Tieran was not about to let everyone know he had been cowed by this stranger, though. He donned his greatest smile, and with his usual brash, haughty conceit he said, “Come now, friend. We were just having a bit of fun. Perhaps you could do with some. Who are you? I do not believe we have met.” Tieran thought he had met every one of importance, but now he was uncertain.

“I am Rezkin, and that is my Girl Friend, Lady Frisha Marcum, and I am still waiting to hear an apology,” Rezkin responded without blinking. He was a stone, cold statue, unmovable … until the right moment.

Tieran’s eyes widened. “Marcum? Well, that does change things. You must be the general’s commoner niece. I had heard that you were coming to Kaibain to look for a husband. It seems you work quickly,” Tieran remarked.

The young lord’s attention turned back to Rezkin, “She is your girlfriend, eh? I can see why you are all bent out of shape, then.”

“The next words out of your mouth had better be an apology or you will speak no more,” Rezkin remarked, his voice low and flat as though he was simply commenting on the weather.

Tieran maintained his smile, but his eyes spoke of fear as they flicked to Rezkin’s gaze. The young noble laughed boisterously and waved his hand around as if the whole incident was insignificant, “Of course, of course, friend Rezkin.” His steps were masked with confidence, but inside he was shaking like a leaf. He stood before Frisha and gave an exaggerated courtly bow as he implored her. “My Lady Frisha, my most humble apologies for ruining your dress. I will, of course, compensate you for the loss. And, I do hope my comments did not offend you. My mouth does tend to run away with me when I am in the presence of such beautiful ladies.” This last he said with a total lack of sincerity as his eyes fell over each of the ladies, who actually were quite lovely. Tieran considered them all to be insignificant and beneath his station.

In an effort to save face and discourage anyone from thinking Rezkin had gotten to him, he performed the same courtly bow to his friend, who had picked himself up off the ground. “My dear friend, Lord Ambry, I do apologize that your feet are so big that you could not keep them under you.” Tieran then walked past Rezkin out into the street and performed a sweeping bow to the first person he saw stating, “My fellow Ashaiian, I do apologize that the sun is so unbearably hot. I will do my best to see that it behaves itself in the future.” The young man motioned to his friends and then walked off bowing and apologizing for more absurdities to each person he passed.