>>5296447>>5296538>>5296358{Model: Michelle Manu. Photos Property of: Michelle Manu.}
<span class="mu-i">You’re right. My choice is made, let’s get this over with.</span>
___
<span class="mu-i">Babul of the Ponni, Chanda of the Ponni. You stand accused of attempted theft and assault on a representative of The Great Peace. Do you admit or deny?</span>
Babul seethes silently but Chanda steels her face.
<span class="mu-r">My people live in your slums while you have them building wealth for the same tyrants who stole the land of our ancestors. You accuse us of theft? We take what is owed.</span>
Agana sighs in resignation.
<span class="mu-i">Very well. As Axeholder of The Island, in the name of The Great Peace I defend, I sentence you to one season of labor.</span>
With a swing of her ax, the raiders are carried off by several Peacekeepers.
<span class="mu-r">I see it in your eyes. You think you’re better than your parents. It’s easy to be the good guy when you're comfortable. But when your power is on the line, we’ll see what kind of person you are.</span>
Norodom walks in the courtyard flanked by servants who shade her with palm fronds.
<span class="mu-b">Nice poetry. You’ll have plenty of time to work on it in the mud fields. I swear, Aggy, you think they’d be grateful after you let them dodge the tribute.</span>
<span class="mu-i">They didn’t dodge it, they’re paying with labor.</span>
<span class="mu-b">Labor we just saw we can get for free. If they’re really that poor, they could sell off some of that land they’re always moaning about. This city is a hungry beast, we’ll need to feed it soon.</span>
“I think we should trust the Axeholder’s judgment.”
Norodom eyes the Axe with a knowing glance.
<span class="mu-b">You know what, Lono. I completely agree. Come! We have the campaign to plan.</span>
Agana stares daggers at her back while she leaves.
