“But, where is he from, Frisha? What does he do for money? Does he have family? Why does everyone think he’s a lord or soldier? Why is he going to Kaibain, and what does he plan to do once he gets there? What does he intend to do with his life afterward? Is he married?” Tam rattled off the questions that always seemed to visit him when he was alone but slipped his mind in Rezkin’s presence.

Frisha looked momentarily uncertain as she considered Tam’s questions, but then shook her head. She waved her hand around as if to wash them away and said, “I’m sure there is nothing to be concerned about. Nobody who acts like him could have anything terrible to hide. I’m sure it is all perfectly reasonable, and he doesn’t seem to be hurting for money. We’ll just ask him, and then you can be satisfied.”

Tam reached up and pulled his hair in frustration. “But, what if you don’t like what he has to say, Frisha? What if he lies?”

Frisha shrugged unconcerned. “It’s just a scarf, Tam. It’s not like we’re betrothed. I’m sure it will all work out.”

Tam watched his friend as she preened in the mirror once again and sighed. “For your sake, I truly hope so,” he said before he turned and left.

Chapter 10

The third day brought disaster. The ship was at a halt, and it looked like they would not be going anywhere anytime soon. They had come to a bend in the river, the captain explained, that was characterized by large, shallow sand bars. There was only a narrow channel through the middle that was deep enough to pass through. At the moment, that central channel was occupied by a partially sunken riverboat. Luckily, the river slowed at this point, so when the obstruction came into view, the crew had enough time to pull the sails around to slow the vessel and drop anchor. Several attempts at hailing the other boat failed, and the crew and soldiers were anxious to get underway.

The captain finally asked if Lieutenant Jimson was willing to send some of his men over to the other boat to investigate.

The Lieutenant scratched his scruffy chin, which was badly in need of a shave, and said, “I do not see that we have any other choice. It concerns me that we have not seen anyone, and they have not answered our hails. I believe it is either abandoned or everyone is dead.”

The captain looked at the lieutenant sharply and said, “Dead? How might they all be dead? Yer thinkin’ this ain’t an accident.”

The lieutenant rested his eyes on the downed vessel and said, “Captain, how often does a riverboat simply sink? And what are the chances that one would do so right here where our passage would be completely blocked?”