“This is basically a war chariot,” Kyniska explained. “Made to be as light and as fast as possible. They’re fragile, easily smashed.”
“Kind of like airplanes,” Amelia said. She was wearing her flight helmet and goggles.
“Racers may not purposely cause another cart to crash,” Kyniska said. “Though it happens all the time. Racers ram each other’s chariots. They beat each other with whips. Nothing is done about it.”
Amelia pulled the reins, guiding the team around a stone pillar at one end of the arena.
“Turns are the most dangerous part,” Kyniska said. “Drivers crash into the post or get tangled in one another’s reins and get dragged, trampled.”
The chariot swung around the pillar and headed back up the track. There was another pillar at the other end of the field.
“Good, very good,” Kyniska said.
“It’s a bit like flying,” said Amelia.
“You will do well,” Kyniska declared. “My horses know what to do. Stay upright, and we will win.”
Sally, Abby, and Doc walked down the slope to the track. They’d left the tent and beard behind. Doc still had the olive crown in his pocket.
The chariot slowed to a stop. Kyniska and Amelia Earhart hopped out.
“There you are, children,” Amelia said.
Abby introduced Sally. Amelia introduced Kyniska.
Sally’s eyes lit up. “The first woman to win at the Olympics!”
“That’s the plan,” Kyniska said.
Sally ran to the chariot and jumped in.
“Careful, child!” Kyniska called.
“I always wanted to try one of these!” Sally yelped. She stood in the chariot, pretending to bounce up and down.
Abby turned to Amelia. “Why were you driving the chariot?”
“Practicing for the big race tomorrow,” Amelia explained.
“You?” Doc asked. “Women can’t compete at the ancient Olympics. Can’t even watch from the stands.”
Amelia tapped her helmet.
“Yeah, but …” Abby began. “What about the whole naked thing?”
“Right,” Amelia said, suddenly worried. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Chariot racers compete in long robes,” Kyniska said. “So drivers are not skinned alive when they fall from their chariots.”
“When they fall?” Abby asked.
“Well, if,” Kyniska corrected. “Not everyone is injured. You need not worry, your friend is a natural. What a fine joke it will be on the snooty judges! And best of all is that I cannot lose. If Amelia wins the race, I get the everlasting fame and glory. And if she loses, I get to keep her flying chariot!”
“What? No!” Amelia protested. “I never agreed to that.”
Kyniska laughed. “That hardly matters, does it? I have declared it to be so. There is nothing more to discuss.”
“I see,” Amelia said.
“I guess you have to win,” Abby said.
Amelia nodded. “I’ll win. But maybe I better get in just one more practice.”
She turned to the chariot. Or, to where she’d left it. It wasn’t there.
“Look!” Doc shouted, pointing.
Out on the track, Sally stood in Kyniska’s chariot, speeding along behind the team of galloping horses.
“Too fast, child!” Kyniska screamed.
“Whoa!” Sally shrieked, yanking the reins. “How do you stop this thing?”
The chariot raced toward the stone pillar at the far end of the stadium.
Amelia shouted, “Careful on the—”
The horses dashed around the pillar and the chariot swung wide and tipped over and Sally tumbled out.
“—turn!”
Kyniska, Amelia, Abby, and Doc took off running toward the crash.
Sally sat up and blinked dust from her eyes.
Pieces of the chariot lay all over the dirt.
