Chapter Text
Hooves hit the soil heavily. The echoes of horses galloping through the forests hit trees for miles around, the woods silent in these new days.
The Grounders had finally began to expand their hunting radius, up into Mt Weather's circulation once they had received word the mountain had fallen.
It was a stellar new day in the history of the land. Peace had fallen between the Sky People and the Tri Kru; Abigail of Skai Kru and Indra of the Tri Kru met briefly to finalise a treaty that was easily made, despite the earlier betrayal. The war was over. They may not need to work together, but living together in peace without interference from the Mountain would be an easier task.
Neither side talked about their true leaders.
It was clear that the Commander would be much too busy to partake what could be called a mundane affair, and the Sky Princess was a legend within the Grounder villages. The anti-hero they feared and respected.
Once it was done, they did not interfere with one another again, sometimes meeting in the forest during hunts.
Not until this day.
Indra, Echo and a few other select grounders make their way quickly from TonDC, their one mission clear in their heads.
'Hod op.'
All the warriors come to a stark halt behind Indra's horse. Of course the General would be the only one to notice a Skai Kru trip wire, for hunting. She knows that they are close now.
'Drag raun hir. I will approach slowly. Then when I am given permission to enter, you follow.'
Indra dismounts her horse and leads him over the trip wire. She herself climbs over it and leaves the the group in her wake, as they wait for their chief warrior to provide the signal.
She approaches through the clearing, beginning to hear shouts of the Skai Kru Guards.
They seem to realise it is her when they open the gate freely, allowing her entry. The rest of the grounder group follows then, and they keep the gate open.
'I wish to speak to Abby Griffin, and her only.'
The newly promoted Major Miller begins to retreat to one of the tents set up, where Abby is currently tending to a patient.
Echo appears at Indra's side.
She speaks in English, unlike her usual self.
'She must be here. She just won't want to show her face.'
'You're wrong, young warrior. She will not want to see ours.'
Indra directs her attention to her Skai Kru counterpart, who has emerged from the tent and is walking towards the group of Grounders. They're all grounders now, if they think about it.
'Indra. It is a surprise to see you here again, but a pleasant one. What can we do for you?'
Indra is about to answer when she sees Octavia and Lincoln.
Octavia is bare faced and sharpening her sword, ready to go hunting for the afternoon. A bow and quiver sit by her side: Lincoln must teaching her the art of shooting. Lincoln meanwhile draws in his book, his face bare of paint and his attire much less fierce than what it used to be.
Octavia looks up, catching Indra's stare and narrowing her eyes somewhat. She was never extremely happy to see the General, especially when Echo accompanied her. The Tri Kru girl was, after all, her replacement.
Lincoln refused to even look up.
'May we speak in private?'
'Of course. Follow me.'
The two walk briskly into the ship.
Behind her, Indra hears fast footsteps.
'Bellamy!'
Echo has run over to where Bellamy is stationed, preparing rifles for the hunt. She walks over to the opposite side of his table, having not seen him since the treaty was formed.
They had become somewhat friends, but not to the extent of any physical contact. Just a conversation was enough to brighten Bellamy's day. There were times when he got fed up of his friends from the Ark. It wasn't the same when there wasn't much to do.
Abby gestured for Indra to sit, she herself sinking into a chair the opposite side.
'What can I do for you, Indra?'
'This will sound...strange. There is a problem that we need your help with, and it is not something we've seen before. Ever in our history.'
'Go on.'
'The Commander,' Indra begins, Abby stiffening in her seat, 'was on a hunt in the woods with Luna of the Boat Clan and myself some days ago. She was thrown off her horse and thrown against a tree.'
'Is she alright?' She can't help but ask.
'Her physical injuries will heal. It is the mental ones that Nyko cannot seem to diagnose. We are greatly worried - she's refusing food and water. It's only a matter of time until we'll have to feed her without her permission.'
'What are the symptoms?'
'She seems to remember nothing. She is disoriented, she knows none of her most trusted soldiers and generals. She cannot even remember Costia.'
'Right, amnesia. Quite acute.'
'That's not the end of it, Abby. There is only one thing that she has remembered.'
'What?'
~()~
'Hello Octavia.'
'Caris.'
Octavia raises her eyes with pursed lips, taking a look at her former warrior acquaintance.
'I see you have begun learning archery.'
'Yeah.'
She keeps her mouth shut firmly. She doesn't want to start a full-on conversation. She only really talks to Bellamy and Lincoln these days. Bellamy's conversations with her are even strained.
'I have come on behalf of Indra with a proposition.'
'Really now? Cause last time I spoke to Indra she basically told me to go fuck myself. I think I'll pass.'
'Octavia.'
Octavia give her a deadpan look. 'Fuck off' is a clear message she has perfect by eyebrow movement. She's quite proud of it.
'Please. We need your help. You and your brother know her better than anybody.'
Octavia sighs. She knows what Caris is talking about. She doesn't know why, but she knows what.
She cannot ignore it any longer.
~()~
'Hey, Bellamy, what's going on?'
Raven comes out of her room in the ship to find Bellamy packing up and getting ready to leave, Octavia doing the same behind him.
'We're leaving for a while. We'll be back.'
'You better be. Weekly scotch doesn't drink itself, and I'd miss seeing you handle your liquor worse than me.'
'Fuck off, Wrench Monkey. Give us a week. Then get worried.'
They laugh and he pulls her in for a quick hug, and she waves at Octavia who smiles wryly and punches her arm, quickly catching up with the departing Grounder crew. Abby is at front with Indra.
Bellamy turns to leave.
'What's the mission?'
He whips his head round, his expression sobering.
'We're going to find Clarke.'