After walking for a while in silence, Rezkin noticed his two companions had not said one word to him since they left the office, although they had muttered quietly to each other a bit. He would not have been concerned except that this was uncharacteristic behavior based on what he knew of them. When they reached a location of relative safety, he came to a halt and turned to them. Neither companion would meet his eye.

“What is it?” Rezkin asked.

They both shifted uncomfortably and glanced at each other. Frisha started to speak and then shut her mouth nodding toward Tam.

“Rez, it’s just … we don’t really feel right about what happened back there,” Tam finally managed to say.

Rez nodded in understanding, “You have to be prepared for this kind of thing. People will take advantage of you when they can.” At least, that is what the masters had taught him.

The young man and woman glanced at each other again, and Tam rubbed the back of his neck. “Is that what you did? Took advantage of him?” he asked.

Rezkin was surprised to say the least. “Me?”

“You were pretty forceful back there, and I can’t help but think we’re robbing the guy,” Tam said as Frisha nodded in agreement.

Rezkin frowned as he felt that tightness in his chest, again. He was becoming concerned that there might be something wrong with his heart or lungs. He put the thought aside to address his friends’ issues.

“The man was blatantly attempting to rob us. Riverboat passage to Kaibain from here should never cost more than a gold and a half and that is for a private berth—the kind a highborn lord or lady would require. My first offer was quite generous considering the service he was offering. Still, he tried to take advantage, hoping I did not know any better and was just haggling the price. My final offer of payment is only slightly less than what the king pays for transportation of his soldiers. That old man is not put out in the least.”

His words were firm, but his voice was calm and unemotional. “Do you realize that he could actually be thrown in the dungeon for what he was attempting? At the very least, he would lose his boats and licenses and receive a hefty fine. I am still mulling over the decision not to report him, and you are taking offense to my actions?”