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Some of the people in front of Miyuki heard her comment and looked down at her.

"Why don't you go through us?" a woman suggested, stepping aside. "Go ahead, we're all tall enough to see over you." She reached forward and tapped on the shoulder of a man who was just in front of her. "Caunnon, let the sol and her friends through."

The man glanced back over his shoulder and smiled. "Of course." he stepped aside and passed on the message, and within seconds there was a small path for Miyuki and the others to pass through so that they could stand on the inside of the circle.

River, Jess, Amalirahc and Aranxia followed after Miyuki. They weren't much shorter than the other elves around them, but they did want a good view, and they also wanted to stick with Miyuki. Andarien sneaked through another side of the circle with Eon and Ponydash and ended up near Miyuki's friends from the city. The group spotted Miyuki as she entered the circle and waved to her, though there was no time for them to join her before the spar.

A shadow fell over the crowd. Alassëa's falcon was skimming over the open area, and it returned quickly to her shoulder, flapping its wings once before settling. She was kneeling on the ground, gripping her staff loosely. Aethos was standing behind her, looking somewhere between worried and eager.

A hush fell over the crowd as Caranthir himself stepped forward and raised one arm for silence.

Alassëa's sparring partner was a big man, well muscled, and when Caranthir raised his hand he turned and stood at attention like a soldier.

Caranthir cleared his throat and spoke loudly.

"It seems word of this spar has spread much further than we thought it would," he chuckled, "and so, to make sure that we all know what's going on, please allow me to explain."

He motioned towards the man against whom Alassëa would be sparring. "Now, I do know that all of you know Lieutenant Randir."

A general cheer rose. It was indeed quite clear that the people knew the man very well, and knew something of his fighting ability.

Caranthir raised one hand again for silence, and once again, silence fell.

"Over here is someone few of you have met," he said, equally loudly, "though I hope that you shall each grow to know her soon. As all of you know, Aethos-sola has been gone for a few years, visiting other lands. As you can see, he has returned, and with him he has brought the woman whom he wishes to marry. I give you all, your future sol, Alassëa!"

There was another cheer, fairly loud, but a bit strangled. Alassëa rose slowly, gripping her staff. She seemed a little uncertain at the half-cheer, but Aethos put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She smiled.

"Now," Caranthir went on, raising his hand once more, "most of you already find it hard to believe that Alassëa has really agreed to spar against the lieutenant. They are so very different in stature!"

There was a murmur of agreement, and no wonder: besides being twice as thick as Alassëa (in muscle alone), he was also half a head taller, which made him much larger and stronger.

"But - and I will not blame you if you do not believe what I am about to say, I hardly believed it myself at first - Alassëa is also fully and completely blind!"

At that, there were shouts of outcry and dismay, and a few voices even added that it wasn't a fair fight.

Aethos leaned forward and murmured something to Alassëa, and she nodded at him. She didn't look too bothered by Caranthir's introduction of her, though those who knew her well might be able to detect a hint of irritation that the crowd seemed to be underestimating her abilities.

"If he does, it will be the biggest mistake in the spar," River said excitedly. She always loved watching Alassëa fight. While she herself was fairly skilled with a staff, she would never be as good as Alassëa. It didn't bother her, but she did love to see her old teacher in action.

"You are sure about this, yes?" Jess asked uneasily. He of course had never seen her fight before, and had no experience from which to draw.

Aranxia smiled at him. "I've never seen her fight, but I'm quite certain that she will be just fine," she assured him softly. "Miyuki, River and Amalirahc have confidence in her, and that is enough for me."

Amalirahc was still full of energy, and he was dancing from one foot to the other, biting his nails in excitement.

"She's a really good teacher," Amalirahc added as Caranthir stepped to to the middle of the circle.

The king called the participants forward. The lieutenant gripped his staff firmly and strode forward confidently, but Alassëa held her staff in an overhand grip and felt her way forward, tapping carefully at the ground.

At the sight of Alassëa moving forward in such a typically handicapped fashion, the crowd began to murmur again, stopping only when she and the lieutenant shook hands and took a step back in preparation for the match.