“Ah, for the love of Eurona, Pax,” Tiern said. “You couldn’t even wash up for Mum? Look at you!” He made a grab for Paxton’s hand and Pax pulled away on instinct.“What’s your problem, Brother?”
Paxton was tired of lying. Tired of feeling afraid and ashamed. He turned back to his bags, pushing in the last of his belongings. “I’m leaving, Tiern.” He stood, pulling the pack over his shoulder. “The hunt is yours.”
Tiern blinked. “You’re joking.”
“Do I ever joke?”
Again, Tiern stared, unmoving. “This is about last night, isn’t it? The fire—”
In the blink of an eye Paxton had dropped his bag and pinned Tiern against the pole in the center of the tent. The entire structure shook. Their mother screamed.
“Shut your mouth,” Paxton warned. The brothers locked eyes, Paxton’s fierce and Tiern’s stubborn.
“I knew it!” Tiern started.
Paxton bashed him against the pole again. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Boys!” Their father wrenched them apart with his strong hands, nearly toppling over on his bad knees.
A clear warning lived in Paxton’s eyes as he stared at Tiern:do not tell them.
“Fine,” Tiern grumbled, straightening his tunic.
“What in Eurona is going on here?” their father asked. “What happened last night?”
Paxton’s fists were ready to shut his brother’s mouth if he opened it. His voice was like stone. “We nearly froze to death until I managed to build a fire.”
“I knew we should have brought your gear sooner,” their mother said.
“We survived.” Paxton bent and picked up his pack. “You should stay in our tent tonight. Don’t travel back in the dark.”
His father let out a breath, at a loss. “I don’t understand why you’re leaving.”
And you never will, Papa.
“It’s been a bit more than I expected.” Paxton said. He couldn’t even look at his father. “I need time to myself.”
His father let out a huff of exasperated breath. “You can’t just run when you’re faced with difficult challenges, Son. I thought I’d taught you better than that.”
“Leave him alone.” His mother faced his father, bolder than he’d ever seen her. “Only the seas know what he’s been through these weeks! Don’t shame him for leaving this forsaken hunt.”
His father gritted his teeth. “The people will call him a coward, Maryn.”
“I don’t care what they say!”
Tiern took his mother’s hand and she looked down, covering her mouth as tears filled her eyes. “Where will you go?” Tiern asked him.
“I don’t know. I’ll travel.”
“Will you come back?” His mother stepped forward. “Our home will always be your home, Son. You know that.” In a quieter voice, she said, “Papa will move past this.”
He nodded, though he had no plans to return. He would never endanger his family. “Perhaps someday, Mum.”
She hugged him tightly. Over her shoulder he saw his father’s chin quiver, though his eyes were still set in disappointment. When his mother released him, he faced his father, his throat tight. “I’m sorry, Papa. I know it’s not what you want, but I swear this is what’s best right now.”
His father swallowed, shaking his head.
Paxton pushed through the tent flap. He could hear his mother’s muffled cries and knew if he looked back he would see Tiern watching him in stunned dismay. He would not turn back.
