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

Chapter 26

Clarke's POV

The entire ride over to the Plains Riders (Lexa insists that they're just called that, no clan at the end. Which apparently isn't uncommon, we just haven't gone to any clans like that yet) is filled with Octavia and Raven teasing each other or excitedly planning for what they're going to do on the horses. The first thing they agree on doing, of course, is racing. Which Lexa reminds them is dangerous and that they'll need to be careful unless they want their horse to accidentally twist it's ankle or something.

It's not a long ride by our standards, apparently where we have been staying is pretty close to where we're going. By pretty close, I mean it's a two day ride. But the ride is pretty and I get to spend time with my fiancée (!!!). What really makes it good is how startled and alarmed Raven looks when a giant leaf plops down on her head.

But soon enough, we're in... Whatever it's called in Trigedasleng. Lexa still hasn't told us. I think she likes us fumbling over ourselves trying to think of the name. She does tell us when we get close, though. So far, we know that it starts with an 'I' but that's it.

"Ice cream horse." Raven suggests, which makes Octavia snort.

"Babe, they probably have never had ice cream before."

"It's such a tragedy." Raven sounds truly saddened by that fact. "We'll have to make it sometime, O. Teach them the wonders. Become ice cream sellers. We'll be rich."

Lexa finally budges when we're only an hour or so away and I ask. "Lex, will you tell us what it's called? Please?"

I give her my best puppy dog eyes and Lexa gives in almost immediately. "Fine, hodnes (love). They are called Ingranrona."

I mouth the word and sound it out verbally, and Lexa along with my experience with Trigedasleng helps me learn it quickly.

"I have heard of that, I just forgot." I admit.

"I am not surprised. It is difficult to remember, especially if Trigedasleng is not your first language."

***

Our horses all seem to pick up their paces, like they know where they're going.

"What's up with them? Do they know this place?" Octavia asks.

"Yes, this is the main town where horses are raised and trained." Lexa explains. "There is another one where they are bred an another where they are sold, but this is where they are born, raised, and trained. So your horses, they do recognize this place. This was their home for their first couple years of life."

"Where's the town?" I question.

"Just ahead. It is built in a low point on the plains in order for there to be less wind."

Sure enough, as we approach I can see the village below. It's in a dip, a crevice that doesn't look completely natural.

"What happened there?" Raven asks.

"There are conflicting stories from the elders. Some say a rock fell from the sky and flattened the earth, wiping out all that lived nearby. Some say it was a Maunon weapon, one of their bombs, that blew a hole in the earth."

We ride the rest of the way in silence, looking at the village and the surrounding plains. The gentle, rolling hills covered in green seem almost endless. They're dotted with little shapes that from this distance, looks like horses. Maybe. They kind of look like blobs with four long legs. The village is full of houses built with a mixture of stone and wood. And though the sun shines above, there are still soft, puffy clouds that slowly move across the sky.

We dismount our horses when we get close and once again, there's someone waiting at the entrance to the village. A woman with tanned skin, both naturally and by the sun, stands tall with her hands clasped behind her back, her long black hair falling over her shoulders and moving gently in the wind. I vaguely recognize her. Is she a clan leader?

Lexa's face lights up and she embraces the woman instead of a formal arm grasping. They both pull back with grins on their faces.

"It is good to see you again, Bri. I did not expect to see you here. How have you been?" Lexa asks.

"Like I would not come out here to see the Commander. As leader of Ingranrona (Plains Riders), it is my duty." Bri says stoically.

"We both know that you have just missed me." Lexa says teasingly.

"Or maybe I am here to meet your future houmon (partner/wife), little one."

"You would have come anyway." Lexa smiles at her and Bri doesn't deny it. "Bri, this is Clarke, my fiancée. Clarke, this is Bri, leader of Ingranrona and the one that taught me how to ride a horse."

"That I did. I taught all the Natblidas personally one-on-one, per Titus' request. Gods, I despise that man.  Have you disposed of him yet?" Bri asks.

"Not yet, he has not trained a successor yet." Lexa answers.

"Because he knows as soon as he does, someone will happily kick him off the Heda's Tower." Bri huffs, then returns her attention to me. "But yes, I did teach Lexa how to ride. I have many stories." Her eyes twinkle with mischief.

"I would love to hear them."

"Bri-" Lexa begins, but is cut off by her.

"Good! Then it is settled. We will eat dinner tonight at the place you are all staying in. And I will tell you stories about younger Lexa."

"And we can tell you stories about current Lexa." Raven says, drawing Bri's attention to her.

Bri's smile grows. "I am liking your friends, Heda. Now, let me show you where you will be staying." She leads us to a smaller stone cottage-like house. "There are five bedrooms, which have three single beds and two doubles."

We thank her and she leaves us to get settled in, sending one last wink Lexa's way and promising to be back for dinner tonight.

Alright, I wrote in my notes on my phone which clans are called which in Trigedasleng, so no more of me not knowing if I'm without wifi and my other notes! Next chapter, the dinner ;) I love hearing about little Lexa! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!