“Really? How is that going to work? Oh, no! He’s not planning to marry me off to someone else is he? It’s not you or Jimson is it?” Frisha asked in a panic.

Tam scowled. “No, of course not. Your cousins are going.”

Frisha blinked. “My cousins? You mean the Jebais?”

“Yeah,” Tam replied, “Lords Malcius and Palis and Lady Shiela.”

Frisha groaned. “Oh, I don’t even want to go, anymore. I really only wanted to go to be with Rez. I wanted to spend more time with him and see him compete in the tournament. I was worried that if he went away I wouldn’t see him again. There’s no point, now, since Uncle Marcum rejected our union. It will just be that much more difficult to be around him knowing it can never happen. If my cousins go on the trip, it will just be even more miserable.”

Tam shrugged. “Rez has already made all of the arrangements, but he did mention to the general that you might have changed your mind. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I was only going because it sounded exciting, and I wanted to see Rez and Jimson compete also. Now, the whole thing sounds like a lot of trouble.”

Frisha kicked a pillow and growled in frustration. “Why won’t Rez just accept me? I was willing to run off with him and forsake my inheritance, and he said, ‘No!’”

“Oh, come on, Frisha. He’s trying to do what’s best for you, and I respect him for it. I know it hasn’t been easy on him, either. I don’t think he’s quite given up on you,” Tam replied.

“It certainly sounded like it to me! He didn’t even fight for me. If he cares so little, then maybe I shouldn’t go anyway. I don’t even want him anymore!” Frisha huffed.

Tam scowled and argued, “You should hear some of the stuff he’s been saying to the general. For a moment, I thought they were actually going to draw swords!”

“What?” Frisha gasped. “They wouldn’t. Oh, no, what if Rezkin gets himself killed? My uncle is a swordmaster, Tam.”

“Your uncle is old, Frisha, and truth be told, he didn’t look so confident when he was faced with Rezkin’s anger,” Tam replied.

“All over me?” Frisha asked.

“Well, not just you. You know how the general has been treating him. It hasn’t gotten any better, and I think Rez’s patience is wearing thin,” Tam answered. “Anyway, like I said, you don’t have to go to Skutton. Reaylin was here earlier, and she’s really excited, especially since she heard about your uncle rejecting Rez. I'm sure she and Lady Shiela will be happy to keep Rez company in your stead.”