Weylin led them back to the Great Circle where the festival was just getting started. Deep brass drums thumped, vibrating the cavern walls and Alex's ears. Trumpet-like instruments blared a deep, fast tune encouraging people to dance. Antarians wearing bright yellow, red, and blue colors skipped around weaving long colored ribbons through the air as people filed into the cavern and took their seats around the stadium.

Alex and Jack were seated in a raised area close to ...