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Show 80 She's waiting for me, thought Chua. He pushed ahead, but Toho matched him stride for stride. v The finish line was near. He and Toho were together, step for step. They crossed the finish line together. Toho caught Chua's hand and raised it in victory. Toho slowed the pace to a jog and circled the village crowd with Chua's hand still raised in his. "I didn't win," panted Chua, pulling his hand down. "Why do you raise my hand in victory? It was a tie." "We both won," Toho said between heavy breaths. "We are both the victors." The Bear Clan Chiefs face, was red with anger as the boys approached him. "Why did you not win, Toho? You are weak and will grow stiff bones like your mother. You must be lashed now." "No, Father," Toho said, standing tall and facing his father. "We are both the winners. You must grant both victory agreements." "You didn't win," said his father. "Yes I did," Toho said. "We both ran our best." His father's back stiffened. "You have tricked me." "You must honor your word and give Chua back his bird," Toho said. "I will not allow you to see the boy again," said his father. "You must, Father," Toho said. "He is my friend. You saw how we run together. We belong as friends." "He's not of the Bear Clan," his father said. "He may have an evil heart." |