Part Three

Eden was silent. She and Moonshadow walked on for days, and the yellow Lupe never said a word. More than once, Moonshadow caught her on the verge of tears. She didn't try to force Eden to talk. She knew that would have been the worst thing to do.

Eden-Latin. Opifex-eversor. The Dark Lord mused quietly, watching those under his control.

There was a squeal from further into the woods and Eden raced towards it, Moonshadow close behind. A Harris petpet cowered against a tree, brown to match it, and all alone. There was a rustle in the treetops above them, then a bird's call. Eden and Moonshadow looked at each other. The Harris looked up at them hopefully, then looked miserable. "You not Layla. You know Layla? Layla comin' back soon?"

Moonshadow shook her head and imitated its speech. "Layla who? Not know any Layla."

Eden watched the Harris's hopes fall and said "Layla come back no time soon, I thinkin'. You comin' with us, maybe? What your name?"

The Harris looked back up defiantly. "What your name?"

Moonshadow laughed. "My name Moonshadow."

Eden smiled. "My name Eden. You name?"

The Harris shrugged. "Layla callin' me Riva. You not Layla. Call me other name."

Eden grinned. "You name insolence! But we callin' you Kyla. Close to Layla. We maybe also callin' you brave!"

Kyla looked surprised. "Me brave?"

Moonshadow nodded. "You brave. And you clever!"

The Harris frowned. "Clever how?"

The Lupe laughed. "You get Eden speaking!"

Eden, Moonshadow and Kyla travelled onwards for a good few more days. Kyla rode on Eden's back most of the time, sometimes scurrying ahead. It was late night and they had a campfire burning when Moonshadow asked Kyla about Layla. The Harris shrugged. "Layla like youse two. Lupedog. But shadowy colourin'. Buyin' me from shop, makin' me welcome with family. Then her brother lost. Go searchin' in forest. They all vanishin', and me 'lone 'gain. Searchin' for them, bringin' me further away. Tired an' 'ungry, findin' youse two." She glanced from one to the other, surprised at their reactions. "Whatta matter?"

Moonshadow tried to relax. "What Layla brother name?"

Kyla smiled. "Layla brother nicey Lupedog. Layla callin' 'im Rick." Eden and Moonshadow blinked, then Moonshadow set off on a different track of questions.

"Where you losin' Layla? Where startin' searchin'?"

Kyla nodded eagerly. "Notta far now. Youse two goin' inna good way already."

Eden smiled grimly. "I take it that we're heading in the right direction. In which case we'd better get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow will be a busy day."

The morning sun rose slowly, as if it knew what the day held, and was reluctant to unleash it upon the unsuspecting. It's silky golden light cautiously wandered over Eden and Moonshadow's faces before carefully stroking Kyla's eyes open. The little Harris stretched and yawned, then nudged Eden. "Lupedogs sleepydogs. Gettin' up yet? It dawn a plenty. Whatta happenin' to "busy day"?"

Eden yawned. "Go away, pest. I need my beauty sleep." Kyla skipped round and peered at Eden's face critically as the Lupe opened her eyes.

"Yup. You's needin' plenty o' beeyooty sleep." She skipped away again with a squeal and hid behind a tree as Eden leapt up. "Least you's awakin' now!"

Moonshadow laughed at them both as she got up and stretched. "Kyla has a point Eden. You did say it would be a busy day today. We need an early start if we're going to do what I think you have in mind."

Eden stretched and nodded. "Alright, point taken. Kyla, you can come out now." The Harris peeped out from behind the tree, then noticed Moonshadow making breakfast and ran over.

"Hungry now! Chasin' early good for makin' hungry!"

Eden smiled. "Well eat plenty. There's going to be some more chasing before you get a chance to eat again."

Before Eden's prediction could come true the trio had to start searching. Kyla showed Eden and Moonshadow where she had been searching when Layla and her family had disappeared. The Harris waved a little uncertainly in one direction. "Layla searchin' over there. I lookin' up, seein' 'er. She shakin' head. I lookin' away. Not feelin' right, lookin' back, she gone. Poof!" She spread her little arms wide.

Eden nodded. "So we're startin' searchin' where she disappearin'. Maybe we findin' her?"

Kyla shrugged. "Maybes. Needin' lotsa luck for doin' that, me thinkin'."

Kyla appeared to be right after two hours fruitless searching. The two Lupes flopped down and rested by a tree while the Harris kept moving around, trying to find any possible place for her previous owner to have vanished into. "We should have known it would take a long time. Kyla has searched before, and it took Layla and her family ages before they found the way in. I think our luck's out."

Eden smiled grimly. "Was our luck ever in?" She paused, then frowned slightly. "We managed fine with about as much bad luck as you can get for a long time, right?"

Moonshadow looked up at Eden. "I suppose you're right."

The yellow Lupe shook her head and sat up a little straighter. "Never mind supposing. I am right. And I say it's about time for our luck to change for the better! Am I right?"

Moonshadow began to smile. "You're right!"

Eden stood up. "So am I right when I say we're going to find it? Now?!"

Moonshadow jumped to her feet, grinning and yelled back at her friend. "YES YOU ARE!"

Eden laughed recklessly. "WE WILL!"

To be continued…