Year 783 Octavus, day 36 of the seventh month of Domorus
Taking deep breaths, Akana focused on his mind. Letting all other a fade away. The grass rustled when a breeze hit him, reminding him of reality.
“We are on a mountain, how can it be so damn hot on a mountain?” groaned Ceva, waving a fan like crazy trying to get some air on her while she panted in the shade. Opening one eye, Akana peered at him where he sat in the sun.
“I think it’s rather tempered. It is a chilling beeze at least.”
“Chilling?” Ceva groaned, looking over at Akana basking in the sun. “The gales are barely noticeable because they are so warm. I’m not even sure I’m currently breathing because I cannot feel the air go down my lungs.”
“Don’t be silly, you are alive, aren’t you? That means you are breathing.”
Ceva rolled her eyes, “Very astute of you. What are you doing anyway?”
“Meditating.”
“Right. Why?”
Akana let out a sigh and opened his eyes. There was no point in trying to meditate in this park when he constantly get interrupted. If not by Ceva then by people walking by and greeting him, some stared openly at him. Akana rose, brushing himself off before he sat down beside Ceva on the bench.
“The Mayin told me that my inner sanctum, the one Sen lives in, takes the shape of whatever I want. Since I haven’t used the inner sactum, it as corroded into the most basic form my mind can think off.”
“Which is?”
“A cave.”
Ceva snorted,” You are forcing your brother to live in a cave.”
“Yes, I feel rather guilty about that. I am the elder of the brother so its my responsibility to ensure he lives well,” Akana said, ignoring Sen’s prostest when he said he was the elder.
“So, you are trying to change the cave into something more livable,” Ceva peered at Akana. “Have you succeeded yet?”
Avoiding Ceva’s knowing gaze, Akana said,” Somewhat… It has changed shape at least.”
Sen snorted, not shy with uttering his discontent. Akana couldn’t blame him, it turns out he was not much of an architect.
“To what?”
“A cube.”
The silence pressed down upon them as Ceva stared, soon the silence was broken by her laughter echoing in the air,” A cube?”
“Indeed.”
“And you are now forcing you brother to live in a box.”
“…Yes.”
“Has he protested yet?”
“Several times, by taking over my body and refusing to give it back,” Akana muttered. “I have promised to do something about it as soon I got my body back, but it turns out that I haven’t a creative bone in my body. I don’t know what to make.”
“Well, I can say for sure that none are surprised by you lack of creativity,” Ceva said, and Akana hushed Sen who agreed loudly from his mind. “But you are in a city filled with amazing architecture, just recreate what you see. Maybe recreate the mansion for now, or why not Eighpalas.”
“That…” Akana frowned, “Is not such a bad idea. It might take some time to recreate Eighpalas but I think I can do the mansion quickly enough.”
“See? I’m good at keeping the peace in the family.”
“Are you used to it?”
“Indeed, if it is one think we balkravians know, its to fight with our family and considering how large the families are, well, we better be good at it.”
Akana nodded, wanting to ask how many, but didn’t get a chance since Ceva answered before he could ask. “My father has five wives, and eleven kids including me. Which means that I have ten siblings. Five brothers and five sisters, I have no idea how many nieces and nephews I have. They are impossible to keep count on, each time I go back, a new one has appeard.”
Akana nodded, “Last time I checked, I think I had 9 siblings. Six older and three younger.”
“You think?”
“Yes, When the oldest leave the Watakau, they are rarely heard from again. I’m frankly not sure how many siblings my parents was able to produce. Most would have left us before I was old enough to remember them. I remember a few older siblings leaving, and my parents talked about a few more. Mentioning them in conversations, such as calling me a strange child for crying when I was a child, that brother or sister didn’t do so,” Akana pondered.
“Is a child crying strange in Auone?” asked Ceva, her forhead wrinkled with confusion.
Akana nodded,” We only cry when we are babes, at its more of a wail. No tears. I was different. I cried. Did for a long time, which is why my parents gave me the nickname Akana. It has two meanings, one is defence the other is a slang for crying.”
“Wait… Nickname?”
“Oh yes, when I entered the trials to become Sidastir’s ward I gave them my real name along with my surname and they could not even comprehend all the sound. I told them to use my nickname, Akana, and they decided to remove my surname and just put of Auone there instead.”
“That is just rude, what is your name.”
Akana peered over at her large eyes, and Sen chuckled from his inner mind. “Akanahra… Akanahra Al’Nertanisitar’Aishah.”
Ceva stared at him. ”Excuse me.”
Akana sighed and repeated his name.
“Does… It mean anything?” Ceva asked carefully, like she was afraid to insult him.
“Yes, our surname comes from the Watakau. It means the 4593th nest.”
“I’m guessing all Watakaus are named after numbers.”
“Of course, when they are made they are registered under it.”
“Your people don’t have much of an imagination, do they?”
“No, which is why Sidastir wants to be the one to name our future children.”
“That is probably for the better. What does Akanahra means? Is it a number as well.”
“… No, its… A weird name. I have considered to write and ask my parents of it.”
“Why?”
“Because Aka means white and nahra is a more informell word we use for fire. Fabik is the formell one. “
“They named you… White fire,” Ceva glanced at Akana. “Did they know-“
“I don’t know, but I suspect they did.”
“Well, at least we know one think,” Ceva said.
“Which is?”
“At least your parents had some creativity, so you aren’t a complete lost cause.”
“Wonderful.”
*****
“What are we even doing here?” complained Magnus.
“I want to buy Akana something.” Sidastir said, not looking up from the market stands.
“Why?”
“Because he is my consort and deserves to be spoiled.”
“Have you argued again?”
“No, I just want to spoil him,” Sidastir said, rolling his eyes. “For being astounding consort.”
“He already knows he is a marvel, you don’t have to shove it down his throat,” Magnus muttered, glaring at the flowers like they were his enemy. “Besides, your consort is too practical to like trinkets and objects of affection.”
Sighing in defeat, Sidastir removed his eyes from the flowers. He could see Akana throwing them away, and considering how Akana reacted to Naga when he first got the dragon, he highly doubted Akana would appreciate a pet.
“It’s difficult to buy gift for someone who doesn’t want anything,” Sidastir muttered.
“Everyone wants something,” said a female voice, familiar enough to send shivers down Sidastir’s spine. Holding back his rage, he turned around glaring at Atra Serpentis standing there like the world was hers to conquer.
“Seriously, you weren’t clever enough to not show your face in front of us,” Magnus said. Sidastir’s eyes turned to another woman. Her darker skin suggested her to be Relevi though, unlike Atra who was a Patricali. The woman was tall, unusually so for a Relevi and her eyes piercing. The face couldn’t be called beautiful, too stern for that, but she did have a look that made people notice her. Behind her stood Tenera Pectoris, avoiding to look at them straight in the eyes.
“I don’t appreciate threats,” the woman said.
“And I don’t appreciate people who really shouldn’t show their faces in front of me,” Sidastir said with a fierce glare at Atra who leaned against the woman.
“So rude, isn’t he, Aurea?” Atra giggled like a little girl, clearly confident with the woman at her side. Aurea Sideris, Sidastir remembered the name from Virtus Scolaris. A consulor training to be a consul. Powerful and smart. Also, Atra’s mentor.
“True, makes me wonder why you tried so hard to marry him,” Aurea said, watching the stands. Sidastir frowned, not knowing if that was an insult to him or Atra. Neither did Atra, considering her frowning face but she soon recovered.
“Where is your peculiar consort, Sidastir? You just have to see him, Aurea. He looks-“
“Rial, Atra. It is rude not to call him by his proper title,” Aurea interrupted her which made Atra’s face fluster with anger though she didn’t dare tell her mentor so. “There is no need to be rude to him, even if he framed you.”
That really hit Sidastir hard. “Framed her,” Sidastir snorted. “She shouldn’t have tried to kill the Mayin, or are you claiming that the Mayin is a lier?”
Atra was always easy to anger and her red face showcase it for all to see. “I never planned to harm the Mayin, and you know it!”
“Inviting his enemies into the city to kill him was for entertainment then?”
“The Mayin wasn’t the target, your disgusting animal to a consort was-“ Atra fell silence, looking over at Aurea whose expression hadn’t change but her eyes was cold as she silenced her with one look.
“I didn’t know your consort was targeted last year,” Aurea said, bowing her head slightly towards Sidastir. “My condoleces, I do hope his experiences are better this year.”
“Yes, now he has to see someone trying to kill his husband instead,” Magnus muttered. “Much better.”
Aurea glanced at Magnus before turning her cold gaze towards Atra who was smirking. “Indeed, a dishonorable move to try and assassinate someone.”
Atra’s smile faded, and Sidastir could understand why. That comment was pointed at him or Magnus. Hadn’t she known? Aurea was no fool, but perhaps she had a soft spot for her ward after all.
Turning towards Sidastir, Aurea gave him a polite smile. “Do send my greetings to the most honored Rial Caraid. I would have enjoyed a civil conversation with him, but considering the company I keep, I think it would be better for me to keep my distance.”
She lowered her head once again, “Goodbye.”
She walked off, neither Atra or Tendera dared say anything else as they rushed off after her proud profile fading out among the people.
“A dangerous woman,” Magnus muttered.
“Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to be our enemy,” Sidastir agreed, and he could only hope that it stayed that way.
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