He gets the wind knocked out of him, so he lays gasping like a beached fish for a second, trying to get it back.

"Thanks," he wheezes, "the German judge gave me a four point seven. Brings my average up."

After a moment he rolls onto his back and looks up: there's a gate leading to the fountain. And there are two Fu dogs guarding it. They're giving a very subtle stink-eye to the two teenagers.

"Cora..."