Warning: Violence, gore.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or the characters, they belong to Eiichiro Oda.
A King's Game
Grey clouds shrouded the afternoon sun as they searched the forest. It tried to burn through, occasionally a wisp of cloud moved enough to free a warm ray of light, only to be obscured once more as another cloud drifted into place.
He found the weather suited her that day.
Enel road beside her, watching as she stood in her saddle to see far ahead on the path and listen for the falcon's bell. Ohm road ahead, shouting commands at his dog from his own mount. Holy sprinted off the path to follow the bell when it echoed off the trees, and Enel waved for his men to follow on foot while Nami settled back onto her horse, lips pursed in nervous anticipation.
Nami was afraid. She was terrified of what might have become of the girl. She was terrified of what fate she may meet should she be alive within the forest. She was terrified of so many things, yet through it all, hope glimmered like the sun that fought against the clouds.
They had searched every crevice and crag they came across that afternoon. There were more than the last time he journeyed through his forest. The summer rains and storms washed away rocks and trees, piled them atop each other in ravines and valleys. The child was likely dead. Drowned or crushed, he could not say. Nami swore she had seen her in a vision, heard her cry. The child's ghost, he suspected, crying out for a proper burial.
Nami had been irate when he suggested it two hours into the search. She had dared to fume at him, to splutter defiantly that she would find her.
She was terrified that he was right.
Yet still that damned stubborn hope remained.
Another shout carried back to them. This time it was the new slave crying out her cousin's name. Nami squeezed her mare's reins, bit her lip, and peered into the thick forest to watch the others scamper over fallen logs and slick rocks.
She turned her horse to follow the others but brought the mare to a halt just off the path. Her gaze snapped up. Fear darkened her visage as she searched the clouds.
"What is it?" he asked, drawing her wary gaze to him as he trotted up beside her.
"The weather…" She gnawed on her lip and searched the clouds again. She shivered once. "A storm is building to the north. There's not much time before it hits us here."
Enel sighed. He had no desire to search in the rain.
He relaxed in his saddle and shut his eyes. He ignored the snort and whinny of his horse as he stretched his senses further. The breeze rustled through the trees. Holy barked somewhere in the distance. A stream trickled toward the east, a river flowed to the north. A raven cawed, another answered.
A bell's chime. A stone skittered over broken ground. The falcon shrieked, and then he heard it.
Whimpering.
"To the west," he commanded, kicking his horse to gallop ahead of the search party.
Nami shouted at her women as she raced after him. Ohm hollered for his dog and their men. He ignored them as he glowered at the forest before him, his mood darkening with his ire.
How long had she been in his forest? How long had that vermin scratched about his land? How had he not heard her until then? How had she stayed so silent? Did the gods protect her, too? Did they shroud her voice as they shrouded Nami's within Yggdrasil's branches?
The falcon flew through the boughs above them, swooped down with a shrill cry. He heard Nami laugh behind him and then the bird flew off ahead, followed by the woman, spurring her horse to sprint by him.
Her grin was bright enough to chase the building storm away.
That infernal hope. He could not wait to crush it.
It would be even sweeter if he allowed it to grow, if he allowed her minuscule victories. She would believe she had won when her wolf came for her, and when she learned the wolf had only come to die at his feet, she would finally understand how worthless her hope was. She would be destroyed. Every last flame would be doused with Eustass's blood. And then she would truly serve him, as she should have from the start.
The only hope she need have after this war was the hope that Jarl Arlong would not be able to reach her again. She will be grateful when she realizes he is the only one who can grant her freedom from the giant that chases her. He was the only one strong enough to protect her. He was the only man and god she need put her faith in. He was the only one she needed to fear.
Nami came to a skidding halt just as the trees opened into a deep ravine. He slowed to a stop beside her, took in her wide eyes and gaping expression, and then let his gaze cast over the ravine.
She had spoken of a snake in her vision, one with blue and green scales that swallowed her whole. Before them were the remains of a flood that had swept through the ravine, carrying with it rocks and trees and mud to cover an older formation. Boulders piled up within the center, bolstered by shredded trunks and roots, covered with the slick green sludge of leaves ground into a pulp and mixed with algae and mud. The sun broke through the clouds and light fell on a patch of shredded flowers. Blue flowers.
The ravaged ruins looked just like a snake, slithering through the ravine with the trickle of water that remained of the flood.
The falcon landed on top of the snake, scratched at a loose rock. The rock fell free and loosened a handful of larger stones and boulders, sent them crashing into the stream. The snake's gaping maw was opened wide and he could clearly hear the little girl's sniffles and tears within an old crag that had been swallowed up by the flood's debris.
"Aisa," Nami called out, leaping from her horse to slide into the ravine. He glowered at her urgency. Her hope burned bright as she clambered over the stones, no fear remained in her.
Laki sprinted by, Conis behind her. The women slid through the mud to catch up with their lady, their own hopes sparked by hers.
Ohm caught up and stopped beside him, whistling for his dog to stay away from the loose rubble. "She is in there?"
"She is," Enel answered. "It seems the Sami woman's tale was true."
"As was Nami's dream."
Enel frowned. "So, it was." He knew the dream had not been a lie, but he still had not expected to find the girl alive. He should have known she was there. He should have heard her. He glared at a nearby oak. It was as silent as ever. He could hear the rest of their world, but he could not hear the god that should reside in that tree. "The gods favor her."
And have forsaken him.
It did not matter. He would tear them from their halls and force them to acknowledge him. He would claim a hall above all of theirs, the only god the people need worship and fear. He would kill the gods and rule in their place.
"What will you do with her?" Ohm asked.
"Hm? With whom?"
"The little girl."
"I promised Nami I would show mercy."
"You do not mean to, do you?"
"Not as much mercy as she may wish, but her punishment will not be death." He glared at the entrance of the cave that the women had disappeared into. A cry of joy echoed out to them, a sob of relief followed. No, she would not die that day, but someday she would not be so fortunate. None of them would be so fortunate to survive.
Except for Nami. She would be the last one standing when the war was over.
"What are you standing around for?" he called to the men that lingered outside of the cave. He could hear the women climbing over the slick rocks inside, coming back to the surface with the girl. "Help Lady Nami from that cave," he ordered. "And get the food and water from the cart for the child."
Ohm joined him as he slid from his saddle and ventured into the ravine. He found a rock to perch on while he waited and glowered at the voices that grew louder. Laki was overjoyed. Nami's hope was clear in her voice. She would make a move against him soon. This victory would make her bold. What request would she have for him this time? She had spent his time away slaving over a map. He had no doubt there was more to that map than the excuses she gave. She would send her wolf a message, intelligence that should benefit him in the war. He looked forward to seeing how she crafted it and how she would hide it from him.
The women stumbled from the cave, the little girl cradled in Laki's arms while Nami and Conis helped support her as they climbed the loose boulders. When his men went to help them, one reached out to take the child but Laki snatched the girl away and glared. Nami cooled the woman's temper while Conis took an offered blanket to cover the girl.
"He's just trying to help," Nami assured her slave. Another man held food and a skin of water that Nami took with a grateful smile. "Aisa, you need to eat quickly. I'll ride back to the hall with her, hopefully we can beat the storm, but we need Corazon to look at that arm."
"Bring the girl to me," Enel called before Nami could continue to relay orders and decide the girl's fate before he could.
Nami straightened at his command, appeared ready to argue, but swallowed down her retort and gave him a shaky nod. She gently shoved Laki forward, meeting the woman's vehement glare with a fiery, stubborn one of her own. Nami knew that the situation would quickly turn against them if they did not follow his orders. His men would drag the girl to him, if need be. Fortunately, Laki saw the danger as soon as a guard moved toward her. She cradled her cousin close, turned her glare on the men, and stepped toward him without further prodding.
"Set her down," he commanded. "Let me have a good look at her."
Laki gently lowered the girl to stand before him. Her defiance gave way to her fear as she brushed dirty, knotted brown hair from her cousin's face. The little girl glowered, but he could see the quiver of her lip that she tried to hide with her pursed expression.
She shivered, more from the cold than from any fear. Her plain red dress was muddy and tattered, the skirt torn off at her knees. The scrap of cloth made for a makeshift sling, cradling her left arm. He could just make out the frayed ends of another piece of her dress, part of a sleeve, tied just above her left knee – the fabric no longer red but dark brown. Cuts sprinkled over her left cheek and chin, there was a bruise on her left temple.
"Come closer," he ordered. "Let me see your arm."
The girl glanced at her cousin who gave a wary nod. Laki remained close, refused to let the child face him alone. He would not lay a hand on the girl, but the woman's fear was wise.
He hummed when the child pushed the sling back, exposing the broken limb to him. Her bare arm was pale save for the bruise that spread over her forearm. Dark purple and blue and red surrounded a swollen lump where the arm bent unnaturally.
An angel with a broken wing.
He waved for her to step back while he spared a glance to Nami. She wrung her hands, worried her lip. He would not spoil that fearful visage too soon. He would make her stew in that fear.
"How long were you in my forest?" he asked, turning his gaze to the little girl.
"Um… Seven… Or eight days," the girl said, her voice quiet and timid. "I'm not sure how much time passed while in the cave, but I had been in the forest for six days and was about to return home when I fell."
"Your cousin said you normally return home within a fortnight, but this time were gone longer than two weeks. If you had only been in my lands for a week, then where have you been hiding this whole time?"
"The rains slowed me," she explained. "It's been a very stormy season."
"So, it has," he mused. "Would it not have been wiser to return home when the rain hampered your journey? You would not have fallen in my ravine. Your cousin would not be enslaved by my lady. You and your family could be safe in your home if you had heeded the gods' warnings, if you had not broken my laws."
She bowed her head and said nothing in response.
"What did you eat and drink to sustain yourself while trapped in that cave?" he asked.
"I ate the bread and cheese I saved for the trek home, and I drank the water that dripped into the cave."
"You ate nothing from my forest? You did not hunt any rabbits or snakes?" he asked. She shook her head in response. "What of my berries? Did you pillage from one of my cloudberry patches? Or take from an apple tree?" Another shake of her head. "Did you drink from my rivers and streams? Bathe in my lakes?"
"I drank from your rivers, yes. I did not bathe."
He hummed as he considered the weight of her crimes. She did not hunt or steal from his lands, but she drank from his water. "I will announce my judgement once we've returned to the hall," he decided. He knew she was guilty of trespassing, but he wanted more time to consider her punishment.
Laki and Aisa nodded in understanding. Neither appeared eager to hear what he planned to do.
Nami hurried forward and took the girl's good arm. "Let's get you to my healer," she whispered.
"No," Enel said firmly, startling Nami. "She will not ride with you."
"Then—" Nami frowned in thought and glanced to the cart. "Then she can ride in the—"
"No," he said, lowering his tone to tell her that there would be no argument. "She will walk."
"But—"
"If that is too much, then her cousin may carry her, but she will receive no further help from you or my men. I have been gracious enough to share my food with her. She needs to learn to bear the consequences of her foolhardy, reckless choices."
"But you said you would announce your judgement at the hall."
"And I will. This is hardly the punishment I have in mind for her, it is merely a life lesson."
Nami slumped with defeat when she realized there would be no further rebuttals. She glanced to Laki, smiled apologetically. He thought she may try to help carry the girl herself, aid her climb from the ravine, but one look at him appeared enough to change her mind. She turned away without another word and headed for her horse.
His men allowed Aisa to drink her water and finish a meager meal. She would need the nourishment for the walk to his hall. He would not tolerate it if she slowed their progress, not when Nami predicted another storm. As it stood, they would not reach the hall until past suppertime, and it would likely begin raining before then.
"Come, Lady Nami," he called to the woman. She stood with her horse, feeding it slivers of apple while they waited on the girl. He had no desire to wait longer than necessary. "We will ride ahead of the others. Ohm, I leave you to lead the rest back. See that the slave woman does not get any ideas of fleeing with her cousin."
"Yes, King Enel," Ohm grunted.
Nami did not want to agree with his commands. He could see the simmering fire in her eyes. She was annoyed that he would not let her have her way in this, but she knew better than to argue. She climbed into her saddle and when she looked at him next, her expression had turned cold, her face carved from ice. There was no emotion to be found.
It was enticingly beautiful.
He did not press her to talk as they rode back to the hall. She rode a few paces behind, her silence as chilly as her visage. He allowed her to sink into her anger until they crested a hill that overlooked the village and fjord. The sky had darkened and light rain began to fall, making the air that much colder.
"Are you still angry with me?" he asked, slowing his horse so that Nami would ride alongside him.
"I am not angry," she bit out, contrary to the pursed frown she wore.
The obvious lie made him laugh. "Did you truly believe I would show the child such pity as to overlook her crimes?"
"No, I knew you would punish her as you saw fit."
"And yet you take issue with it, even though I mean to keep my word and spare her life."
"She is just a child. And she is injured."
"She is a child who undermines my rule by wandering my lands without my permission, flagrantly ignoring the terms of her tribe's exile. She was naïve to think she could get away with it for long. Since she is still young this is a perfect opportunity to beat some common sense and proper forethought into her." He noticed Nami stiffen in her saddle. Fear flashed in her eyes. It was gone before he could gain more than a glimmer of satisfaction from it. "She will learn, just as you desire her to, and in the future, she will take more consideration of the consequences before behaving so selfishly."
"Do you already have your judgment in mind?" Nami asked softly, her hands tightening around her reins.
"I do."
"What is it?"
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She did not look at him, did not turn to face him. Her expression remained cold, her tone distant. The mask of apathy was perfect, flawless. She had worn it many times before.
He chuckled as he kicked his horse into a trot, eager to reach his hall before the rain came any harder. He did not deign to answer her, she would find out with the rest.
He heard the falcon call out from the forest before it swooped down and flew by. It had followed them at a distance as they rode back. He could feel the bird's gaze on his back the whole way, and when it passed him by, he swore it glanced at him.
"That falcon was in your dream, correct?" he called to Nami once the bird had flown further ahead, aiming for his hall.
"It was," she answered.
"Who wears the cloak?" he asked.
Nami did not answer until he sent her a hard look over his shoulder. She understood the warning in his gaze. He could remain silent when she asked a question, but she had no right to refuse to answer him.
"The fylga that visited me in my dream was an ancestor," she said.
"I see. I suppose that is to be expected," he mused. She did not seem to be lying about the fylga, but he sensed there was more to the falcon than what she said. "When you came here, I had you tell me of your visions and dreams. I remember you mentioned the first vision you had of me came in a storm, and that it was Thor who gave you that vision."
"That is what I assume. I was beneath an oak in the middle of a thunderstorm. When Kid—Jarl Eustass—told me about you, who your family was, I felt more confidant that it was Thor that called to me."
"You did not hear his voice?"
Nami hummed. "No. He did not speak to me in words. It was just a feeling. The same feeling I get just before a storm, but stronger. Louder."
"Hm, you have heard the Norns, though?"
"Yes."
"And the falcon—has your ancestor tried to speak to you?"
She hesitated in her answer, but he saw no fear in her gaze when he looked back at her. She seemed curious rather than worried about his questioning. She shook it off after a moment. "It has spoken to me."
"What did they have to say?"
She pursed her lips and seemed to search for an answer—a lie. "They reassure me," she said. "They tell me that I have chosen the correct path, even though I have much to do to reach the end." He turned away with a hum, but she was not finished. "And they told me you cannot hear them."
He snapped his head around to glare, urging her to explain. Her fear returned, but rather than shrink away, she pushed her horse to keep up with his and stammered an explanation.
"They have told me your seidr is unrivaled in our realm, that you can hear and see those around us. But you cannot hear the gods. The falcon said that Thor has spoken of it, that not only you, but your family can no longer hear him. From what I understand, the change occurred sometime after your family joined with mine," she said.
He turned away as she looked at him with that curious expression, eager to hear if she had been told true. It seemed he could not keep this truth from her. It did not matter. It did not weaken him in the slightest. He did not need the gods, after all. He was fated to rule over them, just as he would rule over Midgard.
"It is true," he admitted. "When you walk through the rowans in the courtyard, you feel Sif within, correct?" Nami nodded. "I feel nothing but bark and leaves. The same for my oaks."
"But I thought you could hear better within your forest?"
"Ah, I can hear this realm. It is silent and peaceful in the trees. The roots are old, extend long ways and weave with the roots of other plants. It is just like lightning, how it branches out and stretches across the sky. I can send my seidr out through the trees and roots, feel the vibration of people far away, and listen to their voices carry back to me." He chuckled. "As for the gods, they exist in another realm, and are so far beneath me, I would have greater luck hearing an ant's voice than theirs. I do not need to hear them."
"What about your visions? Do you not believe those may be sent from the gods?"
"My visions are my own. I can see without the gods," he said flatly. "It was a great gift they gave my ancestors. While I have no doubt you and this test were sent to me by the gods, I have no need of their magic to fuel my own, nor do I have a need of their existence in any way. When this is over, they will no longer exist for anyone."
"So, you will have no use for me after this is over?"
"You are the only one I will have a use for." He glanced at her again. "Do not disappoint me."
The warning in his tone was clear. Nami stiffened, her hands tightened around the reins to hide their trembling. She nodded once, and the conversation was dropped.
Enel gave his horse a short kick and rode ahead, calling back to her through the rain. "Wash up and rest. We will have a late supper. If the girl arrives in time, I will announce my judgement tonight."
He knew that they would not return so quickly, not with the girl's injuries, and not with the rain turning the dirt paths to mud. His men would be hobbled by the cart they brought, too. But, he would not inform Nami of that. He would rather she sit all night, wondering on his decision, worrying over her slave and the girl. It would make her reaction to the child's punishment all the more entertaining.
When he and Nami reached the hall, they found Corazon waiting for his new patient. He glowered at Nami as she swept in, her mood still cold and sour. She grabbed the southern healer by the arm and dragged him away, dismissing how he growled and hissed in contempt at her forcefulness.
She ignored Ove, who sat by the fire drinking ale while his slave stood nearby. Ove perked up, watched her disappear with Corazon, but refrained from following her. Kamakiri seemed more eager to hear whatever Nami and Corazon would whisper about, but Ove snapped his fingers and held his mug out to the man, silently signaling that he fill his cup.
Enel knew the command was less about the ale and more a reminder to Kamakiri that he should mind his place in the hall. Whatever Ove was plotting, he needed the slave to remain complacent and not be distracted by Nami's affairs. Enel was not overly concerned with the traitor's interests. He would contend with the man when he showed where his loyalties truly stood.
While the servants prepared supper, he amused himself by listening to the Frankish whispers that carried from Nami's work room. He could not understand most of what they discussed, but it was obvious that Nami had found a patient ear to share her misgivings and anger with. He knew she was upset and scared, the emotions fueled her temper and restlessness as she paced the length of the room. Corazon occasionally whispered back, hushed her when she grew too loud and disturbed McKinley's sleep, but otherwise allowed her to carry on her tirade until the servants called her to eat.
As he expected, the girl did not make it to the hall in time for supper. It made for a quiet meal with so many of his own men escorting the child and slave in their trek through the rain. Nami did not speak as she picked at her food and stared listlessly at the door. He did not try to break her silence. It was too pleasant to disturb, and he enjoyed watching how anxious she grew as she waited for his judgement.
"Nami," he called to her as the servants cleared their plates. He knew she would not retire for the evening until the others returned, so he decided he may as well occupy her time. "Play a game of tafl with me."
His command drew her attention from the door. She stared at him a moment, her expression devoid of emotion, and then glanced toward Corazon before nodding in agreement. The healer excused himself to see to McKinley, but Enel had no doubt he would return to observe their game.
The attempt to keep her occupied quickly proved futile.
He had played the game with her from time to time since he took her into his hall. She was skilled enough at strategy to ease the boredom he often felt playing the others, and if he did not care to be her opponent, she provided him with endless amusement by besting his guards and warriors. She rarely followed the rules set out, but none seemed to notice except for him. She was wise enough not to attempt trickery in her games with him, but it would make no difference if she had. He knew how she would cheat, and he knew how to react to turn it against her.
That night she did not try to cheat. She did not even try to play a competitive game. He preferred to play king and allow her to attack first. He typically won the matches within twenty to thirty moves, depending on his mood and how closely he paid attention to her. He would allow her to capture his guards, one after another, drawing her attackers to one side of the board and leaving a lane open to move his king to the corner for his victory. That night he won the first game within fifteen moves and did not even have to move his king to escape. He captured all her attackers and only lost one of his own. He never retained so many pieces.
He played three games against her and all were quick to end with little damage done to his guards. Nami stared at the board, her eyes empty, devoid of thought, before she would move a piece in a seemingly random direction that was easily countered. If there was a noise outside, her whole attention turned to the door and she didn't even bother to see where she moved her pieces.
By the fourth game, Corazon had returned to the main room, and Enel had grown bored with the farce of tafl playing out before him. He would even dare say that he was disappointed. He expected better from her.
"Retire for the evening, Nami," he commanded as he slid his king by her last three attackers and took the corner for his escape. "We will deal with the girl in the morning."
"I'm not tired," she insisted.
Finally, he had her attention, even if it was only to argue against his orders. Such a stubborn woman.
"Ove," he called to the traitor priest. "Escort Lady Nami to her quarters and see that she goes to bed." Nami sat straight, prepared to argue again, but he held her gaze as he added, "Knock her out if you must."
The threat put an end to her obstinance. She sent one last forlorn glance to the door, and then bowed her head to him in defeat. "Good night, King Enel. Thank you for all your aid today," she said with the utmost formality in her tone.
She would ask a favor of him when the girl arrived. What is her crafty little mind scheming now?
She stood from the table and sauntered away with her back straight, head held high. The glare she sent her escort was cold as ice, but she did not dismiss him though he could see she wished to in the purse of her lips. She stormed ahead of Ove, her despondent mood forgotten in the face of a thinned temper.
Corazon stood from the chair he claimed by the fire and turned to leave the room now that his sole reason for being there had gone.
"Play a game with me, Corazon," Enel called to the healer as he reset the pieces on the board. "Nami provided me with no sport this evening. Perhaps you can provide better entertainment."
Corazon glanced over his shoulder, his expression clearly displeased with the order. Grudgingly, he nodded and took Nami's seat.
They began the game in silence. Corazon was an observant player. He knew Enel's typical strategy, was not distracted by the guards, and countered well. He was still no match for him, but at least he did not lose within a few short turns.
"How does McKinley fare today?" Enel asked as he finished the first game, his king safe in the corner.
"As well as yesterday," Corazon answered, glowering at the board. "His fever persists, and he thrashes in his sleep, but he has not woken in hysterics again."
"And his legs?"
"I will not know how severe his disability is until he has woken and is well enough to walk. I have seen no signs of infection, though. No rot. Nothing worrisome around the breaks." The board was reset, and Corazon made his first move. "The only way to guarantee a full recovery would be an invasive surgery that no healer has successfully undertaken as of yet. I would have to cut apart his legs, break the bones again, and then piece them back together. The patient would be in pain for weeks, maybe months, or even years. There is a greater risk of infection. And if I am not careful, I could cut a vital artery and kill him." His lips twitched with a sadistic smirk. "It is unfortunate I cannot amputate his broken legs and replace them with working ones."
"Perhaps you can practice on the rat you keep in your home," Enel suggested, chuckling at the glimmer of dark delight in the healer's eye. "You removed his hands. Find some poor soul who does not need theirs and see if you can give the rat a new set."
"Hmm, but I prefer him without hands. Even if he whines about it."
"Have you checked on your prisoner recently? Or do you trust Ove to keep him alive?"
Corazon shrugged. "I have heard complaints of screaming from the guards that patrol the area. I trust that means he is alive."
"And surely missing his captor," he quipped.
Corazon chuckled. "Is that meant to hint that you want me out of your hall?"
"When McKinley has woken and no longer needs such extensive care, I would prefer you return to the home I have lent you." He moved a guard to capture one of Corazon's attackers. He would have victory again in less than ten moves.
"You do not like me so close to your lady," Corazon stated as he slid another attacker into place and captured two of his guards.
"You distract her from her responsibilities." He moved a guard to block an attacker. Corazon would capture it, but it would draw the attacker away from the corner. He would capture the attacker in two moves, and then take the corner in four.
Corazon captured the guard, glowering at the board. He saw the likely end to the game, as well. "She does not seem so distracted, at least not by me. I would be more concerned with her care for these Sami people than the companionship I've provided her."
"Her interest in the Sami is obvious," Enel said as he moved toward the attacker. "Easily dealt with. You are a trickster with murky allegiances and interests, and I do not like that you whisper to her in a language I do not understand."
"And yet you have not killed me."
"I have no need to."
Corazon hummed as he tried to counter the impending capture, but his only option was to flee, which left the corner open for his king's advance.
"Do you agree that I was too harsh to make the child walk to the hall?" Enel asked as he took the attacker.
"As a healer, I do agree that the child should have been brought to me with haste. She has been out in the elements for days, with a broken arm and other injuries. Her health needs to be tended to immediately if she is to survive her ordeal," he answered frankly. "But it is not my place to tell you what to do with a trespasser, and I am a capable enough physician to treat her no matter the condition she returns in. It matters little to me, personally, if she was made to hike for the better part of an evening in the rain."
"But it matters to Nami."
Corazon hummed in response, glaring as the king swept into the corner. Another victory complete.
"Tell me, Corazon, would you prefer to be an attacker, or would you prefer to be a guard?" Enel asked.
Corazon looked up, his brow raised in confusion. "I do not have the option of being the king?" he asked, snide amusement in his tone.
"Few men have such an option."
"Perhaps in this game, but that is why I do not care for this game."
"You don't? What game do you prefer, then?"
"Chess."
"Chess?" Enel mused. "I have heard of it. It's popular in the south, is it not?"
"It is. I believe it comes from India, but my familiarity with it comes from my father's Muslim kin, and my fondness of it grew while I lived in Castile after my family died."
"So, tell me, what makes chess superior in your view?" He leaned forward, braced his chin on a palm, eager to hear what insights he might glean from the subject.
"It is truer to the strategy of warfare, in my opinion." Corazon plucked the golden king from the board and held it between them. "Most wars are waged between kings. Each king vying to take what the other king has. With tafl, there is only one king, but in chess there are two. Each player is their own king, with their own armies to command."
"Ah, that may be true in the southern kingdoms, but that is not always the case in the north," Enel argued. "Here we had chieftains, each a king in their own lands. They would be attacked by lesser men with barely any land to call their own that hoped to steal the throne and the power that came with it. And now there are only a handful of kings, true kings, and they must defend their thrones from lesser men. A man does not become a king unless he kills the previous king, unless he is fortunate enough to be the king's heir and they hold onto their rule long enough to see him succeed."
"And that is where you are mistaken. Every man that wages a war against a king, already believes himself to be a king," Corazon countered. "The reigning king may not agree, but his challenger still comes with an army of warriors who respect him enough to die for his claim. They view him as king, and it is by their declaration that he is a king before he has captured a throne. Did you not already believe yourself to be the rightful king before usurping the previous?"
Enel glowered in thought. Corazon had a point there, one he was loath to admit. He waved for him to continue.
"As I was saying, wars are waged between kings, not attackers and guards protecting a king. Armies are built upon cavalries, infantries, sometimes chariots or siege towers, and at the center stands the king to be protected as he gives command," Corazon explained as he set the king on the board and surrounded it with golden guards and silver attackers. He left one place empty beside the king and pointed to the space. "And beside the king stands the one who rarely strays far from his side. This piece is an adviser, at least that is its title among the Moors, but among the Latin speaking countries the piece has become known as the queen."
Enel hummed. "You prefer the queen?"
"I suppose I do." Corazon chuckled. "Every king has his advisers and his queen. The adviser is supposed to be the king's closest ear, his most astute aid in political matters, while the queen is a figurehead in most kingdoms. She is there to seal alliances with powerful families, to be the vessel that brings the next king into the world, to inspire adoration in the masses if she is fair and kind. She is often overlooked by the king because she has no true power in his mind, or in the minds of the advisers that surround him. Overlooked… and underestimated."
"Yet they make her a piece on the board."
"Because she should be. She is the one who is beside the king when no one else is. She is the one who hears the grievances he bears his advisers, she is the one who soothes his ire after a difficult session at court, she is the one who shares his bed and lets him feel like a man when he may doubt his own strength and competence, and she is the one with ample opportunity to whisper in his ear and fill his mind with thoughts his advisers might never have considered, all while allowing the king to claim them as his own."
"You make her out to be the most powerful piece on the board," Enel said.
"She may well be." Corazon shrugged. "But she is hobbled by her station and her sex. She is often sacrificed for the well-being of the king. Given sufficient freedoms, though, she has the potential to rule the board as her own, all while the king flees his rivals and attackers."
Enel nodded his agreement. "In these lands it is not unheard of for a woman to rule without a husband. We know the power that women hold. Even the poorest man knows to listen to his wife when she whispers in his ear."
Corazon chuckled quietly. "Is that why you humor Lady Nami's whispers?"
"She may not be my wife, but I do find it amusing to hear what she has to say. And is your preference for the queen why you have ingratiated yourself with her before she has become one?"
Corazon shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps I just enjoy her company as most men are wont to do." Enel glared at the sly gleam in his eye. "With a war on the horizon, I have faith that Nami will choose the side of the king she believes is fated for victory, and thus it would behoove me to secure her favor."
His interest in Nami remained suspicious, but if what he said was true, then Enel could contend with it after Jarl Eustass was defeated.
"Tell me, since you prefer chess to tafl, what piece would you choose to be on the board? Since there are two kings, do you desire a throne of your own, with a queen to rule at your side?" Enel asked.
Corazon stared at the tafl pieces with a thoughtful frown, toying with the king beneath a fingertip as he considered the question. "There is a throne I have my eye on," he admitted after a long moment of silence. His gaze flit up, lips turned into a wry smirk. "Not yours, if that is what concerns you." He chuckled to himself as he pushed the king piece side to side. "But no, in this game, I would prefer to be a knight."
"And why is that?"
His smile grew. "Because in all the stories, all the old tales, it is a knight that slays the dragon."
"And there is a dragon you wish to slay?"
"One sent from the heavens, or so he claims," he said as he knocked the king over. For a fleeting moment, his expression turned into a sneer of contempt, of simmering anger. A dark, hollow pit was carved out within his chest, and there dwelled a monster clawing to be free, to be fed with blood and death and endless chaos. A monster that would consume the man if he did not tame it.
Enel hummed. "You should be wary of dragons, Corazon. Sigurd is the only mortal man known to slay such a creature."
Corazon snorted. "You are the second prophet to warn me of dragons."
"Then you should be doubly wary. You will be consumed by such a venture."
"I will take your advice into consideration." His flat tone said that he would not.
Enel did not care if Corazon wished to walk straight to his own demise. So long as he kept Nami out of it, then it was of no concern to him.
"Tomorrow," he declared, changing the subject with a wave of his hand, "you shall teach me chess. Nami, too. A new game may provide me with a greater challenge."
Corazon once again glared at the command. "I will have patients to tend to."
"When you have a moment after seeing to the girl's injuries," Enel said. "McKinley will continue to sleep tomorrow, and Ove will guard your rat." Corazon seemed no more pleased or willing, so Enel graced him with a thin smile. "I am sure it will please the lady, too. At least it will provide her with a new distraction. It might even inspire her. If you desire her favor in any way, it would not hurt to give her more to occupy herself here."
"She has more than enough to occupy herself," Corazon argued, and then sighed as he gave a short nod. "But, fine. I will teach her, and you may watch."
"Impertinent brat," Enel muttered. "I will inform her at breakfast," he said as he sank back in his chair. He heard splashing out in the courtyard, the distant patter of feet running through thick mud and heavy rain. "Your new patient will be here shortly. Go off and prepare what you must. I will send her to you."
Corazon hid his sneer of contempt as he stood and left the room. He seemed to despise taking orders, more than most men. His schemes dictated that he humor the king's commands, and possibly even Nami's. The success of his goals took priority over his pride. Enel was curious to see how long he would last before he behaved with more outward disrespect. He was bold enough to speak to his betters with sarcasm and snark. How long before he undermined the king's authority? Or did he already work to do so?
Enel dismissed the thought as his guards began to trickle in. His men were covered in filth, soaked from the rain, and grouchy. Warm food and ale would not be enough to lighten their moods.
"Feel free to take a thrall or two to your beds tonight," he called to his men as the servants helped them remove their wet cloaks and offered them food. "Just leave Lady Nami's alone," he added as Laki stumbled in with the child perched on her back, Conis at her side to help steady her. "But do whatever you wish to my slaves to better your moods. I don't care what happens to them."
A few men grumbled their thanks. Most appeared too exhausted to take up his offer. It mattered little to him. When they heard his judgement of the girl and witnessed her punishment, their long hike in the rain would be forgotten.
"Woman, the healer awaits your cousin," he called to Laki. "See that she is treated and then retire for the evening. I will make my judgement after breakfast. Conis, your lady was restless this evening. You would be best to see to her needs. She should still be awake in her quarters."
Conis bowed her head in a proper show of respect, despite her own weariness. Laki curled her lip in a sneer as she nodded, hefted her sleeping cousin high on her back, and trudged to Corazon's room without a word of gratitude.
She would not thank him for anything on the morrow, but if she were wise, she would prostrate herself before him and plead for forgiveness. The farce would amuse him enough to consider leniency. Or at least pretend to.
With his men settling in to eat a midnight supper, Enel made his way to his chambers. He passed Corazon's room in time to hear the girl scream out. The healer had broken her arm again to set it properly. The scream was quickly muted. He peeked in on his way by, saw that Laki covered her cousin's mouth as she cradled the sobbing child to her breast. She whispered sweetly, pet her hair, soothed her pain all while Corazon braced and bound her arm.
The healer glanced at him. His expression was stony and apathetic, as devoid of emotion as Nami's had been for most of the night. If he was bothered by his task, or Enel's observation, he did not give it away.
"I forgot to mention," Enel called to the woman. "The girl is to sleep in a secure room, under guard, for the night." Laki's gaze shot to him. She prepared to argue. "You are welcome to stay with her."
Laki relaxed and nodded her agreement. She would not leave her cousin's side any time soon.
Enel found a guard and relayed his orders. Laki and Aisa would be treated as prisoners, fed stale bread and water for the evening, and made to sleep in iron chains. It was good that Laki was so willing to share in Aisa's punishment. He did not want her whispering in Nami's ear all night, vying for more pity from the woman who would had no authority in his judgement. It was in his best interests to keep them separated for the night. Nami could not make promises, could not plot to undermine him further.
As he made his way outside, he heard a flap of wings, the groan and crack of a branch, and looked up to see the falcon had perched itself in the rowans. Its watchful gaze held him as he passed, its black eyes narrowing as it cocked its head to the side. It did not attack, had not acted aggressively toward him once that day. He had expected it to snap when he stroked it while it perched on Nami's arm, but it dismissed his existence entirely. Now it peered at him as though sizing up its next meal.
He should have his hunters seize it. The feathers would make for a beautiful addition to Nami's cloak.
As if it could hear his thoughts, the falcon leaned forward and screeched before taking off in a flurry of feathers. The bird would likely not return again lest Nami had need of it.
All the better for him.
Torchlight flickered from Nami's quarters when he entered the building. Whispers carried to him, soft with fear and worry.
"Corazon is seeing to her," Conis whispered. "She will be all right."
"I'm not worried about her arm," Nami said. "That is the least of my worries."
"The king said he would be merciful. He listened to your request. He will listen to you when he decides his judgement."
Nami said nothing in response. He snorted a quiet laugh as he turned away. She knew better than to expect anything from him. Her definition of mercy would see the girl released without harm. She knew that he would never do such a thing.
"Go to sleep, Nami," he called over his shoulder.
Something clattered to the floor in her room, joined with a quiet squeak of surprise.
"Y— Yes, King Enel," she stammered in response.
The women fell silent, but he knew Nami would not sleep. She would remain awake hoping to see Laki and Aisa come to her quarters once Corazon had finished his treatment. She would lie awake all night for them. She would have need of more kohl to hide her exhaustion at breakfast.
He slept well that night, as he did every night. He had no anxieties to keep him awake. He was confident in his path, knew he would be victorious in all his ventures, knew he was right in all that he did. He did not toss or turn. He did not have nightmares. He dreamed of Yggdrasil and the beast's growls and howls far below in the roots. Even with the frothing anger of a wolf echoing in his mind, he would never be restless in his dreams.
He woke well after dawn, took his time to wash his face and dress for the day. He tried to hear what Nami was up to that morning, but it was strangely silent in her room, leaving him to wonder in what state he would find her at breakfast.
Clouds darkened the sky, thicker than the day before. The wind was cool and smelled of rain. A dreary, cold day. With a dreary and cold lady awaiting him in the hall. If Nami's mood was any indication of the weather to come that day, he half expected to see snow within a few hours.
She was polite, albeit distant to him when he entered the hall and took his seat. Her smile did not reach her eyes as she wished him a good morning. Those eyes were dark, lacking the glimmer of hope that annoyed him, and lined with black kohl to hide the evidence of her sleepless night. She appeared complacent, resigned to whatever judgement he announced. He expected her to interfere, to request an audience with him to plead the case for mercy, but it seemed she realized how futile that would be. The only thing she asked of him was how he slept and if he would like the extra slices of apple they served with her breakfast.
She was learning her place quicker than he thought she would.
He was further surprised when she did not regard Corazon as he slipped into the room for his meal. The healer glanced at her, but she paid him no mind while she nibbled a slice of bread slathered in butter and honey. She spoke to no one, save for Conis and even the words she spared her servant were clipped and formal. Judging by Corazon's frown, he was as surprised as Enel by her mood, which meant her ally was unaware of Nami's thoughts or plans regarding his judgement. Whatever drove her to wear such a hard mask was not discussed with anyone.
"Bring in the child," Enel called to his guards. He was too curious of Nami's mood to wait any longer. He needed to learn what she was up to this time. "And Ove, you will need to spare your slave for this judgement."
The traitor priest glanced at him but did not argue as he waved for Kamakiri to stand in front of the dais. The guards escorted Aisa and Laki into the hall, still in their fetters.
The only reaction Nami gave him to the sight of the woman and child in chains was a slight curling of her fingers. No surprise, no anger, no remorse. Her nails gouged the wood to show her discomfort, but the gesture would have gone unseen if he had not looked for it. No one else in the hall would notice, not when her expression remained so stoic.
"Girl, step forward," he commanded, turning his full attention onto the trespasser. The child trembled as she stepped before him, clutched her broken arm and kept her eyes fixed on the wooden beams beneath her feet. "I will not toy with you by asking for your plea. You are aware that you broke the treatise I set with your tribe when I exiled them. You are aware that you trespassed upon my lands. You have done this before, and I will not allow it to continue further."
He heard nails scrape wood but did not bother to look toward Nami again. She did not raise her voice to stop him. She knew her place.
"Laki and Kamakiri have been sentenced to serve two of my priests as their bondsmen because of your actions. You will share their punishment and serve Lady Nami in whatever capacity she wishes until the day she discards you." He watched Laki's shoulders sag in relief. Kamakiri took a deep breath but did not seem eager to celebrate just yet. And Nami still did not speak, made no sound to give away how she felt about the decision. Surely, she would be happy to have the child in her care and protection, just as she had Laki, but she knew better than to believe he was finished. "But first you will receive eight lashings. One for every day you were within my forest, to your best recollection."
"She's just a child," Laki yelled, her moment of relief vanished at the announcement.
Hers was the only voice of protest within the deafening silence of his hall. Not even a grumble of disgust or gasp of surprise was raised from a soldier or servant or priest. Even Kamakiri sagged in resigned defeat. He knew how little power Nami and Ove had to stop him, something Laki had yet to fully realize.
She stepped before her cousin and glanced toward Nami. Enel followed her pleading gaze, but the priestess remained as cold as a winter night, her chin aloft. Laki could not see the marks in the wood of her table as he did, as far as she could see, her supposed ally and savior did not care a whit about what was to happen to her cousin. Laki's jaw slackened in surprise as she tore her gaze away from Nami to plea with the only one in the room with real power. "You cannot do this to her."
"I am the king and you will not presume to tell me what I can and cannot do with a criminal," he said flatly, waving for his guards to come forward. Laki flinched away when a guard took her arms, Kamakiri stared in surprise when another grabbed him. "And I believe I am being very generous in my decision regarding her crimes." He waved toward Nami. "You can thank Lady Nami for my mercy. If not for her request, she would receive thrice the lashings, and I would set her and the both of you adrift on the sea to pray for mercy from your gods. But you have a point about her being only a child. She is hardly the sole one responsible for this event. Her guardians and tribe bear just as much, if not more, responsibility for not deterring her from the path she chose. Therefore, Laki and Kamakiri, you two will receive eight lashings, as well."
Laki froze in surprise as she futilely looked toward Nami to intervene. She was wise not to argue the ruling herself, it would only subject Aisa to the full brunt of the punishment he intended.
"King Enel," Nami spoke up, much to his surprise. Her manner remained cold and aloof, but she graced him with a forced smile. "May I make a small request?"
"And what request do you have for me this time?" What foolishness is she about? Has she not learned her place as I hoped?
Her smile grew in some manner that he supposed was meant to appear polite and overjoyed. But instead of sweet and endearing, she reminded him more of a shark, a ruthless predator circling her prey with smug satisfaction.
Or perhaps a cunning little cat, ready to pounce on the snake hidden in grass.
"You agreed to make Laki my slave, which means that she is my responsibility. You would not have to sit here and entertain her continued insubordination and contempt for your laws if I had not requested to keep her for myself. And you would not have spared so many resources to search for the girl if not for me. Now you have made her my slave, too, and thus she is mine to do with as I please."
"And what do you please?"
"Allow me to enforce your judgement," Nami said, that cunning, cruel smile turned to the shocked slave standing before them. "Ove may deal with his slave, if he wishes, but I am willing to dole out his punishment, as well."
Enel was stunned by the request. He expected her to plea for mercy, perhaps even offer to stand in their place judging by her claim of responsibility for them. He would not allow for mercy on them, and he would certainly not allow her to take the abuse they earned, not until she made a more definitive move toward her wolf's side and earned her own punishment.
He could not help but laugh at the madness of her request. He thought she meant to make these Sami her allies. She would turn them away from her side with this. Or was it all a ruse? Would she show them the mercy his guards would not spare? Would she find a way to free them, let them run for the mountains and escape his judgement? That would put her in immediate danger from his wrath. He could not see her putting herself at such risk. She had too much to lose.
"So be it," he declared, curious to see her true intentions. "Guards. Tie them up in the square. We will attend to them shortly." He looked toward Nami as his guards wrestled Laki and Kamakiri from the hall. Aisa went with them, her head hung in resignation. She spared one thoughtful look toward Nami but trudged out of the hall without a word against his decision. Nami had dismissed the Sami in favor of the remnants of her breakfast, her mask of apathy in place. "I will see that there is an audience for this," he whispered to her. She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "We would not want our people to miss this opportunity to see just who their future queen is and what she is capable of."
Nami forced another smile and nodded in agreement. "Of course."
His militia spread throughout the village to announce his judgement and call for the people to gather in the square. It took a few hours for everyone to arrive, leaving his prisoners to wait in the misting rain that began to fall by mid-morning. To keep everyone occupied, he had his servants pass out rotten food from his stores to pelt the Sami with. The activity would keep his people warm and patient while they waited, and it would amuse him to see the criminals covered in filth and refuse.
While he went to watch the crowd jeer and insult the prisoners, Nami chose to remain inside his hall. She complained that it was too cold to stand around, so he offered to let her toss a few heads of cabbage. She glowered, the heat of anger flaring to life in her eyes before it was carefully smothered. She turned her face away, huffed arrogantly, and waved for Conis to bring her another cup of milk to wash down the last of her breakfast. She muttered, "Perhaps next time," in some shallow attempt to satisfy him.
"And perhaps next time it will be a wolf," he whispered back. Her nails renewed their clawing, but he could not see her expression as she kept her gaze fixed on the other side of the room. "And perhaps it will be rocks, rather than vegetables," he added, amused with the gouged wood that appeared beneath her fingertips. "Though, I would prefer he be conscious for his beheading."
She swallowed thickly and finally turned to look at him. Her forced, predatory grin spread as she coldly responded. "That would be more preferable."
He laughed at the lie and stood from his throne, gesturing for his other priests to join him. Ove held back for a moment, pretending to savor the last of his pork. The traitor's gaze flit toward his lady too often for anyone to believe his whole interest was on his food. Ove grudgingly stood to follow once he noticed Enel's hard glare.
After an hour of sitting upon the wall of his fortress, he could admit Nami was wise to remain indoors. The mist turned into a drizzle as he waited. His mood soured as his cloak soaked threw and left him damp beneath. Even the sight of his people chucking gourds and apples at the prisoners was not enough to please him.
There was something unsettling about the day. Between the weather and Nami's agreeableness, a knot of worry formed in his gut. Her secret scheming nagged at his thoughts, left him to wonder what she might gain from enforcing his rule. She had made it clear that she disapproved of all that he did, the judgments he made, the authority he wielded over his territory without law-speaker or jury to uphold his rule. This lashing would be a farce unless he forced her hand, forced her to satisfy his need for blood.
Nami left the hall, tucked in her cloak and an extra fur shawl around her shoulders, with her ally close at her side. Corazon's expression was bored and aloof, as closed off as Nami's. He had not heard them whisper while alone in the hall. They had not discussed Nami's plan, but Corazon seemed apathetic of her intentions. Whatever they may be. Did he have his own suspicions? Or did he blindly trust her? Or did he simply not care? Enel could not be sure.
He did not like their companionship. He would have to test it soon. He had no reason to exile Corazon, but he could make their trust waver.
Or he could just kill the trickster. He would have to eventually to keep Nami from falling into Corazon's hands. He would not tolerate a kidnapping scheme interfering with his voyage across the western seas.
No, he will deal with the wolf first, and then the trickster. Corazon would not make a move until this war was through. He was too careful and cautious to act rashly.
"Lady Nami," Enel called down. He would not be distracted by his suspicions. He must focus on securing the woman's faith. "Your prisoners and people grow restless waiting for you. Shall we enforce my judgement?"
Nami pursed her lips and nodded. Corazon's gaze flit to her, but he still gave nothing away to his own thoughts.
Enel climbed down from the wall to lead the pair out into the square where the other priests waited. Ove, Satori, and Ohm stood at the edge of the crowd that gathered. Satori had been delighted to join the people in their game. He riled the crowd to get them to throw as much food as they could, cheered when a cabbage burst against Kamakiri's face. He laughed and danced when a rock was thrown, jeered at Kamakiri as blood trickled down his temple. Ove and Ohm had watched the chaos with stoic expressions. He knew Ohm was merely bored, or perhaps itching to put an end to the captives' misery. A quick slice of his sword would free them from their hell. Ove kept his arms crossed over his chest and dug his fingers into the fur of his cloak. The big bear may appear uncaring, but he wanted to put an end to the punishment, and not as lethally as Ohm. He was not pleased to watch the mockery and torment.
He had a soft heart somewhere beneath that cruel sneer.
"Settle down," Enel commanded as he slipped between Ohm and Ove, Nami following behind. "I have called you all hear to bear witness to the punishment I have decided for these criminals. They have desecrated my laws by stepping foot in my forests, my lands. They have insulted the gods, my forebears, and for that they will receive eight lashings apiece, to be delivered by your future queen."
He waved Nami forward as the crowd muttered in surprise. Her expression was icier than it had been in the hall. She knew the people whispered about her, but she did not appear to care how they saw her.
She slipped off her shawl and cloak, handed them to Corazon, and gracefully tied back her long, wavy mane of hair with a leather tie. With her hair tucked back and out of the way, she turned to Ohm, who held the slender knout of his own creation. Long leather lashes were fixed to a heavy leather handle, weighted with an iron ball. Fine pieces of metal were woven into the lashes; thin as thread and sharp as a sword. Ohm's ordeal of iron.
Nami gripped the handle tight, ran her hand over the length of the leather, inspected the end, tested the weight. Her movements were easy, casual, as simple as they might be if she were about to do the wash or work at the loom. The thought of whipping three people she may have need of didn't faze her. It was just a normal day to her.
That was when he realized she had done this before.
He snatched her arm and tugged her close. She stiffened beneath his fingers, her eyes widened in surprise. He leaned down to whisper in her ear and her breath caught with her fear.
"I want to see blood on their backs, Nami," he said. "Blood and broken skin." Her grip tightened on the whip and her jaw clenched. "If I do not see a single cut, I will have Ohm tear the dress off your back and see that you take every lash meant for them." He grinned at the fear that radiated from her and pressed his lips to her ear. "Unlike your traitor, I do not mind the thought of bedding someone with a web of scars upon her back," he hissed.
Nami jerked away, trembling. Her face turned white as she searched his gaze to find any trace of a lie in his words. She would find none.
He had not planned it, but he would not mind making her a queen the traditional way. It appeared she was not as willing to take him as a lover as she often claimed, though it could be the lashing she feared most.
She cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and gave him a shaky nod and forced smile before turning away with her cold mask back in place. While Ohm readied Kamakiri to take the first punishment, Nami went to a spot five paces from the stake. She fiddled with a sleeve of her yellow dress, squared her shoulders, and then stared straight ahead with a look of fierce determination.
Kamakiri's back was bared for her, muscles tense and bunched in anticipation of what was to come. The crack of the whip rang through the air, as sharp and deafening as a lightning strike, and Enel could not restrain his grin at the bright red splash of color that appeared on the man's flesh. Kamakiri tried not to scream, but he let out a cry of agony when the second strike came with a splatter of blood upon the ground, quickly washed away by the rain. By the eighth lash, he sagged against the stake, slipping down despite the ties holding his arms aloft. He sobbed as he desperately clung to the only thing holding him up, his back a bloody red mess.
Nami remained as cold and callous as she had at the start.
He expected her to break when Kamakiri was taken away and replaced by Laki. He expected to see her falter when the woman's dress was torn down, exposing her to the chilly rain and the ridicule of his people. But Nami merely wiped Kamakiri's blood from the lashes, staining her beautiful dress without a care, and prepared to inflict the same punishment upon her slave.
Lightning streaked through the clouds with her first strike, drowning the snap of the whip with real thunder. Enel laughed, even as the sky split open and hail mixed with the rain, pelting them all with stinging shards of ice.
"Our ancestor has joined us here, Nami," he called to her through the downpour. "Do you feel him in the storm?"
Nami glanced his way, her lips tugged into a furious frown. She did not answer, save for unleashing another strike upon her slave. The rain turned red with blood.
He could hear his people whisper as Laki cried out. They huddled close, shivered from the cold dread that washed down their backs. He could hear their terror as they saw the woman that would rule beside him, saw her ferocity. She would become exactly the woman he wanted her to be. She would bend the world to his will, send the people to their knees, or strike them down if they refused. No matter how she schemed now, no matter how she sought to change her fate, she would become his to claim. She would be the sole survivor, fearing him and worshiping him as the god he was fated to be.
When it was Aisa's turn, he saw anger flash in Nami's eyes, but she did not hesitate in her duty.
Only the rain and the thunder and the lash of the whip could be heard in the square for the last punishment. The people grew silent, watched in shock as the child whimpered and clutched the stake and tried not to cry as the others had. Suddenly they felt remorse, pity for the criminals that they had been all too willing to mock and torment moments before. They remembered how quickly the situation could change, how easy it was for any one of them to find themselves in that very position. They remembered how often he took one of them to be placed in stocks, flogged, exiled, or executed. All for a whisper, for a lie, for a taunt, for a piece of slander, for a petty theft. His rule was absolute, none were immune to his judgement.
After the final lash, Aisa tried to fall to her knees before Ohm could undo her ties. Laki crawled through the mud, clutching her dress to her chest to maintain her modesty, and embraced her cousin as soon as she was free. The girls held tight to each other as they sobbed and shivered. Laki ran a hand through Aisa's tangled hair, drew her back to wipe her tears, and struggled to give her a shaky smile to assure her that the worst was over.
Why would she believe that? Enel wondered. How can she smile at all?
His gaze fell to Nami as she made her way back to him. Her shoulders were rigid, back straight. Her eyes remained as cold and hard as the soil in winter while she held the whip out for him to take.
The lash dripped with blood, the leather handle slick and painted red.
"Does that satisfy you?" Nami asked.
He handed the whip to Ohm and stepped closer to Nami. She stiffened in alarm and tilted her head back to meet his gaze. Kohl streaked down her cheeks from the rain. Black tears to belay those she restrained. He wiped one away, drank in her cold, clammy flesh as he smeared the kohl over a pale cheek. His thumb traced down to her jaw. Her eyes trembled with fear as he held her chin.
He grabbed her left hand and saw her wince.
Her fear grew as he slowly smiled. She trembled as he leaned in. "I will overlook this stunt," he hissed in her ear. "You gave the people a good show. And I'm satisfied with the blood you've offered me. But next time…" She shuddered at the threat left unsaid, grimaced when he squeezed her hand. "Go inside and clean up. You've done enough for me today."
She stumbled back, gasped for a breath, and composed herself enough to bow her head. She snagged Corazon's arm and tugged him close, ignoring the healer's irritated scowl. "Will you please escort me inside," she said to him through a strained smile.
Her ally regarded her, his annoyance melting into confusion as she buried her hands into his black cloak and tried to hide another shiver. He glanced at Enel, his brows furrowed. He did not understand their exchange, did not see what Enel had. But he relented with a grunt, carefully tossed Nami's cloak over her shoulders, and pulled her toward the hall without further questioning what had just transpired.
"Oh, and do not forget, Corazon," Enel called to them. "You have promised to teach me your chess." Corazon stopped to glare over his shoulder, still displeased with the command. "I will see to my ship while Lady Nami changes. When I return, you will teach her and me this game."
Nami glowered in confusion. "I already know how to play chess," she said.
"Oh?" Enel had not expected to hear that. "When did you learn?"
"Arlong taught me," was the only explanation she gave before tugging at Corazon's arm. "I will help teach you," she said as they began to walk away.
"I look forward to it, Lady Nami," he said, tugging his cloak higher. "Yet another game for me to beat you at."
Law was in shock. He would never admit, never show it, but he had never expected to witness what he had that morning. Nami could put forward a front of apathy so cold, it made him feel a tremor of concern for the people she had struggled to protect. He had never expected to see her raise a whip to any of them, not when she needed them, not when she sympathized with their own plights, not when she had risked her own safety to speak against the king's wish to execute them.
The exchange between her and Enel after the punishment only left him more confused. Her dress was stained with blood and yet the king seemed displeased. She had done exactly as the king wished.
Or so he thought.
He did not notice anything amiss until they entered the hall. Nami's grip had been tight on his arm, her nails pricking him through thick wool and leather. He thought it was from the cold, or the fear Enel instilled in her. But then her weight fell against him, as heavy as stone, and he had to grab her around the waist to keep her from falling to her knees.
She clasped a bloody hand to her mouth to hold back a sob.
"I tried to hold back," she whispered in Frankish. "I tried not to—I spared them the worst. But I had to cut them at least once." She squeezed her eyes shut and tears streaked through the kohl that stained her cheeks. "If it had been Ohm… they would have died… they would have…"
She was convincing herself that she had done the right thing, that the punishment she doled out was better than what they would have endured at another priest's hands. She was likely correct, but a person could still die from an infection after a lashing. It was common for the torn and tattered skin to have difficulty healing after such trauma. With how much blood he saw, she cut them more than once.
His gaze fixed on her hand. There was too much blood on her. It should have washed away in the rain, or when she wiped her hand on her dress. But there was still fresh red blood dripping from her hand, soaking her sleeve to turn the wool an ugly brown.
He snatched her wrist as soon as he realized what she had done, yanked her left hand close to see the extent of the damage. A knife slipped out of her sleeve to clatter on the floor, but he was too busy staring at the deep gash marring the back of her hand to care about the weapon.
"I had to make it look real," Nami explained, drawing his attention to the smile struggling to hide her pain and fear. "Enel will only be satisfied by blood. He only wanted to see blood. Mine is as good as theirs."
"Nami… you…" He took her right hand, turned it over to find her palm and fingers covered with tiny scratches. She had run her hand over the lashes to coat them with her blood and sliced her skin on the metal woven in the leather strips. The scratches were superficial but would not be comfortable as they healed. The gash on the back of her hand was of more concern to him. She could have cut sinew, damaged tendons. She very well could have crippled her hand. All in the vain hope that she could spare three people who may as well be strangers to her from the full pain of their lashing. If Enel had not been satisfied with what she had done, if he felt the injury she inflicted upon herself was not enough, then she very well could be on her knees in the square with her own back shredded by Ohm knout. "Self-sacrificing idiot," he muttered.
She responded with a watery laugh.
"Let's sew this shut before you get an infection."
This woman continued to amaze him.
A/N: I'm still writing this, I swear, I'm just working very very slowly. Enel's point of view was harder to write in this chapter than I thought it would be, which is also why it took so long to finish.
And I believe I warned before that I would make the EnelNami a bit more blatant, though I still hadn't expected it to be like this. Enel just kind of falls for her in his own weird, twisted, sadistic way, lol. And then I offset it with some LawNami tease because I can and I know a lot of you do like that ship, too.
There is a reason that Arlong knows chess and taught it to Nami. It is actually part of his backstory in this. But that won't come for a long while yet, ahahahaha.
Do you guys miss Kid yet? I know I do. I'll get back to him eventually, lol.