The tip of the sun dipped below the horizon and High Combat began.
Dominic struck first. He feigned a left hook before driving his right fist into Antonio’s chin. Antonio was rocked back on his heels. Dominic came in for an easy kill but came in too fast.
Antonio regained his balance and side-stepped to his right. Dominic’s charge grazed Antonio but most of the force was averted. Instead, Dominic was hurled forward and lost his balance, rolling head first onto the ground. Before Antonio could take advantage of the misstep, however, Dominic rotated and was back on his feet.
Antonio charged and drove his forearm into Dominic’s face, lacerating his lips against his teeth. Antonio continued the assault with a punch to Dominic’s throat but Dominic was able to raise his arms and block the strike.
Dominic replied quickly with a fierce uppercut. The blow struck Antonio on the chin and knocked him backwards onto the ground. Dominic dove onto Antonio, leading with his elbows to drive them into Antonio’s chest. Antonio managed to roll away at the last moment and twisted to grab Dominic in a headlock. He detained Dominic’s head and with his free hand, repeatedly cuffed Dominic.
Dominic’s ear began to bleed but it did not faze him. He countered with a punch to Antonio’s ribcage and the blow affected Antonio enough for Dominic to wiggle out from the headlock. He threw himself on top of Antonio hoping to pin Antonio beneath him. Antonio turned slightly but not enough. Dominic placed his full weight into his knees that pressed hard against Antonio’s shoulders. Antonio was trapped.
Dominic took advantage and drove his fists into Antonio’s face. Soon blood spurted from Antonio’s broken nose.
Antonio was blinded by the blood but groped forward and discerned Dominic’s eye. He drove his thumb into the eye and pushed hard trying to hook his thumb to rip the eye from the socket. Dominic screamed in pain and fell back, allowing Antonio freedom from the pin.
Dominic did not fully retreat and managed to ignore the burning in his eye. He used his anger to drive a punch in the area right below Antonio’s exposed armpit, just as Antonio was standing. Antonio felt the bones give way as a rib broke.
Dominic grappled Antonio but Antonio expected the attack and flipped Dominic over his back. Dominic landed hard on the ground and the wind was knocked from him. He gasped for breath as Antonio began to stomp him. Dominic rolled to avoid the blows. Antonio saw an opportunity to stun Dominic and raised his heel for a blow to the back of Dominic’s head but at that moment, Dominic came up with a fistful of earth. The thrown dirt hit its mark and Antonio was blinded.
Dominic charged Antonio, driving his shoulder into Antonio’s chest and knocking Antonio onto his back. Dominic regained his formation, pinning Antonio to the ground. He pummeled Antonio’s exposed face with tired arms and realized victory was near; he would beat Antonio until unconscious.
Then unexpectedly, the fury stopped and Dominic slid off Antonio. The crowd gasped and Antonio was just as surprised. He wiped the blood from his eyes and looked at Dominic who lay on his side in the dirt next to him. Antonio touched him and did not understand. Dominic was dead.
Antonio ascended to his feet in disbelief, gazing down at Dominic. He was uncertain as to what had happened. The circle of men around them only stared; no one moved to stand or come near the two warriors.
Then, Abuelo stood. His eyes twinkled as he waited for silence to overtake the group. It was then that Abuelo spoke, “You have become one of us.”
Antonio was not sure what he meant. He started to speak but changed his mind.
He thought back to the fight. He had desired the power to drive Dominic from him but his strength was failing. As he tried to throw Dominic off him, he clutched Dominic’s leg. A moment later, Dominic was dead.
A vision then came to him and he realized what Abuelo meant. The Men of Nod killed the Calusa by touch alone during the battle. Antonio had just demonstrated that power. He was now a Man of Nod.
Abuelo saw the recognition in Antonio’s face and smiled. “You are now as I am. All of you are,” he said looking at Eduardo.
Eduardo was unsure how to answer. He was spared his lack of answer as Carlos stood and entered the circle. He carried a boar tusk necklace and placed it around Antonio’s head. Antonio was now the High Chief.
High Combat was over. Questions remained but no more words were spoken as the evening moved to the prepared feast in honor of the new High Chief.
As the men ate, Antonio sat off to the side. He was not in much of a mood to be honored. Dominic was dead. He had killed him but not through traditional methods of combat and he was angry about it.
None of the Calusa said anything but he saw them look at him out of the corner of their eyes. He could tell they feared him. He did not know if they would now follow him just because he was their High Chief or out of fear. Antonio did not want to be feared because of something they did not understand; he wanted to be feared because he was fierce in combat.
He had fought well but in the end he had won by some strange power. He did not feel he had earned his position as High Chief. He felt he had cheated. Soon his anger would turn to bitterness and that bitterness would become rage.
After the feast, Antonio remained by the fire, long after everyone else had retired to their hall for the night. He
