Midnight Robber

Tan-Tan craned her neck, trying to see the fighters better. "Mummy, is where Daddy there?" Tan-Tan asked.

"I don't know, darling. I don't see he. Mama Nanny, tell me that after all this fret I fret, the blasted man not going to just forfeit. "

The fighters were all dressed differently, according to their fighting style: some armored like Quashee; some in leotards; some in dhotis with bare chests or bubby-bands. They all looked jittery.

Daddy finally came striding out from the change rooms. Ben the gardener was running in front as squire, carrying Antonio's helmet and machète.

Quashee ain't have a squire.

The crowd went silent. Daddy walked into that ring tall and proud. You could tell he wasn't 'fraid nobody. Tan-Tan's heart was thumping like drums.

She had never seen Daddy look so fine as this day. His leather armour was all in black with silver joints for the elbow and knee. His matching black leather helmet had a silver mouth guard. His machète was sharp so till it caught the little bit of sunshine that had graced the day and flung the light into Tan-Tan's eyes, sharp like a razor cut.

Tan-Tan could see the fear-sweat already on Quashee's brow.

Quashee and Antonio stood opposite each other. The machète marshall examined both their armour, ran a black box over their bodies. "Mummy, what he doing?"

A woman beside them answered. "He checking to make sure them ain't using electronic fields to protect themself."

"Granny Nanny," the marshall chanted in nannysong to the air, "Let the record show: the combattants dress fair to fight fair" His enhanced voice echoed. He put a hand on either man's forearm and switched to patwa. "Gentlemen, I want you to inform the crowd who issue this machète challenge this Jour Ouvert morning."

"Is me, Marshall. Antonio, mayor of Cockpit County, against Quashee, the man who take away me wife honour from me. "

Somebody muttered, "Eh-eh. Like her honour is yours to have or lose."

Mummy shot a quick glare at the man, her lips set hard together. He returned her gaze sheepishly, shrugged. Mummy looked back at the ring.

The marshall boomed, "Quashee, you accept the challenge? "

"Yes, Marshall." His voice trembled a little.

The marshall nodded and looked up at the stands. "People, listen good, for though Granny Nanny hearing we, you is the human eyes of the law this morning. This fight must go according to these rules:" Tan-Tan whispered the rules along with the marshal

"Them could only use bare machète, no other weapon or device.

"Them could wear leather armour for protection.

"If the fight going fair, nobody must interfere

"The thing must continue until one of them beg mercy or can't fight no more.

"The winner shouldn't kill, but should show mercy.

"Them is the rules. Allyou go be witness?"

"Yes, Marshall," the crowd yelled back. As the marshall turned and walked to safety at the edge of the ring, Tan-Tan could hear the excited voices all around her:

"Quashee, man, is Quashee go win! Put a ten rupees on Quashee, there for me."

"You know so! He been practicing! He sure to beat out Antonio. Look my five rupees."

"Nah, man. Is fool allyou fool. Antonio have more life experience. I bet you the dog have solve tricks in he. I putting down twenty on Antonio, oui?"

From the edge of the ring the marshal called to the two fighters: "All right; allyou ready?"

They nodded. Quashee put on his helmet. Even from where she was sitting Tan-Tan could see how his trembling hands fumbled with the chin buckle. Ben made to put on Antonio's helmet, but Antonio stopped him cool-cool. He swaggered over to Mummy and Tan-Tan. Ione giggled like a sob. She put her hand to her mouth.

"Doux-doux," Antonio called out to his wife, "give me your favour, nuh? Your lace handkerchief to tie back me hair from out me eyes?"

Ione put her hand on her bosom. Her lips wavered into a smile. She reached into her bodice with two fingers, slow, the way molasses does run down the side of the bowl. She drew out a pretty lace kerchief from her blouse, dabbed it against the moisture gathered between her breasts, and then flung it to Antonio. He caught the little piece of lace and held it up to his face, inhaling the perfume of Ione's skin. "Oh God," a man whispered from the crowd. "Look how he love she, even though she did horn he."

"Never mind that at all," somebody replied. "Ain't you would give anything to be that kerchief, and rest where it does rest ?"

Antonio smiled at Ione and tied back his long black hair with the kerchief. Only then would he let Ben put on the helmet. Tan-Tan clutched at the Robber Queen cape Daddy had given her. She closed her eyes and said silently, The winner can't kill. He must show mercy. The winner can't kill . . .