Chương 19: More Practical Solutions

"Yeah, what about us?" Pierre asked.

"Werewolves face different challenges."

"Such as?" I really couldn't imagine what problems they would have. They were human, at least most of the time. Alder glanced at Pierre, as if daring him to interrupt again, and said, "Hunting regulations. Wildlife control. We're not a recognized species, so we have no protections. Some of our pack members have almost been shot by hunters." He then continued, "Hunters know they can kill or trap coyotes with few repercussions.

Many of them have 'accidentally' killed wolves or 'protected' themselves from wolf attacks. It's only a matter of time until one of us gets shot." Damn, I thought. I'd never heard him speak so much at once. I was quiet for a moment, thinking.

"You need species protection." I hadn't even considered the problem being when they were in animal form.

"That's part of the problem. We are supposed to have them already," Pierre complained. I considered before answering, "Look, here's the thing about scientists, they love discovering new species. And politicians love looking like they're protecting the environment. You get some wildlife biologists to 'discover' a new subspecies of wolf that needs protection. That should get you some extra protection." Alder leaned forward.

"Are you suggesting fraud?"

"I'm suggesting creative documentation. You guys can shapeshift, right? Give the scientists exactly what they expect to see. A few photos, some 'DNA' samples from your wolf forms, maybe a compelling story about an isolated breeding population." I paused for a moment, and then added, "Or, with all the weird animals mutating in the Ozarks, much more so than in other areas, you can try to ward off this area from outside visitors. You can document local mutations and file for protection of new species.

Maybe turn this place into a local sanctuary." After thinking for another second, I added, "I already own a lot of acreage. I'm sure a lot of you do as well. If we pool our land together and file for at least a refuge or preserve."

"And then?" Alder actually seemed to be considering the idea. While it wasn't the best idea, I didn't have any better options at the moment.

"Then you write up a protection bill. Something with a nice environmental name.

'Native Wolf Conservation Act' or whatever. Find some politicians who need to look good on environmental issues."

"Find?" Pierre asked.

"Bribe. Coerce. Whatever works. Politicians are surprisingly affordable if you know what they want." The circle had gone completely quiet again. But this time it wasn't awkward. Everyone was staring at me with a mixture of awe and horror.

"You're talking about systematic manipulation of human institutions," the bark-skinned woman said slowly.

"I'm talking about using the system the way it's designed to be used," I said.

"The government makes rules because they love rules. They're so in love with their bureaucracy that they'll follow their own procedures even when it hurts them. You just have to know which forms to fill out." One of the silver-haired fae straightened, her expression icy.

"You're suggesting we manipulate human government? That could expose us all."

"You're already exposed," I said, meeting her gaze.

"Mutant animals are all over YouTube. The mana tide isn't exactly subtle. The secret's leaking whether you like it or not. The question is, do you want protections in place before humans figure it out, or after?" Silence fell over the circle. Even the torches seemed to flicker uncertainly. Then Alder nodded slowly.

"He's right. We can't hide forever. Better to have legal protections when the truth comes out." I glanced at Shelly. She was staring at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. Pride? Worry? Maybe both. Pierre leaned over and whispered something to her. She shook her head slightly, eyes never leaving me. Kathy spoke up.

"What about the druids? We have... organizational challenges."

"What kind of challenges?" The more problems I heard, the harder it was for me to resist rolling my eyes and throwing up my paws. It was like watching a group of children complain about their room being messy without trying to actually clean the mess up.

"We're... scattered. Disorganized. We don't really know what our collective problems are." I stared at her.

"You don't know what your problems are?"

"We've been operating independently for so long…"

"Right. Okay, that's actually easy. You need a proper organizational structure. Elect some leaders, figure out your priorities, maybe set up a nonprofit for tax purposes." Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"Tax purposes?" She seemed confused, clearly not making the connection between organization and money management.

"Religious organizations get all kinds of breaks. Environmental groups too. You guys probably qualify for both. Just follow the format of regular druidic orders. Or better yet, take over those organizations. I bet you already have members in their ranks." I started pacing again.

"Or... get everyone to pay tithes, dues, whatever you want to call it, and elect representatives. Those representatives meet with other representatives to form a circle or council. If there's enough money involved, the druids will pay attention." I paused, grinning.

"Money talks. Everything else walks. When everyone's fighting for their share of that money, they'll start working together. Eventually, that cooperation will extend to matters where money isn't involved." The meeting was transforming before my eyes. People were leaning forward, asking questions, actually engaging instead of sitting in terrified silence. Still, it did take a while since there were other problems. However, we managed to help them one way or another.

"How do you know all this?" The bark-skinned woman finally asked after the last question was answered.

"I spent fifty years preparing for the end of the world," I said.

"You learn a lot about how systems work when you're planning to survive their collapse. Bureaucracy, logistics, legal loopholes, it's all part of being prepared." Tala's mental voice purred with pride. Look at you, kit. Accidentally becoming their leader. I shot her a mental glare but didn't respond out loud. By the end of the night, I was exhausted. My tiny raccoon body wasn't built for hours of problem-solving and public speaking. But everyone else seemed energized, almost hopeful.

"This is progress," Kathy said, though her expression was troubled.

"Real progress. For the first time in decades, we're actually talking about solutions instead of just complaining about problems." She paused, her gaze settling on me.

"But Abe... change makes enemies. Some beings prefer the old ways, even if they don't work. You've just painted a target on yourself."

"Let them complain," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"I'll be too busy solving problems to care."

"That's exactly what worries me," Kathy said quietly. Pierre was practically beaming, oblivious to the tension.

"I love this. We're going to commit bureaucratic fraud for the greater good."

"It's not fraud if you follow the proper procedures," I said.

"Even better." Alder stood, his presence commanding attention.

"Before we adjourn, I want to say something. Abe, you've provided practical solutions to problems we've been struggling with for decades. Whether you want it or not, you've earned authority here tonight.'

"I don't want authority," I said quickly.

"I just want people to stop sitting around being miserable when there are obvious solutions available."

"That," Thomm said with a knowing smile, "is exactly why you should have it." I looked around the circle. Too many people were nodding in agreement. This was getting out of hand.

"Speaking of helping each other," I said, desperate to change the subject, "I could use some help with a problem of my own." The circle went quiet, attentive.

"My human body went missing. I buried it myself under a cairn near my cabin. When I went back to check, it was gone. Just human footprints walking away from the grave. No drag marks, no signs of a struggle. My corpse apparently got up and walked off." Murmurs rippled through the gathering. Several people exchanged concerned looks.

"You're saying your body reanimated?" Thomm asked, his blue eyes wide.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. If anyone hears about anything like that, or sees... well, me but human-sized, dead, and wandering around, I'd appreciate a heads up." Alder's expression darkened.

"A walking corpse with no necromancer controlling it? That's... unusual."

"Tell me about it," I muttered.

"We'll spread the word," Alder said firmly.

"The Moonbound have patrols throughout the Ozarks. If your body shows up, we'll find it."

"The fae have our networks as well," Lyralei added, her earlier frost completely gone.

"We'll keep watch."

'The Moon-Eyed People work at night," Thomm offered.

'We see things others miss. We'll look."

"Consider it done," Kathy said.

"You've helped us tonight. We'll help you." I felt something loosen in my chest. For the first time since waking up as a raccoon, I wasn't facing my problems alone.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"All of you." As the gathering began to break up, people approached me individually. Some thanked me. Others asked follow-up questions. A few even offered additional help. Shelly appeared at my side, Pierre trailing behind her. She looked at me with that same complicated expression from earlier.

"That was impressive," she said softly.

"And a little terrifying."

"Which part?"

"All of it." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You just became very important, Abe. Very visible. I hope you're ready for what that means."

"Probably not," I admitted.

"But when has that ever stopped me?"

"For what it's worth," Pierre said, "I think you did great. Even if you are bossy for someone the size of a football."

"Thanks, I think." As we made our way back to the car, I caught sight of Kathy watching me. She looked concerned, maybe even afraid. Not of me, I realized. For me. Tala's voice was unusually serious. She's right to worry, kit. You made a lot of friends tonight. But you also made yourself indispensable. And that's dangerous. I know, I thought back. But what choice did I have? None, she admitted. That's what makes you a good leader. And what might get you killed.

Who knew being a paranoid prepper would qualify me to run supernatural community development? My quiet retirement was definitely over. But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. I'd helped them tonight. Solved their problems. Earned their trust and apparently their loyalty. But I still had my own mystery to solve. Where the fuck is my body? And more importantly, who or what took it? As Shelly's car pulled away from the stone circle, I looked back at the torches flickering in the darkness.

Somewhere out there, my corpse was walking around. And somehow, I had to find it before it caused trouble I couldn't fix with paperwork and clever bureaucracy.