51 Handling the Issue

The gorillas didn't know this, but the wildebeest clan was always given authority to act on their own in the past and always cut a deal with the previous leaders. Every ruler would promise to give the wildebeests favor over everyone else in exchange for the wildebeests not retaliating against them directly. Chief Ratten had hoped that the gorillas would act the same way and planned to make such a move if possible.

Oli began to better understand the wildebeests and their true behavior. He guessed that the wildebeests barely considered the gorilla clan as equals and not their superiors who ruled the territory, refusing to lower themselves to the same standard of the other tribes and clans. With that in mind, Oli continued, "Is this true, Chief Ratten? I'd like to hear why you acted against my gorilla clan's goodwill."

"There was no intention to go against your gorilla clan Young Master Oli, we simply needed those lands to support ourselves. After many hours of labor and training, we wildebeests must quench our thirst and clean ourselves as our elder bloodline needs, that is all," Chief Ratten spoke, dancing around the issue and hinting at their elder bloodline as if seeking special treatment.

"So, let me get this straight," Oli gestured with his hands to direct everyone's full attention to Chief Ratten, "You disregarded any ideas or plans my clan had and acted on your own so that you won't have to share bathwater?"

The chiefs always did their best to be respectful, but laughter filled the room thanks to Rathe, even Ania and Vloz chuckled briefly. Ratten's blood was boiling, having been disgraced by someone he deemed insignificant. He gritted his teeth and kept himself from speaking out at the young gorilla, re-estimating the youth's abilities while thinking of a rebuttal.

Oli tried to move things along. "Were there any other reasons, Chief Ratten?"

"Of course, knowing of the imminent arrival of the Small-mouth Frog tribe, we made sure to set aside a small piece of waterfront property for ourselves. Allow me to explain," Ratten slowed the discussion, trying to calm the debate and appear more sophisticated. "We wished to have a reliable water source that hadn't been contaminated by the mucus their bodies produce. Drinking such a thing may lead to unwanted effects on my brethren or cause a pandemic due to the unfamiliar substance we would inevitably consume without action."

Oli folded his arms over one another and pondered, giving Ratten a sense of ease to see him reconsidering his decision. Turning back towards Ratten with an innocent smile, Oli asked, "Hmm, so that's it. Is there anything else?"

"Nothing else, young master," Ratten was glad to see that he was just a stubborn kid. He guessed that the whole conversation was planned by Rathe and Vloz, that way the gorillas wouldn't lose face for the wildebeests acting against their words and by further considering it, they could come to peace with it. This was basic politics, don't give something away for free. It was face for face, and the wildebeests felt they had the most face to offer of all the tribes and clans.

"I'm glad that's all. Then, I must ask you and your tribe relocate from the shoreline," replied Oli.

"What!? And why must we do so?" Ratten lost his patience a split-second.

"Because you lack logic in your actions," Oli reasoned. "Tell me this then, should I give it to the tribe that thrives off the water for their food, training, and health? Or should I let you have it because you're afraid to get an upset stomach for a couple of suns?"

Ratten opened his mouth but his mind couldn't think of anything to challenge such logic. And he had already admitted that there were no other reasons for his actions. Ratten pled, "But young master, please reconsider—"

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"Okay, then tell me this, what parts of the shore did you claim for your drinking? Were they the beaches on the southeast shore?" questioned Oli, causing Ratten to freeze up momentarily. "It seems I've guessed correctly. Either way, you would need to relocate because that southeast shoreline will be open to the public for recreational and educational uses. The frog clan shall be located on the west and southwest shorelines. If you're adamant about having your own water source, you can have the north shore. Its sand is more coarse, but it's better than the jagged, rocky shores of the east. That should more than cover your need for a water supply, am I right?"

Oli's words were like a slap to Ratten's face, leaving him embarrassed and slightly red in the face. This young master was not to be underestimated and was a far better political opponent than any of the chiefs could've anticipated.

"Since that is how things should be, then we will give up the waterfront in search of somewhere else," Ratten swallowed his pride, but only enough to leave the argument with his head up. Reluctantly, he was waiting for his turn to receive a territory. A smile that wasn't a smile tried to hide his anxiousness because he knew exactly where he wanted to go.

"I'm glad to hear that. Thank you, Chiefs Ratten and Defar," Oli bowed his head respectfully to the two chiefs.

Defar was over the moon right now. The west shore had some great beaches and was the ideal place for his tribe to settle. Ratten was livid on the inside, especially after being thanked for accepting his verbal slap to the face. This was humiliation at its finest.

"Chief Defar, are there any other things that you and your clan need for your new property?" Oli double-checked.

"Nothing more, young master. This is more than enough, in fact, our clan isn't so big that we also need the southwest shore. I ask that it also be for public use, then we will surely not face any issues for the township," Defar was more than willing to give a little after he figured out how Oli works; it was a constant cycle of give and take. Oli would give you the best possible option for them and hope to take with him their support and help in the future.

"Then that is exactly what will happen. Thanks again, Chief Defar," Oli politely bowed his head and moved along to the next chief in line. "Chief Hollen, I believe I already know your needs and preferences from what I saw of your former home. For that reason, my clan and I would like to ask your clan to settle in the plains to the west of here. It is very near to both my gorilla clan and the lake to the north of the plains, where the frog clan will be settling. It will allow you to access some of the best wild grass our Iron Town has to offer. What do you say?"

"Of course, I accept! This is by far the best terrain for my tribe to settle in. Thank you, Young Master Oli," Hollen accepted immediately, thankful that Yeter had befriended Oli.

"Thank you, Chief Hollen," again, Oli politely bowed and went on the next chief.