When Silence Was Loud

Chapter 8

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Noa sat among the circle of elders, the air thick with the tension of yet another meeting. The faces surrounding him were a mix of wisdom and weariness, each elder bearing the marks of their long years of service to the clan. On his left was Dar, who always seemed to know the right thing to say to keep the peace. On his right was Bach, the clan's healer, also an elder of old age. Noa often found solace in Bach's presence, though he could sense the healer's reluctance to be part of these discussions.

The meeting is a routine looped after two or three moons, mostly updates on the usual matters—food supplies, the health of the clan members, nostalgic topics of the old ways, and talks of events that may transpire in the near future. Noa had listened intently, offering his input where needed, but his mind was elsewhere. The recent revelations about Eve had been weighing heavily on him, and he was still trying to process what they're meant to do with it.

But then, as if on cue, the discussion took a familiar turn. Elder Bo, a particularly stern and sharp-tongued member of the elders, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Noa with a pointed gaze.

"So, Noa," Bo began, his voice carrying the weight of authority that came with his age, "what progress have you made in locating the echo's herd? You spoke of sending scouts to track them down, yet we've heard nothing. How much longer will you delay?"

Noa resisted the urge to sigh, feeling the familiar knot of frustration tighten in his chest. This was the same thing that Bo had questioned him days ago, and Noa suspected it wouldn't be the last. The elder had always been a vocal critic of his leadership ever since Noa had taken over after defeating Proximus. 

Dar shifted slightly beside him, sensing the tension. "Elder Bo," Dar said, his voice calm and measured, "Noa has been thorough in his approach. The scouts have been sent, and they are doing everything they can to find any trace of the humans. We must remember that this is a delicate matter."

Bo's eyes flicked to Dar, but he wasn't easily swayed. "Delicate or not, the presence of an echo in our midst is a threat we cannot ignore. And yet, the more time passes, the more complacent we become. We must find this herd and ensure they do not come looking for her—or worse, that she doesn't lead them back to us. The human girl has been with us for too long. We don't know what dangers she might bring."

Noa's frustration was bubbling beneath the surface, and he could feel his patience wearing thin. As he opened his mouth to respond to Bo's persistent skepticism, Bach, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"The echo... she's deaf." The room fell silent, the elders turning their attention to him with curious, if not slightly apprehensive, expressions. "I've tested her responses, and it's clear she cannot hear. Her reactions are limited to what she can see and feel. As far as her recovery and behavior, she has shown no inclination toward harming anyone."

The revelation caused a ripple of murmurs among the elders, their voices rising in a mix of shock and intrigue. Noa watched as the weight of Bach's words sank in, feeling a small surge of relief for helping him.

Elder Bo, however, remained unimpressed. "A deaf human? And you expect us to believe that she poses no threat?" He hooted in a laugh, his skepticism was as sharp as ever. "Just because she cannot hear doesn't mean she isn't a danger."

Noa felt the tension in the room rise as he dropped the revelation. "There's more," he said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside him. "Eve was raised by apes."