by James McEwan
The Chahtoka did not like this, “How so? We have killed many of the sky people and yet none have come to wipe us out. You lie and use fear to try to change our laws. This is why you should be put to death.”
Thad put his head down, “I’m sorry it has to come to this,” Thad said.
“Come to what?” Un-Tark asked.
Thad did not answer. He moved with a speed they had never seen before. Thad dropped the first two guards within a second. The twins followed suit, and Eve moved so fast she was no more than a blur, as they disarmed or disabled all the guards. In less than a minute, they had turned the tables on the Untor. Thad produced a knife from his sleeve and had the Chahtoka at its point. On his tiptoes with the knife under his chin, Un-Tark broke out in a cold sweat.
“Now, Un-Tark I really don’t want to spill your blood or any of your people’s. But you must understand I will not let any harm come to me or my mates,” he said. Thad paused long enough for his words to sink in then he pulled the knife away from Un-Tark’s throat and turned the handle to the Chahtoka, “Here, as a token of my word, you keep the blade. May it serve you well for many years to come,” he said.
Un-Tark took the blade from Thad’s hand, “You spared my life and I thank you, but I cannot disobey the law. It must be fulfilled.” Thad rolled his eyes, and thought, doesn’t this guy get it? I could kill him anytime.
Un-Tark spoke again, “There is a way, in which the law can be satisfied. I can evoke an ancient rite that would, if you met it, set you free, and the law would still be fulfilled.”
“I’m listening,” Thad said.
“It is the ancient rite of single combat. If anyone from the tribe or outside of the tribe has broken a law, he can plead for the right to challenge the accuser in a fight to the death. In this case, the accuser is the tribal law, so if you wish, you may fight the champion of the people,” Un-Tark intoned.
Thad looked at the Chahtoka and said, “Then I plead for a challenge of single combat, as the champion for my people against your champion.”
“I Un-Tark, Chahtoka of the forest Untor, Leader of its peoples hear your plea for the challenge and I accept. You will be treated as a guest tonight. Tomorrow, you will enter the ring of combat when the sun is at its highest. Let it be told throughout the generations of our tribe,” Un-Tark banged his staff three times on the tree. The Untor cheered and clapped with all four arms.
Thad and the girls were separated while they waited. Thad was taken to a hut where he was fitted with the clothing of a warrior. He was clad in the leather-like skirt, which looked a lot like a kilt. Across his chest, he was adorned with matching leather straps crossed through a large metal buckle. The Untor who was fitting him had to make some changes to accommodate the fact that Thad only had two arms. Meanwhile, the girls were taken to another hut where they were stripped down and bathed. They were given loincloths that covered the front and back from the hips down to a point between the legs, and from that point to almost the ground were lines of multicolored handmade beads. The women of the Untor’s covered their breasts with lines of beads, which hung off their necks.
Freya held up a beaded necklace, “Well, when in Rome.”
One of the younger females, being curious, had been digging around in Fiona’s bag and found her makeup kit. She pulled out a stick of white lipstick. Puzzled, the Untor first smelled it, but it had no smell, so she tasted it. She must not have liked the taste because she wrinkled up her nose and stuck out her tongue. Fiona noticed what the young girl was doing, “Oh no dear, it’s not for that.” She came over and gently took the lipstick from her hand, “Here, watch this,” she said as she applied the white lipstick to her own lips.
The girl looked at her confused. Fiona twisted a dial on the lipstick then touched the back end to her lips. A deep red color washed over her lips. The young girl’s eyes widened with delight. Fiona twisted the dial again and this time, the color changed to green. She repeated it several more times until she stopped on a soft pink color. The Untor giggled and jumped up and down. “Would you like to try?” Fiona asked.
The girl nodded her head, so Fiona helped her put on the lipstick then showed her how to change the color. After a few minutes and several color changes, the girl settled on a nice gold color. She smiled and ran out of the hut. Eve watched the girl leave, “Well, that was cute.” Fiona had no idea what she had started. The next thing they knew they were overrun by Untor women, young and old, wanting to try the magical colors. The three of them spent the rest of the day until they were summoned for dinner, doing makeup.
Thad was already at the table of the Chahtoka when the girls were brought in. They had their hair braided in the fashion of the woman of the Untor. They looked beautiful dressed in the tribal clothing of the Untor. Barefooted and barely covered, Thad could not help staring, “That’s a nice look for you three.”
They were lined up next to Thad: to his right, Fiona, Freya, and Eve. Fiona leaned close to Thad and said, “Nice skirt.” They were all standing, waiting on Un-Tark. Horns blew throughout the village and Un-Tark entered the dining hut, taking his place at the head of the table, with Thad to his right. When he sat, the rest of the leaders of the tribe standing around the table sat, so they sat down as well. Instead of chairs, they sat on great soft pillows that were decorated in bright colors.
Un-Tark clapped his hands and the meal began. Untor women came and went, bringing in all kinds of dishes, serving the men at the table. Un-Tark spoke, “In the tradition of our fathers we honor and remember those who have gone before us, let it be said.” He then repeated himself in the language of his people. The men around the table then partook of the food.
Thad spoke softly to Un-Tark, “I wanted to thank you for giving us a chance.”
Un-Tark leaned close to him, “Don’t thank me yet, you have yet to see our champion, and really, you did not give me any choice.”
“All the same, thank you,” Thad said.
“I should be the one thanking you. You spared my life when it was in your hands to take, and still let me save face with my people.”
“I aim to please,” Thad, grinned.
Un-Tark burst out with a deep belly laugh, stopping the meal for a minute, as all eyes were turned to him to see what had made him laugh in such a manner. “Thaddeus I really hope you don’t die tomorrow, I’m starting to like you,” Un-Tark said between laughs.
Thad smiled, “Thank you, I think,” he laughed with Un-Tark. “Un-Tark I have been wondering, how is it that you and some of your people speak English?”
“It was many years ago when I was just a little one, I was captured, along with many of my people, and taken off the world as slaves. The family who bought me was kind to me and felt I needed to be educated in their ways. I was taught to read and write your language and I spent many years among your people. It was only when the skywalker governments banned the use of sentient life as slaves that I was allowed to return home,” Un-Tark explained.
“But the intra-galaxy ban on sentient life as slaves was passed some two hundred years ago,” Thad said, surprised at Un-Tark’s age.
“Yes we Untor live very long lives, and thanks to you, I should enjoy at least another hundred,” he smiled a toothy grin at Thad.
“Un-Tark, you are very wise, educated even, and yet you still obey this barbaric law to put all off-worlders to death, why?” Thad asked.
“Ah, yes I was not fond of the law. However, it was put in place before I became Chahtoka and it is very hard to change something that has kept my people safe for so long. I know not all skywalkers are bad or want to harm us, but the people do not understand, so it is easier this way,” Un-Tark shrugged with all four shoulders.
“Well I’m surprised at you Un-Tark,”
“Why?” asked Un-Tark.
“Because I figured you as someone that would do what is right, not what is easy,” Thad said pointedly.
Un-Tark nodded his head that he understood Thad’s point. Thad could see a ting
e of guilt in the old Untor’s face. It did not last long, though. The Chahtoka pointed to the women that were all painted with the twin’s make up, trying to change the subject. “Look what your women have started. I understand it is creating quite a stir amongst the elders of the tribe, but both the younger males and females seem to like it. It has always been a tradition that the men of the tribe were the only ones to have paint on their face and, only for battle.”
Thad laughed, “Well my friend, you’re doomed now, once the young get an idea in their heads, it’s easier to change the color of the sun than it is to change their minds.”
They both laughed at Thad’s comment. As the dinner went on the two men continued to converse on many subjects. Thad found out Un-Tark was a decent enough fellow and really just wanted to do right by his people. He also discovered the Untor make a wine, which had a wonderful taste, but packed quite a punch. It was every mush as powerful as the Eli White Lighting if not more. It took two Untor to carry Thad to his bed that night. The only one who was not drunk was Eve since she could not get drunk. However, she played along, so as not to raise suspicion.
Normally the men and women of the tribe would cohabitate and under normal circumstances, they would have let Thad be with his wives, but because tonight was the night before a challenge, he was given a bed by himself. The people said he needed his strength for the challenge and it was not permitted for challengers to be with women the night before.
The morning came early for Thad, and his head felt like it was going to explode. The Untor had an amazingly foul smelling, gritty, and slimy goo they fed him for breakfast. At first, all he wanted to do was vomit, but after the first spoonful or two he stopped wanting to hurl and ate it up like a starving man. It did not matter that it tasted like toe-jam; the stuff was remarkable at curing his hangover, as well as giving him strength. It was almost if he was on some kind of drug, he felt great.
Un-Tark came to see him, “So how is the Ungortort?” he asked.
Thad sat the bowl down, “Amazing stuff, this is, but it could use some work in the flavor department. I feel great, but my taste buds feel like they just licked a dog’s backside.”
Un-Tark laughed, “I have always thought it could use a little salt and pepper if you ask me, but it is hard to get that stuff here.” He placed his hand on Thad’s shoulder, “My friend, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about this, but the law is the law, and I wanted you to know I do wish we had more time to get to know each other.”
Thad laughed, “Don’t count me out so quickly. I do know a thing or two about fighting.”
“Yes, I remember a firsthand demonstration of that, but the elders picked the champion and he has never been beaten in any challenge or battle before,” Un-Tark said.
Thad stood up, took Un-Tark’s arm in the fashion of the Untor, and shook it, “Well there is a first time for everything, now isn’t there. Besides, I hope once this is all over, you will find the courage to stand up and do what is right, change the law and ban this practice altogether. Punish only those who have harmed you and befriend those who wish nothing more than to be your friends, as we do.”
Un-Tark shook his arm back, “If you live through this, my friend, I will. I promise.” Un-Tark departed and Thad was taken to a bath where he was stripped down and washed. He was painted head to toe in the battle markings of the Untor. Then he was dressed in the warrior’s garment, which was not much more than a loincloth. He was barefoot, but they placed a leather garment on each leg that started at the ankles and rose to his knees.
A younger Untor, who must have been kissing one of the females, entered. His face was smeared with lipstick. He spoke broken English, “Time, come.” Thad followed him to a tree lift. They were lowered to the ground and he was marched about a half a mile to a clearing in the woods. In the middle of the clearing was a large wooden dome structure. The top of the dome was built like a cage so instead of seats the crowd just climbed up, finding a spot to watch. As he approached, the girls were lined up next to the door. He was allowed to hug and kiss each one before he was placed inside the dome. He hugged Freya last and said to her, “Look, honey, it’s the Thunder Dome all over again.”
It was another one of his twentieth-century film references she never could get. She was not amused. Freya looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Don’t you dare die in there.”
He smiled at her, “Do I hear a little bit of doubt in your voice?” She didn’t answer, partly because she didn’t want him to know she was worried about him, and because the guard had taken him by the arm to lead him into the dome.
Inside the dome, he was alone. He looked around dirt floor and saw nothing else, no weapons, nothing. When he looked up, the crowd was taking up just about every spot on the cage above him. They cheered and waved. The door on the other side of the dome opened, and the Untor champion entered. The crowd went wild and Thad could see why, this guy was easily twice Thad’s size, and all of his arms looked like a body builder on some serious steroids.
The champion waved all four of his arms, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. He turned to Thad as he walked to the middle of the dome. Thad got the clue and followed suit. Standing in the middle, the Untor extended one of his right arms for Thad to take hold of, they shook arms, and then he went back to his side of the dome.
Two sticks, with what appeared to be stone balls lashed to one end, dropped down from the top of the dome. This was the signal for the fight to begin, and the Untor leaped forward with surprising speed and grace for his size. He picked up the weapon, with one foot, and threw it up to one of his waiting hands. Thad, not knowing this was the start of the fight made him a few seconds slower than the Untor. He ran to the center and dove for his weapon, just as the Untor let lose a massive swing. It passed harmlessly over Thad’s back, as he rolled on the ground, back onto his feet, weapon in hand.
The crowd loved Thad’s dramatic move to get his weapon. The noise was deafening. Thad was trying to work out his strategy to beat this brute, but the Untor did not give him any time to strategize. The warrior’s attacks came fast and powerful. Thad ducked most of them, after all, he was much faster than the Untor, but his opponent’s four arms made it very difficult to block every punch thrown.
Thad was doing his best just to survive. He had fought many different species before, but nothing with four arms and feet like hands. Thad was able to get in a blow or two every now and then, but they seemed ineffectual. Then it happened, the Untor landed a blow across Thad’s face with the stone club, knocking him silly for a few seconds, and tearing a huge chunk of flesh from his face. The crowd cheered and the Untor strutted about. He lined up on Thad ready to deliver another blow when he stopped cold.
The only sound was that of the crowd holding its breath. They watched in awe as Thad’s face healed right before their eyes. This gave Thad time to recover from the blow. He bent down and scooped up a handful of dirt. As the Untor moved toward him to strike again, Thad was ready and the dirt flew up into the face and eyes of the Untor. Thad jumped up, and using the Untor’s arms like tree limbs, climbed until he was next to the Warrior’s head where he landed a powerful hit with the stone club.
The Untor’s face split open like Thad’s had done, but his wound did not heal like Thad’s had. Thad did not get to stay up there for long, as the Untor grabbed Thad with all four arms, and in a flash had him in a bear hug. The crowd roared as Thad was forced to drop his weapon. The Untor was strong, very strong, but no matter how much pressure he exerted upon Thad’s rib cage he couldn’t break any ribs, in fact, he could not even get enough pressure to squeeze the breath out of Thad.
This was the break Thad needed. He slammed his head into the Untor’s nose and with a sickening crack, the nose shattered. Blood and tears blinded the Untor. He dropped Thad to the ground, to hold his wounded face. Thad picked up both stone clubs, swinging one at each of his opponent’s knees. The hits made the Untor buckle and fall onto his back. Thad then dropped one of the weapon
s, rounded the big Untor’s body, and stood at his head. He lifted the stone club and held it ready to deliver the killing blow. He stopped, and the crowd fell quiet awaiting the end, the death of their champion. Thad stood there long enough to be sure he had everyone’s attention.
“I will not kill this Untor. I choose to spare his life to show to the Untor people we wish you no harm and we will not shed your blood,” Thad yelled to the crowd, then lowered his weapon slowly, and broke the handle over his knee. He tossed the two halves away. The crowd went crazy with yelling and clapping. Thad walked around to face the injured Untor. He extended his arm. The Untor champion looked at him for a few seconds then grabbed his arm. Thad helped him back to his feet. The Champion then shook his arm. Together, they held their arms up in triumph.
The champion spoke for the first time, “Un-Flar, thanks you.”
Thad said, “You’re welcome.”
The door opened and Un-Tark marched into the center of the dome. He lifted his staff to quiet the people. “The challenge has been offered and met. The challenger has chosen to spare the life of Un-Flar, which is his right. The law has been fulfilled, let it be spoken.” The crowd cheered again. “Let it be spoken, from this day forward, death challenges are banned to the end of time.” Again, the crowd cheered. “Also from this day forward we will no longer put to death skywalkers who come to us, without a trial of their crimes. We have much to learn from this people, and it is long past time we let the past stay in the past and the present be a gateway to a better future!” The noise from the cheers of the crowd lasted for many minutes. When the noise level diminished to the point where Un-Tark could talk again he said, “Let it be spoken the law of our people can change as needed and these people are to be known as Un-Takar’s, or friends of the Untor people. For as I have spoken, let it be done!”
After that day, Thad and the girls became closer to the Untor people. They lived, hunted, fished, and laughed with the people. After a month of learning their ways, they were made a part of the tribe. Eve started a school and taught the people English, math, and other subjects. Thad taught the people medicine and other practical knowledge. The twins spent much of their time teaching the females how to do makeup and hair. They even started to work with the clothing makers to design new clothing.
