Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 7

Clarke's POV

Lexa leads us through the grid-like streets of Pheoni. She walks confidently and I have no doubt that she knows exactly where she's going. Raven and Octavia trail a few paces behind us, playfully bickering about something.

In time, the noise of the bustle of the city is joined by the sound of the clanging of metal hitting metal. Lexa relaxes her shoulders, seeming to notice the sound as well. It seems warmer here, with the heat increasing almost infinitesimally as the noises steadily get louder.

Lexa's comfortable here, though I definitely notice the worry in her posture. I can also see the haze of fond memories in her eyes. I squeeze her hand, a subtle reminder that I'm here with her. Lexa gives me a soft smile and pauses in front of a roadway that's so small I could spread my hands out and hit both walls. We decide to stand just inside the alley, out of sight of most people walking past. And I note that despite the pathway's cramped size, the ground is more worn, indicating it gets a lot of foot traffic.

"Come, he is just back here." Lexa says when Raven and Octavia catch up to us.

"Why does he live down a really tiny road?" Raven asks, leaning over to squint at the alleyway as if she's trying to see what's ahead of us.

"He prefers seclusion, especially after Costia died. He always said that being alone helped him focus better." Lexa explains.

"Well, if he likes silence then he might not want to take me as an apprentice." Raven says, sounding almost nervous. Octavia kisses her cheek lovingly to try to calm down her girlfriend.

Lexa chuckles. "Yes, but he actually hates silence. He loves the sound of the forge and the sound his mallet creates when he makes his 'masterpieces.' He is a bit odd, but he does such amazing work that no one minds."

"I like him already." Raven declares, hope in her eyes.

"One thing that he cannot stand is people he sees as weak." Lexa continues. I can't tell if she notices how Raven looks down at her brace when she hears Lexa's words with a frown. "That has made it difficult for him to find a suitable apprentice. Weakness for him is not love or a weakness of the body, but a weakness of the mind. He does not like people who agree blindly with everything he says."

"Then he'll have no problem with Raven." Octavia says, smiling but her face falls when she sees the storm in Raven's expression.

"Will he mind that I have a leg brace? Will he see that as weakness?" Raven asks in a small voice.

"No, of course not." Lexa says reassuringly.

We all crowd closer to Raven, hesitant to reach out to touch her in case she isn't receptive to it. The relief on her face is apparent at our closeness and Octavia drapes an arm over her girlfriend's shoulder while Lexa and I settle for just being near her, offering silent comfort and unwavering support.

Raven is slightly less tense but the worry, the fear, the emotions I don't have words for... They're still there. And I hate how she carries this around, knowing that for every time she voices her concerns, there's another ten times she keeps to herself. I think Raven's getting better at opening up about her emotions and dealing with them, especially since Octavia and her started dating.

"He won't think of your brace as weakness." Lexa murmurs to Raven, keeping her voice soft so she doesn't startle her. "He will see it for it is: something that made you stronger, something that made you the incredible person you are today."

Raven nods and we stay like this for a moment longer until she gives us a nervous smile. "Let's do this."

Octavia gives Raven a swift kiss before waving us onward, gesturing for Lexa and I to go first.

"Are you ready to see him again?" I ask quietly as we walk down the alleyway.

It's still cramped, largely because we're walking side by side. As much as I enjoy walking behind Lexa (mainly watching her confident stride and her... *cough* Anyway), I don't want to sacrifice an inch of space when I know she may have to relive some painful and sad memories soon.

Lexa squeezes my hand and the alleyway comes to a turn. She pauses right before it and takes a deep breath before smiling softly and taking the turn. I follow Lexa's lead and nearly gasp in awe when I see that the pathway spreads out here. It comes up to a smithing shop, sandwiched between the three large walls of other houses.

The sound of clanging is louder here and almost rhythmic. Lexa walks right up the front steps and through the open door, which makes me nervous for a moment. He's not expecting us. What is he thinks we're intruders? But then I remember that this is Lexa, and she knows this man better than I do. Plus, he probably has his door open for a reason.

We make our way through the tiny living space crammed with notes and metal things and out the other open door. There, it opens out into a space that almost seems like a patio.  There's a bit of space where we are, and it opens up more to our left, where the sound of metal hitting metal is coming from. 

Lexa looks back to make sure Raven and Octavia are following us before leading me toward the left side of the patio. It's larger than it seemed from looking at it earlier, filled with everything needed to smith.

The man doesn't even look up when we come into view, just mutters. "Hod op won tika, beja (wait one moment, please)."

Lexa stands where she is, patiently waiting and smiling fondly at the man as if she expected this response. She holds up a hand to quiet Raven and Octavia before they can speak.

The man, Jaree is what Lexa said his name is, doesn't look up from his work, just continues hitting a piece of metal with his mallet.

After another couple of minutes of working, he places the metal in a tray of water he has on the ground. The red hot metal hisses as it cooks and he straightens his posture before turning around.

"Non bilaik don- (no one has made-)" He cuts himself and blinks in surprise at the sight of Lexa. "Heda."

Aah, I'm sorry Raven I made you sad and anxious, the poor thing. Luckily she has her girlfriend and her best friends to help her with her self-consciousness and stuff!! Also, this is a slightly longer chapter, so I hope you enjoy! Thank you for read and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!