(6)A Strange Encounter.

So, thought Anjeliqua, as Wy's first rays of light drew her slowly through the time between sleeping and waking, big'uns are not top of the food chain, although why those specific words came to her mind, she'd be hard pressed to figure out. She blinked open her three eyes, rolled over, yawned and stretched, noting that Mother was already gone. Where? she wondered.

Anjeliqua scrabbled up and out of the den mewling for Mother to come at once, but her mother did not bound over the edge of the hill to soothe her. She listened but heard only the soft sighing of the guardian Dwyld swaying in the milky light of early morning.

Out of sorts, Anjeliqua looked around cautiously - no Eaters in the sky. She hopped out onto the soft ground and sat washing herself. Still no Mother. She twitched her long tail in annoyance, then, anxiously. She felt the Dwyld's concern for her so she padded over and nosed the flat surface of it's trunk. Warm thoughts flowed into her mind, unspoken reassurances, calming thoughts that caused her swishing tail to stop and the comforting thrumming to start vibrating in her throat. It really was a beautiful day.

Her Mother returned not long after Wy's twin sun, Dwy, followed it cautiously into the sky. Anjeliqua felt both relief and annoyance to see her, bound wearily over the edge of the hill. Another followed behind her. Smaller and of a lighter hue - almost mauve along the spine and tail while the fur was a startling neon green. Only the eyes seemed larger, especially the middle one. Mother was stiff legged and queenly as she came up to Anjeliqua - her formality puzzled her kitten - Anjeliqua felt impelled to lower her head before her mother, glancing askance at the other creature as she did so.

Mother's quick lick raised Anjeliqua's head and her third eye's gaze held Anjeliqua's. "Come, greet your father," with this she stood to one side, and nudged Anjeliqua towards the stranger who sat waiting. She half walked, half rolled the distance between them, coming to rest between his paws. His warm nose nuzzled the top of her head. She looked up at him.

Anjeliqua's eye met his and she felt him probing her mind. She could feel his surprise and slight alarm. She saw his quick glance and nod at Mother, affirming something beyond her understanding. He then got up and walked solemnly around her three times in one direction, vocalizing an almost melodic yowl - high pitched and tremulous. Anjeliqua noticed that the Dwyld was waving purposefully in a kind of assent. Mother, her two eyes closed and third eye shining, joined the father as he changed directions and encircled her three times around in the opposite direction, silent this time, listening for something.

Then Anjeliqua heard it, coming from a great distance and in several directions - a similar yowling, much fainter. Others, there were more of her kind! Anjeliqua hopped up and ran to the edge of the hill looking intently towards the sounds. She could almost see the air moving as it carried their voices. At first she saw nothing, then from the right and the left, following the line of the river below, she could see shapes moving between the dwylds and lwold that grew along the banks.

Anjeliqua looked up at Mother, "Are there any like me?" her eyes queried.

"None" her Mother's gaze replied with fond pride, then relenting, "there are other young". By now Mother and Father sat on either side of her, watching the procession of creatures now loping up the hill.

Anjeliqua nipped her mother's mouth to get her attention, "What are we called?"

"Qsytr"

Ah, thought Anjeliqua, that feels about right, and turned back to greet the new arrivals as each paused to acknowledge both the dwyld and themselves.