The Forbidden Compass Trilogy: Book One- Caged
Chapter 19

Fenn

Fenn kneels by the fire, stirring the porridge he had made as Irelle and Krade come back. Irelle sits by Mahna, who’s making bowls. Irelle whispers to her, and they begin talking in low tones, probably about him.

Krade settles down next to him and looks in the pot. “What’d you make?”

“Acorn and persimmon porridge, or at least an attempt on porridge. My ma taught me how to cook.”

Fenn sees him flinch slightly, even though he’s not guilty for her death. “Sounds good. Where’d you get the pot?”

“Mahna made it.” The clay pot was rough, but it would do.

“I should’ve guessed. And just to be clear, there is nothing going on between me and Irelle.”

Fenn doesn’t say anything, but he hears Krade groan.

“Is the food ready yet?” Irelle calls loudly.

“Yes, but you know you don’t have to yell.” Fenn answers, barely hiding his smirk.

Irelle glares at him. “I know, but it’s the only thing keeping me from slapping that smug look off your face!”

He grins at her more and whispers to Krade, “Nice catch.” Krade doesn’t protest, just groans again, shaking his head.

Mahna brings over the dishes she made, and they eat around the fire Krade lights. The meal is silent. Irelle glares at Fenn between bites, making him uncomfortable. They finish and Mahna collects the dishes.

“I’ll go wash the dishes. I found a stream this morning, that’s how we found water.” She says, getting ready to leave.

Krade takes them from her. “I’ll do it. I need to get washed anyway.” She doesn’t protest, just sits back down and starts picking the dead leaves out of her wings. Krade comes back a half hour later, steam curling off him in wisps. Mahna changes the bowls back into shapeless lumps of stone.

She gets up again. “I need to get washed. I’ll be back in a bit.” She leaves, disappearing gracefully among the browns and reds of the leaves.

“Nice catch.” Krade whispers in his ear as he settles back down, pulling out his sword to sharpen.

Like I could ever catch her. I’m a thief and she’s a lady and that’s that. There’s no point in dreaming.

Dreaming just makes things worse.