Reynold's mind worked furiously while Star Chaser moved at a steady pace beneath him. The rhythmic clopping of his faithful mount's iron-shod hooves helped to bring order to his world, and soon, he felt the world grow calm as his breathing and his heartbeat fell into time with Star Chaser's steps.
The course ran half a circuit of the old racing track before it delivered them to the tilt. That was the first, and potentially the most important detail. They weren't starting at opposite ends of a list and charging; they were starting at opposite ends of a curve and running the long way round in opposite directions. They wouldn't meet until each of them had turned into the straight and put the barrier on his left.
Which meant the whole contest might run on where they met.
