Year 783 Octavus, day 12 on the seventh month of Domorus.
Staring at the plump man in front of him, Akana must wonder why he was here again. He spent too much time here last year, why did he always get pulled into the office of the Primus. The principal had never been kind to him, loathed him as a heathen. A fact that is constantly pointed out by Primus Adsessus constant shadow the Pater, Munus, currently standing beside the Primus with a gloating smirk on his face.
Akana’s teacher in Diplomacy, Aureus Lingua, stood beside Akana with disbelief written all over his face. It was apparently not just Akana who was bemused by this summon. His teacher was at a loss as well.
“I think I might have misheard. Can you be so kind and repeat that?” asked Aureus with a prominent frown on his face like he needed to concentrate on the Primus’s words to understand him.
“ We… I mean, I have decided that the young Rial Caraid aren’t allowed to travel to the Trinetournament. Considered what happened last year, it's better if he stays here,” the Primus said, peering at the Pater like to get his approval. The Pater just nodded, straightening his dark-blue robs. The nasty thorned whip hanging from his belt still made Akana’s mouth dry. A prime example of an Aevitian priest.
“Last year? When I was attacked and almost killed, several times by the same student I might add. A student you refused to punish the first time,” Akana cocked an eyebrow. Quite surprised that the Primus would dare bring up that point.
“Well… We think that you will be safer here,” The primus muttered, avoiding the subject of his neglect.
“And I disagree, considering what happened last year it is blatantly obvious that I would be far safer in Parcis where I will be surrounded by loyal guards and friends.”
“This is just ridiculous. The primus has no power to forbid one student from going. Not when all that student’s teachers agreed to let him have all his classes in Parcis. In fact, classes like my own Diplomacy and the language class Moranian are adamant about sending our students to Parcis for practical training. The other of the Rial Caraids subjects such as history, elementalism, and music appreciation also agree that the opportunity to visit Parcis will be good for him. I see no reason why he should be forbidden to participate in the festivities along with every other student,” Aureus said, his emerald eyes watching each of them like a hawk. He was a senator of Relevium, but he has never encountered such an incident before.
“I’m fully aware of that fact Scolator, but I still think-“
Akana walked forward, ignoring the Primus attempts of trying to explain such unexplainable reasoning. Slamming down a letter, the sigil in full view, in front of the Primus who frowned and leaned in closer. His bronze skin paled at the sight of the sigil.
“I am sure that you can explain to the glorious Phoenix princess why her guest of honor was not able to come. I’m sure your explanation will satisfy her fully.”
Within seconds Akana stood outside the office in silence with his Scolator, Aureus Lingua, with an approval to go from the Primus. Aureus’s lips were twitching like he wanted to smile but didn’t dare. “Did you save that letter for this?”
“I did save it in case it was needed. I didn’t think I would though, at least not until I arrived at Parcis,” both of them started to walk down the hall.
“In any case, I am impressed. I do hope that you won’t encounter similar hindrances during your journey to Parcis and I would like to remind you that not all in your class have your connections. I would appreciate it if you took some of the students from the diplomacy with you to your meetings.”
Akana nodded,” Ceva le Gu will always be with me and I have already planned several invitations. I will have other students kept in mind, Scolator Lingua.”
“Good, one last warning though. In Parcis, do allow yourself to consider, but never expect anything out of anyone. Better to always have a second option for loyalty is fleeting in the capital of Relevium. So is emotion. Advantages are what will get you what you want,” Aureus Lingua said, lowering his head. After saying his farewells to his very satisfied teacher, he wandered out to find his dragon, Naga.
He just hoped that nothing would happen in Parcis, it would be nice with a peaceful year filled with studies instead of danger.
*****
With a worried expression, Sidastir’s eyes darted over the villa. The mosaic floors depicted winter landscapes reminiscent of Eitir. What would Akana don’t like? Probably everything that the Relevis adored. The adorning vases, sculptures, and weapons for one. Sidastir’s eyes lingered on a large marble sculpture of a naked woman with a water vessel, an ancient sculpture of a dead civilization.
Maybe he should cover her up with a blanket, though Sidastir doubted that her nudeness was would bother Akana. No, it was the impracticality of its placement. It was standing in the hall leading to the living room used for receiving guests. A Relevi would most likely think it was a good placement but Akana would think it’s blocking the hallway.
“I refuse to move it,” the servant boy Ardeo Caldere said grimly. He was the elder of two siblings who were given to the villa as servants. The boy was only eighteen years old and seemed to hate Sidastir. At least, he spent most of his time ignoring Sidastir’s orders. His younger sister, currently standing behind a column sighing while thinking that Sidastir hadn’t noticed her pining, was only fourteen. Both of them were a bother, but Sidastir has little choice but to accept them if he wasn’t planning of cleaning the large villa, Canalupi, himself.
Rolling his eyes, Sidastir said,” If you would have been able to move this monstrosity then I would have given you a raise. It requires several strong men to move this thing.” All he could do was hope that Akana wouldn’t notice it or at least have compassion enough to not ordered it to move. Turning around, Sidastir was met with a squeak as Calda hid behind the column with a giggle. She let out another one when a sour old woman came into view and hit her over the rear end with a cane.
“What are you doing here, girl? Didn’t I tell you to go to the Culina and cook a diner for when Dominus Draconis arrives?” the old woman grunted, Calda ran away with another squeak as the old woman was ready to give her another whipping. “And you, go and prepare the wagon. You will need to meet up with Dominus Draconis by the harbor.”
She pointed her cane unto Ardeo who seemed unusually happy for once, almost skitter away. Sidastir’s eyes narrowed at the boy’s back. Why was he so eager to meet with Akana?
Then the old turn to Sidastir. Eyes narrowing at his inappropriate clothes. Wearing just a toga was perhaps comfortable in the heat but not decent.
Stella Fidelis had once been Ipsimus, leader of the servants, in the royal palace and had no patience for her Dominus or her two young Calators under her manage. “And you, Dominus, make yourself ready. I doubt your consort would appreciate his husband walking around dressed like a vagrant. He would think I wouldn’t be able to manage the household properly,” snarled the old lady before she limped out into the kitchen.
The trolls have more respect for him than this household.
*****
The city seemed to glow as the sun hit the white marble buildings, The streets were formed to make the circled center look like a sun. as the largest street, Arsi Eteri, reached all the way up to the top of the mountain, Montus Caelusi, reaching the large palace, Domus Augustus, seen even up from the sky.
Akana had heard that the city had gotten its nickname, the silver city, from its mine of Argentinium, silver iron but looking down he must wonder if the city has gotten its name from the glowing effect the buildings gave out.
Naga had started to impatiently circle the sky harbor at the top of the mountain. Caelusi Portus was normally for air balloons and griffins owned by the nobility but this was one of the view areas that a dragon could land in the city. Akana could only hope that they knew how to handle the landing of a dragon and let out a dark whistle, signaling Naga to land when he noticed them making space for him.
The wind hit his face as Naga descended, eager to finally get out of the scorching sun. Akana had to cling for dear life as Naga’s landing was far from gracious as he tipped over several barrels and left a trail of disaster in his wake. The laborers started to dash forward to clean it up, and Akana felt a sting of guilt as he looked over. Soon his attention was derailed though as he spotted Sidastir at the entrance of the harbor, waving cheerily.
Many peered at him, and Akana could only assume that it was impolite to wave around with once arms in this fashion in Relevium. Especially considered that only the wealthy used Caelusi Portus.
Akana lost his grip when Naga started to rustled his scales and growl. Sidastir rushed over and successfully caught Akana before he fell to the ground.
“You don’t have to be so eager to throw yourself in my arms, gaolan!” chuckled Sidastir, using the word for beloved in canaan. He leaned his forehead onto Akana’s who felt his heart skip a beat before Akana pulled back and frowned at Naga who had started to blow his cold breath onto his back.
Sidastir calmed the dragon, laying his hands over the dragon's scales. Cold winds rushed over the scales and a low, satisfied growl escaped the dragon who lay down for Sidastir to be able to reach higher. Sidastir hummed a calming lullaby in Canaan, the language of the elves, as he continued to use his ice magic on Naga.
“I noticed Naga was unstable in the air but hadn’t considered that an ice dragon would suffer under the sun,” said Akana and stroked Naga’s nose. “He seemed to appreciate the heat last year, but then again he couldn’t fly back then. The heat must be worse higher in the sky.”
“Dornill handles it just fine as I cast an ice-gale to soothe him as we fly but you cannot do so as a fire mage. He just has to learn how to use his breath to do what you cannot,” Sidastir said, petting Naga before turning towards Akana.
Akana was about to answer but was silenced by Sidastir pressing his lips against his in a hungry embrace. He could hear several people mutter and point at them, but he had little interest in other people. When Sidastir finally gave him room to breathe, he allowed himself to give one of his rare smiles. “Have you missed me, husband?”
Sidastir let out a low growl, like an animal, and embraced him again. Akana sighed in surrender and twirled his arms around Sidastir’s waist. A frown faded into view on his face though as he felt Sidastir’s hands glide down his spin towards a more private body part. Akana immediately punched Sidastir's hand, lifting them up and laughter echoed among the dockers. Sidastir gave him a mischievous smile like he was a child instead of the hundred-year-old king he actually was.
Ignoring his husband, who still seemed hungry for attention. Akana walked over to the entrance, noticing a young relevian boy standing with a gaping mouth, dark grey eyes gleaming, and brown, curly hair on end. He wore simpler clothes, lacking the toga traditional for a noble so he most likely was a servant.
“Welcome to Parcis, Dominus Draconis,” the servant boy suddenly said, as he was pulled out of his stupor by a glaring Sidastir. Akana was now right in front of him and had to bow his head to look the boy in the eyes. The boy was facing Sidastir’s glare head-on, not letting up.
Tired of being ignored, Akana turned around and laid his hands on Sidastir’s cheeks, starting to rub the harsh expression away. Sidastir’s eyes immediately became soft and if he had been a cat, he would have purred. Satisfied, Akana turned back to face the boy’s wide eyes.
“You know who I am, but I do not have the honor to know yours,” Akana said politely in his broken relevian. The boy straightens his back, pushing out his chest like to make himself bigger. It failed miserably, and he still looked like the teenager he most likely was.
“My name is Ardeo Caldere. I’m a Calator at your villa, dominus.”
A servant then, Akana had expected that some servants would have been given to handle the household. At least he wouldn’t have to handle all the cleaning himself. “I’m glad to know that I am in capable hands.”
Sidastir has started to glare again when Ardeo had started to smirk and grunted when Akana aimed his elbow at him. “So is my husband.”
“Yes, very glad,” Sidastir muttered and Akana had to use all his restraint to control his expression when Sidastir retaliated by pinching his bottom.
“Let me show you to your villa, dominus,” Ardeo said showing him to a small wagon that looked anything but comfortable. “I’m sure you will be pleased with your quarters.”
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