I rode behind the rover, Faya had returned to me after Octavia let him go. His hooves steady against the dirt road, but my mind was anything but calm. Thoughts raced like wildfire. I knew why Clarke was being hunted- why Wanheda had become a title whispered with fear. Among my people, it was simple: if you killed someone with power, you took it. Everyone wanted to be the commander of death. Everyone expect the one forced to carry that name.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't notice Monty slam on the breaks. The river skidded to a stop, dust clouding the air. I pulled hard on Fayas reins, halting just before colliding. A tree had fallen across the road. No- it hadn't fallen. It had been cut. Deliberately.

"Trap" I muttered under my breath, hand already moving to draw my sword.

But before the blade cleared its stealth, a click echoed behind me. Cold metal pressed to the back on my head.
"Drop it" a man's voice ordered.

I slid the sword back into place and lifted my hands slowly. My ears caught the sound of the rover hatch creaking open. Bellamy emerged, but before he could react, a knife pressed against his throat. He froze, hands raised.

"They're here" Bellamy said evenly as they stripped him of his gun.

"Everybody out or the boy and girl dies" the man barked, pulling Bellamy down from the rover.
"Okay! Okay! We're coming out- Don't hurt them!" Marcus called, raising his hands as the rest of the group was forced to the ground. My knee hit the dirt, a blade now at my neck.

"All targets secure." A woman confirmed

Another man picked up Monty, wrenching the beacon from his hand.
"Found it" he said

"It's mine. Give it back!" Monty snapped, struggling.
"Monty stand down!" I warned, my voice firm

"Monty?" The woman repeated, freezing.

Monty blinked, staring at her as if she were a ghost.
"Mom?" He muttered

He stumbled forward, arms wrapping around her like a child again.

I stayed frozen, watching him bury his face against her shoulder. My chest tightened. That kind of love- raw, unbroken, unconditional- I hadn't seen in so long. A mother's embrace. I almost didn't remember what it felt like. For a fleeting second, I wondered what my life would have been if I'd had the chance to hold on to something like that.

But that wasn't my story. My people were ripped from me. Family wasn't a luxury I was allowed to keep.

So I did what I always did. Shut the door on the ache, straightened my shoulders, and kept my hand near my blade.

Monty can have his moment.
I can't afford mine.

Meanwhile, a tall man- Charles pike- hauled Marcus back to his feet.

"Everybody else, stand down" pike ordered. The blade lifted from my throat, but my muscles remained tense, ready.

"How many of you are there?" Marcus asked
"Sixty-three. The rest are camped in the mountains north of here. Grounder killers one and all, am I right?" Pike replied

"Ooh rah!" The group shouted back.

I exhaled slowly. So this is farm station.

Bellamy stepped forward, already impatient.
"Hate to cut this short. But we need to find Clarke" he said

I moved to indras side. Her sharp eyes flickered to me.
"Lexa has been looking everywhere for you. She thought you were dead until she heard you were with Arkadia" she said

My jaw tightened.
"If she wanted to truly find me and bring me back, she would've done it herself" I shot back

"You know she couldn't. People would see it as weakness, going after you to lead beside her again" Indra replied

I swallowed hard. The truth stung.

"Sixty-three? Farm station left orbit with 3 times that number." Marcus spoke

"We landed with that number too." Pike said

"Ice nation is ruthless. Take pride in the ones you did save." I added

Introductions followed- pike to Indra, pike to me. Marcus vouched for both of us. But pikes eyes lingered on me, sharp, skeptical. I felt the weight of his judgment but ignored it.

"I'll have to take your word for it." Pike spoke.

My jaw tightened. He was going to be a problem.

As the group gathered their stuff, I whispered to Bellamy.
"Don't trust him" I muttered, nodding to pike.

Bellamy looked at me skeptical, but before he could answer I walked off.

Later, when Bellamy pulled me aside, his brows furrowed.
"What did that Azgeda warrior mean? About your history?" He asks

I exhaled slowly.
"Lexa sent me north once, to negotiate with queen Nia of ice nation. In the dead of night, her warriors slaughtered mine. Every last one. I returned the favor. Blood must have blood." I said, my voice hardened.

Bellamy just nodded, silent. There was no right thing for him to say.

We pressed on, following all the way to a small settlement. The moment we entered, chaos erupted- an ice nation warrior lunged at a woman, blade flashing. Bellamy dropped him with a single shot, and we rushed inside.

"You ok? You alright?" He asked the woman

Indra knelt down by the man.
"Bounty hunter" she spoke

I stepped forward lowering my sword.
"We're here to help. It's me, Haiplana kom uf" I said

The woman blinked at me, almost confused.
"English" pike spat

"Pike go outside. Take Monty and Hannah. Search the perimeter. Make sure he was alone." Marcus orders.

"We're looking for Wanheda." I say to the woman
"So was he." The woman whispered, fear in her eyes.

Bellamy stepped closer.
"Please. She's in danger." He said

"You're skaikru?" She asked
"Yes" he nodded

"She was here last night." She admitted

"Did she say where she was going?" Marcus asked

"No. She was here when I fell asleep, and gone when I woke up." She answered, her eyes shifting.

"She give you any indication of where she might go?" Marcus pressed

"No.... But he did. He said his partner came back for her. He was ice nation. I hope you find her" she said, pointing at the fallen man.
"Thank you." Bellamy said, his voice soft.

Monty returned.
"Good news. I found fresh tracks." He said
"Great start the rover" Bellamy ordered

"No. Too many trees. You'll have to go on foot" I counted, already on the move.

"What about your horse?" Bellamy asked
"I'll ride ahead. Scout" I said

"I can come with-" he starts

"No. You lead them. I go alone." I cut him off

He smirked, shaking his head.
"Still bossy. Just like the day I met you" he says, a smile on his face.

"No shit idiot" I muttered in trig as I swung onto faya.

"Different language doesn't hide the insult" he called out

I grinned faintly.
"Fine. No shit idiot" I said, then I spurred Faya forward, vanishing into the trees.

I followed trail until I spotted her- Clarke- begging dragged into a cave. My heart hammered. I slid off Faya, leaving him hidden in the woods, and crept closer.

Inside, the air was damp and cold. Water dripped steadily as a tall man stood near Clarke, who was bound and struggling. The tattoos across his face confirmed it instantly.

My chest tightened.
"Roan. Prince of Azgeda. Sorry, banished Prince of Azgeda" I spoke

He turned sharply, hand on his blade. His lips curved in recognition.
"Can't say I'm surprised you're here" he said

"Let her go. And I'll help you whatever you want out of this deal" I said

He studied me, then smirked.
"Maybe. Or maybe I'll get more by taking you. Lexas given the order- bring you back alive" he spoke

For a moment, my mask cracked. Alive. She wanted me alive. My chest burned with a flicker of something I didn't want to name- hope. But if she wanted me.... Why hadn't she come herself? No. I knew why.

"If she wants me. She can come get me herself" I growled, regaining control.

Outside, faint noises echoed- marching. An army.

An Azgeda army.

"Besides, you think she'll be happy knowing Azgeda soldiers are marching on polis right now?" I added, my voice sharp.

His eyes widened. The confidence flattered. But only for a moment.

"Maybe you can tell her yourself" he said finally. And before I could move, a dart flew. It sank into my arm. Burning heat spread instantly. My sword slipped from my fingers as my legs weakened.

Roan caught me before I collapsed, leaning close to whisper in my ear.
"I'm not here to kill you. I'm taking you both to Heda" he said

Clarkes muffled protest was the last sound I heard before the world turned black.