Tree Singer

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, they were awakened by the clanging of the cook pot on the fire as Trap made coffee. He didn't offer them any, and Mayten wouldn't have taken any if he had. She'd tried the awful stuff, that had to be imported all the way from Turkey, and which her family drank only at holidays. She'd never grown accustomed to the bitter taste and much preferred the milder teas her da traded for that came on ships from the Orient.

Breakfast was a short affair, they cleaned their camp, re-rolled their sleeping blankets and ate warm leftovers that Trap had kept banked by the fire. He gave what was left to Anatolian, who gulped it down and sniffed for more. On this trip, the dog had to fend for himself, and was good at chasing and catching small chipmunks and other rodents, but a human snack was a real treat and Mayten was grateful to Trap.

Mayten still felt bruised by Cather's betrayal but sleeping next to the tree had lessened the pain, as it always seemed to. Yet, she was grumpy from sleeping on the hard ground and her scowl kept Cather away all morning.

At their lunch break, after miles of walking, Cather and Mayten went off into the bushes to relieve themselves while the men did the same in another direction. Anatolian went looking for his lunch.

As they were refastening their clothes, Cather said in a small voice. "You can't stay mad at me Mayten. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," I understand. "I was just surprised, that's all. I feel foolish, like everyone knew except me."

"But that's not true. I only knew because my mom told me." Cather's eyes were pleading for understanding.

Mayten turned to face her, "Don't you think my mom could have told me? She knew before anyone else. Why didn't she at least – I don't know -- I just felt so stupid up there on that stage. It was like...like getting hit from behind."

Cather's lip quivered. Mayten knew her sensitive friend never meant to hurt her.

Shouts came from the direction of the men, Mayten recognized Trap's voice. "Tray, quick, climb the tree. It's a wild boar."

Mayten and Cather clutched each other's hands in fright. What was happening?

Cather started to pull away. Mayten knew instinctively that Cather would do anything to help Tray and gripped her harder.

"It's Tray, he's in trouble." Cather cried, wrenching her hand from Mayten's grip and running in the direction of the noise.

"Cather, stop," said Mayten in a loud whisper as she ran after her. Her friend was headed for one of the most dangerous forest creatures. She'd learned to give them wide birth, but Cather was a clan dweller, she might not know a boar could charge at you and rip you apart with their sharp curved tusks.

When they got closer to the noise, Cather stopped and Mayten grabbed her from behind and held her tight. "Cather, wait. The men are there. They'll help Tray. There's nothing we can do. Mayten was almost knocked sideways as Anatolian rushed toward the ruckus.

"Anatolia, come back!" Panic streaked down Mayten's neck. Would her dog be hurt? She could hear the loud snuffling and a tree, about ten feet from them behind thick brush, was swaying as if the boar was butting up against it. "Look," said Mayten pointing at the tree. There's Tray, he's safe above it. Tray may have been safe but he looked terrified clinging to the thick branches, his eyes tightly closed. "Help, help," he yelled. "Adven, a boar!"