NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Episode 1
A young female ape knelt in front of a symbol made of a circle, half of her face covered with a see-through cotton scarf with white lace embroidery, its ends spread all over the ground where she stayed
Her mouth was in a constant state of prayer, as only a sliver of smoke came out of metal pots with intricate designs from each side of the miniaturely curved stone altar; telling that she had been at it for quite some time now.
The brass chandelier chimed slightly with its crystal trinkets at the bottom, almost distracting her.
Upon noticing someone at the corner of her eye, she faintly nodded, acknowledging whoever was standing at the wide-open door.
The female ape who was outside glanced at the scene inside the room, hesitating to enter. She turned her back at the arch entryway, getting ready to leave with a copper plate filled with various foods.
"Lord Keeper,'' the young female ape gasped as she saw someone else watching them both. She didn't reckon how long he was there for.
She rushed up to the other ape, dragging her long tunic behind her. She lowered her head as she reached him.
The male ape put his hand on his chest and bowed back.
He eyed the untouched cold steamed fish and some wrinkly grapes.
"How's she?" He questioned her.
"Haven't had a drop of water since they took them to..." She appeared to have cut her sentence short.
"Hmm," The male ape took a stance to leave but was stopped by a sudden tug on his arm. He looked at the hands that held it tight.
The female ape pulled her hand, seemingly afraid that she might have crossed the line.
"My lord." She dropped her head and lowered her voice. "Our Lordship does not need to know." She fiddled with her mesh scarf, unwilling to meet his eyes.
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The Keeper ambled down a long passage, his leather-soled boots echoing on the marble-cut halls.
The silver epaulet of his satin jacket reflected light from the setting sun, coming through the colored glass on top of the corridors.
The two apes who stood guarding the rustic door pulled from each side, their giant builds adorned in silver armor from head to toe, and their movements calculated as they made way for the Keeper of the castle.
"My Lord," his posture straightened as he walked to the chamber of authority
"Immm." The old ape grunted, his eyes inspecting every piece of the broad game that was in front of him through the seeing glasses made of metal chain frames hanging loosely on his nose.
"How is she?" The old ape questioned. His focus, solely on the game.
"Still refusing to eat, My Lordship."
Upon hearing the answer, the old ape sighed.
"Put this away." He gestured to the small wooden chair, carrying a board game.
He lay back on the high chair and rubbed his hairy face with his textured palms. He removed the glasses onto his chest, which his loose-fitting velvet outer cloth exposed.
The two male apes went quite, and refrained from speaking at all as they watched the young servant ape clear things and went on their way.
"Daughters," He closed his eyes and mumbled.
"I would rather sit with the Lords of the council and listen to their egregious plans to expand the production of red grapes for hours than deal with this. Especially with this particular one.''
"I'm sure it isn't any easier, my Lord."
The old ape paused, not refuting.
''You know she crawled out of the womb right after they pulled out her sister, almost killing her mother. My wife refused to have any children after that; that's why I have no sons. But she didn't let her own experience stop her from helping others. She spent all her knowledge and practice in medicine to help expecting and nursing mothers. Hundreds of babies, delivered each season around the Kingdom by her two hands. She only stopped after the illness got to her. And now our firstborn wants to follow in her footsteps. How many of the High Lord's offspring do you see, taken by the Great Chemist himself to learn closely with him? She was the easier one, my eldest."
The old ape grappled with a fur-covered armrest, struggling to make himself stand.
He brushed off his keeper to stand away from trying to help him.
"These stairs are getting too high for me." He staggered from his high seat with a walking stick, one step at a time.
The old ape murmured as he saw the setting sun by the balcony, and limped towards it.
His Keeper followed his Lord's steps.
"It's been 10 winters since they dragged me from my Home. The smell of ash and the taste of freshly plucked berries. Distilled drinks made of those same berries don't do justice; they just get you drunk." He took a breath as the beauty of the glistening capital in the evening did nothing to him.
The old ape covered his chest with his robe, and he felt the chill air of autumn and the lingering sadness in his body.
"Here, my Lord," his loyal Keeper covered him up with a thick fur outer garment.
"I'm old and weak. It doesn't help that I miss my wife."
"I'm sure the end of summer and rain being her passing season makes it harder for my Lord." The keeper stood behind his Lord, trying to console him.
"Yes, and to be disrespected by your child on the season of passing, is-. I'm just glad she isn't here to witness. She's cursing from beyond her resting place, telling me to be a better father than I ever was a husband.
"My Lady was a wise one; she knew you better than anyone. She might never have gotten her time to express her most sincere feelings, with your duties and hers. But she would have been proud of what the Lordship has achieved during his time as a Collector of his Kingdom. As always, one could tell, she loved you and your daughters dearly." The keeper expressed.
"It does not matter much now when she is not here herself. As for peace, don't even know what to do with what's locked in dungeons."
"The fellowship." My Sire.
"Rebels!" The old Collector instantly corrected his Keeper.
"They do nothing but incite violence and conspire against the Kingdom. They spread falsehoods and lies around the Kingdom and its venerable people." He retorted.
"Yes, My Lord, that's why we cannot let them get to your head, or hers." He responded quickly, trying to calm his old Lord's temper.
The old age kept his silence and relaxed his shoulders, getting back to his senses.
"Might I add something, Sire?" He added carefully, not wanting to agitate his Lord.
The air of silence gave the Keeper the answer.
"My lady is a young ape of this era. She and her sister are the only female offspring born from High Lords who are of age, which makes them the most eligible bachelorettes of this kingdom and beyond."
"What are you suggesting?" He questioned.
"Courting ceremony." His words were measured but swift.
The old ape got quiet, not adding to or disregarding the words of his quick-witted loyal servant of many years.
"Shall we continue inside, my Lord? The high air is not of suitability for my Sire." The Keeper made his way.
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A few apes rushed around the room, diligently. They fold every paper, light every lamp, and burn each candle in their Lord's Chamber.
The old ape poured himself a red drink from a silver jug. He groaned in exhaustion and lay back on his seat. He gestured to his Keeper, who stood vigilant, leering at every movement of the servants.
The Keeper then dismissed every being as instructed by his Lord.
"Begin." The old Lord said, toneless.
"Certainly, my Lord." The Keeper linched closer to the stone table, brightened by lamps made from glass and vegetable oil.
"In my credence, in a few seasons this current hall of yours will be pervaded with endowments and eloquences from all parts of this Kingdom, and engagement for your permission courtship will begin.
"Regardless of my Lordship's optimism, they will be here and will ask for either of your daughters' hands.
The cunning Keeper paused and looked at his Lord.
"Continue." The old ape took a sip from a silver chalice.
"As we are aware, your eldest has chosen her path with utmost confidence, and the house of Golberg has honored her wishes and congratulated her on her succession, and you, my Lord, have been most proud, unlike your youngest. Now pardon me, my Lord, but my Lady's path is of her own making, and to pry something off of her hands would simply be disaster in the making."
"And you suggest."
"Options, my Lord. Choices."
"By choices, you mean the suitors."
"Bachelors! Yes, the most eligible of them all."
"And you have the names?"
"Yes, my Lord, with your grantness. Why don't we start with the most eligible in accordance with my findings among the youths and the upcoming? Commander of the Silver Army, and the current High Lord of cavalry quarters. Lord Ramos."
"Hmm." The old ape took another sip. "He is... fine."
"My Lord is not pleased with the Commander."
"He'll spend half of his life on horseback. He was made Lord of the Cavalry for a reason. I would prefer no daughter of mine spending the rest of her life in that castle carved into the rock wall. Besides, he has the young units to look after."
"Then, as per my Lord's valuation, General Caois will not be suitable either."
The old ape tapped the chalice repeatedly on the table, his mind in deep thought.
"Males of the south are refined, no doubt. But to try to bind a Ranger with laws of matrimony simply seems unfeasible. With recent movements along the eastern border, his duties are needed outside of walls, now more than ever."
"Precise assessment, my Lord, speaking of the south. What is my lord's opinion on Lord Adonis? He might only have the throne until his nephew comes of age, but that is where our gold lies, not to mention half of the mines which his father, our late Lord Treasurer, gave to him as birthright. He might not be the Lord Treasurer current, but he maintains it, for now."
"They're fine. Reeks of gold." The old ape said a few words, followed by silence.
"My Lord is still hesitant about the Southerners."
The Keeper quickly read the decorum.
"I understand, Sire. How about our friends from the valley of Eagles?"
"Ahh... Eagle herders."
"My people! My Lord, humble but brisk, and we ought to remember that half of our food are sourced from the fertile plains along the river Duma. Not to mention, they trained our eagles."
The old ape waved off his arms in defeat, not being able to answer.
"But of course, as a father, I would understand no one would want something as precious as their child to live life such as theirs, humble but hard nonetheless. People of the valley take pride in what they do, and with that nature, comes sleeping in the structures made of wood and hay. Also strategic location of the eastern entrance to the kingdom, can be risky at times."
"It's not only that, Lord Zios's eldest is two summers and a winter short for my daughter, no wife would want such for a companion." The old ape replied after certain hesitancy. He gulped the remaining liquid from his cup. "Speaking of Lord Zios. What of his nephew?"
A smile crept across the Keeper's face.
"The Lord to be in the North, Sire. Last time I heard, still mourning his mother's passing, which is having him make excuses for his enthronement. I believe his uncle still being there is not much of a help."
"He's still in the North?"
"Yes, my Lord, 28 nights since the cremation."
The old ape rubbed his forehead.
"I must say the young Lord is a remarkable choice, my Lord." The keeper said with a pleasing tone. "After all, he was raised with the humility from his mother and immense strength and advantages of his father; the Apes of the North being the tallest of all races. And for what it's worth, I'm sure his uncle is just mourning the death of his only sister, but regardless, we must be quick, Sire."
The ape sighed. "Prepare the eagle, first light tomorrow."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Sent in the inker. That will be all, Demus."
"Certainly. Rest well, Sire."
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