Post by Malakai on May 9, 2024 13:23:30 GMT -7
The wind blew more and more cold the higher the ape climbed. The gorilla felt himself sneaking constant glances behind him to the apes who followed him up the gentle slopes. They were all tired and they were all hungry. This was the reason why he could not bring himself to lead them up steeper cliffs. A knot formed in his own stomach. Was it his own hunger pains or something else? He could not tell. He had grown into the habit of regurgitating his food in the mornings - a habit created and perpetuated in his prior captivity. But still, this pain was different.
Constant thoughts crossed his mind as he continued his upward trek. Memories of the bickering, the threats and displays, they all zoomed past him like the wheeled mechanical beasts of old had on the human-made roads. And yet...
Malakai had overcome them all. He had drowned out the voices and actions of all of his opposition. All, that is, save for one. One other solitary ape who had taken half of their clan along with them. Although he would never admit it, Malakai had been relieved when the apes had split into two separate groups. It had helped remove the tiniest amount of stress his leadership had entailed.
The great ape's attention snapped back into reality - back into the here and the now - as small patches of snow caps chilled his knuckles. Looking down at his hands he observed the tiny patch of ice.
His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of the impending evening. Light flakes of snow fluttered on the wind. Stomping his fist to the ground and letting out a bellow he turned to face his troop. "We will camp here for the night!" His hands flew up in the air as he signed. Grunts accentuated his movements and words. "Gatherers - please share your spoils from this trek with your fellow ape."
His attention turned to the larger apes in the back. In a gruff voice he spoke, "Guards... to.. me," before turning to find a slightly private area to discuss the evening patrols.
As he faced away from the rest of his clan his expression dropped. His green-speckled eyes drooped in his complete and utter exhaustion. They were all tired, no doubt, but none so much as Malakai. If he did not find them a permanent shelter soon he was certain a mutiny would surely break out amongst their ranks.
