“Ohhh.” Frisha moaned, hiding her face in her hands. “I’ve really messed things up, haven’t I? I really didn’t mean to hurt him. It all just came out wrong. How can I fix this?” she begged.

Tam shook his head. “I don’t know. I guess you should just tell him how you really feel. How do you feel, Frisha? Do you even want him? Is this just a temporary fling until you find your nobleman? Would you really be willing to give up wealth and status for a man who essentially amounts to a well-mannered vagabond?”

“Tam! You know me. You know I don’t care about being a lady or wealth and status. I’m fine with being a commoner. And, I think I do want Rez. He’s everything I always dreamed a man should be. It doesn’t matter to me that he owns little and has no family,” Frisha said.

“So you do want to marry him?” Tam asked outright.

“Well, we haven’t known each other long, barely a couple of weeks, but it wouldn’t be any different if I were to marry a noble. If I had to say yes or no right now, I would definitely say yes.”

“Okay, just … just don’t hurt him, Frisha,” Tam said. “He doesn't deserve it.”

“I know,” she replied softly.

Rezkin had heard Tam, who could not move quietly to save his life, moving around the room. He had been asleep only for a couple of hours and knew he would not be able to sleep much longer, despite having stayed up all night. The sunlight was streaming in the window, and people were moving about outside. Finally, he could stand it no longer. He dressed quickly in a dark blue shirt and grey pants. He strapped on his swords and secreted away his daggers but left his armor behind. When he entered the common room, Frisha and Tam were just finishing their breakfast.

The young warrior took a seat at the table with his friends, but the mood was somber. “What is wrong?” he asked. “Is something amiss?”

Frisha worried her lip anxiously and glanced at Tam. Tam nodded once and then said, “I’ll just be up in the room.”

Rezkin cocked his head as he watched the young man leave. “Is he upset?” he inquired.

“Yes, a bit,” Frisha answered honestly.

“Did I fail in some way?” Rezkin asked. He did not think he had dishonored Tam in anyway, but maybe his friend was upset that Rezkin had not been in the room last night. Had Tam been concerned?

“No, not at all. He’s actually upset with me,” Frisha replied.