"But if you give up the patriarchal position directly to Locke, can't you stop fighting?"

As Amy said this, several of the people present quieted down. They all looked at Allen quietly, fearing that he would suddenly get angry.

After a few seconds of silence, Alan sighed and said with great emphasis, "I know that many of you must have misunderstood me, thinking that I risked sacrificing so many people in order to be able to continue to be my patriarch."

Everyone shook their heads and Allen said with a bitter smile, "You don't have to lie to me. I know what some people think. Now I'll tell you. The...