Chapter 6
6 For the next couple
of weeks Martin uses most of his free time to tutor Trevor, but wishes he could
do more. Whenever he tries to help around the house, his parents tell him to
either lie down and/or don't worry about it. The coyotetaur hates how they're
treating him. He has a nasty cut. It's not like he lost a leg. At least his
doctor sees nothing wrong with him staying active. Martin hopes he never
becomes seriously ill. Having no choice but to stay in bed would drive him
insane. The coyotetaur
couldn't control his tail the day the doctor tells him he can return to his
duties, and to celebrate the occasion, he and Trevor run into the woods and
have a couple of wrestling matches. They return to Cauldron by late afternoon.
Martin shakes his head as he carries Trevor on his back. No wonder his friend
spends most of his time in the woods and/or at the farm when they're not
together: there's hardly anybody their age to play with. Martin attends the
latest meeting knowing his dad has a point. It doesn't hurt to hear what the
mayor and deputy mayor has to say when they say it, and to voice his opinion
whenever possible. The coyotetaur sits through the entire thing biting his
tongue. He wants to tell off certain residents, but knows that'll only cause
him to be thrown out. At least the mayor and deputy mayor made it clear hunting
no longer falls on just him and Trevor, but hearing residents complain about
having to go out and do some dirty work angers him. Then the bad news:
elections will be held at the beginning of winter. Martin doesn't see the current mayor
and deputy mayor winning. The coyotetaur wags
his tail when Trevor mentions he's ready to return to their duties. They
discuss when they should leave and how long their trip should be, and agree to
never return to where they ran into that wild boar. Martin tells Trevor he'll
see him later and heads home. It'll be nice to leave the house for a couple of
days. He may even see if his old man wants to tag along. Give him a chance to
learn a thing or two from Trevor. Martin finds his parents in the backyard, and
sees the expression on his mom's face. That alone ruins his moment. "Ma, pa? What's going
on?" "Your father... has
something to say," Mrs. Patton said. "Today I've decided
to quit, and I told Mr. Watson so shortly after the meeting. We both knew my
day was bound to come so I decided to end things now besides of dragging it
on," Zues looks at his son. "I'll also be leaving early tomorrow morning." "Where you going,
pa?" "I don't know, but
somewhere that's better than here. Before you say, no, you're to stay here.
I'll return for you and your mother when I have a new job and found a house. I
just wish I know how long it'll take." "I wish you'd rethink
that, dear," Martha grabs her husband's hand. "It's safer to travel in groups." "I know, hon, but if
something happens to us all, what then?" Zues kisses his wife's cheek. "I'll be
fine. Traveling shouldn't take long, it's the other things that might take me a
while." "Have you talked to
Trevor? He can give you some pointers, pa." "Mr. Watson said the
same thing. I may consider it. I bet I know what else you want to ask." Martin nods. "Think
we can-" "Absolutely not.
Their wellbeing isn't our concern." "Come on, pa. You
know they're both hard workers. Trev can bathe us and his ma can clean our
house." "You mean treat them
like servants? I thought you had more respect for your friend." "I do, pa, and that's
not what I meant. I'm sure they'll want to do something else." "I'm aware, and the
answer's still no." "But pa-" "No! No more." "Listen to me, pa.
You'll need Trevor for your travels. Do you know how to treat certain wounds,
or which leaf is safe to chew on? Can you even hunt?" "I'll take my
chances." "Please take his
advice, dear," Martha said. "I want you to come back for us." "I'll consider it,
but he's to stay put when I return. His and his mom's place is here." You're wrong, pa.
Their place is anywhere but here." "Know what, fine. I
promise to think upon it during my travel, but I'm not making any promises,"
Zues looks at Martin. "Happy?" "It's at least better
than a no, and they don't even have to stay with us, pa. Just long enough until
they can get their own place." "As I said, son, I'll
think upon it. Moving along, anything you want to tell us?" "Yeah, one. Trev and
I plan to go on a hunting trip tomorrow," Martin looks at his dad. "I was
hoping to have you tag along, pa." "Come to think of it,
I will," Zues rubs his chin. "This will be a short trip, and I'd like Trevor to
show me what he knows. We leave early tomorrow morning and we come back the
morning after. Go inform Trevor the plans, and bring him here." "Yes, pa." Martin finds his
friend at the farm, and tells him the news while bringing him to his house. The
coyotetaur doesn't mention the other half of the conversation he had with his
dad. They spend the rest of the evening going over what they'll bring, how far
they'll travel and preparing their weapons. Zues lies beside the
fire pit and swats at an insect flying around his face. Now he remembers why he
doesn't care for camping. Sleeping outside and having to deal with bugs isn't
his idea of fun. Zues holds back a chuckle. It's a couple of things he'll have
to put up with during his travels. Shame nobody in the village has a map. At
least he'd know how long it'll take to travel to certain places. The coyotetaur pays
close attention to everything Trevor does. He now understands where Martin
comes from when he says the human isn't nearly as dumb as everybody thinks.
Zues wishes he wasn't part of the group. He accepts a flint and hatchet, and
goes to work starting a fire. The process is a lot harder outdoors than it is
indoors. The coyotetaur thumps his tail when sparks ignite the dry timber after
the thirtieth strike. He studies his hands. They're a little sore from holding
the rock and hatchet, but it beats going without a fire. Mr. Patton helps his
son prepare dinner and watches Trevor gather additional wood. There's more the
human can teach him, but he doesn't expect to camp outside all that often. Zues
places two slabs of meat on a flat rock. They've done little in the way of
hunting. Mr. Durant won't be happy when they return, but he should also know by
now game has gone elsewhere. Mr. Patton stretches his front legs and asks how
much wood he should gather. He nods at the explanation. Collecting at least
three days worth isn't a bad idea. It's one thing to keep in mind on the rare
chance he has to sleep outside. Zues leads Martin and
Trevor back to his house early the next morning, and prepares for his trek. He
learned a lot during their small trip, more than he thought he would. The
biggest involves the bond his son has with the human, and that alone has him
thinking about their conversation. He had no plans to bring Trevor along when
he returns for his family, but now it's one thing he'll be sure to think about.
Zues puts the last of his things into a knapsack, kisses his wife on the cheek
and hugs his son before leaving. He hears Trevor bound after him. "Mr. Patton, sir, is
there a way I can convince you to stay a little longer?" Trevor walks alongside
the coyotetaur. "Or find somebody to travel with?" "I'm afraid not. The
longer I put this off, the harder it'll become for me to leave," Zues said.
"Any reason why?" "I don't want Mrs.
Patton and Martin to go through what my mom and me went through." "That I understand,
and I'm aware I'm taking a risk by traveling by myself, but I'd rather not put
my family at risk until I know it's safe." "Forgive me, sir, but
things won't stay the same. You may run into trouble on your way back." "I swear I'll be
careful. I do know of a place that's close by. Hopefully they'll have a map I
can look over," Zues said. "I have a question for you, Trevor. If I were to
bring my family with me this very moment, would you be willing to come? I know you
and Martin talked about leaving some time ago." "As I told him, sir,
I have to make sure my mom's being taken care of. Mr. Watson said he'll bring
her in, but I also have to show him what to give her. I would be willing to
leave this moment if you're willing to wait for me to take care of those couple
of things," Trevor closes his eyes. "She's not doing well." "I'm sorry to hear.
How bad?" "Bad. She wants me to
leave Cauldron. She doesn't want me around to watch her slowly die." "Losing one's parents
is never easy," Zues stops at the edge of town. "I'm afraid this is where we
must part ways. Thanks for the company." "Safe travels, sir." "Trevor, have you
told Martin what you told me regarding your mother?" "Not yet, sir. He's a
good friend, but I'm afraid of what'll happen if I do tell him. I wish-" "What's done is done,
it's too late to apologize. I would've found out even if I wasn't leaving
today, and I would rather hear it from you," Zues looks at Trevor. "I do
suggest telling Martin what you told me, but I won't hold it against you if you
don't." Trevor nods, "Thanks
for allowing me to follow you to the edge of town, sir. I know you didn't have
much love for me at first, but I also know that's no longer the case." "We have to change
our way of thinking, it's the only way to make progress. Plus I've always been impressed
by how hard you work. I just wish I wasn't so stubborn to appreciate it," the
coyotetaur said. "I do apologize for the things I've said and done throughout
the years, and I'm afraid this conversation must come to an end or I'll never
leave. I'll see you when I return, Trevor." Trevor fights the
urge to disobey the coyotetaur. He wants to help Mr. Patton stay safe and to
keep him company during his travels, but he also has to believe he'll be fine.
The human walks back into town once he can longer see Martin's dad and looks at
the ground. He misses those heart to heart chats with his dad. Trevor returns
to his friend's house, and fills him in on part of the conversation he had with
Mr. Patton. He never mentions his mom's illness. Trevor asks Martin how long he
wants to wait for his dad, and agrees to wait until around late winter, early
spring.