Harem Ethics 101

88. Hiata Crossroads

The warden and I stepped out from the portal and onto a stone platform situated at one of the corners of a four-way intersection of wide, dusty roads. Three weathered buildings made of wood stood at the three other corners of the crossroads.

Two of these structures were squat, stubborn-looking things that’d had most of their blue paint stripped away by time and neglect. Both were identical in architecture, with the exception of the lettering on the signs nailed over their doors. One read: ‘Hiata Crossroads General Store’; the other reading: ‘Hiata Crossroads Jail’.

I only made passing mental notes of these buildings, though, as I could hear hearty laughter coming from the third and final establishment. Its sign revealed it to be an inn. Like the jail and store, it had a wood exterior that looked as though a passing touch would give you a handful of splinters. But, unlike the first two structures, it had two floors, and all its windows were lit.

Three grizzled men barked rough la