Page 33 of The Warrior
“That’s your version, but I would say that it’s you who don’t like people much.”
I sighed. “You’re right, I’m not a people person.”
“Your soldiers adore you.”
That made me roll my eyes. “They respect me, Laura, that’s all.”
“Either way, I saw you at the funeral and I asked my father about you. He said you were a strong warrior and that you and Khan were the closest thing to princes that we had in the Northlands.”
“Jesus.” I scratched my beard.
“I already knew who you were because I had visited you at the castle when I was nine.”
“The Gray Mansion isn’t a castle.”
“It was to me.” She paused. “Magni, do you remember taking care of me that night when I spied on you and Khan.”
“You spied on us? You told me you were lost.”
There was a smile in Laura’s voice. “So youdoremember me?”
“Of course I do, I might be older than you, but I’m not senile yet. But what did you mean that you spied on us?”
“I only told you I was lost because I didn’t want to get in trouble. My sister was sick at home, and I was bored listening to the adults. That’s why I went out to explore the mansion by myself.”
I gave a hollow laugh. “I’m seeing a pattern here. You ditched me and went to explore the Motherlands. Was I boring too?”
“No. It had nothing to do with you. I told you I was curious and that it was a spontaneous decision to leave.”
“Sure felt personal.” I didn’t want to fight tonight, so I changed the subject.
“Did you know Tarzan?”
“Who?”
“The man we buried at the funeral.”
“No, I didn’t know him, he was an old friend of my father. It’s a horrible thing to say, but I was excited for the opportunity to get out of the house and see people. I was happy when I spotted you there.”
“I doubt it. You didn’t look at me once.”
“I did. And I saw you get into a fight.”
“Ahh, yes,that.” I rested my arm across my face.
“My sister and I watched from the window when you took the fight outside. He was a mean-looking man, and I was so scared he was going to kill you.”
“Please,” I snorted. “That midget didn’t stand a chance. He was all fat and no muscles.”
“Nevertheless, April and I were very impressed with your skills, and disappointed that you left after that.”
“It wasn’t my choice. My father was furious with me for getting in a fight at a funeral.”
“Do you remember what the fight was about?”
I sighed. “Yes, I do.”
Laura waited and when I didn’t elaborate, she asked. “Wanna share?”
