Round Robin Story Debate Tournament

A ladder was placed into the pit for Asakai to climb down. The crowd’s cheering overwhelmed the last prisoner’s threats as the ladder was pulled away. Asakai clenched his shield and spear, as the prisoner raised his sword. The second sword laid beside where the ladder once stood, and Asakai knew that if the other prisoner were to gain access that he would not survive this test. “What do you wait for?” The prisoner shouted as he smiled. “There is no value to delaying fate!” Asakai didn’t respond, but recalled the many times he had hunted antelope with his father as a boy. While the prisoner was much taller and imposing than a mere antelope, Asakai knew that the area of the prisoner’s chest was about the same size as an antelope’s torso. If he missed, he knew that he could reach for the sword to finish his task. “You are just a boy! There is no hope for you to win! Your father’s poor judgement will bring your death!” The prisoner shouted again, but stood in his place waiting for Asakai to move first. The crowd’s cheering intensified. “You dishonor yourself in taunting me.” Asakai shouted. “I may look like a boy, but you have no shield!” “No shield?” The prisoner coldly laughed. “I have a sword! Your spear and shield are no match! You’ll meet the same fate as the others as soon as you get within range.” The prisoner lowered his sword in disbelief, giving Asakai his opening. Asakai lunged the spear at the prisoner’s torso, and it struck with penetrating force into the prisoners chest. The prisoner fell to his knees and gasped for air, trying in vain to pull the spear out. Asakai grabbed the second sword and walked over to the prisoner. Asakai thrust the sword into the prisoner’s neck, with the sober concentration of a victorious hunter. “It is finished!” He shouted. The ladder was lowered into the pit, and Asakai emerged with the prisoner’s head and the priest’s staff. “You have done well, my son.” The chieftain began. “But why return with the prisoner’s head?” “I return with the prisoner’s head so that all may see that when I am faced with a challenge, that I leave nothing unfinished.” Asakai dropped the head. “You will make a great leader in due time, my son.” The chieftain placed his hands on Asakai’s shoulders. “It is time.” The priest whispered to the chieftain. “So it is.” Asakai turned and faced the crowd. “A great victory is had before us today! As I hunt antelope, so will I hunt all the threats which present themselves to our tribe!” Asakai shouted. “As my father steps down, I beseech the warriors that I may be afforded the same respect you all afforded him. Together, may we all live long and prosper!” The priest removed Asakai’s necklace and replaced it with a golden chain and black pendant to symbolize his accomplishment. Asakai handed the priest his staff, and the priest smiled. “Your father chose to fight the prisoners with a sword.” The priest told Asakai. “Is that why the Chieftain’s arm bears the long slash?” Asakai asked the priest. “What he lacked in wisdom he overcame with strength.” The priest smiled. “Come, Asakai! Now, we feast.” Asakai, the chieftain and the priest departed for the great hall, where the tribal elders were gathered around a table that spanned the hall. The chieftain and the priest entered first, and stood at the head of the table. Asakai followed, and they each took seats at either side of Asakai, who remained standing. “Elders!” Asakai addressed the room. “Today I stand before you, adorned with the mark of victory. As we enjoy these festivities, may this moment stand as precedent for days to come. From my father I have learned much! Were it not for his teaching me to hunt antelope, I might have chosen to fight with a sword. I am grateful to him for all I have learned, and I am grateful to you all, that we may fest together in celebration! To the chieftain and our tribe, we toast!” Asakai, the tribe elders, the chieftain and the priest raised their glasses and drank.