Noa pondered the risk that Mae had taken all for his mother's blanket. He felt guilty for their argument before. Every day he grew fonder and more in awe of novas through Mae. He felt protective of her. He felt closer to Caesar as he truly understood the beauty.
He set up a fire under a rock face as Mae tied the horse nearby to a tree. He noticed she had placed the dripping blanket on a branch to dry also.
She sat by the fire, warming her hands. Noa watched her as she shivered. He forgot how annoying the lack of fur must be.
"You are cold." Noa said directly. He poked the fire with a stick.
Mae looked up slowly. " I'm fine," she said stoically, her jaw chattering.
"You will get sick." Noa said. "And you are bad liar." He said.
He gestured next to him, patting the ground. Mae smiled. She stood up slowly, walking over to him.
She sat close to his side, her knees tucked up to her chest. She shook. Noa placed a warm furry arm around her small body, pulling her in close.
He cleared his throat.
"Thank you for saving blanket today." He said cautiously. Mae looked up at his face.
"I believe we can coexist peacefully. One day, hopefully the world will too." He pulled her in closer.
"Thank you Noa."
Mae hardly slept. Despite sleeping back to Noa's warm fur, she shivered and coughed. Her lungs felt congested and her throat stung. She was sick. The last thing she needed right now was the flu. Her head pounded and spun even laying down and her body ached. The sun seemed to just be breaking over the trees as morning light began to break.
She sat up slowly, wincing from her aching body. Noa stood by the horse, feeding it.
She coughed heavily, turning her head. She felt a small amount of panic as to how she would make the trip and she worried she would pass this onto Noa.
Noa and Mae walked side by side for a few hours as morning light filled the forest. They stopped a few times for water and fruit.
Noa extended an apple to Mae as he crunched one.
She shook her head. "I'm fine." Mae said.
Noa stared at her face as she walked.
"You have not eaten in hours. You will get weak." He said firmly. Mae continued to walk ahead, staring at the ground. She felt dizzy and her body throbbed with each step. She would not show weakness.
"I'm fine." She said unconvincingly, stifling a cough. Her breath felt raspy.
The two walked for another hour in silence. The horse walked ahead, eating grass eagerly.
Noa observed Mae's slowing pace with worry in his chest. She looked more pale. She stumbled. Noa gripped her forearm in support.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Noa said, scanning for injuries. She shook her head.
"I'm fine." Mae slurred slightly and continued to walk, coughing again.
Noa quickly move in front of her, blocking her path. He tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to look at him.
"You are unwell." He frowned in concern.
She shook her head in protest, stumbling to the right. Noa gasped, gripping her arm.
"We will take the horse now. You must rest."
Mae gasped in surprise as Noa lifted her up onto the back of the horse sadly with ease. He pulled himself up in front.
"We will be at my clan soon." He said comfortingly , guiding the horse.
Mae leaned heavily into his back.
More time passed as Noa felt Mae's grip loosen and her body slump, before she would startled back awake and hold on again.
Mae coughed repeatedly. Noa turned his head. "Are you okay?"
She breathed hard. "Can we stop for water?"
She shook the empty bottle.
Noa nodded. He lifted her with ease from the horse, not letting her go until he was sure she was steady.
"Stay here, I will get."
Mae watched Noa filling up the water from the river in the distance.
She walked in his direction, ignoring her aching body and dizziness. She leaned against a tree, watching him.
"Here." Noa held the bottle out, worry in his eyes, taking in her weak frame. Mae drunk the water eagerly, coughing after each sip.
"We will be at my clan by nightfall. We have remedies to help you feel better." Noa said. She pushed herself upright, stoically.
"I will carry you back to the horse." Noa bent down slightly, his arms out.
Mae jumped back against the tree.
"No no I'm fine. I could get you sick." She stammered.
"Apes are too strong to get nova illnesses. Here." He stepped forward again.
Mae stood back. Noa raised his eyebrows, amused .
"It is not a choice." He said sternly.
Mae sighed. " I'm fine." She turned and took a step . Noa lunged quickly, lifting her into a bridal carry. Mae tried to protest but found herself relax deeper into his arms.