And I have none for myself. Alain presses his lips together, closing his eyes. His skills should be used for war, not for sport. His comrades are dying. The last thing he can spare hope for right now is that he'll make a good competitor.

Aloud, he says slowly, "If I can find Roland, mayhap. We've fought off armies before. This is..." A little smile, one that twitches into existence without meeting his eyes. "This is doable."