They arrived at the trading post not soon enough for Nia. The whole ride there she could feel the piercing gazes of Pike and Monty's mom and it irked her. She understood that their group had gone through some rough times since landing but that was not Nia nor Indra's fault, it was Azgeda's.
When the car came to a halted she wasted no time jumping from the backseat. Everyone unload and readied their weapons as they began to walk forward. A loud crash came from inside making Nia hurry her movements.
Upon entering Nia saw person onto of another, a shiny glimmer suggested he had his knife out. With a quick release of her arrow she fired into the back of the attacker. When the body fell she could see the other person clearer.
Nylah looked back to see who had entered and calmed when she saw His. Despite the two living in separate territories they had met on occasion. But when she saw the others follow behind her she scrambled to her feet and stepped back.
"Are you okay? Are you all right?" Bellamy asked as Nia and Indra glanced around for any others that might be hiding.
"Bounty hunter." Indra announced when she looked over the body that Nia had killed.
Once she knew it was clear Nia threw her bow over her shoulder and made her way to Nylah. She took her chin in her hand and looked over the cut on her cheek. When she looked at the girl, she saw that her gaze wasn't on her but whether on those behind her.
"We're here to help." She reassured her but a voice sounded from behind.
"English!" Pike yelled from his spot not liking the fact that they couldn't understand their language.
"Pike, go outside. Take Monty and Hannah and search the perimeter. Make sure he was alone." Kane ordered quickly. Pike was hesitant to move but did so anyway not in a position to argue.
"We're looking for Wanheda." Indra spoke to Nylah.
The girl looked at the body before answering them. "So was he."
"Please. She's in danger." Bellamy said enlightened to hear that she might be close.
"You're Skaikru?" Nylah asked as she saw the differences among them. Bellamy confirmed as they waited for her to continue speaking. "She was here last night."
"Did she say where she was going?" Kane spoke next after she spoke.
"No. She was here when I fell asleep and gone when I woke up." Nylah informed.
"She give you any indication of where she might go?" Kane tried to get any further information.
"No. But he did. He said that his partner came back for her." Nylah explained about the situation that had occurred moments before they showed. "It was Ice Nation. I hope you find her."
Bellamy thanked her before they were interrupted by Monty entering. "Good news. I found tracks."
"Great. Start the Rover." Bellamy told him before Monty added in more information.
"That's the bad news. Too many trees. We have to go on foot." He informed.
Nia gave Nylah a nod before her and Indra followed them out. Quickly and quietly the group began to make their way through the forest. Indra and Nia leading ahead with the others follow behind.
"I don't like him." Nia spoke of her skepticism toward the man they had run into. Her voice low so that they would be able to speak among themselves without worrying about him overhearing.
"Me neither." Indra agreed with her statement. She too could feel the cold glances he was sending her way.
"He doesn't like us and if he can the minds of those at camp, we might be facing something big." Nia spoke about the unpredictable.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that Nia." Indra tried to reassure but a part of her told her that something would inevitably happen by his doing.
"Ask you a question?" Pike spoke with Bellamy his gaze not leaving their surroundings. "Last report on the Ark, you were under attack by Grounders. What changed?"
"Turns out we had a common enemy." Bellamy informed simply.
"What happened to them?" Pike questioning.
"We won." Bellamy replied not giving much details.
"Quiet. Listen." Indra ordered from the front as the two held their stance.
"War drums." Kane commented as the sound could be hear faintly.
"Azgeda." Indra announced.
"You can tell it's Ice Nation by the sound?" Monty said confused to how they received this conclusion.
"No. From them." Nia pointed to the direction of the bodies that were littering the field.
Everyone got into a defensive stance and waiting for anything to emerge around them. While others ran to clear the bodies.
"We need to get those bodies off the field. Unless you're good will them thinking we did this." Pike informed Kane.
Nia and Indra went to a body when they stopped quickly by Bellamy.
"Wait. Two people at 12 o'clock. It's Clarke." He announced as he hurried to make his way to her.
The voices were getting closer and Nia rushed to stop him in his tracks. But before she could reach him Pike stopped him.
"You'll never make it in time." He informed the boy hoping he'd listen.
"He's right Bell. Azgeda is coming." Nia reasoned as she stood behind him. Bellamy looked in the direction she was and could see the flags begin to come onto the field. The chance to save Clarke was slipping away but he couldn't risk being spotted.
After they cleared the bodies from the field, they went to enter only to notice that two weren't behind them. Nia and Indra shared a few words before making their way to Kane and Bellamy. Bellamy sent Nia a confused glance as he wondered what she was doing exactly. They needed to get inside before the army spotted them.
"We can't go with you." Nia informed them knowing that Bellamy wasn't going to like her decision. But she needed to go with Indra.
"Why?" Kane asked confused about the situation as well.
"Ice Nation has crossed the border. They're marching against our commander. We have to warn her." Indra explained.
"We'll get Clarke." Kane said not protesting their decision.
"You better. If the Ice Queen gets her first, she'll be dead. And we'll be at war." Indra added in.
Indra and Kane left the couple to speak briefly among themselves before they went their separate ways.
"You'll get to her okay." Nia reassured him as they stared at one another. "And I'll meet you all back at Arkadia."
Bellamy wanted to tell her to stay with him but he could see in her eyes she had made up her mind. And if she were to leave without getting caught then they would have to leave at that moment. So he gave her a kiss and leant his forehead against hers.
"Be safe." He said quietly.
"You too." Nia nodded before turning and leaving with Indra. Bellamy watched for a second before he turned and entered the cave.
Nia and Indra quickly made their way through the forest. They needed to hurry and warn Lexa before Azgeda got any closer.
Soon they stumbled upon a village and Indra requested two horses. When they were presented with them, they mounted quickly and made their way toward Polis. Due to their high status they were allowed to enter the limits with their weapons strapped on.
They avoided the people in the market as they rode to the building ahead. Once outside it they dismounted and hurried to find Lexa. They found her quick with Titus by her side. Titus is her one of her most trusted advisors and is the keeper of the flame.
"Lexa, Azgeda is marching against you." Nia rushed out not wanting to waste time.
"What are you talking about?" Titus questioned as the two took in the information.
"Azgeda's army has crossed the borders. Someone has captured Wanheda." Indra informed next. "Skaikru is trying to her back but with Azgeda's army stands in the way."
"We must gather the armies." Titus recommended but Lexa's calm demeanor suggested otherwise.
"There's no need." She said simply. "Wanheda's safety is ensured. Azgeda will not be a threat to us."
With that being said Lexa sent Titus and Indra off while Nia stood there confused about the previous statement. Lexa had sent the other two off since she had wanted to speak with Nia alone.
"You may be transparent around everyone else but you aren't with me." Lexa spoke to her. "When Clarke was named Wanheda, you seemed tense wherever someone spoke about her whereabouts. That got me thinking, but you only associate with a number of people. And most of them are here except the one person you don't speak with due to the distance between you. I understand why you kept it to yourself and I agree Clarke needed the time, but now we need her."
Nia sighed realizing that Lexa had figured out where Clarke was through her and if she knew where to look, then the person who took Clarke would be doing it for Lexa. But what did she have over them to ensure that Clarke would be delivered?
"You will understand everything soon, Nia, i promise." Lexa reassured when she saw rhe uncertain look in her eye.
Before they could say more a guard announced a presence. Lexa sent another to fetch Indra and Titus while the person was brought it. When Indra entered the room, her and Nia shared a look that signaled they both knew what was going on. Lexa took her seat with Titus on her right and Indra on her left. Nia stood beside Indra as they waited for the person to enter.
"Wanheda, as promised." The man said when he entered through the doors. Nia could see the Azgeda markings on his face before her gaze shifted to the person beside him. She knew who he was when he entered the room and was quite shocked to see him.
Hands bounded behind them while a sack covered their head. The blonde hair fell around her shoulders and Nia could make out the dye that had been in it. They were pushed to their knees before the sack was removed. A cloth around her mouth as she glanced around to find out her surroundings.
"Hello Clarke." Lexa addressed before making her way down the steps. She looked Clarke over before speaking him again. "The deal was for you to bring her to me unharmed."
"She didn't come easily." He provided the simple answer.
"I'd expect not." Lexa added in.
"I've done my part. Now do yours. Lift my banishment." He requested. The whole ordeal seemed to click together after Nia heard his reasoning.
"I'm told your mother's army marches on Polis." Lexa relayed the information she was given.
"That has nothing to do with me. Honor our deal." He retorted.
"I'll honor our deal when your queen honors my coalition." She fired back after his statement. "Lock Prince Roan of Azgeda away."
"Yes, Heda." The guards agreed and went to escort him out of the room.
"What of Wanheda?" Titus questioned.
"Leave us." Lexa commanded with a wave of her hands.
Indra and Titus shared a look before they walked down the steps. Indra walked out without a word but Titus paused before exiting. Nia was the last to leave but before she left she sent Lexa a knowing look over her shoulder.
It was a few minutes before Nia decided to enter the throne room again. It had been empty of people but she knew Lexa better than anyone, so she made her way toward the balcony.
She slipped through the curtains and stood beside Lexa. They didn't say a word as they simply took in the view and the presence of one another.
"It'll take time." Nia broke the silence. She could tell that the meeting between Clarke and Lexa didn't go as well as the girl had hoped.
Lexa stayed silent but nonetheless agreed. What she had done to Skaikru was unforgivable but it was what needed to be done for her people. But now they needed to establish peace among them.
"You should be heading back." Lexa suggested thinking that Skaikru might be wondering about her. She was after all their informant. Nia was the one keeping the peace between them all.
"And Clarke?" Nia asked knowing that when she returned they would want to know what happened in Polis.
"She can't leave." Lexa said aloud partly to herself. Clarke needed to stay for her own safety and for them to broker peace.
"I can let them know she's safe and it is in her best interest to stay in Polis. But sooner or later they will want her back." Nia recommended a solution.
The commander knew this was the best option for them. She would send a rider for Nia and Skaikru's leaders for a summit to discuss their next step to achieve peace.
After exchanging their farewells, Nia mounted the horse she had borrowed and began to make her journey back to Arkadia.