"Hummph," the lord mayor clears his throat. "I'm sorry, lad, but the lady has little say here. The claim was made as compensation for an alleged slight, namely that Teirnly fell from stairs rather than-." He is cut off by a stern look from Currynt. "I mean, well, you see, the claim is also against the family and a wife is the normal currency. She can't decline the match based simply on the kind of man Tiernly is or what he's said he'd do to her. A lady simply can't rightly deny her lord in his chamber, except if it would likely cause her to be barren. And then it's a crime against his people for denying them an heir, rather than against her."<br/><br/>Currynt sighs, "We all know you know the law, Barrister Primus. Just get to the point."<br/><br/>"Yes, quite. Y'see, lad, only another suitor can challenge Tiernly's claim. And the challenger must always fight himself. Tiernly can call a champion because this claim centers on his maiming and the denial of his service to the Duke on the field. Now, normally, a lady can also call a challenger to answer her challenge. But since Lady Victoriana has no cause to decline, only one who also states he seeks her hand may issue the challenge.<br/><br/>"Of course, if the challenger loses, she must marry Tiernly and Mag-" Currrynt glares him into silence again.