Pack Mentality: Winter Premier Part 1

Carlton shoved him out of the way, resulting in Sky's members tensing up.  Carlton continued to speak "My tribe is important even though we have less members and we will show you all no matter what. Here is what I demand: some more territory for my tribe and taxing with one piece of prey for anyone trying to enter our territory."  A shocked gasp was heard from all around the clearing, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Kylie Piped up and cut Carlton off "The leaders will discuss this after the the gathering. According to tribe Customs, if their is contact between any of the leaders, even if there is not a cloud in the sky to end the Gathering, another leader has the right to interfere and call the gathering over unless anybody else has anything to add."  She paused and looked around the clearing for a couple of minutes "Very Well this gathering is over.  Leaders tell your selected tribes to leave this gathering and then meet with Rick and I at the fallen tree."  At this Rick turned to Jackson and told him to wait in the truck, and he went out too the fallen tree.

During Ricks chat with Jackson, the tribes broke up and headed their separate ways, while the leaders slowly started to gather with Rick and Kylie and the fallen tree.  The role of the ranger when Gatherings turn ugly is to facilitate the argument, so Rick was in charge of facilitating the conversation between the leaders.  He opened the conversation "So Carlton, you think that your tribe needs more territory.  Please explain."

Carlton replied, "I feel like the tribe needs more territory because we feel threatened by humans."

Rick answered, "Ok, Why?"

They seem to be getting closer and closer to our camp.  We have found several pieces of Garbage around our training hollow."

Rick noticed Daniels ears flinch. "Daniel, do you have anything to say?"

Daniel shook his fur out and nodded his head, "Yes I do.  So we do too.  You don't see us making outrageous demands.  Are you sure that it is not just your own ambition."  Rick seemed to pick up a challenging tone to his voice.  Carlton replied as he stepped up to meet Daniels gaze. "I am sure.  Come to our tribe lands and see for yourself"

Rick started talking again to try and calm down the two leaders and change the topic before blows where exchanged.  "Now Kylie, you also seemed kind of upset why?"

Kylie, who called this meeting of the leaders, spoke for the first time.  "I just feel that Carlton just said that Carlton just said that to prove to the members of his tribe that he is a strong leader, which is tribe business, but also humans have been encroaching more on our territories."

Rick talked again, this time saying "Lets start with Daniel and then go around this circle of leaders and then move onto a different topic."  He turned to Daniel as if saying that he had something else to add.  Daniel nodded his head, as if he was picking up on Ricks clue.  Daniel opened up the conversation to turn the attention from some form of silent communication "Well, if what Kylie said is true, which Carlton did not deny, then that should have been taken up within the individual tribe members that don't think he is capable for leadership in whatever fashion he desires."

Sky picked up after Daniel spoke.  "I agree with Daniel on this matter, however, there is plenty of territory available on the far side of Daniels territory, and if we expanded out complex around the lake a little bit more Kylie's tribe would have regular access to water."  at this the leaders took a step back to think.

Rick nodded in agreement "Kylie you are up next."

Kylie started "Well you all have some really great points, but we do have regular water access, or have you all forgotten?  But I will say some extra territory wouldn't hurt anybody, especially this leaf-bare.  I say we go for it."  Everyone else that was a leader agreed with the words that Kylie said.

"Now moving onto the next topic at hand that has been brought up by both Carlton, and Daniel: the humans.  Everyone put your tail up if you have had trouble with humans in your territories."  From what Rick could tell in the faint amount of light all the leaders had their tails up, which seemed to surprise him.  Rick continued "if any of these experiences have endangered the members of your tribes, now would be the time to speak up."

Carlton spoke up.  "we had two pups and one Beta get sick from an encounter with some garbage."

Kylie spoke second "We had a Beta get caught in a trap set by a human.  He lost a little bit of his tail."

Thirdly Daniel spoke "we just had a drunk threaten a kid and Rick. But that almost hurt two of our betas."  Remembering the time a couple of days ago when they had to take down a wife beater, which also reminded Rick he had to get a couple of statements from witnesses, including but not limited to Jackson and Darlene.

Finally sky spoke up.  "We have had a couple of poachers this season."

Rick thought for a couple of moments.  "So, those are kind of scary from a wolves perspective.  I will contact local police about the poachers, and the poisonings from the litter as well.  So how about you all talk to your tribes about the Potential change in boundaries and report back to me within the next 2 weeks.  This officially concludes this months gathering.  Sky and Kylie you can leave I would like to speak to Daniel and Carlton and Daniel alone now."  At this Sky and Kylie left leaving Rick, Daniel, and Carlton alone.

Rick paused for a moment waiting for them to get out of ear shot.  "Now Carlton and Daniel, I am pretty sure that you two know why I want to speak to you two alone."  Carlton and Daniel exchanged confused glances and then remembered.  "This is about your border scuffle that may or may not have opened old wounds."  Daniel and Carlton nodded their heads in agreement.  Rick continued, "I just want to make sure that this dose not result in an all out war.  You two may go now."

When Rick returned to the truck Jackson asked him what took so long and Rick replied, "Calming down the leaders.  We should get back to the cabin and get some rest.  A lot has happened tonight."  With that they left the gathering place.

***

The next morning was exciting at all four camps around the complex.  Daniels camp was no exception.  Daniels call echoed around the camp "Let all wolves young and old gather around me fro a tribe meeting.  As some of you may have heard already, we had a crazy gathering last night."  Several barks of agreement filled the camp.  "During the gathering, Kylie called the gathering over after there was some contact between Sky and Carlton.  During the Deaming of the gathering over, Kylie also called a meeting of the leaders to disscuss the pull by Carlton.  During the meeting Sky brought up the idea of expanding the Territories around the complex to counter act the human activities that have been going on around the Complex.  All of the leaders agreed to talk to thier tribes about the territory expansion.  This may mean that we would have to send a patrol to scout out the territory along with a patrol from Sky's tribe to make sure that the potential territory is habitable.  I would like to see everyone in my den at some point with in the next week to get their opioions heard.  I will most likely be in my den.  That concludes this meeting.  I do know that many of you may have questions that need to be answered.  That would be why I would like to hear everyones opioion.  I want to see Raven, Quint, and George in my den first."  He headed into his den.

When they heard their names Raven, Quint, and George started to move towards Daniels den met by some questioning glances.  When they got there they waited until they heard Stephinie say "Daniel will see you now." All three of the visitors dipped their heads and entered as they were told.

Raven spoke first, "What is it Daniel?"

Daniel responded, "As you may have noticed, the snow stopped a couple of days ago.  I have done some thinking and I feel that it would be best if you guys left tommorow morning."

Quint spoke, "Why?"

Daniel responded, "Things are starting to get rough around here.  Also the leaders heard your theory and it is true. The human and wolf encounters have gone up and more agressive to the point of hurting our kind.  When you get back to your leader, report that.  Thank you for everything.  You all are welcome here if needed."  Raven, Quint, and George nodded their heads in respect and left. 

During the remainder of the day, the members and betas came into Daniels den and to share their thoughts on the potential move, and a majority of the members said that they thought that the move was a good idea, so Daniel sent Stephanie to run to the trees outside of the cabin and scratched their tribes logo and a + sign under it to show that they agreed with the idea of a move.  When stephinie got their she saw Carltons tribes logo with a plus, and Sky's tribes logo with a plus.  

After the meetings, it was business as usual.  Stephan, Daniel, and Stephinie worked with what they had to keep Carlton's tribe in check.  One patrol picked up a stale scent of Carlton's tribe, but they concluided it was from the battle just 2 days ago.   A hunting patrol brought back an elk, so Daniel said that they should have a Tribe dinner to send off Raven, Quint, and George the next morning.

To open the tribe dinner Daniel called, "Let all wolves young and old gather around Raven, Quint, George, and I for a tribe dinner!"  Raven and the traveling party were taken aback to be called to stand next to the Alpha of the pack.  Daniel continued as the tribe gathered "As some of you all may have noticed, we have been honored to have three guests join us for a week, and an eventful one at that."  He paused as he heard snickers fill the camp and then continued again, "They have served us well as long as the complex for giving us the idea that the humans have done some damage to the peace that the tribes around our complex have had over the past several years.  As a Thank you to them, I have decided to have a feast tonight in their honor.  Bring out the elk, and this meeting is adjourned.  Enjoy the food!"

The wolves in the tribe chanted their names in approval, and the night began.  After a couple of hours the elk was finished, and the Betas dragged it out of camp towards Carlton's territory.

On their way back towards the camp, bramble picked up 2 scents, and both of which were bad.  He was able to identify one as a bear, and the other he had a little trouble Identifying.  After some time of pondering, he finally identified the other: the forest was on fire.