It's growing late into the morning as Lexa spars in the palace courtyard with the nightbloods. Days ago, they had proven hesitant to train effectively due to her injury, but time has healed that wound and with reassurance she has commanded them to give their best. Although she has brought peace, the Natblida must maintain their skill should an unseen threat emerge.

She stands poised with her staff. Her eyes are keenly alert as ever and the sweat drips down her brow. Her nostrils flare slightly in response to the labored breathing caused by her exertions.

Aden stands before her, staring her down with the eyes of a warrior. He searches for weakness in her stance as he prepares to strike with his own staff. He finds himself a bit too slow as Heda has surmised his own vulnerabilities first and she lunges with her staff. He rushes to parry the blows, keeping her teachings in mind.

Even in the fury of battle it is vital to maintain a calm mind.

They trade blow after blow and he seems almost evenly matched with Lexa, though he doubts she would use her full strength against the nightbloods. She commands him to keep up his assault when he does particularly well and eventually he knocks her off kilter with a sweeping blow to her exposed leg.

For a moment, Lexa is disoriented by the sudden loss of her balance, but then she registers what's happened and her eyes shine with pride as she looks up at her most promising novitiate.

"Good, Aden." She offers a smile and takes the hand that he holds out. From the corner of her eye she spots Titus waiting patiently nearby and she turns to address the rest of the natblida. "You've all done well today. Remember what you've learned from today's sparring session. You are dismissed."

With that, the nightbloods bow to their Heda before they take their leave and Titus takes the opportunity to approach casually.

"Aden shows further improvement." He comments, having witnessed the boy knock Lexa to the ground.

"Sha." Lexa's expression is stoic, but her face shines with pride nonetheless. She is proud of all of her novitiates. "He seems well on his way to becoming the most skilled natblida ever seen."

"And what of the rest?"

"They are all well prepared." She clasps her hands atop the staff as it sits planted into the ground at her feet. "Marton struggles with his defense and Ana her footwork, but they're all approaching the skill I possessed when I was a pup at my own conclave."

Titus nods; thinking about how much has changed in so little time as he echoes Lexa's own thoughts. "Perhaps they will not soon know the horrors of the conclave…or even of war."

"At least that hope exists now; it's a start."

Lexa turns toward her advisor, thoughtfully surveying his profile under her keen gaze.

"Are you still wary of my decision, Titus?"

The flamekeeper solemnly bows his head in response as he is flooded with regret and lingering shame for the actions that stemmed from his doubts. While he does still have some ambivalence about this fresh peace, the initial response has given him hope that their people can accept this new way of life.

"It's true that I failed to trust your judgement, but Heda…I owe you an apology. I was wrong in my teachings and my actions and I am thankful that you learned differently."

Lexa takes in his words as he speaks. Titus is rarely one to reveal his deeper feelings and so she knows the sincerity of his words as he bares himself to his pupil. She offers him an appreciative hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for your words, teacher. However, I am not the only one who deserves them." Her tone is not forceful or commanding, and yet she offers him a pointed glance. He knows she's referring to his treasonous actions toward Clarke. In that same moment, he's reminded once more how utterly fortunate he is to still be breathing. He has been shown rare forgiveness for a reason and he intends not to squander that.

Titus offers Lexa a bow in response to her words before he walks away and Lexa is left standing alone in the courtyard. She revels in the first peaceful moment she's had that morning before turning to head down the nearest corridor.

The next item on the day's agenda is a much needed bath. Luckily, today is a day of rest for her people and the new peace has made it even quieter. Of course, propriety dictates that she convene with the clan leaders one final time before the twelve clans depart in two days. She has extended the invitation to Skaikru for their extended stay so that she may observe their ranks more closely. Some of their number still remains in the grasp of the Sonchakapa and it is her responsibility to ensure that this corruption does not spread.

As she strolls deeper into the heart of the palace and into the elevator, she is surprised by another presence. The operator looks unsure of this situation from his place outside the carriage as it begins it slow descent along the pulley system, but he says nothing. The two inside the elevator stand much as they did during their first encounter until the operator is far below them and the man speaks.

"Commander. Imagine meeting you here. It's a pleasure." His eyes sweep over her as if he is trying to unearth hidden secrets beneath her surface and the smile on his face bears a unique quality that always makes him seem more foe than friend. Lexa trusts him less now than she did when they met, and for the life of her, she can't remember why he isn't dead, but for the moment she forgets that. She decides that humoring him is the best option available.

"It is a strange coincidence, Jaha." She nods, offering him a kind smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. Her voice is suspicion masks as politeness. Her time in the City of Light is a haze, but she remembers his presence there well. Judging by his expression he remembers her too.

"What brings you here?"

"I'm just exploring your abode." He tilts his head up to look at the ceiling before his eyes fall back to hers and he notes the hardness that lies deep underneath the kindness in those depths.

"And has your exploration proven interesting?"

He smirks that sleazy smirk that only serves to reinforce her distrust. "Time will tell."

Before she can offer a reply, the elevator grinds to a halt signifying that they've reached the floor housing Heda's personal quarters and the rest of the diplomatic chambers. The door opens to Clarke standing on the other side. She immediately feels the tension between Lexa and Jaha as her eyes flit between them for a few seconds. Two pairs of eyes snap to her as she clears her throat.

Jaha moves to leave the elevator with a final nod to Lexa. "Nice chat, Commander."

"What was that about?" Clarke asks as Lexa steps off a moment later.

Lexa sighs and shakes her head. "I really don't trust that man."

"Few do these days." Clarke says as she falls into step beside Lexa.

"What is this?"

Clarke's fingers run idly along the ink on Lexa's neck. She's seen it before and run her fingers along the curving lines on other occasions, but only now does the question come to mind here in the warm water of Lexa's tub. It is the same symbol on some of the chips she'd come across in Arkadia; chips identical to the one Lexa had acquired from Titus.

"It represents the spirit of Heda." Lexa explains simply, shivering with pleasure as Clarke's fingers venture down to the tattoo she'd gotten after her ascension. "More than that, the cycle that the Commander embodies."

"The cycle?" Clarke's lips find the inked skin on the back of Lexa's neck, touching the slight protrusion where the 'spirit' resides beneath the skin. She smiles as she feels Lexa melt into her touch.

"Yes. Heda is eternal, but each commander is not." Here, Clarke's arms instinctively wind tightly around Lexa's waist as if holding onto her and never letting go will keep her on this mortal plane.

"Someday my fight will end, but the Commander's fight will continue."

Lexa's fallen back into the habit of speaking of her own death and it brings a knowing smile to both faces. Clarke brushes the reference aside for the moment with another thought.

"It's the same symbol that's on the chips."

Lexa hums in response and reaches out of the tub where her coat lays forgotten. She draws the chip from the pocket and holds it up as both women look at it with interest. After several moments, the blue symbol begins to light up until it shines like neon.

"It's glowing." Clarke's confusion is evident in her voice and she holds onto Lexa with a protective grasp. "Why is it glowing?"

"I don't know yet." Lexa rubs her free hand along Clarke's arms in a soothing gesture. She knows by now that the chip is no threat to her…at least not directly. "Perhaps it is influenced by the spirit."

Clarke considers this for a moment. She knows her people travel to the City of Light and that the Commanders are able to during meditation. As the pieces click into place, this object begins to seem like less of a mystery.

"The Spirit allows you access to the City of Light; maybe this chip is a piece of similar technology. That's how my people are getting there."

"It does seem likely." Lexa agrees, brushing off the reference to The Spirit as technology. They both know the truth of her reincarnation. It is for the people that each Heda pretends otherwise.

"I don't understand why the City of Light is such a concern to you, though."

"You don't know what lies inside of it." Lexa smiles grimly "the responsibility of Heda is not just to the clans, but to this. I am gatekeeper to the City of Light. That's why I may access it without consequence."

"And what about the people besides you who enter?" Clarke asks, curious.

Lexa offers a lamenting sigh. She knows that even now, some of Clarke's people fall prey to the trappings of Sonchakapa. "To all others, the city offers lies and trickery. The things within make promises, but they really seek an escape from that prison. If your people continue to use these chips, I fear in time they may not be allowed to leave the city."

"What can we do?" Clarke asks as the worry seeps through her at Lexa's ominous words. It's clear that the infection spreading among Skaikru must be stopped, but how. More importantly: how can they do that without threatening this new relationship between Skaikru and the rest of the clans?

"I'm afraid I don't yet have an answer to that question." Lexa sighs. She can feel the initial relief brought by this bath fading and doesn't wish for it to fade entirely. "But don't worry, Clarke. I assure you the situation is well in hand for the time being." She doesn't need to mention the fact that she's been entering the City of Light at least twice daily since learning of the corruption within Skaikru.

Lexa's head nudges against Clarke's and she turns to bring their lips together. She doesn't pull away until she feels a smirk against her lips. She looks at the other woman curiously, prompting Clarke to explain herself.

"I never said I was worried."

With that, Clarke brings their lips back together as her hands resume their earlier exploration of the commander's body.

Elsewhere within the tower, Abby has made a home within the hospital area. During her time in Polis, passing the time here has fast become a favorite activity. She learns the intricacies of Grounder medicine from Nikita and Monroe, and in turn, teaches them about Skaikru's methods.

Today, they pass the time discussing the healing properties of plant-based salves on cuts. Abby has spent the greater part of the day helping the healers tend to the four Skaikru boys who rest on beds in the infirmary. It's likely that they will reside her for several days. Abby knows that they did wrong and deserved punishment. She knows that they certainly would've been killed had she not made the suggestion of a compromise at that summit, but it doesn't ease the guilt she feels at their wounded states.

She turns from applying salve to the deep cuts that line Jasper's back to see Octavia and Raven coming through the doorway. The former is quick to approach her while the latter stands to the side and waits for her turn with the woman.

"Hey." Octavia nods in a friendly gesture. "How is he?"

"Sleeping. The cuts are healing well—no infection—but they will scar." Abby explains and at once Ravens demeanor hardens as her mind wanders to the events of Pike's rule. She still can't believe that her brother—no—that stranger with her brother's face, could've been so foolish. She knows well that he deserves his punishment and far worse than that, but she's also glad to have her brother back even if his life is a blessing he doesn't deserve.

"Good." Octavia says, meeting Abby's gaze with her own, hardened by Indra's teachings. "Can you do something for me?"

"What?" Abby shakes her head in confusion and tilts her chin curiously.

"Do nothing to prevent their scarring. See that they live with their scars so they can remember what they've done."

Abby fixes the younger woman with widened eyes, but says nothing. Her mind knows that it's the fair thing to do. They were lucky and they need to remember that luck moving forward. Before she can say anything more, Bellamy begins to stir and Octavia moves to sit with him. Abby turns around to find that Raven has already made herself comfortable on the edge of a bed and her leg brace sits beside her.

"What's up doc?"

"Raven." Abby acknowledges as she moves over to the bed. "You're early." The mechanic winces slightly as Abby takes her leg in her hands and begins to stretch it.

"I was in the neighborhood." She grunts. "Thought I might as well get my therapy over with."

The doctor lets go of Raven's leg for a moment to beckon the healer woman over. Nikita stands by and watches in silence as Abby goes through the usual stretches on Raven's wounded leg. When she's finally done, she asks Raven to put weight on it without the use of her brace. The mechanic looks ambivalent for a moment, but she complies, moving off of the bed to stand on shaky legs.

The injured leg wobbles under the weight it holds and sharp pain shoots through the limb, but there is determination on Raven's face and she takes a step.

Abby watches silently as the brunette takes wobbling steps from the bed to the door and back again before she collapses back onto the bed with her breath coming out in short puffs.

"You've made progress." Abby notes. "That was impressive. You're ahead of your therapy."

"Thanks doc." Raven breathes, leaning her head back against the wall at the head of the bed as Abby starts another examination of her leg. Nikita, who had been silent, finally speaks up.

"How were you injured?"

"Don't really remember." Raven pants, and Abby's hand stops its prodding on her leg as her curious eyes snap up to the mechanic's face at the sincerity she detects. Doesn't remember? How could she have forgotten? Abby had treated her for her symptoms of PTSD related to the injury.

"She was shot."

"Was I?" Raven asks, looking up at Abby with a confusion that matches her own.

"Raven…." Abby's hands move from the woman's leg to her head, searching for any signs of injury. "Have you hit your head recently?"

Abby moves her head from left to right, watching the movement of the eyes. She turns away to grab the flashlight she'd left here and registers a "no" from Raven before she spins back around. The pupils exhibit a normal response and there is no obvious sign of head trauma. Abby is left at a loss for what's happening, but she knows it isn't good.

How could she just forget something like that so suddenly? Just days ago they had spoken of the incident.

Hey guys! Thanks for reading. As always, I hope you enjoyed it!