New Elder in the Voronin family (4)

While Simeon and Maksim spoke in whispers, Elder Sergey looked away from them with difficulty when he confirmed that they don't care about his predicament. All other Elders avoided Sergey's gaze, telling him silently that he is on his own.

Elder Sergey felt that all his ships sank. He was trapped. If he declines the challenge, he will lose by default and Aiden will win his position of an Elder. And if he accepts to fight, he will get a beating and he will lose his position as an Elder.

In any case, Elder Sergey can forget about being an Elder, and he will be only Sergey. A loser. A Voronin who fell from his position.

He cringed while imagining all the mocking gazes that will be directed at him, and he wondered how many people will come to hit him while he is down. After all, he offended many people over the years.

His options now are to choose to surrender which will cost him his reputation, or to put up a fight and earn a few broken bones.