Polis, but you couldn't take Heda out of Lexa. It was a default mood and mode for her. It was just as much armor as the cloak she wore.
"Speak," Lexa demanded.
"And, tell you what, Alex?" Echo inquired purposefully using her "Arker" name to remind her where they were.
Lexa smarted at the question. She nodded to Echo for recognizing what she was doing. Lexa dropped her arms to her side, but it felt weird. She didn't like the Arker armor either. It made her feel almost naked without her leather and cloak. She was unhappy about carrying a shock stick instead of her sword, but she wielded it like it was one. She refused to carry a pistol on her side outside of the wire.
"Clarke and I fought about me carrying a fayagon when we assault the mountain," Lexa said quietly.
Echo stopped walking. Lexa turned to meet her questioning hazel eyes. Lexa was a proud woman. Echo and Anya were some of the few that she spoke frankly to about anything and everything. It also helped her in someway that they were both taller. They didn't make her feel small. Instead, they tried to life her up and make Lexa feel better. They never tried to belittle her. They gave her different points of view. Echo gave her insights into past lives and Clarke. Anya gave her strategy and training. They had both been useful as she ascended and became Heda as a goufa. They were both just slightly older, too.
"As she should, Alex. You are a lieutenant in the Guard. The Guard uses guns," Echo replied, emphasizing the English words.
"You would have me use them?" Lexa questioned.
"I use them, Alex. I am not a member of the Ark Guard, but I know how to use them. I know what our traditions mean and say, but they will not cause the harm stated in the myths. I believe that those myths were started by the Mountain anyway as way to control us, and it has worked. We are so afraid of change and their ways that we won't learn from them."
"And, you think we need to?"
"In order to survive Praimfaya, yes, we do. Without them, we will all parish. I know that it weighing on her mind. She wants to save everyone, but she knows that we can't. She has Raven combing through looking for more shelters, but it won't do us any good if we can't rehab Eden. We need their tech in order to make the world livable, but to do that, we have to know how to protect it as well," Echo told her. "I believe that Anya even taught you that a good defense includes a better offense, no?"
"She did."
"Do think that Clarke wants you to do this for any other reason?"
"I don't know."
"She doesn't want you to become like her, Alex. She wants you to see what you have at your disposal in order to lead us into the new age. Knowledge is power. I know you know this. Learn it and understand it. Use it if you must, but do not turn away from it because Titus told you that they are the boogey man. I think that Clarke has proven that the only boogey men live in the Mountain," Echo told her. "But, even Clarke is trying to turn them against the real problem. You have to let her do what she must. She is truly the Wanheda. The biggest question that you have to ask yourself is: Will you follow her?"
"Into Death if I must," Lexa answered.
"Then, let Major Byrne teach you. If you want, I'll get her to do it privately. Or, we can get someone else to teach you," Echo stated.
"I would prefer you or Octavia, but I will study with Major Byrne. We need to get closer anyway. I might have offered her a position in my Guard or raising her to General for the Kongeda Gonagru," Lexa explained.
"You do what you must in order for us to survive. No one will question it. She is the leader of their Guard now, so it would make sense for you to elevate her position among the Kongeda. Look at you making friends already," Echo teased.
"You tease, but it is strategy."
"I know, Alex. I know. She is a good woman, and for all her faults, following Clarke isn't one. She was her personal guard in many lives, dying to protect her. I hope that she survives long enough to see Eden in this life. Her command is...useful," Echo added.
"Then, we will make sure it happens," Lexa replied.
Echo just smiled at her and continued walking. They weren't really taking a patrol, but they were. They followed the paths that the Arkers and those Grounders that were walking around the newly formed Arkadia had made. There was no true direction that they were taking. They were just walking.
"Echo?"
"Yes, Alex?" Echo replied.
"We can do this," Lexa said but more asked her.
"We can and we will," Echo told her. "We have no choice. We have all come together this time. We have changed things for the better. We will find a way to survive and we will. I know that having you beside Clarke and pushing us to survive we will. You are both smart. You know what we need to do, and we will do it. We have everything that we need in order to survive Praimfaya. We've been building for this for years, Alex. We aren't going to fail."
"I know we aren't going to fail, Echo. We refuse. We have always refused to fail our people, you included. I know that you are like me in that respect," Lexa told her. "And, you do as well. You wouldn't have come to me the way you did if you didn't. You knew what would happen when you betrayed your Kwin, but you did it anyways. You came to me with the truth of what was happening to our people in Azgeda. You did what was needed to save and protect your people. I know that many of your people didn't see that at first, but after Nia was tried, they learned the truth. Establishing Roan was smart as a replacement, and it helped cement the fact that even though we are twelve, we are still one."
"And, we fight for the common goal of us all."
"Soon, we will be more than twelve," Lexa stated.
"And, what will you do with thirteen, Alex?"
"Maybe, I'll make them fourteen," Lexa replied.
"Explain," Echo demanded softly as they stopped the fence and the tent that Jersey and Tris were sharing, being the runners and messengers.
"The Hundred or Wanhedakru should be their own clan. I will pull from others to help make it. This way Clarke will still be in charge. The Arkers will absorb those from the Mountain and become another clan," Lexa stated, but then she hung her head. "But, I'm afraid that it will still be only thirteen clans in our Kongeda. I fear that Sangeda will end up falling before we dig in before Praimfaya."
"I understand, Alex, but we will find a resolution."
"We will. Hopefully, Brell and Caris will bring us good news," Echo stated. "Come, we should rest. We can stay here for a few hours. No one will bother us."
Lexa nodded and followed her into the tent. When she saw the bed, she looked up to Echo and then over at the desk that Echo was using to place some weapons. She knew that Echo hadn't been in this tent for a while, so she was surprised to see how at ease she was with it.
"Octavia's?"
"Yes, we've shared enough that I can recognize her tent," Echo answered.
"And, we will share?" Lexa questioned as she eyed the bed.
"If that is okay with Heda," Echo said as she continued to ready for bed, oblivious the the look that Lexa was giving her.
"This is how you protect me on the road, Echo."
"I know."
"We aren't on the road."
"I know," Echo answered. "And, Clarke is with Octavia. Octavia is protecting Clarke. I will protect you. And, don't think that I don't know that you would be protecting Clarke in your bed if you could, but Octavia is in your place for now. So, I will share with you just like I would be sharing with Octavia here. There is no shame in that, Lexa, and I know you know that. What is it that you are overthinking now?"
"You and Octavia," Lexa stated.
"What about it?"
"I think that you've been pursuing the wrong Blaik kom Skaikru," Lexa replied as she stripped down and got into the bed before Echo could reply.
