Azzy let the silence linger for a moment. The rookies stood still as carved stone, the adults behind them just as attentive.
Then he continued...
"Another thing," he said, sweeping his eyes across the younger faces. "Leave the elders' matters to the elders. If adults argue or fight, do not get involved yourselves. You may stand behind them, but you are not part of that fight."
Several of the teenagers nodded quickly, some out of instinct, some out of nervousness.
"That does not mean," Azzy added, "that you must be silent, meek, or pretend you don't exist."
A few kids blinked at that, caught off guard by the sudden change of Azzy's words. It felt in contrast to his earlier statement or a moment, but then Azzy said.
