The Gamble
Clarke jerked as her head lolled against her shoulder and she felt hands grip her waist. She blinked rapidly until the trees swam into view.
'We can get off soon.' Octavia said, from behind her.
They carried on with the horse for another few minutes, Murphy trailing slightly behind them on a horse of his own before they drew to a halt and clambered off them, although Clarke needed Octavia's help to keep steady. Clarke groaned and grabbed her shoulder as soon as she landed and Octavia and Murphy shot looks of concern.
'Why don't we just ride in with the horses?' Octavia asked, staring at Clarke nervously.
Clarke ignored Octavia's look of concern. She was supposed to look awful and judging by how pale Octavia was every time she even glanced in her direction she was sure she was well on her way to achieving that goal. She fought shivers and wrapped her arm uselessly around herself.
It was nearly sunset but Clarke suspected her reaction was more to do with blood loss. It may have been part of the plan but it was of little comfort to her. They'd made rapid time on the horses and Murphy had struggled to keep up with the relentless pace Octavia had kept. They'd made it in half the time the transportation would have taken had Titus not shot her, and although it should have been a surprise that pleased Clarke, her dread was growing by the minute. Soon they would emerge from the trees and she would be confronted once more with her people and Pike. The new chancellor had proved to be anything but easy to predict.
'The story is going to be wild enough without saying you somehow saved us both by pure chance and then you had time to carry us both to the horses so we could ride out of there.' Clarke sighed; she longed to sit down and shut her eyes just for a moment.
'So we just walk fast?' Octavia questioned.
'We'll say I was shot yesterday.'
Octavia stared at her, looking incredulous.
'Makes sense.' Murphy agreed. 'Only Clarke's mom or Jackson will know by the wound and it's not like anyone in Arkadia is on speaking terms with any of the grounders.'
'Some grounders are still in there.' Octavia retorted coldly, looking across the forest to where Clarke knew Arkadia was lying in wait for them.
'And they don't know what happened in Polis either.' Murphy reminded her.
Octavia gave him a cold look but Murphy seemed entirely unconcerned. Clarke was surprised he had even come this far. Octavia turned to stare once more at the trees that shielded Arkadia from view.
'He'll be okay.' Clarke said as hopefully as she could when Octavia remained silent.
'He might already be dead.' Octavia replied harshly.
Clarke watched the back of Octavia's head and she was sure that the younger woman was fighting back tears.
'He might.' Clarke conceded after a moment. 'Or he might still be there waiting for you. This is our chance to save him.'
'If the plan works.' Octavia muttered.
'It will.' Clarke replied earnestly.
'We're gambling everything on a bluff?' Murphy asked, sceptical.
Octavia turned to look at Murphy and Clarke shook her head briefly at the doubt on both of their faces. She bit back an annoyed retort. They had so few options. They never really ever had options- or at least good ones. The choice was always between risking one life or risking another and it was a choice that everyone always looked to her to make. She had to stop their doubts now or they'd have nothing.
'Do you think they'll believe that Lexa's people just let us walk out of there?' Clarke asked desperately.
'And Lexa.' Octavia reminded her pointedly but Clarke brushed it off.
'I've been living with them, learning their secrets. If it was to be my assassination then it won't make sense if I escape and they do nothing.' Clarke argued.
'So we use Lexa's army to create the illusion of a looming war and put pressure on Arkadia.' Murphy muttered.
'The more panic in Arkadia, the less they can plan.' Clarke reasoned.
She hoped she was right; whenever they had been faced in difficult situations they'd simply acted rashly and killed everyone. Murphy was right: they were gambling everything.
'And you trust Lexa?' Octavia asked, sneering.
'Yes.' Clarke retorted, unwavering.
'And what if Pike doesn't surrender? What if you die? Do you think Lexa won't call on her army to kill our people?' Octavia challenged.
'She won't.' Clarke denied, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
She made to walk by Octavia, she wanted to get moving, but Octavia grabbed her good arm and Clarke halted.
'We are not her people.' Octavia said quietly.
'I am.' Clarke replied, looking at Octavia. 'She is our commander and I trust her.'
'This could get us all killed, Clarke.'
'It won't,' Clarke said, tugging her arm out of Octavia's grasp, 'and it's the only chance of saving Lincoln.'
Octavia stared at her with doubt for a long moment before she relaxed ever so slightly and dipped her head in what Clarke assumed was a reluctant nod.
'As long as it doesn't get me killed.' Murphy shrugged, walking between them both and leading the way to Arkadia.
They followed him silently. The light began to grow stronger as the trees thinned and Arkadia came into view. Octavia didn't ask before she slipped an arm under Clarke's knee and began to carry her. Clarke's body ached in relief at being off her feet and she shut her eyes for a moment, longing for a bed. Murphy began to slow and his movements became far more exaggerated as he dragged his feet along the forest floor.
Their footfalls sounded crisp against the twigs and leaves of the forest floor. Clarke's mind flashed to a time when they knew nothing of Polis or politics nor had the walls of Arkadia to hide behind. The first day had been so full of hope and trepidation that they could explore and build a life on the ground and all they had achieved was war after war. They had to avoid it this time. Pike's guns threatened them all. A few men had easily slaughtered the warriors from Trikru and Clarke didn't dare think of what that might mean should open warfare be declared.
Octavia stepped out of the forest with Clarke and Murphy followed a few paces behind. Screams and shouts pierced the air and there was a loud bang that startled Clarke back into painful focus as a bullet splattered the ground, mere inches from Octavia's feet. Octavia sunk slowly to her knees but she still held Clarke just as steady. Murphy lowered himself too with his arms raised to signal peace.
'It is Octavia kom Skaikru!' Octavia shouted. 'I have Wanheda and John Murphy! And we need your help!'