"Not precisely, but you're on the path," Romeo said, weirdly grateful Arthur had asked a reasonable question.

"Tybalt challenged me to a duel. I sought to keep peace with him, because of ... personal reasons. Another very long story." Though, going at this rate, he'd probably get through it too. He drew a breath. "And, too, our households were under an order from the city not to fight. But Mercutio -- and I cannot blame him -- hated my cowardice and took the part in the fray that ought to have been mine; he was stabbed. I chased Tybalt and he fell." Bitterness crept into his voice. "My punishment was to be banishment. They thought it an act of mercy."