The bordering wall of the course is some thirty lengths high. It’d be impossible to climb if not for the raised, metallic circles covering the entire surface, the help of my switch whip, and some fancy alchemy. There are eleven rows from top to bottom, and they stretch left and right as far as I can see. Each circle contains a face. Dividian faces, Ashlord faces, Longhand faces.

Thousands of fans that weren’t content with watching the government’s public cuts of the footage. They want to walk the course and follow their favorite riders. I don’t understand all the tech, but I know folks on the bottom row purchased vid packages that follow a single rider. Maybe they’re obsessed with Pippa, or a fan of mine, or viewers from the Reach. But each row up the wall gives viewers more access to more riders. I’m not surprised to see the top row filled with Ashlord faces. The only people in the Empire who can afford to pay for full access to all the riders, all the fights, all the tense moments we see every year in the Races.

Ayala explained that it’s a technological grid. Whatever that means. Apparently between the two metal barriers, the Racing Board’s got eyes and ears on everything. They miss nothing, and neither do the fans who subscribe for the extra services. Previous racers have claimed they could feel the viewers walking around. A strange, hair-raising chill in the air.

All it means to me is that people are watching. They see me now, at the edge of the course. They watched me walk my ashes here in the night and I know both fans and officials are curious. What’s the Alchemist going to do next?

The answer is simple. I plan to do what any good alchemist would do.

I’m going to make something out of nothing.

Night burns its way into dawn, and I sit beside my ashes, in the shadow of the metal barrier, staring at the faces. Are the Dividian watching me? Will they take hope from what I’m about to do? Are Father and Mother somewhere in the vast rows? Maybe on the opposite wall? I hope they didn’t waste their money, because they’ll only get half the show they wanted.

My eyes drift to that upper row. It feels appropriate to see Ashlord faces filling it. They’re so fond of putting their own kind above us. And now it just means they’ll have the best view of my rebellion. Witness me, I think. Watch as I break every one of your precious rules.