You swallow your instinctual response. What is yours will be his. You know the girl is here to help you win, and the reality of that has you worried again. What if she mistakes Bravos for a target? What if she can’t stop herself from taking action as you come down the stretch?

“Bravos is not an enemy.”

Quinn nods. “Understood.”

You let out a little sigh of relief.

“Well, Quinn, I don’t really know how all of this works. I can tell you that you’re with one of the best phoenix riders in Furia. I have the map memorized and we’re in a great position. But…” You hesitate. “What do you actually get out of all this? What’s in it for you?”

The girl doesn’t respond immediately. In silence, the two of you stare down at the unlit valley below. You can just make out the silhouettes of four riders there. All grouped together. Teaming up for the first night, only to betray each other at sunrise. You can’t help wondering where Adrian Ford and Imelda Beru are camped. The shadows are too thick to pick them out.

Quinn answers, “This is the only chance we have to escape our bondage.”

“But haven’t you already escaped it? If you’re here?”

Quinn reaches out and sets a cold hand against your cheek.

“Feel that?” she asks. “I’m here and not. Alive and dead. If I can help you here, I’ll go back to our world as one of the revived. The revived have power in our world. Some do not return. The rumor is that they go on to other worlds. But I will not do that. My friends and family are waiting for me. I will return and I will stand up to our former masters.”

Masters. It’s not hard to figure out she’s referring to the gods. In this world, they’re powerful allies for you and your people. Quinn doesn’t see them that way. She clearly thinks them cruel. You imagine they are. A shiver runs down your spine as you recall the Madness.

“So we finish the Races. And then you…go back?”

“I revive. There are only twenty or thirty revived ones in our world. Some end up joining the masters. The taste of power is too tempting. But there are some…” She pauses, and it’s like she’s looking down into her world. “Some fight for the enslaved. I intend to join them.”

You nod, even though it makes as much sense as the stars. Deep down, you realize you’re afraid of Quinn. You remember the footage of other Races that involved the Madness. Some riders performed impossible feats. Others were shoved over cliffs. You know your mother’s gift will likely prove useful, but until then, you’re just hoping to keep her happy and on your side.

“And your world, is it really so bad?”