while aurane did bring armor to the tourney -- it was expected, as a prince of the realm -- he did not expect to do anything more than watch the others. but he also did not expect aerion to break a woman's finger and then get bested by a hedge knight.
this visit with family has brought more surprises than aurane could have asked for, including -- " you wish for me to fight with you. in the trial. " it is a statement, not a question. maybe he should have expected it, and was stupid to think that he could escape such a thing. they would want a united front to back aerion, and that, of course, included daeron and aurane. there is no escaping it now, but the prince does try. he keeps his voice low, his hands clasped behind his back as he stands in front of maekar. " father, i have no true experience with such things. " he begins, but his voice is weak. he knows it is a losing argument. " i may do nothing more but be a hinderance, and in matters such as these, it should be important that aerion have the best of men at his side. " but was aurane not one of those ? or, more of a failure in argument, even daeron is participating. should he not join, as well ? aurane swallows. " kostilas, kepus. i have no wish for this. aerion should not mind if i abstain. "
