Amara said that attack would open the gate. Sol said they should wait for an error. Between the eastern and western courts, the gate shone within two curved racket heads. It had no hinges. Its guardians were ready to play.
Amara went forward and left space behind her. Sol withdrew and gave the guardians the net. Each could explain the other’s mistake. Each was waiting for the match to prove whose way should govern both of them.
A ball floated into the middle. They could both reach it. They both waited. It landed untouched, and the light in the gate dimmed.
“I have called caution loyalty because I am afraid to be seen choosing,” Sol said.
“I have called command courage because I am afraid to depend on you,” Amara answered.
They agreed that whoever saw an opening would name it, and the other would commit. On the next ball, Amara called “yours.” Sol stepped forward. On the next, he called “go,” and she moved.
The gate opened onto harder courts.
They still disagreed there. When the argument returned, so did the question they had learnt to ask together: “What are we willing to serve?”