It wasn't long before they could see the edge of the Second Eye. During the short break, Ashwin drew a map on the ground. He might not be able to return to civilization right now, but knowing their path and location brought the boy some peace of mind. Scarface’s tribe (or troop? He wasn't sure how to call the settlement of talking and intelligent animals) lived between two lakes, which people marked as Big Sapphires and Small Sapphires. Whatever awaited Ashwin, he wasn't eager to meet it. He doubted he would get a warm bath or set of clean clothes. Instead, his vivid imagination drew up a depressing picture of being enslaved and kept in another type of prison. His pace slowed down with every step he took until the boy was pushed by Iz to speed up his movement.

On the contrary, the closer they got to the settlement, the more excited the apes became. Hegat and his group joked around, and even Iz was paying less and less attention to urging on the reluctant boy. Only Scarface looked the same. The leader of the troop was deep in thought when the ape in front called. Ashwin remembered that one for tasteless jokes, including the one when the beast swung a sword at him. Zu was one of the few animals with stolen human weapons, and as a result, he was often given more dangerous tasks. Ashwin found it absurd to allow such a beast to keep a long knife, knowing its unpredictability and lack of manners, even by apes' standards.

The troop stopped, and Scarface moved to the front. When he reached Zu, two male apes stepped out on the opposite side of the path. Ashwin instantly saw that they were not part of the current group but had relation with it. Their fur color was the same yellowish-brown, and they wore a loincloth that hung as an apron in front, ornamented with sewn claws. The dark grey muzzle skin was decorated with ochre paint. They also wore leather belts with pouches and flint knives attached to them.

The larger one stared at the newcomers with an appraising gaze. Ashwin held his breath, waiting for the tension to result in a fight. But his prediction didn't come true. A large ape approached on all fours, stopping before Scarface at arm's length.

"You are back," said the ape in a flat, croaky voice. 'It doesn't sound like they were expecting them to return,' thought the boy, glancing at Hegat. Like the rest of the group, the beast's red eyes were fixed on the leader. He didn't make them wait long.

"Yes. With many of my supporters," Scarface said, glancing at the smaller male with ochre paint. Unlike his companion, his one stopped and gaped at the troop. The leader's gaze returned to the larger male, "Are you the Main one?"

"No. I'll take you."

The ape turned around and, in a few leaps, reached his smaller peer. He placed his paw on the smaller one's neck, but the terror in the red eyes of the smaller male was so vivid that Ashwin shuddered. Limiting the threat by a gesture, the larger ape looked at Scarface and said, "In return, you give me ... place."

His way of speaking was not as good as that of the animals from the pit. The leader grumbled something, and the troop started to move. The leader grumbled something, and the troop started moving. The smaller ape did not object or say anything. He stared at the ground, avoiding looking at the newcomers. But when the boy approached, the beast stood on its hind legs and pointed at Ashwin.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Is he meat?"

The leader of the troop turned around and snorted. The unexpected bravery of the younger male irritated him.

"No, he is not a meat."

The beast grimaced, but Scaface's answer did little to reassure Ashwin. The ape's leader walked closer and poked him in the ribs, adding, "Look how scrawny he is. You call that a meat?"

At this point, Ashwin didn't expect much from these animals, but even so, such treatment hurt his pride. He straightened up, trying to maintain a noble posture despite his situation and beaten-up appearance. The smaller male lowered his back on his four. His confused look made the troop snigger. Ashwin wanted to believe that at least some of this confusion was due to his own strength and not just to Scarface's intimidating look.

Leaded by their guide, the animals reached a pile of rocks. A stick with a skull was stuck between the large stones. It would be understandable if the skull belonged to some predator, but, to Ashwin's surprise, it belonged to an ape. The forehead bone was covered in ochre paint and the empty eye sockets contained red corals. Every ape before passing the skull turned around themselves twice. Hegat pulled the boy's hand and made him perform the same ritual. Only then did the troop move forward. Before Ashwin could ask about the skull, they heard a scream.

Startled, the boy looked in the direction of the scream. A few apes were watching the approaching troop. For the first time, Ashwin saw females and children of this species. The females wore loincloths, short skirts, and several layers of beads. Unlike the males, their fur was brown, and their muzzles were unpainted. Children looked curiously at the returning males, but mothers held them firmly. Only two females screamed excitedly and ran towards the troop. Two males stood up and embraced the females who approached them. It was a heartwarming scene, yet Ashwin could not get rid of his heavy nervous feeling.

The troop reached the settlement, accompanied now not only by patrolling males, but also by females and children they met along the way. There were several huts made from entangled branches and covered with dry leaves. In front of each hut were several pots made from unfired clay. The beasts stored dried fruits, roots, and even grain in these pots. The last thing surprised Ashwin. Although he didn't recognize the type of cereal, it was unusual to find it among the animals. 'Did they grow it or simply collect it?' the boy wondered, following one of the females who carried a basket. The fabric used by the females for clothing was decorated with small shells that had been sewn on. He also noticed male animals armed with spears that had flint spearheads, and slings. None of this was mentioned in the books he had read. 'How much do humans do not know about this world?'

All the apes they met along the way joined the procession. They squealed, grumbled, and smacked their lips. When the group reached the largest hut, a male's head appeared from the entrance, curtained by a reed mat. The discontent caused by the noise and commotion on its muzzle instantly vanished when it saw the troop in the square. Scarface stood in front of its house. Before anyone could say anything, Ashwin knew that the male was "the Main one".

"Will they fight?" whispered Ashwin to Hegat.

"No," replied the ape instantly. "It's obvious he can't win. He only became the Main one because there was no real opponent."