The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
Another couple months went by. Kristin was now currently six months pregnant.
They have made a few more stops along the way in different areas. Mainly still to replenish their food supplies. She was really showing now and needed a bigger and baggier shirt to wear.
Because while her old tank top was fairly baggy on her to begin with pre-pregnancy, it became rather tight on her once she hit her four-month marker.
Luckily, they were able to pick one up in the last town they were in. It was a pale pink tee-shirt; the edges came down mid-thigh on her. She felt much more comfortable and had more space.
The baby was becoming very active now that it was growing bigger.
Even Galen can feel them move beneath his hand. Something he could never get enough of. Whenever they had chances to stop long enough, he'd lightly press hands over her growing baby bump.
It felt very reassuring to them whenever they the baby move around so much. It was a clear indication they were quite healthy. A healer they saw in the last town even confirmed it.
At the moment, they were still walking through the woods. Though, they could see it was starting to clear up ahead on the path.
"Think I see a house up ahead through the trees. Possibly another farm." Alan stated.
"Lemme guess, we're going to head for it?" Pete inquired.
"Wouldn't hurt." His friend replied.
"Yeah, and it be nice to finally sit down too." Kristin said, from a few paces behind them.
While walking was good, she was still not entirely used to walking with the extra weight she was slowly tacking on. Despite the fact she really wasn't all that big.
"We will, soon." Galen assured her, while giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
It was fairly soon too. Because they made it through the thinning trees to the clearing and the farm was right there only several yards aways from them.
They spotted two human men working out there.
Like they have done with some of the previous farms they hit in the past, the group went over to see if they needed a hand. They did this not just to help, but many of these times they have gotten food provided for them for their hard work.
Alan and Pete who were in front of the group approached them. The two men saw them coming and stopped what they were doing as they continued walking towards them.
Alan and Pete introduced themselves and right after, Galen and Kristin came up and introduced themselves too.
The older man introduced himself as Janor. While the younger one said his name was Mikal. Both were brothers that have lived and worked on the farm for most of their lives.
The group then asked if they needed help with anything.
The two men were more than happy to take the offered extra hands. After all, farms were a lot to upkeep and required a lot of work. They then instructed the group on tasks they could do.
Of course, whatever tasks they gave to Kristin were very easy. Seeing as she couldn't lift anything heavy or do any strenuous work in her condition.
At the most, they pretty much had her supervise.
Of course, she couldn't resist knocking on Galen every chance she got. Kristin would tease him and say he missed something over there or forgot to do something.
The chimp would simply roll his eyes and pick up a tiny handful of hay and toss it at her.
Once he finished helping Alan restocking the hay in the barn, they all went out to help with the grain. They had quite a few sacks to fill, and hopefully, it would be enough to get the two brothers through the season.
The fatigue for all of them really started to hit while they finished up with the grain.
Galen let out an exhausted groan as he finished helping the others with it all. As he went to lift another bag on a cart though, he saw something headed their way.
He quickly recognized it to be one single rider on a horse and a horsedrawn cart next to it. They were approaching the farm.
"Kristin, Alan, Pete." He called back to them to get their attention.
The group of humans looked up to see what he wanted, then they too saw the horses and riders coming.
Janor told them to go as he gestured to the barn. Alan and Pete quickly went there. Galen grabbed Kristin's hand and started to quickly usher her into the barn right behind them.
Then they all climbed a ladder and went up to the loft. Alan and Pete crawled over to the opening there to see what was going on. Galen was about to do the same, when he saw Kristin hanging back and sitting against a small bale of hay.
"You can go see what's happening. I can't lay on my stomach over there and look." She told him, while she kept one hand resting on her protruding belly.
Galen then shook his head and scooted in to sit next to her behind the hay.
"No, I'll stay here with you. Besides, I'll still be able to hear the conversation from over here." He told her.
Of course he could, he had better hearing then all of them. He almost always heard horses bounding up to them before they even had a clue.
"Fair enough." Kristin said.
Galen grasped her hand in his, then he looked over his shoulder slightly, and peaked his head out from behind the hay.
The carriage stopped right in front of Janor and his younger brother, Mikal. Then the single rider came running up, pulled out a rolled-up scroll and unraveled it.
He then read off their names and instructed the other gorillas to get the grain.
The two human men were baffled by this and surprised.
"Our grain tax was paid last month!" Mikal said aloud as he quickly went over to stand in front of the table holding the sacks of grain.
But one of the gorillas shoved him away, making him fall to the ground.
"The tax has been raised." The single rider stated.
"You'll leave us with nothing." Janor told him.
"Sweep up what's left on the ground. You can use it for see for next year's crops." The gorilla replied.
Then he turned back to address his men.
"Hurry up! We don't have all day! I have to meet the caravan at Hawthor, at sundown. " He informed them.
Mikal quickly got back up and again tried to stop them. He tried to wrestle one of the sacks out of the gorilla's hands. But the rider on the horse lifted his rifle and hit him on the back of the shoulder with it, sending him crashing back down to the ground.
Pete went to get up, but Galen's harsh whispering from behind stopped him.
"Wait, Pete! This is no time to be a hero!" He whispered, hastily.
That stopped Pete in his tracks, and he stayed put. Though he was not happy about it. Hell, none of them were.
"I could have you both shot for attacking a trooper." The single rider growled at the two men.
"Move on! Next is the Gero Farm! Move out!" He yelled back at his troops.
Janor went to help his brother up, but Mikal angrily batted his hand away and got up himself. It was clear, that the younger man was angry that his older brother didn't try to do something to help.
The two men watched them go. When they were far enough away, the group came rushing back out from the barn and came to stand next to the men.
"I'm sorry, Janor. Wish we could've done something to help." Alan told him in a sympathetic tone.
"No one can help." Mikal said, as he crossed his arms.
"Does that gorilla in particular have a grudge against you?" Pete inquired.
"No, it's all through the district." Janor replied.
"Aboro takes what he wants from everyone." Mikal spat.
"Aboro? The gorilla on horseback?" Galen inquired.
"No, that's Daku, his Lieutenant. Aboro is District Chief." Janor stated, before he turned around and started to walk away.
He went back to inspect what they still had left. Though by the forlorn look on his face, it wasn't much.
"You know, if that grain wagon were to be hijacked, somewhere out in the boondocks. Nobody would be able to connect it with Janor and Mikal." Alan surmised.
"Alan, are you going where I think you're going with this?" Kristin cautioned.
"You're going to steal back the grain?" Mikal questioned.
"Uhh, the less you know, the better." Galen said.
"It's too dangerous." Janor implied.
"I agree, completely..."
Alan lightly whacked his arm, gaining his attention.
"But I'll be overruled and completely." Galen sighed.
"I know where you can do it. Not where they meet the caravan. That's too well guarded. Brings gold from the mine. But their is a forest between here and Darrick's farm." Mikal suggested.
"Which direction?" Pete asked.
"I'll take you there." Mikal offered.
"No, no, no, you just stay here. If you're connected, there will be reprises." Alan objected.
"It's our fight." Mikal insisted.
"Look, Mikal, what we're trying to do is bring back the grain without suspicion landing on you." Pete told him.
"And if they see you there, then that's it. You're pretty much screwed." Kristin added.
"You might be recognized." Janor told the group.
"We want to be recognized. We want the gorillas to see who did it. See that way they will just be looking for a couple of strangers with a stolen wagon." Alan surmised.
"You may as well say yes, they are very stubborn." Galen warned.
"He says, yes." Janor replied.
"I'll show you the shortcut through the forest." Mikal offered.
"No, you just show us which way to go." Pete insisted.
"Over to that road, and bear right." Mikal instructed as he pointed behind them.
"Right." Pete said with a nod.
Then the small group of four left the farm and headed for that road, hoping to eventually intercept that grain wagon.
Once they got to the road, they started setting little traps in the road, underneath some dead leaves. Alan, Galen, and Kristin helped down below with hiding them.
While Pete sat in a tree above, acting as lookout.
It wasn't long until he spotted something closing in from a distance.
"Psst. Someone's coming!" He told them down below.
The three scattered. Alan crossed the road on one side. While Kristin and Galen took the other side of the road and got ready.
Who they saw coming is not who they expected. To everyone's surprise, they saw Mikal come running out of the woods and over to them.
"Mikal! What are you doing here!?" Alan yelled, as he ran out to meet him.
"Joining you." He replied.
"No way, man! We've been through all that!" Pete yelled down at him.
"Does Janor know you're here?" Galen asked.
"I told him I was going into the village." Mikal responded.
"Oh great." Kristin sighs, while rubbing a hand over her face, not liking where this was going.
"Then he won't like it." Galen warned.
"Janor is a coward!" Mikal snapped.
"No, he's not! He's just trying to protect you!" Alan told him.
"I don't want that. I don't want to bow and scrape to gorillas! I don't want just enough food to stay alive! I won't be nothing!" Mikal argued.
Everyone was silent for a moment, before someone decided to speak.
"Alright but stay out of sight...or at least cover your face. Here." Alan said, handing him a small, light-colored sack.
"C'mon! C'mon!" Pete said, impatiently from above in the tree.
They covered everything up a little more quickly with the dead leaves before running back off to their hiding spots on either side of the road.
When the wagon came, Alan and Galen pulled the rope they had lying across the rope taut making them all stumble. Then Alan and Mikal jumped down from the tree and started attacking.
Galen and Kristin watched the skirmish from behind a nearby tree.
It lasted all of a couple minutes or so. But luckily, they were successful. They took out the gorillas, then Alan, Pete, and Mikal hijacked the wagon and took off with it.
Galen and Kristin cut through the woods. Then met with them at the edge of the road. The wagon stopped briefly so Kristin could carefully get on and Galen jumped on in after her.
Now that the whole group was back together again, they took off with the stolen back grain and were going to go hide it.
Back at the District Chief's office...
Daku was there informing Aboro of what happened. Aboro was not happy and quite annoyed with the news.
He wanted to know how three unarmed humans got the best of him and were able to take the grain from him. Daku explained how the humans surprised him though and had obviously set a trap for them.
That is when Aboro said he would have another surprise for Daku. Then threatened to have him taken out and shot.
Daku's face paled a little at hearing that.
He told Aboro to wait. Daku assured him nothing was lost and that he will find Mikal and make him tell him where the grain is. Then make him tell him who the strangers were.
Then he went on to say what he will do when he finds them. But Aboro cut him off and said, 'if' he found them. Then decided he would go deal with Mikal.
He went on to talk about humans having attacked apes and how this has never happened in his district. And he doesn't intend for it to happen again.
Aboro then got up and left to deal with the matter himself.
Back at Mikal and Janor's Farm...
Mikal was explaining the whole story to his brother. But the older man was rather surprised to hear that humans have in fact attacked gorillas.
While also stealing their weapons and taking back the grain. It certainly was quite the story. That was for sure. It almost sounded unbelievable.
Even more surprising when Mikal relayed that he was one of the ones that have attacked them and took back the grain.
Janor sat there for a moment in silence than pondered if he could have been wrong.
When Mikal asked what he meant, Janor explained that he had never fought apes. That he didn't think it was possible. Meanwhile, Mikal had a proud look on his face, because from that experience alone, he learned it was completely possible.
Though the excitement was short lived when they heard a group of horses galloping over to where they were.
The two brothers got up to meet the visitors. To their dread it was Aboro and some of his troops. Aboro then silently gestured to the barn. One of the gorilla's got off the horse and made his way there then went through the door to look inside for the stolen grain.
Janor told him that his troops have already taken the grain from them already, trying to play it cool.
Aboro questioned Mikal and asked him if he were with the other two humans. He then told him that someone who his Lieutenant couldn't see, drove off with the grain wagon.
Then Aboro asked if it was Janor.
But Janor declined and said he had been home all day and hadn't left. That is when Daku shifted his cold gaze to Mikal and inquired if he was on the farm all day too.
To which Mikal stated that he has already taken everything from them, so what more did he want?
Daku then rode up to the young man, grabbed him and turned him around and saw the same tear in his shirt that was made by him earlier when he struck Mikal down with his rifle.
Mikal tensed up and quickly looked at him, knowing he was caught red handed.
That's when they motioned for another gorilla to come over. The guard got off of his horse and grabbed Janor's arms and pulled them behind him.
Aboro then demanded to know who the other two humans are and where was the grain.
When Janor didn't answer, Aboro nodded to the gorilla holding onto his arm. He started to apply pressure to it, making Janor clench his jaw in pain and discomfort.
Daku suggested that he may be less stubborn. To which Aboro replied that he didn't need instructions on how to make a human talk.
Aboro told Janor that he was the older human and thereby, responsible. But Janor again said, he was telling the truth and that he hadn't left the farm all day.
The gorilla behind him twisted his arm more which made the older man gasp in pain.
That was when Mikal finally caved and yelled that he wasn't there. Then proceeded to tell them that the grain was in a cave by the stream.
He then turned to his older brother and told him that he shouldn't have to pay for what he did.
But Aboro still gave the order to kill Janor. Mikal argued why and that he told him everything. But Aboro said he was lying and told them again to kill Janor.
That was when Mikal broke free and told Janor to run. They both took off for the woods. Unfortunately, neither of them made it as they were both gunned down.
Then the gorillas went ahead and burned the farm to the ground.
A little while later, Galen and the others returned to the farm. They were shocked at what they found when they got there. No more was there a home, just the charcoal remains of where the house stood.
Chickens were still idling about the grounds.
They looked around and spotted the two men on the ground and quickly rushed over to them. Pete and Kristin ran over to Mikal, while Alan and Galen went over to Janor.
Alan looked Janor over and confirmed he was going to be alright.
Then they turned their attention to Pete and Kristin. Pete carefully rolled the young man over. Kristin gasped and covered her mouth when she saw how pale he was, and he hadn't moved at all.
Pete checked to see if he was breathing.
Meanwhile, Janor shakily sat up and called for Mikal.
Pete gave them a somber look and shook his head, indicating he didn't make it. Tears started to roll down Kristin's cheeks and she kept her hand over her mouth to muffle a cry.
That is when Galen came over and wrapped his arms around her in a hug and turning her away from the young man's body. She pressed her face into his chest and shoulder as more tears left her and he gently rubbed her back.
"I'm sorry, Janor." Alan told him, while the older man looked on in disbelief and pain.
They helped Janor bury his brother. Once they were finished Janor started speaking to them again.
"I was wrong about not fighting apes. Mikal died trying to save me. But it won't end there." Janor said.
"What are you planning to do?" Galen hesitantly asked, dreading the answer.
"I'm going to kill Aboro." Janor growled.
Galen gave him a surprised look. They all did.
"That's suicide, Janor." Alan told him.
"And it won't fix anything." Kristin added, grimly.
"There must be another way to stop Aboro. Now, there is a prefect over him." Galen explained.
"Maybe he doesn't know what Aboro is doing. Talk to him." Alan encouraged the older man.
"I will never talk to an ape again." Janor spat.
"But I'm an ape." Galen stated.
"Yes, I know you are. But you're not like Aboro and the prefect, Augustus." Janor told him.
"Did you say, Augustus?" Galen inquired, taking a couple steps closer to him.
"Yes." Janor replied.
"He's, my cousin. The last I heard of him; he was working on the council in Central City. Now, he's honest, he's decent." Galen assured him.
"Damn, Galen. You really do have relatives everywhere, don't you?" Kristin stated.
"He's an ape." Janor retorted.
"He believes in justice." Galen pressed.
"An ape...will never punish another ape." Janor insisted.
"You can say that after I have tried and failed." Galen grounded out.
The group could only wonder what the chimp had in mind.
Kristin walked over to him and placed a hand on his forearm.
"Galen, what are you planning on doing?" She asked.
He placed his hand over hers, "You'll see. I'll be back soon."
Then he left to head into town. He was going to go see his cousin and explain to him what was going on.
It was a bit of a walk, but he got there all the same. The secretary allowed him in, and he knocked on the door. Not long after the voice on the other side of the door told him to come in.
When Galen walked in, his cousin had yet to look up from the work he was doing at his desk. Typical.
"Prefect Augustus?" Galen inquired in a funny voice.
"Yes?" Augustus asked, still not looking up from his documents.
"Oh, I wish to report a theft. Two apples stolen from a lovely green tree. The thieves were observed running from the scene. Two chimpanzees about nine years old." He ended, in his real voice.
That is when his cousin finally looked up from what he was doing.
"Galen." He said with a big smile, as he got up from his chair and rounded his desk.
"Oh, Galen, I've missed you." Augustus said, as he came up and grasped his shoulders.
"It's been a long, long time." Galen stated.
"No one saw you come in?" Augustus inquired.
"Oh, no, no, no, no one knows me here." Galen assured him.
"What happened? How did you become a fugitive? Running with humans?" Augustus asked.
"A very long story. You wouldn't believe it. Unless you gotten to know humans." Galen stated.
"I do know humans. I have them around me all the time. Servants uh...laborers." Augustus told him.
"That's not what I meant, Augustus." Galen replied.
"Is there something about humans that I don't know?" Augustus inquired.
"Afraid so." Galen says.
Augustus just smiled, "It's good to have you here. I'm not being very considerate; I haven't offered you food or drink." He suggested.
"No. Later. Thank you." Galen declined politely.
"You uhh, didn't just stumble in here." Augustus implied.
Galen shook his head, "Augustus, I need your help. I think, I can help you too."
"I don't have any needs. But whatever I can do for you..."
"Well, you're prefect here. And I think...you need a decent administration." Galen implied.
Augustus was silent for a few moments before answering.
"I'm not sure the change in you is entirely attractive. You know me quite well enough that I take pride in my position." His cousin stated.
"I wouldn't be here unless I was sure of that. But I don't think you know what your district chief Aboro is up to." Galen admitted to him.
"Go on." Augustus told him.
Meanwhile in town...
Aboro had just ridden back into town. He headed straight for the prefect's quarters before dismounting from his horse. Then he headed inside to see prefect Augustus.
Back in Prefect Augustus's office...
"I can't believe this is true." Augustus said.
"Augustus, I swear to you it's true." Galen assured him.
Then they heard a voice outside the office asking to see the prefect. They recognized the voice right away. The secretary told him he may be busy though. But Aboro insisted on going in.
"Aboro!" Augustus whispered.
Then he motioned for Galen to come here. Then he opened up the door to a large filing cabinet behind his desk and ushered Galen in before closing the door.
Aboro then let himself in and he and Augustus started talking. Augustus asked if he shot an unarmed human named Mikal. Aboro didn't deny he did.
Augustus was not happy to hear this and started questioning him. But Aboro said he didn't have to answer to him. It was when Augustus reminded him that he was prefect here, that Aboro smugly pulled out a rolled-up scroll and read it out loud to him.
It stated that Augustus's position as prefect there was reassigned to another district called Novado. And it stated that Aboro was to be assigned as the new prefect there in his stead.
Augustus didn't believe it thought. Until Aboro handed him the scroll and he read it himself. Afterwards he handed it back to him and Aboro reminded him it was effective immediately.
Then arrogantly stated he'd be moving into the office later that afternoon.
Once he left, Galen came back out.
"Novado, must be nearly on the other side of the planet." Galen surmised.
"Not a very nice place to be assigned." Augustus said, with a sigh.
"Augustus, I am sorry." Galen told him.
"If you have a problem in Novado, I'll be glad to help you." Augustus replied, in a defeated tone.
"Why was Aboro made prefect? Our kind always fill administrative spots, not gorillas." Galen said, incredulously.
"Must have very influential friends. It seems." Augustus told him.
Later that day, after Galen left, Augustus packed up his things and left the premises. While Aboro moved into the office to start his new position.
He wasn't in there long talking with his Lieutenant when they heard the sound of approaching horses. Daku went over and looked out the window to see who rode up.
"Urko!" Daku said aloud.
That caught Aboro's attention. He got up and looked for himself and did in fact see the chief of security himself.
"Did you know he was coming here?" Aboro asks Daku.
"No, I made the usual delivery to Bulta his assistant. But we weren't seen by anyone. He wouldn't say anything to Urko." Daku assured him.
"If you have made a mistake." Aboro hissed.
"I swear..." Daku stopped short when the door swung open, and they turned their attention to who came in.
"Aboro!" Urko shouted happily.
"Urko!" Aboro came over and they shared a hug happy to see each other.
They started talking with each other, catching up. Then Aboro asked what brought him to Hathor. That is when Urko said he did. He heard of his promotion and came to see him to congratulate him.
Then Urko stated how he should've been pushed up the ladder sooner. Then had to remind Aboro of the time he was caught cheating which is what set everything back for him.
Something that made Aboro bitter and Urko seemed to have notice.
He then said he couldn't stay for long but that he would be back to visit later. Urko went to leave but paused at the door and turned back to his old friend and told him he really was happy for him. Then he finally left.
Daku came back out and inquired that Urko didn't know. Then Aboro confirmed that he didn't Which was good because Urko didn't approve of corruption.
Until Next Time ;)