CHAPTER 12
AWARDS CEREMONY
On the day before the green eaters were scheduled to leave to return home, Chief Berserker called a special meeting of The Grand Sharptooth Council, and asked that the green eaters attend. He also sent word for Chomper and his family to attend as well, with the message that he had a "little surprise" in store for him. Chomper was anxious to hear all about it.
At around midday, everyone was gathered at the meeting place. A large sharptooth crowd had also gathered. Chomper finally explained to the green eaters that the necklace Chief Berserker was wearing was what was called "the bones of our ancestors", and that it was very sacred. Same as the headdress he wore and the staff that he carried, both symbols of his position as Council Leader, and he alone was allowed the privilege of walking around as such. He climbed up onto a large naturally shaped stone alter known as the "speech rock". After calling everybody to order, he began to speak.
"My friends and Sharptooth Nation residents, it is with great joy that I officially announce that the... 'Bloody Tummy' crisis is OVER!"
This brought about a large number of cheers and roars. All of the green eaters were sitting with Chomper and his family, and were listening intently as Chomper translated the sharptooth Council Leader's speech.
"It has been a time of great hardship and sacrifice for us all! Many have lost so much in this crisis. Many sharptooth males, females, and younglings have died! But through perseverance, and against incredible odds, we have managed to avert this crisis... AND SURVIVE!"
More cheers, roars and applause followed.
"But we couldn't have done what we did without the help of a brave group of green eaters..." he said as he gestured towards the green eaters sitting as a group towards his left. "who have come a long way from home to answer our call for aid. We shall be eternally grateful to them, and we owe them our very lives!"
More cheers and roars were heard.
"It was thanks to their knowledge of the cure to this sickness that threatened our very existence that we were able to overcome this giant obstacle placed before us..." Amidst a small smattering of applause, he continued. "It is thanks to them that our kind still has its place on this... GREEN EARTH!"
Many more cheers and roars were heard.
"Let it be known for generations to come what transpired here! Let it be known for generations to come of the... unusual alliance that was formed here between our kind and the green eaters. The future is always uncertain; but one thing that is certain is the present. And as long as I live and breathe, I will make certain the green eaters' contribution to the cause against which our very survival was at stake WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and roars for what seemed like the longest time. When Chief Berserker felt it had gone on long enough, he put his hands up to silence the crowd.
"I now surrender the speech rock to our Master Healer who will give us his final tally..."
Once the Master Healer took his place on the rock, he gave a long winded speech about the disease and the consequences of it. Turns out, only about one quarter of the sharptooth population had died from the disease. But considering that there were several thousands of residents in the sharptooth provinces, this was still a large number. The Master Healer also said a little over one half of the population had become ill. Immunization and education efforts are still ongoing in the Sharptooth Nation's outskirts, and healers and volunteers are still keeping a watchful eye for any new and recurring cases of the disease. Courteous applause rang out as he finished his speech and left the rock alter.
Chief Berserker climbed back onto the rock briefly to announce that he was now surrendering the rock over to his senior lieutenant & Council Overseer.
When the medium sized sharptooth took the stand, he announced with great regret that two of the twelve members of the Council had died from the disease, and that replacements had to be named. By tradition, whoever was first in line to replace a deceased councillor automatically received the title.
One of the councillors that died was Juglur Schrack, who happened to also be the Overseer of Chomper's home province; and the green eaters learned that Chomper himself was his Junior Adjutant. It was then that they all understood that Chomper wasn't lying when he said he was a sharptooth of some importance among his kind. But the Senior Adjutant was named as the successor to Councilor Schrack. Chomper, who was second in line, was now first in line to replace him, should he meet an unfortunate demise.
After those formalities were done with, Chief Berserker retook the stand.
"And now, I will ask that the brave green eaters assembled here today step forward..." he said as he motioned them over.
When they were standing at the base of the speech rock, Chief Berserker said in a voice loud enough for all to hear. "My friends, in honour of your valiant efforts over these past few weeks, please accept this token of our appreciation..." He indicated four female sharptooth approaching with each a bone necklace in their hands. "These necklaces were made from the finest of our ancestors' bones, and I bestow them onto you..." Chomper suggested that they accept the gift, as it was the greatest honour that can be given to anyone, in the sharptooth culture.
They all allowed the sharptooth females to place the necklaces around their necks. Lesik, of course, had to bend his huge neck down almost to the ground so the sharptooth female can reach him.
After which, Chief Berserker smiled and started to applaud. The assembled crowd followed suit. The applause grew into cheers and roars as literally all of the assembled sharptooth stood up and gave a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes. At one point, just as it seemed to die down, it escalated again with even more fervour.
When the cheers and applause finally DID die down, Chief Berserker motioned to Lesik to come on to the speech rock to say a few words.
More applause rang out as Lesik came to take his place. He could only place his two front feet on the speech rock, as it was too small for him to stand on it completely.
"My friends and Sharptooth Nation residents, on behalf of all of us green eaters assembled here today, and from the bottom of our hearts, I thank you all for this great honour you have bestowed upon us today..."
After hearing Chomper's translation, the assembled sharptooth applauded again.
"The necklaces you have given us are indeed great gifts, and we..." Lesik was interrupted by some impromptu applauds. "... and we shall wear them with pride as a reminder of what we've accomplished here over these past few weeks."
More applause rang out.
"As Head Councilor of The Council of The Great Valley of Peace, I say to you that this... unique alliance between our great nations SHALL be remembered by my kind for generations!"
More cheers and applause ensued.
"As Chief Berserker said earlier: The future is uncertain. But for the present, I swear to you that, as I live and breathe, and until my last dying breath, this great deed of conquest over insurmountable odds SHALL NOT be forgotten by my kind!"
The assembled sharptooth all stood up and gave Lesik a standing ovation.
Then Chief Berzerker resumed his place once more on the speech rock.
"Thank you for those kind words, Councilor Lesik. You may return to your places on the grass. Teekul, please remain."
After they all bowed respectfully to him, all of the green eaters went to sit back down where they belonged, only Chomper remained in front of the altar.
"Teekul Sharpe, also known as 'Chomper'..." this brought a little smattering of laughter from some of those assembled. "I'm sure you are anxious to know what this 'little surprise' I have in store for you is, don't you?"
After a moment, Chomper said in a soft voice. "Yes, my leader!"
"Well, me, my lieutenants, and the members of the Council have decided that because of your affiliation and friendship to these brave green eaters, plus the fact that you know their language, you are to be given a promotion..."
Chomper was surprised! A lot of the gathered sharptooth mumbled in surprise as well. He wandered how much higher in rank he can go. He was already Senior Adjutant and Assistant Overseer of his province, after the old Senior Adjutant was named to the Council. What more could they offer him? A place on the Council itself? But that would make it a total of thirteen members! For generations, there had never been more than twelve members on The Grand Sharptooth Council! He was anxious to hear about this promotion they're offering him. All of the green eaters looked at each other wondering what special honour Chomper's leader is going to give him.
Chief Berserker put his arms up to demand silence. "We have decided to create a new position within our government." A brief episode on mumblings ensued from some of those gathered. "We have named it: Foreign Ambassador to the Green Eaters!"
Cries of surprise erupted from the crowd. Chomper smiled up to his leader. His leader smiled back and nodded.
Once the crowd has become silent again, Chief Berserker continued. "Of course, this means that you must take up residence in or near the green eater lands... whatever they feel is most convenient for them..."
Lesik looked at his companions in a mixture of surprise and joy. The other green eaters smiled at the notion that Chomper would be coming to live among them. That they would no longer be separated by great distances through dangerous sharptooth country.
"Although this is a unique opportunity, Teekul, you can also refuse, if you feel you cannot take on the responsibilities..."
Chomper looked over to where his mate and son were sitting, which was right next to the green eaters.
"What about my family?" he asked.
"They would be going with you, of course..." Chief Berserker smiled.
Chomper beamed for a moment, then said. "Before I decide, may I go talk to them about it?"
"Of course..." Chief Berserker said as he motioned for him to go talk to V'Leck and Roary.
He bowed slightly, then ran over to them. They stood up as he neared them. He placed his left hand on V'Leck's shoulder, and his right hand on Roary's.
"Guys, we have a unique opportunity here, and I really don't think we should pass it up!" He said with excitement as he looked from one to the other.
"Well..." V'Leck said after a moment, then looked coyly at Chomper. "I've never been an Amdassador's mate before... This could be fun."
"OOH! I love it when you talk like that..." Chomper breathed. Then he turned his attention to his son. "What say you, Roary?"
"Well, dad! Considering that I'll have a chance to make friends with a lot of green eaters, and learn all there is to know about them... I say: TAKE THE JOB!"
Chomper gave a roar of joy, hugged his son, rubbed muzzles with and kissed his mate before he ran back to face his Leader. The sharptooth that were standing next to them who heard the conversation were applauding, and already exchanging clawshakes and hugs with V'Leck. Roary was getting hearty pats on the back from all of the male sharptooth around him.
He bowed before Chief Berserker again and said. "My leader, I accept your offer!"
He beamed and raised his voice so that all can hear. "Well then... Let it be known that, from this day forth, Teekul 'Chomper' Sharpe is officially our first ever... Foreign Amdassador to The Green Eater Countries!"
Hearty cheers and roars went up throughout the crowd. The green eaters were doing their own brand of cheering, and went over to congratulate V'Leck and Roary for the great honour bestowed upon them. Meanwhile, Chief Berserker came down off of the speech rock and produced a fine staff made from a large piece of long neck bone from behind it. It was beautifully polished, and bore a small sharptooth's head on the top of it that was carved from the very same bone matter. It must be to identify me as the Foreign Ambassador, he thought. Teek beamed as he looked up at his leader and shook claws with him. Chief Berserker smiled down proudly at him.
After a few minutes, Chief Berkerker raised his hands again, calling for silence. "In conclusion, and before our dear green eater friends' departure, as well as that of our newly appointed Ambassador and his family, a grand celebration is planned in their honour with great feasting, singing and dancing. I decree that it commence... IMMEDIATELY!"
More roars and cheers erupted from the crowd.
Chief Berzerker raised his hands one last time, and roared in his loudest voice. "LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!"
One final cheer from the crowd adjourned the special Sharptooth Council meeting.