The air was thick with the scent of crushed green stalks and the iron tang of blood. Manu, agile and desperate, danced on the balls of his feet, his eyes darting between the heavy wooden staff in Parago's hands and the openings in the older boy's guard. Parago swung the makeshift weapon with mercenary intent, the wood whistling as it cut through the air.
"Oh, shit! Why are you using this?" Manu exclaimed, his voice cracking with a mixture of adrenaline and indignation. He ducked under a horizontal swipe that would have shattered his ribs. "Coward! Attack with your bare hands if you have the guts, or give me a stick as well so we can settle this fairly!"
Parago's face twisted into a mask of libidinous cruelty, enjoying the sight of the warrior's son reduced to a fleeing rabbit. "Haha! I am not stupid enough to give up my advantage, little rat!" He lunged again, the staff swishing and swooshing in a blur of motion. "Die in the dirt like your father!"
