50 The Despair

The old head sagged down and looked to have aged a few more years.

"Zukr vine has become more dangerous again" the old head sighed in frustration.

Zhambul turned to him reminiscing "Yeah I thought after Ochi broke it into two, we would gain some time before it grew but it wasn't even stopped by it. We rely on slowing down the Zukr vine to get time to activate our gift again. If that isn't going to help here afterwards I don't know what we are going to do. "

His musing depressed the mood in our group further.

Ordzol turned hearing Zhambul speak

" In the time since i have started working on the orchard We have not lost any Ilphyr trees in the first circuit itself.Most of our losses come during the second circuit. But, this bloom we lost a Zukr tree even before we crossed the fifth section.What are we going to do head?. " she said visibly shaken from the ordeal.

" It looks like the only method to stop the Zukr vine is to stop them growing to dangerous size. Today's experience has clearly taught us we can no longer stop the Zukr vine once it reaches the critical state." the old head visibly roused himself to think with a clear mind.

" Sigh... You guys need to start working through the night as well. I thought we didn' t need to resort to this till we have passed more than half of Yosdu. But, this time we are left with no choices."

"You guys already know how dangerous it is to continuously activate our gifts with only minimal rest in between. The more you overdo it the more severe your headache's and body pain will be."

"If it goes past certain extent you will permanently damage yourself and your gifts will regress. So, always be aware of your limits and once you start getting headache's stop activating your gift for some time and sleep. Don't push yourself beyond your limits

Your gifts are still more precious to the village than the Ilphyr trees. "

" Get the Charpoys from Buld if you don't have it and sleep in the orchard itself. I will make sure your share of Lhasa is increased during Arvan and each of you get Nectr and Phir as well.We can't afford to lose more Ilphyr trees this bloom.If the light asks more out of us then we will give more. " the old head was fisting his hand tightly and his eyes were shining with determination .

Even i who was used to all the stupid manager's speeches found myself getting motivated by the old man's fire.

Well these people have faced and survived in an harsh environment. They have been tempered by the difficult circumstances and didn't wallow in self pity or despair. They roused themselves again quickly to do what needs to be done.

When I was moving towards Tulga to talk with her the old head called for me and brought me a small distance away to talk privately.