“It got dirty … while I was training. She said she would wash it.”

Frisha was overcome with relief and utter embarrassment. Tam eyed the young woman speculatively. She averted her eyes and refused to meet her friend’s gaze.

Tam turned back to Rez and said, “The sun has barely risen, and you’ve already been training? How long were you out there?”

Rezkin shrugged, “A couple of hours.”

“Do you do that often?” asked Frisha.

“I am accustomed to practicing my physical Skills most of the day and night when I am not studying other subjects or sleeping. Since I have been traveling, I have been lax in my physical training.

“Ah, that explains it,” said Tam.

“Explains what?” Rezkin asked perplexed.

Tam waved his hand around in Rez’s general direction, “All of … that.”

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.