Council Eldest

My hands grew sweaty at the thought of this Elder council meeting. This was the first Elder Council meeting that meant so much to the future of all my plans. If I were successful, I would expand the Elder council and bring in new Races' powerhouses into it. It would mean a complete change in the current system of Bunny-kin ruling power. We currently had fifteen Elders now, including both my mother and father. My mother was the newest member. The only thing you needed to be was an A ranker to get on the council.

With fifteen A rankers exercising the Tribe's power, it was the main reason that we controlled so much sway among the tribes around us. Only the Dragonic had more concentrated power in their tribe. I had no idea how strong the Drangonic was with their A rankers, but only the most powerful tribes had multiple tribes.

The Strongest Tribes in the Beast Kin nation were in order, The Dragonic, The Bunny-kin, with the last and only other race with more than one A ranker race, The Dog-kin. The problem for the Dog-kin was that they separated themselves from what my previous world would call breeds. I would also consider Bunny-kin's different fur colors the same as what the Dog-kin represented. The problem being was that they didn't see it that way. Their race separated their A rankers into multiple tribes, unlike the Bunny-kin.

It was extremely complex, and they would rival the Bunny-kin in strength if they banded their numbers together. It brought me to another fascinating thought about the A rankers that I had no idea about. It was the numbers that the Humans, specifically the Empire of Garland, had. It was a question that no one really knew. No one was advertising when someone ascended, and it tended to be kept hidden.

At a minimum, a City would have at least one to stop terroristic activity. How else would you stop some B ranker from dropping something massive on a city? How else would you stop a Venomancer from dropping a poison? There were so many things that even a C ranker could do if given enough time, that would cause a massive mana fluctuation. It would make a nearby A ranker realize what was happening and react.

The concentration here in the Silvermoon Tower was something I thought was redundant. I knew it was so they could practice their craft with the best facilities. There were also members of the Elder council that didn't practice their power and dove into the depths of their research only to be heard from rarely. The Grand Master Alchemist was a major power holder that I knew my Father would have to listen to, but they never showed their face.

These were facts that I had to deal with coming into the coming meeting since I would have to open up our resources to others, which typically never happened in the past. To make matters worse, expanding the Elder council would bring us into direct competition with the Dragonic for the strongest tribe in the Beast-kin Nation just before war broke out.

So many considerations and one conversation that could not take too long in order to decide. Sweat coated my hands, and I took a deep breath as I heard the door open and a voice echo out, "Chelsea, Enter," I heard, and I stepped into the room and noticed nine Elders there, and I let a breath out.

What I didn't expect after counting was that my mother seemed to be present. Her Mana was still a little wild, and I could see the frown on her face. She could tell that this was an important meeting and joined in it seemed, despite still needing to solidify her mana. I could tell she had some control over it, but small movements might mean breaking other things. I could also tell that my father had her wrapped lightly in a barrier of mana protecting others from her.

"Chelsea, You called us saying that you needed something extremely important for the betterment of our race and for the army. What do you wish to petition us?" My father asked, with Elders nodding their heads.

"Elders," I said as I sat down at the table, "I believe it is time for something serious and something we should complete slowly. I believe it may be time to expand the Elder council," I told them and saw confused expressions.

"Expand the Elder Council? We just added a new member to the Elder council. Your mother just joined the council and is exciting that power by being here before she finished consolidating that power!" Elder Tyrone exclaimed, "How do you expect us to expand the council even more? Do you know other Bunny-kin that have reached the peak of B rank and are about to transcend the B rank to join the A rank?" He asked, his voice filled with fury.

"Elder, Please," I began, "Let me explain myself and why I started with this statement," I told him, and I could see that angered him more. "Before Any of you continue to ask questions, Please wait until I finish. I will be brief and to the point, and I hope you all understand," I could see a couple of Elders look annoyed, but I quickly noticed my father and mother glaring at them. Elder Greggory seemed to glare as well, and I was seeing an alliance behind me of sorts at this moment. The problem was that it was only three Elders together and not five that I would need. That was exempting if none of the others decided to give their six cents in.

"Elders, I have encountered many problems while working these new armies. One of them is warm bodies with education to do the work I need," I deliberately looked around the table and noticed some uncomfortable movement. It seemed they understood that slowing the movement of what they called failures wasn't helping me. "That isn't the most pressing one at this moment. The problem I have mainly encountered is Land." I continued, "I need land and places to build, and at this point, our Tribe either has to take land or pay for it," I told them, "With the War on the horizon, no one would be willing to go to war for the Land. The Dragonic would come down on our heads," I said, receiving nods, "No one would be willing to accept gold for their land around us. We are a safe place to stay during the war, and the land around us isn't lacking resources, just resources that we find easier for others to harvest, and we will purchase from them."

Another round of nods circled. The bunny-kin were strong and had resources in the cities, and we produced things the world wanted. Why we should do the grunt labor was probably what the elders were thinking at this moment. It was a wonder to me how we reached this strength. "This has led to many tribes surrounding us, leaving us with little land to occupy for expansion. Like the army I am currently trying to set up," I said, motioning widely with my hands, "We are out of land and cannot expand without fighting with another tribe. That is, if we even can fight another tribe for land without looking horrible to allies. Some of those tribes we would have to fight would be allies as well, making things look even worse." I continued.

I took a deep breath, "Elders, We have reached many issues, but I have one solution that we can handle and will increase our strength if we do it. It will make some of you angry, I even guess. I suggest integrating and negotiating with the Dog-kin that we are closest with and integrating them into the Elder council, bringing their A ranker into the fold. The Goat-kin tribe A ranker has been loyal to the Elder council for generations. With two more Tribes with an A ranker near us, we can use their land to expand and integrate their strength into our own." I told them, and surprise was painted all over their faces.

"I have many reasons for this, including increasing our resources and workforce. More warriors for our new army and more educated workers in our ranks. More citizens to train and many, many more things that we need. This is a time of War and not a time of peace where we can use their A rankers instead of our own to protect our people and our camps at the front line." I told them, and instead of the outrage I expected on some faces, I saw contemplation. "Think about it; We would be bringing more resources to the table without needing to expend more of our resources. As we integrate more into our tribe, we will expand our influence as well." I told them.

"And bring the anger of the Dragonic at a time where they cannot do anything with that Anger," My father said, his expression one of thought as well. "The War is coming, and we all know it. The Dragonic have had the most strength in their tribe since the founding and binding of the tribes. With this, we would create an alliance of tribes, and our word would be louder than theirs for the first time in centuries. To make things even more interesting, if they join our council, they will have to abide by our decisions as well."

The words coming from my father produced a ripple effect from the others in the council, and I realized everything else I said meant nothing almost. The thought of commanding other A rankers to do their bidding while they increased their power base was something intoxicating to them, and I wanted to sneer. My mother was sneering, looking at her husband like everyone else was. Her expression showed contempt, while other elders that usually disliked me were much more intrigued.

"Are you sure this is the right move?" Elder Maya said. She rarely spoke up and tended to be with Elder Tyrone. She was a deep dark blue bunny-kin, but you could see her hair graying with white or silver streaks running through her hair and fur. Age caught up to everyone, including A rankers. "We have been slightly below the Dragonic since we first came here from slavery. They took us under their wings, and now we will usurp them?" She asked.

I wanted to look at her with contempt, but she was also right. Still, I replied, "Elder Maya," I began, "We will not usurp them. I do not have that intention in mind. It might look that way to the Dragonic, but we need to solve our current situation. We need more land and resources for the coming war, and I am trying to organize them. All we will do is consolidate and integrate previous alliances into something more solid that will never break. For the first time in Beast-kin history, without making another tribe slaves, we will integrate their people and teach them with our resources as they will teach us with theirs. Think more about what we lack!" I announced, slightly angry, "Although we are strong most of our forces lack Warriors and front liners. Sure, they are afraid of the best generalized Wizards on the continent. We also do not have enough warriors to protect those Wizards from being killed if similar strength Warriors breach our lines. That is the most simple question, though. With this, we now know we need illusionists to stop battle slaves with the use of our potion. We don't train Illusionists, but the fox-kin do. Bringing them in would provide needed protection to them and allow them to regain strength while filling the long-term goal of raising a race loyal to us for this important task!" Silence reigned as I told them, "What about the Dog-kin? Their trackers and scouts would be famous and strong if they were not so divided! What about the goat kin and their movement through mountains if we find ourselves fighting the beasts in the Northern beast mountains?" I continued to bombard them, "We are not invincible, and bringing in other races like the Cat-kin would bring in more specialized assassins and the thief's that we can use to harass enemies! We are lacking as a race, and if none of you realize that, then we are already doomed," I finished, and I had risen from my seat without realizing it.

Slowly I sat back in my chair as I lost my cool without realizing it. Maybe it would be beneficial but Elder Maya got on my nerves. Yes, we owed the Dragonic, but usurping their position as the strongest in our current society meant they needed to adapt. Not that we shouldn't progress.

The Major problem with the Beast-kin nation was also its major strength. The sheer diversity of strength was something to be commended, but the division of its combat assets was the worse. If I could convince the Elders to start slowly merging other tribes, I could increase the strength of our warfighting power before the war. It wouldn't be perfect, and in order to get it into what I would call war-ready shape, I would need decades, not months. I didn't have decades, though; I only had a few months.

The elders looked at each other momentarily, and I could see that they were all thinking. "Chelsea," My father said as I felt Mana move, "We have recorded this and sent it to the other elders. Our decision on this will be known in two days. This will need the entire council to gather to decide. The Master Alchemist will also be interested in this decision, and we have decided to call you to ask questions later."

I was about to stand and walk away when the doors suddenly opened, and an elderly bunny-kin with balding fur walked in. I could feel his age as he walked in, and he smelled of herbs. He walked with a cane, but I could feel the danger radiating off this elder. I felt like he could kill me with a single glance, and the reaction of the council around me made me realize this man was more important.

"Child," He said, looking at me, and I felt my fur rise and stand on end. "Are we so sexually deviant now that we do not wear more than a loincloth?" He asked, and I felt my cheeks heat. "Your talent is amazing; your rashness in decisions is that of the young. I have heard of you, Chelsea, and your gathering achievements. You lack the discipline of a parent," He said, turning to my mother and father, and I saw my mother blush. My father seemed unfazed for a moment until the Elder said, "Especially you, Chris; you are her father, and I have my sources about you. Don't try and act like you didn't do your part," The Elder said, making my father blush now.

"That being said, Child," He continued, "You are right; we are Wizards and Alchemists. None of us power-holders are Warriors. We have no one to defend us if need be, and we are weaker in close-range combat despite us learning our own tricks." He moved, and a chair made of mana, turning into a throne, rose as he sat down. "I have little time to exercise my power in the tower these days," He said, "Your father is my head of the council, and the council advises him, but I believe you are correct. I have read some reports, and the Empire would be pointing its sword at us in a few years if we have not started pointing ours now. The Empire is organized, and we are not even now. I listened to your previous talk to the council and agree with you."

My surprise was complete, and I didn't know who this man was but suspected it was the Master Alchemist, A ranker. I had never met him before, and his strength was complete. Was there something beyond A rank?

"You will be allowed to bring a maximum of five new Elders to our ranks. With that, only seven new tribes may be integrated into ours. We will make space in our cities and grow our lands and resources for the war. I will talk to the leader of the Dragonic if they have issues with our expansion." The Elder said, "Be a careful child in your expansion and choose wisely. Do not bring dead meat to our body," The Elder finished.

I opened up my mouth, and I looked at my parents. I looked around, and I felt like there was a question that I needed an answer to before I could move forward, "Um, I am sorry, Elder," I began, "I have one question, and it is something I feel is important that I must ask. But who are you?"

The elder tossed his head back and laughed as the other elders winced, "Does no one here speak my name anymore? Does no one teach our young how we rule in this tribe?" He asked, looking at the elders and making my father and mother also look away like the other elders.

"She was always more interested in the research of mana and alchemy," My mother said, her voice filled with shame.

"Truly," He said, looking at her, "I am the Eldest of the Council. A Grand Master Alchemist, who is the one when the council cannot find an answer, answers for them." He told me and confirmed my suspicions. "Now, child, Leave. I must speak with the council and plan for the expansion. Remember, Do not promise too much, child. We are looking for partners for life, not rotting flesh or dead weight."

"Understood," I said, getting up and bowing. I promptly left a moment later with adrenaline running through my veins. I got what I wanted from an avenue I never expected. I was grinning broadly as I left the council, but I was the only one smiling.

----

Thank you for reading, I will soon be finishing Week 5 of this story on Amazon.

Also, I brought out a new Short Story on Amazon. I now have two; if you are interested and have Kindle Unlimited, you can check it out as part of your Subscription. I hope you continue to enjoy my Story! :D

The Bullied Masochist Futanari

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Bullied-Masochist-Futanari-Madjic-ebook/dp/B0CBD2PQZK/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1689021939&refinements=p_27:By:+Madjic&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=By:+Madjic

I Sissified My Step Bro

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/I-Sissified-My-Step-Bro-ebook/dp/B0C2LK8CMM/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1689277478&refinements=p_27:By:+Madjic&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=By:+Madjic

Also, I have released some Illustrations that I have on Patreon for free on my Discord. Check it out at: https://discord.gg/37FV2VX82W