Akana leaned against Sidastir's chest and focused on Sidastir's fingers playing with his long hair. It was calming, and he could feel the anger starting to fade away. Sidastir had ordered dinner to their chambers and Akana watched the meal without much appetite. His husband picked up a piece of bread and dipped in the sauce before bringing it to Akana's mouth.

Akana tried not to grimace in powerlessness. Not even with his explosion of emotion, could he understand Sidastir's delight in nurturing him like a child. Even though he felt humiliated by the situation, Akana opened his mouth and Sidastir squeezed in the bread while he looked ridiculously delighted over the reaction.

Akana held back a snort of irritation. How could Sidastir be so calm about the situation? Zhan has struck at him twice now and Sidastir still looked like it was just minor discomfort.

“Can you at least try looking like you are concerned?” said Akana in a sharper tone than he had intended. Sidastir barely reacted and his smile did not leave his face as he seized a piece of the food and swallowed it with a joyful expression.

“I care,” he politely replied without looking into Akana's eyes while he picked up another piece.

Akana knocked away his hand and the plate with the food fell onto the floor with a jingle. Akana endured shame burning in his chest but it disappeared quickly when Sidastir only responded with a disappointed sigh.

“I've been assailed twice, and your answer is a dinner in our room,” Akana hissed and would continue when Sidastir's arm around his waist grew rigid.

Akana was pressed closer toward Sidastir and Sidastir clutched his face with the other hand. He forced him to look into his eyes which were now glowing in a dangerous, blue light. Akana, despite his immunity to cold, was able to feel the room temperature dropping rapidly.

“And how, my beloved Rial Caraid, did you desire me to answer? Would you prefer me to murder the fool in front of the whole Cathurn? Do you want me to hunt all his family and slaughter them like animals? Or do you want me to declare war on Huzhidi? I can do this and more if you so wish, Rial Caraid. Everything for you if it would satisfy you,” Sidastir's voice was cold and his face was so close to Akana's that their lips almost touched. Akana jerked. He had no idea what he was feeling right now.

Fear? Confusion? Was he excited? Or was it all of the above? Sidastir's eyes stopped glowing and he let go of Akana's face. He put some distance between them without releasing Akana's waist but he relieved the grip. The room temperature became normal again.

“I want to do all these things but right now this is my reaction. It may seem unusual in your eyes, but I feel only relief and joy right now because you are in my arms undamaged.“

Sidastir looked almost sad when he said this and gave Akana a little smile.

“You forget I rarely had the pleasure before. I'm the last of my people. I saw them vanish from my life to never return. I never received the pleasure of celebrating their survival as I presently do with you,” Akana jerked embarrassed in Sidastir's arms at the mention of his people. He muttered an apology towards Sidastir who just put his forehead against his.

“Don't apologize when you possess every right to be wrathful. It is not the proper time to be euphoric of you being unscathed. Not when you are still threatened but remember I am your loyal brother in arms in this fight, Rial Caraid. I will not abandon you,” Sidastir's last words came out like a whisper, but brought with it a promise. Akana put his hands on Sidastir's cheeks.

“I hope so. I am fairly sure eternal loyalty is something the contract of our marriage covered,” Akana said and received a genuine smile from his husband. The door suddenly flew open and Magnus stormed in before he froze at the sight of the couple on the couch.

“In the name of-” Magnus frowned and began to back out of the room.

“Learn to knock, your wild boar,” Sidastir said, releasing Akana and leaning back on the couch.

Akana tried not to look disappointed or embarrassed but he was relatively certain he failed in both parts.

“And you should restrain nightly activities to the night,” Magnus muttered, deciding to settle down in an armchair opposite of them.

“Did Ceva venture home without trouble?” asked Akana, trying to smooth out his clothes in an attempt to dispose of the evidence of the intimate moment which had occurred a few seconds before. Another thing he did not succeed with.

“She is back at her home. Gods dawn, that girl, uh, the lady can…talk. I can say with certainty that I have informed her of my whole family, our relationship, my heritage, and all my contacts. I am also fairly certain that somewhere in between I have resigned my title and my belongings to her,” Magnus muttered and looked generally exhausted.

“If you weren't too distracted by enjoying her company, you might have controlled yourself,” Sidastir grinned, and Magnus sourly glared back at him.

“Any news about Zhan?” Akana asked, but he knew it was unlogical to ask Magnus about him so promptly after he was expelled from the Furies.

There has been hardly any new events since the old ones, but it was Akana's fear which had spoken. He couldn't help but feel restless because he had no idea where Zhan was and what he was going to do. It was like turning his back on a predator.

“There was no problem with expelling him. He did not put up a fight if you do not count the curses he uttered when he got his possessions thrown in his face. We will likely hear from the headmaster but Sidastir and I remain the leaders of the Furies and if we both announce that Zhan has been expelled from our familia then the headmaster cannot achieve anything,” Magnus said and shrugged. Akana did not feel reassured.

“I doubt the fool will do anything more. Not without support and no one will offer it to him. Not when the enemy is the consort of Eitir's king,” Magnus said with a calming smile.

“It didn't restrain him before,” Akana muttered.

“Back then he assumed the Furies would be on his side. That is one of the reasons I threw him out. Now that I have shattered the illusion of support, he will admit defeat,” Magnus explained, but Sidastir shook his head in disagreement.

“You just stopped the public assaults. Those who come from the shadows do not require support. You just have to hide your tracks well,” said Sidastir and Akana got goosebumps when he understood the significance of Sidastir’s words. This means that Zhan's attack has gone from open to something he will not be able to predict or see coming.

“Fortunately, Akana is intimate with a spymaster,” Magnus laughed and Akana frowned. He didn't associate with any spies.

“He is talking about Ceva Le Gu,” Sidastir explained, looking up at the ceiling without giving Akana a glance.

“What? Ceva is not a spy. She has been dispatched over here to become a trader,” Akana replied with a tone that indicated they were both fools.

“It is possible but I doubt the Raven king will send his daughter, who also has assassin training, to become a trader. He probably wants to infiltrate a noble family from a neighboring country to be able to get information so he can put up raids,” revealed Sidastir and closed his eyes.

“Her father has encouraged her to become your second consort,” Akana sarcastically said and Sidastir suddenly straightens up.

“Macan Donais! I'm going to castrate that fool,” Sidastir growled, while Akana wondered if the only use for Canaan was for marriage oaths and profanities. The Ice Elves must turn in their tombs.

“Regardless of the king's intention, Ceva remain her own person. She seems fond of Akana and she will support him,” said Magnus.

“Fond of? How?” said Sidastir suspiciously, but Akana ignored him.

“What troubles me is not Zhan but the reaction he got from the crowd. It was as if they agreed with him. They looked upon me like I was a demon,” said Akana.

“That's because they are fools. Herd animals. If I were to shout out that the sky will collapse they would have a full panic,” snorted Sidastir and Akana shook his head.

“Despite their lack of sense, it is a fact that they are fearful of me.”

*****

“Though I don't want to admit it, I can understand them. You have revealed to us something we have never witnessed before and it frightens us. It's merely reasonable for us to assume the worst. No matter how foolish it is,” Magnus sighed and shrugged.

Sidastir peered at his friend. Akana did not answer, but Sidastir knew he had taken Magnus distrust hard. Magnus knew him, and yet Akana could not convince him that he was not dangerous.

“So the question is. What can I do to eliminate the fear that I have brought?” asked Akana and Sidastir sighed.

It was easier said than done. Suspicion, fear, and hatred go hand in hand. They feed each other like trees and fire in a forest fire. It leaves few survivors in its track.

“The Experior,” Magnus declared casually, and Sidastir began to grin. The sole way for people to accept the white fire is if they see any use for it. Entertainment could be qualified as use.

“What is the Experior?” Akana asked and frowned.

“It is also called The Trial. It is a voluntary competition that gives students extra credit. Vis probably would have mentioned this to you later as you lie behind in your Elementalism studies,” Sidastir explained.

“There are several Trials and they are all competitions in the different subjects. You've likely heard of Praelium Experior. A tournament in various weapons such as a sword battle and archery. Magicum's Trial is called Magica Experior. The various magic subjects have their own trial. Elementalism has a tournament where you are divided into groups based on the elements. There are different events in the trial which the contestants have to compete in and the one who wins the most events gets a prize,” Sidastir explained eagerly.

“Talk about foolish. Who initiated such a ridiculous tradition,” said Akana, who obviously did not understand the logic behind such a contest.

“What do you actually gain in the competition?”

Both Sidastir and Magnus laughed.

“Honor, and extra credit if you are unsure of your final grade. In some cases, as for the Scientia and Artifex, it is an opportunity to try to find future sponsors for their works,” Sidastir explained, but he saw that Akana was not wholly convinced.

“Look at it this way, Akana. A man with a sword is a danger that can only incite fear but let the same man fight in a war with the same sword and he becomes crowned a hero,” said Sidastir but Akana just snorted sarcastically at the explanation.

“Or he will be proclaimed dead. We should focus on Zhan. He is the root of all evil.”

Magnus shook his head and Sidastir leaned towards Akana.

“No, Akana. People's predetermined opinions about you are the root of all evil. Zhan is just the sword. We must take care of the person bearing the weapon,” Sidastir saw that Akana began to concede.

“If not otherwise, you will be able to test your elemental abilities and get additional credits in the course. It's something to occupy yourself with while we wait for Zhan to make his move.”

With a sigh, Akana ceded.

“A little honey consistently works,” Sidastir thought and turned to Magnus.

“We should let Vis take over. He should be of some use as he is the teacher of elementalism,” said Sidastir and Magnus nodded.

“I let you persuade him into letting Akana join The Trial. But we must hope that Akana manages to catch up with his studies. Our plan will not work unless he can handle his abilities.”

Magnus' concluding words echoed in Sidastir's head as he did not like the idea of handing over all responsibility to Akana, but perhaps that is what needs to happen as only Akana can alter people's views on his powers.