Neiko's Five Land Adventure (Neiko Adventure Saga Book #1)

Chapter 10

"Quiet, everyone let's get down to business," Xartna ordered. "Alright, Monchiska, will you pray for us before we start?"

Monchiska prayed, and when he finished, everyone was seated.

"I have some alarming news, but it has nothing to do with the Crackedskulls, I'm afraid. The Black Antler Tribe has lost their land to the Georgians in which they will make new homes for the Outsiders. They are asking us to find them a new place to live and with another tribe if need be," Xartna said with a sigh. "Well, I needed to bring this to your attention, and are there any suggestions?"

A great hubbub broke out, and disbelief was seen on every Indian's face, even Neiko's.

Pike, the comedian of the Seven Tribes from the Scraah tribe, stood up and said, "The Antlers have never had this problem before. How did they lose all 500 acres of their territory? Didn't those old folks with the help of the Black Antler donations help in keeping their land?"

Xartna said, "That's very true. That's the reason why they were able to stand out this long. But a wealthy landlord went to a Georgian Chief and pleaded to raise the taxes on that land and everything on it. Therefore, the taxes were so high that it exceeded the donations of the tribe and the amount the old couple had. So they were forced to sell. The Antler Tribe tried to wait it out, but the clearing for the subdivision began to take place right after purchase. The clearing crew got dangerously close to the tribe itself, and they were forced to leave. Chief Pronghorn phoned me last night and said he had no idea what to do next, so I told him I would talk to everyone about this and see what we could do." Everyone began talking at once, and a few stood up.

Pike yelled, "That's not fair! That Outside Worlder Chief needs to tangle with a few Indians before taking their land!"

White Fang, Pike's brother, who was the opposite of Pike in being quiet and reserved, stood up and said, "He's right, it's not right!"

Many others stood up and angry shouts rang out from the entire crowd.

Xartna shouted, "Everyone, please, calm down!" No one listened, and the hubbub grew louder. Xartna sat down and shook his head.

Neiko stood up took a deep breath and shouted, "Everybody, shut up!" Everyone stopped and listened a moment, and tried to figure out who said it. Neiko cleared her throat, "Alright, thanks. Xartna has more to say, so will you do me a favor and sit down and be quiet?" Everyone sat down and waited till Xartna came to his perch.

"Well, thanks, everyone. We need to be concentrating on the needs of the Antler Tribe and not making war with the Outsiders. Does anyone have any suggestions on where they can stay?"

Nighthawk, a tracker from the Falcon tribe who was one of Neiko's right hand men, stood up and asked, "How many people are in the Antler Tribe?"

"Five hundred to one thousand people," Wolfgang, the Scraah messenger, replied.

"That rules out the Death Mountain Territory, it can only hold about 400 people," Nighthawk said, disappointed.

Neiko stood up, "What about the Etowah Territory? Surely that's big enough till it's wrecked."

"Good idea! I don't think we have to worry about it being wrecked because the Outsiders don't like to live near a river like that because it floods. What do you think, Xartna?" cried Nighthawk.

"I agree to that, but what will we do about their families till we can get them moved? We will let some of our men help them move," Xartna replied.

Puma stood. "We'll open up our homes to them till their new land is ready, and I'll open my home to Chief Pronghorn and his family." Many agreed with this idea, and everyone of the Antler members had a place to stay.

Xartna was pleased with the decision and said, "Well, I will notify the Chief tomorrow. Now is there anything anyone has to say that may have to do with the Crackedskulls?"

Neiko stood up and said, "I think I do, sir."