Clarke realised the Grounders seemed to have been cut from a different cloth as she scanned the surrounding area and saw that they were all alive.
Anya watched Clarke warily as the girl approached a warrior – Fiona. Fiona's hair was still extended, but the brown strands seemed burnt and tattered which was consistent with the look of Fiona's body. There were burn marks all over her body and some were in patterns similar to a spider's web.
Clarke was aware of Anya's guardedness and she did her best to ignore it as she knelt before the woman that had tried to crush Clarke with her hair.
The woman was unconscious and Clarke felt somewhat guilty for hurting her, but considering the woman had been trying to kill her then she supposed she shouldn't feel that bad about it.
Clarke put her hands directly above the warrior's body and after a few seconds green light began to radiate from them. Clarke could see Anya and Tris out the corner of her eye and they both seemed tense and ready to strike.
Clarke ignored them and she gently placed her hands onto the warrior's side. Immediately, the burns all across the woman's body began to rapidly heal and Clarke heard the gasp of who she presumed was Tris as after a few more seconds the woman was as good as new.
The woman's eyes opened once she was fully healed and she looked confused to see her body in perfect condition. The woman's eyes finally landed on Clarke's and just as she was about to pounce Anya spoke up.
"Fiona, em pleni, "said Anya and though Clarke didn't exactly understand what it was Anya had said she got the gist of it as Fiona had paused before looking at Anya and standing down.
Clarke was grateful for the interruption by Anya and she sent a curt nod to Anya which was reciprocated by the older woman. The rest of the Grounders were in better shape and so Clarke was able to heal them without much of a fuss.
Finally, Clarke healed the last man who had the least severe injuries having only suffered a fractured rib. The warriors were all on their feet and though they looked wary, none of them seemed inclined to attack Clarke.
Clarke looked at Anya whose face and body language didn't even hint at what could possibly be going on inside the woman's head.
Clarke walked up to Anya and said, "Take me to Finn. I wanted to speak to you about what happened on the bridge."
Anya's face barely showed that she had registered what Clarke had said, but she shouted a couple of phrases in Trigedasleng to the other warriors in the clearing.
Clarke wasn't sure what was said, but she wasn't given much time to pay attention to that as she felt Anya place her hand on Clarke. Anya had also placed her hand on Tris' shoulder and barely a second later Clarke realised that Anya had teleported them to a village that was bustling with people.
Their sudden appearance had caused a stir and there were whispers and murmurs as Clarke made to follow Anya as she walked her way through the village. Clarke noted that some of the buildings were in disrepair and were busy being rebuilt.
"Where are we?"said Clarke as she trailed behind Anya. The crowds of people were parting to make way for them and even still there were many looks filled with curiosity as they looked at Clarke.
Clarke did her best to not let the looks affect her as she took in the sights of the village. The village had buildings that were clearly made after the Apocalypse and were mostly built from different types of wood.
They finally reached an isolated part of the village and there was a dilapidated building that was set apart from the rest of the village. The party of three reached the building and Anya looked at Clarke and said,"Wait here."
Clarke decided to not argue and simply sat down on one of the logs that just so happened to be not too far from the building. Clarke sat down and after scanning the array of logs she realised that she was seated at a fire circle.
Night was slowly coming into being and Clarke decided that if she was going to wait she might as well be comfortable. She stood up and gathered some of the surrounding branches and she placed the most suitable ones in the fire pit.
Clarke took a step back and she could practically feel the eyes of Tris burning holes into her side. She raised her left hand and a ball of fire shot out her hand and landed in the fire pit.
Tris had let out a gasp of surprise at the sight and Clarke paid her no mind as she watched the fire eat away at the branches. The flames were soon at a decent level and Clarke basked in the warmth and comfort that the fire was giving her.
"You are strong,"said a voice suddenly and Clarke had nearly jerked back at the voice that had come from across her. Tris had somehow managed to make her way around the fire and sit down without Clarke noticing.
"I have to be,"said Clarke in response to the younger girl and perhaps that was more true than Clarke had initially thought. She was the one who got the injection. She was cursed with this power and so the onus was on her to use it for the benefit of the delinquents.
"How did you heal my people so quickly?"said Tris and for the first time Clarke could see the girl opposite her as the child she was as pure curiosity fluttered in her eyes.
It was confusing to Clarke, however, as she had stolen the ability to heal from one of the Trikru traitors so she wasn't sure if it meant that either Tris was unaware of one being able to heal or the more likely situation the Novus had increased the capabilities of her stolen power. Either way, it would probably be best to not expose her power stealing abilities.
"Aren't there other healers like me amongst your people?"questioned Clarke finally and the slight subject change was either ignored or unnoticed by the younger girl as she responded earnestly.
"We do have those with the healing touch,"said the girl before she added with a more thoughtful tone,"However, they do not heal anywhere as fast as you do. A lot of those warriors's fights would be over had it not been for you. They do not create light when they heal either."
Clarke was surprised at the forthcoming nature of Tris, but she suspected that it wasn't sensitive information that was being shared with her. Clarke was about to respond, but a bout of weakness came over her.
Clarke felt extremely dizzy and she tried to push through it and she took a few seconds to steady herself. The spell of lightheadedness left Clarke as quickly as it came, but she still felt weak.
The sudden urge to cough came over Clarke and so she did into her left hand. The fit of coughs passed too and on e she was done Clarke finally came to realise that Anya had joined them at the fire. The woman was holding a pouch at her and at Clarke's curious gaze the woman said,"Drink. The one you call Finn is inside."
Clarke was about to reach for the pouch, but she noticed the blood that was on her hand. Clarke wiped the blood onto her pants leg and she took the pouch and drank deeply and she felt relief flow through as the water soothed her body.
Clarke returned the pouch to Anya and nodded her thanks. The woman simply turned on her heel and walked towards the nearby building. Clarke stepped inside the room that only had a few candles inside for lighting and she was appalled the sight that awaited her.
Finn was in chains and the metal was digging deeply into his wrists. He did appear to be unharmed for the most part except for a bruise on the side of his face and a slight cut on his shoulder that was bleeding sluggishly.
Clarke took a step towards the boy, but Anya grabbed onto her shoulder and said,"Not yet. Explain what the three of you branwadas were doing in Trikru territory during war or that boy won't get the antidote."
Clarke turned back to Finn and for the first time she noticed the sweat that was pouring down his forehead. His hair was matted and he seemed to twitch every few seconds.
Clarke bit back her annoyance and she wasn't willing to test if her healing ability could counteract poisons so she acquiesced to Anya's demand.
"We were in your territory to explain what happened at the bridge,"said Clarke coolly as she tried to temper her frustration, "Those people that attacked were not there under my orders. They had separated from our people because they didn't like me and they tried to kill the both of us at the bridge. We don't want to fight a war so we came to negotiate."
Anya raised an eyebrow in disbelief before anger twisted her exotic features, "Negotiate? You invade our land. First, you children and then a second time later on and then yet another after that. You run across the land of the Commander as if you own it. You sent missiles that burnt this very village down and then you set off an explosion that attracted Maunon and Ripas to these lands. There is nothing we have to negotiate. "
Clarke winced inwardly at the mention of each of the actions the delinquents had done. She wasn't sure what some of the last of what Anya had said meant, but before she could even begin to ask a question Anya continued her tirade.
"You and your people then come deeper into Trikru land and attack my warriors. Why should I believe you want peace when all you've done is test and goad us into a war?"challenged Anya as the sheer anger across her face continued to build.
The onslaught of questions caused Clarke's anger to run thin and smoke began to waft off of her clenched fists. Clarke finally noticed her unconscious reaction to Anya's interrogation and she took calming breaths before the smoke finally disappeared.
"You have to understand, "said Clarke finally as Anya had paused after seeing the smoke emanate from Clarke's hands,"We did not know there was an established society when we landed. There was no sign of there being anyone who was alive on the ground and so we thought that we were alone. We didn't intend to hurt anyone with the flares. That was a pure accident. "
Anya was listening to Clarke, for once, and so Clarke decided to wrap this up while she still had the chance,"The explosion was wrong of us, yes. I don't know what Maunon or Ripas are, but they don't sound good. I came here to tell you that we were willing to offer the guilty up to you so you could exact justice. There are many innocents in both camps that would die if we had to fight and that wouldn't be fair. My people just want a chance at a good life and we're willing to make amends for what we have done wrong. We have guns, radios and technology. We could be so much better if we worked together."
Clarke's reasoning seemed to have registered within Anya and the woman was silent as she pondered everything Clarke had said. Clarke waited for what felt like an eternity before she heard Anya's words.
"I believe you, "said Anya finally and Clarke was about to sigh in relief before she heard Anya's next words,"That doesn't mean the Commander will however."
Clarke's brow furrowed in confusion as she said,"Lincoln said you were the Commander's mentor? Surely he or she would believe what you have to say."
"That naive traitor knows little of this world,"said Anya and before Clarke could even say anything in response to that Anya continued and said,"A few summers ago, I lost something of the Commander's that she valued deeply. "
Clarke looked into Anya's eyes and despite herself Clarke was surprised to see regret and anger bubbling within them...