Caesar's Pearl 2 Chapter 2
In the Redwoods someone Margo has presumed dead for a decade is actually very much alive.
A storm was brewing the combination of the rain and thunder masking the presence of the dozens of apes in the trees as they waited for word on their prey.
Approaching from up ahead the scout Caesar sent out returned with a report. Stopping three trees away, he signed "Caesar, they are close."
Caesar nodded, a hand raised high instructing those with him to keep still and silent. Peering below at the hunters on the ground to where Koba waited leading a separate troop of apes.
"Koba," signed Caesar, gesturing forward ordering Koba to take those apes around the elk to cut off any escape.
Grunting to the apes with him Koba advanced with them following at his heels to where the scout indicated.
Thrusting an arm forward Caesar guided his group high in the trees in the same direction catching and swinging through the long sturdy limbs belonging to each one.
Not one ape made a sound. They used the forest around them to their advantage camouflaging them. The elk would have absolutely no clue what was stalking them until it was too late.
The apes found the herd in an open grass area in the forest large enough for them to graze. Heads lowered to the earth they didn't have a clue they were surrounded by predators.
Caesar kept his son close to him the entire time. Reaching the elk herd the pair landed on the same branch, Blue Eyes crouched
Raising a questioning hand wile preparing to give the signal to strike, eagerly shifting from foot to foot, Blue Eyes signed "Now, Father?"
Caesar covered his son's hand with his own so he couldn't prematurely signal the others. Turning his head left and right he checked to make sure everyone was in position to attack. The plan was set.
Rising on the branch Caesar screamed releasing a mighty battle cry, one echoed by the other apes simultaneously. Startled into frenzy the elk stampeded across the forest floor. They barreled through the underbrush the opposite way fleeing the apes in hot pursuit herding them.
Unfortunately for them they ran right into a trap.
Koba's ape's intercepted the herd cutting them off. This caused the stampede of elk to split off into smaller groups scattering them in opposite directions. This confused these animals into a stupor.
The apes targeted these aware the reduced numbers would benefit them. Their main job done the apes in the trees swung down to join their comrades on the ground.
Caesar was leading one group with Blue Eyes watching his every move. Blue Eyes was tossed a spear from his friend Ash. Caesar chose a target. From Luca's back Caesar took a piece of vine that had to two smoothed out rocks tied on either end. Swinging it over his head about three times Caesar aimed and launched it at the elk he had chosen.
The elk fell with a cry down a steep slope. The apes dispersed in tight nit groups to take down different prey. Rocket threw Caesar his own spear. Father and son then peered down the slope at the elk. They found it tangled in a heap in the damp earth struggling to get up, but finding itself enabled. The rest of the herd scattered leaving this fallen member behind.
One step at a time Caesar and Blue Eyes scaled down the slope to reach the elk and deal the finishing blow. As they got nearer Caesar immediately took note that something was off. A few feet away Caesar saw some fresh deep and long claw marks on a tree.
Raising his hand for Blue Eyes to stop, Caesar signed "Son, stay…"
Caesar needed to investigate this further. There could be danger lurking in the vicinity that they couldn't see. Caesar knelt to get a closer look at the indents in the tree tracing his fingers over it.
Behind him Blue Eyes completely disregarded his fathers orders. He wanted to establish and prove he is a capable hunter. Impulsive and cocky as ever Blue Eyes stalked towards the stag intent on killing it.
The stag was beginning to regain its footing, untangling its back legs trying to stand. If Blue Eyes didn't do anything now the elk would get away. Not if he could help it.
Blue Eyes should've listened to Caesar.
As Blue Eyes raised his spear to stab the stag elk in the neck an enormous grizzly bear burst from the edge of the thicket. This is the creature that had clawed the tree marking this patch of territory as its own. What made matters worse is that is smelled the blood and fear scent of a prey animal. This grizzly bear wanted that meat and nothing was going to stand in its way.
The grizzly bear charged at Blue Eyes releasing a mighty roar while swiping at the youngling.
Blue Eyes turned to face this new foe screeching at it. But Blue Eyes was given no time to correct. The grizzly bear attacked Blue Eyes with a massive paw sending him tumbling down with the spear knocked out of his hand. It broke as this occurred.
Paternal instincts taking over Caesar launched himself at the grizzly bear. As he was airborne Blue Eye's form was temporarily replaced with Margo as a child. Seeing this image only made Caesar more fearful and determined to protect his son. He landed on the grizzly's back temporarily distracting it as he rolled into a position in front of his son. Deliberately putting his own body between his own child and the bear.
This grizzly bear had Caesar and Blue Eyes cornered. Blue Eyes was bent over wounded in the chest and face. Caesar stood in front of him protectively shielding him from the bear's onslaught. Caesar was dodging the grizzly's assaults left and right, but with only just the two of them against a bear this wouldn't last for long. How easily the grizzly rid Caesar of his spear is proof enough of this.
Caesar screeching challenge after challenge into the grizzly's face hoping it would back off and draw someone close by fast enough to assist. Unfortunately the bear wouldn't relent it simply kept going.
Luckily a third ape made his way onto the scene unnoticed by the grizzly, but not by father and son. Racing down the hill was Koba coming to their rescue. Koba would only have one chance to end this.
To help Caesar brought himself to full height screaming his loudest bellow at the grizzly bear. In response the bear stood on its hind legs roaring back in defiance.
This is just what Koba required.
The grizzly's roar was abruptly cut in half when the head of an old harpoon attached to a spear belonging to Koba plunged headlong into its back silencing the animal permanently. Now lifeless the corpse of the bear collapsed falling on Caesar covering him completely before he could move.
Blue Eyes and Koba approached the bodies of Caesar and the grizzly bear worried that he might not be alive. They were relieved when Caesar pulled himself out safe and unharmed. Koba's assist came just in time.
Turning towards Koba, grateful, smiling Caesar signed "Thank you, Koba."
Koba nodded tapping his chest twice with a fist in respect to his leader before examining the bear more thoroughly.
The bear dealt with Caesar diverted his attention to his son.
Caesar then went to Blue Eyes a somber expression on his face, taking Blue Eyes shattered spear from Koba when offered to him. Blue Eyes was kneeling in the grass near the bear's mouth with his head lowered in embarrassment. Taking a knee Caesar parted Blue Eye's fur to check how bad the injuries were. Blue Eyes grimaced stiffening at the contact raising his head to meet his father's eyes.
Somberly, Caesar signed "Think before you act, Son."
Caesar had reminded Blue Eyes to this many times already. For some reason Blue Eyes didn't seem to listen. He then went to touch the claw mark on the left side of Blue Eyes face, but his son shoved his hand away.
Aggravated Blue Eyes took his wrecked spear from Caesar avoiding eye contact ashamed.
Shaking his head Caesar sighed an expression of disappointment mixed with anger on his face in dismay He wanted to reprimand Blue Eyes, but restrained himself. Right now there were more important things to deal with than disciplining a disobedient son. The hunt was a great success. They needed to bring the bear and the game they'd killed with them back to the village immediately. The entire tribe would be well fed for a long while to come.
After the incident with the grizzly bear its body along with the elks were loaded onto crude sleds the apes had crafted from boughs from the trees to carry the spoils of the hunt home.
Now the hunting party traveled the long road home back to their refuge. Some rode on horses while others went on foot. At the head of the procession was Caesar and Blue Eyes on either side of him on their own mounts. Riding alongside them were some members of Caesars inner circle and closest confidants, which were Rocket, his son Ash, and Koba.
The troop marched passed the gas station. The tribe often had to pass it whenever they came this way.
As they did so Caesar watched Blue Eyes examine the gashes on his chest. Blue Eyes will be scarred for life now. Despite his stubbornness those would need to be tended to. His mother Cornelia would probably see to that.
The remainder of the journey back to the tribe for the hunting party went without incident.
When the hunting party returned to the village they were met with smiling and excited faces.
They all stopped in the center of the village near the fire pit.
From the spot Maurice was standing at next to a stone wall he hooted and grumbled at the children that surrounded him for their daily lesson on their history, letters, and words. The orangutan gestured for them to focus their attention on him, but it was hard to do so when many couldn't turn their eyes away from the hunters. They were far more interesting than all of this boring stuff. It may not be as stimulating, but to read, write, and the apes three most important laws.
The laws were Ape Not Kill Ape, Knowledge Is Power, and Ape Together Strong.
It's Maurice's job to make sure these lessons traveled to future generations for life. In this he would not fail.
Anxious hoots caused Caesar to stop speaking to some of his subjects that had approached to look in the direction of her families personal dwelling. He recognized Tinker frantically waving him up pointing inside the interior of the tree. Caesar instantly knew one reason Tinker would be acting this way along with wearing a veil over her face plus.
Cornelia.
Moving with haste Caesar then climbed up to Tinker allowing the female to lead the way.
Once inside the assembled midwives and numerous other females surrounding Cornelia cleared a path for him to get to her.
Cornelia was in bad shape appearing extremely tired shaking all over from the strain she was under already whimpering a little. She'd been in labor since early morning not long after the hunters left. After months of waiting Caesar and Cornelia's second child is about to be born. Whether it is a boy or girl they had no clue. All they cared about is that whatever the gender of the baby is that it's healthy.
Hands trembling Cornelia reached for Caesar begging him to help ease the pain. At the same time Cornelia curled into herself as another contraction hit.
Slowly Caesar approached a tender loving expression on his face as he gazed at his wife.
Taking her hand Caesar knelt beside his wife. Having him there with her perhaps gave Cornelia the boost she needed for that one last ditch effort.
Cornelia groaned pushing with all her might the feeling of Caesars, Willow's, and the other females hands on her flesh lending her the strength to fight.
Seconds later Cornelia gasped collapsing onto her back as tiny squeaking, thrashing baby was pulled from her. Cornelia took the squirming baby into her arms from the many hands that held the child, settling him against her chest. If there was any sort of indication the volume of the baby's cries showed it had a healthy set of lungs. Everything was in their proper place as it should. The infant was so miniscule it couldn't have weighed more than four pounds.
Awestruck by the newborn Caesar gives the baby his hand. The infant latched it fingers spread holding tight to one of his fathers. He gently cupped the babies little head in the palm of his hand hooting quietly to the little one so to soothe him. The method succeeded the newborns cries receding as he snuggled into his mother.
The snap of a twig on the floor signaled Blue Eyes coming in to see the baby. The ape children from Maurice's class were curious too. They were discovered peeking from outside hanging from sections of the tree. He stared in wonder at the infant.
Beckoning to Blue Eyes, Caesar signed "Come meet your new brother."
Accepting the invitation Blue Eyes slowly came over. Each tentative step Blue Eyes took revealed to all how nervous he was, but he joined them nevertheless.
Cornelia currently had one hand wrapped around baby. When Blue Eyes got close enough she put the other on Blue Eyes head pressing his forehead to hers. Caesar had both hands cocooned around the baby sheltering it in his powerful hands.
All four breathed together in sync with the baby almost forgetting completely anyone else was present with them. The five of them were the only ones who mattered.
That very evening a grand ceremony overran the entire village celebrating the birth and hunt. A feast was held for the celebration, one of the largest they'd had in quite a long time.
Sitting on a ledge overlooking the fire pit, where the vast majority of the Colony had gathered, beside the wall where Maurice taught his lessons to the new generation sat the royal family. Caesar was sitting on his throne, Cornelia and Blue Eyes on the right of him. The baby was fast asleep cradled in Cornelia's arms. It took a lot of work to be born. He needed to rest.
During the festivities ape after ape brought tribute to Caesar. The variety of offerings ranged from flowers, pelts, and different varieties of food.
One of the final ones is something a lot more valuable gift. Luca and Stone they lifted a stretcher carrying the bears pelt and head. It had been a while since one the tribe had taken down a grizzly bear. The pelt is a great prize and should go to the strongest of them all.
Caesar disagreed with them on that. In his mind he had no claim to the remains. Realistically someone else did.
Afterwards Caesar gazed at her in great pride beyond proud of Willow. She gave without any thought of reward. It was her nature to act so selfless.
Caesar stood from his throne holding up a hand. Caesar directed the grizzly head and pelt to Koba. The one-eye ape was enjoying the evening meal with Ash, Rocket, Maurice, and Grey.
At the sight of Caesar, Koba knelt grunting softly lifting a hand palm up in supplication. Caesar ran his hand across the palm accepting the tribute. As Koba stood he froze astonished seeing the deceased grizzly's pelt and head presented to him.
"You saved my life today, Koba," signed Caesar, gesturing at the head and pelt second.
A clear sign ownership of this magnificent prize was passed onto Koba freely given.
Shocked and humbled by this display of brotherhood, Koba embraced Caesar under the eyes of every ape there. Separating they each affectionately had an arm slung over the others shoulders solidifying how close they are and an example of unity.
"Apes together strong," boomed Caesar.
Indeed they are and Caesar couldn't have been more proud leading each and every single one of them.
Hours passed with the celebration reaching its peak. Many were retiring to their huts to sleep though a number remained awake continuing to enjoy what was left of the festivities.
Caesar bid his wife and newborn goodnight choosing to stay a little while longer. Blue Eyes had already gone having decided to turn in early. The days events had taken their toll. So Cornelia climbed the steps back into their oak tree assisted by one of her multiple midwives.
Caesar had taken a seat on the roots of the tree Maurice sitting beside him.
"Another son,"congratulated Maurice, pleased for his old friend.
Chuckling, Caesar signed "Makes me think how far we've come, Maurice."
Together they looked out at the forest and the human city that lay beyond.
"Seems long ago,"signed Maurice, pointing at the decrepit city. "Still think about them?"
"Humans,"asked Caesar.
Maurice nodded in reply.
Shrugging, solemn, Caesar admitted "Sometimes."
As Caesar said this he was fingering the medallion he wore on his wrist as a reflex. The medallion holding the locket he never took off even after all this time. It was impossible for him not to. Humans raised him for most of his life surrounded in love and trust. One in particular came to mind often. The one who had given this to him. It was a common sight around him for Caesar to do this. Many of the elder apes that he'd liberated in the beginning from the old Primate Shelter knew whom he was thinking of each and every time. Funny thing is no one mentioned anything about it out of respect for him. She was scarcely spoken of if not for a few snippets here and there in story's along with Maurice's history lessons. After all it's not something Caesar ever wanted to really talk about for personal reasons. The warm and loving memory of his little sister Margo was always far too painful to relive.
"Didn't know them like you did,"signed Maurice. "Only saw their bad side."
A shame not all apes were as fortunate as Caesar had been.
"Good, bad…doesn't matter now,"signed Caesar, gravely. "Humans destroyed each other."
Maurice mentioned "Apes fight too."
"Be we are family,"insisted Caesar, smiling.
Maurice conceded at the point rather than agreeing with it.
Caesar signed "Wonder if they're really all gone."
"Ten winters now…Last two…no sign of them. They must be gone,"assumed Maurice.
Despite the truth behind Maurice's words Caesar was did have some hopes. The population of the humans had been so large before they'd turned on each other. Surely there had to be some survivors, but if there were they aren't anywhere near Caesar's people. But as each year went by without any indication of human life a bit more of that vanished.
Eyeing Caesar's fingers on the medallion, Maurice stated "You miss Margo."
Grimacing, breathing deeply and letting it out slowly, Caesar signed "Everyday. Maurice when that grizzly bear attacked it wasn't Blue Eyes I saw as the bears kill. It was her."
Softening even more, Maurice signed "She could still be alive, you know."
Shaking his head, a mournful expression on his face with a single tear dripping from his eye, Caesar sighed "No, Maurice…I gave up on seeing her again a long time ago."
Authors Note:
Happy 1st Anniversary for Caesar's Pearl! :)
Good to see that Caesar still thinks of Margo as much as she does him. He misses her too and its heartbreaking how they both think the other is gone when they're actually alive and well. They're so close and yet so far apart.
Boy are they in for the surprise of a lifetime! Ha! Ha! Ha! ;D