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“The surrounding farms and the city,” Ben told me as he admired the crowds. “Those unable to take time from work for the rest of the event do manage to make it to the last day where the winner will be crowned by the emperor himself.”
My eyes widened. “He’s going to be here?”
Sofia nodded. “The first men to test the thunders were his own guardsmen and so the emperor bestowed upon them great honors. That tradition has been maintained even after the pool of drives has expanded.”
Ben paused and readjusted the weight of the stack of fliers. “Perhaps now would be a good time to find our trio of compatriots and begin handing these out. We should find them at their tower.”
We swam our way through the flow of people and finally reached the tract. A few thunders bumped over the course on slow practice runs while their companies watched from the towers. Though it was still two hours away from the start time, the perimeter fence of the course was packed with spectators. Many others had used the badge privilege to acquire some nice spots on the grass on this side of the fence.
Two officials stepped into our path and one of them held up their hand. “A moment. We need to check your badges.”
Ben nodded at Sofia. “She has no badge, but she’s with us.”
“Alright,” the guard replied as he inspected them with a careful eye.
The other guard studied the stack of fliers. “What are those?”
Ben smiled and held one out to him. “A notice of a book I’m sure will interest many people.”
The guard took the paper and read over the contents before his eyebrows rose. “I forgot Peter was bringing something out. I’ve read some of his columns. He had a way with words, so this should be pretty interesting.”
“Focus,” his compatriot growled as he returned our badges. The other man hurriedly tucked the flier into his pocket. “You can go on your way, but mind you keep your badge close. There’s been a couple of counterfeits today.”
My eyes widened. “I thought that was bad.”
The guard nodded. “It is, but some people will do anything to see the races upfront. Now off with you.”
I couldn’t help but notice a newly constructed stand in the center of the race course. The stand was in the shape of a pyramid with a single, and very plush, seat at the top where anyone could turn and see the whole of the course without getting up. “What’s that?” I asked my more knowledgeable compatriot.
Ben looked at where I indicated. “The ‘tower’ for the emperor and anyone he’s invited. Anyone from the other towers may join him, but it’s generally frowned upon as abandoning one’s company for selfish reasons.”
I studied the area around us. “When does he get here?”
Ben nodded at the far side of the tract. “Generally a half hour before the race, and he enters through a gate at the far end of the course to avoid the crowds.”
Chase and Grant were at our tower watching Mouse take his laps. Bashful bumped past and Mouse waved at us. His welcome nearly caused him to steer into the grass around the outside of the tract. Grant slapped his hand over his face and Chase groaned.
“Everything going well?” Ben inquired as we reached them.
Grant slipped his hand off his face and folded his arms over his chest. “I think we’ve made a horrible mistake.”
“Better to use him as the bait than us,” Chase reminded him.
“If you gentlemen have the time-” Ben interrupted them as he pulled a load of papers off the top and thrust them into their hands, “-we could use some help handing these out. A good place to start would be the fence line.”
“And Millie and I will take the crowds in front of the arena,” Sofia offered as she took a couple of stacks for us.
“And that leaves me to navigate the swarm at the head of the vendor area,” Ben mused as he looked at each of us in turn with a serious expression on his face. “Don’t forget our true reason for being out there. Keep your eyes open for anything suspicious, but don’t attempt to interfere on your own unless you risk losing your prey. Understood?”
We all nodded and broke up to go to our positions. Sofia and I stood on either side of the arena entrance and passed out flier after flier. I kept my eyes open for Dr. Myer, but the weaselly man didn’t make his appearance, or none that I could see. There was every chance I could have missed him in the huge crowd that, as the noon hour approached, slowly made its way into the packed arena.
“Miss Lucas.”
The cool voice made me whip my head around in the direction of one of the ticket booths. Lady Trent stood nearby with her arm latched onto a gentleman of her age. While her eyes were cold, his were energized by the enthusiasm around them. A pair of tickets for the wealthy benches was clutched tightly in one hand and he wore a pin in the shape of a thunder on his lapel.
I managed a strained smile. “Good morning, Lady Trent.”
The mention of the name stirred the man from his scouring of the crowds and he turned to us. “Do you know this lovely young woman, my dear?”
