The match began, and Zeph's arm went down - not without a struggle, not easily on Kel's part, but down fast enough that the hunter felt a swell of excitement and a little shock that the tricks had actually worked. He hurried to release the other man's hand, but at the smile and dramatic display a shy grin was tugged from Kel's initial wariness, amber eyes bright with pride that he'd won.
Not everything. As the old man said, they were tied and the contest wasn't over yet. Nor was Kel likely to catch him by surprise again (if he'd even really managed it the second time - but he didn't let himself think about that.)
"Ready," he agreed, a bit more confidence in his bearing as his grin took on a competitive edge. He settled his elbow on the log and reached for Zeph's waiting hand, and as they met he tilted his knuckles and creased his palm again, trying to make lightning strike twice - and hoping that youth and speed might be a match for old age and cunning.
Not everything. As the old man said, they were tied and the contest wasn't over yet. Nor was Kel likely to catch him by surprise again (if he'd even really managed it the second time - but he didn't let himself think about that.)
"Ready," he agreed, a bit more confidence in his bearing as his grin took on a competitive edge. He settled his elbow on the log and reached for Zeph's waiting hand, and as they met he tilted his knuckles and creased his palm again, trying to make lightning strike twice - and hoping that youth and speed might be a match for old age and cunning.
