The training ground had been built by people who expected to fall down.
There was deep sand beyond the raised step, padded timber on the turning posts and a clear space after the final bell. The working stone between the stations was swept clean. A keeper with a watch stood beneath an awning, charging for timed turns and lending the ordinary protective pieces that careless visitors often forgot to bring.
Iven saw it on the five hundred and fifteenth day, at the two-hundred-and-forty-second kilometre.
Dema had allowed a long midday halt at the route town. The animals needed their scheduled care, Sall had two paid deliveries and Hadr had to hand over a sealed part of his case. Pevra went to find food. Enn found the training ground first and came back looking hopeful.
“You should look,” he told Iven.
“Why?”
“Because I want to see it done quickly.”
The keeper showed Iven the course before accepting his fee.
