The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 76

Lexa and I stay in her tent for as long as we can before heading back out. We're both significantly more calm after having a few minutes to ourselves to kiss.

Our hands are entwined as we head to the center of the village. The fog has mostly cleared, so hopefully tomorrow will be a nice day. Most of TonDC has gathered there, watching us approach with curious eyes.

We stop in front of them and I watch as Lexa quickly gathers herself, straightening her posture.

"As you may know," Lexa begins, "we have been going to the hundred these past few days. We have come to an agreement. We are now allied with them." That causes some stirring in the crowd. Luckily, people mostly sound surprised, though I do hear some angry times. Lexa holds up her hand and the talking stops immediately. "Tomorrow, we will go to their camp to start assisting them in building a more permanent residence."

"What are they going to do for us?" Someone yells. Murmurs of agreement fill the evening air.

"They are going to share their technology with us. They will teach us ways to simplify our lives, ways to communicate better. Earlier today, Clarke was given a device by their head tek (technology) maker that allows us to talk to them from here."

A man steps forward, a scowl on his face. That's Quint. I've never liked or trusted him. "Yeah, right." He scoffs.

"Clarke, would you care to demonstrate?" Lexa asks.

"Sure. Please refrain from talking so you can hear it." I say and even the whispers stop.

I turn up the volume as high as it can go and press the button. After we got back, I told Raven we got back safely so I know it works. I did warn her we might be calling her again when we tell everyone we are now allies, so she should be on her best behavior.

I press down the button, making the crackling noise fill the air. "Raven, come in. Raven."

"Hey, Griffin." Raven's voice comes out after a moment, making people gasp. "What's up?"

"I'm just checking again to make sure it works." I say.

"Alright, Clarke. Say hi to your girl's hot sister and her girlfriend for me and don't let them kill me for saying that. See you tomorrow!"

Lexa, luckily, looks amused. Anya and Luna look surprised, to say the least.

"Any more questions?" Lexa asks. We answer a few simple ones about technology and stuff like that but then Quint steps forward again.

"It seems to me like the only reason you are allying by the people who forced themselves on our land is because you share a bed with one of them." Quint eyes me disdainfully.

"Hold your tongue or I will cut it out." Lexa says, her tone rougher and more 'Heda-like,' as I like to call it. "The hundred are allied with us whether you like it or not. They will be helpful in the downfall of the Maunon. They have tek that rivals theirs." She makes eye contact with a few people in the crowd that still seem less than pleased about our announcement. "Any further questions?" No one speaks up. "Luna, Anya, and I will be coming around to ask some of you if you are willing to go to the hundred's camp tomorrow with us. Thank you for your time."

"I'll go back to your tent while you talk to people." I say as the crowd starts to disperse.

"You do not need to." Lexa murmurs, rubbing her thumb comfortingly across the back of my hand.

"I'll give people time to think about everything."

Lexa nods in understanding. "Very well. I will be back as soon as I can with dinner."

I nod and squeeze her hand, smiling at her softly so she knows I'm okay. I reluctantly let go and walk back to Lexa's tent.

I stifle a yawn and pull out my sleep clothes, resting them on the bed. I begin to undo the braids in my hair, my fingers moving quickly and easily with how often I do this. Lexa and I both like having our hair down, but know it's more practical to have it up, which neither of us mind.

I hear a rustling as I'm close to getting out the last part of the braid and tense, glad I haven't put away my weapon. It didn't come from the entrance. I finish and put my hand on my swords, slowly walking through the tent. Suddenly, Quint is towering over me.

He's smirking and has his weapon of choice drawn, which is a mace. My eyes widen and I step back. He's not crazy enough to swing that around in here, is he?

"Not so tough without the Commander, huh?" He says mockingly, smirking. I narrow my eyes and draw my swords. "Trying to act like you are, little girl? I could kill you right now."

The sound of voices close outside distracts us both and I sheathe my swords again quickly and take the opportunity to knee him between the legs. With a howl of pain, he lets go if his mace, which crashes on the ground and drops to his knees, clutching himself. Winding up, I kick him in the side of the face just hard enough to knock him out without causing permanent mental damage. He falls to the ground with a thud as Lexa and Artigas rush in, looking frantic. Artigas stops when he sees Quint on the ground and looks up at me, awe on his face.

Lexa comes straight to me, gently cupping my face. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay," I promise. "I'm okay." Lexa still checks my body with gentle touches to make sure. I find it adorable.  "Artigas, get him to Nyko. And when he wakes up, tell him that I won't be so nice next time."

"And remind him this. Jomp em op en yu jomp ai op (attack her and you attack me). Next time he tries anything, he will not live to see the next day."

Next chapter, they go to the hundred's camp! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!