After several clumsy dialogues, Ashwin was able to describe to Bea what he wanted from her. And when the day of the feast arrived, the boy had a choice: he could wear not only a traditional ape's loincloth but also a dhoti. He had only one set of clothes made of yellow muslin that he got from Scarface, and it was shorter than what the boy was used to. But it was still a huge step forward. He decided to wear this outfit on special occasions, such as today, or when he felt desperate. His next goal was to get a jacket. The lack of vocabulary, as well as the fabric, made this task impossible at the moment, so Ashwin was happy about even the smallest achievement he had made.

The tribe gathered at sundown. While the males brought out low, simple tables and arranged them outside, the females were busy preparing food all day. Now, as he sat on a reed mat on the ground, Ashwin looked around at the feast on the tables. Some dishes were easy to identify, such as catfish and clams from the lake, dried and fresh fruit, pickled young shoots and roots. Some he was able to recognize because he had already eaten it: grains poured with fermented berry juice or cold soup with grated water lily bulbs. Other dishes looked too difficult to understand at first glance, from which ingredients they are made: the pieces of meat were covered with such a thick layer of potherbs that Ashwin initially thought it was a pile of salad; the yellow, mint-colored and glassy dough made from some kind of legume; the plate with honey and short, thick white pieces that he thought were also dough, but they turned out to be larvae. All these countless types of food that Hegat called a feast didn't even come close to the banquets hosted by the Chedas in the past. But the apes were happy, and it was a good chance to eat something different from regular meals Ashwin had been having for the last few weeks. When Bea offered to fill his plate, the boy accepted her offer with gratitude.

Some of the females sang, while others concentrated on serving food that disappeared in the beasts' stomachs with incredible speed. Children Zaris' age were trying to act like adults, listening to their conversations and quietly eating. However, the younger ones grew bored of sitting and began playing and fooling around. Usually, reserved and scary males acted more benevolently tonight. No one tried to put the children back in their place. Instead, the profuse drink and food led some adults to join their offspring's silly games.

Ashwin glanced at Wez's son sitting beside him. Deep in thought, Zaris was chewing on a piece of meat. As if feeling the gaze, he looked back at the human boy. Ashwin still found it hard to talk to his "adopted son". What could they discuss? The worlds and conditions in which they grew up were so different that it seemed like the only thing they shared was the basic needs: the need for air, water, food, and sleep. 'Certainly, he questioned why his father had died and why a human being had been brought into his life.' The pair of red eyes were still watching him intently. Ashwin didn't come up with a proper topic to discuss, so he offered a piece of fresh fruit from his plate instead. Zaris blinked twice and then silently accepted the fruit.

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The feast continued peacefully, making Ashwin feel relaxed and even putting his worries aside for the time being. Feeling full and sleepy after all the food, he watched the apes leisurely indulging in drinking and talking. Young children, tired from running and playing, were nodding off next to their mothers. The boy was ready to return to his hut and just waited for the Main One to announce the end of the feast. Finally, Scarface stood up. But his speech, which started with the expected gratitude for being back and celebrating together with the tribe, suddenly took a different turn.

"We could overcome those times of despair and humiliation because we were together. We stood by each other, we trusted each other, we grew stronger. We lost many, but we survived. You, who followed me and shed your blood for me, are my most trusted retainers."

"I doubt many of them even know what a retainer is," Ashwin thought skeptically, looking at the apes. Despite his guess, they listened carefully to the troop's leader. Scarface unsheathed the steel knife stolen from a human. 'That is not a good sign' thought the boy who was now tense and nervous. The ape cut his palm and then called: "Iz."

The beast he called approached the leader. A single nod was enough for Iz to understand what was required of him. He bent on his knees in front of the leader and extended his left arm. Scarface cut his palm, just like he had cut his own a minute ago. Then, the leader helped Iz up, and the two shook hands. Ashwin watched the whole scene, feeling a strong urge to leave. Scarface then called out the apes, one by one, only males, those who were imprisoned with him in Vardana. The boy did not like where this was going, so he considered sneaking away. But when he stood up, his intention was immediately put to an end as the leader was watching. All hope of getting away from this ritual faded away.

Scarface called him and he couldn't disobey. Ashwin slowly approached the ape. He was so sure that he would be left alone after enduring the ants' pit. Yet here he was facing yet another savage tradition. The grumpy and silent boy stared back at the beast. His weak attempts to rebel did not impress Scarface. The ape placed its paw on the boy's shoulder and pushed, making Ashwin kneel.

"Your hand," demanded Scarface, and when he got what he was asking for, he cut the hand. When the two palms clasped, Ashwin thought about how different the thick and rough skin of the beast felt compared to his own tender and thin one. The ape helped the boy to rise. Ashwin expected to see Scarface to grin or make some other curt and hurtful comment, but instead, the beast patted him on the arm and continued with the ritual with the other males.

The boy returned to his seat, glancing at the blood on his palm. His pride was hurt more than a simple cut. 'Is this some kind of establishment of brotherhood?' The thought of being connected to apes in such a way made him grimace. 'Just what the hell am I doing here?' Feeling down, Ashwin looked around. Zaris was staring at him, though now a glimpse of curiosity had been added to his usual caution. The boy sighed. Being recognized by semi-intelligent animals wasn't anything thrilling or something to be proud of for him.