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

Chapter 60

Lexa's POV

Yujleda is just as beautiful as I remember, if not more. Though perhaps that is just because I am with Clarke, she always makes things better. It is higher up than the Skai girls have been used to being, except for when they were in the sky. Or rather, space, as they call it. I suppose we have been higher, in Heda's Tower.

Regardless, it is amazing to see the forest floor from up here. Everything seems so small. I look around, taking it all in just a the others do. The houses are relatively small compared to most houses that are built on the ground. They are big enough to live comfortably but are not excessively large like some homes I have seen. They are all made of the same wood as the trees they are built in, which I find cool anyways, but it is a good way for it to blend in.

Some houses are painted to stay hidden even better, which I know Clarke loves. They are painted in seemingly random ways, but the artists that do this are experts. They are painted so that from the ground, unless you are really looking, you will not be able to see them. It is no longer necessary like it was before the Coalition when invading troops would walk through this jungle, low on supplies and necessities and looking for a village to pillage and burn down.

Now, of course, there are laws prohibiting armies from pillaging and burning villages or killing innocents. But when there was not, painting the houses this way was not just a style, it was needed. Every single house needed to be painted this way as soon as possible, because if one house could be seen, it could give up the position of a hundred others.

That is why the lookout was such an important position. Even if the enemy tried, you cannot hide smoke. The lookout would see the smoke, determine how close it was and whether or not they should stop the loud activities of the village for the day or for a couple of days. Like building, or loud markets. Since lookouts often aired on the side of caution, most villages became very good at sign language and having silent markets. That way, people could still get what they needed without comprising the safety of the village.

I explain this to the others.

"Wait, where even are the markets? Are they in the trees too?" Octavia asks.

"Yes, they are. It is safer up here, both from enemies and from the animals." I say.

Raven sighs. "I forgot there's stuff here that could kill us. Gods, that sucks."

"There are things that can kill you anywhere." Clarke says.

"Nope. Nuh-uh. Not thinking about that. Nope." Raven shakes her head.

I clear my throat, deciding to change the subject. "Do you see that right over there? That is a ladder for the lookouts."

The ladder is built into a tree, with it partially hollowed out and having some portions still wrapping around the back so that there is less danger of falling while climbing.

"That's another hard pass, especially with my leg. I'm fine here on the... I was about to say ground but I'm not even on the ground." Raven mutters. "I'm fine here."

"That is okay, not even everyone who lives in Yujleda is okay with climbing up that high. And Clarke, I know you have said yes but I want you to know you can say you do not want to anytime." I say earnestly.

"I'm still okay with going up, and I promise I'll let you know as soon as I'm not. Alright?"

I nod. "Okay. Mochof (thank you). Now let us head to the main building where we will meet the leader."

They nod and follow me. It is not far, as I purposefully took us the way that will get is close to it. I know we are all tired of carrying everything now, so I decide to attempt to make this quick. I am certain she will understand, if she does not already know. She is very perceptive.

The main building is the largest public one in the village, almost twice the size of the average house here. That is because it has the clan leader as well as many advisors and other people who help keep the clan and the village working well.

I hold open the door for the others and grin as they let out gasps. The Skai girls, at least. I would imagine the guards are more stoically impressed.

I walk in. Almost the entire building is open, with some short walls between workers that want them up, but mainly there are just a lot of people working. Even the walls themselves are open, with pillars to hold up the ceiling every so often and the windows open and covered in screens to keep the insects and bats out. There are shutters for when the winds blow hard or when the rain is too heavy to keep them open.

"Heda!" A voice cries and everyone stops, looking up at us.

I set down what I am carrying and catch a little girl in my arms as she runs at me. I lift her up and set her against my hip easily, greeting her softly.

"Mona, you should not run from your mother." I scold gently.

Mona pouts up at me, not seeming to notice the shocked looks of my friends. "But I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Mona!" The clan leader, Tiope, rushes up and gives me an apologetic smile. "I apologize, I swear I just took my eyes off of her for a second."

"You know it is fine, Tiope." I say, handing Mona back to her when she makes a grabbing motion towards her mother. "It is good to see you both again."

Tiope smiles. "As you have seen from Mona, we are happy to see you as well."

Next chapter, more of Yujleda! And I don't know if you guys noticed, but @PakstokaGona made a cover for this book! It looks great! Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!