The Rebellious Rooster (Or, Macalley Gets Cocky) by Robert Dahlen

Author:Robert Dahlen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Dahlen
Published: 2018-09-02T16:00:00+00:00

Maia moved with such speed to set up the moa race, I became convinced that she could find a better job than processing paperwork and washing off bird droppings any time she wished. I had agreed to allow the race to begin on the road in front of Peavley Manor, from whence it would continue to Darbyfield and conclude in the town square. The contestants and spectators would not be allowed on the manor’s grounds, as I remembered very vividly what had happened the last time I had permitted that. One must look after one’s gladiolas.

I had been asked to come alone to Withers’ Farm for training and practice before the race, for secrecy reasons. I was actually glad to leave Reg behind, as he had been dropping hints, with decreasing levels of subtlety, that he wanted to ride a moa as well. It doesn’t take a soothsayer to foresee how that would go.

The farm was buzzing with activity when I arrived. I could see two moa, already saddled, waiting out front as I parked my motorcar. I had been advised that riding sidesaddle on a moa might not be practical, so I had worn red breeches and a matching topcoat. I suspected that other people might have seen me and wondered who was crafting life size tin soldiers.

Maia hurried up to me as I got out of the motorcar. “Alice!” she said. “What a delightful outfit!”

“Thank you,” I said. “Are those the moa we’ll be riding in the race?”

“They are! We decided that you should ride Beatrice. She’s quite gentle.”

“We?”

Maia gestured towards a stocky woman with long frizzy hair tumbling out from beneath her helmet. “I discussed this with Langley, our moa trainer. She’ll be showing you the ropes. How to mount and dismount, the commands, what not to do.”

“I see. So who else is here?”

“Well…” Maia paused. “We need to swear you to secrecy until we make the announcement tomorrow. We’re trying to build interest.”

“I promise not to say a word,” I said solemnly.

“Splendid! Yesterday, we had Bludergard here, along with Zek Monviso. You know him, right?”

“We’ve met, yes.” Monviso was a hard-working dwarf, and Darbyfield’s leading produce seller. His carts were everywhere, and I’d had a close encounter with one during the motorcar rally.

“He’s very influential in the dwarf community. You should know the last competitor. I had to call in a favor—ah, there we go!”

My imagination was sparked by that remark. For a moment, I expected Maia to say I’d be competing against the dread faerie Countess Gylburnt, or that I’d soon see Lady Sylvetta Travers in a ridiculous yet splendid racing getup. In spite of that, I was still surprised when I saw the final rider.

A tall man with a rather full yet unimpressive beard strode out through the front gate. He was wearing baggy white trousers that showed off his spindly legs and a topcoat with white, blue and red criscrossing stripes. “Thank you, Maia,” he said with a smile. “That pump did the trick on these old boots!”

He stopped and gaped at me, and I was doing much the same.

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