Chapter 4: The Champion
Six days later, Q'Wasim stood at attention in the great garden of the Kamal tribe. Hundreds of medicinal plants and at least 14 different varieties of lotus blossoms could be seen from this courtyard alone.
Tonight, the entire Kamal tribe had gathered in the great garden and were listening to the tribe elder, G'Ruvu, speak. G'Ruvu stood in the center of them all on the ornate lotus dais.
Thin and bald with skin as dark as night, the elder, was the oldest member of the tribe. Despite this, G'Ruvu remained sharp and his wheezy voice carried an air of authority.
"Tomorrow is a day of great significance," he proclaimed. "It will be the first time, in over a hundred years that we will use the lotus quest to select the next Crimson Tiger. The Kamal, Saanp, and Shankh tribes will come together to help with the ceremony. It will be an honor to serve the High Priestess in this way."
Q'Wasim pretended to pay attention to G'Ruvu as he continued his long-winded speech. At this point, even the youngest apprentice in the tribe knew about the lotus quest. It was how the Crimson Tiger was chosen before the Agni amulet simplified the process.
The winner of tomorrow's tournament would go on a journey to find the Erupuvvu flower. According to legend, eating the roots of that sacred lotus would connect the person to D'Shar, the tiger of the mother goddess. If D'Shar judged the person worthy, they would receive his blessing of strength, agility, and wisdom. Those who were unworthy died.
There were many tales about the deaths of unworthy candidates. It was why everyone was so worried about selecting the next Crimson Tiger.
"Q'Wasim!" G'Ruvu called.
Q'Wasim was pulled out of his daydreams and quickly responded, "Yes, elder?"
"You will be the guide on the Crimson Tiger's journey to enlightenment. You are well-versed in the jungle's mysteries."
It wasn't a question but all the same, Q'Wasim answered, "No, elder. I plan to compete."
There was silence.
"Compete?" the elder repeated at last. He enunciated the word like it was a foreign concept.
"In the tournament," Q'Wasim clarified.
Somewhere in the crowd, Kaxa groaned.
The elder frowned at Q'Wasim. "The Kamal Tribe has not competed for the honor of the Crimson Tiger in over 88 years."
"I know, elder."
"Our celestial armor has been lost for an even longer stretch of time," G'Ruvu added in a quelling tone.
"I have my own armor blessed by the High Priestess," Q'Wasim countered.
"That will not protect you on the lotus quest," the elder said.
"I know, elder."
"Come now, Q'Wasim," G'Ruvu said, in a placating voice, "You cannot—"
"I will," Q'Wasim said firmly. "I am the Champion of the Kamal Tribe. Unless there is another who wishes to challenge my title tonight, I will fight tomorrow."
People exchanged glances.
Q'Wasim was baffled. It wasn't a secret that he planned to compete in the tournament, so why was the elder acting like Q'Wasim just thought of the idea of becoming the Crimson Tiger tonight?
G'Ruvu spoke slowly as if that would help with Q'Wasim's confusion. "Q'Wasim, my boy, when we had the Agni, competing was unobjectionable, but the risks are different now. We are doing the traditional ceremony. That means tomorrow's tournament will be just as deadly as the quest. You understand this. Yes?"
Q'Wasim nodded. Of course, he understood. Everyone knew that the tournament would be different this time. He said, "I understand the risk, elder. I still wish to compete."
G'Ruvu silently scrutinized Q'Wasim and the elder wasn't the only one staring at him. Q'Wasim could feel the entire tribe inspecting him like a plant that was in desperate need of pruning.
There was a time when Q'Wasim would have shied away from this type of attention, but that time had long passed. Q'Wasim ignored the pressing eyes of his peers and calmly met the old man's gaze. The Champion of the Kamal Tribe refused to be intimidated.
Eventually, the elder's expression shifted to resignation. "Very well," he said, "I see your choice is made. You may compete as our champion. Tejul," the elder turned to another tribesman, "you will act as the guide for the Crimson Tiger."
Tejul nodded his head in assent.
The meeting continued, though people kept giving Q'Wasim odd looks and there were whispers.
Q'Wasim, the Champion of the Kamal Tribe and the prospective Crimson Tiger of Takanda, pretended not to notice.
