Tayyib reached out a hand to help Tahigwa up, but to his relief, she was able to stand on her own. He was considerably more unsettled by the rather false smile. What do you say to that? Words -- from him, anyway -- would hardly help here. In the absence of words, he gave her a low bow, according respect to a worthy opponent. She likely wouldn't have seen it on her way to the exits, he supposed, but it needed to be done.

Standing in the arena as she made her dignified exit, he watched the departing Alkidike for a long moment. As he finally made his way to the exits, he wondered if there were someone in the stands waiting for her; he hoped there would be.