Curze turned at the sharp voice, his chest tightening.
From the shadows of the grove stepped a female adult primate — the twins' mother. Her eyes burned as they fell on him, cold and accusing. She had only come to fetch the young ones and share the news from the elders but instead found this.
He swallowed hard.
"Mom, Curze's bullying us!" Goc whimpered, running into her arms. But instead of sympathy he received a slap across the face that echoed through the grove.
Her gaze then shifted to Tuna. "What happened here?"
Tuna hesitated, eyes darting, but under the heavy stare of her stepmother her will broke. The truth spilled out.
The female's expression hardened as she looked at Alfy clutching his left arm in pain. Her lips peeled back in a snarl.
"How could you go so hard on your younger ones, Curze? You've clearly not been taught enough of a lesson."
"But they started it first! Besides I—"
"Enough!" she snapped, her tone sharp as bone. "I'll report this recklessness to your father."
She turned her back without another glance. "The rest of you — follow me. There is an announcement. Our leader speaks tonight."
The children obeyed, shuffling after her.
Curze stood rooted for a moment, his chest heaving.
He hadn't wanted it to go this far. He had only meant to teach them a lesson, not nearly cripple Alfy. Yet when he looked up, Alfy's smirk cut into him deeper than any wound. His stepbrother clutched his arm, yes — but his eyes glittered with glee. Curze knew what that meant. He was happy. Happy that Curze would be punished.
"Sorry Curze…" Liya whispered, her eyes wet. Baby Piper clung to his leg, tears streaming down his round cheeks.
Curze forced a grin, ruffling Piper's head. "It's fine. Punishment only makes one stronger." His voice was steady though inside it trembled. He didn't want them to worry, didn't want them to carry the weight of his battles.
"Go on ahead. I'll be right behind you."
The two little ones obeyed, casting worried glances back as they followed the others into the trees.
Curze lingered a moment, staring at the trampled earth, at the fading ripples of the pool. His mind wandered.
An announcement… perhaps we're moving tomorrow. Wouldn't surprise me. Father's always restless, always suspicious. Still… maybe he's right. Maybe nowhere is safe.
With a sigh he finally turned and followed the trail back, already bracing for the punishment he knew was coming.
—
Back at the clearing, while the fuss at the pool unfolded, Grannylurn sat with Lucius near the roots of a great pine. Her voice was calm but carried weight.
"You know," she said, her ancient eyes narrowing, "you should cut your brothers some slack."
"If I do that, they'll keep on dragging us behind with their weakness," Lucius said, voice hard.
Grannylurn's eyes narrowed. "Weakness? Then that statement is intended for all of us?"
"No mother. The elders are… well, elders. They're old — no insult intended."
Grannylurn didn't bother to respond.
Lucius went on. "The young adults are still young, with Orge expected to step into the 2nd rank in three to five years. And the younglings? Just a dream of tomorrow. I understand your patience, but still… I cannot give them slack."
"I understand your anxiety son," Grannylurn said softly, "but do not pressure them. Your circumstance was different. Give them a breathing space."
"My circumstance was pressure — nothing but pressure. To free us I was forced to my limits. I reached the 3rd rank through blood and pain. No, I won't give them breathing space."
Grannylurn sighed, the sound carrying the weight of decades. "You're just as stubborn as your father was. Thankfully not as cowardly. But at least… don't be too harsh on that boy. If you treat him this way he'll come to see you as a threat, a shadow he must one day rid himself of — just as you rid yourself of your father. Remember, he's your first child. And he is special."
Lucius's jaw clenched. "Mother, your stories could as well be myths."
BAM. Her palm cracked against his head. He barely felt it.
"Stories passed down from our ancestors, long before we became slaves to those backstabbers," she spat before her voice steadied.
Lucius exhaled slowly. "I understand. But I will not pamper him. If he is to bear the weight of this troop, he must struggle."
Grannylurn shook her head. "You know he has your stubborn nature. Only, he is gentle. Just like she was."
Lucius's eyes dimmed at the mention, his silence saying more than words.
"At least he has the hope of reaching 3rd rank like you… maybe even beyond," she added.
"Only time mother. Only time will tell."
Her gaze shifted toward the distance. "Ooh… it seems your spoiled ones have caused trouble again. You'd better teach them a lesson before they grow entitled to what isn't theirs."
Lucius turned, and there she was — the twins' mother, striding forward with younglings in tow and Alfy clutching his arm in pain.
—
"Alfy! What happened to you?" Morsey cried, rushing over to him.
"Ahh momma…" Alfy groaned as she lifted his arm. It was swollen.
"What happened?" she barked at the twins' mother.
"It was Curze!" Tuna piped up quickly.
"Him?" Morsey growled, rage flashing. "Where's that silver-furred rascal?"
She stormed past the others and easily spotted Curze walking behind the younglings.
"You dare lay your hands on my son without cause?"
"No he—"
"Shut up!" she snapped, raising her hand to strike him.
"Alfy started it!" Liya cried out.
"Silence little miss!" Morsey snapped, ignoring her.
"Don't you think you're acting rashly Morsey? Everyone knows Alfy's always the start of trouble," Trenn said, stepping in with a sharp tongue.
"You should mind your business and know your place. Remember I am the matriarch of this troop."
"Second," Trenn taunted.
Morsey's growl deepened. She turned on Trenn, ready to lunge, but Trenn stepped back — she knew she'd be bested.
"Enough!" The roar split the air. Lucius stepped in, his wild aura crashing over them. The females flinched beneath its weight.
"What is this?"
Morsey rushed to twist the tale. "I was only teaching Curze the role of an elder brother when Trenn butted in—"
Lucius's eyes bore into hers until she faltered, unable to meet his gaze. He turned instead to the younglings.
"What happened."
His stare froze them where they stood. The twins trembled and wet themselves, their voices breaking as they spilled the truth.
Lucius's glare shifted, landing on Alfy.
"Curze! Come here boy."
"Yes father." Curze stepped forward, bracing himself for the scolding.
"You fell to the taunts of your younger ones. Instead of ignoring them, instead of disciplining, you gave in — and struck them." His finger pointed toward Alfy's swollen arm. "That is not how an elder, stronger brother behaves."
He gestured toward a small boulder. "You know what to do. Until the moon is above — you're freed only then."
Curze swallowed, but he already knew the punishment. He would kneel, arms stretched to the sky, holding that boulder for hours. Excruciating yes, but familiar.
"And you, Alfy." Lucius's gaze cut sharp. "Let this be the last time I hear of you stirring trouble against your elder brother."
Alfy flinched. Relief flooded him — until Lucius's voice cracked the ground.
"That stone. On your knees, until the moon shines above." He pointed to a smaller boulder.
"But—!"
"Silence!" Lucius roared, cutting Morsey off as well when she tried to protest. "This is our home now. All nonsense ends here. Whoever is at fault I will know. And I will punish. Disobedience, entitlement — I'll crush them. Or I'll hold you responsible."
His final words left no space for argument. He turned away.
Morsey's face twisted, but she said nothing. Lucius's word was law. Still, she cast Curze a hateful glare before storming off with the young ones.
"Sorry Curze. I'll tell Liya to bring pine tubes at noon, alright?" Trenn whispered before following.
But Curze barely heard her. His father's words replayed in his mind — Since this will be our home…
Excitement surged through him. Finally.
With fire in his chest, he rushed to the boulder and hoisted it, eager to endure his punishment. Alfy, on the other hand, broke down in sobs — bewildered at how he was to carry his stone with an injured arm.