The council meeting

Chapter 6

The morning sun was gentle when Roshan walked into the the council hall, he had been called early even before the worriors begin their morning drills, that alone was alarming.

Aaron stood near the entrance , leaning casually against one of the tall pillars, his hair were messy as usual. His smile wide and mischievous , but Roshan knew better than to judge him by that playful look.Aaron was one of the strongest wolf fighter in the pack, he just wore his strength differently.

" You're late ," Aaron said , Roshan was clearly on time .

Roshan gave him a flat look, "you've been awake for only ten minutes "

Aaron laughed softly, you caught me .

They walked together into the hall,

The hall was wide and round, built from blue grey stones. Tall carved pillars held up the roof , and touches burned along the walls giving soft ember light .

The elders where already there, dressed in their blue cloaks. There face were serious, others stiff with worry, others tight with the weight of old grudges.

Elder Maron the one with sharp eyes and a sharper voice spoke first.

" Welcome Beta Roshan and my honourable Lord Aaron" please be seated.

Roshan and Aaron took their seats, Roshan sat upright and composed, while Aaron sloughed a Little earning himself two disapproval glares.

Maron cleared his throat.

"we will begin with the council meeting, a matter has come to our attention, a serious one "

Roshan felt the shift in the room instantly. The air grew heavier and thicker.

" Last night, "our border guards reported movement near the Northern edge . Tracks, scent which does not belong to our pack.

Aaron playful expression faded, "which pack "

Elder Sina answered, " the Black Ridge pack".

A hush fell inside the room.

Black Ridge pack is a dangerous pack, know for their hunger for territory. Their Alpha was ruthless and the worriors trained to be same .

"What were there doing near our borders" ?, Roshan asked .

"That is the problem", Maron said , we do not know they did no approach directly, they stayed just outside our clan, but close enough to make their presence know.

" So they want us to see them, Aaron spoke"

"Exactly," Sina spoke, " a message ".

Roshan folded his hand, "Then the question is what do they want ".

They want to test us , They believe we are weak now because of a girl.

Everyone knew who he meant

Iris .

the girl Eira brought in , the girl from the exiled clan the girl everyone wispered about.

Aaron groaned under his breath, " here we go".

Roshan shot him a warning look, But Aaron only shrugged.

Maron leaned forward, "We have taken in a girl who carries trouble with her a girl who was exiled from her clan.A girl whose presence may attract danger ."

Roshan voice was calm ," iris has caused no harm.

" Not yet, Elder Rhem said , but her past may cause us harm."

Aaron raised his hand lazily, "can someone remind me Why Iris being exiled is our problem , pack fights, clan fight, rejections happen." What's the big deal about all of this.

Sina's eyes narrowed, "her exiled was not a simple matter they casted her out for a reason."

"Roshan eyes darkened, or because they needed a reason ."

The elders eyes narrowed towards him .

"What are you suggesting Beta Roshan?," asked Elder Maron .

" I have seen Iris, I have watched her speak. There is no darkness, no aggression, no threat."

"Beta, Sina said , Innocence in the eye means nothing, some threat are quiet."

Roshan scoffed, the only quiet thing is her footsteps, she walks like the grounds wants to break.

"Fear itself can be dangerous, it attract danger and now black bridge is sniffing around our boarders."

Black bridge has wanted our lands, for years they do not need a girl to start trouble, Said Aaron.

And we are not weak, not even close .

Maron sighed, we hear you but we need to be cautious, the back bridge pack move with purpose.

The elders murmured among themselves, before a moment Maron lifted his hands to silence them.

"We will continue , if there is no more."

"We receive words", Sina said." that Iris formar pack has sent trackers"

The council room fell silent.

Roshan's Jew clenched, this was bad news someone is searching , someone who believe Iris is worth finding or silencing.

"Do we know how close their are? "Roshan asked.

"Not yet," Sina replied " but we will soon".

Elder Rhem folded his wrinkled hands, " we must ask our selves an important question, if danger is coming because of Iris do we keep her ......or send her away.

Aaron slammed his hand on the table before Roshan could speak.

" We cannot throw out a girl , cause her old clan made stupid choices."

" control yourself Aaron, Sina snapped".

Aaron leaned back with a sarcastic smile. ," sure I will try."

Roshan spoke, his voice steady " we do not throw away someone who needs help."

Maron raised his chin, beta Roshan our first duty is our pack.

" And a pack that throw away the innocent, " it's not strong but cowardly."

The elders murmured again, some frowning and some agreeing to what he said .

"So what do we do?, Jora asked .

Finally Roshan spoke, we will watch Iris , we will learn her history , and prepare for black bridge Untill then ......she will stay.

Maron ended the meeting with a firm rap on the table, " council dismissed"

Aaron jumbed to his feet quickly, "finally, my back is dying."

You really like keeping trouble close, Aaron teased.

Roshan didn't answer

I spoke strongly for a girl I haven't seen but I've felt her presence.

Because even him didn't know why he spoke so strongly for iris , "the girl he barely knows ".