Tam was momentarily taken aback by the scary man’s uncommonly good manners, but after glancing at Frisha’s pleading face he finally relented. “Yes, very well.”

Rezkin nodded and then strode to a nearby table with a few extra chairs. “Pardon me, master, mistress, might I borrow one of these chairs?” Rezkin was fairly certain his evaluation of this situation as nonthreatening was accurate, but he would be remiss to let his guard down, which would also break Rule 24, so he maintained complete concentration the entire time his back was turned.

Once he had returned with the chair, the three sat down at the table. He placed Tam on his left, but recognized that the young man would not understand the significance of the gesture. Since most swordsmen were right-handed, their swords were strapped to the left hip. Placing a potential opponent on the left meant that the opponent was closer to the sword and could, therefore, interfere in drawing the weapon. Of course, Rezkin was equally skilled in using both hands and carried two swords in addition to a number of other weapons, so the gesture was largely symbolic as a sort of goodwill gesture.

Roxie returned looking a little happier now that Tam separated Rezkin and Frisha. She brought a fresh round of ale and asked if Tam would like a meal.

Frisha, still embarrassed, avoided looking at the handsome warrior. When she had first seen him, she was completely mesmerized. She had never seen anyone so striking and powerful looking as Rezkin, and he had just a hint of danger about him that made her blood heat. She wanted to run her fingers through his silky black hair and thought for certain that she could drown happily in those crystal blue eyes.

Now, after seeing Tam’s reaction and realizing Rezkin was very well armed, she acknowledged that he had much more than a hint of danger. She worried that she had made a huge mistake, but he seemed so kind and courteous. No man had ever treated her like a true lady, and it was not only toward her. He had been polite and gentlemanly toward everyone so far. He had even brushed off Tam’s rudeness with cool grace.

“So, Master Rezkin …” Tam started.

Rezkin held up a hand, “Please, just Rezkin.”

Tam nodded, “I’m curious about your mannerisms. Are you a noble?”

The young warrior smiled but gave neither affirmation nor denial, “Just Rezkin.”

Tam shifted in his chair and glanced back at Frisha who was doing an admirable job of examining every nuance of the table in front of her. “Rezkin, then. Frisha says you wish to travel with us. Why?”

Nodding, Rezkin replied, “Yes, first of all, we have the same destination, and are traveling at the same time. Secondly, there is safety in numbers. Third, and most importantly, is because it is Rule 1.”

Tam was nodding in acquiescence up until the last one. He furrowed his brow. “What is rule one?”