“I don’t,” Dectus said. “The Waystar always looks like your favorite shade of your favorite color. No matter who you are.”
“My favorite color changes sometimes,” Kendra said.
“If that is true, the Waystar will transform to suit your fancy,” Dectus said.
“Can you tell me where Madam Ladonna lives?” Kendra asked.
“Easy,” Dectus said. “And I can sneak you into Stratos.”
“Do you know where she keeps the Waystar?” Kendra asked.
“I’m not sure,” Dectus said. “But expect it to be on display.”
“Can I bring some friends?” Kendra asked.
“Whoever you fully trust,” Dectus said.
Kendra nodded. With Warren, Vanessa, and Tanu along, she suspected she could succeed. Having help from Dectus with the dragon war would be important, especially since Ronodin had gained the Giant Queen’s trust. The dark unicorn had to be setting up Titan Valley for a fall. Maybe Dectus could help her track down Seth as well.
“I’ll do it,” Kendra said.
Dectus scowled. “If you get caught, I won’t be able to help you. I will disavow all knowledge of this conversation.”
“What will Madam Ladonna do to us if she catches us?” Kendra asked.
Dectus shuddered. “Don’t get caught.”
“Would she put a spell on us?” Kendra pursued.
“Don’t get caught,” Dectus repeated.
“Tomorrow morning?” Kendra asked.
“Bring those who will accompany you to my office before daybreak,” Dectus said. “I’ll trust your judgment on whom you select.”
“And I’ll trust that the Waystar is important enough to risk our lives,” Kendra said.
Dectus nodded. “It is, if you hope to win the dragon war.”
If we arrive early, there are extra ways to earn access tokens for the arena,” Virgil said as they moved along the street in the crisp, predawn twilight.
“You mentioned there’s no rule against sneaking in,” Seth said.
“As long as you don’t get caught at the door,” Virgil said. “The guards are really vigilant, though. I don’t know a reliable way to avoid them. It’s better to earn admission.”
Hermo and Reggie remained back at Virgil’s place. Seth had been worried about having to earn tickets for too many individuals. And Calvin had wanted to do some exploring on his own. “Don’t you get in free?” Seth asked. “You’re a researcher!”
“To some extent, everyone in Humburgh studies the Titan Games,” Virgil said. “Some hope to participate. Others make money off the contestants. Many profit from those who come to watch.”
“Where do you fit in?” Seth asked.
“I hope to help solve the Games,” Virgil said. “Without participating. That puts me in the minority. I’m not trying to personally win or to profit financially, either, though a satyr has to eat.”
“Why did Dante recommend you?” Seth asked.
Virgil chuckled. “Dante sees one value to me. I’m good at picking winners and losers. And Dante runs most of the betting in Humburgh.”
“People can bet on the Games?” Seth asked.
“It’s a big business,” Virgil said. “I’m one of the experts Dante checks with before setting odds. He listens to several of the best.”
“He pays you?” Seth asked.
“Yes, to consult,” Virgil said. “I make enough to get by. I pay my way into the Games about half the time. Otherwise I earn free admission.”
“Why not just bet on the Games yourself?” Seth asked.
“Gambling isn’t my style,” Virgil said. “It can ruin a person.” He pointed up ahead. “Here is the Arena Plaza.”
The street ended at a sprawling square with more people milling about than Seth had expected so early in the morning. Businesses lined the sides of the square, some with their doors already open, and vendors were setting up booths and carts. One storefront had an outer wall made entirely of barrels, another was covered in thick fur, and a third had a maze of ladders as the facade.
At the center of a park in the middle of the plaza stood a bronze statue of a centaur battling a minotaur, shields raised, weapons swiping, frozen in a moment of desperate combat. Around the statue stood four modest stone buildings with large doors facing outward. The doors were closed, with a pair of armed guards in front of each.
Virgil led Seth over to a blank wall between two businesses. “This is one of the most interesting stores in the plaza.”
“The wall? Are you serious?”
“I’m sharing a secret,” Virgil said. “Stand right here.”
Seth complied.
“Don’t face the wall,” Virgil said. “Face me. Watch my finger.”
Seth turned so the wall was on his left. He stared at Virgil’s finger, which moved slowly toward him, then to one side, then down, then away.
“Keep your focus on my finger,” Virgil said. “But pay attention to the wall.”
Seth fought the urge to glance directly at the wall while trying to stay aware of it. As his gaze tracked the moving finger, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a door that he had not previously seen. When he glanced at it, the door was no longer there.
“You saw it?” Virgil asked.
“A door,” Seth said.
“Very good,” Virgil said. “That was quick. Try to spot it again without my finger.”
Seth focused in a similar direction to where the satyr’s finger had been, and after a moment he caught sight of the door again. “I see it.”
“Don’t look at it directly, but approach it,” Virgil coached. “Keep it on the edge of your vision. Walk sideways.”
Seth kept the door in his peripheral vision and started toward it, legs crossing every other step. He found it unsettling to approach a door he sensed more than saw. He wanted to look right at it but maintained the discipline of looking away.
“You’re doing great,” Virgil said. “Keep your eyes averted, and then take the handle once you get close enough.”
After a couple more steps, Seth reached out, his fingers curling around the rough wooden handle. “Got it.”
“I know, because I can’t see you anymore,” Virgil said. “If you keep hold of the handle, you can look at the door.”
The door was made of thick, reddish wood, battered and scarred. The handle was meant only for pulling, not for turning. He tugged, but the door refused to budge.
“It’s
