Compassion

Laila and Mommy have turned the former battlefield into a huge tavern. A small group of rebels, malylebky, and Celestians have started playing music, while others take care of food and drink.

We’ve left Goran locked away in a thick iron cage in one corner. We keep our distance from him—none of us want him spoiling the mood—but we’ve granted free rein to anyone who feels like venting. Thyra is the first to step up, hurling a handful of ‘dirt’ at him. Meanwhile, we let Nemanja take part in what will be his last celebration, at least for now.

«Now, the lands Goran conquered are leaderless,» says Vlahar, raising his mug for a sip. «Søren, would you like to be the new king?»

I choke on my rainbow vila in surprise. «What on earth are you thinking? I’d never be capable of that.»

«Why not?» Laila asks. «I’d be your queen!» she exclaims, resting her head on my shoulder, tracing idle circles on the table with her finger.

«And then,» adds Lili, leaning on my other shoulder, her finger playing over my chest, «we could marry for both love and politics.» Both Laila and I whip our heads toward her, eyes wide. “Now I understand why I’ve never seen her drink—she’s a teetotaler, like Laila.” «I was only kidding,» she giggles. «You should see your faces! Don’t tell me you actually pictured it?»

«No.», we answer in unison. “YES!” I hear Laila’s embarrassed voice echo in my head. «Pervert.» I mutter, turning toward her.

«Eh?! Y-you heard that?!» she stammers, her face blazing red.

«Yes.» She whirls away, hiding behind both hands, her cheeks glowing like neon. The whole table bursts into laughter.

«Anyway,» says Thyra, wiping a tear from her eye, «Vlahar’s right. We need a leader. You’d be perfect, Søren—you defeated someone as strong as Goran!»

«No,» I reply, flattered but firm, «I’m not suited to be a leader. But if none of you wants to rule alone, then why not form a democracy?»

«A what?» Vlahar frowns.

I sigh, resigned. «It’ll take a while to explain.»

And so I spend the entire night describing what democracy is and how it works. By dawn, we’re the only ones in the tavern still awake, everyone else collapsed across the tables.

Sunlight streams through the windows, and we step outside to watch it rise. Vlahar and Thyra are giddy as children—who could blame them, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen the sun—while Akanke and Dakarai smile with quiet nostalgia. We linger for a few hours more, watching the people of Spis laugh and play beneath the daylight. But duty calls, and we’re forced to leave, taking Goran to the Tour Noire to await his trial.

After a week’s flight, the sound of celebration echoes from every island as we arrive. At the prison, we personally ensure that both Goran and Nemanja are locked away in solitary confinement.

But the hardest part begins now. Lili draws a deep breath, gathering her courage, and knocks at the door. «Coming!» The door opens to reveal Hasami, beaming as she greets us. «It’s you! Please, come in—I’ll make you some tea.»

«All right, thank you.» Lili answers, her voice tight with a lump in her throat. Nadia takes her hand and gently pulls her inside. We slip off our shoes at the entrance and settle around the low table.

«Here we are.» Hasami says, handing out cups before lowering herself carefully onto a cushion, one hand resting on her swollen belly. «Sorry it took me a while.»

«It’s fine,» Lili replies softly. «Do you still have nausea?»

«A little, yes, but it’s getting better.»

«You’re in your fourth month, aren’t you?» Laila asks.

«That’s right.» Hasami answers, stroking her stomach with a smile. Nadia stares at her intently. «What is it, Nadia-chan? Do you want to touch it too?»

«Yes!» she nods eagerly, cheeks flushed, and reaches out to caress her belly.

Hasami takes a sip of tea, then looks at us with a gentle smile. «So, where’s Kenji-chan? He went straight back to work as usual, didn’t he?»

«W-well, you see…» Lili freezes. She can’t even meet Hasami’s eyes. If her skin weren’t already so pale, she would surely have gone white. “I understand her—who could possibly deliver such news?” I force a smile, trying to steady her, and reach for her hand. She startles, then glances from me to Laila with wide eyes.

On her other side, I notice Laila’s had the same idea, her hand clasped tight. Proud of her, I look up—only to see her stick out her tongue at me.

«Hasami,» Lili finally says, meeting the woman’s gaze. «I’m sorry, but… Kenji died protecting Nadia and the fleet.»

Hasami exhales slowly, though her composure does not falter. «I see,» she murmurs, staring into her teacup with a wistful smile. «I feared this might happen… The fool could have at least waited to see his child’s face before dying.»

«I’m so sorry… I know how difficult pregnancy can be for you ōryū.» Lili rises and bows deeply before her. «Please, let me help you through this, at least—Second General Ito.»

«P-princess…» Hasami mutters, dazed.

«Don’t call me princess. Just call me Lili.»

«If this is a favor from a friend, then call me Hasami, as you always do, Lili.»

Lili lifts her head. «Forgive me—I got carried away.»

Hasami sighs, cupping her cheek with one hand. «Oh, heavens,» she says with a faint smile. «If that’s the case, then I can’t refuse your help.»

«Thank you,» Lili whispers, tears glistening in her eyes.

°°°

A month later, the trial is finally held. The courtroom is filled with royalty from every land, and Spis is represented by none other than Thyra, Vlahar, Dakarai, Akanke—and… wait, is that the drag queen Laila once told me about?

In the end, Nemanja’s sentence is merciful: life imprisonment with forced labor. But with Goran, the debate rages. Some argue for lobotomy, many clamor for execution in a variety of imaginative ways, others want every limb cut away until only his torso and head remain. Lili holds her ground and, in the end, secures only life in solitary confinement for him.