“I am Reaylin de Voss.” She said it smugly, as if he should recognize her surname. He did not, which meant her family was not particularly wealthy, powerful, or influential.

“Well, Mistress Reaylin, if you are a warrior, why did you not join the army?” he asked.

Reaylin huffed and crossed her arms, a habit she would have to break since it left her vulnerable to attack and unable to quickly access her weapons. A fiery spark flickered in her eyes, and she snapped, “I tried. They said that I’m too small … or too weak … or not good enough … or not strong enough. What they really mean is I’m a woman.” Reaylin was definitely a woman. She was petite and fit but all feminine curves.

Rezkin shook his head. “A few women have joined the army. It is rare, but it occurs.”

“Yeah, well, those women are giants who might as well be men. But I can fight. It’s not like all those recruits are swordmasters and strikers. If I can beat even one of them, they should let me in,” she spat, her voice full of resentment.

Rezkin had to agree with her. If she could prove herself the equal of even the lowest man, she should be accepted. “So, in lieu of joining the army, you wish to compete at the tournament as a duelist?”

Reaylin shrugged and lifted her chin again. “If I make a good show at the tournament, they’ll have to recognize me as a warrior and let me join the army.”

“And, you felt it would be a good idea to travel on your own with a group of strangers? You have no care for this propriety that everyone seems to think is so important?”

For the briefest of moments, he saw a flash of uncertainty and a tinge of vulnerability in her hazel eyes, and then it was overcome by a fierce determination. “You don’t look like bandits. That man,”—she gestured to the lieutenant—“is an officer, and you’re already traveling with a woman, so I don’t see any problem with it.”

“We will be riding the trade route to Kaibain and then going on from there. Do you have a horse?” he asked.

The young woman’s face flushed slightly as she shifted uncomfortably. “Um, I can get a horse.”

Rezkin narrowed his eyes, knowing the statement was not as straightforward as it seemed. He shot a questioning look over the woman’s shoulder at his three friends who were following the conversation intently. Lieutenant Jimson nodded assent, Tam shrugged, and Frisha refused to meet his gaze. She waved her hand at him as if the whole matter did not concern her. He was perplexed by Frisha’s reaction. He thought she would enjoy having another woman along, especially one with whom she could spar and improve her Skills.