Page 41 of A Warrior's Heart

Phantos lifted his head to me before taking a bite of the stew. “Carrots, potatoes, and deer. No poison.”

“Do you read minds as well?” I asked, accepting the bowl he offered to me.

“No.” Phantos faintly smiled. “But I feel your tension. With your cautious mind, I sensed the direction of your thoughts. Prince Lorcan is a guest in my home, as are the rest of you. I hope during your stay you will learn to trust that my intentions are good.” He finished handing out the bowls before sitting back with his own. “Let us eat.”

Nereus looked down at his food before walking over to Phantos. “May I fill a bowl for the other member of our party? He’s outside.”

“Of course,” Phantos motioned to the pot. “Help yourself.”

“Gratitude.” Nereus grabbed another bowl for Shar and filled it before leaving the cave. I had believed the two men couldn’t stand each other. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Troy watched after him with a small smile. His violet eyes then landed on me. “Are you going to stand all day?” He patted the cushion beside him. “Come sit.”

I sat beside Troy as Nereus returned, a lopsided grin curving his lips.

Ervin took his bowl outside to eat with Shar.

“They mean no disrespect,” Lorcan told Phantos. “They do not show their faces and only eat away from the rest of us.”

“I understand.”

As we ate, I kept a close watch on the seer. He struck up conversation by asking about our journey thus far. As he listened, he showed very little expression apart from the few smiles when Troy recounted the times Shar scared Nereus with sticks.

“I regret to inform you that no man-eating snake exists,” Phantos said. “On this island anyway. Go farther east and that might change.”

“See?” Lorcan said with a laugh, glancing at the young warrior. “There is nothing to worry yourself over.”

“Let us pray our journey does not take us east,” Nereus responded.

“There is kindness in your voice, prince,” Phantos said, facing Lorcan. “You are different from your father… yet, still alike in many ways.”

“Have you met my father?” Lorcan asked, setting his empty bowl aside.

“I have.” A slight frown tugged at the seer’s lips. “Though, it’s been many years.”

“Have you andIever met?” Lorcan cocked his head.

“No.” Phantos softly smiled. He then stood from the cushion and began to gather our bowls, taking mine, then Troy’s.

“Allow me to help you,” Alek said, pushing to his feet. He kissed Lorcan on the forehead before taking his empty bowl, then Reif’s and Nereus’.

“Many thanks,” Phantos said to him. “There’s a stream nearby where we can clean them.”

As they left the cave, I stood and followed them. Mainly for some fresh air. Nereus came with me while Troy stayed in the cave with Lorcan and Reif. Ervin and Shar sat in the shade, their backs to the rock and their empty bowls beside them. Alek gathered both bowls before walking with Phantos.

“I appreciate you bringing me food,” Shar said to Nereus, resting his head back against the rock wall. “And here I thought I annoyed you.”

“You do,” Nereus answered. “Do not expect me to go out of my way for you again, assassin.”

“Be gentle with me, kid.” Shar clutched his chest. “Your words cut so deep.”

“Keep calling me a kid and something else will cut even deeper.”

“Don’t tease me.” Shar’s purple eyes held a mischievous gleam.

Ignoring him, Nereus turned to me. “Should we find a place to train?”

“No. Rest for a while,” I told him. “We will resume your training once we’re back on the ship.”