Chapter 30

Rio

The roar of the city enveloped the circus as they paraded down one of the freeways into the city. Nightshade had gone ahead the day before to arrange for their arrival, and had met them early this morning a dozen miles from the city. By the time the convoy of trucks had reached the city limits, Nightshade had arranged the more vividly painted ones to go first, loudly proclaiming Nightshade's Circus of Wonder. Sylvie wondered about the change in name, but couldn't say much, being stuck in the swaying trailer. She and Taryn stood as close to the center of the trailers as they could, lest one of the turns or curves the truck did dump them painfully into the wall. Sylvie already had a collection of bruises from getting down the mountains. She wished irritably for a phone or even a friggin' radio so she could ream the driver out. The thought turned wry, if she could have a wish granted, it was to never have gone looking for a costume in the first place. Well, what's done is done. As her mom would say, there is no point in crying over a failed lawsuit. You just brush off your briefcase, pocket your fee, and move on to the next case.

Peering over at Taryn, she tried to determine how her friend was handling the continuous swaying of the trailer. Twice already, she had nearly become seasick on the trip down, and had spent some time over the head, emptying her stomach. Indeed, Taryn's face was looking a little green still, but much better than before. She was even able to offer a weak smile to her questioning look. Sylvie smiled a little in relief. This traveling was definitely not good for her constitution! Oddly, Sylvie couldn't remember getting this sick when they traveled in the horse trailer. Maybe it had something to do with the higher center of balance?

When they, finally, came to a stop, Sylvie stormed to the door, determined to find the driver and demand what the big idea was throwing them about like sacks of oats when the back door opened. She jumped back with a load thump. Her face flamed at the embarrassment when Nightshade stuck his head in. He ran his eye over the now untidy interior of the trailer before letting them rest on the slightly green face of Taryn. Sylvie crossed her arms and glared at him. He looked perfectly innocent, which made her grunt sourly. No doubt he had increased their discomfort in another attempt to make sure they were under his thumb.

"I hate to impose these restrictions on you further, given you…delicate situation." Nightshade said smoothly. "But I must insist that you do not leave the trailer just yet. I want your arrival in the big top tonight to be a huge surprise, and I don't want rumors of you to start until we are ready for the big unveiling."

"Now wait a minute." Sylvie forgot all about being meek and stuck her head down at his level. Nightshade didn't react besides a raised eyebrow at Sylvie's outburst. Undeterred, Sylvie went to get a few things straight. "We've been stuck in this trailer since the mountains, being jounced about like freight. Taryn's been seasick several times. A brisk walk will be good for her, and help calm her stomach. I don't think that's too much to ask, now is it?" She glared at him, clenching her arms tight together to keep her from balling them into fists. Nightshade looked Taryn over closely before giving a nod.

"You are quite right. It would be terrible for her to get sick before the show! Well," he continued briskly. "Don't just stand there. Let her out of that trailer and take her around the inside of the field. We can't keep rumor from floating now, unfortunately." His face took on a grimace, quickly smoothed back into his normal sharp features. "But it will just add more customers tonight, curious to see our new, huh, arrivals." His smile reminded her of a serpent, cold and heartless. Sylvie shuddered at the smile and turned away. Now she kept her arms folded to keep them from trembling. She hoped that he took it that she was still angry at him. When she turned back around with Taryn, Nightshade was already gone.

Outside the trailer, the camp was already starting to take shape. Already the hostlers had most of the trucks parked and were rushing around trying to erect the cloth wall that would go around the whole camp. Mindful of Nightshade's words, and not wanting to risk him actually getting mad at her, Sylvie walked Taryn around the edge of the field, close to the center but out of the way. They still had to dodge handlers that were pounding in deep stakes to get ready for putting up the big tents. Other people were rushing about, getting ready to put up the Ferris Wheel, and still others were putting up booths for the challenges and concession stands. It would take about five or six hours for everything to be put up.

In the distance, she could make out a few onlookers hanging around the edge of the site, watching the bustle of activity. Until they spotted her or Taryn. Even from this distance, she could see their jaws drop and their eyes bulge. She had to suppress a real urge to run over to them and shout boo. She had a feeling they would either panic or have a heart-attack. Either was possible. She turned to point that out to Taryn, but paused when she saw the look of sick fear that covered Taryn's face.

"Sylvie," she whispered, staring at the forming crowd. "We're supposed to avoid attention."

Sylvie thought a moment. That was what Nightshade had told them, but Sylvie remembered that they wanted to gain attention. It was important that they be rescued. The opportunity to increase their chances of getting noticed was too much for Sylvie. There was a need for caution, of course. It would be foolish to yank Nightshade's chain for too little gain, but the sooner they got started on this the better.

Raising her head proudly, she looked back at Taryn. "It's clearly too late to hide who we are." Sylvie told her loudly, in case one of Nightshade's cameras was watching and listening in. Care had to be taken in this, or they risked tripping at the finish line. "Let's give them a taste of what our show will be!" With that, she bolted towards the gathered audience, feeling the muscles in her horse body surge.

A startled shout came from behind her, but she ignored it as she thundered towards the wall. People pointed to her, gaping as she ran. A few of them began to back away from the canvas as she got even closer. Turning sharply, she now raced along the length of the curtain, snorting slightly from the exertion. Leaping over a pile of stakes someone had left, she heard the people Oooh! and Aahhh!. The feeling was intoxicating, and she pushed herself harder, the faces becoming a blur. Skidding to a stop, she felt her hindquarters bunch underneath her. Rearing, she flailed at the air, a giving forth a wild cry that sounded, even to her ears, not quite human.

Falling back to earth, she swept her hoof forward and bowed her human half, as if to rake in applause. Silence greeted her, and she risked a peek up. Every face seemed stunned, as if she had taken a mallet to each one. Not a particularly bad idea, if it jolted them out of their daze. With a frown and a sniff,… humans!...she trotted back to Taryn.

"What'd you think?" she asked, panting slightly. "Think that'll bring them in."

"If not," came a voice from behind her before Taryn could reply, making her jump. "If not, then I expect that our entire show will be for naught, and we might as well head home." It was Nightshade, and he strode forward angrily. His voice could have frozen lava, while his gaze was hot enough to strike sparks. Sylvie fought down a rising fear, and she took a step back from him. Aaah! Stop that! She tried to get control of herself. "What were you thinking?" Nightshade continued, gesturing at the pile of stuff she had leaped over. From this vantage point, she could also see the hammers and other stuff lying on the ground behind it. "You could have slipped out there, or fallen. You must be more careful. In the ring, I expect you to do your best, but there will be safety there. Sand to cushion your fall, for example. I do not want to lose either one of you. Yet." He stared at them hard; to make sure he had gotten his message across. Sylvie scudded her hoof, abashed. Face flaming, she looked down at the ground. He's right. I could have gotten seriously hurt. It might have been worth it though, if he had to get medical help from the city. I would be away from him, and able to phone home. Apparently satisfied that his point had gotten across, he nodded once and strode towards the shocked crowd, already proclaiming loudly the strange and wondrous show that would await them. As they walked away, Sylvie could already hear people buzzing about her, wondering if she was real.

"That was really stupid!" Taryn squealed slightly as she suddenly hugged her middle tight. Gasping for breath, Sylvie returned the hug.

"Thanks, I think." She managed. Once Taryn let go of her middle, she had to stop from checking her ribs to see if they were damaged.

Taryn put on a stern face. "He was right, you know. I understand your impatience, Sylv, but I really think we should have simply waved at them, trotted up and talked to them, instead of showing off."

Sylvie tried to cut in, protesting that all she had wanted was to cause a scene and get people's tongues wagging about them. Taryn rode right over the top of her. "It was stupid, Sylv. If we aren't careful, we could get hurt, and then we're helpless and useless to Nightshade. He could decide to put us out of our misery, to keep anybody from checking on his show. He won't willingly let us go know, not after our kidnapping. Two people died in that. He knows the authorities already know about that, or he wouldn't be constantly changing his name, and talking about going to Africa." Her voice rose slightly as she glared at her. She bristled. Sylvie was bewildered and upset. It hadn't been that bad, had it? "I don't care if another opportunity comes up, we will be meek as lambs until we're rescued. Meek Sylvie! Do you think you can at least manage that?" She stalked off, tail swishing. If she were a cat, she would be lashing her tail. Sylvie stared at her bewildered. It had seemed like a good idea, at the time. Now, she wasn't so sure.

Her eyes turned back to the crowd that had gathered to listen to Nightshade extolling their abilities. No, Taryn had a point of course. It was important to let Nightshade continue to think he had cowed them, but they shouldn't roll over and play dead either. It just wasn't in her to back down from a fight, and this one was the greatest of her life. She would do whatever it took to bring in all the people she could to the show and see them home safe. Anything. She hurried to get back to the trailer. It was time to dress for the show.