A short while later, Tam returned with Pot, each lugging one end of a mattress. Roxie followed close behind carrying bed linens. The young woman gazed at Rezkin, smiling shyly and fluttering her lashes. Since she was not paying attention to her surroundings, Roxie found herself crashing into Pot who was bent over settling the mattress. Bed linens flew into the air. Tam stared at the scene mouth agape, while Rezkin simply tilted his head and said, “Perhaps you both need to review Rules 8, 24, 84, and 96.”

Pot snickered and, untangling himself from Roxie, asked, “What are those?”

Rezkin recited, “Know your surroundings, always be on guard, do not let your attention linger, and always be prepared.” Tam could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing. It was clear now, why these two ended up in such a predicament. They had not even bothered to learn the Rules, much less follow them. How had these people grown?

“Have you managed to break Rule 6 as well?” Rezkin continued.

Pot grinned as Roxie hid her face in her hands. “Which would be …?” the small-man asked.

“Do not get injured,” Rezkin stated in a quiet, steady voice while looking at Roxie who was peeking between her fingers. These two should know at least that Rule.

Roxie slowly lowered her hands to reveal her bright red face. She smiled shyly again and replied, “No, I am well. Thank you for your concern, my lord. You’re so kind.”

Rezkin cocked his head to the side. He was not particularly concerned. The woman was not bleeding all over Tam’s bed, and she was certainly well enough to be removed from the room when he wanted to turn in for the night. Any discomfort she might be feeling would not hinder him in any way nor affect his purpose.

Pot regained his feet and reached down to help Roxie recover hers. Rezkin nearly intervened but held himself back since he was neither of these people’s master. No wonder these people never learn the Rules, he thought. If someone assisted them every time they failed, how would they ever learn anything? If anything, both of them should be punished for their failure. Roxie had managed to cause the incident, but Pot failed to recognize the danger and avoid it. He was certain that a week of pain and suffering and a trip to the infirmary would impress upon them the importance of the Rules. Then again, with these two, a week might not be enough. None of them seemed to expect any kind of punishment to be administered, Tam included, so he held his own.

Roxie went to retrieve the linens from Tam, who had already collected them. The young woman turned to make the bed, but Tam refused saying he could do it himself. Tam was simply trying to save the girl from further embarrassment, but Rezkin only saw it as encouraging disobedience. Tam was not doing the young woman any favors. Then again, maybe Tam no longer trusted the hapless woman to perform her job. Rezkin nodded. This made sense. If she could not be trusted to follow the Rules, what other anarchy might she instigate?