Chapter 58
Chapter fifty-eight
The Royal Derby
by our trusted correspondent, Scaleheart
You have most certainly heard the news that there was some irregularity with the winners of the Royal derby. Precisely how irregular it was is a matter of debate.
Some say that there was cheating afoot, and that the winner, a Mr. S—, was rightly disqualified. Some say that there was witchery, and that the rider, a Miss L—, used evil tricks to win, and was rightfully dismissed.
I will say these are both false.
Miss L— flew, and she won. This was not done with trickery or with malice, but with skillful dragoneering.
Some may consider it impossible for a woman to be such an adept rider, but they are mistaken.
I watched the race with my own eyes, and saw the skill of Miss L—.
Indeed, she has been riding as the Masked Rider of L— for the whole derby season, and I have seen her firsthand several times.
She is a skilled dragoneer, and that is the truth.
Others question the validity of the winning dragon, Lelantos, who was the eldest dragon in the derby by several hundred years.
How could that dragon have won? Again, it is skill.
Though Lelantos is a terribly old dragon, he knows how to play to the strength of his wingspan. Him and Miss L— are a magnificent team.
So, let us not say Lelantos and Miss L— were rightfully thrown out of the derby.
Let us say instead they were unjustly deprived of their laurels.
Miss L— is an example for all daring women, and Lelantos an example of the longevity of dragon power.
The derbies have needed a gentler touch, and we should celebrate the arrival of a feminine hand, not deride.
In years past, the winner of the Royal derby was given the title of “Finest Rider in Kinella.” This accolade has been heaped upon previous years’ winners, such as Misters P—, E—, and G—.
This year, let us say Miss L— is our finest rider.
She has earned the title, even if the organizers of the Royal derby chose to deprive her of it due to some small irregularity of paperwork.
She deserves better, proven by her adept dragoneering. I salute our finest rider.