She entered the passage with Resme beside her.
The change came at once. The sun faded behind stone, and the sound of the arena dulled as they descended. The air below smelled of sweat, herbs, leather, and blood. Servants moved quickly along the walls with basins and folded cloth. A healer passed them carrying a tray of small bottles. He bowed so suddenly that the liquid inside one vial shook against the glass.
Metheea continued without slowing.
Resme matched her pace.
After a few turns, the noise above became distant enough for speech.
"The court will approve of your concern," Resme said.
Metheea looked ahead. "That is the part they are allowed to approve."
Resme's grip tightened slightly on the ledger. "He won in front of everyone. You left him kneeling, then returned the honor to him through the Regent's words. Some will think you delayed because you were uncertain. Others will think the delay was meant to make the oath more valuable."
"And what do you think?"
