Kane and the council were convinced to join the grounders against the mountain. It had not taken long to convince them, but Alura, Anya and Clarke still stood over night. Sinclair and Raven already started preparing the technical stuff and would stay in touch with Clarke through a radio.

Anya had said her goodbyes to Raven, promised her again to organise a headstone in TonDC and left to prepare her horse. Alura went with her to catch Anya up on the current situation. They would leave at noon to TonDC. Until then Clarke wanted to talk to Kane again. It was time he started collecting the guns and distribute them to responsible people. And he needed to get a group of fighters together and further their training with the assault rifles. Monty and Jasper would prepare the ammo.

Clarke knocked at the chancellor's door. "Come in!" Kane's voice answered. When Clarke opened the door, she saw Kane at his desk with his head in his hands. he looked tired. After all, Kane is not a leader that sends his people to death lightly anymore. But Clarke knows, that sometimes you have to fight to achieve peace.

"You should start collecting the guns and set up a team, you'll send to war. The sooner they train the better. Further details about the plan I will give you over the radio," Clarke cut immediately to the chase.

"I will. Sgt. Miller and Dr. Lahiri will help assess the candidates and put together an armed force. This way I at least don't have to make this decision alone. And I think, dividing the power between the chancellor and the council more equally is the right approach for the ground," Kane emphasised the last part.

"Good. best of luck. I know it's hard for you," Clarke concurred. "How are you holding up with everything?"

"I feel like i should ask you that," Kane mused, "I'll manage. But you are not even out of your teens and already in a war, caught up in politics. Thanks to our failures. So, will you be okay?"

A knock interrupted the two and Raven poked her head in, "I have your radio, Clarke. And it's time to leave."
Clarke walked over to Raven and took the radio, "I'll be there in a minute. Thanks, Raven."

Raven closed the door again and Clarke turned back to Kane, "I'll be okay. I have to be for my people."
Kane didn't answer immediately, but his eyes darkened, "It's time for you to go."

With that Clarke walked out the door and joined Anya and Alura in the stables. Raven was nowhere to be found. She probably immediately went back to Sinclair. She had her part to play in this war and Clarke and Anya had theirs.

Without wasting more time they mounted the horses and took of to TonDC.

It was early evening when they passed the gate. The city didn't look so different from the last time Clarke was here. But where the supplies hut stood before was now a tent and some villagers were constructing a hut around it to store their newly hunted animals.

As they headed towards the stables Indra joined them and updated them on the newest developments. The war chiefs of Podakru, Boudalankru, Ouskejon Kru, Louwada Kliron Kru, and Azgeda were already there. Floukru sent the messenger back with the claim, that they didn't have warriors. Trikru would be represented by Anya and supported by Indra and Clarke would represent the Skai People. Sankru, Yuileda, Delfikru, Trishanakru and Ingranronakru would join them in one to two days.

From the talks with Anya Clarke knew, that the clans, that weren't there yet, were too far away to make the trip in a day or two, however she wondered, what they'd do in the remaining days before the planning could officially start.

At the stables Anya excused herself and went to a hut in the village with a lot of stones on display. Alura went to Niko's hut, Indra went to the training pits and Clarke went to the guildhall, where Lexa would hold her gatherings. And there Lexa was with the war chiefs. When clarke walked in, she raised her head and greeted her formally, "Greetings Klark from the Skai People, worheda of your people. This are the other worhedas. I was just explaining the plan. Come and join us."

There were a few odd looks from some of the war chiefs, but they all remained silent and listened to Lexa. After she explained the idea they had, she dismissed the chiefs, because they couldn't discuss it without the other generals present. than she invited all of them to join the campfire for food and company as it was time to eat.

When Clarke wanted to leave the room, Lexa called her back.
"Yes?" Clarke asked.
"You will need all the training you can get before you can go to war at least somewhat safely. So we will use the time until all the chiefs arrive to train you in battle. You will not have much time, so make every second count. Anya will wake you at sunrise and we will train you at the fighting pit on the outer skirts of TonDC."

Clarke just nodded. She knew how important this was and she felt honoured that the great Heda would train with her or rather train her. So that evening Clarke went to bed early. This time she would sleep in the tents that were set up for the generals. She was paired with the generals of Podakru, Boudalankru and Louwada Kliron Kru. Louwada Kliron's general was a middle aged woman with many scars all over her face and hands. She went to the tent at the same time as Clarke and introduced herself as Kasia. Before going to sleep they talked for a while. Kasia was interested in Clarke's culture, her stories and their similarities. And Clarke asked her about her clan. She learned that the different clans have different believes and cultures and that not all grounders are the same. But they also talked about their families and what they have lost to the harshness of the world. But Kasia didn't want to go to bed on such dark thoughts, so she also told Clarke, that she had a young niece at home. Her sisters daughter. And while Kasia was proud to fight for her clan, she fought especially to give her young niece a better future. Without the shadow of the mountain falling on it.

"What is her name?" Clarke asked and for a second she wasn't sure, Kasia would answere, but finally she said with warmth in her voice, "Madi. Her name is Madi."