Warning: There is mild sexual content in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or the characters, they belong to Eiichiro Oda.
A Shrouded Omen
Nami couldn't understand what it was, but something had shifted between her and Kid over their last few days in Álasund. He was acting strangely after catching her just out of the bath. It wasn't the lecherous looks that spoke of wandering thoughts, thoughts that likely involved all the things he could do with her naked body. That she expected from him, or any man with an appreciation for women. Even if he didn't vie for her attention like the other men, didn't fall over himself attempting to impress her, she knew he was attracted to her. The stiff shaft pressed against her backside the night she told him about her family made that abundantly clear, though his tendency to touch her whenever he had the chance was what gave her a clue long before that.
The desirous looks he cast her way had certainly increased, become deeper, more intense, but that wasn't the behavior that bothered her. For all the heat in his gaze, he had turned cold. She could probably find more warmth in a glacier compared to the way he had begun to treat her. He was quiet, spared her little better than a grunt here and there, actively avoided her throughout the day, except to watch her train with Gunda and Kalifa for a few minutes before vanishing again, and didn't come to his room until she had already fallen asleep.
She had noticed the change immediately after he returned from his bath. He had taken longer than she expected and trudged into the hall well into supper. He didn't look at her as he hunkered at a table with Killer and Franky to eat, then disappeared as soon as he was done. When he returned to his quarters that night, she was just dozing off as he slipped into bed behind her. She expected him to wind himself around her like he tended to do, but instead he rolled his back to her and kept as much distance between their bodies as he could. She almost thought to check for a sword between them, just as Sigurd had done with Brynhildr to prove he never took her chastity while sharing a bed.
She asked him if something was wrong that night. He just grumbled an excuse about battle and Saxons and a lot on his mind, and then began to snore so suddenly she knew it was fake. She would have smacked him for his attitude, but she supposed it was just a mood and it would pass. She was even more certain of that when she woke the next morning trapped in his hold as she normally would be. She was even greeted with a stiff cock pressed against the small of her back that she couldn't help but roll her eyes at.
Then she began the morning routine of escaping his embrace. She grazed his length despite the care she took to avoid rousing him. He moaned at the errant touch and rolled his hips into her. His body stiffened in surprise as he woke enough to realize what he was doing and flew to the other side of the bed as though burned. He laid on his stomach, his face buried in a pillow that he clung to as if his life depended on it, and muttered an apology she barely heard. His back was tense, every hard ridge of muscle coiled and ready to snap. She decided it was best to leave him alone, let him catch a breath and relax, so got out of bed and dressed without a word. She didn't even say anything when she glanced back and caught him peeking through a veil of dark red hair. He wore a scowl that said he wasn't enjoying the view as much as he might have the other night, so she left him to suffer whatever thoughts plagued him and hoped he would feel better later.
He didn't speak a single word to her until that night when she asked him what he spent his day doing. He grunted something about checking Iceburg's ships with his men, turned his back to her, and once again pretended to go to sleep. His coldness made her want to strangle him, punch him, pick a fight until he was too overwhelmed with anger to ignore her and maybe let slip what had him so bothered. But she knew it wouldn't do either of them any good, and a part of her was afraid she already knew what was amiss with him.
She reasoned the distance might be a good thing. They had been growing too close, and Nami didn't know how much longer he would be in her life. Better not to get overly attached, and it was especially good not to let his attraction deepen any more than it had. There was no telling what could come of that. So, she let him be cold and surly to her, and woke up every morning with him latched onto her until he nearly fell out of bed in his attempt to reestablish the distance they needed.
She was especially irritated with his attitude after their last night in Álasund. At least she swore it was only his coldness that bothered her.
Iceburg had thrown a grand feast for all the crews and the village to celebrate what was sure to be a profitable journey. The hall thrummed with energy and excitement, everyone drank and ate and flirted. Nami sat with Kalifa and Paulie, teasing the man as she had become wont to do. It was so easy to make him blush. But then she was distracted by the sight of Kid slipping out of the hall with a young blonde woman in tow. She glowered at them as Paulie muttered some comment about that woman being a favorite among some of the village men, so much so, she made Nami look like a sweet, demure, and conservative woman. Kalifa smacked him hard upside the head and hissed at him to be polite, but Nami ignored their antics as she felt a pang in her chest she had never known before.
It was odd. She couldn't be jealous. She was just annoyed with how much he had been ignoring her, and now he was running off to be in another woman's bed, leaving her to the mercy of her visions. That had to be it. She was just bothered at the thought of him shirking his duties to her. She didn't care what he did with some random woman. It was none of her business.
Killer caught her eye as she tried to ignore her darkening mood. He glanced to the door, then back to her. He scowled, sighed, and then stood to head outside. She had no idea what he might be up to, ignored the thought he might go to interfere with Kid's tryst, and forced herself to focus on Paulie who had begun bickering with Lucci about the blond's insensitivity. Lucci had little room to talk. He was cold and brusque with everyone, but at least he could be polite when he needed to be.
That night Nami went to bed with a foul temper and struggled to go to sleep. She didn't expect Kid to return to his quarters until the morning, so she was surprised to hear him enter and shuffle around in the dark. She feigned sleep as he slipped under the blankets, carefully kept her back to him. She was tense and ready to smack him, but she had no right to be upset. And at least he hadn't abandoned her like she thought he would.
He tossed and turned for a minute, huffed and sighed and settled behind her with a groan. She could feel the heat of his body as he inched closer, and tensed even more at the brush of his hand on her back. She idly wondered if his release with the woman had eased the stress he felt being around her the last few days, made it easier for them to go back to their close friendship. She thought that might not have been such a bad thing, especially since she missed his companionship, something she never imagined could happen. Talking with him could be fun. His stories often amused her, or shed light on who he was. Sometimes he could even be enlightening, helping her as she tried to adjust to this new world filled with magic and foresight. He could infuriate her at times, but their arguments fizzled easily enough, and by the end of it they could be playfully teasing each other with no hurt feelings.
But then she felt his hard shaft tease her backside and the fury she had buried since supper returned. How could he still be aroused after running off with that damn woman? Was he only grudgingly with her because Killer made him return? He moaned as he nestled closer, but the sound was strangled in his throat the moment she slammed her elbow into his gut. He drew away with a pained groan. She turned over and smacked him as hard as she could to make him retreat even more. She hissed a quiet don't touch me, and rolled away from him again, moving to the very edge of the bed.
His responding groan sounded disappointed, and after a few minutes he shifted closer to her again. She prepared to strike him if he tried anything, but he only leaned his head against the back of hers and didn't touch her further. His lack of argument, even if he stubbornly remained close, stopped her from shoving him away. He was still in a mood if he didn't yell at her for hitting him, and obliged her demand, so she let it go.
By the morning he was attached to her, anyway, and she woke to find him staring at her with a thoughtful frown rather than flying out of bed after releasing her.
When they loaded their ships to set off, Kid took charge as he had before and barked commands at everyone to move. Except for Nami. He did boss her around, but it was quiet and gruff, and she had a feeling he was sulking. She hadn't been talkative that morning, had proceeded to ignore him as much as he had ignored her the last few days. Apparently, he didn't like that, but wasn't about to say anything on the matter. She was at least ready to go when he wanted her to be, dressed in trousers, tunic, her leather armor and guards, and her hair braided quickly with Kalifa's help. So long as their moods weren't slowing things down, neither of them had reason to address the chilly divide between them.
Once out at sea, they spoke when they needed to, but continued their silence. Kid's men had been stepping around them carefully for days, and that didn't change over the days at sea. Nami ignored the uncomfortable glances from the men. Luckily none of them were stupid enough to say anything about the tense atmosphere between them. There was no reason to. They weren't bickering or doing anything to hinder their voyage, they were still working together to maintain their route and keep the ship afloat. They could deal with the awkwardness for a few days more.
It took them four days to reach the region Kid wished to raid in. They were slowed by a storm on the second day and had to wait for all their ships to rejoin after they scattered, but otherwise conditions had been ideal. They skirted the coast of the island down to the Northumbrian lands. There were Danish settlements to the northernmost region of the island, as well as some within the central region, which meant fewer places that were ideal for raiding, but Kid knew of villages with wealth and no kinship to the Norse that they could still strike.
It was when they landed, early in the morning, that their standoff began to break.
The coast was covered in a thick fog that sent a shiver down Nami's spine as she recalled her dream. After disembarking, she stood on the shore to stare inland at a world she didn't know and couldn't quite see behind the grey clouds. She tried to listen for the galloping horses, the hollowing dogs, but all she could hear was the waves crashing against the rocks to the north of their landing spot and the calls of the men as they unloaded the ships and prepared to find a place to camp. Unease crept through her until she felt a firm hand rest on her shoulder, driving away the anxiety with just one touch. She released a breath and looked up to see Kid staring at her, worry hidden behind his scowl.
They still didn't speak, but she nodded to let him know she would be fine, and he left her after giving her shoulder a tight squeeze. The gap was still there between them, but it wasn't so cold with the quiet reminder that he was there to support her, to fight for her, to protect her.
Between Kid, Franky, and Iceburg's men, they had six ships filled with men and women ready to fight – over three-hundred warriors in all. Together they headed inland as the fog began to burn away, revealing rich grasslands and forests not far from the beach, and took to building a camp within a thinly wooded area. Soon the coast and clearing rang with the sound of axes striking down trees and sharpening stakes for their tents and the defensive perimeter Kid ordered his men to build. By the early afternoon, they had shelter and protection, and even some meat to share after Lucci took a party out to hunt and returned with a deer and two rabbits.
Nami and the other women set to work on the meal while Kid and the leaders circled around a fire beneath an open canopy to discuss their strategy. They agreed to send out scouts that afternoon, with Wire taking some men to the west, Kaku leading his men to the south, and Zambai taking some of Franky's men to the north. They were to search for villages or farms, gather supplies, horses, carts, whatever they could find, and return in the morning with any information on the foes they might meet in battle.
The scouts left after a quick meal, and Nami decided to settle inside the tent she claimed with the other women. She wanted to sharpen her axe and try to shake her lingering worries. She felt more confident about her ability to fight, but she couldn't help fearing the worst would come. The shieldmaidens that joined them had all reassured her that she would be well protected, and Kalifa said she trusted Nami's skills in battle enough not to be overly worried about the camp's safety. She tried to take their reassurances to heart, but the anxiety coiling in her gut made it difficult.
She also sought the privacy of their tents to escape Kid's gaze. When he didn't have battle tactics to focus on with the men, he had taken to watching her move around the camp. He didn't even try to pretend that he wasn't staring at her. She would feel the weight of his gaze on her back and turn to see him sitting at the fire with his eyes locked on her. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, his eyes dark and guarded, his scowl unwavering. It sent a shiver down her spine and made her want to flee from the camp, but she forced herself to ignore him and continue with her work until she had her chance to escape him.
She didn't think he would try to speak with her any time soon. He might have eased her anxiety when they reached England with one comforting gesture, but he hadn't tried to talk to her. He kept his distance, even if he wasn't as cold as he had been.
To her surprise, he grabbed her by the arm before she could hide in her tent and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I didn't do anything with her," he said.
She turned to him in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Kid huffed as he released her and stepped back. "You've been angry with me since the last night we were in Álasund," he said, as though that explained everything.
She furrowed her brows in thought. Was he talking about the woman he slipped out with? Why would he even bother talking to her about it? And now of all times?
He crossed his arms over his chest with an annoyed growl. "I'm saying I didn't do anything with that woman, so you don't have anything to be mad about."
"Her name is Birgit. At least have the decency to use her name," Kalifa said as she passed by them to go into their tent. She glared at Kid. "And a woman would be a fool to believe that lie."
Kid snarled at her. "I didn't ask for your opinion, woman. Stay out of this."
Kalifa turned her nose up at him and continued into the tent, leaving them to talk. Nami had to agree with her, though. There was no way she could believe Kid did nothing, even if it was none of her business. When Kid looked at her again, she leveled an icy stare on him.
"I couldn't care less about what you did with whom," she insisted. "You can sleep with every man and woman here if you want to. You're a free man. It's none of my business how you spend your time."
"Then why the fuck did you hit me?" he growled. "Don't lie. I know you were mad."
"That wasn't what I was angry about, Kid. You've treated me with nothing more than cold disdain for days."
"I haven't treated you with disdain," he argued.
"You've hardly spoken to me, avoided me as much as you could, and I assumed you went off with that woman so you didn't have to be anywhere near me that night. How would you feel if I treated you that way?" She crossed her arms over her chest, mirroring his closed off stance. Most of what she said was the truth. She refused to admit to any sense of jealousy. Those feelings were completely unreasonable, anyway. She cared for Kid and appreciated his friendship, she had just been lonely and felt like a burden he didn't want around anymore. That was all that had been bothering her. "And Kalifa is right – I don't believe you."
Kid rolled his eyes and tilted his head back as he took a deep breath. "I swear I didn't do anything with her." She arched her brow when he looked back down at her, and he sighed. "I didn't… Not for a lack of trying," he said, trailing off to mutter the last part.
She shut her eyes, wishing they weren't having this pointless conversation. "As I said, Kid, you can do whatever you want, with whoever you want. It's none of my business. You don't have to make excuses for your behavior. I know you've been on edge, and I can understand the reason." She gestured at his groin while hoping that her cheeks weren't too pink. This was not a conversation she ever imagined having with him. "I've woken up every morning with that reason stabbing me in the back. If anything, I was annoyed with you that night because that apparently hadn't gone away after your time with her. I assumed you grudgingly came to bed because Killer went after you, and you weren't ready to leave her."
Kid groaned. "She wasn't the one I wanted to be with. I was just hoping she'd be enough, but…" He shrugged and looked away. "I let Killer take her instead. Stayed and watched hoping it might–"
"Please stop talking," she interrupted, holding her hand up to make him pause. Her face was burning up with a blush while a fire of rage filled her chest. "I don't need to know the specifics. I don't need to know anything. I told you, I don't care about any of that." His brow rose to say he didn't believe her. She glared back. "I don't. I'm not saying I wasn't upset with you, but it had nothing to do with that." He still didn't look to believe her. "I just don't like being avoided. Even if I can understand why you kept your distance, that doesn't make it any better. We're supposed to be friends, Kid. I'm supposed to be relying on you and trusting that you'll protect me, but the way you treated me made it hard to believe that you won't toss me away when the responsibility becomes too burdensome."
"I'm not going to toss you away, woman. I'm not that callous and irresponsible," he growled, and then sighed. "I just need to keep my head straight, not get distracted by…" He gestured between them, refusing to admit his attraction aloud. "I don't want your blood on my hands."
"What?" She frowned thoughtfully. "What do you mean by that?"
Kid hissed and stepped closer, leaning in to speak quietly. "The chieftain's curse. I don't want to take the risk that it'll affect me because I can't have you."
Realization dawned on her. He thought he would go mad just because he wanted her? She supposed it was good that he was being so careful, but plenty of men wanted her, and not one of them had gone insane. If she was worried about that, she wouldn't take so much pleasure toying with his men. So long as nothing happened between them, then he had nothing to worry over. He might suffer from his desires for a while, and it was probably good that he did what he could to channel those feelings elsewhere and take advantage of any willing women around him, but he didn't have to be a cold bastard to her.
"I've already told my men that if anything happens," Kid continued to say, "they need to put your life above anyone else's. Even if it's my head they have to take–"
She grabbed him by the collar of his armor, cutting him off as she tugged him down. He had nothing else to say after she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek and shoved him away. She smiled at him as he gaped in shock, his cheeks dusted with a subtle blush.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Kid," she chirped and spun away, waving over her shoulder. "I trust you, so don't avoid me so much."
Before he could come to his senses and stop her, she slipped into her tent. As soon as the flap closed behind her, she let her head fall back and blew out a long breath.
"You shouldn't be so forgiving of that man," Kalifa lectured from her bed. She sat with a sword in her lap, whetstone in hand as she paused in her efforts to sharpen the weapon. "Then again, I still haven't quite figured out your relationship with him."
Nami glared at her. "It's…" She frowned. Even she couldn't quite explain what they were to each other, not without going into the whole story of how she came to be in Kid's care. She didn't even want to touch on the complicated feelings brewing between them, the warmth and comfort they had come to share. It was too much for her. She would rather keep everything simple. For her sanity and his. "We're friends. Nothing more," she lied as she headed over to her bed to set to work on her axe. "At least he finally spoke to me. Hopefully he'll feel better after he's killed some Saxons, then things can go back to normal."
She desperately hoped they would. Life in Drafn would become needlessly stressful if he continued to be moody with her. Perhaps it was a good thing she chose to remain with the women that night. It would give him the space he needed. And once they returned home, she would work harder to control her visions so she would have no need to use him as a crutch at night. His easy willingness to climb into bed with her, and her lack of refusal, was likely to blame for his attraction building so much. The closeness they found over the last week, as well as the peeks he caught of her as they shared his quarters, only worsened it so he couldn't shake his desires as easily as he should.
"For your sake, I hope you're right," Kalifa remarked. "But if he continues to be an ass, I'd be happy to knock some sense into him for you."
Nami laughed. "You just want an excuse to hit him."
Kalifa's smile was barely there, but Nami didn't miss the wicked, mischievous glint in her eye. She laughed harder at the silent admittance. Kid would be wise to watch his back whenever Kalifa was around.
Kid blinked in a stupor as he stared at the spot Nami had just been. He wasn't sure if she had just kissed his cheek, or if the pleasant tingle on his skin was merely imagined. He had imagined plenty of things she could do to him over the last week, though none of those dreams were so innocent and chaste. And if he wasn't deeply delusional, and she had just kissed him, then he had no idea how he was supposed to keep his mind together after that.
One little kiss. A peck on the cheek. It was nothing like the thoughts he had of her in bed at night, dreams of feeling her hand caress his hard shaft, beckoning him to settle between her legs and take her entirely for himself. Yet that tiny kiss had just as much of an effect on his body. He wanted to toss her over his shoulder, cart her off into the woods, and fuck her like he had hoped to do with that woman… Brigyrd? Birta? Hulda? Whatever her name was, he had hoped to be rid of his lust just long enough to fight with a clear head, but he couldn't even feign genuine arousal without thinking of Nami. And as soon as he thought of Nami, his chest tightened with what he could only assume was guilt, tempering what lust he had for Ida. Or was it Ingeborg?
Killer found them down the hill as Aina knelt in front of him with his semi-hard cock in her mouth, and he stubbornly tried to forget ever meeting Nami in the first place. His friend gave him a reproachful glare that held a silent lecture, and once again Kid felt like shit for what he was attempting to do.
He could admit that he had been an ass to Nami as he tried to forcefully move on from his attraction to her, but he had no better idea of how to deal with the situation. There had been women in the past that he wanted but couldn't have. He always shrugged it off and moved on. One had stung his pride, but he had been fifteen, young and confused with all that was happening with the jarl and his family, and the woman had been a slave, so it was hard to tell if her interest was genuine, or forced because of her position. It was only made worse when he found her in bed with the jarl's sons who tormented him for days about it. She spread her legs for any man who asked it of her, Kid was nothing special, so he forced himself to forget her after she was found dead that winter, supposedly mauled to death by a pack of wolves, though Kid wasn't so naïve anymore. He knew those men had killed her, but by that point he had ceased to care.
Before Nami, he couldn't say if he had ever been so torn about his desires. He wanted her, and he had a feeling that if circumstances were different, he might be able to seduce her if he tried hard enough. But he couldn't have her, and the more he tried to control his feelings for her, the stronger they grew and fought at his sanity until he feared he might snap and take her by force. Sharing a bed with her had become akin to torture for him. He dreamed of sinking deep inside her and hearing her call his name in ecstasy, then woke to find her in his arms and realized if he moved his hand up just a bit, he would have her breast in his palm, and had to force himself to release her before he acted on that impulse. His only relief was that he hadn't woken up to find himself thrusting into her.
His mind was relieved. His cock certainly wasn't.
After he pushed Lotte at Killer and told his friend to have her first if he wanted, he sat back and tried to find that same lust he carefully buried whenever he was around Nami. It was too bad he couldn't enjoy Sylvi. She was pretty enough, though her blonde hair didn't hold the same luster of amber and gold that Nami's did. And her green eyes didn't have the same warmth he found in Nami's brown eyes the night they sat on the beach talking, nor did they glimmer with mischief, or heat with fiery anger. Her creamy skin was soft enough, but she didn't smell as sweet as Nami and there were no freckles on her shoulder to trace with his tongue. Holding her in his arms felt hollow, as though she were merely a ghost. It was nothing like the inviting comfort that came just from having Nami lean against his side.
When watching Killer screw the woman against a tree did him no service, he gave up and trudged off to bed in a foul mood as his arousal returned with just one touch to Nami's back. That mood was only worsened when his attempts to hold her were met with simmering anger. That foreign feeling of guilt returned to twist painfully in his chest, and all he wanted to do was pull her tight against him and hope she forgave him for running off with Stina. Or was it Thoril? He was even prepared to promise Nami another chest of gold, but instead silently settled as close as she allowed and breathed in her sweet scent in the hopes all would be better in the morning.
It was worse in the morning. He hated when Nami ignored him, and she knew it, but he had nothing to say to fix the divide, not when he knew it was his fault she was so livid. He had been trying to keep his distance from her, anyway, so he decided it was better to let things remain as they were. Maybe if she continued to be angry with him, it would help his attraction fizzle out. It was a vain hope, but it was all he had until he couldn't take the chilly atmosphere between them any longer.
Once they reached Britain, he saw that she was scared, even if she tried to hide it from the others. She needed his strength and support in the face of her latest prophecy. There could be no divide between them that might make her doubt her own abilities, or distract him from his battles. Not when it could mean death for her. He had hoped that if he spoke with her, they'd at least be able to clear the air and set their focus on what was to come. The most he expected to get from her was some sense of forgiveness to get his mind off the other night, and hopefully help her relax enough that she could fight without their conflict weighing her down.
Instead he got a gentle kiss that he wished hadn't been on the cheek, and had been longer and deeper and filled with sultry moans. He also got a reassurance of her trust in him, and told that he didn't have to be so distant. But he was too busy trying to wrap his head around one little kiss to even think about the rest.
He was utterly screwed. He wanted to curse and scream at Odin for bringing the damned, wretched woman to him in the first place. Tempting him with a woman he could easily say was more valuable than any piece of gold, and he couldn't even have her for himself. No wonder all those men went mad. He didn't even want to claim her for her magic as they did, and he swore his mind was set to unravel should he ever be gifted with another kiss.
When the urge to throttle something became too overwhelming, Kid turned away from the tent and stormed through the camp. He found Killer talking to Heat near their own tent and shoved his way between the men.
"Come with me," he ordered as he wrapped his arm around his cousin's neck and hauled him along whether he wanted to come or not.
"Kid?" One word that asked plenty of questions without having to say more.
"I either need to fuck someone, or kill something, and since I can't do the former, we're gonna do the latter," he explained gruffly.
Killer sighed and shrugged out of Kid's hold. He followed him out of the camp, snagging two bows and a quiver of arrows on the way, knowing it was a waste of breath arguing about it. Tomorrow they'd be off to pillage the nearest village and hopefully his sated bloodlust will temper his other lusts. In the meantime, he'd see his men didn't go hungry any time soon.
Nami did her best to believe that things would be better between her and Kid after he spent some energy in battle. He returned from an unplanned hunt late at night with two birds, another rabbit, and a weasel dangling from one hand, and seemed calm enough. Then he tossed the meat at the women to prepare and stalked off to his tent without a word, apparently back in that surly mood of his that had annoyed her so much.
She let it go and focused on helping the other women before going to bed. It was too late to pick a fight with him and she would rather trust his mood would pass once he had control of himself again.
Their first night in Britain, Gunda insisted on staying awake to guard Nami as she slept, her decision remaining firm even as Nami tried to sway her to rest for whatever battles they may face the next day.
"Lady Nami, there may be a reason to battle tonight, and I will not be caught unaware," Gunda said stubbornly. Her head was high, her resolve too strong to break.
Nami relented with a sigh. "Then at least join us in the tent. I could use your company as I sleep."
That much was true, and her whole reason for having the shieldmaiden close by. She had always liked sharing a bed with someone. It brought her comfort she desperately needed. She shared a bed with Bellemere and Nojiko, and then only Nojiko, and now she regularly found herself with Kid's company, whether she had originally wanted it or not. She was too accustomed to feeling that weight and warmth of another human beside her, breathing softly with sleep, sheltering her in their arms, shielded from a world she feared.
"You will have Lady Kalifa and the other shieldmaidens with you. It is best if I stay outside in case–" Gunda paused when Nami's lip quivered pleadingly. It was her turn to give in with a sigh and nodded, waving for Nami to climb into her furs. "I will remain by your side until you fall asleep and check to see that you are well throughout the night." She sighed again when Nami grinned at her. "It's a blessing I am not a man. You would have me at your beck and call with that pout, just like all the others. I'm beginning to pity them."
"Are you saying I don't have you at my beck and call now?" Nami asked teasingly, her spirits high as she settled beneath her pelts. Gunda glowered at her, unamused. "I'll have to try harder to seduce you."
She laughed when Gunda's face seemed to catch fire. Apparently, it was possible to make the woman blush harder than she had when Kid and his men ran wet and naked around the hall.
That night she went to sleep happy and safe with her shieldmaiden at her side. It was a true relief to have her there as her mind slipped into fog and filled with the cacophony of battle, the whinnies and grunts of horses as they galloped through the trees, the clash of metal and wood, the shouts and screams of warriors killing and dying. She woke in a cold sweat at Gunda's touch, the woman's eyes etched with worry. She brought her water and calmed her, glad the dream wasn't as detailed as the last. It would be an ill omen if she woke up in a fit of madness again. Nami managed to doze off as Gunda gently combed her fingers through her hair and hummed as a mother would for her child. She didn't leave her side again until dawn.
Come the morning, Nami found Gunda braving the terror that was an exhausted and freshly roused Kid. She crouched at his side by his tent's fire, ignoring his scowl as she whispered to him. Nami knew she was telling him about her vision the night before. His hard gaze landed on her just as he nodded to the shieldmaiden and waved her off. His frown deepened, questioning if she would be fine with just one look. He turned away when Nami forced a smile, and went back to splashing water on his face to help him fully wake.
The camp bustled with activity as the morning carried on. The warriors were fed, the scouts returned to tell their news of a large village to the southwest, as well as deliver the horses they stole from nearby farms. With their arrival, the men grew restless for battle and threw themselves into preparing. There wasn't much left to do but wait for Kid's orders. Franky and Lucci decided to leave first with their forces, while Kid took his time and spoke with Heat and Hróarr away from the others.
"Lady Nami," Halle called as he jogged toward her with Axel just behind him. They were both clad in thick leathers and mail. Halle had a sword dangling from his belt, and Axel had his two axes. Both eagerly looked forward to battle. She cocked her brow when she noticed Halle's sly grin. "I have a favor to ask you."
"A favor?" she asked, while Axel snorted behind him.
Her brow rose higher when Halle took her hand, his grin widening as he brought it up to his lips. "I would like to have the gods' fortune in battle, and I was hoping one kiss from their lovely seeress might bring me luck."
"A kiss?" She tried not to laugh. "I think you're trying a little too hard there, Halle. You can find fortune and glory without it." He kissed the back of her hand, anyway, and she held out her other one. "That will be five gold coins."
Halle laughed and took her other hand to kiss her palm. "I will bring you twenty when I return."
The charmer was unfazed by her glower and looked ready to double his debt until a large, imposing shadow fell over them. Axel swallowed a laugh as Halle straightened his back and slowly turned to look up at his jarl. There was no mistaking Kid's aura of barely contained rage and murderous intent. Halle dropped Nami's hand, jumped away, and bowed his head low, like a wolf submitting to his pack leader.
"Jarl Kid," Halle managed to stammer before spinning away and making a hasty retreat. Kid glared at his back as he fled, his eyes narrowing as his body tensed. He looked ready to give chase, and Nami once again hoped his pillaging would help him expend that energy without harming his own men.
Axel failed to contain another laugh, the sound turning into a strangled cough when it earned Kid's angry gaze. He carefully nodded to the jarl, and then to Nami before muttering something about checking on Halle to see that he didn't piss himself and made his retreat.
Nami sighed as Kid once more glared at his own man's back. "Really, Kid?"
"What?" he growled at her. "They were warned."
"Warned about what?" she asked, though she suspected she already knew. When Kid moved closer and failed to answer, she knew she was right. He had warned them not to flirt with her or face his jealous wrath, though he likely didn't admit to the jealousy out loud. It was obvious enough without saying it.
"I've ordered Heat and Hróarr to send out scouts regularly to keep watch of the immediate area," Kid explained. "They'll alert the camp if they see anyone approach, so listen for their horns."
Nami nodded, unable to say anything in the face of Kid's stern frown. He was as worried as she was, but doing his best to take measures that might help set her at ease. It only served to remind her that they weren't safe there, that if her vision turned into reality, she would have to see battle, see her friends die so soon after meeting them. She feared their fate was inescapable, but they had no choice, they would have to face whatever came their way.
With a heavy sigh, Kid cupped her face with both hands, gripping her by the jaw to make her focus on him.
"Don't forget yourself," he said lowly. "You've worked hard to prove you can fight for yourself. You're not as weak as you think you are, you're not a coward. You got plenty of strength on your own." He gently prodded her forehead with two fingers. "Use what you got in here." He sighed and dropped his hand to press a hard fist against her breastbone. "And in here."
She swallowed thickly and nodded. Her hands tightened into fists when she felt a tremor of fear remain. She wouldn't run away, not this time. She was determined to prove him right.
Kid forced a smile and lightly patted her cheek. "That's my girl," he chuckled. "Just remember to move, and don't stop fighting, don't give up. And when I return, maybe I'll have something pretty and shiny to reward you with."
He laughed genuinely as her eyes lit up. She would fight if she was promised treasure in return. She wouldn't be afraid if gold was in her reach.
"Greedy witch," he mused with one last pat to her cheek. He reluctantly pulled away. "We'll see if I can at least pay off one of those chests you've fined me."
"I'll be waiting then," Nami said, smiling easily. She wasn't happy to see him go, but she at least felt confident that he would return. And she would be there to greet him after a successful raid.
He turned away grinning, some of the tension leaking out of his shoulders. "Let's go," he called to his men, waving for them to head out of camp. He cast one last look at her over his shoulder. His grin lessened, but didn't seem any less confident.
She waved her farewell to him and the others, and he turned back to take the lead of the last pack of warriors to leave the camp. She watched as they climbed the hill by their camp, disappearing into the trees and light mist that lingered from the morning's fog. When she could no longer see Kid's red hair and thick fur cloak, she felt her creeping fear return.
A shiver raced down her spine as she looked among the trees, peered into the thin fog. There were no horses or hounds, no army lurking around their camp. Their small force of shieldmaidens and the youngest and oldest men within their three parties were alone.
"Lady Nami, you have nothing to fear," Finn declared as he came to her side. He grinned as he took her hand and squeezed it before releasing her to chase after another warrior close in age to him that he had met in Álasund. As he jogged away, he turned to let her see his playful grin. "And tonight over supper, we want to hear some tales of Freyr and his elves."
She laughed at the request and waved him off. She supposed it wouldn't hurt to have some entertainment that night, and perhaps they could call upon Freyr to bring Kid and his men the wealth and bounty they sought. It would serve as a good distraction from her worries, too.
She began to turn toward the large canopy tent and smoldering fire everyone preferred to gather around. Movement among the trees gave her pause. A shadow moved beneath a tree. She squinted and stepped in the direction of the forest, hoping she might see the figure clearly if she went closer. An annoying buzz filled her ears, drowning out all the rest of the world. A fly bit at her cheek, but she hardly felt the prick. Her whole focus was on the woods as she walked toward the shadow of a strange man.
Someone grabbed her by the arm to stop her just as she reached the fence. She blinked and in that very moment the shadowy figure vanished into the mist.
"Lady Nami, you mustn't leave the defensive perimeter," Gunda said, tugging her away from the fence.
"Gunda?" Nami turned to her, confused and uneasy at the strange vision. "Did you see a man in the forest just now?"
The shieldmaiden frowned at her before casting her gaze beyond their camp to check the trees. "No, I see no one. Did you see one of the Englishmen? A soldier?" With her questioning, she turned to gesture at the other shieldmaidens hovering around her. "Sweep through the forest. We cannot have any enemies alerted to our camp," Gunda ordered, taking charge of the other women while Nami tried to understand what she saw. She was certain it wasn't a vision. It didn't feel like her dreams.
"I don't think it was a soldier," she interjected before the women could leave. "He was shrouded in dark robes… I think he might have been a monk."
"The scouts said nothing of a church," Gunda mused, once again frowning. If the scouts had seen a church, they would have spoken of it. The Christian churches always had the gold and riches they sought. "Are you certain it was a monk?"
Nami furrowed her brows. "I… I'm not sure. But I swear I saw a man there watching the camp before vanishing."
Gunda stood silently for a moment, thinking as she stared off at the trees. She came to a decision with a nod and once again waved at the shieldmaidens. "We'll still do a sweep of the woods. It is best not to take any risks. Jarl Eustass has entrusted us with the safety of the camp and Lady Nami, we'll see that there are no dangers lurking out there." She turned to Nami with a gentle smile. "Go sit by the fire with Lady Kalifa. It's a chilly morning, and you have yet to eat. We'll return once we've completed our search."
The shieldmaiden took her hand and squeezed, then released her to lead the other women in their sweep. Nami watched fifteen of the shieldmaidens head out into the forest, Gunda looking more confident than she had with the task at hand. She gestured for the women to break off into small groups and fan out over the area. Just as Kid and his men had, they disappeared into the trees, leaving Nami behind.
A hand landed on her shoulder to remind her that she wasn't alone, and she glanced up to see Heat towering over her. His expression was as stoic and unreadable as ever. He nodded toward the fire as his lips curled in a smile that was barely there.
"Let's see that you eat," he said, drawing her away from the fence. "And Jarl Kid thinks I might be able to give some insight into your visions, so I would like to hear of your newest dreams. If you're willing to speak of them again."
She was surprised to hear that Kid had thought about how his men could help her. Heat had already done so much for her when she was sick, and he was the only person she had met with any knowledge of magic. Maybe he could help guide her to some answers.
Nami smiled at him in thanks. "I can't see how it would hurt. Any help I can get to manage my dreams is welcomed."
His smile grew as he waved her toward the tents. She paused to glance over her shoulder at the woods one last time, hoping to see the shrouded figure again. All she saw were trees and shrubs and mist. Another shiver ran down her spine.
If the man boded ill will, then it was already too late.
Long brown and ivory robes spread around him as he knelt on the stone steps before the alter, fingering a string of red beads in quiet prayer. His bishop stood to the side, a gilded cross swaying from his hand as he observed the lord in his daily ritual. The whole of his household knelt on the floor behind him, their heads bowed in their own prayers, following their lord's pious example.
He had always been a devout man. His father once said they were born from the angels and that one day their Lord would take them into His Kingdom and gift them with the wings they lacked in their mortal realm. Those stories came every Sunday as he prayed with his family until his knees ached, and continued until they turned calloused and numb. They once inspired him to study with the church. He sought to be a monk, pledged to peaceful study of their scared texts. Those dreams diminished when his father died and war broke out. He had to take on the mantel of warrior and lord, not the vestments of the pious. He became another man, no longer the calm, kind, priestly man. He forgot mercy in the face of his enemies, fought with a furious savagery unrivaled among their people. He became the strongest in their lands, grew so large men spoke of giants when they met him, but he was no giant.
He was a monk within his heart. Albeit a mad one.
He heard the church doors open and shut behind him. Feet shuffled. A man whispered. He heard the gentle crinkle of parchment being passed and opened. He was nearly done with his prayers as he listened to someone approach him.
"Lord Urouge," his vassal whispered. "I have a message for you."
He hummed, but kept his eyes shut as he continued to finger his beads. His vassal waited patiently behind him. His people knew better than to interrupt his worship, no matter the urgency.
When he reached the end of his prayers of devotion and fealty, he made the sign of the cross and bowed his head toward the bishop in gratitude for the extra time he was gifted within the church. When he stood and finally turned to his vassal, he wore a wide grin.
"So, what is this message?" he prompted, his voice deep but filled with good humor. His eyes settled on a stranger standing just inside the door, shrouded in cloth and shadow. He didn't move and Urouge would have thought him a statue if he did not stand in the door's path. His dark cloak was made of simple wool, but it was the beaded rope and wooden cross hanging from his waist that stood out to the lord.
"This monk has come with a warning of heathen raiders," Urouge's vassal informed.
"How commendable of the monk," Urouge said, his grin spreading. The stranger did not leave the shadows, nor did he move, and Urouge narrowed his eyes on him. "May I ask the monk's name? I wish to tell our Lord of his devoted servant's benevolence in my next prayers."
The monk's shroud moved silently as he shook his head.
"My Lord," his vassal said, clearing his throat as he held out a rolled parchment. "He has taken a strict vow of silence, but wrote his greetings and message here."
Urouge hummed, carefully eyeing the monk and the message. With a chuckle, he took the parchment and opened it. "Far be it for me to interfere with such show of piety," he mused while scanning the message. "You call yourself Dumah?" He chuckled, once more glancing up at the monk. "As silent as the name, I see. If you lift your shroud, will I find you have a thousand eyes, too?"
He suspected there was a chortle in the monk's shrug, but no sound came from within the shadows. Urouge's attention went back to the words scrawled hastily in black ink.
"You say they landed on a beach two days east of here… So they have already been here for at least two days while you traveled to give me this message, and it will take another two days for me to reach them. You came far to deliver this warning. I know there are lords and knights closer," Urouge mused as he read. He frowned and glanced up at the monk. "You say a large army of over two hundred left toward the village to the southwest of their position. Why not warn them instead of me?" The monk shrugged and nodded his head forward, indicating he continue to read. Urouge eyed him suspiciously. "If that was the direction they took, I suppose it will do no harm to come to me. A knight resides in a village near there – Sir Cavendish." Urouge chuckled. "He will likely rejoice at the chance to defeat the heathen army and flaunt his greatness to the king when next he sees him. He's always desired to become a prince, and a great victory like that might win him the hand of one of the king's daughters. I'm certain he does not need my aid."
The monk nodded again, and Urouge returned to the rest of the message.
"You wish me to approach their camp?" he asked as he read, scrutinizing the writing closer. "They left behind an army of nearly fifty, half of them male warriors, young and old, and the other half… shieldmaidens?" The monk made no sound, nor moved from his spot. Urouge sighed, reading on. "They left this force to defend one woman?" The monk nodded. "You wish for me to fetch this woman?" The monk nodded again. "For what purpose? Is she of notable birth?" The monk nodded. "Is she their queen?" This time a shake of the head. "Princess?" Another shake of the head. "A high ranked lady?" The monk remained still and Urouge glowered at him. "That is hardly worth much. Unless she is of importance to their chieftain and a useful hostage, it would be a waste to hunt her down. I would rather leave these heathens to Cavendish, including their women. Unless this woman is the Virgin Mother born again, I see no reason for you or us to have need of her."
The monk appeared to stiffen. Urouge felt annoyance radiate from the shadows as the monk's robes shifted. He watched the man finally step forward, his hands hidden within billowing sleeves. He moved silently through the church and came to a stop at one of the statues set to the side of the dais. His silence persisted, but his message was clear as he stared at the figure with lofty wings spread toward the heavens.
"An angel?" Urouge mused with a thoughtful hum.
The monk's head was tilted back, as though he were peering up at the soft features of the angel's expression, but his face was still shrouded by the shadow of his hood and Urouge sensed that the man's eyes were on him instead. The monk's obscured face and motives gnawed at his conscience. How could he trust a faceless man? A man who claimed the name of a fearsome angel that hearkened death and destruction. A man who brought news of heathens that would no doubt be the agents of their world's ruin. He felt no holiness in his silence, only deceit and trickery.
"Or perhaps she is a devil?" Urouge thought aloud, sauntering toward the silent monk to tower behind him. The man barely reached the middle of his chest. "A demoness. Lilith. She would be most welcome and elated to be consorting with murderous, thieving pagans." The monk remained perfectly still, his shoulders languid and relaxed beneath his thick robes. "And if she were a demon, why would you wish for me to fetch her? At least assuming you desire her alive. Perhaps you are not Dumah, but Samael, wishing to consort with this woman of Lilith yourself. Or maybe you are a demon, Asmodeus, and have come to bring her back to Hell."
The monk's head bowed and his shoulders shook with another soundless laugh.
Urouge decided he wouldn't get any straight answers from this man. If he was truly a monk, devoted to their Lord, then he would be wise to heed his warnings, anyway. And if he proved false, then Urouge would contend with that another time. At the very least he could trust that these heathens and the woman needed to be dealt with, especially if he was sent such a strange messenger.
He moved away from the monk with a laugh, sweeping one side of his robe over his shoulder as he slowly made his way to the door.
"Be she angel or demon, I cannot allow her to remain in the hands of a heathen army," Urouge decided with a grin and confident laugh. "I will bring back and judge what she is myself, and if you are proven false, I will send both of you demons to Hell myself."
His declaration finally earned a sound from the monk, the halting chuckle he had stifled so well throughout his interrogation. It was the laugh of a devil.
Urouge feared no demon, nor his tricks. The Mad Monk would face the heathens and banish them all to Hell where they belonged.
A/N: I was so thrilled when I realized I could use both Urouge and Cavendish in this arc, especially Urouge so I could tie in some Judeo-Christian mythology. And the mystery man wearing the robes of a monk is actually going to be a major presence throughout the fic, all the way to the end. I didn't intend to introduce him this early, but he made for a great catalyst to move Urouge's forces, so I couldn't resist. Obviously I tied him here to figures in Judeo-Christian angel/ demon mythology, but I don't want to explain why I picked the name "Dumah" here because I'm trying to keep his actual identity a secret for a while and I think that might give it away. A couple of you already correctly guessed who the Earl of Hedeby is (kudos to you), but this one I actually really want to keep you guys guessing up until the very end. It's so much more fun that way. I also gave hints to which figure in Norse mythos he will represent with what Nami experienced when she saw him, but again, I don't want to give that one away too soon since it might also spoil what his motivations and role in this fic will be. All I can say is that I am so excited to be writing him into this fic, even if he's going to be shrouded in mystery for a while. Though, I won't be too surprised if I get some guesses on the mystery man, but I hope I can still keep you guys in the dark about most of it.
Now then, as for Kid being an asshole to poor Birgit the blonde and not remembering her name - in his defense... he really is an asshole and if the person doesn't make a big enough impression on him, he's not going to remember much about them and he's especially terrible with names in those instances. Also he's pining for Nami, and as I showed in 'Possession', he is really awful when he's pining for someone he doesn't think he can have, and in this case he has a whole curse and possible future demise standing between them, not stubborn guilt.
At least Nami's feeling some jealousy with him, though it is mostly a platonic jealousy. She hasn't quite gotten to the point of considering what other feelings are growing between them, and she would rather not think about those feelings because they confuse her.
And yes, I really am just throwing myself into this fic right now. I'm always happy when writing these chapters and get myself really excited with each new development I think. I was honestly giggling like a damn idiot to myself yesterday (even while at work) because I came up with the whole Urouge bit there and was just so excited to write it. So yeah, this fic is personally rewarding for me to write, and it has a lot to do with what's going to happen in the next chapter. As I've warned, I'm letting go of my restraints and letting myself go into really dark and brutal plots.
So, extra warning here - the next chapter is going to be very violent, very graphic, and very dark. There will be blood. There will be gore. It will not be a happy chapter. Please prepare yourselves. :)