Away on the dais, Aera watched Kasca and Taris, her face blank but her heart beating fast. She had wanted to see Kasca mercilessly defeated, hoping to see his tall ego wounded. But it clearly wasn't going to happen. Her eyes narrowed as Kasca mocked Taris openly, who was obviously struggling to stand upright, let alone shoot an arrow straight. 

Its the sun, she thought, remembering her agony the first time she'd had to be in it. It was a fever filled, agonizing haze. She fidgeted in her seat, feeling her lower back press against the chair. The scar that ran across her skin had nearly killed her that day had never healed, and she had been suffering under its fever when she'd first walked the world during the day.
Watching Taris now, she could only imagine the agony he was in. Pitying him, she wanted to go and help but knew doing so would raise questions. 

So instead she watched. 
When Taris shot his final arrow and brought Kasca to a surprising defeat, Aera had to resist standing and applauding with the other elves to the side. She was hated enough.

Taris immediately walked off and vanished into his tent. While the crowd was caught between praising the victor and booing the elf, Aera stood and left the dais.

Outside Taris' tent stood a group of elves, slaves and thieves. They gave her a fearful glance as she approached. “Is he alright?” She asked the little elf standing before him. Another darted into the tent while the one before Aera answered. 
“He's in bad shape, my Lady.”
Aera frowned and pushed her way into the tent. Taris sat bent over in a chair, covered in towels while other elves were pouring water over his skin. She watched, standing to the side, noticing his extreme discomfort. It bothered her. 

“You just had to beat him.” She said at last. 
Taris lifted his head to look at her, his expression tense. “Beat who?” He asked shortly.
The pale elf shook her head and stepped forward, taking his chin in her hands and lifting his face, her other hand pulling up one of the towels from his black shoulder. His flesh was cracked and raw, and her own skin crawled at the sight of it. “Does this help?” She asked, not looking at his face. The water would hydrate his skin again, yes, but would it heal it? “I have a salve in my chambers that will help if you need.” Finally her eyes met his.