- The Prouds 178
The Prouds were used to pledging allegiance to
their new leader as soon as possible after the death of their
previous leader. The tribe could not be left without a leader,
and selecting a new leader quickly would maintain stability
in the tribe and its image in the eyes of other people.
“The norm is for the leader’s oldest son to succeed
him, and my brother Hammond is the eldest,” Jarvis said
firmly. “It is also the norm for the wisest to rule, and my
brother is the wisest. Therefore, my brother is the one
entitled to rule.”
“This is common knowledge, Jarvis. There is no
need to bring it up,” shouted his brother angrily like a
raging tiger.
Jarvis felt sad as his brother’s words were like
knives cutting him from within.
The Small One, on the other hand, smiled happily
and felt that was the beginning of a new era where Jarvis
would be an ordinary person just like anyone else in the
tribe after having been such a spoiled lad during the time of
his father.
The rest of the tribe were amazed by the way
Hammond talked to his brother, especially as Jarvis had a
high status in the tribe, not to mention that there were
strangers who came to offer their condolences.
In order to get over what happened between the two
brothers and end the dispute in its cradle, one of the Prouds
decided to declare allegiance to Hammond as the leader of
the Prouds. “Then, we pledge allegiance to you, Hammond,
as there is no one better than you to lead our tribe.”
“Yes, we pledge allegiance to you, Hammond, son
of the noble Addison,” another man said.