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A NEW TALE

WHAM! The sound of slapping wood, surprisingly, echoed in the small clearing. The clearing was behind a home made of mud-brick, that washere I choose to practice in. It was ideal, beingaway from the hustle and bustle of Akkad's dirt streets, and not vary far from our nearby river.And it was here my sparring partner and I where working on our wooden staff technique.

I quickly blocked up high as my adversary tried to slam me down from above. That had been close. Too close. Thinking quickly, I used an old warrior's trick, steppingbefore sun's fiery rays. The great light temporarily blinded my opponent. Using this to my advantage, I swung around with my staff, knocking my opponent to the dirt ground.

I could feel a surge of satisfaction in my veins as I looked down to my fallenopponent.

Rama, my brother by our parents' marriage and my sparring partner, shielded his eyes from the blinding rays.

I grinned at Rama as I said, "Let me help you to your feet, brother", holding out my hand to him.

Rama clasped my wrist, and I pulled him up.

While Rama is brushing himself off let me explain so you're not so confused, as I'm sure you must be.

I am Mathayus, and,Ihave just turned nineteen years of age today. Ihave long dark hair that falls down my back, copper colored skin like most of my tribe, dark eyes, and a muscular frame that I had gotten from years of training.On this day I had chosen to whereleather breeches and boots for more obvious reasons.

One look at Rama and me and your could tell wecannot berelated, by blood anyway. Rama's hair is a dark, dark brown, he is mustached, and black lines (Akkadian battle markings) marked his cheekbones. He, like me, wore leather breeches and boots but he also wore a leather cuirass to protect his chest. His body frame was the same as mine (since most all of us are warriors all men in Akkad have the same body frame).

Even though (asI have said)wemay not berelated by blood we have been through so much and havecome close enough to be brothers.

Suddenly a hearty laugh rang out, in the clearing.

I turned to see my other brother, well half-brother, Jesup, step from the shadows of the mud-brick home.

Jesup's hair, skin color, and eyes matched my own. However, Jesup is more weathered and, by far, a hell of a lot more war-beaten. His battle marking consisted of black lion paw prints on either side of his face on his cheekbones, and a blue green triangle tattoo right between his eyebrows. Marking him as an experenced warrior.

He was still laughing a little when he picked up Rama's dropped staff.

"He planted you in the dirt Rama!" Jesup chuckled.

"He stood in front of the sun!" Rama shot back then added in a somewhat softer tone, "I couldn't see".

"Mathayus used a valid strategy," Jesup said frowning at Rama's outburst, "it defeated you didn't it?"

"I suppose so", Rama finally admitted but quickly added, "but it's the very first time."

Rama looked at me and said with a wry smile, "You'll have to do a lot better to get through the preparations and pass the test today, Mathayus"

I smiled back.

"Don't worry about me", I said confidently reassuring my brother, "I've had all the training thatI can stomach".

"For this test?" Jesup said with the same wry smile Rama had given me, "I sure as hell hope so, Little Brother".

I smiled and Rama laughed.

It was then Ilooked out onto the horizon of mountains. Beyond it I knew was desert. Itmay of beena breathtaking sight to some,but during sunset and sunrise it was a sight to see with the many colors and their shades. I had always wanted to go beyond those mountains ever since I could remember, and today, I may get my chance.

I looked over to my brothers to see that, they too, where looking on to the horizon. Ever since we where youngwe all had the same wish: to see the world beyond those mountains, together, someday.

"I can't wait to get out of here," I said suddenly.

Jesup looked at me; "You want to leave?"

"Well, maybe for a little while", I said. " After so many years oftraining I know what to expect from the world out there. But still I just want to see it. I'm so tired of not having stories to tell like the elders,and memories to have, and people who don't remember my name."

"The world out there is a difficult place," Rama said. "You know that from some of our experiences."

I nodded. I may be just be nineteen but already I have protected my family and the tribe several times. From slaying monsters to protecting a girl whose name I never heard. I've had my "tastes" of the real world. A world that, in spite of it all, I so wished to see.

"I know", I said, "but I still want to get out of here. I want to get out in the real world".

I then looked to Jesup and Rama.

"And this test", I said confidently, "won't get in my way."

"Don't be so sure!" Jesup said with a glem in his eye.

Then, before I could see it coming, he swung the staff knocking me to the ground. Wooden staff flying from my hands. I got up and gave Jesup a piercing look; he gave me a friendly grin in return.

"You must be alert at all times to be an assassin", Jesup lectured (as if only he knew how to do the job right), "if you lose concentration, even for a second, it will get you killed".

"Alright, alright", I said, somewhatannoyed Jesup was, once again, giving me this lecture (after he had done so many times when I was younger).

"You've made you point, Jesup".

Jesup shook his head giving me one of those looks like he doubted it, but knew better than to argue.

"Well, we better get going shouldn't we?" Rama asked suddenly.

"It may be a good idea" Jesup replied.

I nodded and followed my brothers out of the clearing.

Akkad's streets may seem at times crowded because they are. But growing up aroundit, youcan't help but adaptto it.In these streetsthere where women washing clothes, children playing games, young men and women practicing moves of combat (women have right to it as much as men do, here), old men tellingtales to the younger children about their glory days as warriors, and younger experienced warriors sharpening their weapons. It was in this hustle and bustle my brothers and I heard our names called.

"Mathayus! Jesup! Rama! Wait up!".

We turned to see a boy of sixteen, with shoulder length black hair, brown eyes, and darkly tan skin. Hewore theleather armbands, breeches, and sandals that marked him as a warrior in training.

This boy was my cousin Karatas. A boy me and my brothers practically raised since his father and brother died.

Karatas motioned for us to join him in the safe, non-crowded area between two mud brick homes.

"Hey guys," he said somewhat out of breath (I hadguessed he had ran after us).

"What are you doing out here, Boy?" Jesup said, cocking an eyebrow. "shouldn't you be at training?"

"No", Karatas replied getting his breath. "The trainers, let us out early".

"You know that only means one thing, Mathayus", Rama said with that same wry smile again.

"Oh damn", I muttered under my breath.

It mentwould have to fight my own trainers to reach King Urmhet.

"What? Are you taking your test today Mathayus?" Karatas asked.

"Yes", I replied.

At this Karatas smiled proud smile. He had been watching me train, even before he could walk, so he knew that this was important to me.

"It's high time you did," Karatas said, holding out his hand.

I couldn't help but smile backand grab his wrist and shake it in a warrior's handshake.

"Tell me about it", I repled. "King Urmhet finally believes I'm ready."

"Hey that reminds me", Karatas said suddenly to Jesup and Rama. "I'veheard the king sent for you two this morning."

I looked to my two brothers. When had that happen? I wondered. I didn't remember then leaving that morning.

"Yes, he did", Rama said. I couldn't help but notice the way he and Jesup caught each other's eye.

"What did the king want?" I asked simply.

"Well, he wanted us to guide you to the preparations that where being made at the time", Jesup said quickly, andrather coollyI noticed.

Rama nodded, andsuddenlysaid, "Well we better go. See you later on Karatas."

"I'll be with you in a minute," I said to my brothers, "I'd like to have a word with Karatas".

They shrugged their shoulders and agreed to meet me before the first preparation.

"What the hell was that all about?" I said to Karatas as they disappeared into the crowd.

"I have no idea", Karatas said. "But if I didn't know any better, I'd say they're up to something."

We both knew Jesup and Rama well enough to know when they where lying since both where very bad at it. And, either we where losing our touch or they lied to us just now. Iwondered why.

"You probably better go", Karatas said, suddenly.

"Yes, I'd better", I replied, turning to leave.

"You will tell me how it goes, won't you?" He called after me.

"You know I will", I called back.

"Tell Lantana I said hi"

" Who's she? Lantana? You know dozens of girls namedLatana, right?"

"Mathayus! You-!"

"I'm joking! Of course I will."

Karatas yelled something back but I was too far away, his voicebecame lost in the crowd.

---

I soon found myself awhile away from Akkad's bustling dirt streets. The path to the place was insolated and not a mud-brick home or a sentry tower was in sight. It was at the place where the pathsplit that I finallycaught up with Jesup and Rama. Both who where waiting for me.

"Now", Jesup said gesturing to the path on the left, "the king wants to see you after your preparations. Go through them all and defeat each and every one of the trainers. Keep practicing and meet us at the top of the village when you're ready. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"We'll see you there, Mathayus," Rama said to me, then turning to our older brother he said,"let's go Jesup".

I took the path that students take on the left while Jesup and Rama took the path on the right. I didn't worry, after all, I would see them again.

The path led me to a small walled in clearing. I went in from a wooden gate to face the single trainer that waited for me. A man named Kepri.

"Greetings Mathayus" He nodded. His long braids slid off his shoulders as he nodded to me. His strong cheekbones carried the same black lion paw prints that Jesup had.

I nodded my respect to him.

"You have a total of seven preparations created for you", Kepri spokewisely.

I nodded once again.

"In this challenge you must defeat me using your basic attacks" Kepri said, "do you understand?"

"Yes sir," I replied.

"Good. Ready?" Kepri said getting into a fighting stance.

I did the same as him. Preparing myself for the challange.

"NOW!"

Kepri ran at me and punched. I blocked and lashed out with a punch of my own, that Kepri blocked.

It was then, out of nowhere, Kepri directed a roundhouse kick into my ribs.

Despite the fact I had been trained to bear great pain, I winced at the connection of his foot with my side.

I then, quickly swung around with a snap kick. Kepri stumbled a little but quickly recovered to punch me, hard, in the stomach. I gave him a punch that he blocked. It was in this moment of distraction I swung around with fast punch. The punch connected with his chest one, two, three times. I then finished the job with a spinning kick that hit his shoulder.

Kepri hit the dirt ground with a moan.

Breathing hard, I walked to Kepri.

"Do you yield?" I asked looking down to him.

Kepri moaned out a word that sounded like a yes.

I held out my hand. Kepri grabbed my wrist and, together, we pulled him up.

"You alright?" I asked.

"I've been through worse", he said.

I smiled. He was a seasoned warrior. What else did I expect him to say?

It was then he stood up, a bit straighter. A bit of a smile on his face, and he spoke.

"You may progress to the next level."

---

The next four preparations tested me tomy limits. The next was the test of useingblocking and breakout moves, after that was the test of how well I used my surroundings, then the test of special kicks and punches, and then, finally, the test of pressure points that one could use in battle. Each of the preparations took place in the same small walled arealike the one where thefirst preparation took place.

Also I noticed that the sounds of Akkad's streets started to sound more and more distant. This was making a statement, for many had started this training but few have qualified to make it this far. The life of a warrior is a hard one, but I was willing to take that risk.

It wasn't long and yet it felt like a long time until I was before the gate to the sixth preparation. One thing I, instantly, noticed was this clearing was twice as big as the other walled in clearings. I wondered why when I saw the final trainer.

The man's name was Acturid, he had been one of my trainers ever since I had started to learn the arts of combat. His hair, like the others, was long andbraided; his battle markings consisted of a band of red around his brow, and lion paw prints on his cheeks.

"It's nice to see you again, Mathayus," Acturid spoke politely, and grinned.

"It's nice to see you as well, my friend," I said giving a small smile.

"Congratulations on making it this far," He said, then his face turned grave, his voice serious, "but you are not done yet".

I nodded, my smile now gone.

"This preparation will test you on how well you react to surprising situations," Acturid said, "should you find yourself in one".

"Of course," I said, and nodded.

"Now you must wait," Acturid said, "you will know when this preparation, this little test, will begin".

---

Several minutes had passed when it started to seem unbearable. I would glance to Acturid to see him staring off into the distance. He seems to be waiting for something, I thought, but what?

It waswhenI had striked up the nerve to ask him what he had in mind,an odd birdcall shattered the silence. I swung around,having heard it before, but where was it comeing from? Another birdcall answered it, then another, than another. My keen senses could feel it. Those where not ordinary bird calls.

Suddenly,all five of the trainers I had fought earlier appeared in the clearing with Acturid and I. What the-? But before my mind could register all this a blood curdling war cry issued from behind me.

I turned to, just in time, block one of Acturid's strong punches. Suddenly he kicked me in chest.

I stumbled back to receive another kick in the back from, I suspected, Kepri.

I recovered from the blow quickly to give him a jump snap kick in the stomach. I punched him wherever I could. I then gave him a powerful right hook in the head.

Then two different trainers punched at me at the same time. I dodged both and, somehow, managed to grab both of their punches by the wrist. I quickly flipped them, head-over-heels, to the ground. Then, to make sure they wouldn't cause me anymore trouble, I slammed myself to the ground. My elbows knocking the wind out of them.

I kicked myself up to fight the next trainer. I punched the man, solidly, three times in the chest. I than picked him up by his leather cuirass and held him above my head, it was at that time another trainer stepped foreword. I threw the trainer I had at him, both hitting each other with a SMACK.

I looked around to see one last trainer standing. It was Acturid, and the look in his eyes told me that he would not go easily. He charged, and I, knowing that only a fool would stand still, dashed to a corner that had several clay urns in it. I snatched up one and threw it at him with all my might.

Acturid stumbled a little when the urn hit him and shattered. Now was my chance. I ran at him and punched. Unfortunately he had anticipated my next move. He grabbed my wrist and flipped me onto the ground. Igroaned asI hit the hard ground.

"Do you yield?" Acturid demanded.

It couldn't be over. Notyet.

I thought quickly. Coming up with an idea.

"I believe you're asking the wrong question, my friend," I said.

"Oh?" Acturid said in mock concern.

"Yes, the right question is..."

I kicked him in the knee as hard as I could. As he fell, wincing, to his knees I kick myself up and gave him a front-thrust kick in the back.

He had rolled up onto his back when I put my foot in his chest holding him down.

"Do you yield, Acturid?" I said sternly.

He muttered a few words under his breath then he muttered the word, "Yes."

I removed my foot from his chest and offered to help him up. As I did the other trainers stumbled up.

"Well," said Kepri in a husky voice, rubbing his arms, "it appears you may progress to the last preparation".

"Yes it does," Acturid said still wincing, "do have fun."

I grinned, "I will see you later, my friends."

I went through the gate and onto the path to the last preparation.

This much I knew, if that was the sixth preparation, thenwhat challenge did I have for the seventh?

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