Chapter 17 Saying 'See You Later'
After Lord Burt returned to Brightport, he harshly reprimanded the hunters that had kidnapped Lowell and Jacob and forbid them from hunting until further notice.
A day later, two funerals were thrown for Visher. One of them was in Brightport, which Aaron and I went to. After the funeral, Merida and Paul came up to us.
"Aaron, Aphmau", Merida started. "Thank you so much for bringing my husband back to me and my son."
"You're welcome", Aaron said.
"I'm glad that we were able to do something for him", Aphmau added.
"Merida and I were talking about it, and we want you two to have Visher's boat", Paul revealed.
"Really", Aphmau asked in shock.
"You don't have to do that", Aaron said.
"Take it", Paul insisted. "After all, there's not much a farmer like me can do with it."
"I don't really have a use for it either" Merida added. "Plus, won't you two need a way to get back to your village?"
"You have a point", Aaron said, before deciding to accept the offer. "Thank you, Merida and Paul. We'll take good care of the boat."
"You're welcome", Merida replied. "There's also something else I'd like to do for you. Tell me, does your village have a market place?"
"It doesn't", Aaron replied. "Why?"
"In a few days time, a member from the merchant's guild is coming to see me to buy Visher's remaining stock", Merida revealed. "If Phoenix Drop had a market place, I'd be happy to let them know."
"Merchants coming to Phoenix Drop could help out the village in many ways", Aaron said. "I'll talk to the person in charge of Phoenix Drop about it when we get back. He's in contact with Azura, who can let you know if and when the market place goes up."
"Thank you so much for helping us out, Merida", Aphmau said.
"It's the least I could do after what you did for my husband", Merida revealed. "And for helping out my son's friends."
Besides the one in Brightport, The werewolf village also held a funeral for Visher. As it turns out, Visher was actually a werewolf! He met Merida when she got lost in the woods one time, and the two fell in love.
Wanting to be with her, Visher started taking potions that would get rid of his wolf ears and tail. The rest of the tribe supported him, and he arrived in Brightport as a traveling merchant.
Once the funeral in the werewolf village was done, it was time for Lowell and Kiva to leave.
"Dad, do I really have to go", Lowell asked his father.
"It's for your own safety, my son", Boldof replied. "You are the future of our tribe. We must protect that future at all costs."
"I know", Lowell said as he held back tears. "But I…I'm going to miss you and mom. And I'm going to be worried about you two."
"Do not, do not, do not worry, my son. Your father and I will be alright", Lowell's mother reassured him. Then, she and her husband hugged their son one last time before he left.
Once they were done saying goodbye to their parents, we took Lowell and Kiva and left the werewolf village with Aaron's family coming with us. Once we got to Brightport, Lord Burt helped us sneak through the village and to the docks.
"Aaron, I thank you once again for rescuing me", Lord Burt said. "Is there anything I can do for you in return?"
"Well, Phoenix Drop is not doing so well at the moment", Aaron revealed. "Regular trade would help with that. Would you be interested in Brightport doing trade with Phoenix Drop?"
"I'd be more than happy to do trade with your village", Lord Burt replied.
"Thank you", Aaron said. "We'll have someone send you all the necessary information once we have it."
"I'll be looking forward to receiving word from you", Lord Burt said. "Until then, safe travels."
"Thank you, Lord Burt", Aaron said, before looking at everyone else. "Okay, everyone. Let's head back to Phoenix Drop."
Once we got on the ship and it set sail, the wolf cubs stared in the direction of the werewolf village.
"Say 'bye bye' to the werewolf village, Jake", Melissa said as she held up the nephew.
"Bye bye werewolf village", Jacob said. Lowell then let out a sad sigh.
"Fear not, Lowell", Rachel said. "Once things between Brightport and the werewolf village have calmed down, you and Kiva will be able to return home."
"How long will that be", Lowell asked.
"I'm afraid I do not know the answer to that at a moment, dear", Rachel replied.
Lowell seem really sad about leaving his home, and I felt really bad for him. I was thinking about if there was anything I could do to help him. Then…I suddenly heard a sound in the distance.
Lowell and Kiva looked up when they heard it. They recognised it instantly, and began to become emotional.
"Is that…howling", Aphmau asked when she realised what the sound was.
"It's the werewolf village", Aaron replied. "They're saying goodbye to Lowell and Kiva."
"Not goodbye", Melissa corrected Aaron. "It's more like a 'see you later.'"
After hearing their village howling for them, Lowell and Kiva began howling back. Jacob joined in as well, before looking at his father. "Dad, you howl too."
"Okay buddy", Aaron said. Then, him, as well as his mother and sister, joined in on the howling as well.
As I watched everyone howl, I felt sad that Lowell and Kiva had to say goodbye to their home and loved ones. But, I then remembered that Melissa said that it was more like saying 'see you later', and I felt a bit better.