Chapter 186

THE SHIP ROCKED AS RUMAL and Rashid studied the large map of the Southern territory spread out over the table before them. The sway of the ship when he was beneath tended to give Rumal a queasy stomach. He glanced out the high rectangular windows, focusing on the horizon while waiting for his body to settle.

'Cavalry training,' Rashid unnecessarily said.

Right, thought Rumal and he glanced at the map, considering. He preferred to go upstairs when they practiced.

'Why don't we work on this later?'

Rashid glanced up and smirked. 'Stomach getting to you?'

Rumal gave him a narrow look. They rolled the map up and headed to the top deck. When Rumal stepped through the hatch behind Rashid, the Lieutenant jerked to a halt then made an odd fumbling side step. Stretching his neck to see what confused Rashid, he spotted Leseach striding their way and saw the plain look of longing on Rashid's face before he concealed it.

With a snigger Rumal elbowed past the man and quietly jibed, 'Stomach