Phoenix Feathers, Part II

Chapter 12

Disclaimer: Joss is Boss, and…and…and all these ideas floating around in my head are mostly his doing. So it’s really just a lesser version of something that he could do much better. And I personally wouldn’t have any complaints if he did…

***

Koyi led the way to their designated section while Nebula and Cody gawked at the ringside vendors peddling wares, which were even more varied and unusual than the diversions found in the Bazaar; Jugglers, fire-eaters, snake charmers, magicians, acting troupes- even a fasting artist and his manager, whose shouts were lost in the roar of the crowd- all of the wild arts of the frontier were represented in the gently spiraling passages of the Dyton City Arena.

They climbed the ramp that led to their section and stopped, gazing out into the vastness of the Arena for the first time.

“Ai ya!” exclaimed Nebula. “you could fit twenty Stallions in here!”

It was true- on either side of where they stood, the stands stretched out in rows upon rows of seats that were quickly filling up with thousands of people. It was a far more impressive sight than any of them had thought- the Arena was much larger than its towering exterior had suggested.

Cody shaded his eyes from the sunlight that once again beat down on their heads, and frowned. “Where’re we sitting, doc?”

“Pretty far away,” answered Koyi. Over the youthful mechanic’s groan, she pointed down the massive artificial slope of the grand stands towards the huge field.

“That way. Row Five.”

Cody whooped and set off ahead of the others, Nebula and Phoenix in tow, followed by Koyi. The four crewmembers made their way sideways through their crowded row, found their seats, and waited for the spectacles to begin.

***

At the top of the stairs, a cloaked figure detached itself from the shadows around it and moved off a short distance down the corridor. At once, six other figures moved to cluster around it. Each man carried himself with deadly assuranc