It was long overdue, but much like running a ranch, Nate was finding that raising a village took a fair amount of coordination which... well, wasn't so simple to achieve. Less and less so, the more of you there were. Between chores and trade voyages, training, driving the herds in high country, he hadn't found the right number of hours in a day for all of them to sit Council.

Now with wolves up front and jackals behind, he felt it could be delayed no longer. So the summons went out; he and Ko-Ga sought each of those who had settled Walosi and made it home. And now, Nate sat before those gathered with more apprehension than he'd expected.

This would be a test, in a way, of the bonds they'd forged. The clans would now decide on their future as one tribe.

I'm glad to see you all. Nate smiled, offering a thump of his tail. Each clan was meant to sit together in a great circle around the little glade, wreathed in wildflowers as butterflies danced between them. Perched happily between the other Wayas, Ko-Ga squawked an affirming answer. Then snatched a morpho out the air and horked it down ungracefully.

Nate took in a heavy inhale. It's been a good summer. We've been finding our stride. Making something — together. None of this would have been possible without you, all of you. Those dark days last winter, well, we proved our mettle. I've never had better friends than the ones I got right here. So...

Lifting his head a bit higher, he nodded once. Let's sit Council. Folks got news to share, ideas to pitch, problems that need solving — we'll do it here. Blue eyes drifted to Elk Charm and Samo. A wedding announcement would be appropriate. And to Cecil, next. Nate remembered their plan to find sheep up North. Could get volunteers to help here, maybe.

Reckon I'll start. As Raven Chief, it's my job to act out the will of the Council. I keep the peace here at home. It's a right you give me, and I'll do my best to be worthy of it. If I'm not — well, Council gets to decide when it's time for a new Chief, too. He had no aims to dictate; he was no king of wolves.

But Walosi ought to have an Eagle Chief, too. One who talks to strangers. Figures out trade, works out alliances, or leads us at war — if we're ever unlucky enough to find ourselves in such a situation.

Lip quirked, We're gonna need one.

That breath held, and then he explained, I spoke to a pair of Lanzadoii on the southern border. Their caribou led 'em down there, and might well lead 'em up here, as well. I told them about us, offered them peace, maybe trade. One asked me whether we had healers.

Brows raised with the shrug of his shoulders, as he looked for the eye of Chakliux, Could be we never see any of them again. Could be tomorrow they're crossing our border after their herd. We need to all decide together how we want to prepare. And then we'll have our Eagle Chief to put it in practice.

He raised a paw to wave across them all, inviting them to speak, So, what do we think?