It was clear to Rene that Totlya was completely baffled but this turn of events. The young Kalderi had obviously rehearsed the scene in his mind so many times that the radical divergence from his expectations was too much for him to quickly compute. It certainly didn't help that the conversation was being held in a language that he was unfamiliar and was struggling to follow, especially as the nuance increased. Totlya seemed to hesitate opening and closing his mouth and then lowered his eyes. Lithyll quickly stepped forward and raised his hands.

"Totlya no longer speaks as challenger," Lithyll declare in a sonorous voice. Andalyll was at his side at a moment, he glanced at Totlya briefly conflicted but then nodded his head.

"Agreed, there is no challenge," Andalyll agreed lifting his hands also. There was a murmur of approval that ran through the crowd. Totlya opened his mouth to object, but then, in a very human fashion, his shoulders slumped as he gave over the idea of the challenge. Rene wasn't sure whether it was fear or a reluctance to take on a community consensus, perhaps it was both. Seizing the moment Rene stepped forward and put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Is there anyone else? Any other challengers, speak now or hold your peace," he declared. Lithyll gave him a startled look but spoke in his own tongue in what Rene presumed was a translation. There was a negative buzz from the crowd and many faces looked at Totlya in what might have been embarassment. Rene removed his hand from his sword and smiled encouragingly. 

"Good," he went on, "let this be a night for new friends and new experiences, with no more talk of violence or strife." That bought a louder rumble and several Kalderi beat their wings in enthusiastic agreement. Rene stepped back to Solae. Lithyll smiled approvingly.

"That was well done Duchess Falia, and you too Sir Rene, I think there will be no more trouble this evening," Lithyll said though his tone was more hopeful than certain to Rene's ears. Andalyll was speaking to the crestfallen young Kalderi in low hushed tones.

"What is all that about? Saying he had no voice I mean?" Rene asked. Lithyll glanced at his counterpart.

"As your representative I knew it was not your wish to fight a challenge so I seized the first chance I had to head it off," Lithyll told them. That wasn't precisely what Rene had meant but he supposed he would follow the Kalderi's logic rather than his own.

"And what about Andalyll, isn't he supposed to be our adversary?" Rene queried.  

"The word is an imperfect translation Sir Rene, though he would have insisted on Totlya's rights if he himself had not faltered," Lithyll explained. Rene nodded.

"But he took the first excuse he could too," Rene pressed, wanting to understand what had just happened. Lithyll gave him a strange smile.

"Likely he feared you would kill or maim him Sir Rene, we have seen Marines in action on your news holograms. Totlya is hurting but he is no warrior and would have been of little match for you. In his grief though he could have forced you to kill or seriously injure him."

"So Andalyll wanted to prevent unnecessary bloodshed?" Rene asked, thinking that he began to see the pattern in Kalderi actions. Lithyll chuckled.

"All Kalderi wish to prevent unnecessary bloodshed Sir Rene, but Totlya is Andalyll's sister's offspring. Such relationships are not as close among our people as they are among yours, but he would have been more grieved than most to see the boy hurt."

"Duchess Falia," Andayall broke in, leading Totlya to her. The boy looked agitated but resigned, which Rene took to be a good sign.

"Totlya accepts your offer to investigate this wrong doing and would speak with you," he told the beautiful aristocrat. The Kalderi gave his  younger kinsmen a stern look.

"He speaks with the Voice of the Wronged, but NOT with the Voice of the Challenger," Andalyll admonished.