DNN2

"Well, ok, then, Terry, let's talk about the competition. You'd have to assume that it'll be the Hermeia riders giving Andoal his biggest challenge, right?"

"Ah, Royal Hermeia."

"I'm sorry, you're right. Goodness, it's odd to be saying that."

"Hermeia wore the gold in '51, that is only three years ago."

"It's true, they've not been quite as dominant lately as they were in the 40s. What we're talking about, if you're joining us for the first time, is the royal endorsement that's given to one of the teams each year based on the previous year's teams championship. Typically it goes to the second- or third-place team."

"And never the same team twice in a row."

"Yes. Last year it was Hermeia that came in second, so this year they get to be known as Royal Hermeia, and they get a little bit of extra money from promotions and so on, it helps keep the field competitive. And the reason it's strange to see them in the Imperial livery is that they've been a very dominant team for the last ten years or so.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"What is it now, six of the last ten titles?"

"Something like that. But they've had a rough time the last couple of years."

"Haha, if you can call not winning two years in a row rough."

"Do you think that will worry their riders, Lucia Aelschu and Arden Markwe?"

"Hah. It didn't bother them in the slightest last year, I should know."

"True, true."

"They're incredibly experienced. More race wins between them than any other pair on the grid."

"So you expect them to put up a strong fight for the championship?"

"Of course! In the Imperial livery, they could be very hard to beat."

"You've worn the gold yourself several times, including when you took the championship two years ago. Does it put you under pressure?"

"It does… but Lucia thrives on that sort of thing, especially. His Majesty is very imposing but Lucia is proud."

"I suppose the other question that's starting to hang over Royal Hermeia is age. This rider partnership has been in place since '47. Do you think they're getting a bit long in the tooth? Olympia and Fleet are both showing their crests these days."

"Haha, I don't think there's anything to worry about there just yet."

"Olympia's a year older than your Lett."

"If you left the two of them out in a field for an hour they'd fly some race of their own fancy still, just like they did ten years ago. And even I wouldn't bet on Lett over a sprint."