Raviel gathered his elders in a circle, rubbing his temples.
"All of you… What do you think? What should I do?"
The elders looked at each other, unsure. No one spoke for a moment.
Then Elder Rendric stepped forward.
"I think we should accept it, Patriarch."
Raviel nearly choked on air.
"What?! Rendric, you're the most uptight elder in our clan. Why are you agreeing to something that basically looks like rebellion?"
Rendric nodded calmly.
"Because it's not rebellion."
The other elders leaned in, shocked.
Rendric continued, hands behind his back.
"What Sir Garion said earlier… there was truth in it. Patriarch Raviel and the grand elder have been walking two different paths for years. Just because there is no clash now…"
He turned at the Avenora Clan territory.
"Doesn't mean there won't be later."
Raviel's brows tightened.
Rendric sighed.
