In the beginning, my heart was set upon making Marius and Asia see one another with different eyes. It should make no difference that each barely tolerates the other, or finds the other insufferable to a fault. I belong to Marius. Be default, I am unable to propose a contract of joining to Asia. Is it wrong to seek such vicariously through one who would serve as surrogate then? Because Marius is free, and he is free to enjoy such legal liberties.
Neither of them took my impromptu suggestion well. In fact, both seemed embarrassed and aggitated by it. Marius was the only to lash out at me, however. He struck me across the face and shoved me away from him, forbidding me to speak of a joining between he and Asia ever again.
Stung with humiliation, I left the house and went down to the beach where I remained for several ahn. When I returned home again, I was not empty handed, but had brought with me a fair share of live crabs, and I figured this would appease Asia, whom I also angered earlier that night. Marius had long since gone to bed but Asia was nowhere to be found in the house.
Within a few moments, Asia's thrall who dresses himself in women's things and wears women's makeup, came charging into the house screaming and yelling hysterically that the lady had been kidnapped by the Artist. He informed me that she was going to die and that I would never see her again. And then he took off running again to town, to go and make formal accusations against free men. A slave.. charging men with crimes. He seems to feel this is both his right and duty. I have a feeling his days are soon shortened and numbered.
I went to see Sven, because I wanted to hear him say with his own lips and tongue, that the thrall is a lunatic and makes extremely dangerous accusations about free persons. Sven does not know Asia, nor has he seen any woman fitting her description. And I was much relieved. I never believed Sven capable of extortion and taking hostages. He also offered to paint my portrait at last.. and without charging me a single tarskbit. He is kind, and I know he loves me.
It was during my visit that a stranger showed up with a Letter from Asia addressed to me. Rufus read it aloud in my hearing, and it was Asia saying she had been shipwrecked somewhere near the Isle of Talbot on her way to Thanta Island. I was instructed to return to the House and find her money in the vanity drawer in her room, then bring it to a certain Captain also named in the letter, so that he could promptly sail out to Talbot Isle and rescue her. I followed the instructions implicitely and delivered the whole sum of twenty-six silver tarsks and seventy-three copper tarsks to the named Captain. Rufus accompanied me to the House and back, ensuring I was not robbed by anyone while bearing such a large amount of money.
Asia was delivered home, safe and sound by the next day. But I learned, much to my own heartbreak, that Sven used me as an accomplice to collect a ransom for a hostage he was holding. I still have a difficult time accepting this as truth, and I want to run to the Artist and bury myself in his arms. Although I am forbidden to ever see Sven again. Asia says he is a dangerous man and she does not want me hurt.
He has something that she wants, however, but so far she has not named the item in particular. Marius offered legal councel, because he seems to think that Asia is contemplating engaging in something criminal. I have offered to retrieve this thing for her. If only I knew what it is that she seeks from Sven.
If only I could see him one more time.
