A Reason To Fight

At assembly in the hall of the great god Allah, the goddess Isis breached a topic to long ignored.

"Great Allah how much longer shall we suffer to see our worshippers degraded by those of Zeus? Zeus did not keep our pact to stay out of the affairs of man and let them govern themselves. Our worshippers have been enslaved for two hundred years. We have left then defenseless against Olympian meddling."

Allah thought for a moment and concurred with a nod of his head, then with a voice that would shake the whole Earth, the god of thunder spoke, "and do you propose a plan?"

Mighty Horus then spoke, "Yes dread one; to avoid war amongst the gods, two champions will be chosen and to the victor will go the spoils."

Great Allah nodded in agreement as did the rest of the court and with a great shout of thunder Allah was in the hall of Zeus before Zeus' throne, where Zeus was sprawled. Lightning stood to meet thunder. As they greeted each other, the other gods had to look away; even shining Apollo could not look upon their brilliance together.

Zeus began to interrogate his visitor, "Brother my eyes drink upon your glorious presence, but why have you come?"

Allah then spoke with his terrible voice, "you have broken our pact and interfered in the affairs of man. You have allowed your worshippers to enslave my worshippers and it is time they were freed."

Zeus grew hot with anger and was about to rain down thunder bolts when the Grey-eyed goddess Athena abated his anger with gentle words, "Sire, there is truth to his words. Hear him out before you destroy your own temple, lest it be for naught."

"Your daughter speaks with wisdom Zeus. Hold thy temper but a moment more. There need not be bloodshed amongst the gods. Choose from your worshippers a champion to meet my champion and let them meet on the field of battle and to the victor will go glory and all else," said majestic Allah.

To this the Grey-eyed goddess replied, "Odysseus will meet your champion forthright." This selection please Zeus, for he knew Odysseus to be clear-minded and of great valor.

Lord Allah spoke, "My champion is Sundiata. The two shall travel through the mist of time and be allowed to see what their peoples have done that they may have a reason to fight."

"Agreed," said Zeus then with a shout that left the Olympians ears echoing, the lord of the thunder was gone.

Athena was quick to work. She took Odysseus from his bed still sleeping and dressed him in a golden tunic. She gave him bulk and strength, then woke him.

Now clear-minded Odysseus who did not know where he was pretended to cringe in fear to catch his bearings. Athena realizing his motive spoke, "Odysseus, champion of champions do not be alarmed."

Odysseus now realizing with whom he spoke replied, "Great daughter of Zeus, where am I and for what purpose am I here?"

To this Athena replied, "You are at the gate of the mist of time. You have been chosen to champion Olympus, that is all you may know. You must go through the mist of time to meet you opponent. Defeat him and you will be crowned with glory beyond measure" and with this Zeus' Grey-eyed daughter was gone.

Odysseus' mind filled with thought of adventure was up to the game as he stepped through the mist of time.

In the bushes of Mali, two kings, old friends were hunting. Sundiata and his companion Tabon Wana (Fran Kamara) had found the trail of the great lion they were hunting. They decided to separate to attack from two sides. Sundiata was nearing the lion when he heard in a thunderous voice his name. He fell to his knees to worship, for he knew the voice of his god Allah.

"Rise to your feet son of the buffalo. You have been chosen to champion the cause of freedom."

Before Allah could continue Sundiata spoke, "Show me the way great Allah and keep my friend from harms way. "Come then Maghan Sundaita, step through the mist of time and win freedom for your people" and they were gone.

Odysseus was first to arrive. He was on an island that had no name. He sat to think of all he saw and he marveled at what the works of his fellow Greeks had wrought. As he thought he saw a massive silhouette coming through the mist of time. Sundiata stepped forward and Odysseus' eyes opened wide with wonder. From the history he had seen, he thought him to be a slave and desired to have such a splendid slave.

"Slave attend me and be my servant and I will give you house and land of your own" Odysseus commanded.

"Sundiata serves no man, I am here to champion freedom" said Sundiata.

"Then you are first to arrive, I am to be the judge of this contest. Come let us find food and wine while we wait for your opponent to arrive" replied the guileful Odysseus.

They searched till evening and finally they found food and wine that was prepared already. Sundiata took meat and sacrificed to his god Allah and Odysseus took the bones of a calf and sacrificed to the gods of Olympus, then they fell to eating.

Sundiata questioned Odysseus, "who are you stranger and how came you here?"

The master of deception had a ready lie; "I am Odysseus. I was on my Island of Ithaka sleeping in my bed when the goddess Athena took me. She said I was to judge a contest of champions and she brought me to this island moments before you."

Sundiata looked in Odysseus' eyes and said, "then my opponent arrives tomorrow?"

"It must be so, but enough let us drink and be merry tonight" replied Odysseus as he made many toast to get Sundiata drunk.

Sundiata's eyelids fell heavy and he said, "I will go make my bed under the trees," he stumbled outside and fell down to sleep near the trees.

Now the master deceiver showed himself, he smiled and pulled his sword to slay Sundiata. He went to where Sundiata laid and raised his sword above his head and let it fall with a mighty blow. He sliced through the figure lying at his feet.

Thunder rolled and lightning flashed across the sky. Odysseus' heart filled with fear as the grim sight of Sundiata was revealed standing before him with sword drawn.

"Foolish man, I have seen you history, did you really think I would believe your words?"

Sundiata threw his sword back and charged. But Odysseus with cat like reflexes moved out of the way and Sundiata sliced through the tree behind Odysseus like a calabash. Odysseus recovered his heart and footing and the battle was joined. They fought to a stand still, neither giving an inch for three days. Then the fourth day Sundiata and Odysseus both with their blood afire charged at each other and Sundiata with a mighty swing drew blood. Odysseus maddened with pain, charged and slashed Sundiata across the chest. Sundiata turned with the blow and cut Odysseus across the back.

They stood facing each other; both knowing the battle would end that fourth day. They charged at each other. The cunning Odysseus fell to his knees in mid-charge and thrust his sword at Sundiata's belly, but the swift Sundiata moved to one side and Odysseus' sword was lodged in his side. He took hold of Odysseus' sword arm and raised his sword to slice Odysseus in two.

Odysseus looked up and saw the deathblow coming. Sundiata swung the sword and threw it far away. Then he said, "let our battle end. My kind must fight for their freedom as I would have fought for mine." He helped a stunned Odysseus to his feet and Odysseus caught Sundiata before he fell. They looked at each other and nodded, Odysseus pulled the sword from Sundiata's side and they went together to mend their wounds.

In the great hall of Zeus, Zeus addressed Allah; "your champion has won the day."

"Indeed he has and he is correct. My worshippers should fight for their freedom that they may value it, but you and yours must stay out of the affairs of men or there will be retribution," said Allah.

Then Zeus replied, "Agreed, Sundiata and Odysseus will be returned with their wounds healed, they will not remember anything of their battle. Unite with me and make them immortal among the stars. Let us make of them a constellation to remind us of their battle and what they did for mankind."

By Errol W. Angus