Caesar's Pearl 2 Chapter 16
On the way to the village Caesar was fuming at the humans, anger he knew his sister shared, but his anger transformed into terror when they got back.
The moment they got to the heart of the village one of Cornelia's midwives ran from the oak tree leaping onto the stone platform screeching in alarm. Caesar knew only one thing could've caused the midwife to become so panicked with undisguised worry.
Cornelia.
Caesar and Blue Eyes, now carrying the baby, ran up the steps into their dwelling trailing the midwife.
Margo began to follow, but stopped halfway with Ranger. Margo is reluctant to join them believing she didn't have the right to enter this sacred place to them without permission.
This dilemma was quickly solves when Caesar noticed how she lagged behind.
Stopping, motioning her forward, Caesar said "Come."
That's all the urging Margo needed.
The sight that greeted them was far from encouraging.
On the bed Cornelia had three other midwives attending to her, Tinker among them. When Caesar, Blue Eyes, Margo, and Ranger entered, Tinker hooted, signing "She does not hear what we say. She will drink no water. She burns."
Cornelia was in bad shape. When yesterday she was coherent, now she was barely conscious. Her body was shivering uncontrollably, eyes rolling, meaningless noises voiced from her.
Margo felt her heart drop down to her stomach. From the scientific and medical journals Will had left behind Margo knew what these signs meant for this female chimp.
Death.
All three of them took up different positions at the bedside the midwives shifting to allow them access. Blue Eyes sat at her back, Caesar crouched at the side, and Margo near the end. At first Margo didn't know how the midwives would react to her presence here. Fortunately Tinker nor the others present made no objections so she sat down.
Caesar wrapped his hand around Cornelia's head stroking her temple.
Cornelia remained unresponsive.
"We've done everything we can. All we can do now is make sure she's comfortable," signed Tinker.
A tear ran down Blue Eye's face. Resigned to losing his beloved wife Caesar gathered his sons to him pressing his forehead to theirs simultaneously. In this deathwatch they'd face it together.
As will Margo.
Despite this being an extremely private moment that should've been shared with only immediate family she refused to leave. She would not abandon Caesar to face this traumatic loss alone. Ranger figured out what was going on, too. Ranger stood with his head resting quietly in Caesar's lap, tail hanging flat between his legs. His eyes were turned up at Caesar, whimpering softly, statue-still.
A short time later Cornelia's condition continued to decline. Caesar was stroking Cornelia's face with the back of his knuckles and Blue Eyes had a hand on her shoulder. In these ways they were letting Cornelia know she wasn't alone.
This private vigil was interrupted when hoots and screeches reached them from below. Increasing in volume as those making them climbed the tree. The reason for what got them upset enough to intrude was a mystery until a familiar voice made it apparent.
"Please, please, I just need to speak to him," said Malcolm.
Seconds afterwards he and Ellie were dragged into the sleeping quarters apes surrounding them on all sides, Rocket at their head. Ranger growled at them tensing at Caesar's side. Ranger positioned himself so he was in between him and the interlopers. Ranger may have tolerated them before, but not now.
Spotting Caesar, Malcolm said "I'm sorry. That was all my fault. But I will make him leave."
Rising to face Malcolm in Caesar's place, Margo said "How dare you come here. After what your man tried to pull down there. Get out!"
Ranger bared his teeth snapping towards them, but not shifting a single step.
"I know, I know, I messed up," said Malcolm, peering over Margo's shoulder at Caesar. "Please, just give us another chance."
"This my home," growled Caesar, refusing to look at Malcolm. "You should not be here."
"I understand," said Malcolm, "but if we go back to the city now, men will come back here with guns. Men I can't control."
"Let them come," growled Caesar, teeth bared. "Apes will be ready."
"Ready for what, war? I know that's not what you want," retorted Malcolm.
Holding his ground Malcolm went to argue more when Ellie took his hand, softly, she said "Malcolm."
While the Malcolm and had been arguing Ellie's attention was solely focused on Cornelia. Looking at the queen Malcolm recognized the dire state she was in.
"She's sick," said Malcolm.
"How long has she been this way," asked Ellie, softly.
Caesar's eyes looked to her and only then did Malcolm see the ape leaders eyes were red rimmed in grief.
"I have medicine," said Ellie. "Antibiotics."
Sensing an opportunity, Malcolm suggested "She used to be a nurse. Maybe she can help."
"Do not trust you," said Caesar.
"I don't blame you. But believe me, we are not all like him," said Malcolm.
"Please," prompted Ellie, softly. "Let us help you."
Caesar looked hard at his wife, how she was suffering barely hanging on. The choice made he nodded at Ellie signaling she could come closer.
Margo moved out of the way, but kept a keen eye on Ellie. All eyes on her Ellie went over to the bedside kneeling down slipping the pack from her shoulders. Opening it Ellie reached inside for what she needed, Rocket standing guard over her ready to intercede should she do anything to deliberately hurt the royal family.
"One day," said Caesar to Ellie. She looked up at Caesar surprised at the declaration. "You stay one day."
"Father, no," signed Blue Eyes, incredulous.
Pushing his luck, Malcolm informed "We might need a little more time."
"Don't push it, Malcolm," warned Margo.
"One day," boomed Caesar, silencing Malcolm whom nodded to convey he understood. There would be no more concessions. What Caesar said next proved he was mindful to the fact the humans would require more hands to finish. "Ape will help."
Caesar turned to his children as he said this making it clear he expected them to pitch in.
Utterly hostile to the idea, coldly, eyes narrowed, Blue Eyes signed "I will not help!"
Caesar stared hard at his son.
Margo's gaze went back and forth between them, sensing the underlying tension. She'd have to talk about this with Caesar later.
Later on the same apes, Blue Eyes not included, that went to the dam were at the human's camp. Malcolm was removing Carver from the equation. He'd be locked in one of the jeeps into the repairs were finished, not permitted to leave without any of them.
"This is bullshit, man," spat Carver, a bag of provisions over his shoulder.
"Get him out of here," said Malcolm.
"Move! That's enough," said Foster, forcefully dragging Carver away. "Come on, get out of here!"
They could all hear Carver objecting to his treatment until the pair was well out of sight.
When they were gone Malcolm turned to Caesar, asking "Okay?"
Caesar nodded.
When Foster returned reporting Carver was contained in one of the jeeps the group head to the dam. This time with the recruited apes actually carrying handfuls of the gear with them upon a signal from Caesar.
It was late afternoon by the time work started leaving Malcolm happy his team was allowed one more day after this one. If not then they, otherwise, would've been screwed. The apes went to work clearing the rubble from the blast and from the years passed that the dam was inactive while the humans handled the mechanical aspects.
Margo was in the mechanical room that had the main control panel. Caesar was presently in the access tunnel one of the apes passing along debris to comrades in the control room.
Not knowing the full extent of what needed to be done around here Margo assisted where she could. She'd given Ranger a careful command to stay where he was, lying down where he was out of the way yet still watchful. As Margo was working Alex was noticeably trying to inch his way closer to her until he was beside her.
Seeing a shadow nearby her person Margo lifted up her head to find Alex standing there.
Smiling sheepishly at her, Alex said "Need some help?"
Margo could've easily turned him away. Instead she nodded and Alex settled down with her for a little while. He aimed another smile at her where this time she returned a small one, feeling her body lose its stiffness a little.
Foster needed a replacement part.
"Yo, Alex. This relay's busted. See if there's another one," said Foster, tossing it to him.
Alex then got up to check.
Rattling footsteps from one of the catwalks above alerted Margo to possible danger.
Leaving over the railing was Koba, Blue Eyes flanking him.
What the hell are those two doing together?
Koba certainly isn't happy with what he saw here. He swung down onto the main floor with Blue Eyes trailing after him.
Getting the attention of a chimp passing rubble down the line, Koba signed "Caesar?"
Koba was then directed to one of the side hallways. Margo's eyes tracked Koba where he went, sensing a confrontation on its way. Others aren't so vigilant.
Alex became unfortunate enough to cross Koba's path since he failed to pay attention to his surroundings.
Koba knocked Alex unceremoniously onto the floor.
Landing hard on his side, indignant, Alex said "Hey!"
Wrong move.
Koba spun around stalking menacingly towards Alex.
Immediately Malcolm sped over from where he was working, interposing himself between Koba and Alex.
"No! No, no, no, don't! No! No," said Malcolm, holding up an arm that would be useless to stop him.
Just as Koba was about to get within striking distance Maurice acted.
Maurice stepped in the way releasing a warning rumble deep within his throat, glowering down at Koba. Koba stood no chance against Maurice, but he's determined to make his displeasure and ire known.
Where Caesar? Want Caesar," said Koba.
No one answered him.
"CAESAR!"
Koba's enraged roar got apes from the tunnel came out to face Koba releasing uneasy grunts and hoots. Caesar was the last one.
When Caesar stepped into the light Koba faced him, spinning away from Maurice and the humans he was acting as a barrier wall to shield from the bonobo's temper.
Caesar and Koba then squared off.
"Humans attack your sons. You let them stay," roared Koba, furious. "Put apes in danger!" He stalked towards Caesar until they were chest to chest. "Caesar, love humans more than apes. More than your sons!"
On the last part Koba stabbed a finger into Caesar's chest.
Caesar looked at Blue Eyes and then back at Koba. Angered that Koba was use his own children against him. Reaching his breaking point Caesar went to attack the bonobo.
Caesar burst forth tackling Koba, knocking him to the floor. He'd taken a step way too far. The two were locked in single combat. Clustered apes hooted and screeched around them as the brawl escalated no one making a move to interfere. This was Willow's fight she had to take care of this on her own.
At one point Ranger appeared like he wanted to jump in to help Caesar. Margo kept her arms wrapped firmly around the canine's neck preventing him from doing so. This a fight between apes where neither can get involved.
At one point Koba had the advantage. Caesar was on his back with Koba on top raining blow after blow on his chest, raising hands high over his head before slamming them downward in unison.
Caesar somehow managed to roll them over to where Koba on his back. Straddling him Caesar wrapped her hands tightly around Koba's neck, effectively choking him out as he banged Koba's head a couple of times on the metal grating of the floor.
Koba clawed at his hands to loosen the grip, but he wouldn't let go.
Caesar was more than prepared to annihilate Koba. By all accounts he had the right to.
But that it is not their way. It is not Caesar's way.
Slowly Caesar released the chokehold on Koba's neck. Koba gasped, breathing deeply to fill his aching deprived lungs.
Standing, repeating the ape's most important law, Caesar panted "Ape…not…kill…ape."
Caesar loomed over Koba. Only one thing could save Koba now.
Koba looked at the other apes present, but none would meet his eyes only the humans. Only one did and that was Margo. Even his best friends Grey and Stone shunned him.
He wouldn't be leant any support here.
Struggling Koba staggered to his feet. Head bowed Koba dropped to his knees extending a palm in supplication to Caesar.
"Forgive me," rasped Koba, submitting.
This was all an act. Outwardly he was contrite, but inside he thirsted for revenge, crying for retribution, after being on the receiving end of this humiliating defeat.
Caesar brushed his hand over Koba's palm and the bonobo was gone nearly as fast as he'd arrived, but lacking the dramatics.
In his wake Blue Eyes glowered at his father in anger. Moments later he followed after Koba without even glancing back.
Margo and Caesar exchanged a look, one for of meaning.
This was far from done.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys all liked this one! ;D
A treat for you guys in the next. Margo is going to spend some quality time with Caesar and his family.
Still waiting on the suggestions for what Margo might've taken up into the Redwoods with her from home. It's definitely going to be revealed next time around in the following chapter that'll be coming.