Frisha and Tam each let out a breath as the tension eased, and they smiled at each other in relief. Tam laughed and said, “You must be from the city to know so much about these things. I’m really glad you’re with us, now. If these things are normal, we would be in major trouble.”

Rezkin shook his head, “This is my first time to the city. I arrived yesterday, not long before you. But, do not be overly concerned. This is not necessarily normal except in this part of the city. Most of Justain is relatively safe, although you will find pickpockets everywhere—even in the affluent areas, fewer there since stealing from a noble is a hanging offense.”

“I hear they cut off the hand of someone caught stealing from merchants and other commoners,” said Tam.

Rez nodded, “Yes, but the thieves must be caught. If you have not noticed, there are few guards or city watch patrolling this area.”

“So, you were trained as a soldier, then?” Tam asked.

Rezkin considered this. He had been trained as many things. A soldier was just one of them. “Yes,” he said, “and more.”

“When I’m a soldier, I’ll be able to figure these things out, too?” asked Tam.

“Perhaps,” said Rezkin. “There are many kinds of soldiers, and it is dependent on whether you master your Skills. If you joined the city guard, I imagine you would learn most of it if you worked hard.”

Tam shook his head. “I don’t want to be a city guard. I want to travel the kingdom. Maybe even go to other kingdoms. Do you think I could do that?”

“If you join the regular army, you may be posted at a fort somewhere in the kingdom, but it is unlikely you will transfer more than a few times in your career—depending on how long you serve, of course. We are not at war, so most positions are fairly stagnant, and few are ever sent beyond the borders. You would have to join the navy to get beyond the kingdom, and even they rarely make calls to foreign ports. Your best bet would be to become an escort for an ambassador, but you would have to be an exceptional soldier, at least a sergeant with notable accomplishments, to acquire such a position.”

Tam’s face fell. “But, that’s not at all what it sounds like in the stories. They always talk about great battles and travels and unusual places around the world.”