The latest Escape Pod is live with Daniel Braum’s story, Sumo21. This is one of my first selections from the slush pile. I published a lot of Dan’s work over at the Fortean Bureau, but this is one I passed on because it didn’t fit our publication. It felt good to accept it on the second time around. This week, the story is read by Mr. Eley himself:
“Oh great Emperor,” the gyoji said, continuing the ritual. “These two honorable warriors can not agree who will step aside, and who will join the sacred battle to return you to us. We would gladly send all our sons, but the Council of Infinite Japans says there may be only twenty-one. So now they must fight to decide.”
“May the best warrior join the fight,” the crowd answered in unison with the gyoji.
The gyoji stepped back. Asashoryu stared into Takanasuro’s expressionless brown eyes. The match would begin upon a tacit agreement between them. He kept Takanasuro’s mid section in his field of vision while focusing on keeping his own face blank. He knew the beginner’s lesson as if it were part of him; faces deceive and betray, but all movement starts at the hips.
I hope you enjoy it.
