Sidastir cleaned his blade on his training sword while waiting for instructions from Lamag who had given him permission to leave when he was informed that the Mayin had arrived. Lamag saw no reason to prevent a mage to greet the Mayin but he still wanted Sidastir to stay behind after class to make up what he has missed.

Akana had notified him along the way back what the Mayin had mentioned about his element. Akana was extremely excited about the new knowledge about the origins of the Auons. A reaction he would not have experienced back when they first met.

The new knowledge of Akana’s element would aid them. Although, Sidastir had no benevolence for the three filths that assaulted Akana. It would be better if their situation were not permanent. At least for Akana.

Lastly, Magnus was hanging over the arena fence while he watched the two young boys training without really looking at them. He was still cross about the incident in the alley. Sidastir wanted to say that he did not attach any regards to Magnus ' emotions but it was not entirely true.

Magnus had remained his friend for as long as he had attended Virtus Scolaris, but if the choice was between Magnus and Akana, he would choose Akana every time.

Lamag came over to him with a grim face. Not that it looked any different from his usual facial expression.

"You talked to the Mayin. Did he reveal anything about the boys?" Lamag asked, who was one of the few teachers with the exception of Vis, who had displayed no grave fear of Akana or concern for Akana's assailants.

When Sidastir had asked him about it, Lamag had merely responded that this kind of attack only just comes when one has injured a mage for the risk of the mage's life. If one is not ready for that kind of power, one should not consider a mage as a worthy adversary

Lamag had been fighting enough mages in wars to know that mages are most dangerous just before they are at risk of dying. Their magic has the ability to multiply and explode uncontrollably in the hope of preserving the lives of the mages. Every soldier must be ready for it when fighting against mages and Lamag has enough scars from his failures in battle to be prepared for that kind of power.

“He said he was going to make sure of it, but the problem should not permanent. They have just entirely exhausted their mana. It only takes longer for them to regain their mana because they are not magically trained,” said Sidastir, who noticed that Magnus writhe in distress. It was obvious the stubborn fool was eavesdropping to their conversation.

“I could have told them that. It is no different from when mages are exhausted in battle. After practicing so much magic, they become exhausted and you cannot feel their mana anymore. Let them rest for a while, and they are back on the battlefield again in no time,” Lamag snorted sardonically.

"But the useless Medicus who is still wet behind the ears could not figure it out and is probably too scared to utter about his mistake."

“If I find out that a Medicus has put my Rial Caraid at risk because of a misjudgment and not even have the decency to correct his mistake ...” Sidastir replied fiercely.

“Threatening the Medicus, that surely help the situation,” Lamag uttered sarcastically. “What did Mayin say about your husband's powers? I have been in many battles and fought against many mages, but I haven’t heard about anything like this.”

“Hardly anyone has. Akana utilized two magical abilities. One is Dragonfire. The white fire is Dragonfire, not Demonfire,” Sidastir explained relatively loudly as he knew Magnus assumed it was Demonfire.

“Dragonfire? No wonder no one has heard of it. It is obvious, however, that it's not Demonfire. Demonfire is black. You talked about another ability?” Lamag muttered.

“Auons demonstrates an extraordinary, magical ability. They feed on mana and temporarily copy the element of the mage they have stolen the mana from. To put it differently, they can use the magic of others,” Sidastir explained.

“It's a powerful ability. When you fight a mage, the most straightforward way to defeat them is to use their magic weakness against them. Fire against ice. Earth against the wind. But a mage who can adapt his element ... I can understand why they kept the ability a secret,” Lamag mused.

“The situation is more complicated than we thought. This power comes with a great burden,” Sidastir muttered.

“All great powers come with burdens. It is nature's way of leveling the plane field. Will your husband acquire an extra set of arms or start breathing fire?” Lamag laughed and Sidastir rolled his eyes.

“It is addictive to devour mana. Therefore, Auons stopped using this ability and only a few of them even know their ability. But their magic is connected to their feelings. When they seized to devour mana, their ability to feel emotions faded.”

“So, that's why they are so indifferent. Why did the Auons hide the ability from their own people? Sounds unusually foolish for Auons,” Lamag said and folded his arms across his chest.

“I'm unsure, but I would think it's a way to prevent a war with Huzhidi,” Sidastir explained.

“Huzhidi? Ah, they have a tendency to call Auons demons. I suppose they could use the Auons ability as proof that they are demons,” Lamag nodded in agreement and Sidastir shook his head.

“No one would believe it. It's more likely about the genocide that has been going on for centuries,” Sidastir said, and Lamag grew rigid before grabbing him.

It was the first time Sidastir had witnessed this kind of expression on his teacher's face. It was beyond rage.

“What are you talking about?”

Lamag's voice was a low growl.

“Huzhidi has hunted and murdered auons long before Auone was brought into existance. They almost hunted them to extinction when they rebelled. They created machines to they conquered the lands which later became Auone. Huzhidi has continued murdering nomadic Auons traveling between the cities of Auone. It is even law in Huzhidi that the army must murder every Auon they lay eyes on. Which they often do because they send the army into Auone to attack the nomads,” Sidastir explained briefly.

“Auone hasn't done anything since they don't want war with Huzhidi. It only leads to more death, but if the nomads find out that they have the ability to siphon mana. A weapon to defend themselves with... “

“It would be only natural if they would like to use it. What is the Heavenly Father's name has the Keiser done all these years?” Lamag asked supsiciously.

“Presumably less than he did when my own people suffered a similar fate,” Sidastir said callously.

He didn't understand Auons, but he couldn't help but to see this as personal. This happened to the ice elves as well. People saw them as wicked because they ruled over ice which many believed to be a representation of death.

Eitir consists only of ice and when this ice began to spread, the people outside Eitir were fearful. They could not survive Eitir's climate. Of course, this led to the accusation that this was the ice elves doing and the answer was to slay them. Too late, his people grasped the seriousness of the situation and they could not muster a defense in time. His entire people were slaughtered until only a few remained.

It took Sidastir almost a hundred years of constant war before he could reclaim his country, but when he looked around afterward, only he remained. He had taken back a kingdom where only bygone memories dwelled.

“The Mayin had put forward a proposal to make it illegal to kill ice elves in their own country but ... The Keiser took too long to implement the law. It was solely me left when the law went through. He will hardly get my gratitude and now the Mayin will try to make a similar proposal with the Auons,” Sidastir said, but he could not see this as something positive.

All he could see is history repeating itself.

“The Auons may not look strong, butI doubt there is any kingdom that can be equal to their war machines. They can defend themselves, unlike the ice elves. In addition, they have Eitir at their side. They are not like your country. You stood alone,” Lamag said, giving him a friendly smack on his arm before he left.

Sidastir was not as convinced as the same was said about the Ice elves and their dragons. Their dragon riders were notorious and it was believed that nobody could match them. This was also the attitude of the Ice elves and they could not imagine that someone would be foolhardy enough to attack. Until the domorans did...

Sidastir knew that the Auons were probably prepared for an invasion, but he couldn't help but to worry. He would not mind supporting them but the mountain range of Donfell lies between the two lands and no one has managed to travel through them.

He needs to create a way through the mountains to aid the Auons and he has researched if this was a possibility long before he married Akana. Auone is a trading country, and Eitir was in desperate need of trading. He has never succeeded in forging a path through the treacherous mountains. With the latest events, it is not a question of whether he can establish a path ...

He must forge a path to Auone.

*****

Year 782 Octavus, 34th of the seventh month Domorus

Akana sat in the garden of Cathurn. Naga lay at his feet and enjoyed the warming rays of the sun. Akana was surprised to see Naga enjoy himself in the warm climate when he is an ice-dragon. Although he came from a country without heat, the little dragon could still adapt to Relevium's southern climate.

Akana watched the spectators in the garden. Although many of the furies were afraid of him, they kept themselves on a respectful distance. He would have no idea if it was out of respect for him or fear of Sidastir, but he took this as something positive.

“It is at least the weather is pleasant today even though the people in our surroundings are less so.”

Akana looked up and gave a smile to Ceva le Gu who had entered the garden with silent steps. She scratched Naga's head when he had risen to growl a warning at her. He strenuously guarded Akana all day and Akana wondered if it was Sidastir who had instructed him to do so. Instructions from an overly concerned husband.

The dragon settled contently down along Akana’s feet. He had inspected Ceva and concluded she was not a threat to Akana. Not that he himself was much of a threat right now. The little dragon was as big as a medium-sized dog and has yet to learn how to fly or use its magic breath but he could still bite in defense.

Akana was sure Sidastir could testify to this as he frequently suffers minor wounds from the little dragon's bite. Though Akana would wonder what Sidastir might have done to awaken Naga's wrath.

Ceva sat down beside Akana on the decorated marble bench and leaned back with a sigh.

"Have you had a laborious day?" asked Akana, who knew with certainty that Ceva had received several letters from home.

Her family has pressured her to marry, but Ceva had convinced them it was uncommon to marry so young outside Balkrav. This excuse had worked for a while before they become aware that her friend was already married and also married with the Rial of Eitir. Now it was open season again to try to arrange a marriage for Ceva.

Akana himself couldn't comprehend why they were in such a hurry. For Auons, marriage is a contract to strengthen ties or to transfer resources to a new family. Because of this, marriage is uncommon between Auons. Most people only get children together. This was a contract in itself. Marriage was often unnecessary and reserved only for relations with other countries.

The Balkravian culture was different and, according to Akana, too complicated. In Balkrav, a woman cannot own anything until she has married. There are some who decides to live as they themselves choose but this means that they must be supported by their father or their brothers.

Many of these women are disowned as they are considered a disgrace to the family. But once they are wed, they take power over their husband's household, finances, resources, and children. At least if you are the first wife. Apparently, a Balkravian can marry several wives.

This was common among men because they often died young because of the Balkravian lifestyle. The lack of men means that women either had to go outside of Balkrav to find a husband, which was rare or become a second or third wife to a man.

A woman can take a second man but this usually happens if the man is infertile or too old to support his wife. In general, the Balkravian culture seemed to have a base in stealing and family.