Talks didn't resume until around dinner time, at which time Lexa ordered that a boar be put over the fire so that they could all sit around the fire to talk. Of course half the time Clarke looked up from her boar and berries to find Bellamy looking at her, as if studying her in some way. Midway through the dinner they were approached by Nyko and he said nothing as he held out a small vial to Clarke.
"I have enough for the next week."
He nodded, "a midwife in the next village requires assistance, I do not know how long I will be gone."
Clarke took the vial and nodded to him, not thanking him as she found that it wasn't common place among the Grounders. He left as quickly as he came, disappearing from sight with Clarke holding the vial of the dreamless herb in her hand. She placed it in the small pouch that sat around her waist, allowing it to rest next to her gun.
"What is that?" Abby inquired and nodded to the pouch. "Medication?"
"More like a sleep aid, it lets me sleep without dreaming." Clarke shrugged, "last night was the first night I took it and I didn't wake up screaming, actually sleeping till morning."
Abby looked over at Lexa, "can your healers teach us how to create it?"
"Of course, I shall have Daya visit with you tomorrow so you can learn the method. There is not time to show the method but it can be taught by voice just as equally as by hands." Lexa looked at the fire before looking at Kane and Abby. "Today's meetings only served to remind me that our ways are different yet we fight for the same reason. I will tell you of the Graunkru's weaknesses and perhaps together we can construct a battle plan that will allow us to work together to win this war."
Kane threw a piece of grass into the fire. "Why the change of heart?"
"My heart has no matter in war, only my head. However I was reminded that taking charge in previous battles only served to harm our people more than aid them."
"Okay." Bellamy nodded and looked at her, "what are their weaknesses?"
Lexa looked at Clarke and the sky leader bent slightly as she rested her arm on her knee. "The most dangerous person you have to wary of is Ella, their leader. She'll agree to peace and even act as if she's giving it but then she'll attempt to use a weakness in the bonds of those around you to create internal battles."
"She became their commander at the age of ten, the youngest ever to lead an army." Lexa met their eyes. "Commanders are found when they are young, between the ages of five and eight but they never lead until they learn to control their emotions for the betterment of their people. This occurs once they have become adults, shedding their childhood bodies..."
Clarke saw their confusion, "puberty, around twelve and thirteen."
They nodded and Lexa continued on. "However, the Desert clan became desperate for meat during one of their summers. They had no resources so they raided a village in the Plains territory, one of the men maddened from the heat slew a family's blood. Days later information spread of a chosen going into the desert alone and many thought it was a quest to discover her purpose but within weeks all knew what had happened."
Bellamy nodded, "she killed the man who murdered the family."
"No," Lexa looked up to meet his eyes. "A child merely nine winters old, chosen to lead her people returned covered in blood. A sword was in her hand and when scouts visited the village, they found all those who lived there lying in their beds, their spirits gone from them. The Desert clan's Heda issues a decree that no longer would the Desert clan enter Plains territory. It was considered a victory and since that day she has led her people, regretting nothing of her actions."
