Prologue
Aghen
June 26, AD 520
Victory tasted bitter. Or was it the cheap and nauseating ale that I was served in this disgusting tavern? I wasn’t sure.
The front door opened and I tensed, my back straightening on instinct. I risked a glance over my shoulder, scanning the entrance and the people milling inside.
A couple of drunks and a small, chubby woman between them. They stumbled toward the bar, too busy ogling the large breasts spilling out of the whore’s cleavage to notice anyone around them.
I grunted, returning reluctantly to my stale beer.
The wooden counter was sticky and the whole place smelled like sweat and piss.
The few battles I’d been in made me familiar with that stench, but it didn’t mean I had to fucking enjoy it.
“Hello handsome,” a feminine voice crooned in my ear as a delicate hand slithered up my back and I shivered, holding a wince. “Want to have a good time?”
My lips tugged up in a forced smile as I leaned to the other side, away from her touch.You don’t have what it takes to make me have a good time, I thought.
“I’m good, thank you.”
She didn’t let my answer deter her as she stepped closer, her too strong perfume—something between coriander and almond—invaded my space and nostrils and made me want to retch.
Her palm landed on my thigh, her finger climbing up toward my crotch.Fuckno.
“Really,” I said a little more firmly as my hand snapped around her wrist. “I’m not interested. You should try your luck with the trio behind you, the men look ready to spend all their coins for sex. Would be a shame to let the competition get them all.”
The woman turned then, narrowing her eyes at the two handsy drunks and the other whore.
“Been there, done them,” she drawled, returning her attention to me.For fuck’s sakes woman, read the room.“I’m more interested in the handsome fresh meat.”
My forced smile must have looked more and more like a grimace at this point.
“Look, I’m flattered, really. But I’m waiting for someone.” I wasn’t.Not really. “You shouldn’t waste your time with me I’m—”
“That’s an interesting accent,” she interrupted, ignoring my protest and pulling the stool next to mine impossibly closer, almost sitting on my lap. “Where are you from?”
Anger and unease flared at her proximity and my skin started to heat up and burn. My free hand turned to fist on the counter as my grip tightened around her wrist when she tried to place it back on my thigh.
“You could—”
“If I give you coins, will you go away?”
Her weirdly shaped eye-brow pulled up in surprise as I dug my fingers into a hidden pocket inside my coat, retrieving a small leather pouch.
“What’s your rate?” I asked, although it couldn’t have been much. This place was a shithole and I had no idea where I was. I knew they accepted my coins, so at least we used the same currency, and their language was barely different.
“What? I—”
“Two silver coins?”
Her eyes widened as her jaw dropped. Wow, was itmore? Not sure it was worth it.
“Uh,” she stuttered, eyes drifting to the sides in worry. “Yes. Yes, that’s it.”
I grinned. No way it was that much, but I didn’t mind spending more to get my space back.
