Acting Out of Turn

After listening carefully to Chief Gar of the Long-tail Lynx clan, they were moved to the east of the council building. There they would settle at the base of the mountain range, the same one that had the magicite mine only further to the northeast. Many thick clusters of trees were offered there, giving them their preferred setting to live yet not being too far from the center of the township.

As for the Vanishing-night Fox clan, also called the Night Fox clan, Chief Puula relayed her needs and agreed to the gorillas' offered territory. They would be placed to the northeast in the thickest, most wooded part of the territory. Since the Night Foxes preferred the darker, shadier terrains of the forest, it was a perfect fit for them.

"Chief Ratten, what are your tribe's needs and preferences?" Oli treated Chief Ratten the same way he did the others.

"Young Master Oli, knowing that the waterfront home is impossible, we would prefer to settle at the base of the mountain to the south," stated Ratten. He had someone scout the area and it was made known that there was a cavern to the south but when the scout tried to enter it, Vloz stopped him and sent him away. The wildebeests didn't know what was in that cave, but they knew it was important. Ratten was determined to get it, thinking that his only shot may be while Oli was the one deciding things in place of Rathe or Vloz.

Every other chief was surprised because they had all scouted the area and been sent away by Vloz. They all could tell that the next debate was going to get even more heated.

"Why to the south? Wouldn't the northern plains be the most ideal for your clan?" asked Oli.

"We also noticed that there was a decent sized clearing near the foot of the mountain that would suit us well. Also, by having the mountain at our backs we wouldn't ever have to worry about facing invaders. With these conditions, I feel that it would be best for us there," Ratten explained.

Oli took a deep breath to help him gather his thoughts and continued, "I'm sorry, but such a request is impossible. That south clearing is where our Iron-body Gorilla clan will settle permanently. We sought that all tribes and clans form a perimeter around the center of Iron Town, letting us guarantee its protection. I'm sure you can understand, right Chief Ratten?"

"But Young Master Oli," Ratten didn't let up, "wouldn't it be best for your clan to remain in the center of us supporting tribes and clans? That way you would never have to fear any immediate outside threat and will always have defenses at the ready."

"I've already stated that it was impossible to fulfill. Are you so ignorant as to reject our offer without good reason? Even though we are trying to be peaceful as rulers of the territory, we won't let you walk over us simply because you ask to," Oli showed his stubbornness.

"Ignorant? We are not some ignorant tribe that brings nothing to the table. We Tri-horned Wildebeests are the only elder bloodline clan, excluding your clan, and we are the strongest supporting clan with three perennials of our own. We have two early-perennials and I'm near a breakthrough to mid-perennial, letting us have the ability to contend for our own territory elsewhere if we decided to leave. Having us here is extremely beneficial to the territory and your clan, remember that boy," Ratten stopped speaking so formally.

"Oh? I don't see why a single self-righteous perennial would have the right to stand up to my gorilla clan. If you wish to leave and not accept our offer, feel free. We will wish you the best of luck in your quest to find your own territory," Oli smiled, waiting for Ratten's response.

"Be careful with your words, boy. We have offered to stay here and be of use to your territory and clan instead of leaving. With our strength alone, we could easily take over the other tribes and clans present today, so why waste such a valuable asset?" Ratten's fuse was nearing its end, showing more of his proud attitude.

"You can only be an asset if you act with our desires and concede to our plans. Also, can't we also consider that a threat to our ownership of the territory, claiming that I should be careful to disagree at the cost of you taking over the remaining tribes and clans? You may be a perennial, but you can't yet be compared to our gorilla clan. Hopefully, you won't punish your clan with your words and actions now," Oli called him out directly, painting a target on Ratten's back.

Chief Ratten was furious, not only for being convinced to say such things but still have come up short against the young gorilla. In a rage he let loose some of his divine energy, not targeting anyone but definitely threatening Oli to shut up.

Suddenly, everyone felt their skin tighten and twitch. A new shadowy and bloody aura expanded throughout the room, totally extinguishing the pitiful essence of the wildebeest chief. The energy flowed from the side of the fearless Oli. Without warning the aura grew more fearsome and the wildebeest chief felt like his skin was peeled away, letting the aura pierce him to the bone. It didn't take long for Ratten to collapse unconscious in front of them all due to Vloz's overwhelming aura.

Once the almost lifeless body slumped to the floor, the aura receded. The air stilled and those in the room collectively exhaled. The wildebeests were stilled worried though, fearing that their chief had been killed right before their eyes.

"He's not dead," Oli's calm voice woke them from their nightmares, "he's only unconscious. That fool isn't worthy of being a part of this conference, let alone be a tribal chief."

"Please show mercy!" the wildebeest young master stepped in front of his father, hoping to protect him from any further threat. "We apologize for ever acting such a way. Please, forgive him."

"Why should I? Are you also a fool and don't recognize that he threatened my life?" Oli wasn't through with this prideful tribe, he was certain to teach them a lesson they won't forget