A Game of Chi Book III: A Sword of Dust

Chapter 19: Laval III

LAVAL

"Secret tribe? What are you talking about?" Laval demanded. Neither Grumlo nor Glorya answered him as they began walking towards the canoe, and Laval had no choice but to follow. To be honest, it's possible that a secret tribe could be in the Sanctuary Forest, Laval thought. No one would know, and no one would care enough to check. But what could they possibly be? Despite the darkness of night, Laval's lion eyes allowed him to see nearly perfectly, so following Grumlo and Glorya as they strode briskly towards their canoe was an easy task. Like before, he and Grumlo clambered on before Glorya pushed the canoe into the water. Then, she hopped on herself and wordlessly gave Laval an oar. "You know, we're not on the Silent Island anymore," Laval joked. "You can talk to me, Glorya." The gorilla scoffed, and Laval noticed her rowing was much stronger and more aggressive than it had been on the way there. "I think my daughter is jealous," Grumlo said quietly. "Jealous of me?" Laval asked incredulously. "You've been here not even two days," Glorya began, "and you can climb decently well, you connected to a gorilla across the damn continent, and now you're meeting the secret tribe? I haven't even met them yet!" she exclaimed. She looked in desperation at her father, who said nothing. "Glorya, I should be jealous of you," Laval interjected. "You could kick my ass in a fight. You could kick the ass of anyone I've ever encountered! Just because you can't connect or whatever doesn't make you worse than me." Glorya frowned, but said nothing. "I'm honoured to have you as my teacher," Laval added, trying to lift her spirits. "He's right," Grumlo agreed. "And I didn't want to bring you to meet them because I was afraid it would only increase your desire to venture outside."

That piqued Laval's curiosity. "Look, I know I'm probably going to find out in a little bit anyway, but who are these people?" he asked. "The secret tribe, that is."

"Why?" Glorya cut in. "Why won't you let me leave the Sanctuary Forest?" Okay, I guess my question will be ignored, Laval mused. "With other gorillas, it's just a formality to ask for your permission, so why can't I go?" Grumlo glanced at Laval, who understood that the old gorilla would have preferred if his answer was to be spoken only between the father and daughter. Sighing, he conceded. "Glorya, I have not allowed you to leave the Sanctuary Forest because I once allowed my other children to do so." Laval tried to gauge Glorya's reaction, which was one of mild surprise. "Laval, you may not know this, but Glorya is my adopted daughter. But my lack of biological children wasn't for lack of trying; I had three others before her."

"I knew that," Glorya said, "but so what?"

"All three of them wanted to leave, and I allowed them to. After all, as you said, asking me was merely a formality. So I watched as my sons and daughter left the Sanctuary Forest to make a new life for themselves elsewhere in the Seven Animal Kingdoms. The oldest one wanted to go to the Outlands as a vendor. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery on his second night there. My middle child wanted to go to the Great Library to expand her mind, but on the way there, she was killed in an avalanche. High Councillor Ewald told me himself. And my youngest, Cavora rest her soul, tried to head north to join the Pack. He had heard what the secret tribe had to say, you see, and wanted to help the Pack garrison the Barrier. He got lost and froze to death. My mate died of grief not long afterwards, leaving me all alone. Until I found you." He turned to look at his daughter, and in the moonlight, Laval could see that his eyes were glistening. "I found you all alone in the Falling Jungle when I returned from a meeting with Lord Lagravis in the Lion Temple," he said, his voice trembling. "Who had abandoned you, and why, I did not know. But I felt at that moment that I had to raise you as my daughter. And I swore that I wouldn't let you die like my other children. That's why I have forbidden you from leaving all this time, Glorya," Grumlo finished. "I know that your protection wasn't the answer you were hoping for, but that's it. I'm just a selfish old ape who doesn't want to be left alone when his daughter leaves."