Compassionate? Understanding, maybe, but compassionate? It was Rezkin’s turn to blink in confusion. What was she talking about? He mentally reviewed everything he’d just said and could not think of a single statement that could fit the definition of compassion. He was not even sure he was capable of compassion. It seemed like a feeling with little practical application.

Roxie and Pot returned just then with the last buckets of water. Roxie fixed Frisha with a dirty look behind her back, and Pot snickered. Rezkin only wondered for a moment what all that might be about and then put it from his mind. His bath was getting cold. He looked back at Frisha and said, “If you intend to stay for my bath, would you please shut and bar the door? I do not like the idea of people coming and going while I bathe.”

Frisha’s face flushed bright red as she turned and fled from the room. Tam burst into laughter as he shut the door behind them. Rezkin slipped the bar into place and then began removing the arsenal of weapons he had hidden about his person. The young warrior stripped off his clothes and settled into the bath. The heat of the water soaked deep into his muscles as he allowed himself to relax bit by bit.

Down in the common room, Tam caught Frisha’s attention and asked, “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

Frisha’s face flushed, “Don’t be silly. We just met two nights ago, and we didn’t even see him all day.”

Tam nodded, “I know, but I’ve never seen you like this with anyone else. Even Lord Byron’s son, Dornell, who all the girls swooned over, couldn’t catch your attention. And, if I remember correctly, he tried.”

Frisha sighed, “It’s just that he’s so open and genuine. It’s like there’s no deceit or cunning in him. He just met us, and he’s totally dedicated to our protection and welfare. I think it really upsets him when we seem disappointed or accuse him of pushing his weight around … which we’ve done twice.”

Nodding in agreement, Tam said, “I know. Just before you arrived, I was talking to him and realized he’s like a bear on the outside and a sweet puppy on the inside. I think we’ve been judging him all wrong based on his appearance. You know they always say don’t judge a book by its cover.” Tam’s eyes sparked with mirth at the recollection of his conversation with Rezkin only moments before. “Speaking of which, do you know he’s never read Tales of the Shadow Knight? He said he’s never even heard of it!”

Frisha burst out laughing, “No way! I don’t see how that’s possible.”