Running on Wrath
Lexa sealed Clarke from her mind, having seen her go into Arkadia with Abbey. The building was secure; one of her units had secured it as all of those from Arkadia had rushed out into the grounds to fight. Clarke was safe in Abbey's hands, or she would be as long as Lexa could win the bloody battle.
Any gun fire was quickly stifled by a rush of soldiers and a hundred arrows pouring in where the archers were crowded near the entrance and had climbed along the great fence. The guard were being slaughtered. Lexa rushed forward and slashed, left, right and left again low so that three of the guard were fallen into a heap. She continued to charge as Jaha's figure stooped low over a woman who lay in agony and he held a chip in his hand.
Lexa's blades ripped through his chest with such force that the weight of his body slumped against the swords and she had to kick him back to release her blades.
She glanced down for a second at his pathetic lifeless form. He had been weak when she had first met him. It had been Kane that had been strong, Kane that had come up with the solutions and Kane that was willing to sacrifice himself. All that Jaha had offered was tales of how special to Sky people were compared to everyone else. It had been why Lexa had released him before Kane; Jaha had little value. She did not understand his scheming but she knew that whatever it was it had been better to put an end to it. In war, he had chosen not to fight but was seeking out the weak for whatever purpose. If she regretted it later, she would deal with it but now she turned back to battle with a sense that somehow she had help to avoid a keen danger; the Flame was surely guiding her still.
The sun was blazing now. The mud was beginning to crisp into crumbling flakes that fell off like dust as Lexa ran from enemy to enemy. The guard stood no chance. Their guns slaughtered so many but at such close range they were powerless. They would rain bullets into one or two warriors but Lexa's army would rush forwards with defiance lacing their souls to bring down the tyranny that had been Pike's Skaikru.
Lexa met the shock stick as a guard twice the size in height and width struck out at her and she quickly spun, cutting his legs and as he fell forwards she drew her blade through his gut. She pulled it out with a look of supreme unconcern etched upon her features. She had been trained for this for many years.
Lexa began to slow as the guard fell all around. Grounders and Arkadians stepped back from the fight as the last of the guard were wounded or killed. The end of the battle was always the most difficult time, Lexa thought. The nerves and tension helped to give a focus but as the battle began to quiet down, and people realised the futility of their position there was always a lingering sadness and regret.
Lexa raised her arm and there was a loud billow of the horn. The healers who had been kept back rushed through the gate and Lexa indicated her head towards Arkadia. The injured would be taken care of while the dead would be put to rest.
Indra charged over, with mud peeling from her face but she did not have a scratch upon her.
'I followed your orders.' Indra said quickly, 'but now we need to organise.'
'All will be treated within Arkadia. Do a resource check, if food is needed send those who did not fight out to hunt. Indra, I want Titus by your side at all times.'
'Yes, Heda.' Indra said. 'But Arkadia has no leader.'
They have Clarke, Lexa thought to herself but Clarke was likely undergoing treatment and Lexa had to check her status.
'Kane will be the interim leader.' Lexa replied easily. 'He can lead while the wounded are cared for and then Arkadia can decide how to proceed.'
The change from battle to camp was instantaneous. Those of the guard who had been injured fighting for Pike were taken to a separate area of Arkadia to be treated, although Lexa would not allow it to be where her prisoners had been detained. Pike had spoken of them as though they were savages. Lexa knew her people were better than that and she would show that to Pike's people.
Tenets would soon be erected across the grounds and a great fire would be roaring. People scrambled to carry the dead carefully out of the way and to the side of the fence. There would be a great platform of wood erected to burn them all so they could be at peace.
Lexa strode inside the main entrance to the facility, her mud clogged boots heavy on the metal floor. People rushed backwards and forwards and Lexa followed down the corridor, with more purpose than she had carried when she had rushed from duel to duel.
She walked quickly through the corridors, and people of all kin stepped aside to allow her to pass as soon as they noted the war paint of the commander's outfit. Lexa saw Abbey close the door to medical behind her and brush her hair back, looking thoroughly weary. Abbey turned and caught Lexa's eye and her look was one of torment.
Lexa drew to a halt just short of Abbey and shot her a questioning look.
'It's Clarke.' Abbey answered. 'It's not good.'