Rezkin looked down at himself and could not see to what Tam was referring. The healers had done an admirable job over the years, so he bore few scars, and those he had were barely visible. There was nothing particularly notable about his appearance. Rezkin shrugged off his confusion and changed the subject.

“If you wish to be a soldier, Master Tamarin, it would behoove you to become accustomed to rising and training early. You will be required to do so during your basic training and will probably continue doing so during the majority of your career,” Rezkin stated as he began dressing.

Frisha, knowing she absolutely should leave to allow Rezkin to dress in private, found that she could not, for her life, force her feet to move.

“Ugh,” Tam moaned, “are you serious? I hate getting up early.”

Rezkin noted that Frisha was still silently staring at him, so he asked, “Mistress Frisha, are you alright?” He glanced down at himself and said, “Is something amiss?”

She jerked her eyes away from his chest that was now fully covered with a dark green tunic and met his eyes. “Ah, yes. I’m great. Um …” Her eyes widened as he began untying his black pants.

Tam nudged her with his elbow, “Frisha, perhaps you could go order us all some breakfast. We’ll meet you in the common room shortly.”

Frisha’s eyes darted to Tam as though she had just realized he was present. Her cheeks flushed at realizing she had been caught ogling the amazingly fit warrior. She hurried from the room slamming the door just as Rezkin dropped his pants.

Tam snickered, “You really had her going. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so flustered. She was being rude by not allowing you your privacy.”

Rezkin thought the statement ironic since Tam had not offered him any privacy either, but perhaps this was part of the propriety with which he was supposed to be concerned. He cocked his head in thought.

“She should not have been locked in this room alone with two men in the first place,” Rezkin said. He meant it as a question, but it sounded more like a statement.

“True, and as her protector, I guess I should have insisted she leave earlier, but I really didn’t think about it. I grew up with three brothers, not sisters. You’re much better at these things than I am, so maybe you can remind me when I forget,” Tam stated.

Rezkin lifted a brow, “If I am to be responsible for our group’s propriety, then I am afraid we will have little of it. I am more concerned with safety. There will be many situations while traveling when it would be best for us all to stay together rather than take the risk of separating simply for appearances. We will have to be satisfied with knowing that we will treat each other with honor.”

Tam studied Rez closely as the young man tied on his boots. “You really mean that, don’t you?”