A Kiss Before The War

Chapter 13: Reunited

Lexa's perspective

Gustus's last words had certainly given me a lot to think about. The part about Clarke and what he thought about her was dead wrong but I couldn't help but shake the bad feeling that had settled in, in regards to the dissent amongst my people and the fragile alliance that the tribes held together.

One of the main reasons that such an alliance was formed was in the hopes that one day in the future as a united front we'd be able to put a stop to the atrocities committed by the Mountain Men. Now that we had done that I did not know where things now stood.

At the best of times there was still infighting and disagreement. So now that the war was over would those only weakly committed to this alliance sever ties? Added on top of that were some factions who were still distrustful of the Sky people and our alliance with them was only adding fuel to the fire.

Of course then I had my own personal problems to deal with in that I'd been distracted for weeks and only partially committed to my own duties. I wanted life to go back to normal and the only way I could do that was with Clarke here with me.

The growing list of detractors was using this to say I'd lost my hard edge that my love was only blinding me, that it was affecting my leadership. According to Gustus they were asking for me to be replaced, but I'd deal with those upstarts with an iron fist, right after I got back with Clarke safe and sound.

These thoughts and more swirled around in my head as I somewhat impatiently waited for Octavia to show herself in. Given her knowledge of both her people and mine but hers in particular, I figured she'd be the best person to ask for help with coming up with a strategy for getting Clarke back.

It didn't take too long for her to reach my tent leading me to believe that Gustus must have encountered her first before he set about collecting the names of the would be usurpers. As she entered the tent I could see for a moment what Lincoln had seen in this girl.

She had a fire in her eyes which spoke to her determination, a determination which had only grown stronger with time and her improved prowess on the battlefield, no doubt due to Indra's influence. Of course she was easy on the eye too and after the increased time she'd spent with my people it was as if she was truly one of us. I only hoped that Clarke could fit in so easily one day.

"You summoned me?" Octavia asked me with only a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

I watched as she took a look around my tent ore so with her eyes before coming to a stop not far from my throne which I presently sat upon.

"I require your assistance in getting Clarke back. You're the only person here who knows the layout of your camp and the only person that will be allowed onto the camp's grounds."

I sat there regally as I watched her digest this information, I was not surprised to see some anger colour her actions and words.

"Why should I help you or her?" She said as she pointed at me and then in a backwards direction before adding, "The two of you allowed all those people to die in that air strike and you almost got Lincoln and I killed."

'How remarkably close to the truth,' I thought in reference to me almost killing her. Although truth be told I'm glad I trusted Clarke and not had Octavia killed because of what she knew regarding said air strike. I stood up and close the distance between the two of us as I came to a stop right in front of her, encroaching on her personal space.

"You'll help me because I can give you what it is you want the most."

I saw her look at me sceptically and that was like a slap in the face as if she didn't think I could deliver.