Angel Of Mercy

Chapter 13

They arrived just as the dawn was breaking. Caesar watched as Sparrow ran on ahead while Luca and the gorillas followed her, carrying away the stretcher bearing Maurice and the human woman, heading for the Healer's huts. He hid his smile as he noticed that, even in their deep sleep, he did not want to think unconsciousness, Maurice and Karin's hands were firmly entwined.

Separating those two might be a problem. Cornelia was right about Maurice's attachment, Caesar thought. And, given her actions, he no longer doubted that it was returned in full by the woman. Where it might lead his old friend and this woman, where it might lead all of them, well, they would just have to wait and see.

He was in no hurry to go back home now. Cornelia would be at the Healing Hut, helping to get things ready. In the distance, he could see his son and Ash and some few of the other children stirring. The village was now truly waking up.

"Rocket, run ahead and find Koba. Tell him I'd like to speak with him."

"Caesar, you don't think that Koba is the—" Rocket started to sign.

"Just thank him for protecting my wife and son and tell him I need to speak with him alone, Rocket," Caesar interrupted, signing firmly. "Say nothing else to him."

He did not want to go in to it with Rocket or anyone other than Koba yet. He knew exactly what Rocket was about to say, and he had no answers for his friend. But he did not want to think that Koba was the Ape who had terrorized Karin, terrorized and maybe far worse.

"Yes, Caesar," Rocket signed. He didn't look very happy about it, but Caesar knew his old friend could be totally trusted to follow his orders to the letter. Even in the face of Koba's reaction.

So, Caesar was not at all surprised that when Koba came to him a few moments later that his friend was in a state of barely controlled rage.

"You brought a human in to the village?" Koba signed, looking honestly stunned. "Why, Caesar, why?"

"The human woman saved Maurice's life. She is ill and injured and alone. She needs taking care of, herself," Caesar answered simply. "And, I promised Maurice ..."

"Promised Maurice?" Koba signed incredulously. "Maurice ... he consorts with HUMANS!"

Koba's signs were dripping with in indignant outrage. "Maurice was hurt because he consorts with humans!"

Knowing he'd better get this conversation under control and right now, Caesar slowly rose to his full height, and fixed Koba with a stony glare. He had asked his friend to meet with him to get questions answered, his questions, not Koba's.

Caesar waited patiently as Koba gradually managed to get himself back under control. He dropped immediately in to a submissive posture, holding his palm up to Caesar for forgiveness.

Caesar let him hold that posture for a few seconds, then swiped his palm.

"I did not call you here to upset you, my friend," he signed carefully to Koba. "I wanted to inform you of our, guest, before you saw her for yourself. I also wanted to tell you that I may need Mary's help."

Koba drew in a slow deep breath, and Caesar waited.

"My Mary? Why her?" Koba asked out loud, his voice very tight but perfectly controlled.

"Mary is without a doubt the best speaker in the village," Caesar explained patiently. "The woman, Karin, does not know much sign yet. I'd like Mary to help translate for her until she picks up more of our language."

Another few seconds of tense silence passed between them.

"How long ... will human female be here?" Koba growled, clearly not happy.