Judge Ramos looked out on the crowd and then spoke. “Each year, tradition demands the Coming of Age Ceremony of us. It was the way of our ancestors, the way of our people, and is our way of life now. One other thing that has been a part of our traditions as long as the ceremony itself is the Joust.” He paused for effect, seeming to meet the gaze of many people at once. “For those new to this, there are nine Challenges designed to test the abilities and endurance of the combatants. Our Elder, Boris, will explain each for us.”
As Judge Ramos sat, Boris our town baker rose. His voice paused dramatically at each Challenge that he read off.
“Wit, Agility, Courage, Creativity, Strength, Task, Wealth, Talent, and Duel. The purpose of these Challenges is to deem who is fitter to care for a family and more determined to have that family. As we know, the victor will win the hand of the fair bride.”
He turned, slightly, and gestured towards me solemnly. Looking away, I blushed at the eyes that seemed to appraise my value or lack thereof…
“Unfortunately, a new rule has become a part of this occasion. The defeated combatant will never again be allowed to participate in the Coming of Age Ceremony. A bride must be found outside of this age limit and also consent to a marriage with the defeated.” His eyes lowered from the crowd at the tent opening and down to the two men standing before him. “Are you both in agreement to continue in this Joust, understanding that if you lose, you are exempt from the ceremony ever again?”
“Yes,” Julius agreed immediately, standing tall and confident, his eyes on the Elders.
Garak glanced over at Julius and then across him, to me.
“Yes,” he confirmed.
Another chill set into my bones. Was he seriously so obsessed with this contest that he would risk losing? And what if he won? My hands, shaking, reached from my lap to the shell pendant on my belly, fearfully caressing the outside. Slipping a finger under the back, I felt a cool nuzzling that calmed me.
It will be okay, love, Titrus whispered in my mind.
Boris’ gaze shifted again to the crowd. “And are you here to witness this event as it unfolds with an objectiveness and seriousness that befits the occasion?”
“We are!” the crowd exclaimed in accordance with tradition. A positive murmuring came from the crowd, with most of them nodding their heads along with the affirmations around them.
“Good, then let us continue with the Agreement.” Boris bent slightly to retrieve a rolled parchment from the table. “Refusal of a Challenge means your inability to choose whether or not the following Challenge will be accepted or declined.” The yellowed cloth looked worn and aged as he unrolled it and held it up to the light.
Clearing his throat, Boris read, “The Challenge of Wit is to test the duelists’ perception and expression of the connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure in the audience. Both men are given opposing sides of a subject, and their purpose is to debate with one another in an entertaining way on why their view is more practical and useful in life. Upon completing four different debates, the Elders will vote on which player was more successful in being resourceful, quick-thinking, and entertaining in their presentations. If a tie is reached, a fifth will be assigned.” Looking up, he gazed formally at Julius and Garak. “Vote on this, yes or no.”
“Yes,” Julius spoke up without hesitation. I could almost see his mind working on the Challenge already.
“No,” came Garak’s response.
Sounds of disappointment rose up from the witnesses. One man had the gall to even cup his hands around his mouth and Boo loudly. You could see the corners of the Elders’ mouths turn up slightly in amusement, but nothing was said. Part of the public nature of the Joust and Agreement Terms were for the entertainment of the public.
“Let the gathering witness the passing of Wit.” Turning back to the parchment, Boris continued reading. “The Challenge of Agility tests the duelists’ power to move quickly and easily while maintaining accuracy. This will be tested through marksmanship, with an evening task where you will shoot at targets into the evening sunlight. With speed, accuracy, and visibility being the main concerns, how do you vote, Julius?”
“Yes.”
I heard Garak huff a little under his breath, but he stayed silent.
“Agility is agreed upon, then,” he replied, gesturing toward the Elder beside him. Looking up at him, I recognized the elderly butcher of the town, Gregory. He wrote something on a piece of paper, and I could imagine the unlikely elegant script flowing over it.
“Next is the Challenge of Courage. This tests the quality of mind and spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, and so on, overcoming his own fear. The qualification for this Challenge is for a Need in the land, such as a rogue dragon or arctic bear causing injury or death to people in the area. The duelists would then be sent out to subdue and then deliver the animal or creature back to town as proof of their Deed.” Raising his head, Boris cleared his throat. “But since there is no Need for this Challenge, it will be discarded.”
There was relief in the air from both the crowd and those inside the tent. I slowly exhaled the breath I had been holding, unclenched my hand from around the shell, and reminded myself that worrying wasn’t going to make this any easier. Suddenly, there was a comforting and unexpected pat on my shoulder. Turning to look, I met the guard’s eyes next to me. Coran smiled, his old, green eyes crinkling with age. I hesitantly smiled back, and then we both turned our attention back to the dais.
“The Challenge of Creativity is to measure the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. It is when we can create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, or interpretations. The men are given an idea, subject, or thought to display in a way to the public that would demonstrate their ability to be creative. Examples of things they might do are sculpture, poetry, song, interpretive dance, painting, body art, and other such things. How do you vote?”
Julius raised his hand, startling Garak and those gathered.
“May I speak with the Elders regarding this Challenge?”
All five of the Elders spoke in hushed voices to one another. Then Ramos, from his seated position, told him to come forward.
When Julius was out of range of hearing for Garak and any of the closest people in the tent or crowd to hear, he bowed respectfully and began. “I am very sorry to stall the Agreement with trivialities such as this, but as much as I would love to accept this Challenge, I do not feel it is fair to allow Garak to have a chance to refuse and lose privileges in choosing the next.”
Judge Ramos exchanged a glance with Boris. “Go on, my boy. Why do you feel this is necessary to point out?”
Julius went straight to the point. “I have a Talent that would make this Challenge entirely unfair if it was to be accepted, and I do not feel comfortable with leaving a wild card in the deck, if you may.”
A few more hushed exchanges were passed between the Elders.
“May we ask what this Talent is?”
Julius looked down at his feet and then back up at Judge Ramos. “I would rather not say, sir. I do not wish to give myself any sort of unfair advantage, whether it be in a Challenge or in debt to those that may wish my services.”
Sitting back, Judge Ramos eyed Julius approvingly. Then, after gathering approving glances from the rest of the Elders, he went on.
“Okay, my boy. The Elders will take responsibility for this Challenge being passed upon. We appreciate your honesty and willingness to play fairly.” With a wave of Ramos’ hand, Julius bowed again and took his place next to Garak’s shocked form.
Boris stood and announced. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Challenge of Creativity is refused by the Council of Elders, unanimously.”
More murmuring rose from the crowd. Curiosity was plaguing them like the seven-year itch, it seemed.
“Next is the Challenge of Strength. This challenges the physical power, force, or vigor of the duelists. In order to show this, the duelists will participate in the oxen drag. This Challenge will be completed at noon when both men will be stripped down to girdles and slicked with oil. Their carts will be filled with rocks, and whoever drags the cart the furthest in thirty minutes will win. For every time the bar they pull from slips, they are penalized one minute. Now,” Boris inquired, raising his eyes again, “…how do you vote?”
“Yes,” Garak said, confidently.
“Yes,” came Julius’ agreement.
Boris addressed the crowd. “Let you witness the agreement upon Strength.” Gregory wrote it down, and the crowd murmured excitedly about it.
“Next is the Challenge of Task, which is a duty or piece of work assigned to, fallen to, or expected of a person. In this Challenge, the two opponents will be assigned to a place of business where they will perform their given job to the best of their ability, demonstrating their capability to the employer and their willingness to cooperate and take orders. Randomly, there will be people sent in to observe them and then report their findings about their experience to the Elders. These reports, along with the owner’s report and recommendation, will be the deciding factor of who is superior and who will win. Now, how do you vote?”
“No,” Garak says, too quickly to give Julius a chance to answer.
“Task was refused. We will move on to the Challenge of Wealth, which demonstrates the physical ability the opponents may have to take care of a family through a great quantity or store of money, valuable possessions, property, or other riches. This Challenge exists to give the competitors a chance to pit their assets against each other to prove who is more capable and worthy to support the wife—and in effect, children—that they would receive from winning the Joust. The only qualification is for the opponents to be living on their own and have assets to offer as a test of their value as a mate.” Shifting his frame, Boris continued. “In this case, one of our challengers does not meet the qualifications and therefore cannot participate in this event.”
There was a titter from the crowd, and Garak’s eyes grew dark for an instant.
“Next is the Challenge of Talent, which is a special natural ability, aptitude, capability, or gift. Like the Challenge of Wealth, the opponents are able to pit their Talents against each other to prove how capable they can be to care for a family, whether it is to defend that family, earn income for the family, or benefit the family in some way that can be measured.” Boris raised his eyes from the paper to look at Garak. “Do you display a Talent, young man?”
Garak shuffled his feet a little. “No.”
“In that case, the Challenge cannot be accepted.” His eyes never touched Julius, but Judge Ramos eyed him curiously.
“The last Challenge is the Challenge of Duel, which is a prearranged combat between the two challengers. This will be settled with the Dancefight. It is done at night in torchlight, where both contenders are painted black with other markings to identify themselves. Only the Elders will know who they are. Both men will wear only short loincloth wrappings to minimize places to grab hold of. No weapons are allowed, and they will be given ten minutes to either immobilize their opponent or display the most grace in their dance for the Elders, who will be the judges as well. Exhausting your opponent will count as immobilizing them.” Boris paused and glanced over the crowd and the two men before him. “Since this is the last Challenge, the Elders choose this as the third and final Challenge for the Joust.”
Abruptly, Boris sat, while Gregory wrote down the last choice. Judge Ramos cleared his throat as he stood to take the attention of those gathered. I massaged my stiff hands, hoping that feeling would return to my whitened knuckles soon.
“The Coming of Age Ceremony is a time of beginnings, a time of new hope, and in this case, a time of proving your worth. Let us all treat it with seriousness as we come to celebrate together.” Boris wrote something down with Gregory on his piece of paper and then turned to whisper to Judge Ramos. Pausing, he listened and nodded.
“To prepare for the Challenges, one week will be given. In fulfillment as witnesses, gather your friends and family for the occasion. It certainly isn’t every day that a Joust is issued. Let us conduct ourselves as adults.” His eyes rested on Garak and Julius.
“With that said, let’s eat!”
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