Born To Lead Chapter 10
Caesar was true to his word. Upon first light every warrior in the tribe was mobilized preparing to march into San Francisco to where Koba divulged the human settlements location. The elderly, females, and children would stay behind. Only a small fraction of the warriors would be with them the majority following their leader. Caesar was adamant about showing the humans a display of ape strength and unity one they had to take seriously. Determined for the humans to understand they desired peace not war however fragile it may be. But that wasn't all.
"You want to do what," signed Koba, infuriated.
Caesar had lead Koba away from the other apes wanting to talk with him in private. He knew Koba wasn't going to take the plan he had in mind well. Caesar didn't want anyone to be within hearing range when the bonobos temper got the better of him should it flare up.
Calmly, Caesar repeated "We will go to them in strength and while we are strong, we will give them a gift."
"A gift. We pay tribute to humans," signed Koba, disgusted.
"No, not tribute," corrected Caesar. "We will give them a gift that means much to them, but costs us nothing." By "gift" he meant the bag and all its contents. "From this they will know that we understand hem and that we do not wish for war. But showing them our strength will let them know that we, also, do not fear them. We will meet as equals."
"But we are not equals," disagreed Koba. "The humans will never see us that way. The humans scavenge the ruins of their city for anything they can use for survival. They are rats. We are apes." Basically he was saying while apes thrived the humans struggled constantly day after day just to live another.
Nature's roles for them were drastically reversed here.
"Whether we believe we are equals or not we will tell them that. If we appear weak in their eyes they will try to kill us because they think we can. If we appear strong, wanting a fight, they will fight because they think they have no other choice. If we meet them head on strength to strength they will respect us," reasoned Caesar.
Koba went to object further, but someone else interrupted the conversation.
It was Rocket, the foreboding expression on his face not good.
"What is it," asked Caesar.
Tentatively, Rocket signed "There's a complication." He then pointed to where the horses stood. These are the mounts Caesar and his inner circle would be riding while the rest of the army went on foot.
Caesar scowled when he looked in that direction. He saw immediately what the so called "complication" was.
There next to her own horse was Willow. She stood there in full war paint looking exactly as she did during the hunt. In Willow's hand she held the satchel for transport, the daisy chain circlet on her head.
Teeth gritted Caesar marched in her direction dodging straight in and out of other apes. Willow saw him coming so she turned to face him putting on a brave face.
"What do you think you're doing," demanded Caesar when he reached her, his lieutenants behind him.
Arms crossed, Willow signed "What does it look like I'm going? I'm coming with you of course."
Shaking his head, firm, Caesar signed "No you will not. You're staying here."
"I'm not asking your permission father," stated Willow. "I'm going whether you allow it or not."
Sighing, eyes hard, Caesar signed "Willow, I thought we were passed this." He was referring to her escapades as a child, running away from the village to see into the human's world. Apparently he thought this was the cause of her disobedience this time.
Softening, Willow explained "Father, I'm not saying this because I want to go, it's because I need to go. Like it or not you need me for this. As princess to the apes and your daughter it's my duty to accompany you to broker a peace with the humans. Nothing more."
The two stared into the others eyes neither father nor daughter backing down.
Finally Caesar signed "You'll remain at my side the entire time. Do. Not. Stray."
Grinning victoriously, utterly delighted with this outcome, Willow signed "Thank you, Father. You won't regret this. I promise." Ecstatic she climbed onto her horses back. Nudging her heels into its sides to direct the horse towards the gates to where Blue Eyes waited, letting the stragglers finish getting ready.
Caesar watched her go his face blank of all emotion. Whenever this happened no one ever knew what he was thinking about. No one dared to ask.
Maurice assured "She'll be all right. She's wanted this for a long time. We trained her well. There's no need to fear for her."
"That's not what I'm afraid of," signed Caesar.
"Then what do you fear," inquired Luca, stoic.
His voice low and gruff, Caesar said "What I fear…is that Willow will not be able to forget. That she will not be able to let go."
Authors Note: Finally we're heading into the city. I've got a treat for you guys. Our girl Willow is going to do a big stunt quite shocking that's going to cause a stir.
Estrella, its perfectly all right if you go back to using Spanish again if it's more comfortable for you. Before today I wasn't aware Google translate was available. Now that I do it's no longer a hindrance.
For those of you who are wondering when I'll put up the story I told you guys about Caesar having a human sister, I'm not sure. Right now I'm focusing on this one. I've got a summary and setting all picked out. The main problem I'm having a hard to with is a name for this story.