Time [VII]

Which meant they were holding up signs that expressed their love for Gorbin, sometimes with a simple declarative like GORBIN'S THE BEST, others simply with his name or a crude drawing of his face. Some children were in his line of sight, and many were carrying small dolls that bore Gorbin's likeness.

Jaing was standing in the center of the arena again. "Tonight is a very special night here at the Pit, as Gorbin will once again take the arena—but against two new foes. These are vicious killers from beyond the wastes. You've seen them in the early fights, and they've won each and every single time. Now they'll take on the greatest fighter in the Pit's history—Gorbin."

Boos for that. Nobody wanted to see Gorbin defeated. But the boos were surprisingly subdued.

And that's when it finally hit Gan what was wrong with the crowd noise. There wasn't enough of it. Last time he was in Urik, the seats shook from the din.

He turned to Feng. "The crowd sounds quiet."