Coping. That was what Lufner Modig set his mind to do. And coping he did. No matter how hard.

His friends well knew he disliked being alone, and with Namitha's absence, although they were already coming to terms with it, they still offered their homes and a place to sleep just like they used to. But this night, Lufner chose to bunk in the comfort of his own home. No matter how lonely it was.

He still found traces of her presence. Such as the hair in her brush left near the fireplace. And her sweet smell lingered in the furs. The empty ale cup she left in the sitting room, waiting to be filled again.

Namitha would at least be pleased to find her supply untouched when she returned. Lufner smiled at the thought. He had to stop Zollo from venturing during his last visit. He would protect his wife's ale even if it killed him.

He washed, climbed into bed, and slipped into a light slumber.

"Luffy..."

Lufner jolted awake and looked around the room twisting his neck left and right. He heard his wife's voice, but after careful thought, he figured it was coming from a dream that mirrored a memory they shared. He settled down once more and closed his eyes. This time, he remained asleep and allowed the dream to take its course.

"How's the ship?"

Ah yes. It was the day they separated. Namitha had gone to check with Makny concerning the sails.

"It's coming along nicely."

"You must be tired."

"Very."

Namitha smiled and Lufner snickered with excitement for the times to come.

Lufner had returned home first, and she arrived mere minutes behind him. He did not know why she looked so relieved but she went towards him and embraced him as if her life depended on it.

It was late so they settled on some leftover bread and stew for the evening.

After they freshened up, Namitha went to bed and called for him as he shuffled on his tunic. He felt amazing after his bath and his limbs demanded rest.

When Lufner looked her way, she sat up and folded the fur across her lap, and beckoned him to lay his head.

There was no hesitation on his part and he grinned up at her while she brushed hair away from his face with her gentle fingers and entertained him with a smile.

"How's the ship?"

"It's coming along nicely."

Lufner stifled a yawn.

"You must be tired."

"Very."

All giddy, Lufner turned on his side, giving her more access to his hair, which Namitha glided her nails through, sending him into a state of bliss.

"I met with the seeress today."

Lufner looked her in the eyes again. His brows knotted.

"Why?"

"The gods lead me to her."

"Hm..." Lufner hummed and his eyes fluttered closed.

He hissed when his wife pinched his cheek.

"At least, pretend to be interested, Luffy."

"Fine. What did Sharky say?"

Namitha blinked at the name but dismissed it. Her husband was not the best at remembering details. Names being one of them.

"Who do you owe your strength to?" she asked.

"Myself... my friends. And most recently, my wife."

Namitha's face warmed. She leaned in to kiss his lips and Lufner held her by the cheek and returned it. Smiles were present.

"And your luck?"

"My luck?"

"Have you forgotten what you are most known for, my lord?"

Lufner blinked. His wife continued.

"Lufner Modig, most favoured by the gods. His luck knows no bounds."

Lufner's mouth pressed into a fine line.

"...You don't believe any of that, do you?"

Namitha opened her mouth to speak but made no sound. The tension in the air grew thick.

"I know that you are a good person, so naturally-"

"Usoff's mother was a good person. So was my neighbour who died suddenly last year just when he had saved enough after working all those years to buy his land to finally have the life he wanted. He wanted a family."

Namitha was at a loss for words.

"I do believe in fate but life is about chance, not luck, Nami. I could be gone tomorrow. All the good I did would not matter."

Lufner, sensing his wife's uneasiness, closed his hand over hers and kissed the fingers he brought to his lips.

He placed her hand at the side of his face and looked her square in the eyes. Whatever tears pinched Namitha's eyes were instantly swallowed.

"If I did have all this so-called luck, I would not have been an orphan. My grandfather would not have left me here to fend for myself. I have no clue if my mother and father are still alive or both dead.

"All the men who died following me on the battlefield who I have grown close to would not have died. Not to mention the disappearance of my brother..."

"But the gods-"

"They congratulate themselves for man's victories and accomplishments without lifting a finger. But when it comes to suffering, they turn a blind eye.

"What is luck if one does not put the work in themselves? Good things do not just happen by doing nothing. The work has to be put in. It's just how badly you want it. Either to fight hard enough to live another day or to secure good opportunities for yourself and others."

Lufner had trailed off in thought but looked again at his wife, the moment her tears hit his face.

"Nami..."

She was not saddened by what he said. Only moved but did not forgo the moment her husband sat up to hug her close.

She held him as tight as she could and sniffled in the crook of his neck.

"I-" Nami began but Lufner shushed her and stroked her hair.

"No, listen, Luffy. This is serious."

She scrubbed at her tears.

"You are right. And don't let anyone tell or prove to you otherwise. No man or god... Sharvy has warned that you should tread lightly.

"The gods have feared you have turned your back on them and they want to make things harder for you."

Lufner cocked a brow. His brows knotted and his mouth twisted into an annoyed frown.

"What have I done to offend them?"

"They want you to rely on them more."

"And if I refuse?"

Truth be told he relied more on his wife and friends. He believed in them, but they were old gods, and as time would have it, like for any civilization, man grew more capable of looking after themselves.

Sacrifices were a thing of the past, as the people learned to properly work and nurture the land. Famine and plague were not as common as before.

He respected all that they had done, but as a simple man who did not want for much, he only wanted to live his life the best way he could on his terms.

To gain their favour, Lufner might as well dedicate his life upkeeping the old temples as a priest. And there was no way he was going to live out his days that way.

"I had a feeling you would say that."

Lufner's expression became unreadable.

"The gods truly are powerful. That they are but we need to be one step ahead of them. We need to be smarter."

"We?" Lufner asked.

"We."

Namitha smiled. If Lufner thought he was facing this all alone, he needed to think again.

"So what do we need to do?"

Namitha kissed Lufner, glad he was catching on.

"Your spirit is strong. The gods are out to break it. So keep being the carefree, easy-going, determined man I married."

Lufner gave her a nod and a closed-eyed grin.

"But."

Namitha had a finger pointed at him. Her expression is serious. She saw the moment Lufner gulped.

"But?"

"Rely on me, Luffy. I can be selfish at times but when it comes to you and your safety, I would do anything. So listen to me without question."

Lufner looked to the side. There was a purse on his lips.

"I know I can be stubborn... You too. But I do not mean to do all I say. I am not your mother. I'm your wife. But when it comes to your life, please. Just listen.

"If anything happens to you, it will be the death of me."

She touched his face and Lufner touched his forehead to hers. His hands settled loosely around Namitha's waist.

"I have no problem with that but how would you know when I am in danger? Are you able to see the future?"

"Sharvy spoke of signs... But for now, I'll trust my gut. A woman's intuition is never wrong, you know."

Namitha teased him with a smile and Lufner grinned back.

"Just trust me, okay?"

"Okay."

They blew out the candles and settled under the covers. Lufner reached for Namitha and tucked her close to his side. Namitha giggled and placed an arm across his chest and laid her head comfortably under his chin.

Suddenly, Lufner flew up in bed, startling his wife, who had already dozed off.

"I have an idea!"

Namitha protested and hit him hard over the head but listened to what he had to say.

Lufner smiled at the memory.

Outside it was an hour before midnight, and a hard knock came at the door.

Lufner's eyes snapped open and he grew spooked out of his wits.

Silence followed and Lufner treaded cautiously over.

He opened the door slowly and was greeted by a frail old man.

The village was fast asleep and it puzzled Lufner greatly that no one else was stirred from rest from the man's loud knocking.

"Are you Lufner Modig?"

"I am... Are you lost, old man?"

"I'm going to need your help."

The next day came and Lufner could not shake the unease in his chest. He was to meet the old man at the dock.

Lufner was known for his helpful nature around the village so he hesitated not to offer a hand where needed. When he suggested having his friends tag along, his offer was turned down. He was more than enough of a help and Lufner thought nothing much of it.

He was no stranger when it came to being on a boat. How hard could it be?

The boat awaited in the dock. An old, shabby thing but large enough for its intended use. Lufner knew he should tell someone where he was going but deemed the excursion a small matter.

The net was set a little off the coast somewhere near the horizon. He would be back in no time.

He waved at the man in the distance and he was overjoyed to see him. Together with him were 5 others. They were not as young as Lufner but seemed experienced enough to be trusted at sea.

Just then, a figure ran past him and skidded to a halt.

Lufner turned in surprise as the man crashed into some wooden crates leaving a smoke of dust in his wake.

Lufner sweat dropped, and he continued his trek towards the boat.

"Wait! Lufner Modig! I have a message."

"A message? From who?"

Bartell's face turned beet red, and he stammered, finding it hard to keep his dignity in the presence of the man he looked up to the most.

His frantic and bashful movements reminded Lufner of Hanlaug. It made him wonder if they were in some way related.

"Namitha. Your wife."

Lufner took a step forward. A happy smile danced across his lips."

"From Nami? How is she doing?"

Lufner laughed. Behind him, the old man's expression grew grim.

Bartell took a sudden step back and fell on his rear. Lufner stooped down and smiled in anticipation.

News of his wife came as a pleasant surprise.

Bartell's mind ran like a water mill. He had to first introduce himself. With a burst of courage, he dusted his britches and stood as tall as can be.

Lufner Modig was shorter than he expected but the fact did not dampen his admiration. He was younger than he was and still had a lot of growing up to do.

"My name is Bartell, a tradesman. A day ago, I was in Lilyland where I met your wife. She sought me out in hopes of giving you a message."

"Is she well?" Lufner asked again.

"Yes."

Lufner nodded and waited for the message. The man from the boat called out to him growing impatient by the second. His insistence had to wait.

This was important.

"She speaks of a storm in the middle of the ocean."

"A storm?"

Lufner looked towards the ocean confused at the good weather and blinding sun. No signs of a storm in sight. He cocked a brow and regarded the tradesman warily.

"Where are you headed?"

"Fishing."

Bartell thanked the gods he made it in time.

"Namitha forbade you from stepping foot on a boat."

"And why should I believe you?"

It hurt that the news of his wife came in the form of a prank. He needed a good reason not to send the man standing in front of him flying.

"She stated specifically that she wants you to trust her, my lord."

"I am all for trusting my wife but why should I trust you?"

Lufner Modig's defiant stance gave Bartell the chills. Being in his presence alone and having an actual conversation with him was a dream come true.

Bartell gulped. It was a good thing Namitha prepared him well. Lufner Modig was a cautious man. He expected nothing less.

"Ace."

"Ace?"

Lufner's eyes widened like shields. Breath hitched in his throat and beads of sweat glistened on his brow.

The day he thought would never come had presented itself. It so conveniently had to happen during his and his wife's separation. Lufner looked to Bartell with appreciation.

He thanked him and, with hurried steps, went to meet the old man to warn him just the same.

However, when he got there, the old man had disappeared. When the other men on board and others around the vessel were asked, they had no recollection of the mysterious old man. He had vanished into thin air.

There indeed was a storm in the ocean that day and thanks to Lufner's warning and the trust the people had in him, all lives were spared.

"I have an idea!"

Namitha woke with a gasp, and after seeing that there was no danger, only her wide-awake husband, she hit him hard over the head.

"Don't scare me like that!"

Lufner ignored the pain and grasped both his wife's hands in the dark.

"I've got a great idea, Nami!"

Namitha sighed, "Out with it then."

"For when you have your gut feelings or whatever you call them."

"You mean the signs?"

"Yeah."

Tired, Namitha collapsed forward on her husband's chest and sighed all groggy and tired. Today was already a handful. Now this.

"Are you listening?"

Lufner glided a hand along her back. He knew she was tired but what he had to say was important.

Namitha nodded and hooked an arm over her husband's shoulder.

"We need a keyword."

"What kind of keyword?"

"It could be anything. Like when one of us is serious, and no questions need to be asked. It's mostly for you though. As stubborn as I am, I'm going to need a keyword. And with this keyword, we must promise absolute trust especially when situations get tough and we find ourselves in a pinch and need to make quick decisions. For our protection."

"Sounds good... What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking 'meat'."

Namitha shook her head against his chest and he pictured her rolling her eyes.

"How about 'orange' like your hair?"

"You can do better than that, Luffy."

"... Arlock?"

"You cannot be serious."

Lufner was about to go on, but Namitha stopped him, putting an end to this ridiculous game.

"Our keyword will be 'Ace'."

A quiet followed.

"Like my brother?"

"Yes. You get all serious when you mention Acegir. It's perfect."

Lufner laughed and kissed his wife's face.

"You're so smart, Nami."

"I know. Now can we please go to sleep?"

That was the first and last mention of their keyword. It was a word not even shared with their close friends and family. So for Bartell to know of such a word added credit to his claim.

Even at a distance, Namitha thought and looked out for him and Lufner was eternally grateful.

To be continued...