That reminded Rezkin of the herbs he brought for just such an event. He pulled them from his pack and stuffed them into a belt pouch. He would need to find some hot water to prepare a tea if someone got sick. After he was satisfied that all was in order in the room, he nodded to the others who followed him to the deck.

The boat was picking up speed, and it was amazing to see the trees on the banks pass by so quickly. Even Pride at a full out run could not make such speed. The river was wide and deep. He looked across the murky, black water and could barely make out individual trees on the far shore. The riverboat itself was not large. It held four berths below deck and the captain’s cabin and kitchen (the men called a galley) on top. The riverboat did not require a full crew to sail downstream, apparently, so the deckhands all fit into one berth. They would not all be sleeping at the same time, so they shared the bunks in shifts. The other two berths were filled with soldiers, a dozen in all. The ship’s hull was shallow, but there was still room for a small cargo hold below the berths. The boat was currently carrying weapons and armor, for which the soldiers were playing escort.

Rezkin was admiring the way the early morning light cast a glow across the water and lit up the trees on the far side when he sensed a soldier’s approach. The man was of average height with a lean build and skin darkened from long days in the sun. His dark blue uniform was clean and crisp, and his walk was precise, despite the rocking of the boat. The man paused uncertainly and then, coming to some resolution, saluted before speaking.

“Sir, I am Lieutenant Jimson. I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that my men and I are at your service, assuming it does not interfere with our other duties.”

Frisha and Tam were standing off to one side holding on to the deck rail and snickering. Having worked through their own misconceptions regarding Rezkin, they now found it humorous to see the same fault in others.

Rezkin caught the soldier’s gaze and said firmly, “Thank you, Lieutenant. However, I am not in the military and therefore have no claim to your service. I am Rezkin.”