Sunday, 12/10/2149
For the past four intense days, my world has revolved around the bustling Skaikru camp, where 100 individuals coexist in a delicate balance. Among the chaos, we have gratefully received Heda Lexa's generous offerings in exchange for joining the coalition. Bellamy and I have dedicated hours on end to training a small but fierce group of 15 gunners, preparing them for the impending battle at Mount Weather.
Our days have blurred into nights as we tirelessly travel back and forth between the heda camp, meticulously crafting intricate battle strategies. This morning, a select group of ten departed for Polis under the protection of four guards sent by Heda Lexa herself. The weight of responsibility bears down on me, an ever-present companion in my every waking moment.
And not one single break apart from getting 3 to 5 hours of sleep every night. With a mere few hours left until our carefully orchestrated plans are set into motion, I find solace in my reliable inside source within Mount Weather. Every detail has been meticulously arranged, every contingency planned for. And now, the final puzzle piece is about to fall into place.
Wells comes to me, "I have organised the things we got from the commander" he looks down at the book in his hand, "A dozen swords, ten bows, and two quiverfuls of arrows for each, vials labelled in English, blank parchment scrolls, writing sticks, reams of plain cloth, looped masses of rope, two healers kits, absolutely piles of skin, neatly coiled sinew cord and a bundle of winter clothing, one set per person in various sizings" he lists out before looking up at me again
"In small groups, distribute the winter clothing, ensuring it fits each person. The vials and healers' kits are to be entrusted to Clarke's capable hands. Store the remaining supplies securely in the lockable cabinets and deliver the weapons to the hunting and watcher teams." With a nod, he sets off to carry out the instructions swiftly and efficiently
"messenger at the gate" I hear Miller call out
I walk over at the gate opens, "Orella kom sky Valley" the young girl asks, i nod
"Heda requested your presents in her war tent, I also have a message from heda, your final piece has arrived" the young girl, Ella Kom Delfikru bows before riding off
"Someone get me Octavia, Raven and Wells" Conner runs off and moments later all three of them arrive at my side with Bellamy following behind
"heda calls for me, there's a high chance we go to war with the mountain tomorrow" The four of them look grim
"Raven you stay here keep working on those things I asked for, Octavia, you and Wells are coming with me Bellamy look after the camp and send Miller to the skaikru camp, I want to keep a close eye on them in the meantime, I'm taking a radio so you can reach me and someone get me, Diggs"
"ride safe" raven says
"we will" i say, while talking with Bellamy, Octavia prepared our horse for travel
"Diggs you volunteered to be Wells' escort, still up for that challenge" he nods and the four of us get a move on to Heda's tent camp
Once there our horse gets taken away and Gustus escorts us to hedas tent. Inside are all the ambassadors seated around Heda's war table
"ambassadors of the 12 clans, this is Orella she is the leader of the Sky Valley clan, the 13th clan of the coalition" I reveal my brand proving Heda's words
"This is my ambassador Wells Kom Sky Valley, his guard Digg Kom Sky Valley and my general Octavia Kom Sky Valley" The three of them bow their heads slightly, I ask Diggs to stand guard outside with Gustus he nods and we move on. heda calls for Gustus to bring in the package, and he escorts a woman inside shocking Octavia and the Ice Nation ambassador the most
"Echo Kom Azgata is the final piece to my plan in fighting the mountain" Echo stares at me a little shocked but I can see the relief in her eyes, "she was taken by the mountain five moons ago and last night we freed on my command"
"How is this Azgata spy going to help take down the mountain" Octavia spits, i want to roll my eyes at her actions
"because she is proof i have a way in and that i can achiece our plan" I look to heda who nods at my silent question
"I am SkaiOsleya and it is my destiny to bring down the mountain and rule from within and around its lands" All the ambassadors are shocked into silence
"Orella Kom Sky Valley will be leading the army inside the mountain while I lead the one outside, tomorrow at fight light the battle of the mountain will begin" She dismisses the ambassadors including Wells who goes to wait outside for us to finish
Heda starts to speak but gets interrupted by the radio going off, the sharp crackle cutting through the tense air.
"Orella coming in" the voice crackles through the static.
"go ahead Raven" My heart races at the urgency in their voices.
"We have a problem with the skaikru camp" Raven continues.
"what is it" I respond, already anticipating trouble.
"not sure how but some of them have made their way here and are trying to drag our people back to their camp but now everyone just pointing their weapons at each other demanding things" I roll my eyes
"I'll be there as soon as possible" I promise, I put away the radio
"I will send some warriors with you" Heda Lexa offers
"Mochof heda, Octavia you and Wells stay here it will be quicker if I ride alone" Octavia nods, but I can sense her reluctance to let me face the danger alone
Heda follows me as I stride out, my horse waiting for me. Eight warriors mount their horses and fall into formation behind me as I kick my mount into a gallop, the wind whipping through my hair as we speed off towards the impending chaos.
I planned to walk in calmly and sort things out peacefully, convinced the situation could be resolved amicably. But as I stepped inside, that notion evaporated instantaneously. My heart raced as I beheld the sight of an art guard brandishing a gun at Will. Without a second thought, my voice boomed out, unwavering and chilling, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ALL DOING?"
Everyone in camp froze, but I remained laser-focused on the guard in front of me. With a surge of adrenaline, I marched up to him and delivered a powerful punch that sent him collapsing to the floor, unconscious. Swiftly, I picked up his fallen gun, the weight of it unfamiliar yet strangely empowering in my hands.
The Trikru warriors encircled us, their expressions steely and unwavering. "Everyone has five seconds to drop your weapons or face the consequences," I declared firmly, my voice carrying a note of challenge. The Skaikru members complied, surrendering their weapons without hesitation, only to be swiftly subdued by the Trikru warriors and my vigilant team.
Will sprinted into my open arms, his relief palpable as Charlotte and Murphy followed suit. Murphy, with a hesitant smile, finally released Lilly, who seamlessly joined our embrace. I pressed kisses to each of their heads, inhaling deeply to capture the essence of their individual scents.
Feeling a sense of calm settle over me, I signaled for Murphy to approach. He took Lilly and Charlotte aside, allowing me to cradle Will as he sobbed into my shoulder, the weight of our shared ordeal melting away in the comfort of our tight embrace.
"Miller, what happened?" I ask gently, my tone conveying more concern than anger. His face is etched with worry, his eyes darting around nervously.
"I did as you said, and watched over the camp. But at one point, someone knocked me out. When I woke up, those eight were missing. Lieutenant White and Major Bryant helped me search everywhere, but we couldn't find them until we heard a gunshot in the camp's direction. I ran here as fast as I could, but the situation was pretty grim," Miller explained breathlessly.
"Will tried to run to me, but that idiot pointed a gun at him. Lilly attempted to stand in front of Will, but I didn't want her to get shot. I had to hold her back. She tried some of her moves on me and even bit me," Murphy muttered the last part, but we all still heard it. Lilly appeared like it was his own fault.
"Tie them up. Whoever these four parents belong to, I apologize, but this behavior is unacceptable," I declared firmly, noticing the horrified looks on the faces of some children in the crowd.
"Chancellor Jaha gave us permission to retrieve our children. He said not to follow your commands because you're just a criminal who deserved to be floated for your crimes," one of the parents spat at me with disdain.
"Sorry to inform you lady, but if your child is among us, they are a criminal too. Besides, everyone in this camp has been pardoned by your precious chancellor," Murphy stated matter-of-factly, causing the woman to look appalled but still continue shouting.
"She's a killer! You're following a murderer!" The woman's words pierced through the air, her accusatory finger pointing directly at me as if to emphasize the weight of her claim.
I stared directly into her eyes and calmly replied, "So are you, lady." My words silenced her, and for the remainder of the journey back to their camp, she remained subdued.
Once we arrived, Major Bryant was furious, but not at me; rather, she directed her anger toward her own people. I gathered everyone together and spoke, "On orders from Jaha, these eight individuals stormed my camp and attempted to forcibly take their own children. When the children refused to come, they brandished guns and made threats. They even pointed a gun at my scared 11-year-old son as he tried to reach his uncle. This behavior is unacceptable. Therefore, I have decided to offer you all a place within my clan. All you need to do is forsake the Ark and pledge your loyalty to my clan and its people, and you won't have to answer to Jaha, the Council, or the Ark unless you choose to do so."
A voice from the crowd questioned, "What do we gain by joining your clan?"
I confidently responded, "The Sky Valley Clan is part of the coalition, so you need not worry about attacks from other clans. You will receive training on how to survive on the ground, particularly with winter approaching. You won't have to fear freezing or struggling to stockpile enough food. However, you must be willing to contribute in any way you can, abide by the laws of our leaders and the coalition, and by swearing loyalty to my clan, you also pledge allegiance to the Commander of the Thirteen Clans."
I could see many contemplating my proposition. "There's one more thing you should know. Tomorrow, the Thirteen Clans will go to war with Mount Weather. If any of you pledge loyalty today, you won't be required to fight in that war unless you choose to do so."
"Are you sending children to war?" an outraged voice called out.
I explained, "A team of 15 skilled gunners, all trained by myself, will fight alongside me. They are one of five groups entering the mountain. If any of you wish to take a warrior's place, you can only do so by swearing loyalty to my clan." Lieutenant White was the first to pledge allegiance to me, as expected, with many Ark guards standing by his side.
Out of the 100 individuals present, surprisingly only 19 swore loyalty. A significant portion wanted to join but hesitated due to concerns about their families who were still on the Ark.
"To those of you who wish to join but cannot due to family ties, I will extend this offer once more when your families arrive. Until then, Major Bryant remains in charge," I declared, bidding everyone farewell before leading my new people back to camp.