Day Three and Beyond
The next morning, Octavia shook Clarke awake urgently.
“What?” Clarke protested sleepily.
“Clarke someones here to see you, don’t worry he brought breakfast as an apology.” Octavia told her. Clarke sat up and stretched before nodding. To her susprise, Octavia disappeared for a few seconds, reappearing with Raven, Jynx, and Kane in tow. As promised, Kane brought with him a tray laden with breakfast.
“Let me check your hands and then you can eat.” Jynx spoke softly as she passed Clarke to grab the kit from the tent. Clarke nodded and the others sat in front of her.
“Kane?” Clarke asked confused.
“You were right Clarke. I need to work harder at controlling Abby and Thelonius. I’m sorry things happened like this… I wanted to let you leave, to let all of you go but those two were too set in their ways. You and the commander are right Clarke. We aren’t in the sky anymore but Abby and Jaha don’t recognize that.” Kane apologized. Clarke nodded, holding her hands out for Jynx as the warrior returned.
“Today we’re holding and election for the chancellor pin and I’ve come to beg you to get your forty seven, your gonakru kom waplei to cast their votes with me. When I win you all can leave, I know the commander will be back and it will be less than pleasant for us if you are further detained. I want peace and if that means losing all of you because you want to leave then so be it. But know that when I’m chancellor, those gates will be open for any who want to visit or return, you all will be free to come and go as you please here. I want peace Clarke. Please consider my words.” Kane continued.
“We’ll call a meeting and consider it. Thank you Kane. But know that if you don’t keep you word or if you have only used us that I personally will lay waste to everything you love.” Clarke replied with a nod.
“That would be justified. I will leave you to ponder it then. Thank you for listening to me.” Kane rose to his feet and left the room.
“He speaks true. I heard him arguing with Abby the day Lexa left.” Octavia admitted once he was gone.
“He does want peace. If he really is willing to let us leave than he is better than Jaha and my mother already. Call up everyone who’s left and tell them what’s going on. Leave it up to them to decide.” Clarke decided, thanking Jynx once the warrior pulled the gloves back over her palms. They ate the breakfast Kane had brought for them and joined the rest of the Arc around a stage that had been built. Three boxes, each with a different name were set in front of the stage and Abby, Kane, and Jaha all stood on the platform, waiting to have their turn to address the people of Arcadia. It took hours but each of the three gave their speeches and then left the stage, disappearing back into the Arc to allow the people to cast their votes. The outcome would be announced at dinner.
Clarke and Jynx stayed near the stage, watching as all of the remaining forty seven cast their vote with Kane along with a surprising number of others. At dinner, Kane was announced the new chancellor and sworn in in front of everyone. He thanked the people for their support and promised to take his first actions the following day. Clarke retreated to the mechanics bay and curled up in the corner under the panther fur.
“Clarke… Clarke wake up!” Raven shook her. Clarke groaned in protest.
“Jynx, she’s burning up. What’s going on?” She heard voices wonder.
“The commander is at the gates… We need to move. It’s nearly dawn.” Jynx reminded, pulling Clarke gently into her arms.
“Octavia, go tell the commander what’s up with Clarke and Kane. Tell her to hold off until the sun rises so we can see if he’ll keep his word.” Raven ordered, watching Clarke. Octavia nodded and hurried off to Raven’s gate. They shook Clarke awake again a few hours later.
“Clarkey we know you feel like shit but you need to get up and at least pretend you don’t. We think we know what’s wrong.” Raven urged softly. Clarke whimpered but found the energy to sit up.
“That’s it. Good job. Its ten am. Lexa is outside the gates and Kane gave us the signal, it’s time to move.” Raven continued, helping Clarke to her feet. Jynx helped Clarke get changed before Raven led them out of the mechanics bay with a bag over her shoulder.
“You gotta lead the twenty of us that are left. Right to the gate. Then you can get back to the commander.” Raven told her as Jynx moved to stand at Clarke’s right. Raven kept to her left and all sixteen of their sentinels fell in behind the three as they walked toward the gates. Each had a bag on their back or over their shoulder. Clarke stopped a few yards in front of the gate and looked challengingly to where Kane stood flanked by Abby and Jaha. He nodded with a smile.
“Open the gates! Let them pass.” Kane ordered. People hurried to do as he’d said.
“What are you doing?!” Abby demanded.
“You’re just going to let them go? What about our people?” Jaha growled angrily. Kane shook his head.
“I am doing this for our people! That army would decimate us. Guards, bring council member Jaha to lock up and confine doctor Griffin to the med bay.” Kane ordered.
“Yes sir.” The men nodded and did as they were told. When the two were gone, Kane walked over to where Clarke stood.
“Let’s go greet the Commander then.” Kane told her. Clarke nodded and they moved past the gates of Arcadia. Lexa dismounted her horse and stood waiting for them. Clarke wasted no time running to her and pretty much jumping into her arms. Lexa caught her easily and held her tightly.
“You’re ok now.” Lexa purred, keeping one arm around Clarke’s hips and the other gently around Clarke’s shoulders, her hand resting in soft golden curls. She held Clarke close against her, keeping the girl’s head against her shoulder.
“Commander.” Kane greeted hesitantly.
“Marcus Kane.” Lexa replied, narrowing her eyes.
“I’m sorry for what happened. I am the chancellor of my people now and the responsible parties are being dealt with. The gates will always be open to you and the gonakru kom wamplei, they are free to come and go as they please. Please tell them that.” Kane apologized sincerely. Lexa nodded and extended the arm that had been around Clarke’s hips.
“Muchof. For peace. I look forward to being able to return.” Lexa stated.
“Pro. We will enjoy having you again.” Kane nodded, taking her forearm in the warriors hold. When both let go, Kane wished them well and returned into Arcadia. Lexa let Raven and Octavia oversee the remainder of the forty seven’s trip to the drop ship, granting both girls horses.
“Heda.” Indra called.
“Maun op. Tondc. We will follow. I believe Britt still owes me a run.” Lexa ordered. Indra led the troops back towards Tondc as Britt dismounted, allowing Jynx his mare.
“Come Clarke. Let’s go home…” Lexa suggested. She felt Clarke tremble against her and waited silently for the girl’s tears to dry.
“All is well. You’re ok ai niron. Let us return to Tondc so you can rest.” Lexa soothed. She smiled when she felt a soft nod against her shoulder. Britt helped Clarke into Sock’s saddle and Lexa climbed up behind her, wrapping her arms around the blond as she took the reins and began the ride to Tondc.