Hibiki

  The Imperial Box was a long, dark room, configured for privacy. The central fixture was a throne, modest by Imperial standards but still quietly grandiose, set well back from the tinted window. His Eternal Majesty Hibiki Yamagoe did not come to the races to watch dragons sport. Now, he sat the red velvet upholstery with his right ankle on his white-trousered left knee, attention focussed on the small tablet supported by a boom arm unfolded from down the side of the seat. The commentators' audio whispered from the device itself.

  Presently, Hibiki raised his arm, hand close to his shoulder, with a single finger upraised. Someone moved quietly in the dark behind him, and a silky voice purred, "Milord?"

  "This Phoebe Tenryuu. She's a Hyperio, like Tinbru says?"

  "Yes, milord. The second daughter of Duke Pirenne and Lady Maria."

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  "Young Helia's younger sister."

  "As you say, milord."

  "But she races under an assumed name. All is not well at House Hyperio, it seems."

  The figure in the dark waited a deferent pause before answering the implicit question. "There was a falling-out in late 1452, milord. Phoebe competed in the junior competitions with her family's support, but the Duke refused to back her for the Imperial League."

  "And yet here she is, with a lunar drake of mysterious provenance. And if this Tenebrae team runs on a shoestring, today's result suggests they nevertheless run. Someone is backing her, a fact which could cause all kinds of strife if dear Pirenne so chooses."

  "My sources tentatively suggest a connection to the Castelloro gang, milord."

  "Interesting. Angelo has some different priorities to his uncle."

  "I believe it is more a matter of Phoebe being very persuasive."

  "When did Castelloro come by a breeding stable?"

  "That detail eludes me, milord. I hope to have more information for you soon; I have an asset on the ground in Rindburg already."

  "Good work. I knew I could trust you to be on top of this, Lachlan."

  "Thank you, milord."

  Tuesday: Petunia - major update (611 words)

  Wednesday: Ian - supplement (568 words)

  Thursday: Adelie - supplement (855 words)

  Friday: Brynna - major update (1489 words)

  Saturday: Brynna - supplement (266 words)

  Sunday: Race (3220 words)

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  Second race: Buildup starts June 10th, race day June 16th

  Third race: Buildup starts June 17th, race day June 23rd

  Fourth race: Buildup starts June 26th, race day July 7th

  Fifth race: Buildup starts July 8th, race day July 20th

  Sixth race: Buildup starts July 22nd, race day 4th August

  Seventh race: Buildup starts 5th August, race day 12th August

  Eighth race: Buildup starts 13th August, race day 18th August

  Ninth race: Buildup starts 19th August, race day 25th August

  Tenth race: Buildup starts 26th August, race day 1st September

  Mid-season break: 4th-8th September

  Eleventh race: Buildup starts 9th September, race day 15th September

  Twelfth race: Buildup starts 16th September, race day 22nd September

  Thirteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd September, race day 6th October

  Fourteenth race: Buildup starts 7th October, race day 13th October

  Fifteenth race: Buildup starts 14th October, race day 20th October

  Sixteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd October, race day 27th October

  Seventeenth race: Buildup starts 30th October, race day 10th November

  Final race: Buildup starts 11th November, race day tbd (likely 1st week in December)