1.The Final Warrior Ceremony. (2)

Johari Tembo stood straight at the center of the ranks of young warriors. He briefly looked at his allotted number that he held in his palm. He was to be the twentieth participant. He looked at the rest of his comrades around him. Many held their fists tightly, their jaws shut tight in apprehension but their eyes were brimming with confidence and anticipation.

"This is it. Grandpa I shall return a warrior. I shall make you proud." He whispered to himself as his beloved grandfather's face surfaced in his mind. He was glad he wasn't among the starting participants.

This way he would get to see the tactics the warrior scribes would employ and adjust his battle plans accordingly. Not counting their superior combat experience the scribes had a reputation of being vicious and lethal. This was going to be the toughest challenge he had ever faced.

Meanwhile further left Moseti Kalibari's eyes were fixated on the huge weapons rack. He was making up his mind on the weapon he would use.

"The majestic spear is a man's weapon. With the spear in my hand no matter what weapon my opponent chooses I will be able to counter and attack more fluidly and effectively."

He was overly confident in his spear skills. Moseti could feel the looks of most of his village kin on him. He was their chief in line, their leader and as they faced this daunting challenge before them, they unconsciously looked up to him.

To say he was used to the immense pressure of expectations continuously thrust upon his shoulders would be a lie. Even though it had always been like this it always set his heart in turmoil. His father's name and shadow was truly immense.

"Father you are the most valiant existence in our Lekuta village. Time and Time again you have carried the entire village on your shoulders, as a warrior and as a leader."

"Your blood runs in my veins. I shall never put the Kalibari name to shame. This is my destiny as your son." Moseti steeled his heart as he looked at his allotted number in his palm. He would be the fifth to take to the stage.

Was he ready? Thoughts of uncertainty fleeted past his mind but he pushed them down and looked on ahead with a strict determined expression.

"First participant, step onto the stage!" Head scribe Kondobia's deep voice filled the large quiet yard once more.

The first warrior who hailed from Mariani village bit his lower lip and stepped forward. He walked towards the center of the stage with slow but firm steps to meet his opponent who had already stepped forward and taken one of the glinting warrior sword and shield.

The atmosphere subtly changed at once. The final warrior ceremony had finally began.

"Light it up! Begin.."

The moment the fire resistant hemp rope was lit , it crackled softly before extinguishing the flame. All that was left was a dim yellow ember that slowly consumed the rope in a slow, steady pace. This was it. The first young warrior burdened by the immense pressure of opening up the proceedings charged forward with a vicious roar. He had chosen the sword and shield.

He swiftly approached the calm warrior scribe swinging his weapon with ferocity. His battle hardened opponent welcomed him with ease before erupting with vicious sword strikes of his own. The young warrior who had chosen to take the scribe by surprise relying on his swiftness found himself quickly suppressed by a barrage of counters each aimed at his vitals and joints. He grunted and buckled as he retreated thanking the the heavens for his shield that he held on to, it proved to be his only saving grace.

Gasps erupted from his peers time and time again as the scribes blur of steel narrowly missed it's mark just by a hairs breadth. By the time the hemp rope reached its first knot , the young Mariani warrior was in dire straits. He was bleeding from three deep cuts on his sword arm and on his thigh. Sweat trickled down his wincing face and chest which heaved up and down. Majority of the young warriors sighed and made quick vows deep in their hearts, the shield was a tremendously vital must have!

"First participant has made it to the first knot. Do you wish to continue." a blunt voice from a tall thin scribe who was tasked with adjudicating the battles asked with unmasked indifference. The young warrior whose hands were trembling from taking the brunt of attacks shook his head. He was barely hanging on at the last minute.

"First participant passes through stage. Move on to your right young warrior." Those words felt like heaven to the young warrior and he limped out of the stage with his head held high earning envious glances from his peers.

"Next participant step up to the stage and choose your weapon." The tall indifferent adjudicator dictated. The second warrior who hailed from Lekuta sprang onto the stage rushing to pick the shield before deliberating quickly and picking up the sword as well.

Unfortunately his opponent was just as ruthless, initiating a cruel phase of attack on the get go pinning down on the young warrior in a corner. The young warrior had to invoke all the defensive manouvers he had ever learnt in his life. And when they proved insufficient he also invented a few more evasive techniques on the fly as the deadly steel danced before him with deadly effect.

Up on the top pavilion, Old Kostilu stiffled a laugh as his eyes enjoyed the show below.

"Hohoho... It seems Head scribe Terazzi went all out in teaching evasive techniques. The display is too refreshing, some of the moves are new to this old man's eyes. Did you perhaps personally come up with them?"

Head scribe Kondobia too failed to suppress his laugh at the jibe. Head scribe Terazzi's face darkened at once. His scowl could have darkened the skies.

"Oh just shut it Old Kostilu. Err.. the opening acts are just the bottom level practitioners. Expect some pleasant surprises very soon." He quickly came up with a retort.

"Oh really?"

Supreme Head scribe Ole Gatu smiled too before throwing a stern look at his three trusted aides to exercise some decorum.

The fights that followed did not deviate from this unfortunate trend. The young warriors were only able to throw a few skillful attacks before defending with their life on the line all the while hoping and praying that the wind would blow faster and accelerate the slow burn of the accursed hemp rope.

"Participant has passed the first stage. Next participant step on the stage." He did not even ask whether the young warrior wanted to continue or not.

Moseti Kalibari walked forward with steady steps towards the weapons rack. He picked up the majestic spear and stood tall at the centre of the stage. The atmosphere at once changed subtly. The whole yard grew silent as the young warriors keenly upon the next chief in line with anticipation and hope. As Moseti faced his opponent with a stern expression in his eyes, the head scribes too sat up and watched with more intent.

"Light it up." the adjudicator's voice announced.

*****