Frisha wrung her hands as she answered, “Well, yes and no. You see, Uncle Marcum was the second son. His older brother, Simeon, inherited the lands and title.” Rezkin nodded knowingly, and she continued. “Since he knew he would not inherit, my uncle joined the army. He worked his way up through the officer ranks, and after years of exemplary service and accomplishment, King Bordran named him general of the army.”

“I am familiar with the accomplishments of General Marcum,” Rezkin replied. Many of the modern battle strategies Rezkin had studied were first employed by the general during the last war between the Sandeans and Jerese to the far north and Channería to the east. Being long-time allies, Ashai had reinforced Channería, but once the Torreli joined the northern foe, the war spilled over into the northern territories of Ashai. Despite the enemies’ greater numbers, the general had been able to push back the aggressors before they even reached one city in Ashai.

“Anyway, my mother is Marcum’s youngest sister; and as I said, my father is a merchant but not a noble. Since my mother married a commoner against her family’s wishes, she gave up her status and any children of the union are considered commoners. Since my uncle decided to name me his heir, though, I will be welcomed into House Marcum and considered nobility. Of course, if there had been land involved, no one would allow it, but I am only inheriting my uncle’s personal wealth and estate.”

“So you are a lady who was raised as a commoner,” Rezkin mused. “The nobility will not accept you as an equal. It will be very difficult for you.”

Frisha nodded sadly and replied, “Socially, yes. They will always see me as the woman with commoner blood. Between my father and my uncle, though, my dowry is substantial, so there are plenty of minor lords or second or third sons who will be willing to marry me.”

“I see,” Rezkin said. Where did that leave him? If Frisha married some noble, then she would already be well protected. She would no longer need him. Somewhere in his mind he had known that, as a woman, Frisha was expected to marry and bear heirs. With everything that had been happening, he had not really considered the possibility that it might occur sooner rather than later. He felt a nagging tightening in his gut. He was not comfortable with the situation, but he did not know why. Usually, his gut instincts were correct, but he could not place the feeling at the moment.