The following morning, after they finished the weapons training, Frisha, Tam, and Rezkin decided to partake of the midday meal at a small inn Lady Adelina suggested. It was located in the upscale central market district, but the lady assured them the prices were reasonable. The quaint restaurant was busy but not so busy that they had to wait long to be seated. The table they were assigned was located on a patio that overlooked the busy square. Along the wall of the building ran a trellis with flowering vines that smelled sweet and fresh. The three shared a large salad made with fresh greens and vegetables tossed with a savory marinated grilled fish. The salad was followed by roasted rosemary chicken with seasoned potatoes. Everything tasted superb.

As they ate, Frisha made polite conversation with a couple of young women who were dining at the table next to them. The two ladies, Joselia and Meriana, ostensibly bestowed all of their attention on Frisha, who was surprisingly susceptible to their doting. They complimented her dress and hair and gossiped about all of the people she was sure to meet. All the while, they were surreptitiously batting their lashes and casting eyes at Rezkin. Tam even received a brief perusal, but he was obviously a commoner, so neither gave him any additional attention.

At the end of the meal, the three stood to leave when a group of raucous young men walked by causing a commotion. The young men, who ranged from their late teens to midtwenties, were lavishly attired, the rich sons of nobles who flaunted their wealth with fine clothes and other accouterments. The young men all laughed at something and then one of them shoved another a little too hard.

The young man tripped over his own feet and stumbled toward Rezkin. Ever aware of his surroundings, Rezkin sensed the young man’s uncontrolled approach and stepped out of the way. He was unable to stop the imminent collision, however. The flailing man crashed into the table upsetting the dinnerware and spilling wine over Frisha’s fine dress. The other young men laughed hysterically and offered no apologies.

Rezkin strode over to confront the dominant male who had caused the disruption. “You will cease this offensive behavior and apologize to the lady,” he demanded.

This particular young man looked to be about twenty-four and nearly matched Rezkin’s height and breadth. He wore a gold-embroidered cream silk doublet with matching breeches. At his hip was a rapier with an ornate twisted silver handle. The silver scabbard was embellished with gold accents and gemstones. The young man’s eyes traveled the length of Rezkin, apparently sizing up his opponent. Rezkin had dressed in his fine blue silk shirt and black pants for the outing. The lordling snickered when he noticed the two swords at Rezkin’s waist. He ran a tanned hand through his gold-blonde hair and grinned.