51 Handling the Issue (1/2)
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?”