Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

Hargen looks around, assessing which of the finalists has more fan support.

The majority of the aristocracy, including the regents and their son, are rooting for Alog. The son, however, primarily anticipates a fair fight, and only then a victory for his comrade. Some commoners in their late twenties, almost all the tournament participants, and wealthy townspeople, especially master craftsmen, also support Alog. On Sandar's side are most of the commoners and the dregs of society, especially women and younger people. Wealthy merchants are more interested in the bets than the fighters, and many of them have placed significant sums on Sandar – the odds on him are higher. Raimund Mark is watching Sandar very closely, but he doesn't seem to be rooting for anyone in particular. From his box seat, holding a goblet in his left hand and his right hand on the shoulder of the woman in black sitting next to him, he simply hopes to enhance his personal oasis of comfort with the spectacle of a good fight.
“And what about you? Who are you rooting for?” asks Sigeber. “I’m rooting for Sandar. The noble elites have already secured two places for themselves; let the common people win for once. Besides, I haven’t shared a drink with the ‘red’ team in a tavern.”