Tail of the Dragon

by Timothy Reihm

  Chapter 24

  The bocket championship was as much a celebration as it was the final match of the season. Coinciding with the conclusion of final exams, arella from all choirs came out to the event. Besides the excitement of finishing up another term, the path itself drew many spectators, being the most famous path in all the land. The Falls Path was restricted to everyone but angels every day except this one, so telmid rarely missed the opportunity to walk on this ancient ground.

  As they had done the previous week against Cherubim, Ariel and Gadreel joined the rest of the team in the choir chariot for the flight to the Elder Forest, north of the city. Flying over the path that would determine the winner of the Choir Chalice, they marveled at the view.

  At the center of the course stood an extinct volcano that rose dramatically above the plain below. The pinnacle of this treacherous mesa was flat and filled in by a large, clear lake, which spilled over the edges of the uneven precipice in dozens of spectacular waterfalls. The Falls Path wrapped around the entire base of this formation. The course itself was composed of flattened buttes of land that sat atop great columns of rock. These were staggered at different heights and covered in lush greenery fed by the falls that pooled on the elevated landmass, only to join new cascades that dropped to landing areas on lower spires. Some paths on the course stacked up to three levels deep and offered a variety of strategies for play. Beneath all of these rocky formations was a dense jungle that threatened to consume any errant shots.

  The sides of the volcano looked uniformly steep, but as they drew nearer dozens of flattened plateaus carved into the rock face became visible. Spectators rimmed the edges vying for the best vantages to watch the action on the course. While the layout of the course made it impossible to follow all of the shots, the elevated buttes did offer viewers the opportunity to witness the conclusion of each path.

  Their coach, Lyonel, had showed hours of replays of past championships, so his players were acquainted with the site. It had been a challenge, balancing preparation for the championship with studying, but all managed to pass their classes and gain a working knowledge of the kicks required to score well here.

  During the previous weeks Ariel had settled into his role as a starting member of the team and his play improved. Although he had lost as many matches as he won, his last several had been wins, including a tight one with the Cherubim team.

  ‘As the lower seeded team, we have to release our squad ranking first. Due to his vast improvement over the past couple of matches, I am making one change to our starting order. I am moving Ariel up from the eight spot to the three spot, directly before myself and Gadreel.’

  Ariel couldn’t believe his ears. Moving up to third position would likely mean he would be matched against the third best player on the Malakim team. He started to object, but opted to remain quiet.

  ‘Congratulations buddy.’ Gadreel said. ‘You earned it. Remember, it doesn’t matter who you are playing, just play each shot as if you and I are kicking a practice round.’

  His scores had been second lowest for the past couple weeks, including his best ever in the elimination game against Cherubim, but this was the Falls Path, and they were playing the undefeated Malakim Choir, a team that defeated them 7-1 on two separate occasions. And during their previous match, he had lost to their number eight player. Now, they expected him to compete against their third best bocketeer. Surely they needed the most experienced members for the hardest matches. But he didn’t argue.

  Lyonel stood and addressed the team.

  ‘The players on the Malakim team don’t think we stand a chance, but they are wrong. The neutralizing factor is the path we are playing. They beat us soundly this year based on the fact that they all kick so far. But we kick straighter, and on this course that matters. The Falls Path requires that we use sound strategy and accuracy, not strength. The highest plateaus on any given path are the smallest and hardest to hit. Play to your strengths. Even if it is longer from a lower plateau, avoid the big risks and big mistakes. Remember to stay smart and we will win this competition. Now go out there and have some fun and bring back that Choir Chalice to its rightful home at the Aralim Estate!’

  As third seed five other matches began before him. This, unfortunately, time to think. It also meant that his would be one of the last three scores posted and there would be additional pressure if things got close.

  ‘Hey Ariel,’ someone called. He turned and watched the three telmid dressed in the blue robes of Cherubim approach. Gabriel strode up and grasped his arm, followed by Helel and Molochel.

  Helel looked at him expressionless. Molochel didn’t even glance his way.

  ‘Gabe, I wanted to congratulate you on making it to the finals of the rapinere tournament. And Helel, congratulations on winning. I’m sorry that I missed the match between you two, but Gadreel said it was pretty thrilling.’

  ‘The better arella won,’ said Gabriel, good-naturedly.

  ‘I told you that hesitation would be your downfall. You have to be willing to put it all on the line every time you compete,’ Helel answered, never taking his eyes off of Ariel.

  ‘So Lyonel switched things up and decided to throw someone else against me?’ a new voice interrupted. ‘I am Baal, and you are Ariel, here with a group of my old friends. Gabriel, Helel, Molochel; good to see you all.’

  Ariel turned to face Baal, recognizing the immense arella and the familiar yellow aura that had been his first. He recalled Gadreel’s warning as he extended his arm in greeting.

  ‘I was just discussing the need to put it all on the line in competition,’ Helel continued. ‘Ariel knows all about putting it all out there to win. I’m a good friend with your opponent from the elimination match, Uzza. He told me all about how far you were willing to go to win, Ariel.’

  Though not sure what Helel meant, the words made Ariel uncomfortable. He looked around at the group trying to understand the insinuation. His eyes met Baal’s and the other’s furrowed brow further enhanced this discomfort. Before he was able to ask about the comment, a voice called he and Baal to the first path to begin their match.

  The combination of the situation, the crowds, and the giant he accompanying him, twisted up his insides again caused his head to spin. His hands trembled as he placed his longest flying bocket on his foot. He was so nervous that he started thinking he might not even be able to make contact with the bocket. Was there any way out of this? He prayed for courage and for a spirit that best represented his creators. Instantly, a calm came over him, and he was ready.

  The first path was treacherous. The most direct way to the shaft was via a small plateau situated some thirty cubits above. If he missed, his bocket would fall, uninterrupted to the dense forest floor below. He chose the lower route, targeting a large flat that would force him to take an additional shot to reach the shaft. He aimed, snapped the bocket up in the air with a flip of his foot, and drew back his leg for his first kick. It sailed off his toe, perfectly straight down the middle of the path.

  Baal took the opposite tactic. He attempted to take the shorter route and ended up missing badly. Ariel was courteous and followed Baal down to help locate the ball. After hitting his recovery shot, Baal reached the plateau where Ariel’s bocket lay. They finished the path with an equal number of kicks, giving Ariel a one shot advantage after the first path.

  A pattern developed over the course of the match, with Baal taking the aggressive line and Ariel playing it safe. Baal was powerful and skilled. Although he badly missed several shots, he hit an equal number of spectacular ones. After thirteen paths, Baal held a one shot advantage over Ariel.

  The fourteenth path curved in a descending bow. The shaft could be easily seen some three hundred cubits away and almost as far below. The landing area around the shaft sat elevated some forty cubits above a dense canopy of thick trees. An elevated plateau hooked around from where they stood to just short of the shaft. It was typical of the course and offered two options. Either y
ou could choose to kick directly to a small distant target or play it safe and hit a fairly easy shot to the downward sloping grass of the giant crescent swathe of land set atop a series of descending rock spires.

  Baal, true to form, took no time to consider and fired a powerful shot. At first, it looked like the risky play would pay off as it sailed straight toward the shaft. However, as it descended it began to curve to the left. Baal let out a grunt of frustration as it narrowly missed the target and fell toward the forest floor. The spectators that sat near the shaft groaned as the bocket fell out of view.

  ‘This is my chance,’ thought Ariel as he again kicked his bocket toward the safety of the wide, sloping crescent. It landed safely and he began walking down the pathway. His second shot was a short one and he struck it well, leaving himself an easy opportunity to even the match. He took a descending walkway down to the forest floor to help Baal find his errant shot.

  He looked up at the thick canopy as he walked, grateful he had opted for the safe shot. Recovering from this dense wood was nearly impossible.

  Ariel heard a rustling noise in the thick woods ahead and walked toward the spot. As he rounded the trunk of a large tree, Baal struck his shot. It hit a branch above him and began to fall back toward the ground. Suddenly, that sulfuric aura pushed up against the falling ball, shooting it up through the dense canopy above. A roar from the crowd told the rest of the story.

  ‘I saw that Baal,’ he said sharply.

  Baal spun around with a nervous expression on his face.

  ‘Saw what?’ he sputtered angrily.

  ‘You know what you did. But more importantly, I know what you did.’

  ‘Well, I have no idea what you are talking about,’ Baal replied and walked toward the spiraling walkway leading to the plateau above.

  Ariel stood shocked for a moment before following. He didn't know the protocol for something like this. Should he call one of the officials over and make an accusation? Would anyone believe him?  No one else would have seen the episode due to the density of the foliage. He decided to wait until after the match and let Lyonel handle the matter.

  Standing on the kickoff zone of the fifteenth path, Ariel was given the updated scores. They were losing 3-2 so far, and since they were facing the defending champions, a tie would result in Malakim retaining the chalice. This meant that the last three matches would determine the championship. If Aralim didn’t win all three, they would lose. He stood one behind, going to the last.

  Baal, uncharacteristically, played the last path conservatively. He crushed a kick deep up the safer route toward the shaft, which was met by loud cheers from the crowd. Ariel decided that the time for caution was past. He would go directly at the landing area. This meant that he needed to curve his shot around a large waterfall, carry an elevated patch of thick trees and land it on a flat surrounded by water. He put all of his strength into his kick and it exploded off of his foot. It sailed safely around the falling water. Unfortunately, it curved, caught a branch, and fell into the thick woods. The crowd groaned.

  He found his bocket lying directly behind a tree. Baal was first to play. A soft round of applause let him know that Baal had played safely. If he was to have any chance, he would have to go for the flat, instead of kicking out sideways into the open path. There was one gap through the thick trees, high above his head, less than half a cubit wide. However, because he had landed so close to the tree, there was no room to kick it toward the opening. Suddenly, he had an idea. He turned and faced the opposite direction and looked back over his left shoulder. If he got his leg high enough, he might just have a chance.

  Baal coughed and waved, a big grin painted on his face. Ariel returned the smile and placed the bocket on his foot. Helel said he must be willing to put it all on the line. He flipped the bocket up into the air and swung his leg high, falling onto his back from the effort.

  He couldn't tell if it cleared the trees? He hadn’t heard it hit anything. Was he even close to the flat? He didn’t know, but turned and ran up to the path. Suddenly, he a raucous cheer louder erupted. What had happened? The crowd was still roaring when he jogged over the swale that blocked his view. There, hung suspended in the shaft, was his bocket.

  Was it possible? Had he really just kicked out of the woods, directly into the shaft? It was a shot that he wouldn't be able to hit if he tried one thousand times. He raised his arms and the crowd cheered even louder.

   

  The time immediately following his match seemed like a blur. He vaguely remembered waiting at the last hole for the final matches to finish and the cheers that met his two teammates as they kicked their final shots and won. He recalled being lifted onto the shoulders of fellow Aralim.

  ‘I heard about your shot,’ Gadreel said, smiling as they gathered to await the presentation of the chalice. ‘I knew you had it in you. Congratulations buddy!’

  They saw Lyonel approaching, but his face lacked the excitement that they expected.

  ‘Ariel, can you come with me for a second? There is an official that would like to speak with you.’