The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 144

Lexa and I lead the Maunon who want to come with us over to a slightly more isolated place to scatter their people's ashes. We have a horse trailing behind all of us, pulling a wagon filled with the ashes.

Lexa and I stop and lean against a tree, allowing the Maunon to take some ashes and scatter them where they would like. The wind at the moment is perfect for this, blowing in just the right direction without too much force. It can move the ashes farther over the landscape, over where the Mountain becomes more steep and is much more dangerous to attempt to walk on.

We continue like this, but allow the Maunon to dictate where we go instead of leading them places. Lexa only gives suggestions to those who want them, and speaks up when she believes enough has been scattered in an area. The process is mainly silent on our part, though the Maunon sometimes mumble what sound like prayers or poems or even songs as they scatter the ashes.

It takes a couple of hours before the Maunon decide they are done. Since Lexa and I know the terrain and where we are better than the Maunon, Maya urges us to lead them back to the others.

When Lexa and I get back, there isn't much for us to do. The few Maunon we see there seem sadder but also lighter, so I assume they've been talking to the councilors. Mom comes out and directs everyone to where the councilors are   We can't do anything for them at the moment, so instead we head to our tent to relax before we have to discuss their future.

After Lexa checks my shoulder wound again, we sit on the bed, our backs resting on the headboard. I cuddle up to her. She wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me as close as she can. I rest my head against her chest and wrap my arm around her torso, hooking my leg over hers.

I yawn, still a bit tired after everything. Lexa chuckles softly and kisses the top of my head. I hum happily and hug her tighter for a moment, allowing my eyes to close. Her heart beats loudly in her chest, a soothing rhythm that lulls me into that gray area between being awake and asleep.

I snap to attention when someone's footsteps keeps getting louder, my eyes opening swiftly. I scoot up a bit, still cuddled up against her, and eye the entrance of the tent. Lexa's muscles twitch and tense, ready to move at a moment's notice. We both relax when it's Raven who pokes her head in.

She has her hand covering her eyes. "Is it safe for me to come in?"

"Yes Rae." I reply, amused.

She lowers her hand as she steps inside and blinks at us, her lips twitching up into a smile. "Aww, you look adorable. Now come on, get your sexy butts up. It's time to talk about... The future."

Raven makes dorky sound effects that sounds like she stole them either from the X-Files or some other nerdy sci-fi movie/show.

I shake my head fondly, grinning, and get up. Lexa takes my hand in hers and we head outside, followed by Raven.

The Maunon are all gathered, with Maya at the front, who gives us a determined but nervous smile.

"I've been elected to be the main representative." She explains.

Lexa nods. "Very well. Where would you all like to stay?"

"Most of us want to stay in the Mountain. It's been our people's home for over a century." Maya says. "Some want to stay with the Skaikru, they don't want to relive everything."

I know Lexa and I can empathize with that. "Skaikru will welcome everyone who wants to join them with open arms," I say. "And will keep open communication and possibly establish trade between them and the Mountain. We can discuss that in another meeting."

Maya nods. "Alright. What's next?"

"Would you like to become a clan in my Coalition?" Lexa asks.

"What would that entail?" Maya questions.

"Becoming a clan would help establish easy trade routes between clans. You would be under my protection. My army would protect you from invaders, and no clan would be allowed to take you over or attack you unless they would like to go to war with the entire Coalition. Your people will never go through a food shortage, you will be provided for. If you agree, there is an official ceremony to go through. You will swear your people's loyalty to me and every Heda after me. Your leader will bear the mark of the Coalition."

"How so?" Maya prompts.

"A long metal stick will have the mark on the end of it. It will be heated in a fire and then pressed to the leader's skin." Lexa answers. "The Skaikru leader will be doing the same as well, should you agree to become a clan."

Maya purses her lips, thinking. She glances back at the people behind her. "I'll discuss this with everyone. Would you mind giving us a moment to talk?"

"Of course. Call us back when you are ready to inform us of your decision." Lexa says.

We walk a ways away, far enough to be out of earshot of them so we can't hear what they discuss.

"Do you think they'll become a clan?" I ask as we wait.

Lexa nods. "Yes. Their numbers are small, they cannot fend for themselves. Even with their fayogons (guns). They do not know how to survive outside of their Mountain. They need us. Whether they like it or not."

Maya gestures for us to come back over and we comply. When we get close enough to hear her without her raising her voice, she speaks. "We want to become a clan."

"A wise choice." Lexa says. "I do have one question regarding this. What will your clan be called? I do not know if you would like to still be called the Maunon. It does have a rather negative connotation among our people."

"What's the word for mountain in... Whatever your language is called?" Maya asks.

"Our language is Trigedasleng. The word for mountain is maun. In our language, you could be called Maunkru or Maungedakru."

"What does it translate to?"

"For Maungedakru, geda means gathering, and kru means a group of peope, but in this context it would mean clan. The other option is Maunkru, which translates to Mountain Clan." Lexa explains.

Maya looks back at her people again, who murmur what they like and she nods. "I think we like Maunkru."

A lot has happened, plus this is like ten percent longer than usual! Next chapter, more discussion of the future! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!