ATARAXIA • BELLAMY BLAKE

[ 5 9 ]

This morning, Jaime and I have been assigned gate duty. Following the attack at the village where we lost Monroe and Lacroix, Lexa has ordered a blockade around Arkadia's perimeter, and Pike has increased the number of guardsmen stationed on the walls.

"Tree line, ten o'clock," Jaime says, voice low but urgent. My head snaps to the left, following his gaze. Two riders emerge from the shadows of the forest, moving steadily into the clearing that leads to Arkadia's main gate.

"What is this?" Harper murmurs, lowering her rifle as she spots the riders.

I recognize the scene immediately; we've seen this before. "They're bringing a message," I say.

Behind us, Bellamy and Pike descend from the main watchtower. Pike gestures to the guards, signaling for the gate to be opened. I move forward, gripping the cold, heavy wheel and put my weight into turning it. The groan of the metal fills the air as the gate slowly creaks open, revealing the riders in full view.

Bellamy steps out first. Pike follows closely behind but keeps a deliberate distance, eyes sharp and assessing. Jaime and I position ourselves on either side of the gate, weapons ready, while Harper stands behind me, her rifle raised.

"Talk," Bellamy commands.

"We seek the one you call Pike," one of the Grounders replies.

Pike doesn't immediately step forward. Instead, he lets Bellamy take the lead. "Why?" Bellamy asks, his tone measured.

"An army has fallen," the Grounder says. "Blood soaking the earth where he took their lives one by one."

The murmurs of our people begin to swell as more Arkadians gather near the gate, drawn by the unfolding confrontation.

"Welcome to war against Skaikru," Bellamy states.

"Life was taken. We demand life in return," the second Grounder says.

Finally, Pike steps forward. "My life?" he asks, tilting his head slightly. "What are your terms, sir?"

The first Grounder doesn't hesitate. "Come with us," he says simply. "We walk away."

Pike narrows his eyes. "Walk away from what?"

"By order of the Commander, you've been surrounded by an army of the twelve clans," the Grounder announces, his voice rising to ensure every ear catches his words. "In every direction, warriors wait to kill anyone who attempts to cross the blockade."

He pauses, then continues, "To greet them as we greeted those we caught outside your walls today."

With a swift motion, he tosses a sack onto the ground in front of Bellamy and Pike. The sack hits the dirt with a thud, spilling bloodied Guard uniforms onto the ground. Gasps ripple through the crowd behind me.

"We left the bodies for the animals," the Grounder adds.

"That's enough," Bellamy says sharply, his gaze dropping to the soiled uniforms.

"The men who wore those uniforms took a long time to die."

Pike steps back, expression unreadable, but his voice is firm. "Bellamy, fall back."

Bellamy doesn't move. His eyes remain locked on the Grounder who had spoken, jaw set. Pike's tone sharpens. "That's an order."

The Grounder seizes the moment. "You do not give up your leader, you will all take a long time to die." His gaze pierces through Bellamy, challenging him.

Pike steps in again. "Bellamy," he says, voice insistent.

But Bellamy stands his ground, his reply as steady as it is chilling. "I do that every day."