Children of the Blood

This or Die

Chapter 5 - This or Die

The group of six on horseback rode into the Grounder camp under cover of darkness. The lack of sun hid whatever ominous clouds had gathered above them, but the streaks of blue lightening gave them glimpses of the threatening storm brewing.

The encampment consisted of wagons piled high and strapped down carrying all that could be salvaged from Polis and the few possessions the Grounders could pack quickly for their families and uncertain future. Despite the flickering torches lighting the paths between tents, scarce few figures could be seen milling about. Most, no doubt, had taken shelter inside in anticipation of the impending storm.

Indra greeted them at the main tent entrance, issuing quick orders for their horses to be watered and fed.

"Heda," Indra said as she clasped her Commanders wrist in reunion, her eyes flashing from under the hood low over her face. She glanced at the others, Octavia, Lincoln and Clarke as well as two medics weighed down with supplies.

Octavia nodded at her in greeting and asked her quickly in Trigedasleng where to find the medical tent.

Indra pointed at a tent down the hill, second in size only to the main Commander's tent. All eyes shifted to the tent, noting the size and what it meant.

"How many?" Clarke asked, her voice quiet.

"We've found it useless to continue to count," Indra said in a clipped tone. When Clarke looked back and held her gaze, Indra dipped her head in silent apology. "Nyko has it well in hand but your supplies will be greatly appreciated."

Lincoln nodded, "We'll take care of it," he said. With that he and Octavia led the two medics towards the tent.

A brilliant flash of blue followed only a second later by a shaking clap of thunder drove the remaining three inside the main tent.

A guard Clarke didn't recognize took their coats and coverings as Indra led them into the room well lit with candles to the large wooden table covered in animal skins and maps she knew well as the Commander's war table. Standing at the table, leaning arms extended over it, was the familiar fur-clad figure of Roan, King of Azgeda.

Clarke smiled as he looked up when they approached. "Roan," Clarke said, clasping his wrist in greeting. "It's good to see you. I'm glad you and your people made it in time."

While he clasped her wrist in return, he didn't smile. Instead his frown deepened and his narrow eyes moved from her and locked on to Lexa as she came to stand across the table and studied the map.

"Yes, we made it to Polis just in time to see it fall. And found it's Commander absent," he said in a gruff tone.

Lexa's eyes lifted to him, slow and dangerous.

"Your people will be anxious to hear from the great Commander how she intends to save them when she stays sheltered with the Skai people," he continued, his anger obvious.

Lexa didn't avert her gaze, nor did she address his words. Clarke frowned and opened her mouth to object, but Lexa spoke first as she shifted her gaze back to the map and addressed Indra. "The tents seem far too few. What happened?"

"Some did not heed the warning. Others chose to take their chances on their own," Indra said. "And the rest..."

"The rest are dead, or too close to it to travel," Roan growled. He leaned forward again, edging his face into Lexa's field of view across the table. "So I ask you again, Commander, what is your plan?"

Lexa continued to ignore his goading and moved a wooden marker to an undeveloped edge of the map far to the southwest. "We will move here," she said, indicating the area. "There are deep caverns. They will provide the shelter we need."

"Caves?" Indra asked, clearly disliking the idea.

"And then what?" Roan demanded. "We hide like frightened animals?"

Lexa slammed her fist on the table. "Then we live!" she shouted.

Roan leaned back and crossed his arms, silenced.

Clarke swallowed, unsettled to see Lexa loose control.

"This is not an enemy that can be beaten with armies and swords Roan. These caverns have clean water and air, shelter from the raging storms and will protect our people from sickness," she continued, forcing her voice to be calm. "Our time is running out. This," she pointed to the marker, "is our best hope for our people. This is how we survive."

Roan turned away and paced, his arms still folded.

Lexa pushed up from the table. "It is this or death."

Clarke watched as Lexa re-established command of her emotions, wondering how much it cost her each time she sacrificed that part of herself to be a leader. She knew the feeling well and knew that it had damaged her in ways she may never fully know.

"When do we leave, Heda?" Indra asked, lifting her chin, awaiting orders.

"Call together the clan leaders," Lexa said. Then her gaze moved from Indra to Clarke. She paused as if weighing her next words. Clarke held her gaze, feeling dread suddenly building in her gut. There was something hidden in Lexa's gaze. It had been a long time since Lexa had hidden anything from her. She frowned.

Lexa finally pulled her gaze from Clarke's and answered, "We leave within a weeks time." A clap of thunder shook the ground, as if to punctuate her words.

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