Fenris

[just_hex]

Hex had set himself up in the galley to peel the potatoes for Hannibal, out of the way. He knew how the cook liked it done and was quick and precise.

He took the last root out of the water to remove the skin when Fenris walked in. Hex flashed him a warm smile.

"The water isn't hot enough for tea," he apologized. "You'll have to put it on."

Comments

[stolenlife]

"Then I hope he's prepared to lose a hand," said Fenris flatly. "I am done with that. I am no longer enslaved, and no one is entitled to my body."

[just_hex]

"Oh. Like Fox," he smiled. "Alright. He'll understand that."

The one thing he knew was Bond may be forceful but he didn't stay where he was truly unwelcome.

[stolenlife]

Fenris made a mental note of the name Fox.

Though the reassurance did remind him of something, and Hex seemed like a good person to get information from. "I understand that he's keeping nymph here against his will."

[just_hex]

"Nah, Fox has been here for ages. He grows our plants, yeah?" Hex smiled. "All these potatoes. He's wonderful."

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned, genuinely confused. “I mean Nyx. I met him.” Were there more,

[just_hex]

At the very sound of his name, Hex was overtaken with the most smitten grin and warmth in his eyes.

"Prince Nyx, yeah," he nodded. "Him, too."

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned at him. "You do realize he is a prisoner here, don't you? Bound by magic against his will?"

[just_hex]

Hex grew suspiciously quiet.

"Yeah...I know," he said, looking down.

[stolenlife]

"I confess, even knowing that I'm in his good graces now, I worry... that if the captain is someone who condones slavery, that he might not hesitate to sell me back to my former master," Fenris said, uncomfortably. "And I will not go back."

[just_hex]

"He wouldn't sell you. He don't do that. And...and that's not why Nyx is Bound," he replied awkwardly.

[stolenlife]

"Does it matter?" Fenris asked sourly.

[just_hex]

"Sort of," he nodded awkwardly. "While we're out to sea, definitely."

[stolenlife]

Fenris stopped peeling, and looked up at him. "Look, I'm not going to make trouble," he said. "I have to look out for myself now. But I've spent the entirety of my life that I can remember bound to a man who used human magic in the cruelest ways you can imagine. It gives me no pleasure to see anyone's free will bound by magic."

[just_hex]

"It's safer for everyone," he said, knowing that was a lie.

It wasn't safe for him at all. WHen Bond wanted to take Nyx back, Hex, as his Keeper, would need to die. Nyx had been quite clear.

But it was safer for Nyx. Physically, at least.

[stolenlife]

Fenris very nearly said, so why does he want to leave so badly then, but thought better of it. Fenris had no idea what Nyx might be saying to whom.

"You don't even seem entirely convinced of that," said Fenris. Then added, "I'm used to people like that. The ones who looked at me with pity, and then embarrassed when they said nothing."

[just_hex]

"No one can hurt him, yeah?" Hex insisted. "He'll be fine until Bond wants to take him back and then...if he thinks I'm going to die easy, he's mistaken..." he added, the words trailing away until he was barely mumbling.

[stolenlife]

Fenris' eyes narrowed a touch. "What do you have to do with it?"

[just_hex]

"I'm his Keeper," he said simply.

[stolenlife]

Fenris bristled visibly, but to his credit, he didn't jump to immediate conclusions. Instead he said calmly, "You'll need to explain to me what that means."

[just_hex]

Hex shrugged, ashamed to admit he didn't understand, and the more he learned, the worse it got.

"I got to take care of him until I die," he said. "Except I don't know anything about nymphs, really. I'm trying. I wish Bond had picked someone else."

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned. "So is he bound to you or are you bound to him?" Perhaps the answer was both, but... "What would happen if you left?"

[just_hex]

"Nothing good, probably," he said. "I don't know, though. I read a book, but Nyx said it was all wrong. All lies from people who use nymphs for...things."

[stolenlife]

"So you're telling me that this magic is binding your free will as well?" Fenris said, looking a bit skeptical. Hex seemed to lack sympathy for Nyx's plight.

[just_hex]

"Bond told me to do it..." he said, as if that explained it.

This was Bond's ship Hex's free will only went so far.

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned. "I'm very grateful to Bond for allowing me to stare here. But there are things he could ask of me that I absolutely would not do." And couldn't help but mutter, "Regardless of what his wizard might think."