Akana would just about ask a question when he was interrupted by a roar. Sidastir appeared to be attacked by a sturdy, hairy man. They seemed to exchange insults and pushed each other. Akana pondered whether he should defend Sidastir but his husband looked unusually joyous about the violent attack so Akana contented himself with just looking confused. The enormous man finally turned to Akana and examined him.

"Sidastir! It's not yet evening and you've already found your next lover. Have you already taken the little boy or are you waiting until you abide in a more civilized place? "

The man's voice was way too noisy for Akana’s fancy. However, Akana could not comprehend the man's comment. He was certain that Sidastir had not had an intimate relationship with anyone else as this should be impossible with Sidastir’s power. Many turned towards them at the sound the man's voice to examine the newcomers who had just arrived.

"He hasn't been intimate with me. At least not for a while but now when you mention it, it is astonishing that it has gone days without we having intercourse."

Akana turned towards Sidastir, who glared back at him.

"We have traveled in a wagon for several days," he replied.

"You cannot make love in a wagon? You didn't seem to have any dilemma with it in Eitir. But then again, back then we had Silverdeer watching us. This wagon is far more private-"began Akana said but, much to his frustration, the large man interrupted him again.

"Gods dawn! This one ramble way too much. I would suggest that you discard this one quickly before your ears fall off.”

The man chuckled but Akana did not appreciate the insult. Which apparently Sidastir didn’t either as he replied with a sharp tone.

"So, cover your ears, Magnus! And do not insult my spouse again. Even I have limits to what I allow you to say to him.”

Sidastir said this with a laugh but there was something uncommonly callous underneath Sidastir’s voice. Akana was assured that there was a threat situated underneath Sidastirs hilarity. No one else seemed to have missed it either as most people removed themselves from the scene.

"Married? Did you not look for a ward, not a spouse?” said Magnus, and laughed again. He seemed to wait for Sidastirs proclamation that the whole thing was a mischief but he stopped laughing when he realized that it never came. He turned towards Akana and seemed to consider his next action before he bowed.

"My name is Magnus Ferrum. The Son of the Consul Crassus Ferrum and bears the title warlord," he finally said with a rather polite voice but Akana still saw mistrust in his eyes.

"What noble family do you descend from?"

"He is obviously not from a noble family. He is an Auon. A desert rat! "A harsh voice sounded behind the large man.

Akana peered toward the newly arrived man and suddenly grew rigid. Unconsciously, he had grabbed onto Sidastir with a stiff hand. Sidastir threw a swift gaze at Akana before he placed himself between the man and Akana. There was no doubt who, or rather, what the newly arrived man was.

His golden brown skin with the crooked, narrow eyes, black hair, and charcoal-colored eyes. This was a man from Huzhidi. Auone’s neighbor and adversary. The Huzhidi loathed the Auons and murdered them at sight.

The hatred of this man's eyes was far from concealed, it was obvious that he bore the same disgust that has resulted in centuries of murder. The Huzhidi considered it their calling to eradicate the aberrations, who today names themselves Auons.

"Behave yourself, Zhan! This is my ward. Zhan Yuan. Although other countries nobility is not accepted in-" Magnus was interrupted by Zhan who hissed that the Auons have no nobility. He turned towards Sidastir who regarded Zhan with increasing hostility.

"You have disgraced your family and Ice elven race by marrying this creature. Or, do the Frostking prefer this animal in bed? "Zhan hissed out the last few words before a strike hit him. To Akana’s amazement, it was not Sidastir who had struck Zhan but Magnus.

"I took you as a Ward when no one else wanted a barbaric Huzhidi as their ward. It is my belief that all cultures are equals and have the same status. You should remember the wrong treatment you endured before giving out the same treatment to others. Perish from my sight!”

Magnus ' voice was sharp as the blade of a sword and resonated over the yard. Zhan glared one last time at Akana before fleeing into the building.

Akana noticed that the ground had frozen even though it was summer. Sidastir had an expression which Akana had not witnessed before. He decided he didn't like it and put his hands on Sidastir’s cheeks and started rubbing them to soften the facial expression. Sidastir glared at Akana, who did not stop rubbing his face.

Magnus stared at the peculiar scene before him before he opened his mouth.

"I apologize for what just happened."

Magnus bowed deep and Sidastir gave him a cold gaze.

"Be sure to keep the pathetic village fool in check. Next time I will take care of his foolish behavior myself and no one experiences my punishment a second time, " Sidastir said and Akana frowned when the harsh facial expression came back.

It was time for more rubbing.