Work Text:
You Can Fool Some People…
“What do you mean ‘it’s too late’?” Pete Burke’s frown deepened with a downturn of both his lips and brow. Galen responded with a buoyant smile.
“I did a Foolery.”
“A foolery?” Alan Virdon’s forehead joined Burke’s with deepening discomfort. Galen’s fists bumped exuberantly.
“Yes! I made a Trickery to fool him. Like you showed me.” The chimpanzee’s gaze settled on their dark-haired companion.
Pete grabbed at the bridge of his nose, fearing that he already knew what he absolutely did not want to know.
“Him. Him who?” Alan grabbed the ape’s attention with a stare that demanded an answer.
“Why Urko, of course,” Galen beamed.
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POTAPOTAPOTA
Half a moon cycle prior:
Pete barely lifted his eyes as Galen entered the small cabin carrying a wooden pail full of water. The chimpanzee titled his head at the slumped shoulders and drooping head. The human chopped listlessly at wild onions gathered from the nearby woods along the small spring that led to the river. A mix of carrots, squash and tomatoes from the market in the village square waited on the cutting board.
“I brought fresh water,” Galen offered resting the bucket at the base of the roughhewn countertop where his friend worked. The ape frowned when Pete made no response. “Oh, and Keesha sent some freshly baked bread. With jam.” He pulled the sack from his belt, set it on Pete’s work area and waggled his eyebrows, sure that would elicit a response. Pete did love a good meal that included something sweet.
“Uh huh.”
Galen’s fists bumped into the silence broken only by the steady chop of the blade striking the wood board. Seeking clues for his friend’s uncommon quiet, the chimp ventured, “Is Alan still working with Parric?”
An unresponsive hush was finally met with a deep sigh. “Yeah. You know Alan. He’s gonna keep his word no matter what it takes.”
“Pete, what is the matter? The two of you both thought you could assist my cousin while we were resting here. What do you mean, ‘whatever it takes’?”
“Galen, it’s nothing. Really…nothing. He’s hiding it anyway.”
“Hiding what?”
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POTAPOTAPOTA
.
Galen eyed Alan as he dropped onto the porch of their secluded cabin on Parric’s current timber claim. The area was one of the farthest lots from the river and among the hardest to work, although Pete and Alan’s current efforts with his cousin hoped to change that. The remote spot did work to their advantage, giving the fugitives opportunity to move more freely than usual while his human friends helped Parric prepare for the Spring Skills Festival that determined the lots assigned by Prefect Baobe for the coming harvest season.
Just as Pete described, Alan’s face was flushed but that could be from the work he had been doing with Parric. They were practicing axe throwing today. But Alan’s skin was pink…no red. And then Galen gasped as Alan lifted his arm to run his hand through his hair and the ape saw that the flesh on his arm was falling off. Just like Pete said.
Epidural Fever.
Just like Pete said.
The chimpanzee hurried back inside and grabbed a blanket, rolling it as he returned to his friend’s side. He dragged a second chair in front of the blond man, blinking back the moisture that rushed to his eyes at the sight of the inflamed stripe that colored the part in his hair.
“Alan, lean back.” The ape pressed his hand against Alan’s chest, his eyes widening at the heat, the shirt damp from sweat. “Put your feet up,” Galen instructed as he fluffed the blanket onto the chair and tugged at the man’s leg.
“I’m fine, Galen,” Alan raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, Alan. You, you, just sit there. I will bring you some water.”
“You don’t have to wait on me,” the man objected.
“Sit…just sit,” Galen spoke through the burning in his throat.
The ape scurried back into the cabin, his focus drawn toward the younger member of their group. Pete slumped in a chair positioned at the fireplace, slowly stirring a pot over the flames. Galen hurried to grab the water pail left by the counter only to discover it empty. He carried it with him as he joined the dark-haired man by the fire, his own despair obvious in his face.
“Oh, Pete, it’s as you said. Alan is so ill. What can we do?”
Sad brown eyes lifted up. “Nothing, Galen,” the words rasped through Pete’s throat. “Nothing can slow the disease. All we can do is offer comfort. Maybe if we were back home….” Pete shook his head in misery. “The Fever will run its course….”
The chimp’s hand dropped heavily onto the human’s shoulder. “You said we can …how did you say it…about making him drink?”
“Forcing fluids will help with the fever. As for the pain, maybe if we can find Aloe Vera growing near the streams. Or something similar. A green plant that oozes a gel.”
“Yes,” the strong simian fingers pressed anxiously into Pete’s muscles causing a brief wince. “Parric is a talented herbologist. I will ask him. He may even grow some in his garden. Though not physicians, both he and Keesha help provide medical care to the residents here. Should I go now?”
“Oh, that would be great, Galen,” Pete offered a weak smile. “Anything we can do to make his last days here….” The man broke off, unable to continue.
Galen petted his arm gently. “I will see to it. And return with water.”
“And Galen….” The human’s eyes dropped to the floor.
“What is it?”
“You will have to care for Alan. I can’t….”
“I understand. It is hard to watch your friend suffer so.”
“True, but it isn’t that. It’s selfish of me, but…it is very contagious….”
The horror that filled the ape’s eyes lasted for only a moment. He gulped back his first reply and then stated, “If you are selfish, Pete, then so am I. I do not want to see the both of you infected. That would be…tragic.”
“Thanks buddy. I’ll be here when you get back.”
Galen scurried out the door, taking the bucket with him. Pete heard an exchange of voices outside and waited for quiet to descend. He placed the ladle on a stone at the base of the fireplace before peeking outside.
The sun had disappeared behind the treeline painting the sky brilliant shades of red and orange. Alan sat back in the wooden chair, his arms across his chest and his feet resting on a folded blanket in a chair in front of him. His soft serrations were interrupted when Pete moved another chair beside his friend.
“Sorry, Al.”
“Hey, Pete. I must have dozed off. I gotta say, I’m not sure who’s getting the harder workout. Parric working on his skills for the triathlon or me training him. Finding a lot of muscles I’d forgotten about.”
“You can take a day of rest tomorrow. I’m going to work on that rock shot put throwing thing in the morning and then we’ll do running drills in the afternoon.”
“I guess those Michigan State running back days of yours will come in handy.”
“Go Spartans,” Pete chuckled. “Some of those torturous drills still give me nightmares. Hey, Alan, I’m glad we have a minute alone.”
“Galen said he needed to see Parric about something important then took off. Never knew he could move that fast.”
“Yeah, about that. I gotta tell ya, Galen hasn’t been acting himself all day. I’m thinking we just need to humor him until he wants to tell us what’s bothering him.”
“What do you mean?” Alan sat up, lowering his feet to the porch.
“I don’t know…just overly solicitous. Fretting over me and acting worried but trying to pretend like he isn’t.”
“Hmm,” Alan waved his hand toward the footstool chair he had been given. “I know what you mean. Shouldn’t we just ask? If there’s a threat, we need to be prepared.”
“I’m sure he would share anything like that. He would never knowingly place us in danger,” Pete shook his head. “I suspect it has something to do with family concerns. Ya know, wanting to settle Parric’s place here. I say we just let him fuss. It seems to help him feel better.”
“Sure, we’ll do it your way.”
“There’s a veggie stew in the pot with Keesha’s fresh bread and jam when you’re ready to eat.”
“Veggie, huh? Nice change,” Alan rolled his eyes. “We did have a hard workout today lifting these logs you shaved down for strengthening drills, stretching and then throwing that unbalanced axe.”
“Maybe we can find out if there’s a blacksmith with a forge around here and have a better head made. Parric has enough short falls in athleticism to overcome.”
“We still have a couple of weeks. While you’re keeping Parric busy, tomorrow maybe Galen and I can go to the village and check it out. But until then, I’m starving but can wait ‘til Galen gets back so we can eat together.”
“I’m headed to the river to clean up and may slip into the hot springs first if no one’s around.” Pete fiddled with a towel that had come open in his lap. He noticed one of the soap bars Parric’s wife made.
“Great minds,” Alan chuckled. “On the way back, I convinced Parric to at least let his arm soak for a while. May have made a believer out of him.”
“I’ll end our day there tomorrow. I think we’ll both need it once I’m done with him. Hey, don’t wait for me,” Pete tapped on his friend’s knee before trotting down the steps. “If no one’s around, I may enjoy watching the stars come out while soaking in nature’s hot tub, wishing I had a beer.”
“Be careful. I know the apes don’t go there much but can’t say the same about the wolves.”
“Just remember what I said about Galen. Maybe he’ll even tell you what’s got him so worked up.” Pete lifted a hand in a wave as he trotted toward the path that led to the river.
Alan drifted back to sleep, listening to the bird song fade and the cicadas assume the serenade while planning Parric’s workout for the next couple of weeks before the triathlon. The colonel heard the ape’s approach, alerted by the disquiet that settled around the cabin.
“Galen,” Alan greeted, startling the chimpanzee as he attempted to creep up the porch steps.
“Alan.” The chimp gripped the porch post preventing a tumble back into the dirt. “Look at you. Keep your feet up.” Galen placed a small bag and the filled water bucket at his feet before lifting the human’s legs using the give in his trousers and plumped the blanket around his ankles. Alan raised an eyebrow as the chimp rested his hand against his forehead. “You have cooled down.”
The man began to object but recalled Pete’s words and decided to observe instead. “The night air feels much cooler after a day in the sun. You went to see Parric and Keesha?”
“Yes.” Galen paused, wondering what he should say about his errand. Pete had not exactly said they should forgo mentioning Alan’s illness, but he did say their friend was attempting to hide it. “I, umm, went to obtain a poultice for those injuries to your arm. Did you harm yourself during your training?”
Alan hesitated himself, glancing at the peeling sunburn visible on his forearms. He had matching rough flaking on his shoulders and back from stripping off his shirt as he worked with Parric during the heat of the day. His pale skin did not fare as well as his friend’s slightly darker tone.
“It’s nothing,” he finally answered, “but I wouldn’t object if that stuff will take out the sting.”
Galen sighed. “Yes, that is my hope. Now, you rest and I will see if our meal is ready.”
“Pete left to wash in the river,” Alan said to the ape’s wrinkling nose expressing his distaste at the thought of voluntarily immersing one’s self in water, although removing some of the human odor for a time did have its advantages. “He said not to wait. He was going to soak in one of the hot springs.”
“That is for the best,” Galen stated with a deeper sigh.
Once more, Virdon let the odd comment slide until he had a better understanding of their friend’s concerns. “Let me help,” Alan offered, removing his feet from the chair and starting to rise.
“No!” Galen braced his arm against Alan’s chest and rearranged his feet back into the chair. “You sit. I will bring you a pitcher of water. I will squeeze in some lemons with a bit of honey, and I expect you to drink. I’ll apply the poultice and then you can take one of the beds tonight.”
“Galen, that is not necessary,” the colonel shook his head. “I am tired, but….”
“No buts. You are…you are tired from helping my cousin and have earned time to rest.”
“Is that what this about? Returning a favor for a favor?”
“What what is about?” Galen’s fists bumped rapidly even with his waist, his eyes darting from one thing to another but avoiding Virdon’s blue ones. “There is nothing about anything. I am simply…simply…yes! A favor! You are assisting Parric and I am therefore assisting you.”
“Galen, seriously,” Alan brushed his knuckle along his lips, “friends help friends.”
“Exactly. Let me bring you your meal.” The chimp scrambled into the cabin as Alan shook his head. Maybe he would have better luck getting to the bottom of Galen’s odd behavior by talking to his cousin or his wife.
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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“Galen, enough!”
The chimp froze. A single wet, heated towel hung limply in his hand, the trailing end dangling into the damp sack that was leaving a ring of water on the floor. His eyes blinked quickly, his mouth sputtering but unable to find the words until he uttered, “But Pete said….”
“Pete.” Alan’s voice dropped dangerously low, a frown filling his face. His suspicious mind was beginning to rear and his dark-headed companion tended to stand dead-center when dubious events began to coalesce in their midst. “Pete told you what?”
“That the moist heat from the water in the springs might lessen your pain.” Galen’s shoulders slumped.
“What pain?”
Galen answered by wringing the towel and dripping more water onto the floor.
“Galen, what pain?”
A deep sigh pulled his eyes upward. “From the Epidural Fever. We are trying to make you comfortable in the time you have left.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your illness, Alan. We know. You do not have to hide it from us any longer.” Alan’s head tilted as his eyes rose in surprise. Galen’s eyes squinted as his own suspicions took shape. “You are ill, are you not?”
The cabin door swung open and a dark-head peeked in. Two sets of eyes, both opening wider as realization dawned, stared as Pete lingered in the doorway, one foot safely on the porch. “I heard loud voices. Is everything okay?”
“PETE!”
“Pete?”
The carefully curated morose face morphed into bright eyes and a hardy laugh. “The jig is up, huh? Whew, I don’t think I could have kept this up much longer.” The giggling deteriorated into a full-throated guffaw. “C’mon, Alan. It’s spring. April 1st rolled around sometime, right? A traditional time for jokes and pranks and some ribbing, Galen. And boy, I had you two going there for the last couple of days.”
“You mean Alan is not dying?” Galen’s usually soft tones hardened. Alan’s jaw scissored dangerously.
“Well, no more than any of us. April Fools!” Pete hesitated for no more than a heartbeat after reading the room, spun out of the doorway slamming the wood door blade, followed by a receding shout filtering through the open window, “We’ll laugh about it later!”
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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Darkness had claimed the mountain and settled into the valley allowing the night predators to voice their howls to the stars. Pete had disappeared hours ago, and anger had faded fully into worry. Galen swept the floor, again, while Alan’s fierce strokes with his knife against the wood block he was whittling had softened to worrisome strokes while his eyes lingered on the door as much as the decorative bowl he was making for Keesha.
Galen hmphed and Alan sniffed, each waiting for the other to set aside their frustration and voice their concern. The room froze as thuds sounded up the porch steps and the door flung open. Breathless, Pete slammed it shut and leaned back against it as he sucked in breath. Galen gripped the broom handle more tightly while Alan straightened in his seat.
“We have been waiting for you, Major,” the colonel stated bluntly, leaving no doubt about the dressing down his junior officer was about to receive as irritation quickly replaced his previous anxiety. And he had no intention of allowing Burke to bluff his way out of it.
“We have indeed.” Galen placed the broom in the corner, bracing his fists on his hips.
“Later,” Pete waved them off. “I went for a walk so you two could calm down and was down toward the village road when a squad of troopers rode in. They didn’t see me, but I sure couldn’t miss them. Urko was parading in front and center on that white horse of his.”
“No more jokes, Major Burke,” Alan scowled.
“No jokes, Colonel. Although it was kinda funny.”
“What could possibly be amusing about Urko arriving in the village?” Galen’s eyes darted between his friends.
Pete’s mischievous grin sparked for a moment. “Something spooked his horse. It wasn’t me,” he raised his hands at Alan’s stare. “The horse reared up tossing Urko pretty hard to the ground then bucked in circles with him squirming around trying to avoid those hooves. After they finally settled the horse, it looked like Urko may have been clipped since it took a sergeant to help get him back in the saddle.”
“He was injured?” Alan asked.
“Sure looked that way which maybe isn’t so funny. If Urko’s hurt, they may hang around instead of just passing through.”
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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“We missed most of another afternoon of training since Parric was in the village looking after Urko,” Pete blew at the steaming potatoes on his spoon before taking a bite. Alan lowered his to his plate.
“Did you see him afterwards?”
“Yeah. I helped Keesha in their herb garden until he got back. Besides some cracked ribs, the old gorilla had a dislocated shoulder but sounds like Parric did the reduction successfully even if Urko is still complaining of the pain.”
“He and Keesha are the closest thing to medics they have around here,” Alan observed.
“The Chief Security Officer also has a limp to go with a bunch of cuts and bruises which probably made his temper even worse. Kinda diminishes his authority if he’s hobbling along. That ape could use a dose of one of Keesha’s magic formulas to calm him down.”
Galen giggled.
“What?” Pete spoke up first as both men looked at their friend.
“I had an idea.”
“Alright,” Alan placed his elbows on the table, one hand toying with his mug of water. “Let’s hear it and maybe we can try it.”
The ape chuckled again. “I am afraid it is too late for that.”
“What do you mean ‘it’s too late’?” Burke’s frown deepened with a downturn of both his lips and brow. Galen responded with a buoyant smile.
“I did a Foolery.”
“A foolery?” Virdon’s forehead joined Burke’s with deepening discomfort. Galen’s fists bumped exuberantly.
“Yes! I made a Trickery to fool him. Like you showed me.” The chimpanzee’s gaze settled on their dark-haired companion.
Pete grabbed at the bridge of his nose, fearing that he already knew what he absolutely did not want to know.
“Him. Him who?” Alan grabbed the ape’s attention with a stare that demanded an answer.
“Why Urko, of course,” Galen beamed.
Burke’s groan provided the sound effect for the thinning of Virdon’s already compressed lips. “Since you’re here and not packing our meager belongings to take off, can we assume that Urko doesn’t know it was you who, ummm, tricked him?” the elder man asked.
Galen snickered again. “He may not realize he is the Fool yet. I sent him a letter.”
Burke’s groan intensified as Virdon voice dropped an octave. “A letter. You sent a letter to the gorilla who wants the three of us dead.”
“Why yes,” Galen clapped his hands in delight, “like Pete talked about.”
“Me?” the younger man croaked. “I’ve never once suggested we should send that monkey a letter!”
“Ohh, you. Of course not.” The chimp tapped Pete’s numb hand. “An infatuation letter from a secret admirer. You described how you received them frequently. And since you said they were your favorites, I even doused it with the perfume Keesha makes with her herbs to sell to the wives of the locals. Or the suitors of those they hope to marry someday. One of her more popular concoctions she says.”
Alan leaned back into his chair. “You wrote a love letter. To Urko.”
The faint blush rising along his neck ran contrary to Pete’s boastful tone. “True. I did get scented letters. I hope you didn’t write one of my other favorites. The steamy ones.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Oh no,” Galen shook his head. “The dampness would make the ink run.”
Alan finally gave in to a laugh. “Lothario there clogged up the ANSA mail room with his fan mail until the brass set up a separate mailing address.”
“Oooo,” the chimp perked up, “I do not know about Lo-tha-rio, but should we send some more to Urko?”
The loud response came in stereo.
“NOOOOO!”
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POTAPOTAPOTA
.
Urko leaned more weight on the cane than he desired; however, his shoulders were up, his chest out, and keeping his helmet secure, he nodded at every female he passed with a recurring thought.
Could she be the one?
He left the gushing letter on the table of his quarters, easily visible to any who visited. In the form of a complaint, he shared the contents of the note with the five troopers who rode with him on this tour of the Prefectures. He allowed a minimum amount of teasing toward him and a substantial amount of barracks humor regarding the desirable attributes of a female, especially given the extended time they had been traveling.
Of course, he would need to keep it from Elta. His wife was accepting of the duties required in his job as Chief Security Officer for the Caesarian Empire, including his long absences, but her threatening incisors from her widening mouth when she thundered her displeasure at house, home…or him…need not sully the adoration of his “Ardent Admirer”.
He took his time as he strolled, well, limped with dignity, toward the Prefect’s office located on the opposite side of this mid-sized village in the heart of a large timber district where he and his troops were quartered. One might think the Prefect was trying to avoid him.
He hadn’t planned on more than a cursory stop to ensure that all tributes were being forwarded to Central City, but his horse had a swollen fetlock and bruises on two hooves. As they approached the village, his steed uncharacteristically bucked and pitched without warning, jolting him from the saddle causing a rough landing and roll to avoid the threatening hooves. A bulging lump on the animal’s croup confirmed it had been bitten by some passing winged menace. The scrawny chimp that acted as the only healer in this forlorn little place hadn’t done much to remove the deep ache in his chest and shoulder and suggested only the cane for his twisted knee. What else could he expect away from the refinement of the City.
His opinion of this place was dark until the mysterious letter appeared lifting his spirits. And then he heard gossip in the only local tavern centered on a skills contest to be held in a few days. The Prefecture maintained ownership of the land and held an annual skills contest that awarded timber lots to industrious apes willing to work for a large share of the profits while keeping the Prefecture coffers full. Urko appreciated the design that ensured payment came first to government oversight avoiding delaying excuses to pay their due as often used by those apes that owned the land.
The gorilla also reveled in watching tests of skills reinforcing the dominance and endurance of the ape. Perhaps his letter writer would be watching and thinking of his “flexing muscles” and “shimmering fur” when he gave himself a seat on Baobe’s platform to watch. And how much “faster might her heart beat” or how much “harder to catch her breath as she longed for his forbidden touch” when he stood as victor when his trooper won the skills contest. Females certainly appreciated a show of strength.
Yes, he and Prefect Baobe needed to have a word.
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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“Galen, you’re back. We were about to send a search party for you, buddy,” Pete greeted from the counter cluttered with chopped vegetables when the chimpanzee burst into the cabin. Alan’s whittling knife paused as their ape friend dropped into one of the wooden chairs, his elbows planted on his knees, and head drooped as he took deep breaths.
The dark-haired man turned to place a reassuring hand on the furry shoulder. “Is someone on your tail? Should we be making a break for it?”
“How many times must I remind you, Pete, that apes do not have tails. And I do not believe that any breakage is required,” Galen wheezed.
Alan set his project aside but remained seated across the table. “Are Parric and Keesha alright? He was sore but we stopped at the hot springs before he headed home and said it helped.”
The ape waved his hand. “It is not my cousin, not directly. Keesha went into the market today to sell some of the excess from their garden and the tinctures and elixirs that she makes and the word was rampant. Due his injuries, Urko is not able to travel and has decided to enter one of his troopers into the triathlon.”
“How is that supposed to work?” Pete’s hands dropped to his hips. “He won’t be leaving the guy behind to work the acreage, will he?”
“Urko has bigger plans. Should he be victorious, each ape working the timber will receive a larger lot, although they must make up the difference in the current quotas while Urko will personally demand an additional payment from the work. AND he does not intend to take it from the net market share but the valuation BEFORE it is sold. He is demanding a 25% assessment from every log brought to the mill for planking and finishing.”
“But the Prefecture already takes, what 40%?” Pete shook his head at Galen’s nod. “And it’s not like they were bringing in a fortune for the dangerous work that they do. Won’t most of the apes just drop out?”
“They cannot,” Galen gripped the sides of the table. “For most, this is the only life they know. Where would they go to start over? And many of the humans are banded to the land, not the apes. There was already talk of culling if there was no one to assume the lot.”
Anger flared as Pete looked down at his feet. “Well, hell. We know from the race with Barlow that Urko cheats, and no doubt he will again. We have to make sure that he doesn’t win.”
“And how are we to do that?” Galen moaned. “I am not a fool. I have watched you work with Parric. He has no hope of winning and only hopes to move up in the assignment for an improved lot.”
Alan released a hard exhale keeping his lips in a stern line. Both of his friends paused to look his way. A grin flitted across Pete’s lips as he lay an arm over Galen’s shoulders and leaned his head down even with the chimps.
“Wait for it,” Pete whispered. “This problem calls for a, umm, Foolery, of a magnitude beyond that known to mortal man, ahh, nor ape. Galen, prepare to witness a master at work.”
“Alan?”
“Yeah.” The grin blossomed into a dimpled smile. “Never turn your back on the quiet ones. They are always the most devious.”
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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Urko winced when he lifted his arm to run the brush through his “handsome head of hair that does not require the gloss of the sun to highlight its perfection” although, according to the most recent scented letter sent, she “anxiously awaits your intoxicating presence on the grandstand when the Spring Triathlon commences.” Her hand seemed to stutter in a most feminine and flirtatious way as she wrote, “My breast will flutter as I drink in your magnificent from afar.”
He knew he should burn it, burn all the letters that she had snuck into his possession, rather than risk Elta hearing of his dalliance in permitting this seduction to continue.
Perhaps that foolish little chimp, Parric, with ridiculous designs of competing against his sergeant in the contest did have something to contribute to his success. The teas and poultices the chimp brought had helped but the allure of soothing the pain and alleviating the annoying hitches of his movements, returning him to “the masterful grace of your physique and form” by indulging in the hot water springs that offered healing along with comfort was a temptation harder and harder to discount. Urko could not imagine immersion in water as anything desirable; however, Parric insisted the benefits outweighed the temporary discomfort.
Urko sniffed at the missives that lay neatly, one atop the other, near where he had placed the brush on the dresser. He knew he would recognize the scent were she to approach. And if it should linger in his fur should they touch…well, he heard there was a chimp who sold perfumes in the market. Perhaps Elta should receive a gift that happened to leak….
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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“Done?”
“Done.” The dark-head nodded as Pete slipped into the small booth Keesha used to sell her herbs and scents in the market. He dropped the sack he was carrying with a thud.
“Galen, you’re on.” Alan applied a gentle push to the ape’s shoulder.
“Are you sure?” he asked plaintively.
“Yes!” his friends responded in unison.
The chimp adjusted the bodice at his chest muttering, “I was once a well-respected ape with a future full of possibilities.”
“Wait until you see Urko returning,” Alan cautioned.
“He won’t be long,” Pete assured him, then chuckled. “The first event has started, so he’s bound to be moving fast.”
“Tell the sergeant…,” the colonel began the instructions for the umpteenth time as he cracked open the back entrance.
“I remember what to say,” Galen snapped before he adjusted to a falsetto. “I know the plan, dear boy,” he patted Virdon’s cheek before flouncing out the door.
“He knows the plan.” Burke made no effort to hide his smirk.
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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The large gorilla stepped gingerly from the heated water and circled his arm within its socket with a contented sigh. The shoulder felt better than it had in a long, long time. A lifting of his lips that those who knew him best would recognize as a smile accompanied his relief when he bore weight on his knee with an acceptable pain tolerance. Fortunately, as he suspected, with everyone crowded in the village for the Spring Triathlon Festival, no one was in the area to see him voluntarily dunk himself in water or admit that it indeed had healing properties. One simply could not acknowledge that well entrenched beliefs might be suspect. He shook himself, water droplets glistening in the sun.
Glancing at the position of the great ball of light, he knew he would miss the opening salvos of the first event but Nnamdi, his sergeant would simply have to prove his worth without assistance. And this delay would allow him to make a show of mounting the stage to impress his admirer. Urko took a few casual steps to the rock outcropping near the hot springs pool where he left his uniform, boots and helmet.
His hand landed hard against the stone. The rock was empty. His thoughts tumbled wildly wondering where his clothing had gone and despair crept amongst the chaos as the ignominy of crossing the crowded village square wearing nothing but his pride surfaced.
“The Lawgiver be praised,” Urko uttered as the wind lifted the edge of fabric from behind the stone. Relief flooded him as he snatched the top piece and lifted it up even with his widening eyes.
“By all the fires! What devilry is this!” Urko shouted loud enough for the words to echo among the rocks and trees that lined the mountain river.
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POTAPOTAPOTA
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Galen sheltered in the shadows of the village square, close enough to hear the excitement as the competitors took their turns throwing axes at an oval target hung on a battered wall of wood but blocked his view of the current competitor. The announcer, a chimpanzee who Galen recognized as one of the merchants who ran a storefront rather than booth like the one Keesha operated, had a booming voice so he knew Nnamdi awaited his turn. Parric was next to compete, but he had to miss his cousin’s turn for fear of missing….
Urko.
A throaty laugh erupted that Galen quickly adjusted to a cough as heads turned his way which he addressed with demure apologies. The gorilla picked his way through the edges of the crowd, his attire as outrageous as Galen’s own, though the chimp rolled his shoulders thinking he carried it better. If only one could paint a picture.
Urko walked with his head down, a scarf wrapped around his face, but his rambling gait snagged by billowing skirts revealed his inexperience.
“My oh my,” the chimp addressed no one, but spoke loud enough to be heard by the circle of apes near him. He jutted his chin as they glanced his way. “She apparently missed a few lessons in finishing school, poor dear,” he tittered and was pleased when the laughter traveled in a wave through the crowd, fingers pointing, jokes spreading. His head nodded as well-meaning, or more likely meddling, gadflies blocked Urko’s path and appeared to be instructing the ‘poor dear’ on her missed classes in refinement.
Galen’s head popped up when the announcer indicated the last throw of the current competitor would be followed by the final contestant, Urko’s representative, Nnamdi. With effusive pardon me, where did that son of mine go, the cider stand sounds promising, and other apologies, the chimp picked his way to the roped area where the competitors gathered.
“Yoo-hoo, Sergeant. Yoo-hoo.” Galen pulled a pink hankie from his sleeve and waved it at Nnamdi. With a wiggle of his nose, he beckoned the gorilla to approach. Several apes in the cordoned area turned to look, including his cousin who raised a curious brow but jerked his head back to the contest.
Seeing that Urko was near to breaking through the crowd on his trek to his assigned quarters, the hankie wave intensified matching the pounding in Galen’s chest.
.
POTAPOTAPOTA
.
Falling against the door to the troop’s quarters, Urko groaned aloud. He stumbled to the nearest chair, his bootless feet throbbing from the jabs and pokes of, By the Lawgiver, who knew how many stones and sticks that lay between here and that cursed hot spring. He vowed to initiate bare foot training for every garrison under his command upon his return to Central City.
Resting his forehead in his palm, he shuddered at the near catastrophe when the pesky villagers seemed to surround him rather than attend to the event that they had gathered to see. And those damn harridans pulling at his sleeves, yanking at his face covering, straightening his skirt! His ears thudded at how close to exposure he had come. As his breathing settled, a bit a grin lifted his lips behind his veil at the number of male hands groping his bodice and squeezing his behind. There was something gratifying about discovering his physical appeal extended beyond the female population. Of course, Elta couldn’t know about that either.
Just as he pushed himself up from the central table to move to his private room, the door to the building slammed open. Urko twirled around, the billowing skirt catching between his legs. He fell forward into the waiting arms of Sergeant Nnamdi.
.
POTAPOTAPOTA
.
Galen lingered near the back of the crowd sipping honey sweetened fermented cider. He thought he earned it. He did have toasted nut cookies in his pocket for Pete and Alan. Well, unless he got hungry in which case he would buy more if he had a chance.
He had managed to convince Nnamdi that the urgency of preventing Chief of Security Urko’s shameless hussy from breeching his quarters far exceeded the trivial pursuit of glory in an inconsequential contest in this tiny hamlet. Word was that a notorious gossip and spinster aunt of Urko’s wife Elta lived in the village and would most certainly take issue with any suggestion lack of fidelity from her niece’s husband. She stressed the crucial need of stopping the trollop before the highly respected gorilla was possibly embarrassed before The High Council and most assuredly castigated by his wife.
After a somewhat lengthy quiet exchange between the Announcer and Prefect Baobe, the results of the Axe Throw revealed that Parric had scored near the middle of the contestants, certainly an improvement from last year’s bottom three performance. Sergeant Nnamdi of Urko’s Guard was given a nil score when he failed to take the throwing field when called. They were nearing completion of the Stone Toss Event with no sign of Urko or his sergeant. The chimp fairly wiggled with excitement.
Taking a deep breath of the enticing smells of roasting nuts, popping corn, frying squash, and baking bread from the many vendors filling the crowded square, Galen allowed his shoulders to ease but he did wish for a more comfortable pair of shoes. How ever did females tolerate these things!
Despite the inconvenience of his footwear, Galen chuckled as he lifted his skirt and did a little skip back to the cider stand. After the afternoon’s ordeal, perhaps he deserved a second. Yes, he did indeed.
.
POTAPOTAPOTA
.
Bah.
Urko dejectedly slumped on the review stand next to a beaming Baobe as Nnamdi dragged himself across the finish line, dead last, in the final Race Event of the triathlon. The weighted sacks filled with rocks that were carried through the forest paths and rocky hills surrounding the village drove his shoulders toward the ground. Perhaps pounding Nnamdi’s head against the ground when the fool tried to sneak a kiss from and reach beneath the skirts of who he thought was Urko’s secret admirer in their quarters wasn’t the best decision when he needed the ape to win this contest.
Of course, threatening to hang him from his thumbs while lashing him with a whip for insubordination should he ever reveal the face he saw when the scarf was yanked from Urko’s face remained an option. Or the mines. Permanent assignment there was certainly a strategic solution to silence any slips of the tongue. Or he could just cut it out.
Bah.
Let the asinine chimp preen in his victory that kept the coffers of the Prefecture filled. He could always submit a vote to increase the quotas. That would show baboon who was in charge.
Urko’s darkened eyes scanned the dispersing crowd as the sun sunk toward the horizon. He stiffened in his seat. At the back end of the square, a loitering female waved a pink handkerchief in his direction before she slipped from view between two buildings.
Maybe?
With a grunt, he sank back into place. It was just another damn chimp.
Bah.
.
POTAPOTAPOTA
.
“So, Keesha and Parric are happy about it all?” Alan asked as they started down the mountain trail toward the south.
“Oh, yes,” Galen chirped, glancing over his shoulder as Pete adjusted his backpack for him as they walked. “In fact, after you two suggested it, they were surprised they had not seen it for themselves sooner. Parric had no more desire to be a…what did you call them, Pete? Logjackets?”
“Lumberjacks. And I’m okay,” Pete smirked, tucking his thumbs under the straps of his own backpack, filled with a supply of Keesha’s medicinal herbs, soaps, and enough food to last a week.
Alan rolled his eyes with a low chuckle.
“What?” Galen’s head tilted. “Never mind,” he uttered as his friends smiled.
“Parric made an agreement with Prefect Baobe to be granted their current lot to be fully purchased over time. Given its poor location for the timber market, no one objected. With the smaller stream on the property, Keesha will expand her gardens as you suggested, Alan, while Parric uses our family contacts to establish an on-going supply chain for trade. ‘Let others deal with the vagrancies of an inconsistent timber distribution’, he said. He can make a good living as a merchant and pharmacology vendor. They plan to build a larger shop in the village and call it Trader Parric's. Pete, Keesha even plans to have a food bar with wrapped cookies and sandwiches packed to go as you suggested.”
“Never underestimate the power of a man or ape’s empty stomach, Galen,” Pete patted at his own. “And trust me on the impulse buy phenomenon. Putting the racks next to the checkout counter will reinvent the point-of-purchase marketing strategy.”
“Depending on what we find, we may have to return to see how they’re doing,” Alan commented as he rolled his neck. “I sure got spoiled by those hot springs.”
“It may take some time to convince the populace, but Parric intends to include prescribing time in those waters for certain ailments,” Galen commented.
“What!” Pete exclaimed. “He’s gonna start selling something that’s free for the taking?”
“No, Pete. He is going to sell the suggestion that the springs be utilized.” Galen grinned to himself as he pictured Pete’s reaction. One of the tins that his friend thought contained a berry cake was actually filled with One Hour Free pamphlets extolling the virtues of the hot springs.
Yes, after their success with Urko, Galen discovered a new-found respect for this thing called April Foolery. He would have to remember this game next spring.
The End
April 2026