Rezkin cocked his head to the side and studied Tam anew. “I thought you knew. Rule 1—Protect and honor your friends.”

Tam’s face relaxed. “Well, of course, one should always protect and honor one’s friends. But, what makes you think we are friends? I mean, no offense, but we’ve just met.”

Rezkin forced himself to smile again and nodded toward the oddly silent young woman. “Frisha told me so.” Frisha glanced up and smiled weakly.

Tam looked at Frisha, who lowered her eyes back to the table. “You accept that just because she said so?”

Rezkin cocked his head, again as he studied Frisha. Her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny, but she still said nothing. “I have no reason to doubt her. She is a surprisingly open and cheerful individual. Nothing she has said or done leads me to believe her to be duplicitous or conniving. Thus far, her most grievous flaws seem to be that she is entirely too trusting and is unable to protect herself. Both are problems for which I can be of assistance.”

The carpenter’s apprentice was staring at Rezkin with his mouth hanging open. “You seem to have a firm grasp of Frisha’s character, but you still know little about us. By the looks of you, you could easily make it to Kaibain on your own much faster and without the extra effort. Why would you take on the burden of two more people, even if we are friends?” His last words were heavy with skepticism.

“You are Tamarin Blackwater, a carpenter’s apprentice who wishes to be a soldier. You have little to no knowledge of combat and no martial or weapons training. You carry only a dagger at the waist, although you probably do not know how to use it. You swore an Oath of Protection for Mistress Frisha with full knowledge that you will probably end up dead if you ever have to uphold it against an enemy. I do not believe you thought that one through. I am quite certain Mistress Frisha did not.” Tam gave Frisha a sidelong look.

Rezkin continued, “I think you will find that she is less willing to allow you to risk your life on her behalf than either of you thought. I believe you were both excited about traveling to Kaibain for your own reasons, and about traveling together, and you both accepted the oath without considering the consequences. I would be remiss in my duties under Rule 1 if I allowed you to continue on your journey under such conditions without my protection.”

Both his new acquaintances stared at him wide-eyed. It seemed neither could think of anything to say.

Tam recovered first with heated indignation. “Say, now! How dare you claim I am incapable of providing protection! I am every bit as capable as the next man.” Tam’s face was hot with anger and embarrassment, but all three of them knew it was all bravado.