And, like the crackling of thunder rumbling across the field, tension fissures, easing, escaping from the back and bones of the soldier crowd. There, crisis averted.

"See, friends? No trouble here." And the old man nods along, his point proven. "Our new friend only doesn't know Lord Arha. So, he wants himself a woman. What hasn't? He no different than the next. And her... well. Ain't worth him, but."