“Ye think this was done on purpose?” Captain Talwater asked.

Lieutenant Jimson nodded, “It is possible. It is a common enough ploy for bandits along the roads. They block off the road with a fallen tree or broken wagon and then attack when travelers stop to clear way.”

The captain grunted, “It’d have to be one mighty gang of bandits to attack a riverboat, especially one full of soldiers.”

“Perhaps it wasn’t targeted at us,” Tam piped up. “Maybe they just intended to attack whomever stopped here.”

“Or maybe they are after the cargo,” said Rezkin. He and the lieutenant shared a contemplating look before the captain spoke.

“Bah, I am still not convinced this is an attack. It’s not common fer a riverboat to sink, but if it’s goin’ to, this be as good a place as any. It coulda struck somethin’ in one o’ these sand bars that busted a hole in the hull,” the gruff man replied.

“Then, where are all the people?” asked Tam.

“They coulda gone lookin’ fer help,” the captain said. “It’s a long way to anywhere from here.”

Rezkin had made up his mind. There was no point in standing around talking about what ifs. “Lieutenant, I think it would be best if you kept your men here to protect this vessel in case this is an ambush. I will go investigate.”

“By yourself?” asked Tam in dismay.

Rezkin ignored Tam and stared the lieutenant down. It was time to test how far the lieutenant was willing to believe he was more than he said he was.

Lieutenant Jimson finally looked away and spread his hands. “You are a civilian. You do as you please. If you want to go investigate the vessel on your own, there is nothing I can do to stop you. I think my men and I need to stay here for a bit to make sure things are secure and to strategize.”

Rezkin almost felt a tug at the corners of his lips. He mentally applauded the lieutenant’s creatively contrived method for discharging any responsibility for Rezkin’s actions. As a result, he avoided calling Rezkin out in the open and questioning his station. Of course, the lieutenant would be completely within his rights to stop Rezkin from requisitioning the dinghy and placing his life in danger while the soldiers stayed onboard. It was the lieutenant’s responsibility to investigate such situations and protect the citizens.

The young warrior nodded and went below deck where he quickly donned his padded leather armor and armed himself with more than the usual weapons he carried by default. When he returned to the deck, several people stared openly including Frisha and Tam. Rezkin realized that neither of them had seen him dressed for battle since he had forgone his armor when he was with them in the city to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. He shrugged off their surprise and boarded the dinghy.