Morning hadn't fully settled over camp yet. Coffee simmered over the fire while a few folks quietly went about getting ready for the day. You were standing outside the tent you shared with him, waiting. For a while now, he hadn't really been talking to you. Every answer was short, and every night he'd claim he was too tired before turning in early.

"Arthur?" you called softly, holding out a tin cup of coffee. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Arthur didn't even stop checking the saddle straps. "Not now."

"It won't take more'n five minutes."

Arthur finally turned to look at you. The dark circles beneath his eyes betrayed too many sleepless nights. "I said not now."