The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 22

Lexa hesitantly leaves a little bit after I tell her we're hunting the Pauna. She isn't convinced I won't leave without her and do something even more stupid than as she put it, "facing a bloodthirsty Pauna." From what I can tell before I pass out in my bed, the patrols going past my tent have increased. I don't blame her for not trusting my word for it, I know I wouldn't if I were in her position.

When I wake up and wipe the sleep from my eyes, the first thing I notice is that the village is eerily quiet. I get up and blink when I notice there's armor on the table. I move forward and run my fingers across it.

"It is good, is it not?" A voice says. I spin around toward the entrance, my hands clenched into fists, ready to fight. It's just Anya. "It came last night after you had fallen asleep. I am sure it may be useful today if you are really hunting what Heda says you are hunting."

"What would that be?"

"The Pauna that lives near here. Lexa is not the joking type, but I am not certain you are really that much of a branwada (idiot/fool) to do such a thing."

"Well I guess I am." I say.

Anya just sighs and grumbles something about "foolish girls" and "death wish".

She points to the armor. "Then put this on. It will not protect you from its blows, but it might stop it from instantly killing you."

I put on the armor as best I can (there are so many straps) until Anya sighs again and takes over, making sure I see how to do it correctly. It's amazing she can do this without hurting her broken wrist too much. Though judging by the quiet hisses and grunts she lets out, it does hurt.

"Mochof, Anya. I'll try not to die."

She grasps my forearm with her good arm and I do the same automatically, surprised by the show of respect. "You had better not. You will be with Heda, and if anything happens to you, something might happen to her. Watch out for each other."

I nod, not knowing what to say. Anya's worried about us. We walk out of my tent and Anya leads me to Lexa's tent. The giant guard opens the tent flaps for us and we're greeted by the sight of Lexa pacing.

Relief spreads across her face when she sees me. "Clarke. You did not leave."

I smile comfortingly, hoping she understands I'm okay with the fact she wasn't sure whether she could trust my word or not. "I told you I wouldn't leave without you."

"You two can look lovingly into each other's eyes another time." Anya huffs, making both Lexa and I blush and look away from each other. "You have a Pauna to kill. Your horses are prepared and supplies have been tied onto them."

"Let me just get some things from my tent and I'll be ready." I say, realizing they probably didn't think to grab my sketchbook.

"I will accompany you, if you do not mind."

"Of course not, Lexa. Let's go."

Anya follows behind us as we walk side by side back to my tent. I grab a few things including my sketchbook, pencil, map, and some food that should stay good throughout the trip. It's a small enough amount of things that I can use the bag I made to store it in (I've added to it since then and made it a backpack, so it should be okay on the horse).

We continue to the gate and there's a lot of people gathered there, what looks like almost the entire village.

"Once people got word of what you two are planning to hunt, they wanted to say bye." Anya murmurs.

A woman comes up to us, and I recognize her as the mother of the boy I saved yesterday. "Mochof (thank you), Heda and Clarke. Beja (please), be careful."

"Oso gonplei nou ste odon (our fight is not over)." Lexa replies confidently. "This Pauna is the most vicious, the most violent in the twelve clans. It has killed too many, and so we will kill it."

The gathered people seem to take her words to heart and the mood noticeably lightens.

Guards lead two horses to us, one a jet black stallion (definitely Lexa's) and a strong looking dark brown horse. The black horse whinnies when it sees Lexa and tries to get away from the already struggling guard. Amusement shines in Lexa's eyes and she clicks her tongue once and it immediately stops fighting to get to her.

Lexa thanks the guards and holds out her hand to her horse. It immediately presses its nose to her outstretched hand. There's a warm smile on her face and it's clear she loves this horse. She runs her fingers along him, moving around him to get to his side. She expertly gets up on him.

Oh crap. Right, horses. I just realized I don't know how to ride one. We haven't gotten that far in my training yet, plus now with Anya's broken wrist I'd guess it's hard to teach that. Lexa sees my struggle and quietly gives me instructions. I get up on the other horse on my first try and manage to not fall off as soon as I get on, so I'd call that a success.

Lexa's horse moves in front of mine, leading us out of the town as the people wave and say different variations goodbye," good luck," and "don't die."

The movement of the horse underneath me feels weird, it makes my hips shift in the saddle from side to side. As soon as we are far enough from the village, Lexa stops and looks back.

"Are you doing alright? I am guessing you have never ridden a horse before."

"I'm doing fine. Is it that obvious?"

"No, you have been doing good for your first time." Lexa smiles reassuringly.

She moves us forward slowly, her horse beside me as she gives me tips on how to not fall off.

That was a fun chapter to write... Anya being worried about Clarke and Lexa while simultaneously making a jab about their relationship (or lack thereof). Lexa being worried about Clarke doing something even more foolish than trying to kill a giant murderous gorilla. Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!