After the fight with the rouge dog, Niko was huffing and trembling. He was bleeding from multiple parts of his body, but nothing too serious. Garland stood just inches away from the cowering rouge. He considered the rouge's offer to join the kennel. Garland finally commanded "You will come with us back to camp without any struggle. There, I will speak with my council and a decision will be made about you. Now, tell me your name."
"My name is Gunner, sir."
"What kennel are you from?"
"I'm not from any kennel. I have traveled alone for as long as I can remember."
"DON'T lie to me! I can smell the faint scents of other dogs on you. Now answer me! What kennel are you from?!"
"I-I may have been involved with a group of dogs for a short while before, but I just took some rest with them and was on my way. I wasn't involved with them at all."
"What was the group's name?"
"I think it was Rose Grass. Have any more questions for me?"
Satisfied, Garland turned and began back to camp. "Bring the prisoner back to camp. If he tries anything, you have my permission to kill him."
The council was gathered at the abandoned train station. The new pup, Nova, was there also. Garland started the meeting. "We are here so discuss the group of rogues that have captured Nova's mother. Also to discuss the next actions to take with the prisoner, Gunner. Open discussion can start now."
Kalta started "Well, from Gunner's story he told us he is a lone rouge that had made contact with a kennel called Rose Grass. Does anyone actually believe his story?" Heads shook. "Ok, so what I think is that he was sent from this kennel to scout out ours. He wasn't expecting a patrol to appear and he attacked out of fear and surprise and gave in afterwards. Bringing him to camp was a mistake. He gets exactly what he wants and we cannot let him leave. If we do, we can expect an attack coming soon."
Niko pitched in. "I don't think that he attacked out of fear. He was testing our strength. We can't underestimate him. Has anyone ever heard of Rose Grass?"
"I have heard of them once before. It was when I was traveling with Natiri and our family. My father once told us that we had to travel quietly and quickly. We were going to pass though parts of the woods that the Rose Grass kennel is known to be seen. That is all I remember about them though," Chi says.
Garland asks "Hmm, Nova do you remember seeing Gunner when you were attacked?"
The trainee, who was glued to Chi's side meekly answered "No, I only remember my mom telling me to run and her being tackled by a much larger dog. She said that if I stopped running, they would get me. So I ran until I was so tired that I couldn't move anymore."
Garland walked up to her and asked "Do you remember anyone saying the name Rose Grass?"
Nova hesitated. "Uh, I don't think so. I don't remember."
"Where were you when you were attacked?"
"I don't know."
"Augh! You have to be kidding me! How did you find this kennel? How long were you traveling for?"
"I don't remember." Nova hid behind Chi and stared whimpering.
Kalta scolded "Garland, she is just a pup. She couldn't possibly remember every detail of that event. Her mother told her to run so she ran. You can't expect so much from such a young dog."
Garland huffed. "It would be nice to have a bit more information than that though. Maybe she'll remember more when she's calmed down. It's time to make a decision. I vote that we send our best trackers out to find Nova's scent trail. We'll keep Gunner here as an omega on guard at all times."
Niko said "I vote we kill Gunner. If he escapes, it's bad news for our kennel. A dead dog can't talk."
Kalta adds "And that's why we have to keep him alive. He knows more than he's told us and if we interrogate him, we can find out what he knows. Killing him won't do us any good, especially if the scent trail leads to a dead end. I vote to keep him alive and send the trackers."
Chi says "I also vote to send the trackers. Unnecessary killing disrupts the balance. Someone should monitor him though so he doesn't escape."
Garland end the meeting. "So the decision has been made to send trackers and interrogate the prisoner."
Niko volunteers "I'll take the first watch."
"No you will not. You must rest and recover. After, you will return to your duties. I'll lead the Guardians this month." The dogs cleared out.