Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 126

Lexa's POV

After everyone is awake, we follow Dalan back to the large cavern. I feel tired but more rested. I can sleep more when we get back to the Floukru city.

Clarke and I walk hand in hand, our strides confident as we enter the cavern. Some give us odd looks, not used to seeing their Heda be as soft as I allow myself to be around Clarke. Or perhaps they are in awe of our partnership, of Heda and Wanheda falling in love. I prefer to think it is the second option, especially since I often am surprised that I am lucky enough to have gotten Clarke to become my girlfriend.

Dalan walks over to where Sakai and a few others are gathered, talking quietly. We pause closer to the entrance of the cave, giving them their space. Sakai eventually nods after another few moments of what looks like an intense whispered discussion.

Sakai makes her way over to us, pausing a few feet in front of us. Her hands are clasped behind her back and she studies us all with calculating eyes.

"We have discussed your offer at length," she begins. "Luna, we have one question. You will protect us like one of your own?"

"If you agree, you will be my people. I would protect you with my life." Luna replies honestly.

She does not try anything, does not try to plead or convince. I feel pride swell in my chest at how my sister is handling this. She knows that no matter what she could say, their minds have already been made up and there is no changing them.

"What is your response?" I ask curiously as the silence stretches out.

Sakai turns her gaze to me and answers. "Yes. We will agree to become part of Floukru."

Luna breaks out into a smile. "Os (good). You will not regret this decision."

"I hope not," a person nearby grumbles. The raspy voice and somber tone draw our attention. An old woman has spoken, her skin crinkled from age. "We are allowed to choose our own leaders, yes? And do as we please?"

"Of course," Luna says respectfully. "You may choose a leader but I do have the ability to veto the choice." The woman purses her lips with distaste. "That has only happened once in my years as leader of the Floukru when the people of a town elected a horrible man to lead them. I trust your judgement."

The old woman nods but there is still a spark of resistance in her eyes. I recognize a fighter when I see one and wonder how she ended up here. Perhaps a loved one of hers joined and she followed to be close to them.

"Who will be your leader?" Luna asks Sakai.

Sakai shrugs, "It is up to us all to decide that. I do not speak for everyone."

"Sakai should be our leader!" A high pitched voice that can only come from a kid says.

Sakai says nothing in response, just blinks and looks genuinely surprised. The shock in her expression grows as more and more people voice their support for her.

Luna eventually gets everyone to be quiet by whistling loudly. It pierces my ears but I have to admit, it is effective. Everyone flinches and looks at her with a mixture of surprise and disdain.

"Who wants Sakai to be your leader? Raise your hand." Luna says.

Most people raise their hands. The few that do not look hesitant like they are unsure whether they should join the Floukru or not.

"It looks as though you have won the majority," Nakai remarks proudly to her sister. "Welcome to Floukru, sis."

Some people do not seem happy at the thought of joining Floukru so I decide to address that.

"You do not have to join Floukru if you do not want to," I speak up. Many are not expecting to hear my voice and flinch at the suddenness. "If you would prefer to, you can leave here and join any of the clans."

"Even Azgeda?" A woman with Azgeda face scars asks hopefully.

"Even Azgeda." I reply warmly. "They will welcome you with open arms should you choose to join them."

"What about your relationship with Azgeda?" The woman questions hesitantly. "What if they do not allow us to join because we have ties to you?"

I frown. "Why would they deny you because of me?"

"Do you not remember?" The Azgeda woman asks. "Nia despises you."

I blink, my mouth dropping open slightly. "Pakstoka really kept you all in the dark here. Nia is dead."

Gasps arise from essentially everyone, so I know this is not just keeping it from one person. Leave it to Pakstoka to cut off 'his people' from the clans and tell them nothing of current events. I cannot say I am very surprised.

"Story time!" Raven says gleefully. "I love this one. It's almost as fun to relive as it was in the moment."

"You were there?" Sakai prompts.

"Yeah, so was- Uh. Well, this is a pretty long story. We might want to get comfortable." Raven says. "And I'll hand over the floor to Lexa and Clarke, they can tell it better than anyone."

People follow her advice, sitting at one of the many tables around the room. Some people bring over chairs to us, which we thank them for. Clarke and I begin telling them what has happened. We do not go into too much detail about some things, like our date and how I was tortured.

We tell them about how we won, and I make sure not to downplay anyone's part in it. We all worked together and accomplished what few thought was possible. We tell them about Menelaus and how he is the new King of Azgeda. A few former Azgeda people recognize his name and seen relieved he is in charge. We then proceed to tell them about how the Skaikru had become the thirteenth clan and that we have been traveling to the clans to improve relations.

Wow, Pakstoka didn't even tell them about Nia's death... That was pretty significant. Anyway. Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!