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

Chapter 43

Clarke's POV

In the bigger shed-like building, the walls are lined with paintings of the previous Commanders, with plaques and inscriptions beneath them detailing their successes and failures, how they did as Heda. I recognize them, from when Lexa takes the time to describe the previous Hedas to me. She was spot on for all of them. I know because Lexa challenged me to paint them based on her descriptions, and my sketches look almost exactly like this.

On the back wall is a painting of Lexa, looking stern in her full armor and kohl (warpaint). Her plaque is half full already. I read the plaques for the other Hedas, noting that few have large accomplishments, and even fewer had been Heda as long as or longer than Lexa. I guess she's just an amazing anomaly, a superb Heda.

I take my time and look at Lexa's plaque last. It mentions how she united the clans, and how she put aside her want for vengeance for Costia in order to make lasting peace. How the Coalition has thrived under her rule, and even how she released her people at the cost of possibly ruining her relationship with me. Yeah, it actually mentions me. My name is literally engraved on a plaque. This is awesome! And then it goes on to say how she came back with volunteers to help me get my people out of the Mountain, then made my clan the thirteenth clan. And it mentions that I'm her partner, which is really cool.

"We may have to edit that soon." Athena says, making me jump. "Since you are soon to be her houmon."

I clear my throat and nod, pretending like I didn't nearly punch her in the throat when she surprised me. Lexa chuckles softly beside me, evidently having noticed that. I nudge her with my elbow and she takes that as an opportunity to reach out and hold my hand. I pretend I'm not swooning inside.

We finish up in there, with Lexa and Athena occasionally giving us more in-depth stories about the Commanders and their accomplishments. I can tell how Lexa feels about each Heda based on her voice and expression. Some she has grudging respect for, like she didn't like them as a person but respects what they accomplished. Some she's more than happy to talk more about. But there are a few that Lexa has only disdain for, and will tell stories of them, but they're never good stories. Well, she's a great storyteller, but what the Heda did in the story makes me understand why she didn't like them.

One of the Hedas had a complete hatred for everyone but himself and practically attacked everyone who looked at him the wrong way. According to Lexa, that included children, innocents, and elders. What a great person, right? I'm not surprised when Lexa tells me he had one of the shortest reigns as Heda ever. He got killed before he hit the third week. Luckily, there was an apparently unknown Natblida found in a clan and they were competent enough to be Heda for the next couple of years.

***

We say goodbye to our new friends in Delfikru and head off. It was a nice time, and I loved hearing about the history. Especially about the Hedas, I like hearing about that. It's best coming from Lexa, because she's so adorably passionate about it.

The ride is relatively quiet, with Raven and Octavia bursting into song only three times on the first day. So it's really unexpected when Raven addresses Lexa and me.

"You know what we haven't seen in a while? Action."

"Babe, I know for a fact you've been getting some action every night." Octavia says, amused.

"That's not the kind of action I meant, I'm thoroughly satisfied in that area." Raven replies, and I make fake gagging motions to Lexa, who chuckles.

"What kind of action do you mean, then?" Octavia asks. "Like fisticuffs?"

"Yeah, babe. Fisticuffs. Who the hell says that anymore? Are you secretly from like the 1940s?" Raven teases her.

"No I'm secretly in love with Wonder Woman." Octavia sighs dramatically.

"Babe, that's not a secret. That was a great movie. I need to find out a way to make something so we can play movies." Raven muses, then shakes herself. She points at Octavia. "Stop distracting me, O."

"Never, Rae." Octavia shoots back.

"Raven, can you just continue with what you were saying?" Lexa asks, semi-exasperated by our friends' antics.

"Of course. No one uses the word fisticuffs anymore." She earns a look from Lexa and Raven bursts out laughing. "I know what you meant, Heda. I'm just pulling your leg."

"We are both on horses and you are not touching me. How are you pulling my leg?" Lexa asks.

This must be one of the  few Skaikru sayings that she still doesn't know. I place a hand on her arm. "I'll tell you later, honey."

Lexa blushes at the pet name and nods. "Very well. Raven?"

"Right! So! We need a good fight! All this history and stuff is interesting for a while, but I want to see blood!"

"I can make that happen." Lexa deadpans, looking at Raven over her shoulder.

I snicker when Raven pales. "Not me! I mean like O, or you and Clarke!"

I raise an eyebrow at that and make eye contact with Lexa. We have a silent conversation and nod to each other.

"We'll fight each other." I say.

"Who? You and Lexa? But you're such a good couple!" I give her a look. "I totally knew what you meant."

"When?" Octavia asks.

"At the next clan. What clan is next, Lexa?" I ask her.

"Ouskejon, or Ouskejon Kru. They are known as the Blue Cliff Clan in Gonasleng. It is a beautiful place." Lexa answers.

"Are there actually cliffs? Are the cliffs really blue?" Raven asks curiously.

"No, it was named ironically because it is a plain like Ingranrona (Plains Riders)." Lexa says. After a beat where the three of us are all stupefied, she speaks again. "Why else would they make it Blue Cliffs Clan? Of course there are cliffs that are blue."

Octavia laughs and teases Raven about falling for that, as though she didn't.

Next chapter, Ouskejon! And then the fight if we get to it! And we're nearing the end of the travels, only four left after this! Including Trikru and Skaikru! Plus, someone requested more of Octaven teasing Clexa, so I'll do my best to add that in too ;) Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!