Confronting Ratten

Chief Gar stepped down from the stage all with a big smile on his face. As he passed the crowd, Chief Gar saw Ratten standing front and center. He couldn't help but imagine the fool being verbally trampled on by the likes of Oli, as well as by himself and countless others. In the past, the relationship between them was always rocky.

The wildebeests were always the strongest supporting clan while his lynx clan was always a single step behind with only one perennial. When the wildebeests recently gained their third perennial, it furthered the gap and the wildebeests flaunted their strength wherever they went. Then, Chief Gar chuckled and smiled when he thought of something very pleasing to him. He pictured Chief Ratten being stripped of his title right here and now in front of everyone, being forced to give up his mortal core to be forgiven. Such a thing would fulfill some of his wildest dreams and would make him see Oli as a miracle maker.

Without wasting time, Oli moved down the line according to the location of each tribes' territory: west, east, northwest, northeast, and north.

"Now, will Chief Defar of the Small-mouth Frog tribe please come forth?" Oli was almost rambling his lines at this point, but he was patient. Without any second thought, Chief Defar eagerly accepted all of the terms and received the patrician title for his tribe and the one hundred gold before leaving the stage.

"Now, will Chief Puula of the Night Fox clan please come forth?" like clockwork, Oli moved on to the next clan. And like everyone else she accepted all terms without question, received the same rewards, and left the stage with a smile.

"Now, will Chief Ratten of the Tri-horned Wildebeest tribe please come forth?"

Ratten shook off his nerves and began his ascent up the stage stairs. The chiefs were extremely curious about how Ratten would explain the wildebeests' circumstances and how the gorillas would handle the situation.

Oli showed Ratten the same courtesy he did every other chief, without even a hint of threat. "Chief Ratten, we've only shared a few exchanges with your Tri-horned Wildebeest clan. You are all promising warriors with great potential, and it would be of great benefit to have you amongst our ranks."

Ratten was still very cautious. Before, this youth would always lace his verbal jabs with within kind words. Hearing this, Ratten didn't have any idea what Oli would say next. He held his tongue and waited for his turn to speak, dreading the thought of having a public dispute on the stage.

"Some things have happened recently that created a sense of ill will between us," Oli paused for dramatic effect, leaving everyone anxiously waiting to hear what came next. "We hope that from this point on, we can wipe the slate clean and accept your loyalty and services in order to help Iron Town prosper."

Each wildebeest let loose a deep, long-held breath and Chief Ratten was speechless. Internally, Ratten was proud to have most of the younger generations' wildebeests on his side. They showed promise and with better resources that come from a prosperous town, they would surely have some perennials emerge among their ranks in the future. That would be the day that they take control, at least that's what he had envisioned and said to convince his followers to support him.

"Me and my clan are glad to hear that and are willing to accept the necessary responsibilities," Ratten bowed his head in respect to Oli.

"We thank the Tri-horned Wildebeest clan for their willingness," Oli resumed with the same script from before, "We look forward to your tribe's prosperity under our rule and ask for your loyalty and willingness to serve this town alongside us. Do you accept such a responsibility on behalf of your Tri-horned Wildebeest clan?"

"On behalf of my Tri-horned Wildebeest clan, I accept these responsibilities," Ratten finally released his nerves when the scripted conditions began. He had awaited the wrath of this young ape but was glad to see him let things go easily.

"And in the future, in the case that the town and territory fall into dire straits and need your sacrifice in order to survive, would you accept such a responsibility on behalf of your Tri-horned Wildebeest clan?" Oli droned with the exact same feeling as the others, patient and ready to pass the reward.

Happy to finally reap in the benefits, Ratten nodded. "On behalf of my Tri-horned Wildebeest clan, I will accept the responsibility."

"Wonderful."

Oli's one-word reply broke the monotony of the previous script, startling Ratten and the other wildebeests, as well as the other chiefs. They all remembered the fearless youth from the night before and began to listen earnestly.

"Now, for the final condition," Oli's lips curled up into a smile, "What is your clan's decision on the matter that we discussed yesterday? We have been merciful and allowed you more time to make your choice before we acted. Now, state your choice."

Ratten fumbled his words and thoughts temporarily, giving the crowd a chance to give the stage their full attention. "Y-Young Master Oli, please forgive me for my outrageous act yesterday. I can assure that it wasn't my fault."

"Oh? And why is that? Please explain?" asked Oli.

"It was all according to the plan of that fellow Eefran. He was always my father's advisor and holds an incredible amount of influence among the elders of our clan, enough to overturn my vote. It was his idea that I act in such a way in an attempt to receive special treatment from your clan but in the end, he let all the blame fall to me and acted as the reasonable one. After returning to the clan, we divided ourselves based on our ideology and willingness to submit ourselves to your Iron Town. Then late in the night they fled, probably hoping that your gorilla clan would slaughter us come morning." Ratten kept his head bowed the entire time, trying to seem pitiful in front of the crowd.

"So, you're saying that Eefran planned for you to act out so that you would all perish at the hand of our gorilla clan?" Oli rephrased.

"That's right, Young Master Oli. Please, forgive my trespasses, if needed I am willing to step down as the chief and allow another the opportunity to take my place. Please, I beg for your consideration," Ratten hit the floor hard as he bowed, completely lowering himself before Rathe and Oli in an act to seek mercy.

"Very well. We shall consider this further," declared Oli.

The other chiefs all frowned, hoping that Ratten would face the punishment they were sure he deserved. The crowd, however, saw the mercy that their new leaders offered and were very pleased. Those rambunctious wildebeests bumped and nudged each other, happy to see things turn for the better.

Oli then made one last statement before moving on, "Now, will Eefran of the Tri-horned Wildebeest clan please come forth?"