The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
The group of friends looked around as Elisabetta led them through the large village to the marketplace.
On the way, she would point out each place and tell them about it. Every now and then she would wave and say hello to some people. Apparently, she knew a lot of the people here, both humans and apes.
Since there seemed to be a lot of people out, they stayed closed together so they wouldn't accidentally get separated.
"So, wait, how many times have you been here in the past?" Kylie asks the red head.
"A few times. Most of the time we went though was when mother was still alive. She used to have some relatives that lived here. And like I said before, we came at least a couple times when Arthur was made Prefect here." Elisabetta replied.
"Definitely seems like a nice village to take up residence in, that's for sure." Galen said, as he continued looking around as he walked next to Kylie behind Alan, Pete, and Elisabetta.
"It certainly is. There are a lot more resources and crops here too in comparison to my home village." Elisabetta stated.
"Do you, think you'll end up living here, now that you are here?" Pete asks.
The red head shrugs, "Maybe, seeing as there really is nothing left for me back home in Charter Village. Especially, now that all my family is gone." She says, with a slightly sad tone.
She then felt a hand on her back and someone starting to rub it. When she shifted her gaze, she noticed it was Pete. He gave her a small reassuring smile.
"It will be alright, Lizzie. You're in a safe place now, with people you know. I'm sure your friends wouldn't mind if you stayed with them for a while." Pete told her.
A small smile appeared on her face, "Yes, this is true. And...my mother used to call me Lizzie. If anything, she mostly just used my full name, Elisabette when she was mad at me because I got into trouble or did something wrong."
"Well, I think it suits you." Pete says.
Kylie and Galen exchanged knowing glances with small smirks.
They were only walking for another five minutes or so, before Elisabetta led them around the corner. Then they all came to a stop and looked on at the huge marketplace in front of them. It had to be one of the biggest marketplaces they have ever come across so far.
"Wow, last time I ever saw a marketplace this huge, it was back home in Central City." Galen said.
"Like I said, Lamont always has plenty of resources at their disposal. Lots of crops and open farmland with rich soil around these parts. There are also many people here with a wide range of talent for making cloth, leather, jewelry, and other essentials like soaps and oils. There are also a couple stands here that sell various books. It's actually one of my favorite places to go to." Elisabetta explained.
That last remark caught Galen's attention.
"Elisabetta, you know how to read?" The chimp asks, clearly surprised.
In this time, humans were prohibited from learning how to read and write. Only apes were allowed that kind of education.
She smiled, "Yes, growing up, Arthur would sneak out and we had this secret place we would go to in the woods not far from the village. He would come meet me after his studies, and he taught me how to read and write. He also lent me some of his textbooks on history, mathematics, poetry, medicine and science. He did this for years, all the way up until he left our home village of Charter and came here. So, I'm probably one of the only educated humans around."
"Sounds like he's a really great friend to you, Elisabetta. Especially, if he did all that for you over the years." Kylie says.
A soft smile appeared on the red head's face.
"Yes, he's always been a great friend. Though in truth, we act more like sibling if anything. I kind of always looked up to him as an older brother. And Arthur, being an only child, looked out for me like a little sister. Even though it's forbidden to teach humans the basic concepts of reading and writing, he took the risk anyway and taught me how.
It's been that way ever since I told him I wanted to learn. I was five at the time and he was eight, when he started teaching me. Sometimes, the material he would learn that day from his tutors, he would come to me and relay the lessons he learned." Elisabetta replied.
Alan and Pete were pretty surprised to hear this. Especially, since Galen told them some time ago that humans here were uneducated and that it was forbidden to teach them.
"That's all very interesting, you must be quite smart then." Galen says.
"Pretty much. I was around eighteen when Arthur left Charter Village and relocated to Lamont Village to take up the prefect position. But before he did, he gave me some of his most recent textbooks to keep, so, I could continue teaching myself. Which I'm grateful for, because I do love learning. He even taught my younger brother Joshua the basics of reading and writing as well." Elisabetta told him.
"It's great he was kind enough to do that for you. An education is an important and special thing to have." Alan says.
By saying that though, Elisabetta stared at them. It had her wondering.
"I don't mean to pry but...do you have an education, Alan?" She asks.
A small smile appears on his face as he turns his gaze to her.
"Yes, I do. So does Pete and Kylie." He replied.
Elisabetta was surprised to hear this. Here she thought she was one of the only ones if not only human with an education. Yet, here was one man who had just told her that it was not only he who has an education, but so did the other human man and woman he traveled with.
All these thoughts swirling around in her mind, it all eventually came to one possible speculation.
"Are...are you by any chance...the astronauts?" She asks.
The three other humans in the group went dead silent and shared looks. That alone was enough to confirm the red head's initial theory. She then turned her attention to Pete with a slightly sad look.
"Pete, why didn't you say anything?" She asks, with slight hurt in her tone.
He sighs, "Lizzie, I'm sorry. But...it's not information we can just share with others. Especially, if it means putting ourselves and others at risk. Please, understand, we don't say anything for both our safety and others safety."
The red head is silent as she studies him, then she reaches out and grasps his hand in hers.
"I understand. But please know, you can trust me. I won't tell anyone. I promise. You're all my friends and you saved me. The last thing I would ever want is for any of you to get hurt." Elisabetta said.
Pete lightly squeezes her hand.
"Thank you. And I know you say Arthur is like a brother to you and you most likely confide with one another with a lot of things. But I still must ask you not to tell him about us. Please." He requests.
She grips his hand a little tighter, "I won't. It will be your decision if you wish to tell him or not. I won't say anything."
Pete gives her a soft smile, "Thanks, Lizzie."
Elisabetta couldn't help but smile back. She was really starting to like it when he would call her 'Lizzie'. For some reason, it made her heart skip a beat.
"You're welcome." She says.
"So, if that's settled, which stands would you like to show us to first, Elisabetta?" Alan asks.
"Well, would you all like me to show you the food stands first so you can restock supplies? Or would you like to see some of the other goods offered here first? It's up to you all. I've already visited each and every one of these stands and shops in the past. So, it's your choice." She replied.
Alan turned to the group.
"Well, what do you all think?" He asks, Pete, Galen, and Kylie.
"I think, it wouldn't hurt to look around the stands first. Then maybe go back to the ones that catch our interest most. Food is something we can always pick up last. That way we're not lugging around sacks of it while scoping out the other places. At least, that's my suggestion." Kylie says, with a shrug.
Then she turns to Galen.
"What do you think?" She asks him.
He thought about it for a moment, before answering.
"I think your suggestion's not a bad idea." Galen replied, then he shifted his gaze to Alan and Pete.
"What do you two think?" He asks his friends.
"Honestly, I don't think it's a bad idea." Pete says.
"I'll go with it. Like Kylie said, we have plenty of time to pick up food supplies." Alan replied.
"Alright, we can start walking then and if there is a stand or small shop that catches your interest, just let the rest of us know and we'll stop at it." Elisabetta informs them.
"Got it." Kylie said.
The group then started walking down the wide dirt street in front of them. All the stands and few shops were situated on either side of the street.
"Is there anything in particular you maybe looking for?" Galen asks Kylie.
She shook her head, "No, not particularly. I guess, if anything catches my eye."
"You need anything in particular, besides food?" Kylie asked him.
"Nothing really comes to mind." He replied.
"So, I guess we'll just look around then." She says.
"Fair enough." Galen said.
The group of friends took their time just looking around the stands and shops.
From what they could see, there really were a lot of things offered, like Elisabetta said. Some of them stopped and looked at some blankets at a couple of the stands. They were impressed by the quality of them. Some had some very nice intricate designs while others were very soft.
Elisabetta knew a lot of the people who ran these stands and made the materials, she would chat with them while her and her friends would look through the items. She found one blanket that actually caught her eye, that was very soft and made out of a silky material.
Even though Alan and Pete already had blankets, theirs were kind of ratty and tattered. It wouldn't hurt looking to get blankets made of higher quality. Though Galen and Kylie were fine with the blankets they already had, and just stood by waiting for their friends o finish.
Once they found blankets, they were satisfied with, they all moved on to other places.
They stopped at a clothing stand when Kylie spotted some comfy looking shirts made of wool. The nights were getting a little cooler and she had no jacket. So, she decided to look through some of the large woolen shirts. She figures she could use them like a sweatshirt. Something she can slip on during the chilly nights they would have to spend in the woods.
Eventually, she found one that looked quite comfortable. It was light gray in color and a bit baggy. She felt it would work out well during the slightly chilly nights.
Galen thought it would work out well for her too. Because these last few nights they spent in the woods, he would see her take out her blanket and wrap it around herself for warmth as they sat down in a small clearing for the night as they settled in.
They were all having a good time as they went through the marketplace and conversing with others.
The four friends even found themselves at a stand that sold bars of soap. There was a variety of scented soaps there, and they all went through them, trying to see which ones they would like.
Kylie picked out a couple floral scented ones that she liked. While Elisabetta picked out a couple honey scented ones. Alan and Pete mainly just went with regular scented bars of soap. Galen initially didn't want to bother because he wasn't overly fond of baths as it was. But Kylie kind of twisted his arm into getting at least one bar of soap and to opt for some more baths in the future. Otherwise, she won't stop teasing him and calling him a very 'stinky' ape.
After it was all said and done, they soon found themselves at one of the book stands there.
At one point, while Kylie was preoccupied looking through some books, Galen snuck off to one of the stands next to it and started looking through their selection, which consisted of a few pieces of jewelry.
He looked through the large table in front of him. Then he stopped when his eyes landed on one piece in particular.
It was a small leather bracelet with a pretty intricate design to it. The leather was dyed in a light purplish color too. Galen thought it would be something that Kylie would like. Especially, since light purple was one of her favorite colors.
So, he decided to get the bracelet for her. He will give it to her later as a little surprise.
Thankfully, she didn't see him get it. She was still at the next stand over looking at the book selection along with Elisabetta. Alan and Pete looked through a few of them too in interest, curious about the material that the apes write about.
Galen swore, he saw Pete pick up one book of poetry and skimmed through it. Then watched as his gaze shifted from the book to Elisabetta, before he bagged it.
He was happy his friend had found someone he has actually taken an interest in. The chimp felt like the fiery red head was a good match for Pete. Enough to where he hopes, when and if this journey ends, Pete would've found that special someone to return to and start a new life with.
At the same time, Galen started looking ahead to the future and wondered where it would bring Kylie and himself. He can only hope that one day, they all could stop running and find somewhere safe to settle and have a normal and happy life again.
Now that he and Kylie were together, Galen hopes it was possible to have that kind of life.
It was something he wanted for a long time. Find someone special to settle down with and have a family with. Though unfortunately, he's unsure if Kylie can give him children, seeing as she was a human.
But either way, he wanted his life to be with her. They loved each other very much. He cannot imagine a life without her by his side. He hopes one day, he can provide her with a home and take care of her.
Galen refuses to think of it as a pipe dream just because Urko and Zaius were hunting them. He still likes to hang on to that bit of hope where they will no longer be hunted and can live peacefully.
Because even though he and his friends have enjoyed some parts of this adventure, it was also very dangerous too. There were plenty of times he and his friends' lives were put in danger and as much as Galen didn't want to admit it out loud, he was worried it was only a matter of time before he and his friends could be killed.
Same went with Kylie, which worried him the most.
He couldn't think more on it because his train of thought was broken when he heard someone calling him.
"Galen, you find something?" Kylie asks from the next stand over.
"Huh? Oh, uh, no, not really." He says, quickly pocketing the bracelet so, she wouldn't see it.
Afterwards, he made his way over.
"Find any interesting books here?" He asked her.
"Saw a couple that looked interesting. There was one on different time periods throughout history that looked pretty interesting." Kylie says.
"Yes, history has always been a topic that has fascinated me since I was very young." Galen said.
"Really? Big history buff huh? Something tells me you and my dad would've gotten along great." She teased.
A smirk appeared on his face, "Oh, really? Your father was big into history too then?"
"Oh yeah, he had his own private little library at home with books on history from various time periods. You probably would've liked his selection." She replied.
"I'm sure I would've. Didn't matter the time, history was always a topic of interest to me." He says.
They didn't spend too much longer at the book stand. Before they finally moved on.
Elisabetta left with no less then maybe three books. While Pete found one book on poetry and took that. Alan gave him a funny look for it. But Pete just shrugged as they began to walk away to see some of the other stands and shops.
At some point they did run into Sora and her two small children as they were walking past one of the food stands.
They only conversed for maybe a couple minutes. Elisabetta was just explaining to her that she was showing her friends around Lamont, and they were doing some shopping here at the marketplace.
Sora was just picking up a few things. Just some food and looking at some clothes for the kids.
Afterwards, Elisabetta said she would see her later. Then they all moved on to explore some of the other stands.
Though as they went along, more of it became more like window shopping, seeing as the friends really didn't need any more things. Elisabetta went to the clothing stands to get some more clothes for herself though. Because she lost her pack of clothes while up in the mountains while she was running from the group of men that were trying to capture her.
She only settled on maybe a few skirts and shirts. The people running the clothing stand gave her a sack to put her new clothes in once she finished.
It took them a little while longer to hit up all the stands with various goods. Once they finished, that's when the friends stared scoping out the food stands so they can restock their food supply for when they have to leave.
While they may stay in Lamont a little longer, they still wanted to prepare ahead of time for when they leave here.
They felt lucky to come across such a large village like this. There was just so much to offer, and it was pretty rare for Alan, Pete, Galen, and Kylie to come across a place with a large number of resources like they have here.
There had to be several food stands within the marketplace. They sold all kinds of various fruits, vegetables, and dried meats.
All of them looked through the selections, mainly picking out some of their favorite foods. They also made sure to get plenty of dried meats to pack, seeing as they don't often find many stands that offered dried meats.
Most of these dried meats came in dried out strips and looked very similar to jerky and were just as tasty. They also lasted longer and didn't go bad nearly as fast as fresh meat would.
By the time they finished, Alan, Pete, Galen, and Kylie all were carrying one large sack of food with them with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and dried meats.
Even Elisabetta grabbed a sack filled with some of her favorite foods to bring back with her. She even brought back some things to cook and put into some recipes. Seeing as when she visited, she and Sora would like to make up dishes to serve.
Speaking of Sora, Kylie stared inquiring about the female chimp and wife of Prefect Arthur.
"So, Elisabetta, where did you meet Sora? Did you grow up with her like you did with Arthur, did you meet her here in Lamont, or did Arthur introduce her to you?" Kylie asks.
A wide grin appeared on the red head's face.
"Funny you should ask. I actually played matchmaker and introduced Arthur to Sora." Elisabetta admitted.
"Really? How so?" Galen asks.
Elisabetta chuckled a little, "Well, I met Sora on my very first visit here. Before Arthur even moved here. Her and I became friends and would often spend time together when I was here in town. As I mentioned before, my family and I have visited here a few times growing up. Then Arthur got offered the position of Prefect and relocated here.
When I first came to visit him, we walked around Lamont and I was showing him around, seeing as at the time, I was more familiar with this village then him. I took him to one of the leather shops here. The one that was actually owned and run by Sora's father who's a leather maker. I initially went there to visit Sora, because she was often in there helping her father out. I took Arthur in at the same time to look around the shop and he started talking with Sora's father.
I didn't see her at first, so I went into the back room where she sometimes likes to hang out while working on some pieces of leather. We started talking a little and I told her I had my childhood best friend there with me and wanted to introduce her to him. So, I brought her out front to meet Arthur and let me just say, the look on Arthur's face was priceless. His eyes almost popped out of his head and his jaw dropped when he first saw her.
That had to be the first and only time I ever saw him look at a female like that before. It was even funnier when she introduced herself and he became all tongue tied and started stuttering like an idiot.
Sora found it funny too and started laughing a little at his display. And while they did talk a little, with Sora doing most of the talking while Arthur continued stumbling over his words. I convinced Sora to show Arthur some of the hot spots both within and just outside of town.
Not long after, I heard they started seeing each other more. Next thing I know, I'm getting a letter that was an invitation to their wedding. Sora had actually had me help her prep beforehand and help her get ready right before the wedding. Which turned out to be a very lovely ceremony with lots of friends and relatives. Then not even a year later, their son Lukas was born and about a year and a half after that, their daughter Suzie was born." Elisabetta explained.
"Wow, you did play little miss matchmaker there and set them both up, didn't you?" Pete says.
"Yep." The red head said, with a proud smile.
She was happy because her best friend couldn't have picked a better female to be with. Sora was very kind and bright and didn't have a mean bone in her body. Because of this, Elisabetta thought she'd be perfect for Arthur.
It wasn't all that easy either, because Arthur had always been very shy around females. Well, except for with Elisabetta. Probably because they were good friends and grew up together.
So, she kind of felt like she had to give him a little push in the right direction when she introduced him to her other friend, Sora.
At least in the end, everything turned out perfect for them. Though there were some adverse effects to it all as well. Because not long after, Arthur tried introducing her to some human men he became friends with and tried introducing them to her.
None of which, were sadly a good match for her. Mainly because they couldn't keep up with both her fiery personality and intellect.
Well, until now that is. Pete was both very smart and admired her strong personality rather than be put off by it. He's also one of the only men she has shown interest in.
"Anyways, does everyone have what they need?" Elisabetta asks.
She got a round of yeses from the four friends.
So, they decided it was time to head back to Prefect Arthur's home and put their new things and supplies away for the time being. Everyone was happy to have found more things for themselves and it made them feel more than prepared for when they leave and started camping out again between traveling to other villages.
Until Next Time ;)