He was never a good actor anyway, so he didn't feign sleep when Finne came through the doors. There was an unreadable expression on his face, but this one was different from the polite looks he'd given Aleci earlier. It was a sort of half-expectant look, the closest he could think of was when he'd staggered home drunk to be greeted by his exasperated mother. His mother was the last thing he wanted to think about, Aleci thought, shaking his head and, once again, regretting that decision. He patted the space on the bed next to him.

"Come back to bed," he said, "Please."

Finne raised a half eyebrow, gave him a hesitant smile and came to the bed, keeping several hands' distance between them.

"Can I ask what that was?" said Aleci, motioning to the place on his own arm and pointing to where Maera had painted Finne's. He made what he hoped was a confused expression.

Finne scoffed, then motioned towards the bed table towards the wax tablets. The drawing he made when Aleci handed him the tablet was of a woman holding a cornucopia. The left side of the tablet, the one with the little girl and her cats were not scratched out.

"A fertility rite?" said Aleci, frowning, making a gesture towards his stomach. That made sense, Maera did strike him as the religious sort.

"Yes," said Finne, he let out a huff, and made a motion towards the pillows.

"Sleeping?" said Aleci, offering the word.

"Sleeping. «Sleeping»." repeated Finne, he pulled the covers over his head and turned away.

Aleci thought he wouldn't have fallen asleep that quickly, but Finne's breaths evened out after a few moments, leaving Aleci to dwell on the conversation. He supposed it was an improvement that Finne was volunteering words for his benefit. Though he had no earthly idea how to pronounce the words, there seemed to be an excessive use of 's' sounds. As for what exactly they were talking about, he shrugged. What did women talk about when they were together? Then again... Finne wasn't a woman so it must be whatever it was that Imrukians talked to each other about. Homesickness, most likely, Maera must feel it, even if Brissa said she left Imruk. It was good then, at least Finne could talk to someone, and he did volunteer the word for sleeping.

«Sleeping,» Aleci repeated outloud, and decided to do as such. He moved himself to the other side of the bed and fell asleep soon after.

There was a breeze in the air and he looked around to find himself in a clearing. He had to find something, no, he had to find someone. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest, and in front of him were flames. A massive fire reached the skies, lighting everything it touched on fire. People were shoving passed, fleeing, and he was pushing them aside in turn. There was someone screaming in his ears, someone important, he knew, he had to get to them, but no matter how hard he pushed against the tide of moving bodies he could never reach the tent.

He woke with a start, eyes wide and sweating.

"Never again," he muttered, thinking of the horrible combination of wine and whatever it was he drank.

Finne was still sleeping, curled up as far away as possible from Aleci. It should have stung, he thought, but then again Finne had made an effort to teach him which spelled some sort of change. What specifically, he didn't know, because right now thinking gave him a headache. He wanted to rub his temples but he knew any movement towards his head would result in instant regret. But his mind, traitorous as it was, presented to him with the fresh nightmare, and the fact that he knew precisely who it was he was looking for.

There was a voice in his head, and it sounded very much like Ilos. You should stop drinking, it said, you know what happened the last time you drank yourself into a stupor. Someone incited me the last time, Aleci scoffed, carefully arranging himself back onto the bed. This time I am drinking because I want to. You only say that because you can't stop, said Ilos. Aleci growled, and started counting, then did some sums in his head, because calculating numbers around was soothing and familiar and not at all like what he used to do with Ilos. He cursed again, and sat up, deciding it wasn't worth it to sleep after all.

This meant that he was groggy and tired at breakfast that morning. Maera and Finne had another rapid conversation, Maera gesturing at Aleci several times while she talked. Finne scowled at that, shaking his head, and she finally turned, exasperated to Aleci.

"I am trying to tell him that there is nothing wrong with asking for things," said Maera, "Unless I am mistaken, Dominus."

Finne rolled his eyes behind Maera's back, and Aleci bit back an amused laugh. Now that was a rare show of defiance and he, as someone who never cared for such things had to appreciate. He was answering to Maera, though so he kept his voice even.

"Within reason," he said, then with more curiosity. "What does he want?"

There was a pause at this as Maera relayed his response. Finne looked contemplative then said something that made Maera scoff, but she dutifully translated, "He says he wants to see your father's guards," said Maera, shooting daggers at Finne, „This is not the activity I want you to find."

„The guards aren't equipped with anything more than a spear. It's perfectly safe to throw spears."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The calm, if not, amused tones that Finne spoke with was in contrast to the angry splutters that came from Maera's mouth.

"If he wants to see them, I'll show him where they are," said Aleci, "Why does he want to see the guards?"

Finne looked up with interest at his interjection, saying, „Tell him I'm interested in throwing the spears."

Maera narrowed her eyes at Finne, but her tones were dulcet and sweet when she spoke, „He said he has seen your guards practicing and would like to watch in person."

"Why not?" said Aleci, "You would like to go?" he gestured in the general direction of the guards' quarters.

„Yes, I want to." said Finne, and Aleci blinked, surprised at the longest non-Imrukian sentence he'd ever heard from Finne.

Beside Finne, Maera looked as if she swallowed a lemon. Aleci wasn't sure why that was, it seemed a perfectly innocent requests, especially Finne had met the guards before. Galer was perfectly capable of generosity, and the soldiers he took on campaign with had no obligation to the capital with his father. The younger ones stayed near their summer villa, and in all likelihood Finne had made a friend. Then he scowled, because why didn't he think of this earlier.

It's because of the drink, Ilos muttered.

He ignored Ilos entirely instead focusing on the generosity in which Maera translated Finne's request. No doubt she believed that all expecting mothers should avoid iron weapons or blood or something along those lines, the list, he knew could be long and extensive. He wouldn't know what precisely was on there, he barely remembered his mother's pregnancy with his sister, and women tend to keep to their quarters with close friends and female relatives when they were with child.

Finne was walking quietly alongside him. He'd taken off the veil, and and handed his stola to Maera. This resulted in more angry splutters all of which was ignored by Finne. Now this was interesting, Aleci thought, casting looks at Finne from the corner of his eye. Emos was all soft and delicate lines. Finne...Finne was something else. He was too tense, Aleci decided finally, he held his body with such control it was like watching a coil wind tighter and tighter. If they were closer, if the touch was even wanted, then Aleci would have offered to run his hands up and down Finne's shoulders, a massage. Though if he reached out now he would only deserve the punch to the face.

The men were around a sandy fenced yard, practicing their spears when Aleci and Finne approached. He hadn't been to this part of the villa in years, so he was unsurprised when he was greeted with ambivalence, though some of them peered curiously at Finne. He tried to see if Finne gave anyone a friendly greeting but Finne was all stone, though he did return the niceties when some guards offered them.

Then the head of the guards, Oppius, bowed politely to them."Please to meet you, Domina Finne," he said.

"Thank you," Finne replied, polite, hands clasped in front of him.

Oppius looked expectantly at them, and Aleci said, "My wife would like to watch your men practice."

There was a visible snigger from one of the younger guards, and Oppius shot the offender an irritated look.

"Of course," said Oppius to Finne. "You are more than welcomed. Please stay a safe distance away."

Aleci wasn't sure why Oppius spoke as if Finne could understand him, but when he glanced at Finne, there was an undeniable look of… excitement on his face as he leaned as far as he could on the fence. He half-wondered if this is what Finne did in Imruk. Maybe they had an amphitheater, and watching the events were one of the activities carriers were allowed to do. He held a hand to his eyes, shielding them from the sun and watched the proceedings.

They stood behind the fence, waiting while one of the men ran off to fetch the spears. The practice was boring enough, Aleci knew, first they would take turns throwing the spears at a target, and then they would take turns sparing. It used to bore him to tears. The guards, knowing they were being watched, were showing off more than usual. It resulted in missed targets, and Finne laughed softly whenever a spear flew disastrously off course. The guards did improve though, as the practice went on, but one guard missed so badly it resulted in gales of laughter from the others watching him. He stalked towards it, pulling the spear from the ground and made to throw it his fellow guards. It missed, flying towards them instead, and Aleci felt his heart in his throat for a moment before Finne stepped in front of him, catching the spear deftly in his right hand and threw it back. It struck the red target hard, still thrumming from the energy.

Oppius blinked, staring at the spear, then at Finne, then at the offending guard who threw it in the first place.

"My apologies, Domina, you—" he pointed at the chagrined guard, who, had his skin been paler would have turned red from embarrassment. "Mercus, come here and apologize, you damned idiot."

Finne ignored Oppius, turning towards him, "I like to..." he paused gesturing at the spear he'd embedded in the target, a pause, "please?"

"You want to throw spears." said Aleci, half wondering if it was a fevered dream, "I.. uhm.."

"Throw spears. Yes," said Finne, nodding, "I liked to throw spears."

"He's damned good at it," said Oppius, "Where did you learn?"

Finne didn't reply to that, waving aside Mercus's apologies. "Aleci? Please?" he said.

It was again, the first time Finne seemed willing to engage in conversation with him on some level, aside from the poetry last night, that wasn't merely a show of polite interest. Aleci glanced at the guards, some of whom were clustered around the target, looking appreciatively at Finne's skill. Well.. it was certainly unconventional, but, his father did marry him to an Imrukian, maybe this was acceptable there. And he did look excited, which was a stark difference from before, a very desirable one, Aleci thought.

"Why not," he said. "If you would be willing, Oppius."

"If Dominus Aleci allows it," said Oppius, "Would you like to try again, Domina?"

Finne was over the fence before Oppius could open the gate. He was, Aleci realized, definitely practiced with a spear, maybe even trained. There was a steadiness to his stance that came with practice, the curve of his throw, and the targets that were hit proved that his first hit was not pure luck. Oppius stood next to him, leaning on the fence from the other side and whistling in amazement every time a target was hit.

"Are all Imrukian carriers like this?" said the older man, running a hand through his greying hair. "If so, why did they not have an army of them?"

Aleci wasn't sure himself. He would ask Finne, when he had the words to do so. When Oppius called for sparing partners, Finne walked up to him, spear in hand. "Lunch?" he said, pointing towards the villa.

"Oh, yes, lunch," said Aleci, noticing the sun at its zenith.

"Goodbye, Oppius." said Finne, giving the guard an obeisance.

"Oh, you don't have to do that Domina, I'm only a guard," said the man, sounding flattered. "You are welcomed back tomorrow, if you wish."

Finne glanced at Aleci and yes, even in his sleep deprived, foggy state he could recognize enthusiasm in Finne's eyes. They were very green, Aleci thought.

"Yes," he said and there was a bright happy smile curved across Finne's mouth. Like the sun, if it wasn't presently trying to kill him, thought Aleci.

"Do you like throwing spears in Imruk?" said Aleci as they walked back, hoping Finne would understand this new question."

"No" said Finne surprising him.

"Why?" said Aleci curiously, before he could stop himself.

Finne opened his mouth to reply, and shook his head, "Imruk no." he paused, pointing at the training yard they'd left, "Yes."

That left him with more questions than answers and Aleci sighed deeply, hoping that Maera wouldn't in too foul of a temper to translate. It then occurred to him he never explained what why meant or introduced Finne to Oppius as the guards. You couldn't really tell he was the head, they all dressed the same. Though he was the eldest so Finne most likely made an educated guess. He made many of them, Aleci thought privately impressed with how quick Finne was at picking up the tongue. It would only be fair of him to do the same.