The Conversation - Prologue part two

Once Cody had gone back into the Oak, he was greeted with many ecstatic dogs. They were very excited because not only had Cody gone to tell these stories to the other dogs and little pups but also he was able to tell these stories with such skill. Captivating even the youngest pup for the entire duration of the story was a skill every dog could envy.  Cody invited the dogs to come with him next time, to sit with them and get to know them.

“We’re all here now; we might as well get to know one another. Don’t you think?” Cody said.

Though some dogs were swayed to his side, many were fearful to go out. Bailey, a very large shepherd, was unhappy Cody was going out of the Oak to mingle with these other dogs. She didn’t want any dog from the Oak leaving it to help them. It was bad enough Storm had forsaken them to go off on an adventure looking for Hojan. Now, she had to deal with Cody entertaining these dogs in their very front yards.

Bailey decided she would confront the old dog. She waited for the Oak to be quiet and found him admiring the carvings the Oak had inside it.

“Amazing isn’t it?” Cody asked Bailey as she came up to him.

“Yes it would be a shame to put such beauty as this in any danger wouldn’t it?”

Cody chuckled, “Well Bailey surely you don’t think the dogs outside would pose a threat to us or the Oak?”

“They could. Isn’t that what matters? What would stop them from burning this tree or tearing it down?”

Cody, again, laughed. “You act as if this tree couldn’t defend itself at all. We both know the truth of the matter though. Don’t we Bailey? Look around.

Cody motioned to the intricate carvings that line the inside of the Oak’s great hall. These carvings depict the first days of the Oak, the crafting of the first dogs, the wolves and the lion, the adventures the dogs had, every great and evil deed all the way up to the fall of Sanctuary.

Bailey looked up. “It’s dangerous Cody. I don’t want you to go out there anymore. Preach from a branch if you must, but—”

Cody responded before Bailey could finish. “You know, Bailey, I’m the one who recommended you to sit on the council after I left.”

Bailey lowered her head. “I know,” she whispered.

“Do you know why?”

Bailey rolled her eyes hoping he would see. “Because I was the best dog for the job?”

Cody laughed.“No.”

Bailey thought she misheard him and shook her head. “No?”

Cody nodded, “No. I chose you because during that time I thought the council needed someone who had been to this place as much as you had. The council needed someone who would be cautious. But we don’t need that now. The war is over. We need to make peace and make friends. These dogs are lost and confused and just want someone to show they care. If we hide here in our tree what will they think of us?”

Bailey nodded. “Fine, but just you.”

Cody shook his head. “You aren’t in charge here Bailey. All of us are free dogs, and we will make our own decisions.”

“Your decisions will ruin us Cody,” Bailey mumbled as she walked away.

Cody heard her complaint but didn’t address it. By this time, a large crowd had grown in the great hall. It seemed to Cody that the dogs were split among himself and Bailey, as nearly half walked out with her while the rest still waited in the hall with Cody.

“What should we do now?” a dog asked from the crowd.

“Let’s go get to know them!” Cody said.

The dogs walked out from the hall into the clearing. The older dogs began to gather the pups, but Cody stopped them.

“It’s not time for the story yet friends. We’re here for you.”

The dogs of the Oak began to go up to the other dogs. They played with the pups and talked to the older dogs. All the while Bailey watched them from a branch high up on the Oak murmuring to herself: “The fools.”