A hypothesis

In the woods.

~A group~

"Do you think she speaks the truth?"

"What does it matter, whether or not twas the truth. We all saw it with our own eyes."

"What if she really made us see what we wanted to see? What if it's all her plan all along. You can't be so foolproof to the plans of a witch."

The third man chuckled and played the sole of his old cum torn sandal through the dirt surrounding him.

"Are we still talking about her being a witch? What do you even know about the art of witchery? Did you really think that witches do not have their own limitations? You think all they wish to do is at their disposal? If so, why then do we have demons, familiar spirits, magical creatures and the gods? You're an old man, why do you speak as those youth whose intelligence had been smothered by booze?"

The man who was being addressed sprung to his feet,

"What did you just say? Do you want to die?"

The third man cracked up.

"Die by those weak arms of yours? Those arms which can't even impress themselves? Wake up, Manoah. Don't be a retard."

Manoah made advances towards the man but one of the two young men amongst them who were seated opposite each other intervened, restraining him,

"Let it go. Turning a blind eye to inconsequential words does not make you a fool."

"What did you just say?"

The third man was ready to pick a fight with the young man.

"Will we just stop all these and quit acting like kids? Let's do what we have to do here and get going."

The other young man came on and the third man picked on him,

"And who makes you the judge here? Don't be a fool. The both of you don't know anything about this land. Aren't you both strangers? You even seem fishy? What are two comely and agile youth doing amongst seven old men? Tell me, the judge!"

The young man by the right stood up,

"Maybe we should get going then, since you have no use for us here. Come brother."

He called at the one by the left. The third man shot,

"Yes, go. Do you really think you would be urged to stay back? You must be in your dreams. Be gone from here never to appear again."

"What are you waiting for brother?"

The two young men walked out of the group and made to leave,

"Panuei shall not be the one who makes the decision here. The both of you shall leave only if the seven of us come to that conclusion. You shall not leave on the words of a sadist who takes delight in burdening people with his opinions."

"I agree."

One of the seven said to Manoah's words. And few others joined in. Panuei, the troublemaker seemed broken,

"Now you see, my youth. You can have your seats back, let's have the whole matter sorted out. Several opinions are important to the success of whatever we stand for."

The two young men turned to them. The one who seemed to be the eldest shot,

"Of course we do not leave because of the words of an old man. An old man who doesn't even know what he wants. We leave because we have to. Truth be told, we should be in the village assisting the workers in the construction of the rampart and forts we need for survival. We shall go now, thanks for your kind words."

He paused and took a peek at Panuei,

"You should be at home taking care of your pregnant wife whose unborn child will support you in your grey time. Here you are making a scene. I hope the gods would not make the innocent boy share the fate of a hollow man such as you."

He quit talking and spun around.

"Come, brother."

"What did you say? This irrelevant bastard."

Panuei cussed, glaring at the backs of the young men as they walked away.

"Come and repeat that if you have the guts. And see whether or not I wouldn't make a mess of that pretty face of yours."

The bickering of the old man was severed and sprayed into the wandering winds who had, a man, his share of the syllables.

The elder of the two young men looked at his back occasionally as they walked through the gaunt path.

The whispers of the gentle breeze taking with it in its rhythmic jive fallen brown leaves.

"It's time."

He halted and the other one did too. He caught the sight of a raccoon dropping upside down from the nearest branch.

He grabbed his brother's face and pulled him closer. The brother hesitated.

"It will be real quick."

He promised then kissed him roughly but crisply in the lips. And suddenly, a ray of light wounded around them and they both were transformed into two maidens.

"I thought you said I love kisses more."

Ayla argued, after fighting her lips free from Tahni's who wasn't willing to let go in the first place.

"What makes you think that I love it?"

Tahni tossed back the argument.

"You didn't want to let go of my lips."

"In your dreams."

Tahni dismissed and began to walk up the path. Ayla scoffed and hurried to catch up.

"What do you think they are up to?"

"Those men?"

"Of course, those men. They wouldn't quit seeking the downfall of your father."

"Let them do what they have to or want to do. Athena would always find a way. Plus you should had let us stayed behind a bit. That Panuei asshole! Who even names her child such horrible name as his."

Ayla chuckled, now waking side by side with her.

"You seem to have so much trust in Athena."

Tahni halted and spun to Ayla, a curious gaze,

"Don't tell me you want her gone too?"

"Why wouldn't I? Tell me, Tahni. I'm not a mortal who feigns to be fine and hide under the gabardine of words. But then, even if I want to hurt her, I haven't found a way yet and wouldn't do it in a way, Vulcan would be hurt."

"But you know my father loves her dearly."

"You can't be sure of his emotions towards me too."

Ayla left her standing there and resumed her pace. Tahni sighed loudly, then muttered under her breath,

"Ah, this blind girl. Can't she see what's close to her? A Nymph indeed."

She resumed walking too and called at her,

"Wait for me."

Ayla did and she caught up.

"But next time, we could change into identical twins."

Ayla shot her a glance and shook her head. Tahni smiled and ran her arm around Ayla's waist. Ayla took a peek at her again then ignored.

"What now?"

Tahni pretended not to see a thing.

"Back to base."