The arena hummed with anticipation. News of House Draykar's arrest had spread through the capital like wildfire, thanks in no small part to Lady Mei's network of informants and messengers. By the time the last semifinal match was about to start, even the commoners in the market squares were whispering about elven spies and Draykar's deceit.
"I heard Lord Draykar was caught with elven markings on his body," one merchant whispered to another as Grim passed through the competitors' entrance.
"My cousin's wife works in the palace kitchens," another replied. "She says they found letters written in elven blood."
The rumors grew more outlandish with each retelling, exactly as Grim had hoped. Lady Mei had performed her role perfectly, seeding just enough truth to make the embellishments believable.
