Tybal's dramatic plea had created a brief stir in the Imperial Box, but thankfully, that stir hadn't extended to an outbreak of violence. From the look of him, Taghai was ready to charge across the room to begin the fight himself if Ashlynn showed any sign of denying him a chance to face Reynold.
Since she didn't, he managed to hold himself back. At least for now.
Still, the situation was tense enough that Ashlynn wasted no time in moving matters forward.
"Reynold," Ashlynn said, addressing herself to the young lord rather than his kneeling, defeated father. "Do you have a preference for who will begin?"
"Let me," Erling said, stepping up next to Reynold. "I know you'd prefer to ride out first," Erling said quietly. "After everything your father just said, you should take the time to clear your mind. Regain your focus. Let me go first."
