We returned to Bree today, Aakusti and I. If I had hope that things may be easier now, I was to be sorely mistaken.
He desired arkhi, a stronger version of the kumis that I am partial to, both of which are created from aurochs milk back in Aughaire. However many times I explained to him that such things were not to be found here, he continued to demand. In the end, I took him to the inn and bought him an ale, letting him believe that it is the closest beverage to arkhi that can be found here. I know not if he found a liking for it, though. There was little time to enquire between explaining to him that we should remain inside the inn and drink rather than take the tankard to wherever he pleased and convincing him that it would be a bad idea to take silver and gold from the other people of the town. That latter was the toughest point of contention.
He comes from a world where strength is everything. Those who are strong enough to take from others gain that which they wish. Those too weak to protect their belongings go without. He finally conceded the point, agreeing to gain his money for mercenaries in a more lawful manner after I pointed out that one of his strengths is hunting, thus he could easily hunt for creatures and sell their hides and carcasses.
The "fun" did not end there, of course. Whilst speaking near the boar fountain, we were accosted by a strange laughing man. Aakusti immediately pulled his bow from his back and sought to shoot him. An argument ensued between he and I after he shot the hat from the mans head in warning. I tried, but I think I failed, to make him see why such actions are unwelcome within this town.
That, of course, led to further argument and a great deal of anger from myself. I am not ashamed to admit that my patience ran out after he clearly stated that I am a part of his Fem. The nerve! He makes a boast back in Aughaire and then expects me to marry him just so he will not be disgraced in the eyes of his father? I was livid! It was clear to me that every kind word he had spoken during the previous weeks had been naught more than an effort to obtain his goals and his wife, and that is precisely what I told him. He stormed away after denying it, of course, claiming that I insulted him by saying such a thing. If I did, then I am glad for it! He insulted me by believing that I would succumb to his charms and by viewing me as some sort of prize.
Sometime later he returned to me carrying a large bunch of white roses, which he offered to me on bended knee by way of apology. Apparantly, he had seen a local man do the same to a woman some time earlier and believe it to be the custom. Perhaps it is, I would not know. Such gestures have ever been beyond me regardless of how much I try to make sense of them. It was sweet of him I suppose, especially when he left again to hunt for venison, knowing that I have a liking for that meat.
I feel somehow terrible for not admitting to him my feelings for Cyfier, whom I have not laid eyes upon since the day I told him that I would be travelling to Aughaire. Still, I think it unwise to do so, especially in light of the fact that those feelings are unrequited. I must admit, though, that I feel a little less bad about it when I remember that Aakusti thinks of me as some task to be completed before he can return home with honour.
However, in the evening hours when I am alone and undistracted, my thoughts turn to Cyfier, wherever he may be. I wonder if he is safe and well, if he has done as he said and begun to search for me even though I am back here waiting for him. I wonder if I will see him again and I worry.
