Showdown

They found each other in a silent place, a wild place. There were no witnesses. Dressed for death, they each drew lethal steel and stood fast, awakening. In a moment too fast too perceive, they flew together. Their blades cracked lightning in heaven, the gods themselves withdrew; each stroke was doubly, triply, perfect — both blades rang and broke. Now past each other, back to back, the men examined their minds. Slowly they turned, paused a moment, and exchanged the hafts of the obliterated blades. They each bowed silently and stood, gazing briefly into each other’s eyes. They turned away then, returning to their paths. Soon, the sounds of animals and insects filled the atmosphere.