It was another trip. Abir was taking them more and more lately, both fulfilling his duties as a member of the council and as more cities looked to implement what they had cultivated in Jerusalem. The City Protectors had come a long way since Abir had joined eleven years ago. It had come even further still in the eight years he had had been placed in charge. Though many believed he had gained his position due to his family and would have no real skills to contribute, Abir had proved them all wrong. Not only was he the right person for the job, but he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

He had idolized the city protectors since he was a young boy and had witnessed them dissolve a tense situation in the market. He had been so impressed by their ability to use only their words to stop violence from occurring. Of course, he now knew better what those words might be. He had grown since he was that young child accompanying his mother at the market. He better knew the ways of the world. Those city protectors long ago may have only used words, but words could be just as threatening as physical violence. Abir had worked to change this since his tenure in charge. However, change wasn’t easy and took time.

Now, the other cities were starting to want to replicate what he had done, but they had much further to go. Most had no such forces of their own. Abir had been asked to consult—to help all of Judea become stronger. Of course, most of this came at a time when he was having his own crisis of conscious about the ethics of their culture and his role in it. He would never say such a thing, but the thoughts had become more and more frequent. Perhaps ever since he had realized he was no longer in love with his wife anymore. That he had not been in love with her for many years, even. Still, what was there to be done?

Abir had some free time, so was wandering the streets with no particular aim, though he supposed he was familiarizing himself with the city so that he could better offer advice. He wasn’t as alert as he might be when he was on patrol, but he quickly responded to hearing his name in the streets. It could be anyone, but he recognized the voice and quickly put a face to it.

“Talora,” the man greeted, his smile genuine, as she approached. “Hello. It’s good to see you.” He meant it. Abir had been thinking a great deal about their conversation these past couple of months. It was the first time he felt relaxed in a long while. Talora made him feel different.

“My work calls me to travel. This is my first trip back to Judah since we last met. I’ve been hoping to see you.” It was a bit forward and he didn’t exactly mean to say it, blushing slightly. That didn’t mean it wasn’t genuine, however. He had been thinking an awful lot about seeing Talora again.

“Who is this?” he asked, reaching out to pet the cat in her arms, covering his embarrassment. Though that made him fully aware of just how close they were, but the cat gave them a plausible excuse. He did love cats, however. He and Livana had been begging for one for years, but Katriel always found ways to say no. “How have you been?”