WIP Wednesday - Clan Beginnings: Clan and Conscience

             As soon as Ospar wrapped up his latest campaign tour, he and Jol went back to their district feeling much had been accomplished. Jol was glad to be back on home turf where the surroundings were familiar and he could most effectively guard his Dramok.

              He was even happier to visit with Rivek at the temple. Despite the last few weeks of Ospar meeting and greeting the population, they’d kept seeing the priest who was a calming influence on their chaotic lives and a tumultuous inspiration for lovemaking. Jol was fascinated with the dichotomy of a man who lived in serenity and fucked like a zibger.

              The Nobek was gratified that Rivek seemed glad to see them too. The joy on his square-jawed face shone without embarrassment as he accepted Ospar’s effusive greeting and Jol’s more sedate but heartfelt embrace.

              Ospar’s grin was the real one, the one that said he was genuinely happy and not putting on a show. “How goes it in the tranquil world of faith and the search for truth?”

              “Not bad.”

              Though Rivek looked and sounded as pleased as ever to be in their company, Jol detected an undercurrent of something indefinable that wasn’t usually there. Something off that made the priest uncertain of his claim.

              Jol took his arm. “What’s wrong, Imdiko?”

              This time, a shadow did pass over Rivek’s face. He shrugged, as if to brush it off. “It might be nothing.”

              Ospar’s eyes narrowed. “What might be nothing?” he demanded, his tone brooking no prevarication.

              Rivek gave in without an instant of hesitation, deciding on truth rather than evasion, as was typical for him. “I had just finished leading a meditation class yesterday when a couple of men approached me. Big, rough-looking types.”

              The disquiet sitting heavily in Jol’s gut grew. “Nobeks? What did they say?”

              “Only one spoke. He said I should keep in mind that politics and faith are not the most compatible of bedfellows.” Rivek’s tone never changed its mild cadence. “When I told him I have little interest in politics except to vote with my conscience, he said, ‘Then perhaps you should curb your interest in particular politicians. They can be bad for a man’s health.’”

              Fury spiked white and jagged in Jol’s skull. The bastard. Someone needed to rip his throat out for uttering such words to Rivek.

              Ospar gasped, his expression thunderous. “How dare they target you! Jol, what can we do about this?”

              Rivek looked at him with quiet surprise. “Why should you have to do anything? They were only words.”

              “That’s a threat they knew would get back to us. Of all the cowardly antics, to threaten a priest.” Only Jol’s training and the continued peaceful countenance of the Imdiko before him kept him from storming out after their enemies, to unleash the fury that pumped his muscles with the need to fight.

              The syndicate had gone too far. He would hunt down and tear apart any gurluck who tried to harm Rivek.

Releasing Winter 2017