- Laith Taher 137
kept knocking knights down one after the other. People of
the tribe became more aware of his massive strength and
became certain that he would become the tribe’s strongest
knight, if he was not already.
One day as knights trained, sixteen-year-old Jarvis,
who had defeated most of the strongest knights in the tribe,
saw his brother, Hammond.
He said, “How about we wrestle, Hammond? I have
knocked down all knights of the tribe except you.”
All the knights started laughing, except Hammond.
Jarvis challenged him. “Let’s wrestle, and see
which one of us is stronger.”
Hammond was a slightly fat young man with very
light black hair and short black moustache.
He said harshly, “I do not have time for your
nonsense and games. Brothers do not wrestle. Besides, I am
much older than you and will knock you down in no time.”
“Let’s give it a try then,” said Jarvis.
Hammond replied, “I am not going to do it.”
“What is the matter with you, Hammond? Are you
afraid?” one of the tribe’s knights said to Hammond.
“Wrestle him, so we know which one of you is the
strongest.”
At that moment, Hammond realized that he had to
wrestle, otherwise the knights of the tribe would think that
he was a coward.
So he said, “Very well.”