It’s summer solstice on the earth. Asdar has its own calendar based upon its movements around its sun. On Asdar, summer solstice is the first day of the common year and the middle of the Arathracian year. In Aurice, summer solstice is the first day of the games of High Summer. At this time, the three gibgibsew rider teams play off against each other on their eight-legged beasts on the waters of the Golden Phœnice RIven. It is a time when the strades (streets) of Aurice are stuffed with visitors from the provinces and foreign countries, lodging is stuffed to capacity, and quite a few people have placed wagers on their favorite team. Riots are not uncommon after the winner has been determined.
