accept. You may or may not. How do you answer?"
14 The winner of the elevens stepped from his place. "I accept the
challenge!" he cried. "Let it begin!"
15 Again the crowd roared with excitement. When the noise died down,
the Official cried out, "The challenge is made and accepted! Let the
contestants acquire their weapons, and proceed to the appointed place."
16 The two boys went to their armorers, then, took their places on the
towers pointed out by the Officials. When they were ready, one of the
Officials called "Begin!" Both boys leaped from the towers,
spreading their wings and soaring outward for their first bout. As they
maneuvered, twisting and turning beams of light shot from their
weapons, striking each other's shields, and sometimes, bodies. But the
deadly hot beams were absorbed by telectronic deflectors. The Judges
marked down their scores noting hits and misses.
17 Finally, an Official called "Time! Round! " Both boys dropped to the
ground and faced each other again. This time they attacked each other
on foot, getting close enough to use the blades of their weapons, not
their beam projectors.
18 It seemed to North that it went on forever, but finally the Official
called "Time! Bout ended!" Both boys backed off, exhausted. But North
came to attention, brought his sword across his shield, then, straight
up. This was the signal to his opponent that meant 'well
done!'
19 Instantly his opponent returned the salute and the crowd roared.
Both boys returned to their positions and all eyes fell on the Judges.
20 "You've got it!" Morn whispered to North. "You were flawless,
absolutely perfect! I saw your opponent make at least two mistakes."
21 "I hope the Judges agree!" answered North.
22 The minutes seemed like hours until finally the Award's Official
came forward. "The winner! " he cried,