Frost and Flame, Foes in the Dark (book 2)

Chapter 10, Remnant

Sidastir groaned as Magnus carried him inside. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to have a parade, carrying the damn flag of your kingdom around the colosseum like some damn horse. Did he look like a troll? All other participants had servants, at least five of them carrying their masters' giant flags. Sidastir had no one, people had laughed their asses off when he dragged the damn thing like a cattle, trying not to break in the middle.

"I can assure you that no one have ever seen or will see that parade again," chuckled Magnus, who still laughed, not caring for his friends pain.

"Shut up, Magnus," Sidastir growled, as they entered the atrium only to halt. Wasn't there to many people here. Akana stood by three other people. Two of them he knew. Cessare and his constant shadow, the domoran, Ceren. Cessare waved happily at him which reminded Sidastir that he lost the last competition last year in The Trial. A thought that only made him even gloomier.

The third one, he didn't know. He was obviously a domoran and looked rather weak. The long blond hair was tied up, his face was covered in a trimmed beard, his body lean like he had been starving, but there was still some muscles on him. A fresh brand was burned into his neck, making Sidastir suspect that he was a survivor of the path of redemption.

"What the inferno's name are all these people doing here?"

"I hired Cessare and Ceren as guards of the mansion, and this is Attilus. He is to be my personal guard," Akana nodded between the people.

It was too much to handle in one sentence so Sidastir started with what annoyed him most.

"Why are you hiring the two idiots to guard our mansion?"

"Because Mar needed help," Akana shrugged. "And they are not idiots."

"I appreciate the addition at the end," Cessare chuckled.

"Yes, but why these two?"

"...Because no one else wanted to hire them."

Why wasn't Sidastir surprised? "Fine, and who is this."

"Attilus."

"Yes, you said so, but who is he and why did you hire him."

"He is a mercenary betrayed by his former employer and thrown into prison. I wanted a bodyguard who wasn't loyal to the princess so I thought he was a perfect choice, "Akana turned to Alacer who was standing among the shadows spying on them. "No offense."

Alacer seemed surprised for a second that Akana discovered him before he smiled. "None taken."

"Offence taken, when did you get here?" Ceva muttered and frowned at Alacer who gave her a bright smile.

"Focus," said Sidastir as he noticed Magnus's face turning red at the long glance Alacer gave Ceva. "There must be other options. Why him?"

Akana shrugged," My instinct told me so."

"That is not very auonian of you."

"No need for insults."

"It wasn't an insult."

"It sure felt like it."

Sidastir ignored Akana, and walked closer to Attilus. His name was Relevian but it was most likely changed to suit his employer. Probably was Attila, or something the like, originally. Those eyes though, he could have sworn that he had seen them before.

"Do I know you?" asked Sidastir, finally not able to bear the pressing feeling of recognition.

"We have met."