After a few hours, the ceremony ended and the Iron-Claw tribe began their trip back. 'The trip is a two-day trip and four-day round-trip. A bit long, but that's fine, it gives each tribe three days to consider the offer with their tribesmen.' Gray thought to himself as he laid in on the four carriages.
'This year there were thirteen individuals from my tribe who came of age. Ten people came with us to make sure things went smoothly.' He thought. Over the next two days, they traveled and upon their arrival home, they held the new-chief ceremony.
"It's tradition for the new chief to say a few words to their people." Gray's mother told him. He nodded and walked to the cliff where the sun was setting and stood in front of it.
"People of the Iron-Claw tribe!" He yelled, calling the attention of everybody present. "Change is on the horizon! Not only with the ascension of a new chief, but with the development of the world. Things are changing, and if we don't change with them, we're doomed to fall!" He stated loudly.
'Honestly, I'm doing better than I expected, coming up with a speech on the spot is far easier than I remember, perhaps it's due to my general ability...' He thought to himself.
"If that's the case, then I say bring your change! With change comes technology and development, and I will use that to propel the tribes of the great beasts into a new era! The era of unity! Not only will we survive into the next era, we will thrive!" He said grandly. As he ended his speech, a feeling of inspiration flooded the hearts of his people.
'It's a mediocre speech, I've heard better, but for the underdeveloped beast tribes that have had few great speakers, that's good enough.' Gray thought to himself as he glanced at his mother. He stepped down from the cliff in front of the setting sun and walked over to his mother.
"It's best if you make the announcement." Gray said. She nodded and went to the same spot Gray was at previously.
"I have an announcement." She said. "I, Yina, have decided to accept a marriage proposal and will be marrying the chief." Gray's mother said. The crowd seemed surprised but supportive, with murmurs amongst them. Gray nodded.
"Wait, you and mom are getting married!?" A young girl, about two years younger than the twelve-year-old Gray asked.
"Yes. Though it's mostly for the sake of appearances and keeping the support of the people. Don't tell them that, though." Gray said.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Teni, if you were left home by yourself and a seven-year-old was left in charge, would you listen to them?" He asked.
"Well, no." She said.
"Right, it's a similar situation. We have a bunch of people, most of which being less than a hundred, and suddenly a barely of age kid got put in charge. On what basis do I have authority other than by tradition?" Gray asked.
"But you're chief." She said. Gray sighed.
"Yes, but the chief only has the authority granted to them by the people, if the people grant no authority, the chief has no power. To stop me from losing power, I'm marrying mother since she's well respected and was in this position before I was. That means people will take me more seriously." Gray explained.
"I don't really get it, but if you think it's necessary, then I believe you!" Teni said happily with a smile.
"Thanks, Teni." Gray said as he patted her on the head. She smiled brighter.
'Mhmm!" She said.
The next few days were uneventful, mostly mediating conflict, but after those days, they began the journey back to the neutral zone where the coming of age ceremony is held. They went to the meeting room and saw the chiefs had already gathered.
"Thank you for waiting and apologies for our lateness, we ran into a few issues with our carriages on the way here." Grayson said as he settled into the atmosphere of the room and moved to stand at the head of the table. "Now, let's get to business. Who here will join the federation?" He asked rather bluntly.
"Sage-Ear will be joining." Katak said.
"Sage-Tail will join." Sinast said.
"Sage-Claw as well." Nati said as she leaned back a bit.
"If the sage's are joining, I'd be foolish not to follow. Bone-Ear will join too." Gatet said.
"We of the Steel-Ear tribe will become a part of the federation as well." Itan said reluctantly.
"Steel-Tail as well." Fikat said.
"We stand only to lose, should we not join. The Bone-Tail tribe accepts your proposition." Ina said.
"I agree with Ina, Bone-Claw accepts." Lanti said.
"Asana accepts!" Asana, the chief of Iron-Ear said happily with a bright expression.
"Iron-Tail agrees." Jatt said.
"As does Steel-Claw." Haka said simply.
"Good. Now let's hold a vote as to who the first head of the federation will be." Gray said, ensuring things move smoothly.
"I vote Katak as head." Haka said gruffly.
"Asana does too!" Asana said with the same bright expression as before.
"I have to agree. The wisdom and intelligence often seen in the Sage-Ear tribe is undeniable, and Katak himself seems quite perceptive. I vote for Katak." Gray said. A few of the chiefs seemed surprised but quickly got their expressions under wraps.
"Katak is my vote." Sinast said.
"I vote for Gatet." Nati said.
"I vote for Lanti." Itan said.
"Katak." Fikat said.
"Two more votes for Katak and he wins." Gray said.
"I vote for Katak." Jatt and Ina said in unison.
"I suppose that decides out first head. Katak, please come to the head of the table, as that is now your seat for the next five years." Gray said. Katak nodded as he stood up. "I'm sure we'll decide on a more formal way to welcome chiefs into leadership, but for now, this will do." Gray said.
"Agreed." Katak said as Gray moved to the seat that is now left open at the table and Katak moved to the head of the table.