Chapter Six

The herd of Riverbacks left Lisa and Luke at the riverbank, though little Pip lingered. He wanted to remain at the couple’s side for a while longer. They didn’t mind, but told the pup he needed his mother’s permission.

“Very well,” she’d said. “Behave yourself.”

Pip’s ears wiggled. “Yes, Mama.”

The three of them entered the bamboo forest, reaching a small clearing after a few minutes. The trees were spaced out further here and the ground was brown from the lack of grass.

Luke slowed and looked around, hands spread, eyes closed. Lisa and Pip came to a stop, watching. He circled the clearing, sweeping his hands slowly left and right as he focused with the Force.

“What’s he doing?” Pip whispered, sensing the need to be quiet at the moment.

“Shh,” she answered. “He’ll tell us when he’s ready.”

The pup grunted but went silent. After a few minutes, Luke opened his eyes and looked at the pair of them.

“I’m sensing…” Luke began, then paused, frowning. “It’s hard to describe. Just…something.”

“Did you see this clearing in a vision?” Lisa asked.

He shrugged, thinking. “Perhaps. I saw a lot of areas.”

Pip looked from Luke to Lisa and back again, scratching his nose. The pup had no idea what they were talking about, but felt as if he were too young to understand and so didn’t ask.

They kept walking and found a hillside where Luke, again, sensed the “something” through the Force. It overlooked the river and had a spectacular view of the mountains. A breeze ruffled hair and fur and they took in the sight for a moment.

She felt Luke touch her hand and she twined their fingers with a smile. They leaned against each other while Pip nibbled on the grass.

“I don’t like high places,” he said, facing away from the view.

Let’s keep exploring, said Luke after she’d relayed that statement. We don’t want to make him uncomfortable.

The group walked back into the bamboo forest, away from the hilltop and the first clearing they’d come to. They wove around the tall stalks, avoiding falling branches and scattered rocks.

A whistling song floated around them and Plum came gliding over, landing on Lisa’s shoulder.

“Hi, Plum,” she said, stroking the bird’s colorful feathers. “Where have you been?”

“After I told Elder Reed about you,” she said, “I had to eat, so I went back to Sedge.”

The name of the mud yak Plum ate insects from was another semantic adjustment Lisa’s mind had made. She’d long ago stopped trying to figure out how her ability worked.

“Since you’re wandering around the forest, I guess you’re staying?”

Pip squeaked. “They helped me, so Papa said yes.”

“Ah,” said Lisa, “Elder Reed is your father.”

“Elder Reed is the father of many of the Riverback pups,” said Plum. “As Leader, it’s one of his duties.”

Lisa translated the conversation to Luke when the word “father” had piqued his interest. He nodded but said nothing as they continued walking through the forest. She touched his hand briefly, just to say I’m here.

The next clearing they came to made Luke stop so suddenly that not only did Lisa walk straight into him but Plum had to flutter her wings in order to remain on her shoulder. Only Pip was far enough away to see them stop.

“What?” he asked, looking up at the bipeds.

Lisa and Luke walked into the clearing and looked around. The hill was empty save for green grass surrounded by stalks of bamboo, but in their mind’s eye they could see a stone structure. It wavered and wobbled like a mirage.

“Luke…” Lisa whispered, reaching for his hand. “Do you think…?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

End chapter six

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