5 Chariot race

Chapter 5 Chariot race As the chariots rumbled into the stadium, Rosa noticed one that hadn't joined the line. It had no driver, just a woman in a long, tunic dress and a cloak, who was holding the reins. She glanced around impatiently, as if she was searching for someone. A second woman stood nearby.

As they neared the pair, Rosa heard the woman holding the reins say, "Where is he, Irene? We've come all this way. What else can I do?"

"Nothing, Alkistis," Irene said soothingly. "You can't drive the chariot yourself. Without your driver, your chariot's out of the race. We won't be able to enter this year." "I wish I could drive it," said Alkistis. "They're my horses, it's my chariot, and I'm a good driver. It's only because I'm a woman that I'm not allowed. It's so unfair."

"Maybe things will be different one day," Irene said. An idea flashed through Rosa. She grabbed Kingsley's elbow. "We could drive her chariot," she said. "Everyone thinks I'm a boy. That way we'll keep DeLay in our sights and help Alkistis." "You're joking," Kingsley said. "We've never done anything like that in our lives!" "Well, I used to drive my aunt's pony cart," said Rosa. "It can't be that different. Can it?" "It's an Olympic race!" Kingsley exclaimed, but Rosa pulled him over to Alkistis, who was turning the chariot around. "Stop!" Rosa cried.

The women stared. "Can I help you, young man?" said Alkistis. "I want to help you," said Rosa. "My friend and I will race your chariot. If you'll let us." Both women's eyes widened in surprise. "You're very young and very brave," said Irene, "But—" "Please let us," Kingsley interrupted. Alkistis grinned. "Why not?" She handed Rosa the reins. Kingsley jumped into the chariot and pulled Rosa in after him. "Whatever you do, don't let your hat blow off and show your long hair!" he whispered. "OK. Let's do this!" Rosa clicked her tongue and shook the reins. She felt the same mix of focus and excitement she

had before a big soccer match. "Good luck!" called Alkistis and Irene, as the chariot rumbled away. Rosa tweaked the reins, guiding their two horses to follow the other chariots into the hippodrome. It was much bigger than the stadium they had already seen, and it was packed with noisy, excited spectators. At the far end was a post that the drivers had to go around before coming back down the other side of the oval track. An official waved their chariot forward to the starting line and Kingsley climbed in.