Inside again, Aera was met by another maid, one she didn't recognize, and motioned toward the dining hall. When Aera gave her a questioning mount, the maid explained. "The Royal Family will head down to the tournament together, my Lady. When the Prince is back downstairs, you'll head out."

Hiding the shock from her face Aera turned and followed the maid. So I'm actually part of the family, now? That was new. Normally they went out without her and she had to arrive alone. The Queen and Princess Risa were there already, chatting happily about which of the knights and contestants they thought would win. She approached them and stood silently off to the side, not wanting to interrupt them. Risa graciously invited her to converse with them. "Aera, tell me." She waved the elf over. "Who do you think will win?"

"My Prince, of course." She said automatically. [i]Taris, of course.[/i] She knew an elf's skill in archery, and there was something about Taris that said he meant business.

Risa made a face. "I doubt that one. Kasca got him drunk again, so I'm putting my coin on Haxfur." Haxfur was one of the newer knights, and Aera could tell Risa had a sweet spot for him, and he her. He was rather charming, even she could admit. Ruddy hair and green eyes, he had stolen the hearts of many of the women, and of course he set his sights on the princess.

When Kentaro came downstairs, out of his hunting clothes and in his formal archery attire, he took Aera's arm and they went out. It was a short walk to the tourney grounds, where a large wooden structure rose, the back decorated in summer colored tapestries. Kentaro walked the women, Aera on his arm, to the dias in the center of the wooden platform, before taking his leave to join the other contestants. 
They waited for a bit before Lilith raised her arms and the crowd fell silent, some of the commoners cheering and calling her name from the far sides. "It is my joy to welcome you all to our summer archery tournament. May your hand aim true and your arrows fly straight!"
The women sat as the tournament herald began reading the lists. Aera sat and half listened, wondering who they'd set up against Taris.