You smile, answer questions, and do your best to shine as bright as the sun.

Finally, the announcer calls the crowd back. Some of the royal princes start chants for their favorite riders. You smile a little when your name begins to drown out the rest. The whole crowd weaves back toward the city gates as the announcer turns to address the contestants.

“Riders,” he says. “You now have exactly ten clockturns to inspect rival horses. As is the custom, no writing materials are allowed. Anyone caught with eye-cameras or recording devices forfeits their right to participate in the Races. You may begin.”

And so the Races begin.

You move with methodical precision. You do not spare glances for the other riders, because you only have so much time to take in all the details. Naturally, you head straight for Adrian’s horse first. You’re more sure than ever that he is your greatest threat. And gods, the thing is massive. You ignore the placard and circle the horse yourself. You want to drink it in with your own eyes. It’s a lovely creature. No surprise there. You’ve always wondered if Adrian’s size might work against him. Bravos has always had similar troubles. Both of them are too big. You are the right size and make for a proper rider. Adding thirty more pounds really tests a horse down the final stretches. But on a horse like this one…

“It’s perfect for him.”

Across the clearing, Adrian has made his way to your horse. There’s an intensity to the way he circles and studies, digging for the answers that might help him succeed on the first stretch. Clearly he’s more than a finely carved statue. The thought has you smiling.

You refocus, circling back to the front of his horse. The creature shuffles inside of the barrier and you take note of the almost-hidden claws. There are telling bulges along the backs of the legs, too. Your eyes flick down to the placard, and the written description confirms your guess. He’s chosen to start the Races with a Ravenous rebirth.

Pretty damn clever. It’s the kind of rebirth that’s built for riding tight. His horse will thrive in a more predatory role. It will welcome contact and interlopers, and after his interview, Adrian Ford is sure to have plenty of both. You watch for a few seconds. The unsettled horse pulls back its lips long enough to flash dagger-sharp teeth to match the razor-like claws. Anyone who presses Adrian on the first day is in for a nasty surprise. You know the only weakness to this particular rebirth is that they can be a little rebellious. Weaker riders can’t hold them on a steady course, but you saw Adrian without a shirt on. He’s not going to have a problem reining a horse in.