The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 17

I almost wish the rest of the night was uneventful.

Once dinner is over, some people clean up the dirty dishes and take them somewhere. I'd help, but I have no idea where they're going. Instead, I sit with Anya, Lexa, and Indra on a log near a fire. Lexa's on my left, Anya's on my right, and Indra decided sitting on another log would be better than squishing together on one. Though I suspect it's because she wants to be able to watch me.

Occasionally, people come over to say hello to Indra (who surprisingly doesn't growl at them until they go away, instead seeming genuinely happy to see them and greeting them warmly) or to thank Lexa for something. Lexa always responds like I noticed she did earlier, thanking them for their support of her decisions and for doing whatever their job is.

Once people stop coming over, I glance around the clearing and notice almost everyone is stumbling. I guess Artigas is right, and I'll have to deal with some drunk oversized people. I just hope no one does anything stupid and injured themselves.

I watch a young warrior bump into a larger warrior (seriously, what do they feed them? They're huge!), starting a small scuffle. I look to where Lexa was sitting next to me and sigh, wishing she didn't go to find us (Anya, Indra, me, and her) some alcohol to drink. Now I'll have to break up the fight because Anya and Indra are too busy bickering about something to even notice it's happening.

I get up, really hoping this won't go the way I'm dreading. I don't want to clean any fresh wounds tonight.

"Hod op (stop)!" I call out.

I march toward them, my hand by my hip and ready to grab my dagger if necessary (and I thought Anya was bring paranoid when she told me to always wear a weapon. The only reason I don't have my sword is because I didn't want it pressed against my back while we ate).

The guys continue shoving each other, cursing in Trigedasleng.

By now, others have noticed they're fighting, and one person yells. "Gonplei (fight)!"

"Not helping!" I grumble, shooting a glare in the direction of whoever spoke.

The damage is already done and the gathered crowd that's slowly growing larger starts to chant "gonplei".

The smaller guy's hand curls into a fist and I know what's going to happen. I stand between them, ready to knock some sense into them if necessary.

"Hod op." I repeat, giving them both glares.

They avoid my eyes, and instead glower at each other. The larger one gets impatient and throws a punch, apparently ignoring the fact I'm still between them. Using a technique from Anya, I use a well placed block to stop him from punching anyone (well, except me. My arm is going to be sore for days).

"Hod op." That didn't come from me.

The crowd parts nervously, allowing Lexa to stride through, murder in her eyes as she glares at the two warriors. She only stops for a moment to look at me, giving me a once over. I can see the masked worry in her expression and nod, hoping she'll get that I'm okay. Lexa's stance relaxes slightly, and she turns her attention back to the warriors, her mouth twisted in a scowl. The warriors look ashamed and drop their eyes to the ground like the ratio of dirt to pebbles is fascinating to them.

"You will not do this again. Stop acting like goufas (children) and go back to what you were doing." Lexa says. The coldness in her voice feels like it should be enough to snuff out the bonfires around us.

"Moba (sorry) Heda. Moba Clarke." They apologize before the slink away.

The gathered crowd, probably sensing the action is over or perhaps fearing for their life (despite how Anya's immune to her glares, they work on everyone else), disperse to go back to the fires and their drinks.

"Clarke, you are hurt."

It's not a question, and I wonder how she can tell. "It's nothing, Anya's done worse while we train." Her scowl deepens and I find myself hoping she doesn't kill Anya because I told her that. "I'm fine, I promise. It's just a bruise."

Lexa nods, still seeming skeptical but she accepts my words. "I did get drinks if you would like to have them. It will numb the pain."

"That would be great, thank you. And thanks for breaking up the fight. I didn't want to break their noses to do that."

In the dark, it's hard to see the slight flush creeping up Lexa's neck. "I'm certain you could have easily handled them." She gives me a smile (is that shyness I see in her eyes?). "It was dangerous to get between them. They are well trained warriors and have drank too much." It doesn't sound like she's reprimanding me, she almost sounds impressed. "You are brave, Clarke kom Skaikru."

I blush, ducking my head. "You would have done the same thing if you were in my position."

"That does not make you any less brave. There were many people there watching, yet only you tried to stop them."

We're close to where Anya and Indra are, still arguing about something.

"No, Indra, they are fools, they will not realize-"

"Heda." Indra says respectfully, cutting off Anya. "I kept your old mentor from drinking all of the alcohol you brought us."

"Mochof, Indra. Anya." Lexa states, the look she gives Anya saying all she needs to know.

"Moba, Heda, but Indra is being frustrating."

"They are fools but there is no way-" Indra begins before Anya clearing her throat cuts her off. They have an intense stare-down until they both look away, gulping down white liquid from their cups.

I sit next to Anya again, and Lexa sits beside me, silently handing me a drink. I thank her and try a sip. My nose scrunched up immediately and Lexa notices, a smile lighting up her face. Her smile is so beautiful I forget to breath for a moment. It dims quickly as if she doesn't want to be seen smiling, but even in its absence the world seems a little brighter. Even though it's night.

Float me, I'm in deep already.

That was an incredibly fun chapter to write! They're so smitten and won't admit it. And for those of you wondering, yes Anya and Indra were arguing about how Clarke and Lexa already like each other but won't admit it. Thank you for your lovely comments and say awesome!