"You left the protection of the village for something so petty as fish? Do you really overestimate your skills so?" The councilmen was displeased with me and did not hide it very well.

"I went not for the fish, but to give Elroy a moment of joy. Either way, we would not know of this if I had stayed here. We must keep the hunters and the scouts within these boundaries until we can be sure they left. What I saw was a group of 3 wolf men. With coats as thick as theirs, no melee weapon stands a chance and we do not possess the energy to waste on them."

"Yes, I fully understand what you say. But how will we know when it is gone? The last time this occurred, we guessed wrong and the blasted things almost found where we were hiding. Do you have any ideas to propose?"

I could not help but let out a frustrated sigh. Why was it as second in charge I had to do the thinking? "I fear to say at the moment, no. We will just have to be more careful this time."

"I suppose we should send less scouts to check when the time comes."

"And…" an idea came to my mind. "Inform them not to return if they do spot a demon."

"What is the logic in that?" My suggestion displeased him further. "If they do not return, we do not get a report."

"Their absence is all the report we need. If they remain gone, we know those creatures are still wandering about and we do not risked them following the scouts back as we once had."

"What if they never return?" We both knew the answer to that. The only difference was, he was unwilling to accept it.

"We would have to send more scouts some time after the first party. When our scouts do start coming back, then we know that we are clear of danger."

"If the demons stay for a long duration of time, then we risk the lives of every individual we send. Why not just let them return? It seems so much simpler." I found it hard to believe he so easily forgot the first disaster we almost fell victim to.

"Be cynical, now! The first time when they first came close to discovering us. How do you think they got the idea? They had to have followed one of our scouts and saw him disappear without a trace once he entered the barrier. If it were not for the protective spell we cast daily, we would be dead now. What if the beast got stronger or us weaker? If it has gained the power to see us and is led to our village, we have no chance at surviving."

"Lotus, I understand and respect your concern for the village's overall welfare…" The contortion of his face told me he was about to disagree. "but I cannot justify sending a scouting party into what is almost certain death."

"If they paid attention to what we have taught them, then they will manage. If they die it is to their ignorance alone and is of no fault of ours." It was true. They had all been taught how to handle such scenarios before they were given the title "scout". Unless those teaching fell upon deaf ears, they should have been perfectly capable of surviving. But the councilmen still disapproved.

"We fear those creatures for a reason. No matter how prepared they could be, it still may not be enough. We let them return." By the tone of his voice I knew the debate was fully over. "I will not sit by idly knowing my kinsmen are being killed by such inhumane atrocities."

"We should consider the majority. If we follow my plan, the rest of the village will live and so may the scouts if they act according to procedure. Do you see the practicality of what I suggested? Do not thing with your heart. Think logically." How cold my heart had really grown. What a point to end on when discussing whose plan is better for preserving life.

"Do you ever think with your heart?" He asked me with a saddened countenance that digressed far from the topic at hand.

"Heart? You assume I still have one! I have long surpassed such a petty human flaw. Now, give me a reason why I should acknowledge sense in your plan, now that you have been again reminded that I do not share the same sentimental feelings you experience. What is sentiment, that it should play a part in consideration when we are, if it must be classified, at war? Be tactful." I was not so ready to give up. I knew what my role was. I may not have cared about the lives of those I governed, but I did carry my responsibility towards them in a serious manner.

"I have not hardened myself quite to the extent you have. Actually, I think of it as a sad existence to be so cold and empty, void of the light most hold dear. But you never held it that dear at all, did you?"

A had to grin slightly at his small rant. "Perhaps a long while ago but such a time is well forgotten."

"This meeting is at an end. I have made my decision. The scouts will return." And that was truly the end. I had no choice but to accept it. His mind would not sway. Then again, what should I care? Were we to be found, the guilt would not be lain upon my shoulders.

I stood up from my seat and left the councilmen in silence. I never anticipated him agreeing with my plan but his was in every way foolish. I had hoped for some sort of unseen middle ground to be reached, but it never was. We had so much more to lose than he was willing to admit.

"Did it go well?" Elroy had waited for me by the door. His big, expectant eyes made me sigh even louder. He treated the affair as if it were nothing but daily routine. Then again, for us, that was really what it was.

"No. Not in the least." I looked down at him, his innocent stare fixing on my face. "But I need you to remember one fact. One little bit of knowledge that will explain much through life should you choose to hold it dear."

"Huh? What?" He looked genuinely intrigued.

"People. They are the worst kind of idiots. And they will never change."

The chapter's a little short, but it wasn't overly long in the notebook I had it in, either. As always, please review. All comments are welcome!