The Chief was in his limits, couldn't think properly and spoke easier. He hadn't said anything to his followers and let them do what they pleased earlier. His sadness overwhelmed both his mind and body, worrying about what should he do next to save them both instead of the assembly. The elders quietly watched him from their seat, rubbing their beard glowing like sleet whilst the young Richarde was laying from his chair improperly with his feet cross-legged over the table. The sound of the crossfire was still echoed from their distance but kept their qualm to remain calm. One of the elders began to speak, calling the attention of the people inside the conference in critique. Richarde turned his sight to Elder Wamo who was speaking something so he turned his attention at him, listening to their conversation in grim.

"To think we cannot hold a proper meeting. Do you think we should stay here without doing anything, my brothers?" he asked, standing up from his seat and went behind his brothers' chair. "Brothers, I think it is time to share our opinions regarding this war against the Verdugo family."

The two elders he asked, looked at each other and nodded in agreement with his suggestion. They needed to make a decision in order to properly take an initial plan to win against their enemy. Although outnumbered, they had good and skilled warriors among them to make a motion.

Yet, they couldn't think much better strategy and only traditional war plan had been proposed by the old men. Digging trenches, build a supply line to connect each district and produced more sufficient supplies such ammunition, foods, clothes, and goods to make withstand the enemy much longer from their siege. Yet, all of their proposals were deeply useless since the enemies were already inside the village and a few meters away from their position.

The trenches would need more time to spare to dig, the supply lines needed more sufficient raw materials to stock and enough time to establish and it was already too late to gather supplies in this time.

The enemies had started to drop some barrels which it was discovered leaking some dangerous substance. People who tasted the water had become unable to move and paralyzed in the process. They couldn't digest the food they'd eat and their body starting to lose some muscles. It was nearly impossible to stop the substance their enemy had released and provided an antigen to prevent further water pollution. Nearly half of the people taking shelter from the disaster were the victims of the cruel tactic for their panic, making the others felt unsafe, hungry and angry. Due to the strategy the enemy, it gave their lives another risk and knew they wanted to decrease their morale, surrender and their leader's leg to be kissed.

The point of view of the Elders was drastic but realistic. But their old style making them unable to see the truth behind the deepest root. Richarde had something in his sleeves to pull out but he wanted to make sure that it would click in the right timing to spout.

"Do you think we should suggest to our chief?" Elder Kilo asked, turning his face to his brother.

"Oh, you want us to recommend to use that?" Elder Wamo grinned, rubbing his beard. He walked three steps ahead near to Chief Zamor.

"My chief, it appears my brothers want a recommendation to make? Would you like to hear his words in your accord?" he mannerly lowered his head, waiting for his permission. But the chief said no words and remained in his own world. Elder Wamo and his brothers sighed and let him take his time, waiting for their leader finally return to his prime.

"So what kind of recommendation do you seek to be approved, Elder Kilo?" the elders turned their eyes to the young lad.

"Oh, I totally forget you're here all along. Well, Sir. Richarde. It is not yet important to speak it out since the chief is not yet fully ready to open his mouth. I highly suggest keeping your question from the side for now unless you really want to be enlightened for this news that will stick in your marrow." Elder Kilo replied, smiling with his eyes closed.

"That kind of answer is lame. What a shame. Don't you think it is about time to share your request?" the young lad quickly demanded, quietly annoyed.

Elder Kilo apprehended his words, so the others were.

The person had asked a question that must be answered with comprehension. Nothing's going to lose as they knew this person was in the same issues. He might be some kind of big shot but with a little bit knowledge in handling his own shop but he had a keen eye of understanding and one of the trusted people under the chief's guidance and won't fall in a mischance.

Elder Wamo nodded when his brother wanted to reply in which the eldest, Elder Damaso replied them with wryly smile.

"As you can see and hear right now. The situation is getting worse for the meantime. As long as we don't make a decisive move and strategies to partake and retake our land we might have no other option but to surrender to make it better." he said.

Richarde folded his arms, closed his eyes and bent his head downward. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes in a grin.

"Surrender is just an option for those who seek favor for the enemies' populace and want their new master to tie their shoelace." he looked at his eyes, answering with a noble voice but low noise.

"I'm quite intimidated in your answer, sir. Do you think my recommendation to let our village to surrender and gain their favor of occupation that will benefit our land under their hands." Elder Kilo stood up, calmly reciprocated his words.

"Oh, I see. It appears that's what you really want. What a swan. Elder, do you think the answer to your choice will really benefit our land? You're just want to flee. Have you ask the villagers and make a survey that they really want to be occupied by another boss? It will result in our loss." Richarde leaned his chin under his folded hands.

"It is not my intention. It is to permit but not to —"

"— submit? Careful there, elder. I'm starting to doubt it is for the best in our village or it is only to save your life to reach a new age."

"Then, what do you want to say? Anything to save our people from their savage?"

"Savage indeed. But I have my own answer to our people to be salvaged." he retaliated in a grin.

Elder Wamo didn't like the situation right now. The young lad was becoming a hindrance to their plan. He was answering his brother with quiet respect but sarcastic deject. He tapped his second brother to stop spout another word.

"It is not what my brother meant. He only suggested for us to comply for a nomadic code we have a long time ago since the time of our ancestors. During that time, our land had been attacked by several invaders. We fight till night but with our fright, we lose our bright. The people were tired of being oppressed so they decided to be disgested. It is not meant to be eaten alive but to be taken care of by them under their hive. Such a method exists since ancient times, the weak favors the strong and be dominated but reeducated." Elder Damaso rejoindered, stood up and moved closer to the young lad. They both stared each other and no one wanted to answer a blunder.

"Impressive to the eldest, he is really the best. Moving closer to my front, you're really digging something brunt. There's a lot of option to take, why don't you guys make some time to think and have a break? Just relax and order some snack. Eat a lot. So we can take another plan to make a shot. What do you think, Elder Damaso?" his sharp eyes showed a serious and intimidating look and so the eldest did.

But he closed his eyes and heaved a sigh.

"Agree. We must take a break for a while." he turned around and moved towards the door, followed by his brothers indoor. "We will eat lunch but make sure to feel some hunch," he said before they leave the room.

Richarde smirked and leaned his chin over his folded hands, looking at the chief. "I guess it is the right time."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Under revision. Sorry for not adding more stuff. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~