EVERMORE ─ marvel ⁷

VII. Allies And Enemies

Chapter Seven
Naomi

Jade is keeping Feore occupied while I try to reason with Njord alone. She said she would bake for him and discuss possible paths to take to better Jotunheim once they sign the treaty. I'll never doubt the power of Jade's baking, he's been sitting down and chatting with her for over two hours. I on the other hand, have spent two hours talking to a wall, because that's basically what Njord is. He won't listen, he won't behave in a king like manner at all. I might as well actually be talking to a wall.

"I want you and your people off my planet," Njord yells, his voice bouncing loudly off the walls of the throne room. "Nothing you say will convince me the Frost Giants are anything but monsters."

"Before I went to Jotunheim you said you would agree to make peace with Feore if he agreed to sign the treaty. Well he has. He wants what you want; his people's safety. Put aside your pride and do what's best for your people."

"What's best for my people is freedom from the tyranny of the Frost Giants."

"You told me that you don't want to subject your people to more pain. If you continue this war, then that's exactly what you'll be doing. Have you even seen your people? Have you seen their villages? The state they're living in? They're miserable, they're tired, they're starving. War is a virus, it spreads and kills until both sides are left broken beyond repair. Please, see reason." I am nearing the point of begging him.

Prince Freyr, Njord's only child, stands by his father's throne, looking conflicted. He has been on a supply mission the past couple days, and unlike his father, he actually cares about his people. It's evident in his tone and gaze as he says: "Father, perhaps we should consider—"

"Hold your tongue, boy. This human knows nothing, she is nothing. Don't pay mind to anything she says."

"I was the leader of a rebellion for many years," I tell him, feeling my hands ball into fists at my sides. "I know better than anyone, that when a leader refuses to do what best for their people, they pay a price. If you keep forcing your people to fight in a frivolous war, then they will show you just how tired and starving they really are."

"Is that a threat?"

"No. A promise."

"I am a god." Njord says for the hundredth time.

"You're one man, and one man is no match for the wrath of billions of angry citizens. You'll see." And with that, I walk out of the throne room, slamming the sea glass doors shut behind me.

-

I walk down to the seashore and begin throwing balls of fire at the waves. I must look like a crazy woman, but I don't care. I need to blow of some steam and I'd rather do it someplace no one will get hurt except for some unlucky fish.

With the Nova Empire, each leader thought the other were up to something nefarious, but they put aside their suspicions for the good of their people. They chose not to hold the past against each other and focus on the future. I've spent a year and half helping repair the empire, helping rebuild their government that had been destroyed, their bonds that had been broken. The only reason the Nova Empire is what it is today is because each leader truly cared about their people. Njord doesn't. He claims he does, but he only cares about himself and his ego.