"But, esteemed elders, we cannot just leave you," the men insisted, their voices trembling with the weight of the situation.
Mertin's voice cut through the air with a rough, commanding tone, "Are you defying the order we gave"
The men exchanged uneasy glances. "Yes," one man replied after a pause. Though fear flickered in his eyes, he stood firm in his beliefs.
"We'll help you walk," another man added, stepping forward and then going on all fours to pay respect.
"And if you can't walk, we'll carry your throne while you sit atop it and make our escape," a third man chimed in, his voice carrying a blend of urgency and loyalty.
The elders' laughter broke through the tension, their voices rich and warm, like the crackling of a fire on a cold night. The sound echoed through the hollow tree, bouncing off the walls and creating a rather light-hearted feeling in the room
