Together they flashed around the practice arena, the mare galloping steadily, the girl standing on her rump, arms raised. With a whoop, she vauled into the air, did a somersault, and landed on her feet.Tishtry is a slave girl with only one goal in her heart -- to buy freedom for her family and for herself. It is no easy task, even for someone with her exceptional talents. She may well be the best stunt rider her family has ever produced, but how much money can she earn, far away from the rich arenae of Rome? Only when Tishtry's master lets her try her skills in some of the finer arenae of the Empire does she dare to believe she might one day be free.But greater rewards bring greater risks. Tishtry must learn flashy but dangerous stunts to please new and critical crowds. She must deal with corruption and incompetence at every turn. And for the first time, she faces the jealousy of other competitors -- jealousy that threatens her life as well as the realization of her dream.