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

Chapter 40

Lexa's POV

I smile when I hear the others gasp in amazement when the Delfikru city we are going to be staying in comes into view after we go through a valley between two mountains. This is not the largest city, but it does house the clan leader, who should be meeting us at the entrance.

It is a walled city, not unlike Polis. Though their walls are more to keep creatures out than invaders. Though Polis' walls are made of dark, more uneven stones and this city's is made up of beautiful white bricks that glisten in the sun.

The city's buildings are mainly made up of that same white brick, which some scholar discovered when they were reading an ancient tome. Delfikru is known for it's brilliant scholars. Perhaps we could meet with one, I know the others might like that.

The city itself has an open plan, with most of the buildings that are not where people live are held up by pillars, but have few walls. It is beautiful. I believe it is because this clan has a rather mild winter, getting rain instead of snow. They are kind of like public meeting grounds, and markets for people to sell their goods without fear of the sun or the rain ruining them.

"This place looks like someone really likes Ancient Greek stuff." Octavia breathes out. "Dude, it's like a painting or recreation of what a town was supposed to look like. Except, you know, bigger."

We ride on the road, the dirt path slowly narrowing as we get closer to the city. Clarke and I pass Ryder so we are in front, with Clarke's horse beside mine but mine is ahead a little. There is a woman standing at the entrance to the city's walls in a light gray robe. That must be... I had wondered if she was still the leader. She sent a man in her place to the last few Polis meetings and I had not had enough time to ask him.

I stop my horse a good couple of yards in front of her and smoothly dismount. I walk forward, hearing the sound of Clarke, then our friends , then the guards, dismounting their horses. I can tell because of the different noises their feet or rather, shoes, make when they hit the ground.

"It is good to see you again." I say, allowing some warmth to leak into my voice. "It has been a while."

"Yes, I have had other matters to attend to and have not been able to make it to Polis for those dreadfully boring meetings." She says.

I grin. "So you sent Plutarch instead? He hates politics more than even you do."

She shrugs, a smirk playing at her lips. "I am the leader, he has to do what I say."

"You have not changed, Pythia." I chuckle.

"Is that a bad thing?" She asks, raising one eyebrow with a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Not at all." I shake my head and hold out my hand.

Pythia grasps my forearm and I grasp hers. She smiles and lets go. "I will, however, be able to get away to see you get married." A faint blush colors my cheeks. Gods, I am getting married. "Oh, and this must be her."

Clarke gives me a look, and I know she can tell I am blushing. "I am Clarke kom Skaikru."

"You are just as beautiful as people say." Pythia says, winking. "I am Pythia, leader of Delfikru."

"It is nice to meet you." Clarke says politely.

Clarke looks surprised when she sees Pythia's outstretched hand, and grasps her forearm respectfully.

"I know you must be exhausted from your long journey. I will take you to where you will be staying. I have some guards nearby who will take your horses to the stables. Take what you need from the wagon, you can always go back to the stables."

We comply and follow her along the stone path, in which square and rectangular stones have been placed down to create a smooth road. It is a lot wider than the dirt road near the gate into the city.

The streets are busy with people walking up and down them, with woven bags to hold the items they bought at a market and merchants urging their horses forward to restock their merchandise. We are headed more towards the residential areas, the markets and places of work more behind us.

It is humerous, because occasionally people will recognize me, or Clarke, or both of us and do a double take. I know Pythia would tell her people that we are coming. Whether or not they believed her is a different story. Or perhaps they are surprised that their Commander will have a houmon (spouse) soon. Pythia leads us into a house that is relatively large in size but not as large as some of the more extravagant places. It is perfect, and full of art. I know from the second we enter that she will love it.

"There are five bedrooms, three of which are singles, as requested. The kitchen is fully stocked and ready to be used. I have scheduled a tour of the nearest temple with one of our scholars. They should be able to answer any questions you may have. They have studied the temples for a few decades. I have their name and where and when you should meet them written down on a piece of paper left in the master bedroom."

"Mochof (thank you), Pythia." I say.

"Pro (you're welcome). I will take my leave. Please let me or a guard know of you need anything." Pythia nods to us and hands me a few copies of the keys to this place, and then leaves.

I hand out a few copies, two to the guards, one to Octavia and I keep the last one.

"Why don't I get one?" Raven questions.

"You're always with Octavia, and she has a key."

Weird way to end it, but I can't think of anything I could add that would end this chapter well without adding like another hundred words. Anyway! Next chapter, they go to the temple! And I actually am basing a lot of this off of the Ancient Greek city called Delphi, so if you're curious about how it kinda looks like, there are a lot of cool pictures! And since I'm a nerd, I read up a little bit on Delphi and it's oracles, and named the two new characters after people in Delphi. Plutarch was actually a priest, and Phythia was a highly respected oracle that inhaled some kind of fumes then said gibberish, then her assistant oracles would translate it into common Greek. Cool, right? I love Greek stuff. Can you tell? Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!