Her Weakness

Chapter 2

I pull back on my horse's reigns and we stop. My people do not trust the Sky People enough to allow me to ride to their encampment alone.

I wash off my war paint in a nearby stream. I look and feel more vulnerable without it on, but I need to be completely honest with her. I do not deserve to be forgiven, not in the least, but I hope she will listen to what I have to say.

I remount and make a clicking noise. As we get closer to the Ark, to Clarke, the more nervous I become, which makes my face more expressionless than normal.

"Grounders!" A sentry cries in a panicked voice. I see the guards raise their guns and point them at us, prepared to shoot. After what I did, there is no doubt they would kill me with no hesitation and minimal guilt afterwards. I do not blame them for their hatred for me.

"Lower you weapons, we come in peace." I say. I do not raise my voice but I know they can hear me. I signal for the two warriors who insisted on coming with me for "my protection" to sheathe their weapons. They follow my silent order with reluctance.

A crackling noise comes from a guard's tunic, followed by unintelligible mumbles from a device attached to his clothing.

The man yells "Open the gate!"

I dismount and walk inside, leaving my horse to walk behind me.

Civilians begin to crowd around me, but I do not mind. Not even when they hurl hateful words at me that I let bounce off like bullets off my mental shields. I knew I would not receive a warm welcome. I have been called much worse. I do not flinch. They have every right to be furious at me. Even I am mad at me.

The soldiers control them before a protest turns into a mob, and one guard steps forward and asks me skeptically, "Why are you here, Commander?"

"Take me to Clarke."

"Are you sure you don't want me to get the Chancellor? She's often busy, but--"

"I would like to speak to Clarke," I interrupt him. He seems slightly offended but turns and walks towards the Ark. I follow him as he leads me into the metal structure.

"I'll take you to her bedroom and get someone to bring Clarke there. I assume you want to talk to her alone"

"Yes, thank you." I do not dislike this soldier. He does not ask too many questions.

He stops and gestures at a small bedroom. "She should be here shortly."

I nod and he walks away without another word. I take the spare time I have until she arrives to study the room. It is small, considering she is their unofficial leader. Despite what her mother calls herself and refuses to admit, Clarke holds the real power. It is a simple room, so much so I would not know that this is her room if I did not notice that there are maps cluttering every available surface with writing I recognize as hers. They are all of Mount Weather.

I hear footsteps near the room and turn.

"Commander," Clarke says stiffly. She looks more emotionless than I have ever seen. Usually I can see what she is feeling in her eyes, the fire from her passion and her love for her people. But she keeps her face carefully blank, and she will not even call me by name. My heart aches, realizing I caused more pain than I thought.

"Clarke."