As Avira finds herself struggling to speak up about Cruz, Luna gives chase to the leader in the race while Tornado feels compelled to chase after a goal in life.

While Cruz is baffled over the whereabouts of the magical item he wore around one of his fingers, Verago and Zephyr are conducting a chitchat with Imelda and Avira. They're talking about everyday matters to kill time as that's what they have plenty of; it'll take some time before the first participants show up near the finish line.

Suddenly, Avira hears a sharp clattering noise nearby. It sounds like a metallic item falling on a rocky floor. She looks at the line-up area where the sound originates from. From up the small hill, however, she sees nothing unusual but desires to inform Verago, nonetheless.

However, the king is conversing with her mum. Avira doesn't know if she can break into the conversation; her mother always taught her never to interrupt the king.

Thus, the orange-and-tangerine jaquin turns to Zephyr. He shifted his attention to the finish line in anticipation of any participants flying into view. "Uhm… Chief Zephyr. Have you – heard that, too?"

"Huh? What is it, Avira? Have I heard what?"

"I heard something fall on the ground – near the finish line."

"I do not know what you speak of. Given my age, your hearing is obviously better than mine. What exactly is it you heard? Are participants inbound?"

"Uh, I do not think so. All I heard was this clattering sound. Something – strange, I guess."

All of a sudden, Avira notices the absolute silence that has befallen the hill. No one's talking anymore. Avira looks at her mum. The orange-and-tangerine jaquin sees her looking back at her. Not only that, but the colossal jaquin king does too. It makes for a rather intimidating sight, being the unwanted centre of attention to these striking individuals. It startles the orange-and-tangerine jaquin and she remains silent. "What was that, Avira?' Verago asks intriguingly and alternates his gaze between the line-up area and Avira once, 'Tell me. What did you hear?"

By now, Zephyr has made his way to the finish line. He's curious to know what Avira has been hearing, as well as removing whatever might be there that can pose a risk for any of the inbound participants. The only hazard Zephyr has observed so far is Kamil, still sitting on the ground where he touched down from exhaustion earlier. He's watching all around him as if expecting his parents or big brother to show up. "Kamil. Get away from there. When jaquins fly across the finish line they do not expect you here… Come on and follow me, little one."

The saffron-and-green cub does as he's told. Like the other cubs residing at Mooncliff, Kamil's getting taught by the old and grey Zephyr who gladly passes on his wisdom and knowledge about lessons in life. "O-kay." Kamil says and happily follows his tutor.

Before making his way back up the hill, Zephyr inspects the line-up area once. There, he finds a shimmering metallic object. "Hrm. What is this? Something small and shiny is lying here. King Verago! Have a look at this.' Zephyr says as he starts flying back up the small hill while holding something glistening in one of his paws, 'There was a silver-like ring lying on the ground. Did you notice this thing lying there when the race started?"

Verago's intrigued by what Zephyr's saying. Rings are a type of jewellery known to be crafted by humans, whose presence inside this realm is strictly forbidden. To add to the mystery, Verago hasn't seen one here in Vallestrella for a long time so it makes no sense how a ring, of all things unexpected, would appear here so suddenly. It makes him curious… "No, I do not recall this. How did such a thing end up here? Where does it come from? Avira, you heard it first. What can you tell me?"

"I – I do… I have no clue. I heard some – clattering noise just now. Perhaps it fell, I guess, from the sky?"

All gaze up with a stupified glance. Their effort, however, is in vain. They see but clouds drifting by slowly and peacefully across the orange sky, nothing at all being out of the ordinary. "Hrm. Well, it will take us more than observation alone to deduce the origin of this ring…" Zephyr thinks out loud.

Verago returns his gaze to the ring, his eyes watching it sternly. He feels aggravated by its presence. After all, it's his duty to maintain the clan's peace and uphold the rules he drafted during kingship. *Someone must have brought it into this realm. If not a human, then undoubtedly a jaquin. I shall find that one individual because this action cannot go unpunished…* Verago thinks sternly due to one of his rules being broken.

Avira has come to the same conclusion as her king. Unlike Verago, she had been paying attention to a certain individual. She reminds herself how Cruz's behaviour at the start of the race was quite strange, given how the current Navegera normally likes to boast his ego. Now he acts all caring and modest, which Avira deems mysterious. On top of that, the odd change in behaviour combined with the sudden appearance of this ring… To her, Cruz must be hiding something from everyone. She isn't entirely sure, though. She's convinced that someone wise must know more. Although, she doesn't know Zephyr too well. She heard of his knowledge but hasn't a clue what he's like. So she's inclined to approach Verago, instead.

Avira moves closer to Verago and quietly sits down next to him. She doesn't want to draw attention to herself but rather to the delicate issue she cares to address. When looking up at her king, however, she sees him sitting upright in a dignified manner, his eyes ever watchful. From a distance, Verago looks quite impressive whenever he sits like this. From up close, when he appears much taller, this graceful posture easily comes across as intimidating. Anyone would feel little in the presence of the black-and-emerald jaquin, let alone a juvenile such as Avira and even now he radiates calm and control it's frightening Avira. Thus it refrains her from speaking up about her intuition concerning Cruz. "Uhm… The race is still ongoing." Avira comments shyly.

Verago nods slowly but without making eye contact. Instead, he once again looks out over the course with a serious gaze emanating from his eyes. He seems occupied, yet he appears collected. The way he sits, the way he looks, even the way he breathes. All seem calculated. Basically, he's his normal self as usual and, to some extent, expected from everyone around him. "Good call.' he states and continues with some irritation to his voice of growing impatience, 'We will wait until after the race before we shall solve this – manmade puzzle."

While the four are left pondering the origin of the mysterious ring, Luna finds Skylar flying in front of her. Still experiencing the flyer's high, she's able to draw closer to the yellow-and-blue jaquin prince, albeit at a creeping pace with each stroke of her wings. She remembers well what she told him and Nico when both princes were preparing for the race four days ago, proclaiming to them she was also participating and bound to win. Now she cares to definitely overtake him, just for the extra thrill of beating a prince. And now that he's in sight a smirk appears on her face. As both pass a few rocks that mark course boundaries, Luna manages to get next to him. "Hah! I thought you had practised well for this, Skylar. See you at the finish line!" the red-and-crimson jaquin says euphorically as she continues to overtake Skylar.

"The race is far from over, Luna. I will have the last laugh." he responds with enthusiasm for racing his best friend.

Eventually, Luna has completely overtaken Skylar. She shouts enthusiastically: "Better luck next time. Hah-ha-ha!"

Filled with a frisson due to the excitement, Skylar replies zestfully: "Just you wait, Luna! I will be crossing it first."

With a look of determination emanating from his eyes, He directs his gaze forward. He spots the next King's Guard member sitting on an overhanging rock. He wants to pass underneath that rock before Luna does. Racing one of his best friends for first place is a desire deep down and it makes him all the more excited about this race. So he's making haste and bound to keep up with Luna…

As Skylar and Luna are competing for the seventh place, Tornado is doing her best to maintain the sixteenth place. So far, the marble-and-gold jaquin has lost four positions, having been overtaken by Nico, Luna, Tudor, and Shaniqua. Now, the following candidate to overtake her is on her tail: Migs – and he's slowly advancing on her. Since both have bad blood running between them, neither is willing to be beaten by the other. She grunts with displeasure at this development; the heat of the race is starting to get to her and with it her urge for competition. This feeling makes Tornado whipped metaphorically and she's more eager to keep up the pace.

This urge for competition is fueled by a desire deep down. Her incentive to join this elite group is strong and she's convinced that the outcome of this race will decide her chances of success. She's willing to impress Verago by showing off a finesse which lies outside of her comfort zone. This way the marble-and-gold jaquin hopes to be picked to join the King's Guard. And with the speed race taking place today, this makes for perfect timing: Veje has recently been kicked from the King's Guard so there's a position available – and it'll be hers. Becoming a member has always been a dream of hers ever since she was young, one Tornado is willing to defend to this day. It's a long-time dream, originating from her late father, Thunder, who insisted that she'd need to join those ranks one day if she were to prove herself. Not just to herself but to him as well, so he'd one day have a worthy successor…

Until then, Tornado needs to remain focused on the race. She peeks ahead and notices a female flying in front of her, being slower than both her and Migs. Despite being physically stronger than other females and thereby potentially faster than them, Tornado's body is less slender rendering her more sluggish in comparison. On top of that, she's never been the sprinter type but, instead, relies on long and steady runs. Now, however, she needs to dart. The female approaches a narrow part of the course, similar to the crevasse earlier and barely providing enough space for one jaquin to enter. This might just be the chance for Tornado to get away from Migs. When she manages to get alongside the female, Tornado uses her physical strength and nudges the female to get herself some more leeway. The female yelps as she dodges Tornado's wings to prevent being slapped by them, losing a bit of momentum in the process. This enables the marble-and-gold jaquin to overtake her completely and enter the narrow passageway first. A feeling of relief comes over Tornado now that Migs is effectively held up, forced to remain behind the slowed-down female until the passageway widens again.

While Tornado is continuing at regular speed, Migs finds himself trapped behind the female. Yet, the yellow-and-orange jaquin has no intention of trying to force himself past her; they may get hurt in a passageway where two cannot fly next to one another. This leaves him groaning in frustration. He almost managed to overtake Tornado and now sees it delayed. Delayed, because he's bound to cross the finish line before she does…