How to Save your Brother in Five Steps

    

Student Essay by Annabelle Means

    Has your younger brother ever been captured by an enemy alliance?  Has he been held hostage while they demanded an outrageous ransom price?  I am prepared to show you how to diffuse this type of dangerous situation in five simple steps.  

    Step 1:  Try to bargain with the enemy alliance. Choosing diplomacy over bloodshed will save you messy  explanations and an even messier battleground. Here’s a personal example to back my claim.  

    “How much are you willing to sell him for? Laranaid asked, while keeping a wary eye out for any suspicious moves. She was determined to at least attempt diplomacy but didn’t hold out much hope for the other team’s cooperation in the matter. (Notice how Lara is always aware of her surroundings, even while she is bargaining. Always assume that your enemies will take any opportunity to kill you while you speak.) 

    The other team went into a huddle and Elwanda, their spokesperson, finally broke the silence that had fallen over the forest.  “Fifteen coins!” she called out. It was an outrageous price, far more than they could pay.  

    Step 2: If the other alliance is uncooperative at first, try to wheedle. Flattery and deceit are your best friends when it comes to bargaining). Laranaid glanced back at Celeste. Celeste grimly shook her head, and Laranaid tried to wheedle the price down. 

    “Fifteen?!” she objected, “But the normal price is only two!”

    “Fifteen or you leave,” Elwanda replied in an ominous voice.   

    Step 3: If they leave you with no choice, your only option is bloodshed. Practice your fighting  tactics ahead of time, and be sure you have heels. Pitch camp somewhere safe, and mark it as your headquarters. It’s essential for you and your alliance to have secret codes and hand signals. Not only do they look intimidating, cool, and professional, they could prove a safeguard against spying.  

    Step 4: Make plans and scout out the area. Study every inch of the battlefield, down to the tiniest hole. Anything could sway the balance. 

    “There are two entrances to the field. One is toward the south, and one is up here, about twelve o’clock from our current position. In between is just thick brush. We could try and take the entrances,  advancing and cornering the other team against the fence on the other side,” Tanika suggested. The others nodded in agreement.  

    Step 5: Kick the other team’s booty. Assuming the other team hasn’t read this article, you should have the upper hand in tactics and strategy.  

    With a deafening battle cry, Laranaid, Tanika, and Celeste charged into the enemy ranks. The  fight raged long and hard, but in the end, they were victorious! As Laranaid sliced through Bob’s leather restraints, the boy gratefully rubbed his wrists.“Took you long enough!” he quipped with a lopsided grin. Celeste punched his shoulder.

    Now that you’ve read these five tactics, you possess the knowledge to gain victory in countless battles. Whether or not your brother is worth the saving is up to you.