Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: The Official Movie Novelization

6

Late in the night, most apes were asleep. The drums had gone quiet. Blue Eyes and some of the other young ones were tamping down the fire. They packed earth over it rather than drowning it, wanting to keep coals alive for the next day.

Koba watched Caesar’s son. A strong one, but Blue Eyes did not know how strong he was because he saw himself as nothing but a weak shadow of his father. Koba knew what it was like to be in Caesar’s shadow.

He went to Blue Eyes, who looked up at his approach. When Blue Eyes saw the bear pelt under Koba’s arm, he looked down and away, shamed all over again.

Koba reached out to tap the youngster, and get him to look up again.

I know he is hard on you, Koba signed. But only because he must be.

Blue Eyes frowned at this. Koba knew that frown for what it was—a young ape feeling sorry for himself. While he understood the pressure of being Caesar’s son, Koba did not believe in pity. Not for himself, and not for others. He grunted sternly, and then signed again.

Your new brother will need you. To lead him. And someday so will the others.

At that Blue Eyes looked uncertain. Still not fully meeting Koba’s gaze, he looked up from beneath a lowered, sullen brow.

What if I’m not ready? he signed.

You will be, Koba answered.

The dying flow of the fire caught all the warring fear and hope, shame and frustration, in the young ape’s face. He looked much like his father. But he had not yet learned his father’s unshakable resolve. He still had need of guidance.

Koba grinned at him, feeling the time had come to ease the youngster’s mind.

Maybe next time you hunt with me, he signed. Blue Eyes looked uncertain, as if he might not have understood what Koba meant. Koba touched the raw gashes on Blue Eyes’ chest, then signed again. Don’t feel bad. Your scars make you stronger.

As the idea sank in, Blue Eyes smiled a little, and looked down at himself.

Yes, Koba added. Females see scars, and they see a warrior.

Blue Eyes looked at him then, studying his face and the other scars splitting the thick hair of his shoulders and chest. Koba had earned them all, and he carried them proudly. Even his dead eye was a source of pride to him. He had fought, he had survived.

Now he saw what he had wanted to see from the beginning. Blue Eyes admired him.

Yes, Koba thought. Admire your father because he is your father. Admire Koba because Koba is strong. He turned and walked slowly away toward his dwelling, keeping his body turned so the bear pelt stayed in the firelight, visible to Blue Eyes for as long as possible.

Caesar led the apes. It was right that Caesar led the apes. But it was also right for apes to see Koba as strong. He could also lead.