Pentoria

20. Malt

Chapter 20

Malt

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It was 8 years ago when Stade first met Furro. Although those times, Stade never knew that his friend had had that name. This skinny and playful boy, Stade knew as his best friend, had first introduced himself as Malt. And so Malt was what Stade knew his friend’s name was.

It was a warm summer day. The wind was calm and the wheat in the fields were gently swaying. Allan, the old horse, was grazing happily near by as an arrow raced through the air and hit a distant tree.

Stade was practicing his bow, as usual, beside his father’s field. He pulled on another arrow and aimed again at the same tree which was near the fence. The arrow hit its target again and Allan looked up from his meal still chewing some grass seemingly congratulating him.

Stade smiled to himself satisfied that he had shot two of his arrows perfectly at the same target. Now, finding for another challenge, he suddenly heard a thump behind the harvesting plow which was beside the small storage shed.

It must be the rats again, Stade thought to himself, Hmmm...I wonder…

Stade drew another arrow on his bow and aimed towards the plow. The thump sounded again and Stade released his grip.

“HAY!!” someone suddenly shouted. Stade realized where the voice had come from and thankfully the arrow missed. It had hit the board wall just an inch beside Stade’s intended target.

“You plan to shoot me like that?!” An irritated boy said standing up from behind the plow.

“Uh—sorry, I didn’t know you were there.” Stade replied startled.

Stade looked at the boy thoughtfully and he seemed about the same age as he was. He had a dirty face and a sleeveless shirt. Stade guessed that he also was a farmer’s kid. Dark brown eyes were glaring back at him and some grass was scattered on his short black hair and dark skin.

“You nearly killed me!” he bellowed.

A pang of annoyment made Stade rolled his eyes, “Nearly.”

“What did you think I was? A tree?”

“No…a rat.” Stade answered honestly and almost laughed to himself.

The boy glared at Stade even more, “Let’s settle this!” he said pointing his finger at Stade in rage, “You put down your bow and we will fight! Like men!”

Stade place his bow aside, and as he expected the boy ran towards him and pushed Stade to the ground. They both tumbled over and fell on the grassy floor. The boy then ended up on top of Stade, but Stade pulled him back down as they both continued wrestling. They kept grabbing each other’s wrists and pushing each others faces.

After some struggle, Stade finally gripped both the boy’s arms and pinned them on the ground. The boy tried to jerk free but Stade had a good hold on his wrists.

“Ok! Fine!” he shouted, “You win! You win! Let go!!”

Stade let him go but as soon as he did, the boy suddenly pushed Stade back and pinned him down the same way he did.

“That’s unfair!” Stade yelled, “Cheater!”

Stade kicked him on his chest and he fell back on his butt.

“Ouch!” he yelped.

“I already beat you!” Stade said to him. “You cheated!”

“No, I didn’t!” The boy replied.