Ngu-gu's finding led to a heated debate. This was understandable. The idea of obtaining precious metal for the troop tempted many. Their opponents' argument was also solid. Laying low and avoiding the Scaled Ones has run deep into the apes' blood. The thought of risking their well-being by angering the holders of mighty magic was terrifying to them. And while the original conversation was held in a small circle, it soon became the talk of the whole settlement.

Enjoying attention at first, Odd One went into hiding in the past few days. Ashwin couldn't blame him. After all, questions and curiosity tend to turn into demands and anger. Scarface allowed his subjects to talk. While the Main One was keeping silent, the settlement was boiling with emotions and guesses.

Sitting in front of the hut in the evening, Ashwin watched another group of males arguing over metal. He checked his flint knife just in case. For now, he avoided voicing his opinion. He wanted to explore the mysterious place that Ngu-gu had found more than anyone else. But, when everyone was on edge, he didn't want to trigger a fight that he could very well lose.

Bea returned from the field carrying a basket of root crops. The sun was high in the sky and most of the troop preferred to stay in the shade. However, females continued to work diligently and, in the meantime, blamed the hot weather for causing arguments between males.

Another commotion attracted Ashwin's attention. This time, it wasn't a small argument. Apes were rushing towards the center of the settlement, where the Main One's hut was located. Ashwin and Zaris exchanged glances and hurriedly followed. With effort, they pushed through the crowd in the center.

At the square, a few males were standing on two feet. Iz was leading them. He angrily barked something in an ape's language, but even though Ashwin didn't understand the full content, he could grasp the main idea. Iz craved to challenge Main One's authority.

The scene brought back memories. Something like this happened when they had just arrived at the settlement. This time, the roles were reversed. Scarface emerged from the hut. Unlike in the previous scene, he didn't look scared but rather annoyed. 'This time it will not end peacefully,' Ashwin thought, trying to keep Zaris behind him. The young ape tried to shake off the human's hand at first, but another male ape growled at him and Zaris changed his mind.

No matter how short this ruckus was, when Ashwin turned his gaze away from his "son" to the center, he found that Iz was glaring at him already. The ape pointed a finger at him and said: "Main One likes humans so much that he wants to be like them. He despises the way we have always lived. He let "meat" teach us! How can he lead us?!"

Ashwin felt intense gazes from all sides. The taunt, which he hadn't heard for a long time from the core part of the troop, was said out loud. Zaris clenched his hands tightly. Was it out of worry, or a desire to be the first to attack the "meat", Ashwin did not know. And he lacked confidence to look at young ape now.

Scarface ignored this short tirade. Instead, he lifted his hand with a scar on it and tapped at it. A single gesture enraged Iz even more. He grabbed a knife from his belt and cut the skin off the scar on his own palm.

"I would rather die than share blood with 'meat' any longer!" With these words, Iz plunged the knife into the ground.

It was like a sign for everyone involved. The males around Iz scattered, clearing the area around the two. The spectators started hooted, some were punching the ground in a burst of emotions. Both Iz and Scarface ran towards each other at full speed. The moment they collided, the crowd screamed even louder. Ashwin looked at the fight, while putting efforts to remain standing as the apes pushed him and tried to move him aside.

The two males at the center punched each other violently. Scarface was heavier and got himself on top of the ape who dared to challenge him. Ashwin thought the outcome had already been decided, but then Iz grabbed Main One's paw and bit it. The large canine teeth pierced deeply into the flesh. Scarface growled and continued to punch the opponent with his free paw on the muzzle. Pressed down by Scarface's weight, Iz lifted his legs and tried to scratch Main One with his claws. Long, deep red lines covered the sides and thighs of the ape. Iz used everything he had to get away from his opponent's grip. His persistence only enraged Scarface. With his free hand, he pressed on Iz's eye.

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Ashwin looked away, but hearing the sounds and screams didn't make it easier. The whole challenge was nothing more than a brutal fight, far from the noble duels he had read about in history lessons. When he looked at the apes again, Iz finally freed himself. Instead of letting the opponent's hand go, the pain made him clench his jaws tighter. The deep laceration on Scarface's paw made Ashwin wince.

Iz used this opportunity and rushed towards the knife that he had left in the middle of the circle. But just as the hilt was within his grasp, Scarface grabbed the ape's leg and pulled it back. One of the males who were siding with Iz, twitched in the direction of the knife, but stepped back under Main One's glare. Scarface grabbed his opponent's head and hit it on the ground several times, then took the knife for himself.

Even without the weapon, the fight was over. The apes became quiet, looking at the two males covered in blood. Iz lay on the ground, his breathing heavy and wheezing. Scarface stood on two legs, looking down at the impudent who had dared to challenge him.

"Your joy... won't be long..." wheezed the defeated ape. Glaring at the Main One with remained eye, he added, "Vers... will come for you..."

Scarface didn't let him talk any longer. With one swing, he pierced the knife deep into Iz's skull.

Losing their leader, Iz's supporters lowered themselves in front of the Main One. To Ashwin's relief, Scarface was not interested in vengeance. Little by little, the crowd dispersed. With a few males, Ashwin followed the Main One into the hut. One of his spouses prepared a jar of water while the other took a clean cloth. An old ape acting as a doctor brought pouches of dried leaves. While they were treating the leader's wounds, Ashwin stood with the other males, waiting for the Main One to speak first.

"It's a good thing in some ways," said Scarface, wiping the blood off his hands. "No one will have any funny thoughts while I'm away."

"Is it really necessary for the Main One to go?" asked Hegat. Ashwin understood his worry. The leader was responsible for thousands of lives at the moment. Risking his safety could lead to everything they have achieved over the past two years crumbling. Not to mention the state of his wound.

Hegat's thoughts were shared by others. Scarface listened to them, frowning at both their excessive worry and pain.

"Fine, I'll stay here," agreed the Main One, to the relief of all present. "Now leave. And you," he looked at Ashwin, "stay."

Ashwin took a small breath, trying to regain his composure. 'Is it related to what Iz called me "meat"?' unpleasant thoughts started to come to his mind. When only two of them were left in the hut, Scarface said, "I'll send a group to the place where Ngu-gu found the metal. I can't spare many, but we need a lot of it. Go with them and bring as much as you can. And I don't need to say this, but don't get caught by the Scaled Ones. If you do, make sure to shake them off before returning."

"And that's it?"

"What else did you expect?" Scarface tentatively moved his wounded paw from the wooden bench, pressing it to his chest. "Ngu-gu will show you the way. You can send him back first, so that he won't cause any trouble."

Ashwin waited a bit for more instructions or explanations. Anything related to the fight or the upcoming task, but the Main One was silent.

"I have a favor to ask. Zaris's initiation, the ant's song, is supposed to happen in two days. Can you postpone it after the mission?” Ashwin didn't say that he was worried that the young ape would try to join the mission after initiation. It might sound too soft-hearted from the ape's point of view.

To his relief, Scarface didn't question or laugh at his request. "Fine. We will hold it after you return."