Prior

Prior walked into the tavern with slight hesitation. He didn’t like that he was traveling alone, but he understood why. Coming into a place like this with even a pair of rangers would draw too much attention. At least on his own he appeared to be simply passing through, needing to rest his horse for a few days.

He’d been out for nearly two months now chasing a wing and this was the first time anything new had come up. He’d seen several nests as he came up on this village and then they’d stopped. Nika had mentioned this place had magic in it, though he hadn’t felt it.

It wasn’t as though Prior was particularly magically sensitive. But even he knew what strong magical places felt like, he’d been in Dovetail, the capital of Cammadan enough times to know that feeling and this place was humming with magic.

“What can I get for you?” The man behind the bar said. Prior looked at him and smiled with a shrug. He had long dark hair tied back, and tawny brown skin.

“Whatever’s brown,” he shrugged. He learned long ago not to trust clear liquors in places like this. The browns were usually safe. The man nodded and filled a glass. He glanced around the room.

“You’ve got business here, Outlander?” Another man said, his voice was even but not friendly. Prior held up his hands.

“Only passing through, Her Majesty likes to have her eyes where she can,” he said. The man grunted and stepped aside. Beside him, now visible was a girl, woman, really, in a threadbare white dress, with red hair brushing her shoulders. She was a really red head, too, not auburn like most of the women of Cammadan. Really, fiery red, pale skin, and green eyes. She looked incredibly beautiful, and then she smiled at him.

Oh no.

“You alright Danna?” The barman asked. She nodded. “Then I can say you’re late” She scoffed and rolled her eyes and walked around behind the bar.

“Really, Tanner, you seemed to be managing” she said. She looked at Prior again. “Who’s this then?”

“Nice to meet you,” he smiled and leaned across the bar. “Commander Prior Chastain,” he offerred his hand. She smiled and took it.

“Danna Finn,” she said. She glanced at his uniform. “You came from the Border?” He grinned.

“Dovetail,” he said. Her eyes widened. 

“Long way,” she said. He nodded.

“It is,” he said softly, “Can I buy your drink?” She smiled at him again, what a smile, it lit up her green eyes, this one was more wry, though. 

“Best not,” she said. He frowned. She was probably married, a girl that pretty out here, no chance she was free. “How long are you here for?”

“Not sure,” he said, “I was planning only a few nights, rest a bit before moving on,” she nodded. “But I could be persuaded to stay longer.” She bit her bottom lip.

“I bet you could,” she threw her hair back and laughed. The line of her throat was even entrancing. Prior could not fall in love right now, or even get himself infatuated. Certainly not with some girl in a backwater on the wrong side of tribal lands who was likely spoken for. 

Unfortunately for Prior his heart and his stomach never listened to reason. The place quieted down as the doors swung open and four men walked in. One was clearly the leader, he was white, with dark blonde hair, trimmed fashionably, a little too fashionably for being so far out, and he was wearing a clean brown coat over a blue silk vest. What the hell was a Dumanis apprentice doing out here?

“Danna,” the leader shouted, as they took a table. She looked at the man behind the bar who shrugged and she grabbed four bottles and walked over. He grabbed her by the waist and she pulled back, then he grabbed her wrist. Prior stood up.

“I wouldn’t get in the middle of that, if I were you,” Tanner shook his head. Prior frowned.

“He’s merchant?” Prior asked. Tanner shrugged. “What clan?”

“Dumanis, so he claims,” Tanner said. “Cole talks a big game, has plenty of money and is working a mine a few miles out. He’s been here about six years, maybe?” Prior nodded, he’d have to write to his friend Tristan Dugarry to verify, if someone was working a mine for the Dumanis, Tristan’s family, he’d know. “You really just passing through?” He asked. Prior sighed. The man was sharp, he’d give him that.

“What do you think?” He asked.

“I think the tribe chiefs have been getting sick of finding their young men dead,” he said, “and I think Harran’s got The Queen’s ear, which is bad news for men like Cole.” Prior grinned. “And I know that you lot have been chasing stories for two years.”

“Not stories,” Prior took a long sip, “dragons. I’ve seen them, from a distance, but they’re real.” Tanner shook his head. “And yes, Harran asked me to look into the killings. What tribe are you from?”

“My mother’s Wyan,” Tanner said, “my da is settler though.” Prior nodded, when he was a child, his homeland had been ruled over by dangerous wizard Tyrant, Brayton Dovetail, Brayton had then been overthrown by his cousin, and the rightful queen, Annalise. During Brayton’s reign many people had fled into the desert. Settlers and their children were hard people, they’d had to be. “How is the Chieftain?”

“Very well,” Prior smiled, “Lady Brea too, they’re both glowing in the light of their son.”

“Gods bless the Prince Rory,” Tanner smiled and they clinked drinks. “Do you need a room?”

“Do you have any?” Prior asked. He didn’t mind sleeping under the stars but it had been weeks since he’d had a bed.

“Can probably scrounge up a bath too,” Tanner winked. ” And you can ask Danna about dragons,” he said as she walked back over. She looked alarmed.

“Why would he ask me?” Danna said quickly. Prior raised an eyebrow. That was an odd response.

“Because your da yammered about the damn things every day for as long as either of us can remember?” Tanner said.

“Oh right,” she shook her head. “I have plenty of old stories, don’t know why they’d interest you Commander,” he smiled at her again.

“I’ll hear any story you want to tell,” he said. He glanced back at the merchant, who was glaring at him. “He’s yours then?” She straightened her shoulders.

“What’s it to you?” She crossed her arms. He smiled and held his hands up.

“I don’t want to step on any toes,” he said. She narrowed her eyes at him. “But any information would be appreciated, by our queen.”

“You’re so sure I’m Cammadie?” She tossed her hair. He smiled. “Maybe my allegiance isn’t to Queen Annalise.”

“If you’re Failon or Rastani, forgive me,” he teased back. “Consider it diplomacy,” she laughed. The merchant marched over then.

“Danna,” he said. “We’re going.” She looked at Tanner, who shrugged. “Tanner.” He nodded coolly.

“Cole,” Tanner’s voice was sharp like a knife. “It’s not busy, Danna, it’s fine.” She nodded. Cole looked at Prior who stood up and met his eyes.

“Just arrived?” Cole said. Prior nodded. “How are things back home?”

“All was well when I left,” Prior said, keeping his voice even, waiting for a challenge. Cole nodded.

“Come by,” Cole said, “Tanner knows the place. I’d never want Her Majesty to think those of us out here have forgotten our manners. The Clans remain her loyal subjects.” Prior nodded. “Danna, now.”

“What’s your rush?” She teased as she walked over to him. “Nice speaking to you Commander.” Cole pulled her close and kissed her. Then they walked out. Prior watched them with a bit of a pang.

“She’s his?” Prior asked. Tanner exhaled.

“Unfortunately,” Tanner mumbled. “She deserves better, but it’s not as though better’s to be had in these parts.” Prior didn’t notice jealousy in his tone. “I’m assuming you have a horse?”

“Yes,” Prior said. “If I need to stable him elsewhere,” he drifted, Tanner waved a hand.

“Take him around back, I’ll get the room set,” he said. Prior smiled and nodded. Twenty minutes later he was leaned back in a warm tub with his eyes closed. Nika had been right. Something was happening in this little village, and he was going to figure out what it was.