By Paw and Sail

Chapter 6: Mothers' Tears [Trais]

Trais tugged on the string. The knot held firm against the pressure. He hoisted the cloth bag over his shoulder and followed Zix out of the room. The mouse hopped down the stairs ahead of him and opened the door to the hallway below. They followed the narrow passage out to the main chamber.

His mother sat on a large cushion in the middle of the room. She stroked the fur on Kaley’s head and whispered into her ear. Her friend was in pain, and she didn’t know how to help.

Kaley lifted her head as the two young animals entered the room. Fresh tears rolled from her eyes when saw the bag holding her daughter’s clothes. Trais set the sack on the ground and rushed over to Jassri’s mother. He knelt down and slipped his paws around her.

The sound of her sobs cut through him, forcing a few tears out from the corner of his eyes. He didn’t know what to say, so he squeezed harder. He took a few shallow breaths through his nose to calm himself before speaking.

“Don’t worry.”

Kaley nodded. Her tears soaked through his fur as she pressed her face into his shoulder. Kitsu watched silently as her youngest son comforted the older cat. She was proud of him, but she was also afraid.

His fear of water worried her constantly, but she secretly hoped he would stay that way. It meant that he was at home while her husband and older sons traveled. He was there for her and his little sister. Her instincts told her that it wouldn’t last forever, but she didn’t think it would end so suddenly.

“Are you leaving now?” Kitsu said.

“Pretty much, I think we have an hour or so before the ship is ready to leave.”

“I’m going to stay with her… Hug me.”

Trais slid across the cushion to his mother and wrapped his arms around her. She put her chin on top of his shoulder and held her son close.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Please, be safe.”

“I love you too.”

She locked eyes with her child as she pulled away. The sky-blue orbs were flecked with bits of yellow and orange, just like they were when he was a kitten crying in her arms. Looking at him now made her heart ache. Trais stood and lifted the bag over his shoulder as the two mothers leaned on each other.

Zix opened the front door quietly and followed the cat outside. The young mouse was glad to escape the room. Tears made him uncomfortable. He felt like he might start crying too if he stayed much longer.

“Sorry,” Trais said.

“No, it’s okay.”

Zix and Trais headed towards the harbor docks. Neither spoke as they followed the walkway, they were both occupied by their own thoughts. Trais paused as he passed the door to his home.

“Oh. Do you mind waiting a bit longer? I need to get a few things.”

“Okay. Is this your house here?”

“Yeah, come on in with me,” Trais said, as he opened the door. “No one’s here. Feel free to dig through the kitchen for a snack or drink from the vat in the back. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.”

The cat jumped up the stairs and into his room. He pulled the drawers out from the old dresser and rummaged through the contents. It took him a few minutes to extract his favorite garments from the tangled mass of fabric.

He stashed his clothes in an empty sack along with a few books and a small trinket box. He balled up one of his blankets and pushed it down on top.