Salamangka: 12SS 2020

Judicial Combat

"Hey, EZ," one of the two Paladins at the solid black steel gate waved at Enoch 'EZ' Zacarias as he approached.

The Paladins were in their usual, thin, midnight-blue, metal body armor, vambraces, and greaves, over navy blue ripstop jumpsuits. Both of them had their faceplates up, so EZ recognized them.

"Hey, Bob," EZ nodded, smiling. "Eddie."

Bob, the one on the left, wrinkled his nose.

"Phew!" Bob said, fanning the air. "You stink!"

"You look like shit, too," Eddie said.

EZ was wearing an indigo crew-neck t-shirt, worn out blue jeans, and sandals. Eddie, however, could have been referring to any number of things – his large, bloodshot, baggy eyes; oily brown-complexioned face; long, unkempt , fly-away black hair hanging down to his shoulders; or frizzy, scruffy full beard; or his skinny-ass physique.

"Do you ever get into Judicial Combat sober?" Bob asked.

"What?" EZ said, raised both hands in a shrugging motion. "I haven't had a drink in... five minutes!"

The Paladins laughed.

Four other Paladins approached along the corridor, escorting a man in his early forties, dressed in a gray tracksuit, jogging pants, and white running shoes. Walking next to the man was a young woman in her late twenties or early thirties, pixie-cut hair, beautiful Spanish mestiza face, lithe figure in a light blue business shirt, with long sleeves rolled-up to her elbows, black skinny-fit formal pants, and black stilettos. Despite her high heels, the woman was able to walk along the corridor without making any noise; the Paladins' boots made more noise than her stilettos.

The group stopped as they approached EZ.

"Hey, Alice," EZ waved at the group. "Mr. Chang."

"EZ," the woman nodded, an annoyed frown on her face.

The man smiled and said something in Chinese.

"Mr. Chang says," Alice droned in monotone. "'Good luck, Advocate EZ. Please win for me.'"

Alice obviously would rather be somewhere else, anywhere else, but here, acting as Chang's translator.

"Don't worry, Mr. Chang," EZ beamed confidently, "I'll win. Just don't forget our deal."

Alice translated, speaking in Chinese. Chang responded, and Alice turned back to EZ.

"He says thanks," Alice sighed.

She nodded at the Paladin escorts. "Trial's about to start. Let's go."

Alice, Chang, and the four Paladin escorts, all walked on, making their way towards a stairwell further down the corridor.

"Man," Eddie said. "How can you stand representing a scumbag like that? The guy sold powdered Tikbalang bones and hooves, for chrissakes."

Tikbalang were legendary creatures of Philippine Mythology. They had the head and legs of a horse, a torso and arms of a human. Tikbalang were renowned for their speed, power, and martial prowess.

The Paladins had caught Chang at his shop in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila, selling organs harvested from mythical beings like Tikbalang.

"Hey," EZ said, "someone has to do it. The Great Covenant's Law of Judicial Combat and Advocates like me, are all that stand between peace and all-out war among the magical races."

"HAH!" Bob said. "Save your textbook platitudes, EZ. Everyone knows you just love to fight, that's all."

"Yeah," EZ smiled with a shrug, "that too."