Prior

He’d been settled in for about a week. This village wasn’t much but Tanner kept the tavern relatively quiet and clean. He got a bath every other day, never a guarantee in the desert.

He’d ridden out to a rock formation today, there was no further evidence of dragons, but there were rumors of clouds forming that never became a storm and he knew what that meant too. He stop to take a break and got off his horse and closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Hello Prior,” the voice that greeted him, made him laugh. He opened his eyes and standing in front of him was a Wyan Tribeswoman, cloaked in a black robe and her head wrapped in a veil. She had a long nose, and sharp face, brown skin and nearly amber eyes. She was leaning against a staff.

“Hello Nika,” he said back. She grinned and jumped into his arms. “It’s good to see you.” So she was actually here, not just projecting herself, among the Priestess of Amina’s many talents.

“It’s good to see you too,” she said. “Though a surprise.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Did my brother in law send you out into the wilderness to investigate something?”

“Livestock and shepherds have been disappearing,” he said. She nodded. “And apparently there’s been a rumor of dragons.”

“Perhaps the dragons have been eating them, and it’s nothing to do with the settlers,” Nika said. “Harran has grown paranoid.” Prior sighed and shook his head. Either was possible. But Harran wasn’t paranoid, that wasn’t his nature.

“He worries about the boy,” he said. “Something about his aunt not yet meeting him to bless him.” Nika frowned. “Why haven’t you been to the keep?”

“Why aren’t you in Dovetail?” She answered back. He looked away. “Mm, hypocrite.” He laughed. “My sister doesn’t want to see me, she made that clear while she was pregnant.” He nodded. “Why aren’t you in Dovetail?”

“I have work to do out here,” he shrugged. She cocked an eyebrow. “Nika,” he exhaled.

“Prior,” she echoed back to him. They looked at each other and she smiled sadly. “How is she?”

“I haven’t seen her in a while,” he said gently. “They’ve been spending a lot of time in Pharras.” Nika nodded.

“Revolution?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Not just yet, as far as I know,” he sighed, “but shoring up their allies for it.” She snorted. “You don’t approve.”

“She’s sacrificing her destiny to his,” she shook her head. Prior smirked. “What?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t realize your still cared,” he said. She scowled at him. “I’m not avoiding Dovetail because I don’t want to see Annalise.”

“No?” She crossed her arms. He shook his head. “So who are you avoiding? Your uncle? Tristan?” He frowned at her. “Oooh, it’s not Annalise, of course.”

“He doesn’t like me being there,” he said, “and it makes things difficult for her. So, I stay away.” She nodded and they both sat down. “There’s this woman in town, she’s involved with a local merchant.” Nika looked at him. “I don’t trust him, and she’s,” he exhaled, “she knows more than she’s telling me.”

“Prior,” Nika said, her voice full of warning, “if he is on the level.” Prior groaned and stretched. “Do you want to burn that particular bridge.”

“I’m not lighting any matches,” Prior grinned. “What’s the worst case scenario? I piss off an apprentice in the middle of nowhere and I have to spend a night smiling and eating shit with Carland Dumanis to smooth things over? I have a feeling I can handle it.” Nika frowned. “Are you going to stay?”

“I’ll go where the Goddess leads me,” she said enigmatically.

“Uh huh,” he nodded. “And The Goddess led you here?” She grinned. “Right, so mysterious,” she giggled. “Well, do try to tell me before you leave, Nika.”

“I will,” she smiled. “I am glad to see you.” He nodded. “Two years is a long time to chase something Prior.”

“I’m meant for this,” he said. “I know it.” She smiled. “Like you knew.” She sighed and stretched. “How is Her Eternal Evilness?”

“Amina is not evil,” she said.

“Debatable,” he said, she whacked him in the shoulder. “You need to forgive yourself Nika.” She exhaled. “Marina’s forgiven you and Brea will get there.” She looked down.

“Rian can’t forgive me,” she whispered. He exhaled. “And Brea will never forgive me for that.” He hugged her and then got back on the horse and rode into town.

He glanced at the tavern and then at another building across the way. A pretty young woman sat out on it’s porch. A man approached her, slid her hair behind her ear, offered her a small bag and she smiled, took his hand and led him inside. He tied his horse off and walked into the tavern. Tanner was behind the bar.

“Hey Commander,” Tanner said with a smile. He liked the man. He poured a beer from a dark brown bottle and Prior took it. “Rough day.”

“Interesting,” Prior shrugged. “Across the way, it’s a pleasure house?” Tanner laughed and nodded.

“Jade’s,” he said. “She’s good at her job, her girls are well taken care of, and know how to take care too, if that’s what you’re looking for.” Prior nodded.

“You don’t consider it competition?” He teased. Tanner snorted.

“Nah,” he said. “If I even considered keeping girls, both my mother and Danna would stop speaking to me.” Prior laughed. He would have to visit, not necessarily for sex, though if he saw someone he liked it wasn’t out of the question, but to see if Jade displayed yellow roses, the sign that some of Carolina’s “friends” were in residence and if he had to collect a report.

The past few years, sex had been strange for him. After Annalise, when he’d sleep with someone else it had felt empty, he’d long for her, and it wasn’t fair to the women he’d been with. That had faded in time, but he hadn’t been in love again. Sometimes he wondered if he ever would be.

The door opened and Cole walked in, flanked by three other men, who, over his time in town Prior had noticed were his flunkies. Tanner’s back straightened, and Prior put on his amiable courtier face.

“Tanner,” Cole said, Tanner nodded tersely. “Commander Chastain, nice to see you.” Prior nodded at him. “I came for Danna.”

“She left early,” Tanner said simply. “Probably went home.” Prior was still holding Cole’s eyes. He didn’t like or trust this man. He was trying to take Nika’s advice.

“I realize I’ve been remiss in my hospitality,” Cole said, Prior smirked. “Why don’t you come home with me, Commander, I can welcome you properly.”

“Happy to,” Prior said. “I’ll see you later, Tanner.” The Wyan man nodded and Prior followed Cole out. “I appreciate the invitation.”

“I was a little worked up when you first arrived,” Cole sighed. “But it would be an insult to my clan and our queen to not extend you what I can.” Prior nodded and they both rode off, towards a large white stone house on the edge of town.