Only a brief period had passed since he informed his people about the refugees, and already individuals flocked to the longhouse like raging wasps. Men and women alike; mostly men though, as the old patriarchy still lingers within his people. Trevor didn’t possess any plans to remove it, as it was a part of his upbringing, but because of circumstances, modifications needed to be implemented.

Focus on trying to convince them to keep the damn hellhounds and humans, he thought. He understood it was the utmost priority for today. Trevor walked past his people, reaching the raised platform with a chair made of bones and covered in animal-skin.

The longhouse in question measured approximately twenty feet in width and two-hundred feet in length. And it used to be one living space for the Draconic elves when they first settled here. But when the population started to grow larger, they made the decision to transform it into a meeting hall. As he approached the bowed, wooden-patched walls of the longhouse, he could already pick up the rambling from the other people inside the windowless structure. The roof, constructed from wood, featured patches of grass growing on it, creating a natural aesthetic in the coastal village.

Upon entering the longhouse, the many people sitting on the wooden benches greeted him, indicating their purpose as tables. They had an assortment of clay plates and mini vases that were decorated in various spots. There existed around six tables; each split into two sections by the open campfire stove in the middle; recently kindled to make light. The space where other benches were placed was adorned with numerous shields of varying designs and sizes. All of them belonged to former warriors who passed on; whether from battle or from age, is unknown to outsiders.

The space where other benches were placed had many shields of varying designs and sizes adorned on the walls. On the benches were various sheepskins and cowskins, along with pillows made of chicken and duck feathers they caught while residing here. They kept the stuff here just in case someone required it.

Trevor walked past his people to the raised platform. The chair there, made of bones and covered with animal skin, stood on the raised platform. He took a seat on it and let out a sigh, mentally getting ready for what lay ahead. He pushed back his hair, concentrated, and coughed forcefully. “Hey, quiet.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

People’s attention focused on their leader as noises quieted down. A few narrowed their eyes, others pondered with downward gazes… thinking...

“As you all might’ve become aware of me or indirectly, yes, there are people here. And right now, they plan on living here: whether it be temporary or permanently. They are of the humans and hellhounds.

“Yes, the same humans who we had thought had been extinct for thousands of years, but my son discovered them during his excavation of their said ruins. Until now, they have maintained a rational approach despite recently experiencing the loss of their home because of the presence of masked elves. And with them knowing these lands better than us, and also being our neighbors. We possess a duty to fulfill in that.

“The Hellhounds, too, experienced the loss of their home and sought sanctuary. They exhibit no love for the elves as well, and they are accomplished warriors, capable of benefiting us in fortification and the offensive.

“I spoke with the leaders of the people, and although they are not at their strongest, they have no intentions of exploiting this kindness or plundering our resources. Each of them possesses their own talents we lack as of right now. So, as I’ve clarified the reasoning behind their presence here and the potential advantages they bring, you all are here with inquiries, worries, and perhaps opposing my decision. So I will listen to them, but I expect some courtesy like you will always expect from me, men. If I see one inkling of disrespect, I will kick your ass out of this longhouse and your arguments are going to be dismissed like a drunken stupor. Now, is that clear?”

He gazed at everyone, anticipating their nods of comprehension. The longhouse stood silently, interrupted only by occasional coughs and creaking wood. The crackling of burning wood as it spread the warmth around the elongated structure. When the pause had reached a sufficient length, Trevor returned to sitting on his chair. “Alright, that is, it with me. Now, I will leave the floor to you fellow men. Remember the rules.

“So... who wants to go first?”