The Gathering of the Clans

Book 1 Chapter 37

The Gathering of the Clans

Book 1 Chapter 37

<<< Pepepski >>>

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Ian groaned and pulled his head out of Kyle's shirt. "Just how much did my mother tell you, Colonel?" Williams sighed. "A fair bit. I don't know all her and your father's plans just the part I'm to play in this little dance." Kyle sighed. "What deal are you here to offer sir?"

Williams smiled and sat down in the grouping of furniture off to the side. "We want to consolidate survivors into this area. Not just from our area but from others as well. There aren't enough survivors in other areas to make them viable. Clean-up efforts are ongoing but slow. There are a lot of areas to cover.

"How many survivors are we talking about?" "Right now we have about 30 they're from Adams County. Other counties are asking to send their survivors here. We'd also like to send the families of those in the military. Right now their lodgings are temporary.

The only way we are keeping our men is by providing and caring for any surviving members of their families." Ian nodded. "It's a difficult and time-consuming task even though there aren't that many of them. The big cities are the worst so far. Protection in some of these areas is next to impossible. Gangs of survivors are forming to rule small areas."

"I can only see things becoming worse as time goes on. It amazes me that Pepepski doesn't have these problems. Everyone I speak to about this claims it is your leadership that has made Pepepski how it is."Ian flushed red and sputtered. "It's not just me it's everyone who helps."

Williams nodded "Whatever you have here it is unique. The towns surrounding you don't have this. They're armed and turning away others." Kyle coughed and waving Ian off, tried to regain his breath. "I know of all the plans put into motion, so I know Pepepski was to become a place for survivors to come to but what do we get out of this deal Colonel?"

Williams became thoughtful. So they did tell someone all of it and Ian's mate no less. Ian is powerful in his own right and Kyle is the power behind the throne. "Whatever and whoever you need will be made available to you. Supplies, protection, you name it. I brought 2 trucks worth of what we can offer you. If Pepepski gets too full we will open up one of the dead towns and you choose the leadership to run it."

Ian nodded. "What if the leadership I appoint has trouble with the military stationed there?" Williams smiled. "It will be resolved in a way that is satisfactory to you. You're the Alpha. The Wolf River Clan is the master clan above all others."

Ian cringed at the word Alpha. He had enough responsibility on his shoulders just taking care of Pepepski. To lead the survivors into the future that their world would become, would he be able to do that? His parents thought so and had spared no expense in training him and Kyle for just that.

He could hear the willow tree whispering in his mind. In his dreams as a child, the trees could talk and move. They guided and protected the clans. I guess it wasn't just a fever-induced hallucination after all. He could feel the willow's laughter.

"Here's your tea and coffee Father." "Oh thank you, Shane." Shane left the coffee cart beside the grouping of furniture and left the room. Father Steins helped himself to a cup of tea and sat down while the others got theirs.

"I hope you and your group will consider staying at the rectory with me. It's a huge building that Evelynn Brookstone fully renovated 2 years ago, It's all up to date. We're even got off-the-grid power so if the power goes out we'll be okay."

"Oh yes, and it's attached to the church so we don't need an escort just to go from one building to the other. We've had animal attacks, mostly from dogs. The men are doing their best to hunt them down but better safe than sorry." Father Steins frowned. "It's been lonely there for me rattling around in the rectory and church. It would be nice to have some noise and life in the place."