Reaylin took a small amount of sadistic pleasure in the gasp that emanated from Frisha’s throat. Frisha could not believe the audacity of the little blonde tramp, and how dare she behave so with Rezkin. Rezkin, however, was considering the question seriously. Why would the young woman be so concerned about his size? It did make a certain sense that, given her short stature and the discrimination she had received because of it from the soldiers, she would naturally focus on size as being of great importance. Rezkin, of course, disagreed.

Looking down at the petite woman he replied, “Obviously, I am large, but size is not necessarily of the most significance. What is most important is one’s Skill.”

“Oh,” she said sweetly, “Have you many skills?”

Rezkin nodded in the affirmative. “I have mastered all of the Skills,” he stated succinctly.

Reaylin grinned and reached out to stroke his arm. Rezkin withheld his instinct to thrust the young woman away or knock her unconscious. “Is that so? Perhaps you would be willing to show me some of your skills, then?” she asked suggestively.

“Certainly,” Rezkin said. “You can join Tam and Frisha in their weapons training if you like.” With this statement, he turned and walked away.

Tam and Frisha who had been completely shocked during the entire exchange could not possibly hold back their laughter at the look of stunned dejection on Reaylin’s face. Reaylin glared at them over heated cheeks and then stormed into the dark trees. Frisha, having been furious during the last few minutes of conversation, tried to maintain her composure but could not hide the satisfied grin that graced her lips. When Rezkin glanced up from riffling his pack, she gave him a stunning smile of approval.

Tam walked over to Rez and remarked, “You really have a way with women.”

“What?” Rezkin asked in confusion.

“Yeah, they all seem to flock to you. Now you have them throwing themselves at you. But, you handled Reaylin well. She was being way too forward, especially in present company. I think you managed to put her in her place. I don’t see her doing that again. It’s just as well. Someone needed to teach her.”

Rezkin had no idea what Tam was talking about. All he had done was agree to teach her weapons Skills. He had attempted to dispel the misconception that her size was a limitation on her advancement as a warrior. Was that the lesson to which Tam was referring? Since Reaylin was not one of his friends, Rezkin did not feel truly concerned. She was not his responsibility. Rezkin shrugged and replied, “It does not matter so much to me. She will learn or she will not. It is up to her.”

“I’m starting to regret letting her come with us,” Tam stated as he stared in the direction Reaylin had gone.