The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 44

"I'm glad everyone could make it here safe and sound," Sleet spoke loud enough for all of the council members to hear her. They were assembled in the Great Oak's hollow. No one else was there with the Council since the meeting, according to Sleet, was top secret. Based on the worried expression on the ancient bald eagle's face, everyone was guessing that the meeting was about something very concerning. Possibly even dangerous. But no one said a word as they listened to the council leader, "Unless I'm mistaken, you have all heard about the Alley Cats?"

"You mean that group of stray felines that wander and go as they please?" Flash grumbled. Pierre and Calvin the red tailed hawk glared at the small peregrine falcon to keep his mouth shut. Thankfully the falcon did while a sick looking Maggie wheezed, "Yes, we've heard of them before."

"I haven't," the peregrine falcon known as Mumford pointed out.

Looking around at the Council with her pale yellow eyes, Sleet went on, "The Alley Cats begun back in the 90s with a sphynx cat by the name of Dexter. When he passed away, the role of leader was handed down to his only son Rex. Many know him as Rex the Ruthless because of his savage ways. He and his cats would often kill other animals, including our own young. Even if they hadn't hatched yet. The killing went on until I finally was able to make a pact with Rex. As long as we didn't engage in a fight of any kind with claws or talons, there would be no more killing. For five years now, he has held his end of the bargain pretty well." Pausing for a moment, Sleet sighed softly as she continued, "But I fear he's going back to his ways. Just this week alone we've had three nests attacked, the eggs smashed to pieces."

"That's horrible!" Panama gasped.

"Sounds just like what happened when we first came down from Albany to live here," Dodger the healer noted.

"The nerve of that back stabbing cat!" Eddie hissed.

"Let's go get him!" Calvin cried.

"We disembowel him 'til nothing's left inside him!" Striker screeched. Everyone shuddered at the thought. The great horned owl often frightened others with his violent way of thinking. Even his best friend Flash cringed. Watching as some of the council members suggested a way of getting rid of Rex the Ruthless while others stayed as silent as a mouse, Tiberius was looking over the thoughts inside his head. Lifting his gaze, he saw Sleet was looking at him. "Tiberius, you seem quiet over there. What's on your mind?" she asked softly. All eyes turned towards him. Clearing his throat, the red tail stated, "I know you all have had witnessed this cat do this in the past. But how do we know for sure that he's doing it again. If we suddenly just attack him when he's truly innocent, we'd be the ones who broke the pact. I suggest we just send a group over to talk with Rex and figure out what's going on."

"If you ask me, that's a pretty good plan," Oscar piped up.

"I second that," Juno the great horned owl agreed.

"Count me in," Pierre spoke up.

One by one, the others voiced their opinions to the plan. Surprisingly, the violent Striker was for it. The only one against it was Flash, though many assumed it was because he never got along with Tiberius. Gazing around the hollow, Sleet declared, "Alright, I will lead a patrol over to Rex's alley, not to fight but to talk tonight. We'll have this figured out in no time."

"You're not going anywhere with that infected cut. I want you to stay here," Dodger ordered firmly, gesturing to the cut in Sleet's foot caused by a thorn. Sighing, the ancient bald eagle turned to Eddie and murmured, "Eddie, you okay with leading?" The massive eagle nodded his head. Smiling softly, Sleet added on, "I want Panama, Tiberius, Calvin, Flash, Oscar, Juno and Pierre to go with Eddie, just in case if they're the ones who want to start a fight."

"Maybe we should have someone watching over Sleet, in case they decide to launch a sneak attack," Striker pointed out, adding, "Mumford and I will guard Sleet."

"With that in mind," Eddie declared, "Let's get prepared for tonight."