Hibiki

  At its highest level, the business of Empire seldom relented, even on a Sunday afternoon, and it afforded little space for privacy. But His Eternal Majesty Hibiki Yamagoe had held his throne a very long time, and knew a trick or two. Now, as he was escorted through the hanging indoor gardens of this luxurious new skyscraper, he paused by an out-of-season rose and leaned close to study its long-bladed thorns. Lachlan appeared at his elbow on cue.

  Quietly, his voice velvet, Hibiki said, “The race finished?”

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  Lachlan did not need to ask which race, nor was he surprised that his master had known – to within ten minutes – that it was over. “Yes, milord.”

  “Phoebe?”

  “A convincing victory, milord.”

  “Olympia?”

  “Finished the race, but two laps behind.”

  “The other Hermeia rider?”

  The Emperor knew Arden Markwe’s name, of course, but Lachlan understood what he was asking. “Struggled with the conditions, milord. Royal Hermeia took no points.”

  His Eternal Majesty sighed, slowly and deliberately pressing his fingertip against one thorn. “That makes two of my dukes who will be very upset. Pirenne in particular. Perhaps it is time we began to cultivate a relationship with young Helia ourselves, before her father does anything rash.”

  Wednesday: Adelie - major update (711 words)

  Thursday: Ian - supplement (533 words)

  Friday: Phoebe - supplement (569 words)

  Saturday: Petunia - supplement (649 words)

  Sunday: Race (8529 words); DNN1 - supplement (203 words); Phoebe - supplement (103 words)

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  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)