The 100: Nothing But Time

Chapter 15 Princess, Heda, Healer

Clarke POV

Octavia was walking up front with Lincoln, followed by Finn and Bellamy and I bringing up the rear.

"Princess, I still think we need to stay together at all times." He whispered, touching my arm not wanting Lincoln to overhear.

"I know you're worried, but if we're going to be stuck here we need to be able to trust them." I glanced sideways at him. "Maybe we can learn from each other."

He presses his lips in a tight line.

After walking for about 15 minutes further into the dense forest Lincoln stops near a Grove of trees and moves some branches aside to reveal a crude pulley made with vines.

"We're here." Lincoln announces.

We all look around confused, seeing nothing but trees until Lincoln points up.

We see nothing but branches, leaves, vines, and mist.

He gestures for me to go up first but Bellamy steps forward stopping me. "I'll go first then Octavia, Clarke and Finn."

Lincoln doesn't argue with him. When Bellamy is secured he tugs a vine twice to signal them to pull him up.

It seems like it takes forever.

When it is my turn I hold my breath in nervous anticipation. I'm also not too fond of heights which is kind of ironic since I've lived in space my whole life.

When I am nearing the top I realize just how high up we really are and close my eyes. I doubt any dinosaurs could reach us here...I do wonder about pterodactyl's though.

I am amazed at the crude dwelling structures I see. I spot Bellamy who is waiting anxiously for me. When the pulley stops I am greeted by Indra, Bellamy holds out his hand to help me out, I stumble slightly and practically fall into his arms.

"Ooof. Oww.." I mutter embarrassed.

"Careful princess. It's a long way down." I feel his voice rumble in his chest as he tries to steady me, pulling me close.

My cheeks flush as I glance up, to see his warm brown eyes fixed steadily on me. "Thanks" I curse myself silently for sounding so breathless.

"Anytime" He smirks at me his warm breath ghosting over my face with a faint smell of mint, invoking a feeling I force myself to ignore.

He waits a beat before releasing me.

As I step back shakily, I take a few minutes to look around while we wait for the others.

Their village, is really, truly amazing. Considering our history dictates they should be incapable of modern speech and living in caves it is truly a miracle.

The tree houses are built with, branches and vines that have been woven together and coated with some type of mud or paste which has been dried to hold them together. The structures seem sturdy.

They are also very high off the ground. As I glance down I see some nets made of vines and they have created a means to get from tree to tree without going to the ground.
Some dwellings are on our level, some are higher. I am in awe.

From this level I don't really have a good view of the ground given our height, but in retrospect I'm ok with that.

Before I can have a panic attack from looking down, the others have all arrived from below, and we are being led to the largest structure that I assume belongs to the leader Anya.

We are led inside and each of us take a seat in the middle of the room. Anya sits with us along with Lincoln, Indra, a huge man called Gustus and couple others we have not met yet.

"You are welcome Skai people." Anya greets us, gesturing to a young girl to give us food and drink consisting mainly of strange fruit, nuts and some forms of dried meat.

This is Nyko, our healer and Lexa my second.

"This is Bellamy my co-leader and head guard, his sister Octavia and our guard Finn" I pause to smile at Nyko, "I am a healer for my people as well."

Anya's eyes light up at this.

As we all eat and drink Anya gets down to business.

"It would seem we can learn from each other. We will show you how to hunt and grow food and in exchange you can teach us your healing ways and perhaps some of your weaponry."

I can feel Bellamy tense next to me at the mention of weapons so I speak first. "We would also like to map the area, learn about those lizard creatures that you call reapers and for you to explain about the glowing stones. Do they have other uses?"

Anya looks at both Nyko and Indra. Nyko nods immediately in agreement. Indra hesitate's but then agrees with reluctance.

"I believe we have a deal Heda Clarke."

"Heda?"

"Yes, you are the voice for your people. Now what would you like to trade first?"

"The glowing Stones..." I begin as Bellamy and I both nod in agreement.

Before we have a chance to move we hear the sound of shouting before a man pushes his way inside the hut.

"Tristan! What is the meaning of this?!" Anya demands.

"It's Tris. She's been hurt!"

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