Aurelian watched the arena with narrowed eyes, the roar of the crowd swelling around him as steel rang against steel below. Sibylla's suggestion earned a crooked smile.
"I know I am formidable," he said, lifting his cup slightly,
"but I don't stand anywhere near two former Mand'alors."
He let the words hang there a moment, gaze drifting back to the arena. The pair in the center moved with the calm certainty of people who had survived far worse than a group of determined foundlings. They were Aether's predecessors, right? That thought alone made his stomach tighten.
Aurelian took a long drink of ale to quiet it. The bitterness settled his nerves. Shiraya, he loved this place. Every time his cup neared empty he lifted it and, like magic, someone appeared with a refill. No servants. No ceremony. Just a cheerful refill and a slap on the shoulder from a stranger who already considered him a drinking companion.
He raised the mug again as another cheer rolled through the stands. Then Sibylla suggested he jump into the arena. He snorted.
"You won't catch me anywhere near that side of the barricade," he said plainly. His shoulder nudged hers with an easy grin.
"And you won't be either. Don't get any ideas." The grin lingered a moment before his eyes drifted back to the fight.
"Besides… she's got this."
He shouted with the crowd as the fighters surged forward. The arena erupted into motion, dust beginning to swirl as the Liberator moved across the field. Grit rose in a golden haze beneath the sunlight. Aurelian glanced down at his rough clothing and chuckled. Good thing he had worn peasant rags. He would have hated to see half the treasury's tailoring ruined by flying dirt!
Below them the Reclaimer stepped forward. Something about the way he looked at Adelle made Aurelian's stomach twist. The man didn't glance around the field. His focus stayed locked on her like a hunter watching a single piece of prey.
Aurelian's grip tightened around his mug. Then, without thinking, his other hand found Sibylla's. He didn't look at her. The contact was instinct. Fingers closing around hers as his attention stayed fixed on the arena.
Adelle moved first. Straight at him. Aurelian blinked.
"Why is she trying to take the Reclaimer's focus?" he muttered under the roar of the crowd. In his mind the answer was obvious. Let the others wear them down. Circle. Wait for an opening. Then strike for the win like a
civilized opportunist. Charging a former Mand'alor head on seemed… aggressively stupid.
He leaned forward against the railing. Then again, he thought, watching her blade flash toward the black-armored figure, maybe that was the point.
He lifted his mug again, half to the fight and half to steady himself.
"Shiraya," he muttered quietly,
"she really is going for it."