Alegbu clenched his fist so tight his thumbs were beginning to taunt his palm as they coiled almost perfectly inwards, his jugular veins appeared on its neck like a mole whose intent was to disfigure the face of its owner.
kìnìùn had prepared the charms himself and the rituals himself , had he not slept in the Bush for 3days just to wrestle the hyena whose blood the old herbalist had used to make the concoction amongst other charms which fortified him? he wondered as he noticed the sluggish movement of a trickle of blood around his eye brow even though his body felt numb his mind had begun to fail him.
He watched the young hunter Olumide take his seat as kabaka signalled the end of the first round which had seen alegbu eat the sand miserably much to the fright and shock of the villagers he dared not take a seat now it would not only send the clear message that he was now considering defeat but rather show he was beginning to loose his confidence optioning to perform the sacred dance of the warriors , he had signalled lemachi his eunuch whose purpose was to sing his praises while he performed the dance.
Leaping courageously from where he stood into the center of the ring he had danced vigorously much to the joy of the beads of hot sweat that rolled unrelenting down his waist where his sack covered his unclothedness.
He hated the looks of everyone he was a champion whose massive muscular built made even spirits to quake with fear at the mention of his name , had he not defeated the champions of Akhadim , Onuoma, Elebehi altogether in a single match ,had he not wrestled 2 lions until he killed both , had he not chased the evil spirits away by defeating the onuarezi the serpent of fire who ate children that strayed away at night how then had a mere hunter whose physical built would make the palm trees sway with laughter and disappointment make a fool out of him.
Alegbu leaped into air dangerously for a second time as the villagers began to cheer him once more , he had been notable as a warrior of the gods and one of the greatest dancers the village had to offer ,these all his wives confirmed and took pride in whenever and wherever they went.
He gasped for breath after performing an acrobatic much to the delight of the people who he sensed were beginning to have faith in his ability , he could sense the negative atmosphere fade away slowly like he had hoped.
Darting to his original position once more, the short balded black one eyed man, kìnìùn had stepped inside the ring once more signalling the start of round two.
Alegbu starred at his children and his wives , he could sense their fears , had he not done the right thing to accept the challenge even though he needed not , had his self confidence over the physique of his opponent deceived him, Alegbu sighed one more tightening his fists he had made up his mind not to loose and if ever he did his plan would be to take his own life , his pride was his greatest trophy it didn't matter if there was nothing that had been laid down as a bet for the winner of the duel .
death was a preferred choice to loosing.







THE END

WRITTEN BY FICTIONAL