Shelby escorted Kavenay back to where his household had set up living quarters, stopping as the man walked the last few steps to the tent door. A storm had started violently and they were being lashed by relentless rains but still Kavenay delayed, turning to look at him. "You saw that, right? You heard me tell my men to stop. I had no control over them, they did not act under my orders. You saw that."

"I saw you yell something at your men after losing and then them immediately launching into an attack that violated the King's Peace, injured one of our guests and possibly damaged an already fragile truce that we survive on, here on this island." Shelby growled back, stepping up to the other man, fighting the urge to vent his anger physically, " are you really this much of a dimwit? Did you not see how easily you were beaten? How quickly your men were incapacitated? The fight was over before you could even get off your ass. It took your two best fighters and don't believe for a moment I didn't recognize them, together, to injure him and even then he beat them, on one foot."

"If they're so dangerous, why are we even trying to placate them? We should be preparing for war against them, against their Wild, not some mysterious outside invaders." Kavenay snarled, squinting through the streams of water running down his face. "Why did they choose you? What is so special about Lord Shelby, the King's kept dog, that they would want to speak with you. You're not even worth being part of the King's council."

Shelby let the insults slide off of him. He had heard them from this man before, when they both were younger and proving their mettle with the Crown Prince. They had attended the Royal schools together, training to lead troops in war, run estates and represent the Kingdom.

Instead of reacting to them, he shook his head and slicked his wet hair from his face. "Because they believe that we are worth living with. They have taken a chance, given us an opportunity to live up to what our ancestors promised them and what we forgot about. Look back into our histories, where was your family when this Kingdom was founded? Mine was right where I am now, forging peace with the race that can help protect our nation."

"So you think we should side with them?" Kavenay snorted before he jumped as lightening flashed through the sky, reaching out towards him and followed immediately by a roar of thunder, "that's your council to the King?"

Shelby pointed up to the sky, before pulling his hair back from his face once more. Both of them were soaked through with rain now and the storm wasn't letting up. "This is what happens when Veranandein is angry, Kavenay. She's been fighting this tournament without using power. And before you scoff at that, look at my sword, you see how its pommel is glowing? Hear it singing out in tune with the storm? I don't think she realizes it, but her blades and mine both react when she uses power. She's beaten every opponent, without magic... and she can do this. Would you bet against them?"

Kavenay paled, watching him, before jumping back from another bolt of lightening as it arced across the sky, dancing unnaturally overhead. But he didn't respond, just turned and stalked into his tent without another word.

Shelby sighed and turned, making his way back towards the arena grounds, catching up with Benchan part way there, listening to his sergeant at arms report on what he had missed. "The four still haven't come to, they were all hit pretty hard but the healers don't think they're seriously injured. They're in their cells, where they can rot until the King sits his justice." Benchan sounded as angry as he felt, though they both paused and glanced worriedly up at the sky as the thunder began to quiet. They let out a breath in unison as the storm suddenly petered out and began to fade away as unnaturally as it had started.

Shelby braced himself for the long evening ahead of him, wondering how much damage had been done in the past hour. "Where is everyone, Benchan?"

"King is back at the keep, they got there just before the storm hit. Which was convenient for posterity sake as it's less dramatic than cutting a tournament day short because of the attack. It could be written off as the weather, if need be, to reduce the rumours." Benchan murmured thoughtfully, raising a brow as Shelby motioned for him to continue. They both knew that Shelby didn't care about rumours at the moment. "The three of them went back to the tournament tent and the men have been guarding it, no one has tried to go in but a couple healers have offered to attempt to help. If help will be accepted."

Shelby nodded and braced himself as he turned in that direction feeling a moment of pity for his men as he approached. All of them were soaked through, standing guard around the tent but the pity disappeared as he recognized their fierce expressions . These guards of his took their job seriously, even took pride in what they were doing. Still, he nodded to Benchan. "Make sure they switch out, at least long enough to get out of the wet clothing and warm up."

Benchan nodded and gave a couple directions to the guards, sending one of the men running to bring in replacements to allow them a rotating break for a meal and new clothing. Shelby nodded to him and then stepped up to the tent, glancing at the clear sky and the waning sun one last time and clearing his throat. He wasn't entirely sure what to say to gain entrance, but was saved the dilemma by Sencha's voice calling him in.

He took a look at the dark, swollen knee of Shaktay's and let out a soft curse, feeling his anger begin to rise once more. "Words don't begin to express..."

Verana shook her head sharply, standing up from where she had been crouching near her friend, watching him with an unreadable expression. She looked like she was fighting a war behind her eyes and he braced himself for an angry outburst that did not come. "No, Lord Shelby, you have nothing to apologize for. Neither does the King, nor anyone but the person we all know is responsible for this."

"It was worse before she started working on it, believe me." Shaktay offered him a crooked grin, surprising him with the levity in the normally dark and violent man.

"The four men who attacked you have been arrested, the King will sit judgement on them in the next couple days. But without any evidence proving his involvement, Kavenay will face judgement at a later date." Shelby said simply, forcing himself to breathe calmly to keep his anger at bay. Though he offered an explanation at their curious looks. "A circumstantial charge takes a lot more time to process."

Verana watched him quietly, thinking through the news before shaking her head again. "We do not wish those men to face judgement. Removed from our presence, yes. We will never trust them but we are not laying complaint against them. I will speak in their defence if need be."

"M'lady, they broke the King's Peace." Shelby said softly, looking at her in askance, wishing desperately to understand what was actually being said under those words. At a loss for an answer in her stoic expression, he glanced back to Benchan who looked none-too pleased himself, standing at the tent door.

"We do not see it as so. It was a fight, in the arena. Where people have agreed to fight. All three of us agree that we consented to fight.  I'm sure, the four of them will as well." Verana countered, setting her jaw stubbornly, narrowing her eyes. "Shaktay will not be healed by tomorrow, however."

Benchan cursed again, shaking his head when he drew their looks. "Look, I know it is the last thing on anyone's minds, with the whole world falling apart because of some Lordling's ego melt down. However, if Shaktay can't fight, then the rules allow his opponent to step in and continue."

"Then I'll put Kavenay down and he won't be getting up any time soon." Shelby growled at that, clenching his fists, half turning away as he fought to control his anger once more. "That little shit."

"No." Shaktay said sharply, growling right back at him, his features dark. "No, he doesn't get to win like that. He does not get to think he beat me. I will be there and the fight will happen, I could probably handle you with one foot, you're so big and slow."

He saw a wry bit of humour in the Feysha's expression as the last words were spoken but still, Shelby shook his head. "No. I don't win by fighting injured opponents."

"Then you win by not letting Kavenay get his way." Sencha said easily, from the corner, his words calm and calculated. "Once Shaktay does heal, you can have a real fight and then everyone will be satisfied. Besides, the humans would be very upset if they had to watch two Feysha fight for their King's honour. So we'll give you a fighting chance to beat our injured representative" There was a wry grin there too.

"Yes... you two are also fighting tomorrow, aren't you?" Shelby looked between Verana and Sencha thoughtfully. He could tell that he was watching them realize the truth of his statement about the same time as he spoke the words. He saw meanings behind their glances at one another that he couldn't begin to fathom.

"You all have a very long day ahead of you tomorrow. There are human healers who have offered to look at your leg, Shaktayleva, if you will let them." Benchan glanced to Shaktay, who inclined his head in acceptance. Benchan nodded and left the tent to have the healers sent for, leaving Shelby to watch the three Feysha with confusion.

"I don't know why you have chosen to give us the benefit of the doubt but don't think we don't notice." Shelby murmured softly, "we have stumbled so many times. It's a miracle that you have any faith in us left at all."

"The good Humans make up for the bad ones." Shaktay said thoughtfully, before glancing to Verana. "If healers are coming, you can conserve your energy. Don't think I don't see the Peace Swords singing to your power. Sencha, stop her, I'll be fine."

Verana opened her mouth to argue but before she could, Sencha moved to her side, placing his hand to the back of her neck. He ducked his head, murmuring something in their language and Verana's whole body relaxed. The humming of his sword stopped as her form drooped, leaving an odd emptiness to the air as he watched Sencha lead Verana to sit down, running his fingers through her hair as they moved. She seemed unfocused and half asleep and he struggled to understand what had just happened.

Shelby looked away from the two of them, only to shiver as he met Shaktay's gaze, seeing the unspoken warning there. After a moment of ordering his thoughts, he cleared his throat. "Duke Oliver had said he would be putting on a supper for close friends tonight. It would involve Ladies Reyani and Amiya, the King and myself. He had expressed interest in offering you an invitation, but after all this happened, he wanted to give you space if you desired. You are welcome, if you choose to come. You can return to your side of the river afterwards, we will have a boat to take you."

"Food would be a good idea. Breaking bread will help reassure everyone that there are no hard feelings." Sencha nodded to him as Benchan returned with two healers who cautiously entered the tent and moved towards Shaktay when the Feysha remained looking as unthreatening as they could.