With nothing better to do, Jas reflected on her actions during the banquet last night. It was a bizarre holiday the Tubaka tribe supposedly held every year. Families brought exotic foods of various sorts. There was dancing, singing, music, all in the strange Tubakan style. During one of the more vigorous dances, Jas had spun out of control, bumping into one of the tribe�s warriors known as Tok. The blow sent him flying into a nearby table of food. There was a great crash and many screams. The music stopped. After the dust settled, there was a very filthy and badly bruised Tok laying in the aftermath. He was furious, and accused her of deliberately attacking his honor and making a fool out of him. She denied it, but was forced to accept his challenge by the Tubakan code. She would be forced to fight to defend her honor . . . or die.

She looked about her prison, a small room with thick thatched walls which sunlight peeked through in spots. They had given her this time here to meditate and prepare for battle. She had tried to decline, but Nantu, the village elder, refused it. He argued that it was their custom. Personally, Jas could not relax while she knew she was about to go to her death.

Through the walls, she could hear people begin to fill the empty seats of the arena. According to Tubakan law, the arena was used to settle all kinds of disputes within the tribe. For smaller trifles, a simple fist fight or wrestling match would do. Larger disputes called for a fight to the death. Oh how Jas wished these people did not place honor so highly! Wishing wouldn�t do her any good now. All she could do was wait.

It didn�t take much longer before the door to her room opened into the large expanse of the arena, a much larger and taller version of the room she had been in. The guards beckoned for her to step out of the room, and she obeyed. She gasped in awe while she looked around the arena. The arena was spherical in shape, with a tall wall surrounding the floor, with seats lying beyond. Netting was strung from wall to wall, and even up to the ceiling. Pits lined the floor, while columns held up platforms with rope ladders dangling from their sides.

For a while, Jas stood there, amazed at the great amount of skill and patience obviously needed to manufacture such a structure. One of the guards approached Jas, offering her a weapon. She broke out of her trance just long enough to see the guard thrust the pole arm into her hands, then bow and retreat. Across the arena, Jas could now see another guard performing the same ritual with Tok. Tok snatched the pole arm away from the guard and glared at him, the anger apparent on his face. The guard forgot about bowing and headed for the rope ladder which led up into the stands. Both guards climbed up to their seats, then reeled in the rope ladder.

Nantu stood up from his throne, beckoning the two fighters to the center of the arena. As Tok approached Jas, he gave her a menacing grin. Jas looked more startled than afraid. They both turned to face the elder. Nantu just stared down at the two with a stern, judging eye. After the arena grew silent, Nantu began to speak.

�Warriors, be warned,� he began. �The winner will be awarded victory and honor. The loser shall be granted his . . .� he paused, and suddenly grew more silent and dark, �or her death. Either way, may justice be swift and truthful today.� He turned and sat down. Then, throwing a hand in the air, shouted, �Warriors to their corners!�

Tok gave Jas a final stare as he headed for his corner. Jas looked up at Nantu, a protesting look on her face. Nantu just looked back down at her. Jas thought she saw something on his face, but had trouble telling just what he was trying to say with his look. Nantu looked away before she could tell. Disappointed, Jas headed for her corner.

The pole arm she held in her hands was well balanced, and easy to use. Jas swung it about a few times, getting used to the feel of it. She might actually have to kill Tok in self-defense, a prospect which she was not looking forward to. Still, if she had to fight, she wanted to be ready. Another thought invaded her mind. The leaders of the Alliance would not look well upon this deed. Jas had been sent as an ambassador to these people, to see if they were fit to join the Alliance. She had already judged them worthy. Unfortunately, this fight would shatter every hope she had of these people gaining entrance into the Alliance.

Nantu�s cry suddenly filled the whole expanse of the arena, startling Jas, causing her to whirl around, pole arm first in self defense. �FIGHT!� Nantu commanded.

Tok emerged from his corner, swinging his pole arm around and around in circles intimidatingly, grinning smugly at her. Jas approached Tok, keeping her pole arm between them at all times. Jas tried to talk him down, saying, �I have no reason to fight you. Put down your weapon and we can both walk out of here peacefully.�

Tok simply lunged at her, swinging the bladed end of his pole arm down at her head. Jas reacted and blocked with her pole arm. The result of the clash was that Tok now looked Jas right in the face. Tok sneered and uttered, �Maybe not, but I have every right to want you dead. You come to our village speaking of this Alliance. You live with us, dance with us, eat our food, learn our ways, all in hopes that our two peoples can live peacefully together. Our tribe was doing fine until you showed up, spreading your corrupting influence over our people.� The rage was apparent on Tok�s face at this point. He continued, �Did you stop to think that maybe we didn�t want to join any Alliance? Why couldn�t you just have left us alone? We were happy without you here!�

Jas couldn�t listen to any more. She withdrew her pole arm and swept low, knocking Tok�s legs out from under him. She then swung the pole over her head and down. It was Tok�s turn to parry the blow. She argued, �I didn�t come here to change your people. I came here to offer our cooperation in exchange for yours. Our peoples could benefit greatly from each other. Think how much your tribe could benefit from ours. New farming technologies can produce more food, stronger weapons to defeat your enemies, and not to mention how your economy would benefit from a little trade. I don�t see how a little change could hurt so much. Please, Tok, be reasonable! End this now before it�s too late!�

Tok didn�t listen. His only response was that he suddenly threw Jas�s pole arm aside and jumped up all in one big movement. He growled and swung the blade of his pole arm at her side. Jas swept downward and blocked. Tok withdrew, wound up, and then threw a rapid barrage of thrusts and swings at Jas, forcing her to back up until she was against the back wall of the arena. The entire arena started to cheer. Jas stood, squished against the wall, holding Tok�s blade inches away from her face with her own pole arm.

She then realized, all too late, that there was no avoiding this fight. Anger filled her, and with it came a new strength. She shouted, �Alright, if the only words you seem to understand are blows, then hear this!� She threw Tok off her and lunged at him, throwing her own barrage of attacks at him. It threw Tok off guard so much that he couldn�t keep up with his defense. One of the blows landed with a sharp smack, sending Tok onto his knees. Another attack caught his weapon and sent it flying across the arena. Jas raised her staff for the finishing blow and said, �I only hope your actions haven�t condemned your people.� As she was about to swing, a loud voice boomed from the crowd. �STOP!�

The arena slowly grew silent. Nantu stood from his throne, climbed down into the arena, followed by several guards. Tok slowly stood up, wincing and holding his knee. The guards circled the two figures, followed by Nantu, who broke through the circle and approached the two. He looked from Jas to Tok, then back to Jas. Then, drawing a breath, stated, �You are right, Jas. There is no reason for you to kill Tok. End this fight now.� Jas looked back to Nantu with a curious smile. He simply smiled back, a smile of admiration and honor.

Nantu turned to Tok. Jas could see the anger which was trying to cloud Nantu�s face, and was amazed at how well he kept it hidden. He adressed Tok as an angry father adresses a child, saying, �Tok, you disappoint me. From the moment this woman came to our village, she has shown good intentions, but you have done nothing but dishonor her. You claim that she has corrupted our people. No, Tok. You are the corrupting influence here. We knew about your intentionally bumping into Jas during the dance, and how you staged the accident as an excuse to challenge her. We would have stopped you, but we did not want to give up a chance to test Jas�s character. She has clearly shown her worthiness.�

Nantu seemed to have trouble continuing. He looked away from Tok and stated, calmly, �You have no honor left. You deserve to be killed by this woman. Still, you are too promising of a warrior. I hate to see such talent spoiled. I will not have you killed. Instead, I want you to leave this village, and never return. You will be well provided for, then escorted to the furthest borders of our land and released.�

Tok seemed completely distraught. His chin fell as he tried to speak. The guards surrounded him and pulled him up off of his knees. Nantu looked Tok directly in the face and silently spoke, �I hope you find a life somewhere, where you truly belong. Good luck.� Backing away a half step, Nantu ordered, �Take him away!� The guards began to drag Tok off to face his fate, still in utter protest.

Nantu then turned and faced Jas, smiling. �We were trying to think of some way to test you when Tok suddenly challenged you. We had to find out if we could trust you before we could accept your offer. You have clearly shown your loyalty. You have defeated one of our warriors in mortal combat, and have held true to your principles to the end. If you are a true representative of the Alliance, then we would be honored to join.� Nantu slowly reached out a hand, and continued, �I, Nantu Shibara of the Tubaka tribe, hereby offer our resources and culture to the Alliance.�

Jas took a moment to look into the old man�s expectant eyes. She was a bit angered by his little test, but could understand the logic behind it. Nantu had shown great wisdom, and would be a strong leader among the council of the Alliance. She had not expected the situation to turn out quite this was, but was glad nonetheless. With a glowing grin, she transferred the pole arm to her left hand, then with her free hand, took Nantu�s hand, completing the ceremonial pact between them.

The crowd suddenly lept up and cheered wildly. Some simply clapped, others yelled battle cries, and a few even yelled praises to Jas. Nantu turned to face the crowd, shouting, �There is to be a feast tonight! I declare this day a holiday!� The crowd grew even louder and more ecstatic. Jas simply waved modestly. As the crowd slowly quieted and dispursed, Nantu held out an arm for Jas. A bit surprised by his sudden charm, she smiled and took his arm, and they began walking out of the arena together.

As they walked, Nantu cocked his head to one side and said, �You realize that you are now a legend among our people, don�t you?� Jas shook her head, confused. Nantu went on, �You are the first woman warrior these people have ever seen, let alone the first woman to defeat a man in combat.� Jas laughed. As the two exited the building, she pictured how well these people would get along with the rest of the Alliance, and yet thinking about how much they still had to learn.