Aliwin, running his fingers through his long auburn hair, looked at Kasula, determination in his gaze. “Let’s find her.” Kasula nodded, her copper colored braids swaying with the movement of her head revealing glimpses of her pointed ears. Raising her druid’s staff, she gathered the energy from deep within the ground she was standing on, swept the staff in an upwards arc before her and changed into a large golden eagle. Launching herself into the sky, she rapidly flew off in the direction of Otterwell and Samantha’s cottage. Aliwin knew that she would start searching the countryside around the cottage as soon as she arrived there. Turning to his tall golden haired brother-in-law, Rhys Keywynn, he stooped and drew a rough map into the dirt. “We are about here,” he indicated a point representing about another hour’s walk from the cottage. “Let’s send Clearwater ahead of us to search and we can use his eyes to find Atalaya.”
Rhys nodded, his hand resting on Clearwater’s silken head. “We are going hunting, furbrother.” Rhys stroked the large grey wolf’s head as he studied the map that Aliwin had drawn. “Yes, that will work. Talina and Lorsan can lead us while we link with Clearwater. We have been practicing, and they have gotten very good at leading me while I am using Clearwater’s eyes.” Rhys, taking a moment to look deeply into the wolf’s eyes, spoke to him, mind to mind. “We search for the small child Atalaya. She is known to you, the child of Aliwin.” Gesturing the animal to him, both Aliwin and Rhys placed their hands on his head and opened their minds to what Clearwater was seeing. Rhys pointed Clearwater in the direction of Aliwin’s home and sent him ahead of them. The wolf, familiar with being Rhys’ eyes during a search, forged ahead, looking and smelling for any signs of the missing girl. Aliwin and Rhys, guided by the young twins, followed behind searching through Clearwater’s eyes for any sign of the child.
Aliwin’s seeing was momentarily clouded by his fears for his young daughter. The High Forest was not a place for a toddler to be wandering around alone, even in the bright light of day. I should have brought them all to Olaescoa. There is safety in the village and room for her to play and explore safely. And others to help in the watching of her when she leaves the home.
I should have stayed in Otterwell. It is too soon since the birth. I should not have left Samantha alone with two small children. The enclave will just have to do without me for a while. I will not fail my family again. Pushing down his fears, he focused all his attention on interpreting the information he was receiving from his brother-in-law’s wolf friend. He had to find his missing daughter before anything in the forest had a chance to claim her. There were so many dangers abroad under the green leaves and Aliwin was far too familiar with them.
Tightening his hand on Talina’s shoulder he allowed her to guide him forward along Clearwater’s path.
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