Clarke of Many People

Chapter 6

Clarke's face was easily recognizable when she was looking directly towards me. The blue eyes that I longed to see for years pierced me. How is she alive? Why is she with Azgeda? Why did she stay with Azgeda. She's carrying their brands, clothing, braids. Everything about her now screamed everything I grew up to hate.

"Klark!" I repeated. I fought against the instinct to just embrace her. I regained my composure and spoke with a steady voice. "Why are you with Azgeda?" I silently berated myself at asking such an informal and personal question.

I was met with eyes that just observed me. Her once warm and caring eyes were replaced by a cold and calculating look. Did they do this to her? I glared at the other woman in the cell. She kept Klark from me. This was her fault. I was just about to react when one of my warriors ran inside the cell.

"Heda! Azgeda warriors are here!" I growled and stormed out of the cell.

"Guard them!" I ordered the warriors outside. The group of warriors along with the woman and a sleeping goufa were surrounded by my warriors now. "Why have you come to the village?" The warriors were holding their weapons readily.

"You know why we are here. Give us back our people." Was what I received in reply. I raised my eyebrow. They were obviously stupid enough to come into the village with few warriors. Did they expect me to follow the order. I was the one who gave the orders, not them.

"Get the prisoners." I ordered Indra. She nodded and went for the three. When they were in sight of the Azgeda people you could see how they relaxed a little. "Tell your people to stand down." I looked at the woman expecting her to follow my orders. I was met by defiant glares from all three of the prisoners. A ripple of unease and whispers washed over my warriors as they recognized Clarke. Wanheda was traveling with Azgeda. Once again, the Azgeda warriors tensed and looked around at mine. One of the Azgeda stepped forward. The warrior was a female with long brown hair and brown eyes. She was a little over five feet had her nations scaring displayed on her face as all other Azgeda did. The warrior did not attack. She proudly stood with her nation's marks.

"Let them go." She said. I smirked a little. One of my warriors took this as a challenge and lunged at the woman. She easily defeated him. Another attacked and was defeated. Two others were defeated. Then many of my warriors attacked from all sides.

"Hod op!" I yelled after a few minutes. Many of my warriors listened. The Azgeda warriors were bloodied up. The one who had stepped forward along with the woman carrying the child were not. "Tell them to stand down." I ordered the queen to do again.

Klark glanced at me for a few moments and then looked at her companions. "Stand down unless you are threatened!" She spoke the Azgeda language perfectly. Her voice pierced the air throughout the village. "Do not give into their tricks." She looked back at me with a glare. "What shall I do now, Heda?" She said mockingly.

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Lexa's face was full of shock as she realized it was me. I totally understand why she was shocked. I disappeared for almost seven years and come back the Azgeda Queen. Never would have believed it if I wasn't me.

The first year the riders, Katlyn, and I had left things were somewhat calm. Roan came into our camp to inform Ontari how the Ice Nation was faring. Ontari had been taken by the mountain for three years and missed a lot. He wished for Ontari to join him in a rebellion that had formed against his mother. When he informed me I looked to Ontari for confirmation. She has been one of my most trusted since the mountain.

Katlyn had her babies not long after Roan had left us the first time. A boy and a girl. Their eyes were wide and curious as they came into the world. When they were clean I handed the girl to Katlyn while I kept hold of the boy. I had smiled down at him and his little hand grasped my finger as I touched his face. He had a strong grip and in that moment I knew I would die for them, not that it was in doubt before. Katlyn named the girl Annabel, after her mother. She let me pick out the boy's name. I, of course, named him after my father. Annabel and Jake were introduced to the remaining Farm Station. The grounders who were with us were surprised at how both children were in perfect health. Apparently when having twins, one usually his born with a mutation or deformity. We all doted on them. They were the first babies we have all seen in years.